--- /dev/null
+A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT'S DREAM
+
+Now , fair Hippolyta , our nuptial hour
+Draws on apace : four happy days bring in
+Another moon ; but O ! methinks how slow
+This old moon wanes ; she lingers my desires ,
+Like to a step dame , or a dowager
+Long withering out a young man's revenue .
+
+Four days will quickly steep themselves in night ;
+Four nights will quickly dream away the time ;
+And then the moon , like to a silver bow
+New-bent in heaven , shall behold the night
+Of our solemnities .
+
+Go , Philostrate ,
+Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments ;
+Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth ;
+Turn melancholy forth to funerals ;
+The pale companion is not for our pomp .
+
+Hippolyta , I woo'd thee with my sword ,
+And won thy love doing thee injuries ;
+But I will wed thee in another key ,
+With pomp , with triumph , and with revelling .
+
+
+Happy be Theseus , our renowned duke !
+
+Thanks , good Egeus : what's the news with thee ?
+
+Full of vexation come I , with complaint
+Against my child , my daughter Hermia .
+Stand forth , Demetrius . My noble lord ,
+This man hath my consent to marry her .
+Stand forth , Lysander : and , my gracious duke ,
+This man hath bewitch'd the bosom of my child :
+Thou , thou , Lysander , thou hast given her rimes ,
+And interchang'd love-tokens with my child ;
+Thou hast by moonlight at her window sung ,
+With feigning voice , verses of feigning love ;
+And stol'n the impression of her fantasy
+With bracelets of thy hair , rings , gawds , conceits ,
+Knacks , trifles , nosegays , sweetmeats , messengers
+Of strong prevailment in unharden'd youth ;
+With cunning hast thou filch'd my daughter's heart ;
+Turn'd her obedience , which is due to me ,
+To stubborn harshness . And , my gracious duke ,
+Be it so she will not here before your Grace
+Consent to marry with Demetrius ,
+I beg the ancient privilege of Athens ,
+As she is mine , I may dispose of her ;
+Which shall be either to this gentleman ,
+Or to her death , according to our law
+Immediately provided in that case .
+
+What say you , Hermia ? be advis'd , fair maid .
+To you , your father should be as a god ;
+One that compos'd your beauties , yea , and one
+To whom you are but as a form in wax
+By him imprinted , and within his power
+To leave the figure or disfigure it .
+Demetrius is a worthy gentleman .
+
+So is Lysander .
+
+In himself he is ;
+But , in this kind , wanting your father's voice ,
+The other must be held the worthier .
+
+I would my father look'd but with my eyes .
+
+Rather your eyes must with his judgment look .
+
+I do entreat your Grace to pardon me .
+I know not by what power I am made bold ,
+Nor how it may concern my modesty
+In such a presence here to plead my thoughts ;
+But I beseech your Grace , that I may know
+The worst that may befall me in this case ,
+If I refuse to wed Demetrius .
+
+Either to die the death , or to abjure
+For ever the society of men .
+Therefore , fair Hermia , question your desires ;
+Know of your youth , examine well your blood ,
+Whe'r , if you yield not to your father's choice ,
+You can endure the livery of a nun ,
+For aye to be in shady cloister mew'd ,
+To live a barren sister all your life ,
+Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon .
+Thrice blessed they that master so their blood ,
+To undergo such maiden pilgrimage ;
+But earthlier happy is the rose distill'd ,
+Than that which withering on the virgin thorn
+Grows , lives , and dies , in single blessedness .
+
+So will I grow , so live , so die , my lord ,
+Ere I will yield my virgin patent up
+Unto his lordship , whose unwished yoke
+My soul consents not to give sovereignty .
+
+Take time to pause ; and , by the next new moon ,
+The sealing-day betwixt my love and me
+For everlasting bond of fellowship ,
+Upon that day either prepare to die
+For disobedience to your father's will ,
+Or else to wed Demetrius , as he would ;
+Or on Diana's altar to protest
+For aye austerity and single life .
+
+Relent , sweet Hermia ; and , Lysander , yield
+Thy crazed title to my certain right .
+
+You have her father's love , Demetrius ;
+Let me have Hermia's : do you marry him .
+
+Scornful Lysander ! true , he hath my love ,
+And what is mine my love shall render him ;
+And she is mine , and all my right of her
+I do estate unto Demetrius .
+
+I am , my lord , as well deriv'd as he ,
+As well possess'd ; my love is more than his ;
+My fortunes every way as fairly rank'd
+If not with vantage , as Demetrius' ;
+And , which is more than all these boasts can be ,
+I am belov'd of beauteous Hermia .
+Why should not I then prosecute my right ?
+Demetrius , I'll avouch it to his head ,
+Made love to Nedar's daughter , Helena ,
+And won her soul ; and she , sweet lady , dotes ,
+Devoutly dotes , dotes in idolatry ,
+Upon this spotted and inconstant man .
+
+I must confess that I have heard so much ,
+And with Demetrius thought to have spoke thereof ;
+But , being over-full of self-affairs ,
+My mind did lose it . But , Demetrius , come ;
+And come , Egeus ; you shall go with me ,
+I have some private schooling for you both .
+For you , fair Hermia , look you arm yourself
+To fit your fancies to your father's will ,
+Or else the law of Athens yields you up ,
+Which by no means we may extenuate ,
+To death , or to a vow of single life .
+Come , my Hippolyta : what cheer , my love ?
+Demetrius and Egeus , go along :
+I must employ you in some business
+Against our nuptial , and confer with you
+Of something nearly that concerns yourselves .
+
+With duty and desire we follow you .
+
+
+How now , my love ! Why is your cheek so pale ?
+How chance the roses there do fade so fast ?
+
+Belike for want of rain , which I could well
+Beteem them from the tempest of mine eyes .
+
+Ay me ! for aught that ever I could read ,
+Could ever hear by tale or history ,
+The course of true love never did run smooth ;
+But , either it was different in blood ,
+
+O cross ! too high to be enthrall'd to low .
+
+Or else misgraffed in respect of years ,
+
+O spite ! too old to be engag'd to young .
+
+Or else it stood upon the choice of friends ,
+
+O hell ! to choose love by another's eye .
+
+Or , if there were a sympathy in choice ,
+War , death , or sickness did lay siege to it ,
+Making it momentany as a sound ,
+Swift as a shadow , short as any dream ,
+Brief as the lightning in the collied night ,
+That , in a spleen , unfolds both heaven and earth ,
+And ere a man hath power to say , 'Behold !'
+The jaws of darkness do devour it up :
+So quick bright things come to confusion .
+
+If then true lovers have been ever cross'd ,
+It stands as an edict in destiny :
+Then let us teach our trial patience ,
+Because it is a customary cross ,
+As due to love as thoughts and dreams and sighs ,
+Wishes and tears , poor fancy's followers .
+
+A good persuasion : therefore , hear me , Hermia .
+I have a widow aunt , a dowager
+Of great revenue , and she hath no child :
+From Athens is her house remote seven leagues ;
+And she respects me as her only son .
+There , gentle Hermia , may I marry thee ,
+And to that place the sharp Athenian law
+Cannot pursue us . If thou lov'st me then ,
+Steal forth thy father's house to-morrow night ,
+And in the wood , a league without the town ,
+Where I did meet thee once with Helena ,
+To do observance to a morn of May ,
+There will I stay for thee .
+
+My good Lysander !
+I swear to thee by Cupid's strongest bow ,
+By his best arrow with the golden head ,
+By the simplicity of Venus' doves ,
+By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves ,
+And by that fire which burn'd the Carthage queen ,
+When the false Troyan under sail was seen ,
+By all the vows that ever men have broke ,
+In number more than ever women spoke ,
+In that same place thou hast appointed me ,
+To-morrow truly will I meet with thee .
+
+Keep promise , love . Look , here comes Helena .
+
+
+God speed fair Helena ! Whither away ?
+
+Call you me fair ? that fair again unsay .
+Demetrius loves your fair : O happy fair !
+Your eyes are lode-stars ! and your tongue's sweet air
+More tuneable than lark to shepherd's ear ,
+When wheat is green , when hawthorn buds appear .
+Sickness is catching : O ! were favour so ,
+Yours would I catch , fair Hermia , ere I go ;
+My ear should catch your voice , my eye your eye ,
+My tongue should catch your tongue's sweet melody .
+Were the world mine , Demetrius being bated ,
+The rest I'd give to be to you translated .
+O ! teach me how you look , and with what art
+You sway the motion of Demetrius' heart .
+
+I frown upon him , yet he loves me still .
+
+O ! that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill .
+
+I give him curses , yet he gives me love .
+
+O ! that my prayers could such affection move .
+
+The more I hate , the more he follows me .
+
+The more I love , the more he hateth me .
+
+His folly , Helena , is no fault of mine .
+
+None , but your beauty : would that fault were mine !
+
+Take comfort : he no more shall see my face ;
+Lysander and myself will fly this place .
+Before the time I did Lysander see ,
+Seem'd Athens as a paradise to me :
+O ! then , what graces in my love do dwell ,
+That he hath turn'd a heaven unto a hell .
+
+Helen , to you our minds we will unfold .
+To-morrow night , when Ph be doth behold
+Her silver visage in the wat'ry glass ,
+Decking with liquid pearl the bladed grass ,
+A time that lovers' flights doth still conceal ,
+Through Athens' gates have we devis'd to steal .
+
+And in the wood , where often you and I
+Upon faint primrose-beds were wont to lie ,
+Emptying our bosoms of their counsel sweet ,
+There my Lysander and myself shall meet ;
+And thence from Athens turn away our eyes ,
+To seek new friends and stranger companies .
+Farewell , sweet playfellow : pray thou for us ;
+And good luck grant thee thy Demetrius !
+Keep word , Lysander : we must starve our sight
+From lovers' food till morrow deep midnight .
+
+I will , my Hermia .
+
+Helena , adieu :
+As you on him , Demetrius dote on you !
+
+
+How happy some o'er other some can be !
+Through Athens I am thought as fair as she ;
+But what of that ? Demetrius thinks not so ;
+He will not know what all but he do know ;
+And as he errs , doting on Hermia's eyes ,
+So I , admiring of his qualities .
+Things base and vile , holding no quantity ,
+Love can transpose to form and dignity .
+Love looks not with the eyes , but with the mind ,
+And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind .
+Nor hath Love's mind of any judgment taste ;
+Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste :
+And therefore is Love said to be a child ,
+Because in choice he is so oft beguil'd .
+As waggish boys in game themselves forswear ,
+So the boy Love is perjur'd every where ;
+For ere Demetrius look'd on Hermia's eyne ,
+He hail'd down oaths that he was only mine ;
+And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt ,
+So he dissolv'd , and showers of oaths did melt .
+I will go tell him of fair Hermia's flight :
+Then to the wood will he to-morrow night
+Pursue her ; and for this intelligence
+If I have thanks , it is a dear expense :
+But herein mean I to enrich my pain ,
+To have his sight thither and back again .
+
+
+Is all our company here ?
+
+You were best to call them generally , man by man , according to the scrip .
+
+Here is the scroll of every man's name , which is thought fit , through all Athens , to play in our interlude before the duke and the duchess on his wedding-day at night .
+
+First , good Peter Quince , say what the play treats on ; then read the names of the actors , and so grow to a point .
+
+Marry , our play is , The most lamentable comedy , and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisby .
+
+A very good piece of work , I assure you , and a merry . Now , good Peter Quince , call forth your actors by the scroll . Masters , spread yourselves .
+
+Answer as I call you . Nick Bottom , the weaver .
+
+Ready . Name what part I am for , and proceed .
+
+You , Nick Bottom , are set down for Pyramus .
+
+What is Pyramus ? a lover , or a tyrant ?
+
+A lover , that kills himself most gallantly for love .
+
+That will ask some tears in the true performing of it : if I do it , let the audience look to their eyes ; I will move storms , I will condole in some measure . To the rest : yet my chief humour is for a tyrant . I could play Ercles rarely , or a part to tear a cat in , to make all split .
+
+The raging rocks
+And shivering shocks
+Shall break the locks
+Of prison gates :
+And Phibbus' car
+Shall shine from far
+And make and mar
+The foolish Fates .
+
+This was lofty ! Now name the rest of the players . This is Ercles' vein , a tyrant's vein ; a lover is more condoling .
+
+Francis Flute , the bellows-mender .
+
+Here , Peter Quince .
+
+You must take Thisby on you .
+
+What is Thisby ? a wandering knight ?
+
+It is the lady that Pyramus must love .
+
+Nay , faith , let not me play a woman ; I have a beard coming .
+
+That's all one : you shall play it in a mask , and you may speak as small as you will .
+
+An I may hide my face , let me play Thisby too . I'll speak in a monstrous little voice , 'Thisne , Thisne !' 'Ah , Pyramus , my lover dear ; thy Thisby dear , and lady dear !'
+
+No , no ; you must play Pyramus ; and Flute , you Thisby .
+
+Well , proceed .
+
+Robin Starveling , the tailor .
+
+Here , Peter Quince .
+
+Robin Starveling , you must play Thisby's mother . Tom Snout , the tinker .
+
+Here , Peter Quince .
+
+You , Pyramus's father ; myself , Thisby's father ; Snug , the joiner , you the lion's part : and , I hope , here is a play fitted .
+
+Have you the lion's part written ? pray you , if it be , give it me , for I am slow of study .
+
+You may do it extempore , for it is nothing but roaring .
+
+Let me play the lion too . I will roar , that I will do any man's heart good to hear me ; I will roar , that I will make the duke say , 'Let him roar again , let him roar again .'
+
+An you should do it too terribly , you would fright the duchess and the ladies , that they would shriek ; and that were enough to hang us all .
+
+That would hang us , every mother's son .
+
+I grant you , friends , if that you should fright the ladies out of their wits , they would have no more discretion but to hang us ; but I will aggravate my voice so that I will roar you as gently as any sucking dove ; I will roar you as 'twere any nightingale .
+
+You can play no part but Pyramus ; for Pyramus is a sweet-faced man ; a proper man , as one shall see in a summer's day ; a most lovely , gentleman-like man ; therefore , you must needs play Pyramus .
+
+Well , I will undertake it . What beard were I best to play it in ?
+
+Why , what you will .
+
+I will discharge it in either your straw-colour beard , your orange-tawny beard , your purple-in-grain beard , or your French-crown colour beard , your perfect yellow .
+
+Some of your French crowns have no hair at all , and then you will play bare-faced . But masters , here are your parts ; and I am to entreat you , request you , and desire you , to con them by to-morrow night , and meet me in the palace wood , a mile without the town , by moonlight : there will we rehearse ; for if we meet in the city , we shall be dogged with company , and our devices known . In the meantime I will draw a bill of properties , such as our play wants . I pray you , fail me not .
+
+We will meet ; and there we may rehearse more obscenely and courageously . Take pains ; be perfect ; adieu .
+
+At the duke's oak we meet .
+
+Enough ; hold , or cut bow-strings .
+
+How now , spirit ! whither wander you ?
+
+
+Over hill , over dale ,
+Thorough bush , thorough brier ,
+Over park , over pale ,
+Thorough flood , thorough fire ,
+I do wander every where ,
+Swifter than the moone's sphere ;
+And I serve the fairy queen ,
+To dew her orbs upon the green :
+The cowslips tall her pensioners be ;
+In their gold coats spots you see ;
+Those be rubies , fairy favours ,
+In their freckles live their savours :
+
+I must go seek some dew-drops here ,
+And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear .
+Farewell , thou lob of spirits : I'll be gone ;
+Our queen and all her elves come here anon .
+
+The king doth keep his revels here to-night .
+Take heed the queen come not within his sight ;
+For Oberon is passing fell and wrath ,
+Because that she as her attendant hath
+A lovely boy , stol'n from an Indian king ;
+She never had so sweet a changeling ;
+And jealous Oberon would have the child
+Knight of his train , to trace the forests wild ;
+But she , perforce , withholds the loved boy ,
+Crowns him with flowers , and makes him all her joy .
+And now they never meet in grove , or green ,
+By fountain clear , or spangled starlight sheen ,
+But they do square ; that all their elves , for fear ,
+Creep into acorn-cups and hide them there .
+
+Either I mistake your shape and making quite ,
+Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite
+Call'd Robin Goodfellow : are you not he
+That frights the maidens of the villagery ;
+Skim milk , and sometimes labour in the quern ,
+And bootless make the breathless housewife churn ;
+And sometime make the drink to bear no barm ;
+Mislead night-wanderers , laughing at their harm ?
+Those that Hobgoblin call you and sweet Puck ,
+You do their work , and they shall have good luck :
+Are you not he ?
+
+Fairy , thou speak'st aright ;
+I am that merry wanderer of the night .
+I jest to Oberon , and make him smile
+When I a fat and bean-fed horse beguile ,
+Neighing in likeness of a filly foal :
+And sometime lurk I in a gossip's bowl ,
+In very likeness of a roasted crab ;
+And , when she drinks , against her lips I bob
+And on her wither'd dewlap pour the ale .
+The wisest aunt , telling the saddest tale ,
+Sometime for three-foot stool mistaketh me ;
+Then slip I from her bum , down topples she ,
+And 'tailor' cries , and falls into a cough ;
+And then the whole quire hold their hips and loff ;
+And waxen in their mirth , and neeze , and swear
+A merrier hour was never wasted there .
+But , room , fairy ! here comes Oberon .
+
+And here my mistress . Would that he were gone !
+
+
+Ill met by moonlight , proud Titania .
+
+What ! jealous Oberon . Fairies , skip hence :
+I have forsworn his bed and company .
+
+Tarry , rash wanton ! am not I thy lord ?
+
+Then , I must be thy lady ; but I know
+When thou hast stol'n away from fairy land ,
+And in the shape of Corin sat all day ,
+Playing on pipes of corn , and versing love
+To amorous Phillida . Why art thou here ,
+Come from the furthest steppe of India ?
+But that , forsooth , the bouncing Amazon ,
+Your buskin'd mistress and your warrior love ,
+To Theseus must be wedded , and you come
+To give their bed joy and prosperity .
+
+How canst thou thus for shame , Titania ,
+Glance at my credit with Hippolyta ,
+Knowing I know thy love to Theseus ?
+Didst thou not lead him through the glimmering night
+From Perigouna , whom he ravished ?
+And make him with fair gle break his faith ,
+With Ariadne , and Antiopa ?
+
+These are the forgeries of jealousy :
+And never , since the middle summer's spring ,
+Met we on hill , in dale , forest , or mead ,
+By paved fountain , or by rushy brook ,
+Or in the beached margent of the sea ,
+To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind ,
+But with thy brawls thou hast disturb'd our sport .
+Therefore the winds , piping to us in vain ,
+As in revenge , have suck'd up from the sea
+Contagious fogs ; which , falling in the land ,
+Have every pelting river made so proud
+That they have overborne their continents :
+The ox hath therefore stretch'd his yoke in vain ,
+The ploughman lost his sweat , and the green corn
+Hath rotted ere his youth attain'd a beard :
+The fold stands empty in the drowned field ,
+And crows are fatted with the murrion flock ;
+The nine men's morris is fill'd up with mud ,
+And the quaint mazes in the wanton green
+For lack of tread are undistinguishable :
+The human mortals want their winter here :
+No night is now with hymn or carol blest :
+Therefore the moon , the governess of floods ,
+Pale in her anger , washes all the air ,
+That rheumatic diseases do abound :
+And thorough this distemperature we see
+The seasons alter : hoary-headed frosts
+Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose ,
+And on old Hiems' thin and icy crown
+An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds
+Is , as in mockery , set . The spring , the summer ,
+The childing autumn , angry winter , change
+Their wonted liveries , and the mazed world ,
+By their increase , now knows not which is which .
+And this same progeny of evil comes
+From our debate , from our dissension :
+We are their parents and original .
+
+Do you amend it then ; it lies in you .
+Why should Titania cross her Oberon ?
+I do but beg a little changeling boy ,
+To be my henchman .
+
+Set your heart at rest ;
+The fairy land buys not the child of me .
+His mother was a votaress of my order :
+And , in the spiced Indian air , by night ,
+Full often hath she gossip'd by my side ,
+And sat with me on Neptune's yellow sands ,
+Marking the embarked traders on the flood ;
+When we have laugh'd to see the sails conceive
+And grow big-bellied with the wanton wind ;
+Which she , with pretty and with swimming gait
+Following ,her womb then rich with my young squire ,
+Would imitate , and sail upon the land ,
+To fetch me trifles , and return again ,
+As from a voyage , rich with merchandise .
+But she , being mortal , of that boy did die ;
+And for her sake I do rear up her boy ,
+And for her sake I will not part with him .
+
+How long within this wood intend you stay ?
+
+Perchance , till after Theseus' weddingday .
+If you will patiently dance in our round ,
+And see our moonlight revels , go with us ;
+If not , shun me , and I will spare your haunts .
+
+Give me that boy , and I will go with thee .
+
+Not for thy fairy kingdom . Fairies , away !
+We shall chide downright , if I longer stay .
+
+
+Well , go thy way : thou shalt not from this grove
+Till I torment thee for this injury .
+My gentle Puck , come hither . Thou remember'st
+Since once I sat upon a promontory ,
+And heard a mermaid on a dolphin's back
+Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath ,
+That the rude sea grew civil at her song ,
+And certain stars shot madly from their spheres
+To hear the sea-maid's music .
+
+I remember .
+
+That very time I saw , but thou couldst not ,
+Flying between the cold moon and the earth ,
+Cupid all arm'd : a certain aim he took
+At a fair vestal throned by the west ,
+And loos'd his love-shaft smartly from his bow ,
+As it should pierce a hundred thousand hearts ;
+But I might see young Cupid's fiery shaft
+Quench'd in the chaste beams of the wat'ry moon ,
+And the imperial votaress passed on ,
+In maiden meditation , fancy-free .
+Yet mark'd I where the bolt of Cupid fell :
+It fell upon a little western flower ,
+Before milk-white , now purple with love's wound ,
+And maidens call it , Love-in-idleness .
+Fetch me that flower ; the herb I show'd thee once :
+The juice of it on sleeping eyelids laid
+Will make or man or woman madly dote
+Upon the next live creature that it sees .
+Fetch me this herb ; and be thou here again
+Ere the leviathan can swim a league .
+
+I'll put a girdle round about the earth
+In forty minutes .
+
+
+Having once this juice
+I'll watch Titania when she is asleep ,
+And drop the liquor of it in her eyes :
+The next thing then she waking looks upon ,
+Be it on lion , bear , or wolf , or bull ,
+On meddling monkey , or on busy ape ,
+She shall pursue it with the soul of love :
+And ere I take this charm off from her sight ,
+As I can take it with another herb ,
+I'll make her render up her page to me .
+But who comes here ? I am invisible ,
+And I will overhear their conference .
+
+
+I love thee not , therefore pursue me not .
+Where is Lysander and fair Hermia ?
+The one I'll slay , the other slayeth me .
+Thou told'st me they were stol'n into this wood ;
+And here am I , and wood within this wood ,
+Because I cannot meet my Hermia .
+Hence ! get thee gone , and follow me no more .
+
+You draw me , you hard-hearted adamant :
+But yet you draw not iron , for my heart
+Is true as steel : leave you your power to draw ,
+And I shall have no power to follow you .
+
+Do I entice you ? Do I speak you fair ?
+Or , rather , do I not in plainest truth
+Tell you I do not nor I cannot love you ?
+
+And even for that do I love you the more .
+I am your spaniel ; and , Demetrius ,
+The more you beat me , I will fawn on you :
+Use me but as your spaniel , spurn me , strike me ,
+Neglect me , lose me ; only give me leave ,
+Unworthy as I am , to follow you .
+What worser place can I beg in your love ,
+And yet a place of high respect with me ,
+Than to be used as you use your dog ?
+
+Tempt not too much the hatred of my spirit ,
+For I am sick when I do look on you .
+
+And I am sick when I look not on you .
+
+You do impeach your modesty too much ,
+To leave the city , and commit yourself
+Into the hands of one that loves you not ;
+To trust the opportunity of night
+And the ill counsel of a desert place
+With the rich worth of your virginity .
+
+Your virtue is my privilege : for that
+It is not night when I do see your face ,
+Therefore I think I am not in the night ;
+Nor doth this wood lack worlds of company ,
+For you in my respect are all the world :
+Then how can it be said I am alone ,
+When all the world is here to look on me ?
+
+I'll run from thee and hide me in the brakes ,
+And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts .
+
+The wildest hath not such a heart as you .
+Run when you will , the story shall be chang'd ;
+Apollo flies , and Daphne holds the chase ;
+The dove pursues the griffin ; the mild hind
+Makes speed to catch the tiger : bootless speed ,
+When cowardice pursues and valour flies .
+
+I will not stay thy questions : let me go ;
+Or , if thou follow me , do not believe
+But I shall do thee mischief in the wood .
+
+Ay , in the temple , in the town , the field ,
+You do me mischief . Fie , Demetrius !
+Your wrongs do set a scandal on my sex .
+We cannot fight for love , as men may do ;
+We should be woo'd and were not made to woo .
+
+I'll follow thee and make a heaven of hell ,
+To die upon the hand I love so well .
+
+
+Fare thee well , nymph : ere he do leave this grove ,
+Thou shalt fly him , and he shall seek thy love .
+
+Hast thou the flower there ? Welcome , wanderer .
+
+Ay , there it is .
+
+I pray thee , give it me .
+I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows ,
+Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
+Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine ,
+With sweet musk-roses , and with eglantine :
+There sleeps Titania some time of the night ,
+Lull'd in these flowers with dances and delight ;
+And there the snake throws her enamell'd skin ,
+Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in :
+And with the juice of this I'll streak her eyes ,
+And make her full of hateful fantasies .
+Take thou some of it , and seek through this grove :
+A sweet Athenian lady is in love
+With a disdainful youth : anoint his eyes ;
+But do it when the next thing he espies
+May be the lady . Thou shalt know the man
+By the Athenian garments he hath on .
+Effect it with some care , that he may prove
+More fond on her than she upon her love .
+And look thou meet me ere the first cock crow .
+
+Fear not , my lord , your servant shall do so .
+
+
+Come , now a roundel and a fairy song ;
+Then , for the third of a minute , hence ;
+Some to kill cankers in the musk-rose buds ,
+Some war with rere-mice for their leathern wings ,
+To make my small elves coats , and some keep back
+The clamorous owl , that nightly hoots , and wonders
+At our quaint spirits . Sing me now asleep ;
+Then to your offices , and let me rest .
+
+The Fairies sing .
+
+
+I .
+
+You spotted snakes with double tongue ,
+Thorny hedge-hogs , be not seen ;
+Newts , and blind-worms , do no wrong ;
+Come not near our fairy queen .
+Philomel , with melody ,
+Sing in our sweet lullaby :
+Lulla , lulla , lullaby ; lulla , lulla , lullaby :
+Never harm ,
+Nor spell , nor charm ,
+Come our lovely lady nigh ;
+So , good night , with lullaby .
+
+II .
+
+Weaving spiders come not here ;
+Hence , you long-legg'd spinners , hence !
+Beetles black , approach not near ;
+Worm nor snail , do no offence .
+Philomel , with melody , &c .
+
+
+Hence , away ! now all is well .
+One aloof stand sentinel .
+
+What thou seest when thou dost wake ,
+Do it for thy true-love take ;
+Love and languish for his sake :
+Be it ounce , or cat , or bear ,
+Pard , or boar with bristled hair ,
+In thy eye that shall appear
+When thou wak'st , it is thy dear .
+Wake when some vile thing is near .
+
+Fair love , you faint with wandering in the wood ;
+And to speak troth , I have forgot our way :
+We'll rest us , Hermia , if you think it good ,
+And tarry for the comfort of the day .
+
+Be it so , Lysander : find you out a bed ,
+For I upon this bank will rest my head .
+
+One turf shall serve as pillow for us both ;
+One heart , one bed , two bosoms , and one troth .
+
+Nay , good Lysander ; for my sake , my dear ,
+Lie further off yet , do not lie so near .
+
+O ! take the sense , sweet , of my innocence ,
+Love takes the meaning in love's conference .
+I mean that my heart unto yours is knit ,
+So that but one heart we can make of it ;
+Two bosoms interchained with an oath ;
+So then two bosoms and a single troth .
+Then by your side no bed-room me deny ,
+For , lying so , Hermia , I do not lie .
+
+Lysander riddles very prettily :
+Now much beshrew my manners and my pride ,
+If Hermia meant to say Lysander lied .
+But , gentle friend , for love and courtesy
+Lie further off ; in human modesty ,
+Such separation as may well be said
+Becomes a virtuous bachelor and a maid ,
+So far be distant ; and , good night , sweet friend .
+Thy love ne'er alter till thy sweet life end !
+
+Amen , amen , to that fair prayer , say I ;
+And then end life when I end loyalty !
+
+Here is my bed : sleep give thee all his rest !
+
+With half that wish the wisher's eyes be press'd !
+
+
+Through the forest have I gone ,
+But Athenian found I none ,
+On whose eyes I might approve
+This flower's force in stirring love .
+Night and silence ! who is here ?
+Weeds of Athens he doth wear :
+This is he , my master said ,
+Despised the Athenian maid ;
+And here the maiden , sleeping sound ,
+On the dank and dirty ground .
+Pretty soul ! she durst not lie
+Near this lack-love , this kill-courtesy .
+
+Churl , upon thy eyes I throw
+All the power this charm doth owe .
+When thou wak'st , let love forbid
+Sleep his seat on thy eyelid :
+So awake when I am gone ;
+For I must now to Oberon .
+
+
+Stay , though thou kill me , sweet Demetrius .
+
+I charge thee , hence , and do not haunt me thus .
+
+O ! wilt thou darkling leave me ? do not so .
+
+Stay , on thy peril : I alone will go .
+
+
+O ! I am out of breath in this fond chase .
+The more my prayer , the lesser is my grace .
+Happy is Hermia , wheresoe'er she lies ;
+For she hath blessed and attractive eyes .
+How came her eyes so bright ? Not with salt tears :
+If so , my eyes are oftener wash'd than hers .
+No , no , I am as ugly as a bear ;
+For beasts that meet me run away for fear ;
+Therefore no marvel though Demetrius
+Do , as a monster , fly my presence thus .
+What wicked and dissembling glass of mine
+Made me compare with Hermia's sphery eyne ?
+But who is here ? Lysander ! on the ground !
+Dead ? or asleep ? I see no blood , no wound .
+Lysander , if you live , good sir , awake .
+
+And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake .
+Transparent Helena ! Nature shows art ,
+That through thy bosom makes me see thy heart .
+Where is Demetrius ? O ! how fit a word
+Is that vile name to perish on my sword .
+
+Do not say so , Lysander ; say not so .
+What though he love your Hermia ? Lord ! what though ?
+Yet Hermia still loves you : then be content .
+
+Content with Hermia ! No : I do repent
+The tedious minutes I with her have spent .
+Not Hermia , but Helena I love :
+Who will not change a raven for a dove ?
+The will of man is by his reason sway'd ,
+And reason says you are the worthier maid .
+Things growing are not ripe until their season ;
+So I , being young , till now ripe not to reason ;
+And touching now the point of human skill ,
+Reason becomes the marshal to my will ,
+And leads me to your eyes ; where I o'erlook
+Love's stories written in love's richest book .
+
+Wherefore was I to this keen mockery born ?
+When at your hands did I deserve this scorn ?
+Is't not enough , is't not enough , young man ,
+That I did never , no , nor never can ,
+Deserve a sweet look from Demetrius' eye ,
+But you must flout my insufficiency ?
+Good troth , you do me wrong , good sooth , you do ,
+In such disdainful manner me to woo .
+But fare you well : perforce I must confess
+I thought you lord of more true gentleness .
+O ! that a lady of one man refus'd ,
+Should of another therefore be abus'd .
+
+
+She sees not Hermia . Hermia , sleep thou there ;
+And never mayst thou come Lysander near .
+For , as a surfeit of the sweetest things
+The deepest loathing to the stomach brings ;
+Or , as the heresies that men do leave
+Are hated most of those they did deceive :
+So thou , my surfeit and my heresy ,
+Of all be hated , but the most of me !
+And , all my powers , address your love and might
+To honour Helen , and to be her knight .
+
+
+Help me , Lysander , help me ! do thy best
+To pluck this crawling serpent from my breast .
+Ay me , for pity ! what a dream was here !
+Lysander , look how I do quake with fear :
+Methought a serpent eat my heart away ,
+And you sat smiling at his cruel prey .
+Lysander ! what ! remov'd ?Lysander ! lord !
+What ! out of hearing ? gone ? no sound , no word ?
+Alack ! where are you ? speak , an if you hear ;
+Speak , of all loves ! I swound almost with fear .
+No ! then I well perceive you are not nigh :
+Either death or you I'll find immediately .
+
+Are we all met ?
+
+Pat , pat ; and here's a marvellous convenient place for our rehearsal . This green plot shall be our stage , this hawthorn-brake our tiring-house ; and we will do it in action as we will do it before the duke .
+
+Peter Quince ,
+
+What sayst thou , bully Bottom ?
+
+There are things in this comedy of Pyramus and Thisby that will never please . First , Pyramus must draw a sword to kill himself , which the ladies cannot abide . How answer you that ?
+
+By'r lakin , a parlous fear .
+
+I believe we must leave the killing out , when all is done .
+
+Not a whit : I have a device to make all well . Write me a prologue ; and let the prologue seem to say , we will do no harm with our swords , and that Pyramus is not killed indeed ; and , for the more better assurance , tell them that I , Pyramus , am not Pyramus , but Bottom the weaver : this will put them out of fear .
+
+Well , we will have such a prologue , and it shall be written in eight and six .
+
+No , make it two more : let it be written in eight and eight .
+
+Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion ?
+
+I fear it , I promise you .
+
+Masters , you ought to consider with yourselves : to bring in ,God shield us !a lion among ladies , is a most dreadful thing ; for there is not a more fearful wild-fowl than your lion living , and we ought to look to it .
+
+Therefore , another prologue must tell he is not a lion .
+
+Nay , you must name his name , and half his face must be seen through the lion's neck ; and he himself must speak through , saying thus , or to the same defect , 'Ladies ,' or , 'Fair ladies ,' 'I would wish you ,' or , 'I would request you ,' or , 'I would entreat you , not to fear , not to tremble : my life for yours . If you think I come hither as a lion , it were pity of my life : no , I am no such thing : I am a man as other men are ;' and there indeed let him name his name , and tell them plainly he is Snug the joiner .
+
+Well , it shall be so . But there is two hard things , that is , to bring the moonlight into a chamber ; for , you know , Pyramus and Thisby meet by moonlight .
+
+Doth the moon shine that night we play our play ?
+
+A calendar , a calendar ! look in the almanack ; find out moonshine , find out moonshine .
+
+Yes , it doth shine that night .
+
+Why , then may you leave a casement of the great chamber-window , where we play , open ; and the moon may shine in at the casement .
+
+Ay ; or else one must come in with a bush of thorns and a lanthorn , and say he comes to disfigure , or to present , the person of Moonshine . Then , there is another thing : we must have a wall in the great chamber ; for Pyramus and Thisby , says the story , did talk through the chink of a wall .
+
+You can never bring in a wall . What say you , Bottom ?
+
+Some man or other must present Wall ; and let him have some plaster , or some loam , or some rough-cast about him , to signify wall ; and let him hold his fingers thus , and through that cranny shall Pyramus and Thisby whisper .
+
+If that may be , than all is well . Come , sit down , every mother's son , and rehearse your parts . Pyramus , you begin : when you have spoken your speech , enter into that brake ; and so every one according to his cue .
+
+
+What hempen home-spuns have we swaggering here ,
+So near the cradle of the fairy queen ?
+What ! a play toward ; I'll be an auditor ;
+An actor too perhaps , if I see cause .
+
+Speak , Pyramus .Thisby , stand forth .
+
+Thisby , the flowers have odious savours sweet ,
+
+Odorous , odorous .
+
+odours savours sweet :
+So hath thy breath , my dearest Thisby dear . But hark , a voice ! stay thou but here awhile ,
+And by and by I will to thee appear .
+
+
+A stranger Pyramus than e'er play'd here !
+
+
+Must I speak now ?
+
+Ay , marry , must you ; for you must understand , he goes but to see a noise that he heard , and is to come again .
+
+Most radiant Pyramus , most lily-white of hue ,
+Of colour like the red rose on triumphant brier ,
+Most brisky juvenal , and eke most lovely Jew ,
+As true as truest horse that yet would never tire ,
+I'll meet thee , Pyramus , at Ninny's tomb .
+
+'Ninus' tomb ,' man . Why , you must not speak that yet ; that you answer to Pyramus : you speak all your part at once , cues and all . Pyramus , enter : your cue is past ; it is 'never tire .'
+
+O !As true as truest horse , that yet would never tire .
+
+
+If I were , fair Thisby , I were only thine .
+
+O monstrous ! O strange ! we are haunted .
+Pray , masters ! fly , masters !Help !
+
+
+I'll follow you , I'll lead you about a round ,
+Through bog , through bush , through brake , through brier :
+Sometime a horse I'll be , sometime a hound ,
+A hog , a headless bear , sometime a fire ;
+And neigh , and bark , and grunt , and roar , and burn ,
+Like horse , hound , hog , bear , fire , at every turn .
+
+
+Why do they run away ? this is a knavery of them to make me afeard .
+
+
+O Bottom , thou art changed ! what do I see on thee ?
+
+What do you see ? you see an ass-head of your own , do you ?
+
+Bless thee , Bottom ! bless thee ! thou art translated .
+
+
+I see their knavery : this is to make an ass of me ; to fright me , if they could . But I will not stir from this place , do what they can : I will walk up and down here , and I will sing , that they shall hear I am not afraid .
+
+The ousel-cock , so black of hue ,
+With orange-tawny bill ,
+The throstle with his note so true ,
+The wren with little quill .
+
+
+What angel wakes me from my flowery bed ?
+
+
+The finch , the sparrow , and the lark ,
+The plain-song cuckoo gray ,
+Whose note full many a man doth mark ,
+And dares not answer , nay ;
+
+for indeed , who would set his wit to so foolish a bird ? who would give a bird the lie , though he cry 'cuckoo' never so ?
+
+I pray thee , gentle mortal , sing again :
+Mine ear is much enamour'd of thy note ;
+So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape ;
+And thy fair virtue's force , perforce , doth move me ,
+On the first view , to say , to swear , I love thee .
+
+Methinks , mistress , you should have little reason for that : and yet , to say the truth , reason and love keep little company together now-a-days . The more the pity , that some honest neighbours will not make them friends . Nay , I can gleek upon occasion .
+
+Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful .
+
+Not so , neither ; but if I had wit enough to get out of this wood , I have enough to serve mine own turn .
+
+Out of this wood do not desire to go :
+Thou shalt remain here , whe'r thou wilt or no .
+I am a spirit of no common rate ;
+The summer still doth tend upon my state ;
+And I do love thee : therefore , go with me ;
+I'll give thee fairies to attend on thee ,
+And they shall fetch thee jewels from the deep ,
+And sing , while thou on pressed flowers dost sleep :
+And I will purge thy mortal grossness so
+That thou shalt like an airy spirit go .
+Pease-blossom ! Cobweb ! Moth ! and Mustardseed !
+
+
+Ready .
+
+And I .
+
+And I .
+
+And I .
+
+Where shall we go ?
+
+Be kind and courteous to this gentleman ;
+Hop in his walks , and gambol in his eyes ;
+Feed him with apricocks and dewberries ,
+With purple grapes , green figs , and mulberries .
+The honey-bags steal from the humble-bees ,
+And for night-tapers crop their waxen thighs ,
+And light them at the fiery glow-worm's eyes ,
+To have my love to bed , and to arise ;
+And pluck the wings from painted butterflies
+To fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes :
+Nod to him , elves , and do him courtesies .
+
+Hail , mortal !
+
+Hail !
+
+Hail !
+
+Hail !
+
+I cry your worships mercy , heartily : I beseech your worship's name .
+
+Cobweb .
+
+I shall desire you of more acquaintance , good Master Cobweb : if I out my finger , I shall make bold with you . Your name , honest gentleman ?
+
+Pease-blossom .
+
+I pray you , commend me to Mistress Squash , your mother , and to Master Peascod , your father . Good Master Pease-blossom , I shall desire you of more acquaintance too . Your name , I beseech you , sir ?
+
+Mustard-seed .
+
+Good Master Mustard-seed , I know your patience well : that same cowardly , giant-like ox-beef hath devoured many a gentleman of your house . I promise you , your kindred hath made my eyes water ere now . I desire you of more acquaintance , good Master Mustard-seed .
+
+Come , wait upon him ; lead him to my bower .
+The moon methinks , looks with a watery eye ;
+And when she weeps , weeps every little flower ,
+Lamenting some enforced chastity .
+Tie up my love's tongue , bring him silently .
+
+
+I wonder if Titania be awak'd ;
+Then , what it was that next came in her eye ,
+Which she must dote on in extremity .
+Here comes my messenger .
+
+
+How now , mad spirit !
+
+What night-rule now about this haunted grove ?
+
+My mistress with a monster is in love .
+Near to her close and consecrated bower ,
+While she was in her dull and sleeping hour ,
+A crew of patches , rude mechanicals ,
+That work for bread upon Athenian stalls ,
+Were met together to rehearse a play
+Intended for great Theseus' nuptial day .
+The shallowest thick-skin of that barren sort ,
+Who Pyramus presented in their sport
+Forsook his scene , and enter'd in a brake ,
+When I did him at this advantage take ;
+An ass's nowl I fixed on his head :
+Anon his Thisbe must be answered ,
+And forth my mimick comes . When they him spy ,
+As wild geese that the creeping fowler eye ,
+Or russet-pated choughs , many in sort ,
+Rising and cawing at the gun's report ,
+Sever themselves , and madly sweep the sky ;
+So , at his sight , away his fellows fly ,
+And , at our stamp , here o'er and o'er one falls ;
+He murder cries , and help from Athens calls .
+Their sense thus weak , lost with their fears thus strong ,
+Made senseless things begin to do them wrong ;
+For briers and thorns at their apparel snatch ;
+Some sleeves , some hats , from yielders all things catch .
+I led them on in this distracted fear ,
+And left sweet Pyramus translated there ;
+When in that moment , so it came to pass ,
+Titania wak'd and straightway lov'd an ass .
+
+This falls out better than I could devise .
+But hast thou yet latch'd the Athenian's eyes
+With the love-juice , as I did bid thee do ?
+
+I took him sleeping ,that is finish'd too ,
+And the Athenian woman by his side ;
+That , when he wak'd , of force she must be ey'd .
+
+
+Stand close : this is the same Athenian .
+
+This is the woman ; but not this the man .
+
+O ! why rebuke you him that loves you so ?
+Lay breath so bitter on your bitter foe .
+
+Now I but chide ; but I should use thee worse ,
+For thou , I fear , hast given me cause to curse .
+If thou hast slain Lysander in his sleep ,
+Being o'er shoes in blood , plunge in knee deep ,
+And kill me too .
+The sun was not so true unto the day
+As he to me . Would he have stol'n away
+From sleeping Hermia ? I'll believe as soon
+This whole earth may be bor'd , and that the moon
+May through the centre creep , and so displease
+Her brother's noontide with the Antipodes .
+It cannot be but thou hast murder'd him ;
+So should a murderer look , so dead , so grim .
+
+So should the murder'd look , and so should I ,
+Pierc'd through the heart with your stern cruelty ;
+Yet you , the murderer , look as bright , as clear ,
+As yonder Venus in her glimmering sphere .
+
+What's this to my Lysander ? where is he ?
+Ah ! good Demetrius , wilt thou give him me ?
+
+I had rather give his carcass to my hounds .
+
+Out , dog ! out , cur ! thou driv'st me past the bounds
+Of maiden's patience . Hast thou slain him then ?
+Henceforth be never number'd among men !
+O ! once tell true , tell true , e'en for my sake ;
+Durst thou have look'd upon him being awake ,
+And hast thou kill'd him sleeping ? O brave touch !
+Could not a worm , an adder , do so much ?
+An adder did it ; for with doubler tongue
+Than thine , thou serpent , never adder stung .
+
+You spend your passion on a mispris'd mood :
+I am not guilty of Lysander's blood ,
+Nor is he dead , for aught that I can tell .
+
+I pray thee , tell me then that he is well .
+
+An if I could , what should I get therefore ?
+
+A privilege never to see me more .
+And from thy hated presence part I so ;
+See me no more , whe'r he be dead or no .
+
+
+There is no following her in this fierce vein :
+Here therefore for awhile I will remain .
+So sorrow's heaviness doth heavier grow
+For debt that bankrupt sleep doth sorrow owe ;
+Which now in some slight measure it will pay ,
+If for his tender here I make some stay .
+
+
+What hast thou done ? thou hast mistaken quite ,
+And laid the love-juice on some true-love's sight :
+Of thy misprision must perforce ensue
+Some true-love turn'd , and not a false turn'd true .
+
+Then fate o'er-rules , that , one man holding troth ,
+A million fail , confounding oath on oath .
+
+About the wood go swifter than the wind ,
+And Helena of Athens look thou find :
+All fancy-sick she is , and pale of cheer
+With sighs of love , that cost the fresh blood dear .
+By some illusion see thou bring her here :
+I'll charm his eyes against she do appear .
+
+I go , I go ; look how I go ;
+Swifter than arrow from the Tartar's bow .
+
+Flower of this purple dye ,
+Hit with Cupid's archery ,
+Sink in apple of his eye .
+When his love he doth espy ,
+Let her shine as gloriously
+As the Venus of the sky .
+When thou wak'st , if she be by ,
+Beg of her for remedy .
+
+
+Captain of our fairy band ,
+Helena is here at hand ,
+And the youth , mistook by me ,
+Pleading for a lover's fee .
+Shall we their fond pageant see ?
+Lord , what fools these mortals be !
+
+Stand aside : the noise they make
+Will cause Demetrius to awake .
+
+Then will two at once woo one ;
+That must needs be sport alone ;
+And those things do best please me
+That befall preposterously .
+
+Why should you think that I should woo in scorn ?
+Scorn and derision never come in tears :
+Look , when I vow , I weep ; and vows so born ,
+In their nativity all truth appears .
+How can these things in me seem scorn to you ,
+Bearing the badge of faith to prove them true ?
+
+You do advance your cunning more and more .
+When truth kills truth , O devilish-holy fray !
+These vows are Hermia's : will you give her o'er ?
+Weigh oath with oath , and you will nothing weigh :
+Your vows , to her and me , put in two scales ,
+Will even weigh , and both as light as tales .
+
+I had no judgment when to her I swore .
+
+Nor none , in my mind , now you give her o'er .
+
+Demetrius loves her , and he loves not you .
+
+O Helen ! goddess , nymph , perfect , divine !
+To what , my love , shall I compare thine eyne ?
+Crystal is muddy . O ! how ripe in show
+Thy lips , those kissing cherries , tempting grow ,
+This pure congealed white , high Taurus' snow ,
+Fann'd with the eastern wind , turns to a crow
+When thou hold'st up thy hand . O ! let me kiss
+That princess of pure white , this seal of bliss .
+
+O spite ! O hell ! I see you all are bent
+To set against me for your merriment :
+If you were civil and knew courtesy ,
+You would not do me thus much injury .
+Can you not hate me , as I know you do ,
+But you must join in souls to mock me too ?
+If you were men , as men you are in show ,
+You would not use a gentle lady so ;
+To vow , and swear , and superpraise my parts ,
+When I am sure you hate me with your hearts .
+You both are rivals , and love Hermia ,
+And now both rivals , to mock Helena :
+A trim exploit , a manly enterprise ,
+To conjure tears up in a poor maid's eyes
+With your derision ! none of noble sort
+Would so offend a virgin , and extort
+A poor soul's patience , all to make you sport .
+
+You are unkind , Demetrius ; be not so ;
+For you love Hermia ; this you know I know :
+And here , with all good will , with all my heart ,
+In Hermia's love I yield you up my part ;
+And yours of Helena to me bequeath ,
+Whom I do love , and will do to my death .
+
+Never did mockers waste more idle breath .
+
+Lysander , keep thy Hermia ; I will none :
+If e'er I lov'd her , all that love is gone .
+My heart with her but as guest wise sojourn'd ,
+And now to Helen it is home return'd ,
+There to remain .
+
+Helen , it is not so .
+
+Disparage not the faith thou dost not know ,
+Lest to thy peril thou aby it dear .
+Look ! where thy love comes : yonder is thy dear .
+
+
+Dark night , that from the eye his function takes ,
+The ear more quick of apprehension makes ;
+Wherein it doth impair the seeing sense ,
+It pays the hearing double recompense .
+Thou art not by mine eye , Lysander , found ;
+Mine ear , I thank it , brought me to thy sound .
+But why unkindly didst thou leave me so ?
+
+Why should he stay , whom love doth press to go ?
+
+What love could press Lysander from my side ?
+
+Lysander's love , that would not let him bide ,
+Fair Helena , who more engilds the night
+Than all yon fiery oes and eyes of light .
+Why seek'st thou me ? could not this make thee know ,
+The hate I bear thee made me leave thee so ?
+
+You speak not as you think : it cannot be .
+
+Lo ! she is one of this confederacy .
+Now I perceive they have conjoin'd all three
+To fashion this false sport in spite of me .
+Injurious Hermia ! most ungrateful maid !
+Have you conspir'd , have you with these contriv'd
+To bait me with this foul derision ?
+Is all the counsel that we two have shar'd ,
+The sister-vows , the hours that we have spent ,
+When we have chid the hasty-footed time
+For parting us , O ! is it all forgot ?
+All school-days' friendship , childhood innocence ?
+We , Hermia , like two artificial gods ,
+Have with our neelds created both one flower ,
+Both on one sampler , sitting on one cushion ,
+Both warbling of one song , both in one key ,
+As if our hands , our sides , voices , and minds ,
+Had been incorporate . So we grew together ,
+Like to a double cherry , seeming parted ,
+But yet an union in partition ;
+Two lovely berries moulded on one stem ;
+So , with two seeming bodies , but one heart ;
+Two of the first , like coats in heraldry ,
+Due but to one , and crowned with one crest .
+And will you rent our ancient love asunder ,
+To join with men in scorning your poor friend ?
+It is not friendly , 'tis not maidenly :
+Our sex , as well as I , may chide you for it ,
+Though I alone do feel the injury .
+
+I am amazed at your passionate words .
+I scorn you not : it seems that you scorn me .
+
+Have you not set Lysander , as in scorn ,
+To follow me and praise my eyes and face ,
+And made your other love , Demetrius ,
+Who even but now did spurn me with his foot ,
+To call me goddess , nymph , divine and rare ,
+Precious , celestial ? Wherefore speaks he this
+To her he hates ? and wherefore doth Lysander
+Deny your love , so rich within his soul ,
+And tender me , forsooth , affection ,
+But by your setting on , by your consent ?
+What though I be not so in grace as you ,
+So hung upon with love , so fortunate ,
+But miserable most to love unlov'd ?
+This you should pity rather than despise .
+
+I understand not what you mean by this .
+
+Ay , do , persever , counterfeit sad looks ,
+Make mouths upon me when I turn my back ;
+Wink each at other ; hold the sweet jest up :
+This sport , well carried , shall be chronicled .
+If you have any pity , grace , or manners ,
+You would not make me such an argument .
+But , fare ye well : 'tis partly mine own fault ,
+Which death or absence soon shall remedy .
+
+Stay , gentle Helena ! hear my excuse :
+My love , my life , my soul , fair Helena !
+
+O excellent !
+
+Sweet , do not scorn her so .
+
+If she cannot entreat , I can compel .
+
+Thou canst compel no more than she entreat :
+Thy threats have no more strength than her weak prayers .
+Helen , I love thee ; by my life , I do :
+I swear by that which I will lose for thee ,
+To prove him false that says I love thee not .
+
+I say I love thee more than he can do .
+
+If thou say so , withdraw , and prove it too .
+
+Quick , come !
+
+Lysander , whereto tends all this ?
+
+Away , you Ethiop !
+
+No , no , he'll . . .
+Seem to break loose ; take on , as you would follow ,
+But yet come not : you are a tame man , go !
+
+Hang off , thou cat , thou burr ! vile thing , let loose ,
+Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent .
+
+Why are you grown so rude ? what change is this ,
+Sweet love ,
+
+Thy love ! out , tawny Tartar , out !
+Out , loathed medicine ! hated poison , hence !
+
+Do you not jest ?
+
+Yes , sooth ; and so do you .
+
+Demetrius , I will keep my word with thee .
+
+I would I had your bond , for I perceive
+A weak bond holds you : I'll not trust your word .
+
+What ! should I hurt her , strike her , kill her dead ?
+Although I hate her , I'll not harm her so .
+
+What ! can you do me greater harm than hate ?
+Hate me ! wherefore ? O me ! what news , my love ?
+Am not I Hermia ? Are not you Lysander ?
+I am as fair now as I was erewhile .
+Since night you lov'd me ; yet , since night you left me :
+Why , then you left me ,O , the gods forbid !
+In earnest , shall I say ?
+
+Ay , by my life ;
+And never did desire to see thee more .
+Therefore be out of hope , of question , doubt ;
+Be certain , nothing truer : 'tis no jest ,
+That I do hate thee and love Helena .
+
+O me ! you juggler ! you canker-blossom !
+You thief of love ! what ! have you come by night
+And stol'n my love's heart from him ?
+
+Fine , i' faith !
+Have you no modesty , no maiden shame ,
+No touch of bashfulness ? What ! will you tear
+Impatient answers from my gentle tongue ?
+Fie , fie ! you counterfeit , you puppet you !
+
+Puppet ! why , so : ay , that way goes the game .
+Now I perceive that she hath made compare
+Between our statures : she hath urg'd her height ;
+And with her personage , her tall personage ,
+Her height , forsooth , she hath prevail'd with him .
+And are you grown so high in his esteem ,
+Because I am so dwarfish and so low ?
+How low am I , thou painted maypole ? speak ;
+How low am I ? I am not yet so low
+But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes .
+
+I pray you , though you mock me , gentlemen ,
+Let her not hurt me : I was never curst ;
+I have no gift at all in shrewishness ;
+I am a right maid for my cowardice :
+Let her not strike me . You perhaps may think ,
+Because she is something lower than myself ,
+That I can match her .
+
+Lower ! hark , again .
+
+Good Hermia , do not be so bitter with me .
+I evermore did love you , Hermia ,
+Did ever keep your counsels , never wrong'd you ;
+Save that , in love unto Demetrius ,
+I told him of your stealth unto this wood .
+He follow'd you ; for love I follow'd him ;
+But he hath chid me hence , and threaten'd me
+To strike me , spurn me , nay , to kill me too :
+And now , so you will let me quiet go ,
+To Athens will I bear my folly back ,
+And follow you no further : let me go :
+You see how simple and how fond I am .
+
+Why , get you gone . Who is't that hinders you ?
+
+A foolish heart , that I leave here behind .
+
+What ! with Lysander ?
+
+With Demetrius .
+
+Be not afraid : she shall not harm thee , Helena .
+
+No , sir ; she shall not , though you take her part .
+
+O ! when she's angry , she is keen and shrewd .
+She was a vixen when she went to school :
+And though she be but little , she is fierce .
+
+'Little' again ! nothing but 'low' and 'little !'
+Why will you suffer her to flout me thus ?
+Let me come to her .
+
+Get you gone , you dwarf ;
+You minimus , of hindering knot-grass made ;
+You bead , you acorn !
+
+You are too officious
+In her behalf that scorns your services .
+Let her alone ; speak not of Helena ;
+Take not her part , for , if thou dost intend
+Never so little show of love to her ,
+Thou shalt aby it .
+
+Now she holds me not ;
+Now follow , if thou dar'st , to try whose right ,
+Or thine or mine , is most in Helena .
+
+Follow ! nay , I'll go with thee , cheek by jole .
+
+
+You , mistress , all this coil is 'long of you :
+Nay , go not back .
+
+I will not trust you , I ,
+Nor longer stay in your curst company .
+Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray ,
+My legs are longer though , to run away .
+
+
+I am amaz'd , and know not what to say .
+
+
+This is thy negligence : still thou mistak'st ,
+Or else commit'st thy knaveries wilfully .
+
+Believe me , king of shadows , I mistook .
+Did not you tell me I should know the man
+By the Athenian garments he had on ?
+And so far blameless proves my enterprise ,
+That I have 'nointed an Athenian's eyes ;
+And so far am I glad it so did sort ,
+As this their jangling I esteem a sport .
+
+Thou see'st these lovers seek a place to fight :
+Hie therefore , Robin , overcast the night ;
+The starry welking cover thou anon
+With drooping fog as black as Acheron ;
+And lead these testy rivals so astray ,
+As one come not within another's way .
+Like to Lysander sometime frame thy tongue ,
+Then stir Demetrius up with bitter wrong ;
+And sometime rail thou like Demetrius ;
+And from each other look thou lead them thus ,
+Till o'er their brows death-counterfeiting sleep
+With leaden legs and batty wings doth creep :
+Then crush this herb into Lysander's eye ;
+Whose liquor hath this virtuous property ,
+To take from thence all error with his might ,
+And make his eyeballs roll with wonted sight .
+When they next wake , all this derision
+Shall seem a dream and fruitless vision ;
+And back to Athens shall the lovers wend ,
+With league whose date till death shall never end .
+Whiles I in this affair do thee employ ,
+I'll to my queen and beg her Indian boy ;
+And then I will her charmed eye release
+From monster's view , and all things shall be peace .
+
+My fairy lord , this must be done with haste ,
+For night's swift dragons cut the clouds full fast ,
+And yonder shines Aurora's harbinger ;
+At whose approach , ghosts , wandering here and there ,
+Troop home to churchyards : damned spirits all ,
+That in cross-ways and floods have burial ,
+Already to their wormy beds are gone ;
+For fear lest day should look their shames upon ,
+They wilfully themselves exile from light ,
+And must for aye consort with black-brow'd night .
+
+But we are spirits of another sort .
+I with the morning's love have oft made sport ;
+And , like a forester , the groves may tread ,
+Even till the eastern gate , all fiery-red ,
+Opening on Neptune with fair blessed beams ,
+Turns into yellow gold his salt green-streams .
+But , notwithstanding , haste ; make no delay :
+We may effect this business yet ere day .
+
+Up and down , up and down ;
+I will lead them up and down :
+I am fear'd in field and town ;
+Goblin , lead them up and down .
+
+Here comes one .
+
+
+Where art thou , proud Demetrius ? speak thou now .
+
+Here , villain ! drawn and ready . Where art thou ?
+
+I will be with thee straight .
+
+Follow me , then ,
+To plainer ground .
+
+Lysander ! speak again .
+Thou runaway , thou coward , art thou fled ?
+Speak ! In some bush ? Where dost thou hide thy head ?
+
+Thou coward ! art thou bragging to the stars ,
+Telling the bushes that thou look'st for wars ,
+And wilt not come ? Come , recreant ; come , thou child ;
+I'll whip thee with a rod : he is defil'd
+That draws a sword on thee .
+
+Yea , art thou there ?
+
+Follow my voice : we'll try no manhood here .
+
+He goes before me and still dares me on :
+When I come where he calls , then he is gone .
+The villain is much lighter-heel'd than I :
+I follow'd fast , but faster he did fly ;
+That fallen am I in dark uneven way ,
+And here will rest me .
+
+Come , thou gentle day !
+For if but once thou show me thy grey light ,
+I'll find Demetrius and revenge this spite .
+
+Ho ! ho ! ho ! Coward , why com'st thou not ?
+
+Abide me , if thou dar'st ; for well I wot
+Thou runn'st before me , shifting every place ,
+And dar'st not stand , nor look me in the face .
+Where art thou now ?
+
+Come hither : I am here .
+
+Nay then , thou mock'st me . Thou shalt buy this dear ,
+If ever I thy face by daylight see :
+Now , go thy way . Faintness constraineth me
+To measure out my length on this cold bed :
+By day's approach look to be visited .
+
+O weary night ! O long and tedious night ,
+Abate thy hours ! shine , comforts , from the east !
+That I may back to Athens by daylight ,
+From these that my poor company detest :
+And sleep , that sometimes shuts up sorrow's eye ,
+Steal me awhile from mine own company .
+
+Yet but three ? Come one more ;
+Two of both kinds make up four .
+Here she comes , curst and sad :
+Cupid is a knavish lad ,
+Thus to make poor females mad .
+
+Never so weary , never so in woe ,
+Bedabbled with the dew and torn with briers ,
+I can no further crawl , no further go ;
+My legs can keep no pace with my desires .
+Here will I rest me till the break of day .
+Heavens shield Lysander , if they mean a fray !
+
+On the ground
+Sleep sound :
+I'll apply
+To your eye ,
+Gentle lover , remedy
+
+When thou wak'st ,
+Thou tak'st
+True delight
+In the sight
+Of thy former lady's eye :
+And the country proverb known ,
+That every man should take his own ,
+In your waking shall be shown :
+Jack shall have Jill ;
+Nought shall go ill ;
+The man shall have his mare again ,
+And all shall be well .
+
+
+Come , sit thee down upon this flowery bed ,
+While I thy amiable cheeks do coy ,
+And stick musk-roses in thy sleek smooth head ,
+And kiss thy fair large ears , my gentle joy .
+
+Where's Pease-blossom ?
+
+Ready .
+
+Scratch my head , Pease-blossom . Where's Mounsieur Cobweb ?
+
+Ready .
+
+Mounsieur Cobweb , good mounsieur , get your weapons in your hand , and kill me a red-hipped humble-bee on the top of a thistle ; and , good mounsieur , bring me the honey-bag . Do not fret yourself too much in the action , mounsieur ; and , good mounsieur , have a care the honey-bag break not ; I would be loath to have you overflown with a honey-bag , signior . Where's Mounsieur Mustard-seed ?
+
+Ready .
+
+Give me your neaf , Mounsieur Mustard-seed . Pray you , leave your curtsy , good mounsieur .
+
+What's your will ?
+
+Nothing , good mounsieur , but to help Cavalery Cobweb to scratch . I must to the barber's , mounsieur , for methinks I am marvellous hairy about the face ; and I am such a tender ass , if my hair do but tickle me , I must scratch .
+
+What , wilt thou hear some music , my sweet love ?
+
+I have a reasonable good ear in music : let us have the tongs and the bones .
+
+Or say , sweet love , what thou desir'st to eat .
+
+Truly , a peck of provender : I could munch your good dry oats . Methinks I have a great desire to a bottle of hay : good hay , sweet hay , hath no fellow .
+
+I have a venturous fairy that shall seek
+The squirrel's hoard , and fetch thee thence new nuts .
+
+I had rather have a handful or two of dried pease . But , I pray you , let none of your people stir me : I have an exposition of sleep come upon me .
+
+Sleep thou , and I will wind thee in my arms .
+Fairies , be gone , and be all ways away .
+
+So doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle
+Gently entwist ; the female ivy so
+Enrings the barky fingers of the elm .
+O ! how I love thee ; how I dote on thee !
+
+Welcome , good Robin . See'st thou this sweet sight ?
+Her dotage now I do begin to pity :
+For , meeting her of late behind the wood ,
+Seeking sweet favours for this hateful fool ,
+I did upbraid her and fall out with her ;
+For she his hairy temples then had rounded
+With coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers ;
+And that same dew , which sometime on the buds
+Was wont to swell like round and orient pearls ,
+Stood now within the pretty flowerets' eyes
+Like tears that did their own disgrace bewail .
+When I had at my pleasure taunted her ,
+And she in mild terms begg'd my patience ,
+I then did ask of her her changeling child ;
+Which straight she gave me , and her fairy sent
+To bear him to my bower in fairy land .
+And now I have the boy , I will undo
+This hateful imperfection of her eyes :
+And , gentle Puck , take this transformed scalp
+From off the head of this Athenian swain ,
+That he , awaking when the other do ,
+May all to Athens back again repair ,
+And think no more of this night's accidents
+But as the fierce vexation of a dream .
+But first I will release the fairy queen .
+
+
+Be as thou wast wont to be ;
+See as thou wast wont to see :
+Dian's bud o'er Cupid's flower
+Hath such force and blessed power .
+
+Now , my Titania ; wake you , my sweet queen .
+
+My Oberon ! what visions have I seen !
+Methought I was enamour'd of an ass .
+
+There lies your love .
+
+How came these things to pass ?
+O ! how mine eyes do loathe his visage now .
+
+Silence , awhile . Robin , take off this head .
+Titania , music call ; and strike more dead
+Than common sleep of all these five the sense .
+
+Music , ho ! music ! such as charmeth sleep .
+
+
+When thou wak'st , with thine own fool's eyes peep .
+
+Sound , music !
+
+Come , my queen , take hands with me ,
+And rock the ground whereon these sleepers be .
+Now thou and I are new in amity ,
+And will to-morrow midnight solemnly
+Dance in Duke Theseus' house triumphantly ,
+And bless it to all fair prosperity .
+There shall the pairs of faithful lovers be
+Wedded , with Theseus , all in jollity .
+
+
+Fairy king , attend , and mark :
+I do hear the morning lark .
+
+Then , my queen , in silence sad ,
+Trip we after the night's shade ;
+We the globe can compass soon ,
+Swifter than the wandering moon .
+
+Come , my lord ; and in our flight
+Tell me how it came this night
+That I sleeping here was found
+With these mortals on the ground .
+
+
+Go , one of you , find out the forester ;
+For now our observation is perform'd ;
+And since we have the vaward of the day ,
+My love shall hear the music of my hounds .
+Uncouple in the western valley ; let them go :
+Dispatch , I say , and find the forester .
+We will , fair queen , up to the mountain's top ,
+And mark the musical confusion
+Of hounds and echo in conjunction .
+
+I was with Hercules and Cadmus once ,
+When in a wood of Crete they bay'd the bear
+With hounds of Sparta : never did I hear
+Such gallant chiding ; for , besides the groves ,
+The skies , the fountains , every region near
+Seem'd all one mutual cry . I never heard
+So musical a discord , such sweet thunder .
+
+My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind ,
+So flew'd , so sanded ; and their heads are hung
+With ears that sweep away the morning dew ;
+Crook-knee'd , and dew-lapp'd like Thessalian bulls ;
+Slow in pursuit , but match'd in mouth like bells ,
+Each under each . A cry more tuneable
+Was never holla'd to , nor cheer'd with horn ,
+In Crete , in Sparta , nor in Thessaly :
+Judge , when you hear . But , soft ! what nymphs are these ?
+
+My lord , this is my daughter here asleep ;
+And this , Lysander ; this Demetrius is ;
+This Helena , old Nedar's Helena :
+I wonder of their being here together .
+
+No doubt they rose up early to observe
+The rite of May , and , hearing our intent ,
+Came here in grace of our solemnity .
+But speak , Egeus , is not this the day
+That Hermia should give answer of her choice ?
+
+It is , my lord .
+
+Go , bid the huntsmen wake them with their horns .
+
+
+Good morrow , friends . Saint Valentine is past :
+
+Begin these wood-birds but to couple now ?
+
+Pardon , my lord .
+
+
+I pray you all , stand up .
+I know you two are rival enemies :
+How comes this gentle concord in the world ,
+That hatred is so far from jealousy ,
+To sleep by hate , and fear no enmity ?
+
+My lord , I shall reply amazedly ,
+Half sleep , half waking : but as yet , I swear ,
+I cannot truly say how I came here ;
+But , as I think ,for truly would I speak ,
+And now I do bethink me , so it is ,
+I came with Hermia hither : our intent
+Was to be gone from Athens , where we might ,
+Without the peril of the Athenian law
+
+Enough , enough , my lord ; you have enough :
+I beg the law , the law , upon his head .
+They would have stol'n away ; they would , Demetrius ,
+Thereby to have defeated you and me ;
+You of your wife , and me of my consent ,
+Of my consent that she should be your wife .
+
+My lord , fair Helen told me of their stealth ,
+Of this their purpose hither , to this wood ;
+And I in fury hither follow'd them ,
+Fair Helena in fancy following me .
+But , my good lord , I wot not by what power ,
+But by some power it is ,my love to Hermia ,
+Melted as doth the snow , seems to me now
+As the remembrance of an idle gaud
+Which in my childhood I did dote upon ;
+And all the faith , the virtue of my heart ,
+The object and the pleasure of mine eye ,
+Is only Helena . To her , my lord ,
+Was I betroth'd ere I saw Hermia :
+But , like in sickness , did I loathe this food ;
+But , as in health , come to my natural taste ,
+Now do I wish it , love it , long for it ,
+And will for evermore be true to it .
+
+Fair lovers , you are fortunately met :
+Of this discourse we more will hear anon .
+Egeus , I will overbear your will ,
+For in the temple , by and by , with us ,
+These couples shall eternally be knit :
+And , for the morning now is something worn ,
+Our purpos'd hunting shall be set aside .
+Away with us , to Athens : three and three ,
+We'll hold a feast in great solemnity .
+Come , Hippolyta .
+
+
+These things seem small and undistinguishable ,
+Like far-off mountains turned into clouds .
+
+Methinks I see these things with parted eye ,
+When everything seems double .
+
+So methinks :
+And I have found Demetrius , like a jewel ,
+Mine own , and not mine own .
+
+Are you sure
+That we are awake ? It seems to me
+That yet we sleep , we dream . Do you not think
+The duke was here , and bid us follow him ?
+
+Yea ; and my father .
+
+And Hippolyta .
+
+And he did bid us follow to the temple .
+
+Why then , we are awake . Let's follow him ;
+And by the way let us recount our dreams .
+
+
+When my cue comes , call me , and I will answer : my next is , 'Most fair Pyramus .' Heigh-ho ! Peter Quince ! Flute , the bellows-mender ! Snout , the tinker ! Starveling ! God's my life ! stolen hence , and left me asleep ! I have had a most rare vision . I have had a dream , past the wit of man to say what dream it was : man is but an ass , if he go about to expound this dream . Methought I was there is no man can tell what . Methought I was ,and methought I had ,but man is but a patched fool , if he will offer to say what methought I had . The eye of man hath not heard , the ear of man hath not seen , man's hand is not able to taste , his tongue to conceive , nor his heart to report , what my dream was . I will get Peter Quince to write a ballad of this dream : it shall be called Bottom's Dream , because it hath no bottom ; and I will sing it in the latter end of a play , before the duke : peradventure , to make it the more gracious , I shall sing it at her death .
+
+
+Have you sent to Bottom's house ? is he come home yet ?
+
+He cannot be heard of . Out of doubt he is transported .
+
+If he come not , then the play is marred : it goes not forward , doth it ?
+
+It is not possible : you have not a man in all Athens able to discharge Pyramus but he .
+
+No ; he hath simply the best wit of any handicraft man in Athens .
+
+Yea , and the best person too ; and he is a very paramour for a sweet voice .
+
+You must say , 'paragon :' a paramour is , God bless us ! a thing of naught .
+
+
+Masters , the duke is coming from the temple , and there is two or three lords and ladies more married : if our sport had gone forward , we had all been made men .
+
+O sweet bully Bottom ! Thus hath he lost sixpence a day during his life ; he could not have 'scaped sixpence a day : an the duke had not given him sixpence a day for playing Pyramus , I'll be hanged ; he would have deserved it : sixpence a day in Pyramus , or nothing .
+
+
+Where are these lads ? where are these hearts ?
+
+Bottom ! O most courageous day ! O most happy hour !
+
+Masters , I am to discourse wonders : but ask me not what ; for if I tell you , I am no true Athenian . I will tell you everything , right as it fell out .
+
+Let us hear , sweet Bottom .
+
+Not a word of me . All that I will tell you is , that the duke hath dined . Get your apparel together , good strings to your beards , new ribbons to your pumps ; meet presently at the palace ; every man look o'er his part ; for the short and the long is , our play is preferred . In any case , let Thisby have clean linen ; and let not him that plays the lion pare his nails , for they shall hang out for the lion's claws . And , most dear actors , eat no onions nor garlic , for we are to utter sweet breath , and I do not doubt but to hear them say , it is a sweet comedy . No more words : away ! go ; away .
+
+'Tis strange , my Theseus , that these lovers speak of .
+
+More strange than true . I never may believe
+These antique fables , nor these fairy toys .
+Lovers and madmen have such seething brains ,
+Such shaping fantasies , that apprehend
+More than cool reason ever comprehends .
+The lunatic , the lover , and the poet ,
+Are of imagination all compact :
+One sees more devils than vast hell can hold ,
+That is , the madman ; the lover , all as frantic ,
+Sees Helen's beauty in a brow of Egypt :
+The poet's eye , in a fine frenzy rolling ,
+Doth glance from heaven to earth , from earth to heaven ;
+And , as imagination bodies forth
+The forms of things unknown , the poet's pen
+Turns them to shapes , and gives to airy nothing
+A local habitation and a name .
+Such tricks hath strong imagination ,
+That , if it would but apprehend some joy ,
+It comprehends some bringer of that joy ;
+Or in the night , imagining some fear ,
+How easy is a bush suppos'd a bear !
+
+But all the story of the night told over ,
+And all their minds transfigur'd so together ,
+More witnesseth than fancy's images ,
+And grows to something of great constancy ,
+But , howsoever , strange and admirable .
+
+Here come the lovers , full of joy and mirth .
+
+
+Joy , gentle friends ! joy , and fresh days of love
+
+Accompany your hearts !
+
+More than to us
+Wait in your royal walks , your board , your bed !
+
+Come now ; what masques , what dances shall we have ,
+To wear away this long age of three hours
+Between our after-supper and bed-time ?
+Where is our usual manager of mirth ?
+What revels are in hand ? Is there no play ,
+To ease the anguish of a torturing hour ?
+Call Philostrate .
+
+Here , mighty Theseus .
+
+Say , what abridgment have you for this evening ?
+What masque ? what music ? How shall we beguile
+The lazy time , if not with some delight ?
+
+There is a brief how many sports are ripe ;
+Make choice of which your highness will see first .
+
+
+The battle with the Centaurs , to be sung
+By an Athenian eunuch to the harp .
+We'll none of that : that have I told my love ,
+In glory of my kinsman Hercules .
+The riot of the tipsy Bacchanals ,
+Tearing the Thracian singer in their rage .
+That is an old device ; and it was play'd
+When I from Thebes came last a conqueror .
+The thrice three Muses mourning for the death
+Of Learning , late deceas'd in beggary .
+That is some satire keen and critical ,
+Not sorting with a nuptial ceremony .
+A tedious brief scene of young Pyramus
+And his love Thisbe ; very tragical mirth .
+Merry and tragical ! tedious and brief !
+That is , hot ice and wonderous strange snow .
+How shall we find the concord of this discord ?
+
+A play there is , my lord , some ten words long ,
+Which is as brief as I have known a play ;
+But by ten words , my lord , it is too long ,
+Which makes it tedious ; for in all the play
+There is not one word apt , one player fitted .
+And tragical , my noble lord , it is ;
+For Pyramus therein doth kill himself .
+Which when I saw rehears'd , I must confess ,
+Made mine eyes water ; but more merry tears
+The passion of loud laughter never shed .
+
+What are they that do play it ?
+
+Hard-handed men , that work in Athens here ,
+Which never labour'd in their minds till now ,
+And now have toil'd their unbreath'd memories
+With this same play , against your nuptial .
+
+And we will hear it .
+
+No , my noble lord ;
+It is not for you : I have heard it over ,
+And it is nothing , nothing in the world ;
+Unless you can find sport in their intents ,
+Extremely stretch'd and conn'd with cruel pain ,
+To do you service .
+
+I will hear that play ;
+For never anything can be amiss ,
+When simpleness and duty tender it .
+Go , bring them in : and take your places , ladies .
+
+
+I love not to see wretchedness o'ercharg'd ,
+And duty in his service perishing .
+
+Why , gentle sweet , you shall see no such thing .
+
+He says they can do nothing in this kind .
+
+The kinder we , to give them thanks for nothing .
+Our sport shall be to take what they mistake :
+And what poor duty cannot do , noble respect
+Takes it in might , not merit .
+Where I have come , great clerks have purposed
+To greet me with premeditated welcomes ;
+Where I have seen them shiver and look pale ,
+Make periods in the midst of sentences ,
+Throttle their practis'd accent in their fears ,
+And , in conclusion , dumbly have broke off ,
+Not paying me a welcome . Trust me , sweet ,
+Out of this silence yet I pick'd a welcome ;
+And in the modesty of fearful duty
+I read as much as from the rattling tongue
+Of saucy and audacious eloquence .
+Love , therefore , and tongue-tied simplicity
+In least speak most , to my capacity .
+
+
+So please your Grace , the Prologue is address'd .
+
+Let him approach .
+
+
+If we offend , it is with our good will .
+That you should think , we come not to offend ,
+But with good will . To show our simple skill ,
+That is the true beginning of our end .
+Consider then we come but in despite .
+We do not come as minding to content you ,
+Our true intent is . All for your delight ,
+We are not here . That you should here repent you ,
+The actors are at hand ; and , by their show ,
+You shall know all that you are like to know .
+
+
+This fellow doth not stand upon points .
+
+He hath rid his prologue like a rough colt ; he knows not the stop . A good moral , my lord : it is not enough to speak , but to speak true .
+
+Indeed he hath played on his prologue like a child on a recorder ; a sound , but not in government .
+
+His speech was like a tangled chain ; nothing impaired , but all disordered . Who is next ?
+
+
+Gentles , perchance you wonder at this show ;
+But wonder on , till truth make all things plain .
+This man is Pyramus , if you would know ;
+This beauteous lady Thisby is , certain .
+This man , with lime and rough-cast , doth present
+Wall , that vile Wall which did these lovers sunder ;
+And through Wall's chink , poor souls , they are content
+To whisper , at the which let no man wonder .
+This man , with lanthorn , dog , and bush of thorn ,
+Presenteth Moonshine ; for , if you will know ,
+By moonshine did these lovers think no scorn
+To meet at Ninus' tomb , there , there to woo .
+This grisly beast , which Lion hight by name ,
+The trusty Thisby , coming first by night ,
+Did scare away , or rather did affright ;
+And , as she fied , her mantle she did fall ,
+Which Lion vile with bloody mouth did stain .
+Anon comes Pyramus , sweet youth and tall ,
+And finds his trusty Thisby's mantle slain :
+Whereat , with blade , with bloody blameful blade ,
+He bravely broach'd his boiling bloody breast ;
+And Thisby , tarrying in mulberry shade ,
+His dagger drew , and died . For all the rest ,
+Let Lion , Moonshine , Wall , and lovers twain ,
+At large discourse , while here they do remain .
+
+
+I wonder , if the lion be to speak .
+
+No wonder , my lord : one lion may , when many asses do .
+Wall . In this same interlude it doth befall
+That I , one Snout by name , present a wall ;
+And such a wall , as I would have you think ,
+That had in it a crannied hole or chink ,
+Through which the lovers , Pyramus and Thisby ,
+Did whisper often very secretly .
+This loam , this rough-cast , and this stone doth show
+That I am that same wall ; the truth is so ;
+And this the cranny is , right and sinister ,
+Through which the fearful lovers are to whisper .
+
+Would you desire lime and hair to speak better ?
+
+It is the wittiest partition that ever I heard discourse , my lord .
+
+Pyramus draws near the wall : silence !
+
+
+O grim-look'd night ! O night with hue so black !
+O night , which ever art when day is not !
+O night ! O night ! alack , alack , alack !
+I fear my Thisby's promise is forgot .
+And thou , O wall ! O sweet , O lovely wall !
+That stand'st between her father's ground and mine ;
+Thou wall , O wall ! O sweet , and lovely wall !
+Show me thy chink to blink through with mine eyne .
+
+Thanks , courteous wall : Jove shield thee well for this !
+But what see I ? No Thisby do I see .
+O wicked wall ! through whom I see no bliss ;
+Curs'd be thy stones for thus deceiving me !
+
+The wall , methinks , being sensible , should curse again .
+
+No , in truth , sir , he should not . 'Deceiving me ,' is Thisby's cue : she is to enter now , and I am to spy her through the wall . You shall see , it will fall pat as I told you . Yonder she comes .
+
+
+O wall ! full often hast thou heard my moans ,
+For parting my fair Pyramus and me :
+My cherry lips have often kiss'd thy stones ,
+Thy stones with lime and hair knit up in thee .
+
+I see a voice : now will I to the chink ,
+To spy an I can hear my Thisby's face .
+Thisby .
+
+My love ! thou art my love , I think .
+
+Think what thou wilt , I am thy lover's grace ;
+And , like Limander , am I trusty still .
+
+And I like Helen , till the Fates me kill .
+
+Not Shafalus to Procrus was so true .
+
+As Shafalus to Procrus , I to you .
+
+O ! kiss me through the hole of this vile wall .
+
+I kiss the wall's hole , not your lips at all
+
+Wilt thou at Ninny's tomb meet me straightway ?
+
+'Tide life , 'tide death , I come without delay .
+
+
+Thus have I , Wall , my part discharged so ;
+And , being done , thus Wall away doth go .
+
+
+Now is the mural down between the two neighbours .
+
+No remedy , my lord , when walls are so wilful to hear without warning .
+
+This is the silliest stuff that ever I heard .
+
+The best in this kind are but shadows , and the worst are no worse , if imagination amend them .
+
+It must be your imagination then , and not theirs .
+
+If we imagine no worse of them than they of themselves , they may pass for excellent men . Here come two noble beasts in , a man and a lion .
+
+
+You , ladies , you , whose gentle hearts do fear
+The smallest monstrous mouse that creeps on floor ,
+May now perchance both quake and tremble here ,
+When lion rough in wildest rage doth roar .
+Then know that I , one Snug the joiner , am
+A lion-fell , nor else no lion's dam :
+For , if I should as lion come in strife
+Into this place , 'twere pity on my life .
+
+A very gentle beast , and of a good conscience .
+
+The very best at a beast , my lord , that e'er I saw .
+
+This lion is a very fox for his valour .
+
+True ; and a goose for his discretion .
+
+Not so , my lord ; for his valour cannot carry his discretion , and the fox carries the goose .
+
+His discretion , I am sure , cannot carry his valour , for the goose carries not the fox . It is well : leave it to his discretion , and let us listen to the moon .
+
+This lanthorn doth the horned moon present ;
+
+He should have worn the horns on his head .
+
+He is no crescent , and his horns are invisible within the circumference .
+
+This lanthorn doth the horned moon present ;
+Myself the man i' the moon do seem to be .
+
+This is the greatest error of all the rest .
+The man should be put into the lanthorn : how is it else the man i' the moon ?
+
+He dares not come there for the candle ; for , you see , it is already in snuff .
+
+I am aweary of this moon : would he would change !
+
+It appears , by his small light of discretion , that he is in the wane ; but yet , in courtesy , in all reason , we must stay the time .
+
+Proceed , Moon .
+
+All that I have to say , is , to tell you that the lanthorn is the moon ; I , the man in the moon ; this thorn-bush , my thorn-bush ; and this dog , my dog .
+
+Why , all these should be in the lanthorn ; for all these are in the moon . But , silence ! here comes Thisbe .
+
+
+This is old Ninny's tomb . Where is my love ?
+
+Oh .
+
+
+Well roared , Lion .
+
+Well run , Thisbe .
+
+Well shone , Moon . Truly , the moon shines with a good grace .
+
+
+Well moused , Lion .
+
+And then came Pyramus .
+
+And so the lion vanished .
+
+
+Sweet moon , I thank thee for thy sunny beams ;
+I thank thee , moon , for shining now so bright ,
+For , by thy gracious , golden , glittering streams ,
+I trust to taste of truest Thisby's sight .
+
+But stay , O spite !
+But mark , poor knight ,
+What dreadful dole is here !
+Eyes , do you see ?
+How can it be ?
+O dainty duck ! O dear !
+Thy mantle good ,
+What ! stain'd with blood !
+Approach , ye Furies fell !
+O Fates , come , come ,
+Cut thread and thrum ;
+Quail , crush , conclude , and quell !
+
+
+This passion , and the death of a dear friend , would go near to make a man look sad .
+
+Beshrew my heart , but I pity the man .
+
+O ! wherefore , Nature , didst thou lions frame ?
+Since lion vile hath here deflower'd my dear ?
+Which is no , no which was the fairest dame
+That liv'd , that lov'd , that lik'd , that look'd with cheer .
+
+
+Come tears , confound ;
+Out , sword , and wound
+The pap of Pyramus :
+Ay , that left pap ,
+Where heart doth hop :
+Thus die I , thus , thus , thus .
+
+Now am I dead ,
+Now am I fled ;
+My soul is in the sky :
+Tongue , lose thy light !
+Moon , take thy flight !
+
+Now die , die , die , die , die .
+
+No die , but an ace , for him ; for he is but one .
+
+Less than an ace , man , for he is dead ; he is nothing .
+
+With the help of a surgeon , he might yet recover , and prove an ass .
+
+How chance Moonshine is gone before Thisbe comes back and finds her lover ?
+
+She will find him by starlight . Here she comes ; and her passion ends the play .
+
+
+Methinks she should not use a long one for such a Pyramus : I hope she will be brief .
+
+A mote will turn the balance , which Pyramus , which Thisbe , is the better : he for a man , God warrant us ; she for a woman , God bless us .
+
+She hath spied him already with those sweet eyes .
+
+And thus she moans , videlicet :
+
+
+Asleep , my love ?
+What , dead , my dove ?
+O Pyramus , arise !
+Speak , speak ! Quite dumb ?
+Dead , dead ! A tomb
+Must cover thy sweet eyes .
+These lily lips ,
+This cherry nose ,
+These yellow cowslip cheeks ,
+Are gone , are gone :
+Lovers , make moan !
+His eyes were green as leeks .
+O , Sisters Three ,
+Come , come to me ,
+With hands as pale as milk ;
+Lay them in gore ,
+Since you have shore
+With shears his thread of silk .
+Tongue , not a word :
+Come , trusty sword :
+Come , blade , my breast imbrue :
+
+And farewell , friends ;
+Thus Thisby ends :
+Adieu , adieu , adieu .
+
+Moonshine and Lion are left to bury the dead .
+
+Ay , and Wall too .
+
+No , I assure you ; the wall is down that parted their fathers . Will it please you to see the epilogue , or to hear a Bergomask dance between two of our company ?
+
+No epilogue , I pray you ; for your play needs no excuse . Never excuse ; for when the players are all dead , there need none to be blamed . Marry , if he that writ it had played Pyramus , and hanged himself in Thisbe's garter , it would have been a fine tragedy : and so it is , truly , and very notably discharged . But come , your Bergomask : let your epilogue alone .
+
+The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve ;
+Lovers , to bed ; 'tis almost fairy time .
+I fear we shall out-sleep the coming morn ,
+As much as we this night have overwatch'd .
+This palpable-gross play hath well beguil'd
+The heavy gait of night . Sweet friends , to bed .
+A fortnight hold we this solemnity ,
+In nightly revels , and new jollity .
+
+Now the hungry lion roars ,
+And the wolf behowls the moon ;
+Whilst the heavy ploughman snores ,
+All with weary task fordone .
+Now the wasted brands do glow ,
+Whilst the screech-owl , screeching loud ,
+Puts the wretch that lies in woe
+In remembrance of a shroud .
+Now it is the time of night
+That the graves , all gaping wide ,
+Every one lets forth his sprite ,
+In the church-way paths to glide :
+And we fairies , that do run
+By the triple Hecate's team ,
+From the presence of the sun ,
+Following darkness like a dream ,
+Now are frolic ; not a mouse
+Shall disturb this hallow'd house :
+I am sent with broom before ,
+To sweep the dust behind the door .
+
+
+Through the house give glimmering light
+By the dead and drowsy fire ;
+Every elf and fairy sprite
+Hop as light as bird from brier ;
+And this ditty after me
+Sing and dance it trippingly .
+
+First , rehearse your song by rote ,
+To each word a warbling note :
+Hand in hand , with fairy grace ,
+Will we sing , and bless this place .
+
+
+Now , until the break of day ,
+Through this house each fairy stray .
+To the best bride-bed will we ,
+Which by us shall blessed be ;
+And the issue there create
+Ever shall be fortunate .
+So shall all the couples three
+Ever true in loving be ;
+And the blots of Nature's hand
+Shall not in their issue stand :
+Never mole , hare-lip , nor scar ,
+Nor mark prodigious , such as are
+Despised in nativity ,
+Shall upon their children be .
+With this field-dew consecrate ,
+Every fairy take his gait ,
+And each several chamber bless ,
+Through this palace , with sweet peace ;
+Ever shall in safety rest ,
+And the owner of it blest .
+Trip away ;
+Make no stay ;
+Meet me all by break of day .
+
+
+If we shadows have offended ,
+Think but this , and all is mended ,
+That you have but slumber'd here
+While these visions did appear .
+And this weak and idle theme ,
+No more yielding but a dream ,
+Gentles , do not reprehend :
+If you pardon , we will mend .
+And , as I'm an honest Puck ,
+If we have unearned luck
+Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue ,
+We will make amends ere long ;
+Else the Puck a liar call :
+So , good night unto you all .
+Give me your hands , if we be friends ,
+And Robin shall restore amends .
+
+ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL
+
+In delivering my son from me , I bury a second husband .
+
+And I , in going , madam , weep o'er my father's death anew ; but I must attend his majesty's command , to whom I am now in ward , evermore in subjection .
+
+You shall find of the king a husband , madam ; you , sir , a father . He that so generally is at all times good , must of necessity hold his virtue to you , whose worthiness would stir it up where it wanted rather than lack it where there is such abundance .
+
+What hope is there of his majesty's amendment ?
+
+He hath abandoned his physicians , madam ; under whose practices he hath persecuted time with hope , and finds no other advantage in the process but only the losing of hope by time .
+
+This young gentlewoman had a father ,O , that 'had !' how sad a passage 'tis !whose skill was almost as great as his honesty ; had it stretched so far , would have made nature immortal , and death should have play for lack of work . Would , for the king's sake , he were living ! I think it would be the death of the king's disease .
+
+How called you the man you speak of , madam ?
+
+He was famous , sir , in his profession , and it was his great right to be so : Gerard de Narbon .
+
+He was excellent indeed , madam : the king very lately spoke of him admiringly and mourningly . He was skilful enough to have lived still , if knowledge could be set up against mortality .
+
+What is it , my good lord , the king languishes of ?
+
+A fistula , my lord .
+
+I heard not of it before .
+
+I would it were not notorious . Was this gentlewoman the daughter of Gerard de Narbon ?
+
+His sole child , my lord ; and bequeathed to my overlooking . I have those hopes of her good that her education promises : her dispositions she inherits , which makes fair gifts fairer ; for where an unclean mind carries virtuous qualities , there commendations go with pity ; they are virtues and traitors too : in her they are the better for their simpleness ; she derives her honesty and achieves her goodness .
+
+Your commendations , madam , get from her tears .
+
+'Tis the best brine a maiden can season her praise in . The remembrance of her father never approaches her heart but the tyranny of her sorrows takes all livelihood from her cheek . No more of this , Helena , go to , no more ; lest it be rather thought you affect a sorrow , than have it .
+
+I do affect a sorrow indeed , but I have it too .
+
+Moderate lamentation is the right of the dead , excessive grief the enemy to the living .
+
+If the living be enemy to the grief , the excess makes it soon mortal .
+
+Madam , I desire your holy wishes .
+
+How understand we that ?
+
+Be thou blest , Bertram ; and succeed thy father
+In manners , as in shape ! thy blood and virtue
+Contend for empire in thee ; and thy goodness
+Share with thy birthright ! Love all , trust a few ,
+Do wrong to none : be able for thine enemy
+Rather in power than use , and keep thy friend
+Under thy own life's key : be check'd for silence ,
+But never tax'd for speech . What heaven more will
+That thee may furnish , and my prayers pluck down ,
+Fall on thy head ! Farewell , my lord ;
+'Tis an unseason'd courtier ; good my lord ,
+Advise him .
+
+He cannot want the best
+That shall attend his love .
+
+Heaven bless him ! Farewell , Bertram .
+
+
+The best wishes that can be forged in your thoughts be servants to you ! Be comfortable to my mother , your mistress , and make much of her .
+
+Farewell , pretty lady : you must hold the credit of your father .
+
+
+O ! were that all . I think not on my father ;
+And these great tears grace his remembrance more
+Than those I shed for him . What was he like ?
+I have forgot him : my imagination
+Carries no favour in't but Bertram's .
+I am undone : there is no living , none ,
+If Bertram be away . It were all one
+That I should love a bright particular star
+And think to wed it , he is so above me :
+In his bright radiance and collateral light
+Must I be comforted , not in his sphere .
+The ambition in my love thus plagues itself :
+The hind that would be mated by the lion
+Must die for love . 'Twas pretty , though a plague ,
+To see him every hour ; to sit and draw
+His arched brows , his hawking eye , his curls ,
+In our heart's table ; heart too capable
+Of every line and trick of his sweet favour :
+But now he's gone , and my idolatrous fancy
+Must sanctify his reliques . Who comes here ?
+One that goes with him : I love him for his sake ;
+And yet I know him a notorious liar ,
+Think him a great way fool , solely a coward ;
+Yet these fix'd evils sit so fit in him ,
+That they take place , when virtue's steely bones
+Look bleak in the cold wind : withal , full oft we see
+Cold wisdom waiting on superfluous folly .
+
+
+Save you , fair queen !
+
+And you , monarch !
+
+No .
+
+And no .
+
+Are you meditating on virginity ?
+
+Ay . You have some stain of soldier in you ; let me ask you a question . Man is enemy to virginity ; how may we barricado it against him ?
+
+Keep him out .
+
+But he assails ; and our virginity , though valiant in the defence , yet is weak . Unfold to us some war-like resistance .
+
+There is none : man , sitting down before you , will undermine you and blow you up .
+
+Bless our poor virginity from underminers and blowers up ! Is there no military policy , how virgins might blow up men ?
+
+Virginity being blown down , man will quicklier be blown up : marry in blowing him down again , with the breach yourselves made , you lose your city . It is not politic in the commonwealth of nature to preserve virginity . Loss of virginity is rational increase , and there was never virgin got till virginity was first lost . That you were made of is metal to make virgins . Virginity , by being once lost , may be ten times found : by being ever kept , it is ever lost .'Tis too cold a companion : away with't !
+
+I will stand for't a little , though therefore I die a virgin .
+
+There's little can be said in't ; 'tis against the rule of nature . To speak on the part of virginity is to accuse your mothers , which is most infallible disobedience . He that hangs himself is a virgin : virginity murders itself , and should be buried in highways , out of all sanctified limit , as a desperate offendress against nature . Virginity breeds mites , much like a cheese , consumes itself to the very paring , and so dies with feeding his own stomach . Besides , virginity is peevish , proud , idle , made of self-love , which is the most inhibited sin in the canon . Keep it not ; you cannot choose but lose by't ! Out with't ! within the year it will make itself two , which is a goodly increase , and the principal itself not much the worse . Away with't !
+
+How might one do , sir , to lose it to her own liking ?
+
+Let me see : marry , ill , to like him that ne'er it likes . 'Tis a commodity that will lose the gloss with lying ; the longer kept , the less worth : off with't , while 'tis vendible ; answer the time of request . Virginity , like an old courtier , wears her cap out of fashion ; richly suited , but unsuitable : just like the brooch and the toothpick , which wear not now . Your date is better in your pie and your porridge than in your cheek : and your virginity , your old virginity , is like one of our French withered pears ; it looks ill , it eats drily ; marry , 'tis a withered pear ; it was formerly better ; marry , yet 'tis a withered pear . Will you anything with it ?
+
+Not my virginity yet .
+There shall your master have a thousand loves ,
+A mother , and a mistress , and a friend ,
+A ph nix , captain , and an enemy ,
+A guide , a goddess , and a sovereign ,
+A counsellor , a traitress , and a dear ;
+His humble ambition , proud humility ,
+His jarring concord , and his discord dulcet ,
+His faith , his sweet disaster ; with a world
+Of pretty , fond , adoptious christendoms ,
+That blinking Cupid gossips . Now shall he
+I know not what he shall . God send him well !
+The court's a learning-place , and he is one
+
+What one , i' faith ?
+
+That I wish well . 'Tis pity
+
+What's pity ?
+
+That wishing well had not a body in't ,
+Which might be felt ; that we , the poorer born ,
+Whose baser stars do shut us up in wishes ,
+Might with effects of them follow our friends ,
+And show what we alone must think , which never
+Returns us thanks .
+
+
+Monsieur Parolles , my lord calls for you .
+
+
+Little Helen , farewell : if I can remember thee , I will think of thee at court .
+
+Monsieur Parolles , you were born under a charitable star .
+
+Under Mars , I .
+
+I especially think , under Mars .
+
+Why under Mars ?
+
+The wars have so kept you under that you must needs be born under Mars .
+
+When he was predominant .
+
+When he was retrograde , I think rather .
+
+Why think you so ?
+
+You go so much backward when you fight .
+
+That's for advantage .
+
+So is running away , when fear proposes the safety : but the composition that your valour and fear makes in you is a virtue of a good wing , and I like the wear well .
+
+I am so full of businesses I cannot answer thee acutely . I will return perfect courtier ; in the which , my instruction shall serve to naturalize thee , so thou wilt be capable of a courtier's counsel , and understand what advice shall thrust upon thee ; else thou diest in thine unthankfulness , and thine ignorance makes thee away : farewell . When thou hast leisure , say thy prayers ; when thou hast none , remember thy friends . Get thee a good husband , and use him as he uses thee : so , farewell .
+
+
+Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie
+Which we ascribe to heaven : the fated sky
+Gives us free scope ; only doth backward pull
+Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull .
+What power is it which mounts my love so high ;
+That makes me see , and cannot feed mine eye ?
+The mightiest space in fortune nature brings
+To join like likes , and kiss like native things .
+Impossible be strange attempts to those
+That weigh their pains in sense , and do suppose
+What hath been cannot be : who ever strove
+To show her merit , that did miss her love ?
+The king's disease ,my project may deceive me ,
+But my intents are fix'd and will not leave me .
+
+
+The Florentines and Senoys are by the ears ;
+Have fought with equal fortune , and continue
+A braving war .
+
+So 'tis reported , sir .
+
+Nay , 'tis most credible : we here receive it
+A certainty , vouch'd from our cousin Austria ,
+With caution that the Florentine will move us
+For speedy aid ; wherein our dearest friend
+Prejudicates the business , and would seem
+To have us make denial .
+
+His love and wisdom ,
+Approv'd so to your majesty , may plead
+For amplest credence .
+
+He hath arm'd our answer ,
+And Florence is denied before he comes :
+Yet , for our gentlemen that mean to see
+The Tuscan service , freely have they leave
+To stand on either part .
+
+It well may serve
+A nursery to our gentry , who are sick
+For breathing and exploit .
+
+What's he comes here ?
+
+
+It is the Count Rousillon , my good lord ,
+Young Betram .
+
+Youth , thou bear'st thy father's face ;
+Frank nature , rather curious than in haste ,
+Hath well compos'd thee . Thy father's moral parts
+Mayst thou inherit too ! Welcome to Paris .
+
+My thanks and duty are your majesty's .
+
+I would I had that corporal soundness now ,
+As when thy father and myself in friendship
+First tried our soldiership ! He did look far
+Into the service of the time and was
+Discipled of the bravest : he lasted long ;
+But on us both did haggish age steal on ,
+And wore us out of act . It much repairs me
+To talk of your good father . In his youth
+He had the wit which I can well observe
+To-day in our young lords ; but they may jest
+Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
+Ere they can hide their levity in honour .
+So like a courtier , contempt nor bitterness
+Were in his pride or sharpness ; if they were ,
+His equal had awak'd them ; and his honour ,
+Clock to itself , knew the true minute when
+Exception bid him speak , and at this time
+His tongue obey'd his hand : who were below him
+He us'd as creatures of another place ,
+And bow'd his eminent top to their low ranks ,
+Making them proud of his humility ,
+In their poor praise he humbled . Such a man
+Might be a copy to these younger times ,
+Which , follow'd well , would demonstrate them now
+But goers backward .
+
+His good remembrance , sir ,
+Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb ;
+So in approof lives not his epitaph
+As in your royal speech .
+
+Would I were with him ! He would always say ,
+Methinks I hear him now : his plausive words
+He scatter'd not in ears , but grafted them ,
+To grow there and to bear . 'Let me not live ,'
+Thus his good melancholy oft began ,
+On the catastrophe and heel of pastime ,
+When it was out ,'Let me not live ,' quoth he ,
+'After my flame lacks oil , to be the snuff
+Of younger spirits , whose apprehensive senses
+All but new things disdain ; whose judgments are
+Mere fathers of their garments ; whose constancies
+Expire before their fashions .' This he wish'd :
+I , after him , do after him wish too ,
+Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home ,
+I quickly were dissolved from my hive ,
+To give some labourers room .
+
+You are lov'd , sir ;
+They that least lend it you shall lack you first .
+
+I fill a place , I know't . How long is't , count ,
+Since the physician at your father's died ?
+He was much fam'd .
+
+Some six months since , my lord .
+
+If he were living , I would try him yet :
+Lend me an arm : the rest have worn me out
+With several applications : nature and sickness
+Debate it at their leisure . Welcome , count ;
+My son's no dearer .
+
+Thank your majesty .
+
+
+I will now hear : what say you of this gentlewoman ?
+
+Madam , the care I have had to even your content , I wish might be found in the calendar of my past endeavours ; for then we wound our modesty and make foul the clearness of our deservings , when of ourselves we publish them .
+
+What does this knave here ? Get you gone , sirrah : the complaints I have heard of you I do not all believe : 'tis my slowness that I do not ; for I know you lack not folly to commit them , and have ability enough to make such knaveries yours .
+
+'Tis not unknown to you , madam , I am a poor fellow .
+
+Well , sir .
+
+No , madam , 'tis not so well that I am poor , though many of the rich are damned . But , if I may have your ladyship's good will to go to the world , Isbel the woman and I will do as we may .
+
+Wilt thou needs be a beggar ?
+
+I do beg your good will in this case .
+
+In what case ?
+
+In Isbel's case and mine own . Service is no heritage ; and I think I shall never have the blessing of God till I have issue o' my body , for they say barnes are blessings .
+
+Tell me thy reason why thou wilt marry .
+
+My poor body , madam , requires it : I am driven on by the flesh ; and he must needs go that the devil drives .
+
+Is this all your worship's reason ?
+
+Faith , madam , I have other holy reasons , such as they are .
+
+May the world know them ?
+
+I have been , madam , a wicked creature , as you and all flesh and blood are ; and , indeed , I do marry that I may repent .
+
+Thy marriage , sooner than thy wickedness .
+
+I am out o' friends , madam ; and I hope to have friends for my wife's sake .
+
+Such friends are thine enemies , knave .
+
+You're shallow , madam , in great friends ; for the knaves come to do that for me which I am aweary of . He that ears my land spares my team , and gives me leave to in the crop : if I be his cuckold , he's my drudge . He that comforts my wife is the cherisher of my flesh and blood ; he that cherishes my flesh and blood loves my flesh and blood ; he that loves my flesh and blood is my friend : ergo , he that kisses my wife is my friend . If men could be contented to be what they are , there were no fear in marriage ; for young Charbon the puritan , and old Poysam the papist , howsome'er their hearts are severed in religion , their heads are both one ; they may joul horns together like any deer i' the herd .
+
+Wilt thou ever be a foul-mouthed and calumnious knave ?
+
+A prophet I , madam ; and I speak the truth the next way :
+
+For I the ballad will repeat ,
+Which men full true shall find ;
+Your marriage comes by destiny ,
+Your cuckoo sings by kind .
+
+
+Get you gone , sir : I'll talk with you more anon .
+
+May it please you , madam , that he bid Helen come to you : of her I am to speak .
+
+Sirrah , tell my gentlewoman I would speak with her ; Helen I mean .
+
+
+Was this fair face the cause , quoth she ,
+Why the Grecians sacked Troy ?
+Fond done , done fond ,
+Was this King Priam's joy ?
+With that she sighed as she stood ,
+With that she sighed as she stood ,
+And gave this sentence then ;
+Among nine bad if one be good ,
+Among nine bad if one be good ,
+There's yet one good in ten .
+
+
+What ! one good in ten ? you corrupt the song , sirrah .
+
+One good woman in ten , madam ; which is a purifying o' the song . Would God would serve the world so all the year ! we'd find no fault with the tithe-woman if I were the parson . One in ten , quoth a' ! An we might have a good woman born but for every blazing star , or at an earthquake ,'twould mend the lottery well : a man may draw his heart out ere a' pluck one .
+
+You'll be gone , sir knave , and do as I command you !
+
+That man should be at woman's command , and yet no hurt done ! Though honesty be no puritan , yet it will do no hurt ; it will wear the surplice of humility over the black gown of a big heart . I am going , forsooth : the business is for Helen to come hither .
+
+
+Well , now .
+
+I know , madam , you love your gentlewoman entirely .
+
+Faith , I do : her father bequeathed her to me ; and she herself , without other advantage , may lawfully make title to as much love as she finds : there is more owing her than is paid , and more shall be paid her than she'll demand .
+
+Madam , I was very late more near her than I think she wished me : alone she was , and did communicate to herself her own words to her own ears ; she thought , I dare vow for her , they touched not any stranger sense . Her matter was , she loved your son : Fortune , she said , was no goddess , that had put such difference betwixt their two estates ; Love no god , that would not extend his might , only where qualities were level ; Dian no queen of virgins , that would suffer her poor knight surprised , without rescue in the first assault or ransom afterward . This she delivered in the most bitter touch of sorrow that e'er I heard virgin exclaim in ; which I held my duty speedily to acquaint you withal , sithence in the loss that may happen , it concerns you something to know it .
+
+You have discharged this honestly : keep it to yourself . Many likelihoods informed me of this before , which hung so tottering in the balance that I could neither believe nor misdoubt . Pray you , leave me : stall this in your bosom ; and I thank you for your honest care . I will speak with you further anon .
+
+Even so it was with me when I was young :
+If ever we are nature's , these are ours ; this thorn
+Doth to our rose of youth rightly belong ;
+Our blood to us , this to our blood is born :
+It is the show and seal of nature's truth ,
+Where love's strong passion is impress'd in youth :
+By our remembrances of days foregone ,
+Such were our faults ; or then we thought them none .
+
+Her eye is sick on't : I observe her now .
+
+What is your pleasure , madam ?
+
+You know , Helen ,
+I am a mother to you .
+
+Mine honourable mistress .
+
+Nay , a mother :
+Why not a mother ? When I said , 'a mother ,'
+Methought you saw a serpent : what's in 'mother'
+That you start at it ? I say , I am your mother ;
+And put you in the catalogue of those
+That were enwombed mine : 'tis often seen
+Adoption strives with nature , and choice breeds
+A native slip to us from foreign seeds ;
+You ne'er oppress'd me with a mother's groan ,
+Yet I express to you a mother's care .
+God's mercy , maiden ! does it curd thy blood
+To say I am thy mother ? What's the matter ,
+That this distemper'd messenger of wet ,
+The many-colour'd Iris , rounds thine eye ?
+Why ? that you are my daughter ?
+
+That I am not .
+
+I say , I am your mother .
+
+Pardon , madam ;
+The Count Rousillon cannot be my brother :
+I am from humble , he from honour'd name ;
+No note upon my parents , his all noble :
+My master , my dear lord he is ; and I
+His servant live , and will his vassal die .
+He must not be my brother .
+
+Nor I your mother ?
+
+You are my mother , madam : would you were ,
+So that my lord your son were not my brother ,
+Indeed my mother ! or were you both our mothers ,
+I care no more for than I do for heaven ,
+So I were not his sister . Can't no other ,
+But , I your daughter , he must be my brother ?
+
+Yes , Helen , you might be my daughter-in-law :
+God shield you mean it not ! daughter and mother
+So strive upon your pulse . What , pale again ?
+My fear hath catch'd your fondness : now I see
+The mystery of your loneliness , and find
+Your salt tears' head : now to all sense 'tis gross
+You love my son : invention is asham'd ,
+Against the proclamation of thy passion ,
+To say thou dost not : therefore tell me true ;
+But tell me then , 'tis so ; for , look , thy cheeks
+Confess it , th' one to th' other ; and thine eyes
+See it so grossly shown in thy behaviours
+That in their kind they speak it : only sin
+And hellish obstinacy tie thy tongue ,
+That truth should be suspected . Speak , is't so ?
+If it be so , you have wound a goodly clew ;
+If it be not , forswear't : howe'er , I charge thee ,
+As heaven shall work in me for thine avail ,
+To tell me truly .
+
+Good madam , pardon me !
+
+Do you love my son ?
+
+Your pardon , noble mistress !
+
+Love you my son ?
+
+Do not you love him , madam ?
+
+Go not about ; my love hath in't a bond
+Whereof the world takes note : come , come , disclose
+The state of your affection , for your passions
+Have to the full appeach'd .
+
+Then , I confess ,
+Here on my knee , before high heaven and you
+That before you , and next unto high heaven ,
+I love your son .
+My friends were poor , but honest ; so's my love :
+Be not offended , for it hurts not him
+That he is lov'd of me : I follow him not
+By any token of presumptuous suit ;
+Nor would I have him till I do deserve him ;
+Yet never know how that desert should be .
+I know I love in vain , strive against hope ;
+Yet , in this captious and intenible sieve
+I still pour in the waters of my love ,
+And lack not to lose still . Thus , Indian-like ,
+Religious in mine error , I adore
+The sun , that looks upon his worshipper ,
+But knows of him no more . My dearest madam ,
+Let not your hate encounter with my love
+For loving where you do : but , if yourself ,
+Whose aged honour cites a virtuous youth ,
+Did ever in so true a flame of liking
+Wish chastely and love dearly , that your Dian
+Was both herself and Love ; O ! then , give pity
+To her , whose state is such that cannot choose
+But lend and give where she is sure to lose ;
+That seeks not to find that her search implies ,
+But , riddle-like , lives sweetly where she dies .
+
+Had you not lately an intent , speak truly ,
+To go to Paris ?
+
+Madam , I had .
+
+Wherefore ? tell true .
+
+I will tell truth ; by grace itself I swear .
+You know my father left me some prescriptions
+Of rare and prov'd effects , such as his reading
+And manifest experience had collected
+For general sovereignty ; and that he will'd me
+In heedfull'st reservation to bestow them ,
+As notes whose faculties inclusive were
+More than they were in note . Amongst the rest ,
+There is a remedy , approv'd , set down
+To cure the desperate languishings whereof
+The king is render'd lost .
+
+This was your motive
+For Paris , was it ? speak .
+
+My lord your son made me to think of this ;
+Else Paris , and the medicine , and the king ,
+Had from the conversation of my thoughts
+Haply been absent then .
+
+But think you , Helen ,
+If you should tender your supposed aid ,
+He would receive it ? He and his physicians
+Are of a mind ; he , that they cannot help him ,
+They , that they cannot help . How shall they credit
+A poor unlearned virgin , when the schools ,
+Embowell'd of their doctrine , have left off
+The danger to itself ?
+
+There's something in't ,
+More than my father's skill , which was the great'st
+Of his profession , that his good receipt
+Shall for my legacy be sanctified
+By the luckiest stars in heaven : and , would your honour
+But give me leave to try success , I'd venture
+The well-lost life of mine on his Grace's cure ,
+By such a day , and hour .
+
+Dost thou believe't ?
+
+Ay , madam , knowingly .
+
+Why , Helen , thou shalt have my leave and love ,
+Means , and attendants , and my loving greetings
+To those of mine in court . I'll stay at home
+And pray God's blessing into thy attempt .
+Be gone to-morrow ; and be sure of this ,
+What I can help thee to thou shalt not miss .
+
+
+Farewell , young lords : these war-like principles
+Do not throw from you : and you , my lords , farewell :
+Share the advice betwixt you ; if both gain , all
+The gift doth stretch itself as 'tis receiv'd ,
+And is enough for both .
+
+'Tis our hope , sir ,
+After well enter'd soldiers , to return
+And find your Grace in health .
+
+No , no , it cannot be ; and yet my heart
+Will not confess he owes the malady
+That doth my life besiege . Farewell , young lords ;
+Whether I live or die , be you the sons
+Of worthy Frenchmen : let higher Italy
+Those bated that inherit but the fall
+Of the last monarchy see that you come
+Not to woo honour , but to wed it ; when
+The bravest questant shrinks , find what you seek
+That fame may cry you loud : I say , farewell .
+
+Health , at your bidding , serve your majesty !
+
+Those girls of Italy , take heed of them :
+They say , our French lack language to deny
+If they demand : beware of being captives ,
+Before you serve .
+
+Our hearts receive your warnings .
+
+Farewell . Come hither to me .
+
+
+O my sweet lord , that you will stay behind us !
+
+'Tis not his fault , the spark .
+
+O ! 'tis brave wars .
+
+Most admirable : I have seen those wars .
+
+I am commanded here , and kept a coil with
+'Too young ,' and 'the next year ,' and ''tis too early .'
+
+An thy mind stand to't , boy , steal away bravely .
+
+I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock ,
+Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry ,
+Till honour be bought up and no sword worn
+But one to dance with ! By heaven ! I'll steal away .
+
+There's honour in the theft .
+
+Commit it , count .
+
+I am your accessary ; and so farewell .
+
+I grow to you , and our parting is a tortured body .
+
+Farewell , captain .
+
+Sweet Monsieur Parolles !
+
+Noble heroes , my sword and yours are kin . Good sparks and lustrous , a word , good metals : you shall find in the regiment of the Spinii , one Captain Spurio , with his cicatrice , an emblem of war , here on his sinister cheek : it was this very sword entrenched it : say to him , I live , and observe his reports for me
+
+We shall , noble captain .
+
+
+Mars dote on you for his novices ! What will ye do ?
+
+Stay ; the king .
+
+
+Use a more spacious ceremony to the noble lords ; you have restrained yourself within the list of too cold an adieu : be more expressive to them ; for they wear themselves in the cap of the time , there do muster true gait , eat , speak , and move under the influence of the most received star ; and though the devil lead the measure , such are to be followed . After them , and take a more dilated farewell .
+
+And I will do so .
+
+Worthy fellows ; and like to prove most sinewy swordmen .
+
+Pardon , my lord , for me and for my tidings .
+
+I'll fee thee to stand up .
+
+Then here's a man stands that has brought his pardon .
+I would you had kneel'd , my lord , to ask me mercy ,
+And that at my bidding you could so stand up .
+
+I would I had ; so I had broke thy pate ,
+And ask'd thee mercy for't .
+
+Good faith , across : but , my good lord , 'tis thus ;
+Will you be cur'd of your infirmity ?
+
+No .
+
+O ! will you eat no grapes , my royal fox ?
+Yes , but you will my noble grapes an if
+My royal fox could reach them . I have seen a medicine
+That's able to breathe life into a stone ,
+Quicken a rock , and make you dance canary
+With spritely fire and motion ; whose simple touch
+Is powerful to araise King Pepin , nay ,
+To give great Charlemain a pen in's hand
+And write to her a love-line .
+
+What 'her' is this ?
+
+Why , Doctor She . My lord , there's one arriv'd
+If you will see her : now , by my faith and honour ,
+If seriously I may convey my thoughts
+In this my light deliverance , I have spoke
+With one , that in her sex , her years , profession ,
+Wisdom , and constancy , hath amaz'd me more
+Than I dare blame my weakness . Will you see her ,
+For that is her demand , and know her business ?
+That done , laugh well at me .
+
+Now , good Lafeu ,
+Bring in the admiration , that we with thee
+May spend our wonder too , or take off thine
+By wond'ring how thou took'st it .
+
+Nay , I'll fit you ,
+And not be all day neither .
+
+
+Thus he his special nothing ever prologues .
+
+
+Nay , come your ways .
+
+This haste hath wings indeed .
+
+Nay , come your ways ;
+This is his majesty , say your mind to him :
+A traitor you do look like ; but such traitors
+His majesty seldom fears : I am Cressid's uncle ,
+That dare leave two together . Fare you well .
+
+
+Now , fair one , does your business follow us ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+Gerard de Narbon was my father ;
+In what he did profess well found .
+
+I knew him .
+
+The rather will I spare my praises towards him ;
+Knowing him is enough . On's bed of death
+Many receipts he gave me ; chiefly one ,
+Which , as the dearest issue of his practice ,
+And of his old experience the only darling ,
+He bade me store up as a triple eye ,
+Safer than mine own two , more dear . I have so ;
+And , hearing your high majesty is touch'd
+With that malignant cause wherein the honour
+Of my dear father's gift stands chief in power ,
+I come to tender it and my appliance ,
+With all bound humbleness .
+
+We thank you , maiden ;
+But may not be so credulous of cure ,
+When our most learned doctors leave us , and
+The congregated college have concluded
+That labouring art can never ransom nature
+From her inaidable estate ; I say we must not
+So stain our judgment , or corrupt our hope ,
+To prostitute our past-cure malady
+To empirics , or to dissever so
+Our great self and our credit , to esteem
+A senseless help when help past sense we deem .
+
+My duty then , shall pay me for my pains :
+I will no more enforce mine office on you ;
+Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
+A modest one , to bear me back again .
+
+I cannot give thee less , to be call'd grateful .
+Thou thought'st to help me , and such thanks I give
+As one near death to those that wish him live ;
+But what at full I know , thou know'st no part ,
+I knowing all my peril , thou no art .
+
+What I can do can do no hurt to try ,
+Since you set up your rest 'gainst remedy .
+He that of greatest works is finisher
+Oft does them by the weakest minister :
+So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown ,
+When judges have been babes ; great floods have flown
+From simple sources ; and great seas have dried
+When miracles have by the greatest been denied .
+Oft expectation fails , and most oft there
+Where most it promises ; and oft it hits
+Where hope is coldest and despair most fits .
+
+I must not hear thee : fare thee well , kind maid .
+Thy pains , not us'd , must by thyself be paid :
+Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward .
+
+Inspired merit so by breath is barr'd .
+It is not so with Him that all things knows ,
+As 'tis with us that square our guess by shows ;
+But most it is presumption in us when
+The help of heaven we count the act of men .
+Dear sir , to my endeavours give consent ;
+Of heaven , not me , make an experiment .
+I am not an impostor that proclaim
+Myself against the level of mine aim ;
+But know I think , and think I know most sure ,
+My art is not past power nor you past cure .
+
+Art thou so confident ? Within what space
+Hop'st thou my cure ?
+
+The great'st grace lending grace ,
+Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring
+Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring ,
+Ere twice in murk and occidental damp
+Moist Hesperus hath quench'd his sleepy lamp ,
+Or four and twenty times the pilot's glass
+Hath told the thievish minutes how they pass ,
+What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly ,
+Health shall live free , and sickness freely die .
+
+Upon thy certainty and confidence
+What dar'st thou venture ?
+
+Tax of impudence ,
+A strumpet's boldness , a divulged shame ,
+Traduc'd by odious ballads : my maiden's name
+Sear'd otherwise ; nay worse if worse extended
+With vilest torture let my life be ended .
+
+Methinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speak ,
+His powerful sound within an organ weak ;
+And what impossibility would slay
+In common sense , sense saves another way .
+Thy life is dear ; for all that life can rate
+Worth name of life in thee hath estimate ;
+Youth , beauty , wisdom , courage , virtue , all
+That happiness and prime can happy call :
+Thou this to hazard needs must intimate
+Skill infinite or monstrous desperate .
+Sweet practiser , thy physic I will try ,
+That ministers thine own death if I die .
+
+If I break time , or flinch in property
+Of what I spoke , unpitied let me die ,
+And well deserv'd . Not helping , death's my fee ;
+But , if I help , what do you promise me ?
+
+Make thy demand .
+
+But will you make it even ?
+
+Ay , by my sceptre , and my hopes of heaven .
+
+Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand
+What husband in thy power I will command :
+Exempted be from me the arrogance
+To choose from forth the royal blood of France ,
+My low and humble name to propagate
+With any branch or image of thy state ;
+But such a one , thy vassal , whom I know
+Is free for me to ask , thee to bestow .
+
+Here is my hand ; the premises observ'd ,
+Thy will by my performance shall be serv'd :
+So make the choice of thy own time , for I ,
+Thy resolv'd patient , on thee still rely .
+More should I question thee , and more I must ,
+Though more to know could not be more to trust ,
+From whence thou cam'st , how tended on ; but rest
+Unquestion'd welcome and undoubted blest .
+Give me some help here , ho ! If thou proceed
+As high as word , my deed shall match thy deed .
+
+
+Come on , sir ; I shall now put you to the height of your breeding .
+
+I will show myself highly fed and lowly taught . I know my business is but to the court .
+
+To the court ! why what place make you special , when you put off that with such contempt ? 'But to the court !'
+
+Truly , madam , if God have lent a man any manners , he may easily put it off at court : he that cannot make a leg , put off's cap , kiss his hand , and say nothing , has neither leg , hands , lip , nor cap ; and indeed such a fellow , to say precisely , were not for the court . But , for me , I have an answer will serve all men .
+
+Marry , that's a bountiful answer that fits all questions .
+
+It is like a barber's chair that fits all buttocks ; the pin-buttock , the quatch-buttock , the brawn-buttock , or any buttock .
+
+Will your answer serve fit to all questions ?
+
+As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney , as your French crown for your taffeta punk , as Tib's rush for Tom's forefinger , as a pancake for Shrove-Tuesday , a morris for Mayday , as the nail to his hole , the cuckold to his horn , as a scolding quean to a wrangling knave , as the nun's lip to the friar's mouth ; nay , as the pudding to his skin .
+
+Have you , I say , an answer of such fitness for all questions ?
+
+From below your duke to beneath your constable , it will fit any question .
+
+It must be an answer of most monstrous size that must fit all demands .
+
+But a trifle neither , in good faith , if the learned should speak truth of it . Here it is , and all that belongs to't : ask me if I am a courtier ; it shall do you no harm to learn .
+
+To be young again , if we could . I will be a fool in question , hoping to be the wiser by your answer . I pray you , sir , are you a courtier ?
+
+O Lord , sir ! there's a simple putting off . More , more , a hundred of them .
+
+Sir , I am a poor friend of yours , that loves you .
+
+O Lord , sir ! Thick , thick , spare not me .
+
+I think , sir , you can eat none of this homely meat .
+
+O Lord , sir ! Nay , put me to't , I warrant you .
+
+You were lately whipped , sir , as I think .
+
+O Lord , sir ! Spare not me .
+
+Do you cry , 'O Lord , sir !' at your whipping , and 'Spare not me ?' Indeed your 'O Lord , sir !' is very sequent to your whipping : you would answer very well to a whipping , if you were but bound to't .
+
+I ne'er had worse luck in my life in my 'O Lord , sir !' I see things may serve long , but not serve ever .
+
+I play the noble housewife with the time ,
+To entertain't so merrily with a fool .
+
+O Lord , sir ! why , there't serves well again .
+
+An end , sir : to your business . Give Helen this ,
+And urge her to a present answer back :
+Commend me to my kinsmen and my son .
+This is not much .
+
+Not much commendation to them .
+
+Not much employment for you : you understand me ?
+
+Most fruitfully : I am there before my legs .
+
+Haste you again .
+
+
+They say miracles are past ; and we have our philosophical persons , to make modern and familiar , things supernatural and causeless . Hence is it that we make trifles of terrors , ensconcing ourselves into seeming knowledge , when we should submit ourselves to an unknown fear .
+
+Why , 'tis the rarest argument of wonder that hath shot out in our latter times .
+
+And so 'tis .
+
+To be relinquished of the artists ,
+
+So I say .
+
+Both of Galen and Paracelsus .
+
+So I say .
+
+Of all the learned and authentic fellows ,
+
+Right ; so I say .
+
+That gave him out incurable ,
+
+Why , there 'tis ; so say I too .
+
+Not to be helped ,
+
+Right ; as 'twere , a man assured of a
+
+Uncertain life , and sure death .
+
+Just , you say well : so would I have said .
+
+I may truly say it is a novelty to the world .
+
+It is , indeed : if you will have it in showing , you shall read it in what do you call there
+
+A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor .
+
+That's it I would have said ; the very same .
+
+Why , your dolphin is not lustier : 'fore me , I speak in respect
+
+Nay , 'tis strange , 'tis very strange , that is the brief and the tedious of it ; and he is of a most facinorous spirit , that will not acknowledge it to be the
+
+Very hand of heaven
+
+Ay , so I say .
+
+In a most weak and debile minister , great power , great transcendence : which should , indeed , give us a further use to be made than alone the recovery of the king , as to be generally thankful .
+
+I would have said it ; you say well . Here comes the king .
+
+
+Lustig , as the Dutchman says : I'll like a maid the better , whilst I have a tooth in my head . Why , he's able to lead her a coranto .
+
+Mort du vinaigre ! Is not this Helen ?
+
+'Fore God , I think so .
+
+Go , call before me all the lords in court .
+
+Sit , my preserver , by thy patient's side :
+And with this healthful hand , whose banish'd sense
+Thou hast repeal'd , a second time receive
+The confirmation of my promised gift ,
+Which but attends thy naming .
+
+
+Fair maid , send forth thine eye : this youthful parcel
+Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing ,
+O'er whom both sov'reign power and father's voice
+I have to use : thy frank election make ;
+
+Thou hast power to choose , and they none to forsake .
+
+To each of you one fair and virtuous mistress
+Fall , when Love please ! marry , to each , but one .
+
+I'd give bay Curtal , and his furniture ,
+My mouth no more were broken than these boys'
+And writ as little beard .
+
+Peruse them well :
+Not one of those but had a noble father .
+
+Gentlemen ,
+Heaven hath through me restor'd the king to health .
+
+We understand it , and thank heaven for you .
+
+I am a simple maid ; and therein wealthiest
+That I protest I simply am a maid .
+Please it your majesty , I have done already :
+The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me ,
+'We blush , that thou shouldst choose ; but , be refus'd ,
+Let the white death sit on thy cheek for ever ;
+We'll ne'er come there again .'
+
+Make choice ; and see ,
+Who shuns thy love , shuns all his love in me .
+
+Now , Dian , from thy altar do I fly ,
+And to imperial Love , that god most high ,
+Do my sighs stream . Sir , will you hear my suit ?
+
+And grant it .
+
+Thanks , sir ; all the rest is mute .
+
+I had rather be in this choice than throw ames-ace for my life .
+
+The honour , sir , that flames in your fair eyes ,
+Before I speak , too threateningly replies :
+Love make your fortunes twenty times above
+Her that so wishes , and her humble love !
+
+No better , if you please .
+
+My wish receive ,
+Which great Love grant ! and so I take my leave .
+
+Do all they deny her ? An they were sons of mine , I'd have them whipp'd or I would send them to the Turk to make eunuchs of .
+
+Be not afraid that I your hand should take ;
+I'll never do you wrong for your own sake :
+Blessing upon your vows ! and in your bed
+Find fairer fortune , if you ever wed !
+
+These boys are boys of ice , they'll none have her : sure , they are bastards to the English ; the French ne'er got 'em .
+
+You are too young , too happy , and too good ,
+To make yourself a son out of my blood .
+
+Fair one , I think not so .
+
+There's one grape yet . I am sure thy father drunk wine . But if thou be'st not an ass , I am a youth of fourteen : I have known thee already .
+
+I dare not say I take you ; but I give
+Me and my service , ever whilst I live ,
+Into your guiding power . This is the man .
+
+Why then , young Bertram , take her ; she's thy wife .
+
+My wife , my liege ! I shall beseech your highness
+In such a business give me leave to use
+The help of mine own eyes .
+
+Know'st thou not , Bertram ,
+What she has done for me ?
+
+Yes , my good lord ;
+But never hope to know why I should marry her .
+
+Thou know'st she has rais'd me from my sickly bed .
+
+But follows it , my lord , to bring me down
+Must answer for your raising ? I know her well :
+She had her breeding at my father's charge .
+A poor physician's daughter my wife ! Disdain
+Rather corrupt me ever !
+
+'Tis only title thou disdain'st in her , the which
+I can build up . Strange is it that our bloods ,
+Of colour , weight , and heat , pour'd all together ,
+Would quite confound distinction , yet stand off
+In differences so mighty . If she be
+All that is virtuous , save what thou dislik'st ,
+A poor physician's daughter , thou dislik'st
+Of virtue for the name ; but do not so :
+From lowest place when virtuous things proceed ,
+The place is dignified by the doer's deed :
+Where great additions swell's , and virtue none ,
+It is a dropsied honour . Good alone
+Is good without a name : vileness is so :
+The property by what it is should go ,
+Not by the title . She is young , wise , fair ;
+In these to nature she's immediate heir ,
+And these breed honour : that is honour's scorn
+Which challenges itself as honour's born ,
+And is not like the sire : honours thrive
+When rather from our acts we them derive
+Than our foregoers . The mere word's a slave ,
+Debosh'd on every tomb , on every grave
+A lying trophy , and as oft is dumb
+Where dust and damn'd oblivion is the tomb
+Of honour'd bones indeed . What should be said ?
+If thou canst like this creature as a maid ,
+I can create the rest : virtue and she
+Is her own dower ; honour and wealth from me .
+
+I cannot love her , nor will strive to do't .
+
+Thou wrong'st thyself if thou shouldst strive to choose .
+
+That you are well restor'd , my lord , I'm glad :
+Let the rest go .
+
+My honour's at the stake , which to defeat
+I must produce my power . Here , take her hand ,
+Proud scornful boy , unworthy this good gift ,
+That dost in vile misprision shackle up
+My love and her desert ; thou canst not dream
+We , poising us in her defective scale ,
+Shall weigh thee to the beam ; that wilt not know ,
+It is in us to plant thine honour where
+We please to have it grow . Check thy contempt :
+Obey our will , which travails in thy good :
+Believe not thy disdain , but presently
+Do thine own fortunes that obedient right
+Which both thy duty owes and our power claims ;
+Or I will throw thee from my care for ever
+Into the staggers and the careless lapse
+Of youth and ignorance ; both my revenge and hate
+Loosing upon thee , in the name of justice ,
+Without all terms of pity . Speak ; thine answer .
+
+Pardon , my gracious lord ; for I submit
+My fancy to your eyes . When I consider
+What great creation and what dole of honour
+Flies where you bid it , I find that she , which late
+Was in my nobler thoughts most base , is now
+The praised of the king ; who , so ennobled ,
+Is , as 'twere , born so .
+
+Take her by the hand ,
+And tell her she is thine : to whom I promise
+A counterpoise , if not to thy estate
+A balance more replete .
+
+I take her hand .
+
+Good fortune and the favour of the king
+Smile upon this contract ; whose ceremony
+Shall seem expedient on the now-born brief ,
+And be perform'd to-night : the solemn feast
+Shall more attend upon the coming space ,
+Expecting absent friends . As thou lov'st her ,
+Thy love's to me religious ; else , does err .
+
+
+Do you hear , monsieur ? a word with you .
+
+Your pleasure , sir ?
+
+Your lord and master did well to make his recantation .
+
+Recantation ! My lord ! my master !
+
+Ay ; is it not a language I speak ?
+
+A most harsh one , and not to be understood without bloody succeeding . My master !
+
+Are you companion to the Count Rousillon ?
+
+To any count ; to all counts ; to what is man .
+
+To what is count's man : count's master is of another style .
+
+You are too old , sir ; let it satisfy you , you are too old .
+
+I must tell thee , sirrah , I write man ; to which title age cannot bring thee .
+
+What I dare too well do , I dare not do .
+
+I did think thee , for two ordinaries , to be a pretty wise fellow : thou didst make tolerable vent of thy travel ; it might pass : yet the scarfs and the bannerets about thee did manifoldly dissuade me from believing thee a vessel of too great a burden . I have now found thee ; when I lose thee again , I care not ; yet art thou good for nothing but taking up , and that thou'rt scarce worth .
+
+Hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity upon thee ,
+
+Do not plunge thyself too far in anger , lest thou hasten thy trial ; which if Lord have mercy on thee for a hen ! So , my good window of lattice , fare thee well : thy casement I need not open , for I look through thee . Give me thy hand .
+
+My lord , you give me most egregious indignity .
+
+Ay , with all my heart ; and thou art worthy of it .
+
+I have not , my lord , deserved it .
+
+Yes , good faith , every dram of it ; and I will not bate thee a scruple .
+
+Well , I shall be wiser .
+
+E'en as soon as thou canst , for thou hast to pull at a smack o' the contrary . If ever thou be'st bound in thy scarf and beaten , thou shalt find what it is to be proud of thy bondage . I have a desire to hold my acquaintance with thee , or rather my knowledge , that I may say in the default , he is a man I know .
+
+My lord , you do me most insupportable vexation .
+
+I would it were hell-pains for thy sake , and my poor doing eternal : for doing I am past ; as I will by thee , in what motion age will give me leave .
+
+
+Well , thou hast a son shall take this disgrace off me ; scurvy , old , filthy , scurvy lord ! Well , I must be patient ; there is no fettering of authority . I'll beat him , by my life , if I can meet him with any convenience , an he were double and double a lord . I'll have no more pity of his age than I would have of I'll beat him , an if I could but meet him again !
+
+
+Sirrah , your lord and master's married ; there's news for you : you have a new mistress .
+
+I most unfeignedly beseech your lordship to make some reservation of your wrongs : he is my good lord : whom I serve above is my master .
+
+Who ? God ?
+
+Ay , sir .
+
+The devil it is that's thy master . Why dost thou garter up thy arms o' this fashion ? dost make hose of thy sleeves ? do other servants so ? Thou wert best set thy lower part where thy nose stands . By mine honour , if I were but two hours younger , I'd beat thee : methinks thou art a general offence , and every man should beat thee : I think thou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon thee .
+
+This is hard and undeserved measure , my lord .
+
+Go to , sir ; you were beaten in Italy for picking a kernel out of a pomegranate ; you are a vagabond and no true traveller : you are more saucy with lords and honourable personages than the heraldry of your birth and virtue gives you commission . You are not worth another word , else I'd call you knave . I leave you .
+
+
+Good , very good ; it is so then : good , very good . Let it be concealed awhile .
+
+
+Undone , and forfeited to cares for ever !
+
+What is the matter , sweet heart ?
+
+Although before the solemn priest I have sworn ,
+I will not bed her .
+
+What , what , sweet heart ?
+
+O my Parolles , they have married me !
+I'll to the Tuscan wars , and never bed her .
+
+France is a dog-hole , and it no more merits
+The tread of a man's foot . To the wars !
+
+There's letters from my mother : what the import is
+I know not yet .
+
+Ay , that would be known . To the wars , my boy ! to the wars !
+He wears his honour in a box , unseen ,
+That hugs his kicky-wicky here at home ,
+Spending his manly marrow in her arms ,
+Which should sustain the bound and high curvet
+Of Mars's fiery steed . To other regions !
+France is a stable ; we that dwell in't jades ;
+Therefore , to the war !
+
+It shall be so : I'll send her to my house ,
+Acquaint my mother with my hate to her ,
+And wherefore I am fled ; write to the king
+That which I durst not speak : his present gift
+Shall furnish me to those Italian fields ,
+Where noble fellows strike . War is no strife
+To the dark house and the detested wife .
+
+Will this capriccio hold in thee ? art sure ?
+
+Go with me to my chamber , and advise me .
+I'll send her straight away : to-morrow
+I'll to the wars , she to her single sorrow .
+
+Why , these balls bound ; there's noise in it . 'Tis hard :
+A young man married is a man that's marr'd :
+Therefore away , and leave her bravely ; go :
+The king has done you wrong : but , hush ! 'tis so .
+
+
+My mother greets me kindly : is she well ?
+
+She is not well ; but yet she has her health ; she's very merry ; but yet she is not well : but thanks be given , she's very well , and wants nothing i' the world ; but yet she is not well .
+
+If she be very well , what does she ail that she's not very well ?
+
+Truly , she's very well indeed , but for two things .
+
+What two things ?
+
+One , that she's not in heaven , whither
+God send her quickly ! the other , that she's in earth , from whence God send her quickly !
+
+
+Bless you , my fortunate lady !
+
+I hope , sir , I have your good will to have mine own good fortunes .
+
+You had my prayers to lead them on ; and to keep them on , have them still . O ! my knave , how does my old lady ?
+
+So that you had her wrinkles , and I her money , I would she did as you say .
+
+Why , I say nothing .
+
+Marry , you are the wiser man ; for many a man's tongue shakes out his master's undoing . To say nothing , to do nothing , to know nothing , and to have nothing , is to be a great part of your title ; which is within a very little of nothing .
+
+Away ! thou'rt a knave .
+
+You should have said , sir , before a knave thou'rt a knave ; that is , before me thou'rt a knave : this had been truth , sir .
+
+Go to , thou art a witty fool ; I have found thee .
+
+Did you find me in yourself , sir ? or were you taught to find me ? The search , sir , was profitable ; and much fool may you find in you , even to the world's pleasure and the increase of laughter .
+
+A good knave , i' faith , and well fed .
+Madam , my lord will go away to-night ;
+A very serious business calls on him .
+The great prerogative and rite of love ,
+Which , as your due , time claims , he does acknowledge ,
+But puts it off to a compell'd restraint ;
+Whose want , and whose delay , is strew'd with sweets ,
+Which they distil now in the curbed time ,
+To make the coming hour o'erflow with joy ,
+And pleasure drown the brim .
+
+What's his will else ?
+
+That you will take your instant leave o' the king ,
+And make this haste as your own good proceeding ,
+Strengthen'd with what apology you think
+May make it probable need .
+
+What more commands he ?
+
+That , having this obtain'd , you presently
+Attend his further pleasure .
+
+In everything I wait upon his will .
+
+I shall report it so .
+
+I pray you . Come , sirrah .
+
+
+But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier .
+
+Yes , my lord , and of very valiant approof .
+
+You have it from his own deliverance .
+
+And by other warranted testimony .
+
+Then my dial goes not true : I took this lark for a bunting .
+
+I do assure you , my lord , he is very great in knowledge , and accordingly valiant .
+
+I have then sinned against his experience and transgressed against his valour ; and my state that way is dangerous , since I cannot yet find in my heart to repent . Here he comes ; I pray you , make us friends ; I will pursue the amity .
+
+
+These things shall be done , sir .
+
+Pray you , sir , who's his tailor ?
+
+Sir ?
+
+O ! I know him well . Ay , sir ; he , sir , is a good workman , a very good tailor .
+
+Is she gone to the king ?
+
+She is .
+
+Will she away to-night ?
+
+As you'll have her .
+
+I have writ my letters , casketed my treasure ,
+Given orders for our horses ; and to-night ,
+When I should take possession of the bride ,
+End ere I do begin .
+
+A good traveller is something at the latter end of a dinner ; but one that lies three thirds , and uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings with , should be once heard and thrice beaten . God save you , captain .
+
+Is there any unkindness between my lord and you , monsieur ?
+
+I know not how I have deserved to run into my lord's displeasure .
+
+You have made shift to run into't , boots and spurs and all , like him that leaped into the custard ; and out of it you'll run again , rather than suffer question for your residence .
+
+It may be you have mistaken him , my lord .
+
+And shall do so ever , though I took him at his prayers . Fare you well , my lord ; and believe this of me , there can be no kernel in this light nut ; the soul of this man is his clothes . Trust him not in matter of heavy consequence ; I have kept of them tame , and know their natures . Farewell , monsieur : I have spoken better of you than you have or will to deserve at my hand ; but we must do good against evil .
+
+
+An idle lord , I swear .
+
+I think not so .
+
+Why , do you not know him ?
+
+Yes , I do know him well ; and common speech
+Gives him a worthy pass . Here comes my clog .
+
+
+I have , sir , as I was commanded from you ,
+Spoke with the king , and have procur'd his leave
+For present parting ; only , he desires
+Some private speech with you .
+
+I shall obey his will .
+You must not marvel , Helen , at my course ,
+Which holds not colour with the time , nor does
+The ministration and required office
+On my particular : prepar'd I was not
+For such a business ; therefore am I found
+So much unsettled . This drives me to entreat you
+That presently you take your way for home ;
+And rather muse than ask why I entreat you ;
+For my respects are better than they seem ,
+And my appointments have in them a need
+Greater than shows itself at the first view
+To you that know them not . This to my mother .
+
+'Twill be two days ere I shall see you , so
+I leave you to your wisdom .
+
+Sir , I can nothing say ,
+But that I am your most obedient servant .
+
+Come , come , no more of that .
+
+And ever shall
+With true observance seek to eke out that
+Wherein toward me my homely stars have fail'd
+To equal my great fortune .
+
+Let that go :
+My haste is very great . Farewell : hie home .
+
+Pray sir , your pardon .
+
+Well , what would you say ?
+
+I am not worthy of the wealth I owe ,
+Nor dare I say 'tis mine , and yet it is ;
+But , like a timorous thief , most fain would steal
+What law does vouch mine own .
+
+What would you have ?
+
+Something , and scarce so much : nothing , indeed .
+I would not tell you what I would , my lord :
+Faith , yes ;
+Strangers and foes do sunder , and not kiss .
+
+I pray you , stay not , but in haste to horse .
+
+I shall not break your bidding , good my lord .
+
+Farewell .
+
+Go thou toward home ; where I will never come
+Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum .
+Away ! and for our flight .
+
+Bravely , coragio !
+
+So that from point to point now have you heard
+The fundamental reasons of this war ,
+Whose great decision hath much blood let forth ,
+And more thirsts after .
+
+Holy seems the quarrel
+Upon your Grace's part ; black and fearful
+On the opposer .
+
+Therefore we marvel much our cousin France
+Would in so just a business shut his bosom
+Against our borrowing prayers .
+
+Good my lord ,
+The reasons of our state I cannot yield ,
+But like a common and an outward man ,
+That the great figure of a council frames
+By self-unable motion : therefore dare not
+Say what I think of it , since I have found
+Myself in my incertain grounds to fail
+As often as I guess'd .
+
+Be it his pleasure .
+
+But I am sure the younger of our nature ,
+That surfeit on their ease , will day by day
+Come here for physic .
+
+Welcome shall they be ,
+And all the honours that can fly from us
+Shall on them settle . You know your places well ;
+When better fall , for your avails they fell .
+To-morrow to the field .
+
+
+It hath happened all as I would have had it , save that he comes not along with her .
+
+By my troth , I take my young lord to be a very melancholy man .
+
+By what observance , I pray you ?
+
+Why , he will look upon his boot and sing ; mend the ruff and sing ; ask questions and sing ; pick his teeth and sing . I know a man that had this trick of melancholy sold a goodly manor for a song .
+
+Let me see what he writes , and when he means to come .
+
+I have no mind to Isbel since I was at court . Our old ling and our Isbels o' the country are nothing like your old ling and your Isbels o' the court : the brains of my Cupid's knocked out , and I begin to love , as an old man loves money , with no stomach .
+
+What have we here ?
+
+E'en that you have there .
+
+
+I have sent you a daughter-in-law : she hath recovered the king , and undone me . I have wedded her , not bedded her ; and sworn to make the 'not' eternal . You shall hear I am ran away : know it before the report come . If there be breadth enough in the world , I will hold a long distance . My duty to you .
+Your unfortunate son ,
+This is not well : rash and unbridled boy ,
+To fly the favours of so good a king !
+To pluck his indignation on thy head
+By the misprising of a maid too virtuous
+For the contempt of empire !
+
+
+O madam ! yonder is heavy news within between two soldiers and my young lady .
+
+What is the matter ?
+
+Nay , there is some comfort in the news , some comfort ; your son will not be killed so soon as I thought he would .
+
+Why should he be killed ?
+
+So say I , madam , if he run away , as I hear he does : the danger is in standing to't ; that's the loss of men , though it be the getting of children . Here they come will tell you more ; for my part , I only hear your son was run away .
+
+Save you , good madam .
+
+Madam , my lord is gone , for ever gone .
+
+Do not say so .
+
+Think upon patience . Pray you , gentlemen ,
+I have felt so many quirks of joy and grief ,
+That the first face of neither , on the start ,
+Can woman me unto 't : where is my son , I pray you ?
+
+Madam , he's gone to serve the Duke of Florence :
+We met him thitherward ; for thence we came ,
+And , after some dispatch in hand at court ,
+Thither we bend again .
+
+Look on his letter , madam ; here's my passport .
+When thou canst get the ring upon my finger , which never shall come off , and show me a child begotten of thy body that I am father to , then call me husband : but in such a 'then' I write a 'never .'
+This is a dreadful sentence .
+
+Brought you this letter , gentlemen ?
+
+Ay , madam ;
+And for the contents' sake are sorry for our pains .
+
+I prithee , lady , have a better cheer ;
+If thou engrossest all the griefs are thine ,
+Thou robb'st me of a moiety : he was my son ,
+But I do wash his name out of my blood ,
+And thou art all my child . Towards Florence is he ?
+
+Ay , madam .
+
+And to be a soldier ?
+
+Such is his noble purpose ; and , believe't ,
+The duke will lay upon him all the honour
+That good convenience claims .
+
+Return you thither ?
+
+Ay , madam , with the swiftest wing of speed .
+
+Till I have no wife , I have nothing in France .
+'Tis bitter .
+
+Find you that there ?
+
+Ay , madam .
+
+'Tis but the boldness of his hand , haply , which his heart was not consenting to .
+
+Nothing in France until he have no wife !
+There's nothing here that is too good for him
+But only she ; and she deserves a lord
+That twenty such rude boys might tend upon ,
+And call her hourly mistress . Who was with him ?
+
+A servant only , and a gentleman
+Which I have some time known .
+
+Parolles , was it not ?
+
+Ay , my good lady , he .
+
+A very tainted fellow , and full of wickedness .
+My son corrupts a well-derived nature
+With his inducement .
+
+Indeed , good lady ,
+The fellow has a deal of that too much ,
+Which holds him much to have .
+
+Y'are welcome , gentlemen .
+I will entreat you , when you see my son ,
+To tell him that his sword can never win
+The honour that he loses : more I'll entreat you
+Written to bear along .
+
+We serve you , madam ,
+In that and all your worthiest affairs .
+
+Not so , but as we change our courtesies .
+Will you draw near ?
+
+
+'Till I have no wife , I have nothing in France .'
+Nothing in France until he has no wife !
+Thou shalt have none , Rousillon , none in France ;
+Then hast thou all again . Poor lord ! is't I
+That chase thee from thy country , and expose
+Those tender limbs of thine to the event
+Of the non-sparing war ? and is it I
+That drive thee from the sportive court , where thou
+Wast shot at with fair eyes , to be the mark
+Of smoky muskets ? O you leaden messengers ,
+That ride upon the violent speed of fire ,
+Fly with false aim ; move the still-piecing air ,
+That sings with piercing ; do not touch my lord !
+Whoever shoots at him , I set him there ;
+Whoever charges on his forward breast ,
+I am the caitiff that do hold him to't ;
+And , though I kill him not , I am the cause
+His death was so effected : better 'twere
+I met the ravin lion when he roar'd
+With sharp constraint of hunger ; better 'twere
+That all the miseries which nature owes
+Were mine at once . No , come thou home , Rousillon ,
+Whence honour but of danger wins a scar ,
+As oft it loses all : I will be gone ;
+My being here it is that holds thee hence :
+Shall I stay here to do't ? no , no , although
+The air of paradise did fan the house ,
+And angels offic'd all : I will be gone ,
+That pitiful rumour may report my flight ,
+To consolate thine ear . Come , night ; end , day !
+For with the dark , poor thief , I'll steal away .
+
+
+The general of our horse thou art ; and we ,
+Great in our hope , lay our best love and credence
+Upon thy promising fortune .
+
+Sir , it is
+A charge too heavy for my strength , but yet
+We'll strive to bear it for your worthy sake
+To the extreme edge of hazard .
+
+Then go thou forth ,
+And fortune play upon thy prosp'rous helm
+As thy auspicious mistress !
+
+This very day ,
+Great Mars , I put myself into thy file :
+Make me but like my thoughts , and I shall prove
+A lover of thy drum , hater of love .
+
+
+Alas ! and would you take the letter of her ?
+Might you not know she would do as she has done ,
+By sending me a letter ? Read it again .
+
+I am Saint Jaques' pilgrim , thither gone :
+
+Ambitious love hath so in me offended
+That bare-foot plod I the cold ground upon
+With sainted vow my faults to have amended .
+Write , write , that from the bloody course of war ,
+My dearest master , your dear son , may hie :
+Bless him at home in peace , whilst I from far
+His name with zealous fervour sanctify :
+His taken labours bid him me forgive ;
+I , his despiteful Juno , sent him forth
+From courtly friends , with camping foes to live ,
+Where death and danger dog the heels of worth :
+He is too good and fair for Death and me ;
+Whom I myself embrace , to set him free .
+
+
+Ah , what sharp stings are in her mildest words !
+Rinaldo , you did never lack advice so much ,
+As letting her pass so : had I spoke with her ,
+I could have well diverted her intents ,
+Which thus she hath prevented .
+
+Pardon me , madam :
+If I had given you this at over-night
+She might have been o'erta'en ; and yet she writes ,
+Pursuit would be but vain .
+
+What angel shall
+Bless this unworthy husband ? he cannot thrive ,
+Unless her prayers , whom heaven delights to hear ,
+And loves to grant , reprieve him from the wrath
+Of greatest justice . Write , write , Rinaldo ,
+To this unworthy husband of his wife ;
+Let every word weigh heavy of her worth
+That he does weigh too light : my greatest grief ,
+Though little he do feel it , set down sharply .
+Dispatch the most convenient messenger :
+When haply he shall hear that she is gone ,
+He will return ; and hope I may that she ,
+Hearing so much , will speed her foot again ,
+Led hither by pure love . Which of them both
+Is dearest to me I have no skill in sense
+To make distinction . Provide this messenger .
+My heart is heavy and mine age is weak ;
+Grief would have tears , and sorrow bids me speak .
+
+
+Nay , come ; for if they do approach the city we shall lose all the sight .
+
+They say the French Count has done most honourable service .
+
+It is reported that he has taken their greatest commander , and that with his own hand he slew the duke's brother . We have lost our labour ; they are gone a contrary way : hark ! you may know by their trumpets .
+
+Come ; let's return again , and suffice ourselves with the report of it . Well , Diana , take heed of this French earl : the honour of a maid is her name , and no legacy is so rich as honesty .
+
+I have told my neighbour how you have been solicited by a gentleman his companion .
+
+I know that knave ; hang him ! one Parolles : a filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young earl . Beware of them , Diana ; their promises , enticements , oaths , tokens , and all these engines of lust , are not the things they go under : many a maid hath been seduced by them ; and the misery is , example , that so terrible shows in the wrack of maidenhood , cannot for all that dissuade succession , but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten them . I hope I need not to advise you further ; but I hope your own grace will keep you where you are , though there were no further danger known but the modesty which is so lost .
+
+You shall not need to fear me .
+
+I hope so . Look , here comes a pilgrim :
+I know she will lie at my house ; thither they send one another . I'll question her .
+
+God save you , pilgrim ! whither are you bound ?
+
+To Saint Jaques le Grand .
+Where do the palmers lodge , I do beseech you ?
+
+At the Saint Francis , here beside the port .
+
+Is this the way ?
+
+Ay , marry , is't . Hark you !
+
+They come this way . If you will tarry , holy pilgrim ,
+But till the troops come by ,
+I will conduct you where you shall be lodg'd :
+The rather , for I think I know your hostess
+As ample as myself .
+
+Is it yourself ?
+
+If you shall please so , pilgrim .
+
+I thank you , and will stay upon your leisure .
+
+You came , I think , from France ?
+
+I did so .
+
+Here you shall see a countryman of yours
+That has done worthy service .
+
+His name , I pray you .
+
+The Count Rousillon : know you such a one ?
+
+But by the ear , that hears most nobly of him ;
+His face I know not .
+
+Whatsoe'er he is ,
+He's bravely taken here . He stole from France ,
+As 'tis reported , for the king had married him
+Against his liking . Think you it is so ?
+
+Ay , surely , mere the truth : I know his lady .
+
+There is a gentleman that serves the count
+Reports but coarsely of her .
+
+What's his name ?
+
+Monsieur Parolles .
+
+O ! I believe with him ,
+In argument of praise , or to the worth
+Of the great count himself , she is too mean
+To have her name repeated : all her deserving
+Is a reserved honesty , and that
+I have not heard examin'd .
+
+Alas , poor lady !
+'Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
+Of a detesting lord .
+
+Ay , right ; good creature , wheresoe'er she is ,
+Her heart weighs sadly . This young maid might do her
+A shrewd turn if she pleas'd .
+
+How do you mean ?
+May be the amorous count solicits her
+In the unlawful purpose .
+
+He does , indeed ;
+And brokes with all that can in such a suit
+Corrupt the tender honour of a maid :
+But she is arm'd for him and keeps her guard
+In honestest defence .
+
+The gods forbid else !
+
+
+So , now they come .
+That is Antonio , the duke's eldest son ;
+That , Escalus .
+
+Which is the Frenchman ?
+
+He ;
+That with the plume : 'tis a most gallant fellow ;
+I would he lov'd his wife . If he were honester ,
+He were much goodlier ; is't not a handsome gentleman ?
+
+I like him well .
+
+'Tis pity he is not honest . Yond's that same knave
+That leads him to these places : were I his lady
+I would poison that vile rascal .
+
+Which is he ?
+
+That jack-an-apes with scarfs . Why is he melancholy ?
+
+Perchance he's hurt i' the battle .
+
+Lose our drum ! well .
+
+He's shrewdly vexed at something .
+Look , he has spied us .
+
+Marry , hang you !
+
+And your courtesy , for a ring-carrier !
+
+
+The troop is past . Come , pilgrim , I will bring you
+Where you shall host : of enjoin'd penitents
+There's four or five , to great Saint Jaques bound ,
+Already at my house .
+
+I humbly thank you .
+Please it this matron and this gentle maid
+To eat with us to-night , the charge and thanking
+Shall be for me ; and , to requite you further ,
+I will bestow some precepts of this virgin
+Worthy the note .
+
+We'll take your offer kindly .
+
+
+Nay , good my lord , put him to't : let him have his way .
+
+If your lordship find him not a hilding , hold me no more in your respect .
+
+On my life , my lord , a bubble .
+
+Do you think I am so far deceived in him ?
+
+Believe it , my lord , in mine own direct knowledge , without any malice , but to speak of him as my kinsman , he's a most notable coward , an infinite and endless liar , an hourly promise-breaker , the owner of no one good quality worthy your lordship's entertainment .
+
+It were fit you knew him ; lest , reposing too far in his virtue , which he hath not , he might at some great and trusty business in a main danger fail you .
+
+I would I knew in what particular action to try him .
+
+None better than to let him fetch off his drum , which you hear him so confidently undertake to do .
+
+I , with a troop of Florentines , will suddenly surprise him : such I will have whom I am sure he knows not from the enemy . We will bind and hood wink him so , that he shall suppose no other but that he is carried into the leaguer of the adversaries , when we bring him to our own tents . Be but your lordship present at his examination : if he do not , for the promise of his life and in the highest compulsion of base fear , offer to betray you and deliver all the intelligence in his power against you , and that with the divine forfeit of his soul upon oath , never trust my judgment in anything .
+
+O ! for the love of laughter , let him fetch his drum : he says he has a stratagem for't . When your lordship sees the bottom of his success in't , and to what metal this counterfeit lump of ore will be melted , if you give him not John Drum's entertainment , your inclining cannot be removed . Here he comes .
+
+O ! for the love of laughter , hinder not the honour of his design : let him fetch off his drum in any hand .
+
+
+How now , monsieur ! this drum sticks sorely in your disposition .
+
+A pox on't ! let it go : 'tis but a drum .
+
+'But a drum !' Is't 'but a drum ?' A drum so lost ! There was excellent command , to charge in with our horse upon our own wings , and to rend our own soldiers !
+
+That was not to be blamed in the command of the service : it was a disaster of war that C sar himself could not have prevented if he had been there to command .
+
+Well , we cannot greatly condemn our success : some dishonour we had in the loss of that drum ; but it is not to be recovered .
+
+It might have been recovered .
+
+It might ; but it is not now .
+
+It is to be recovered . But that the merit of service is seldom attributed to the true and exact performer , I would have that drum or another , or hic jacet .
+
+Why , if you have a stomach to't , monsieur , if you think your mystery in stratagem can bring this instrument of honour again into its native quarter , be magnanimous in the enterprise and go on ; I will grace the attempt for a worthy exploit : if you speed well in it , the duke shall both speak of it , and extend to you what further becomes his greatness , even to the utmost syllable of your worthiness .
+
+By the hand of a soldier , I will undertake it .
+
+But you must not now slumber in it .
+
+I'll about it this evening : and I will presently pen down my dilemmas , encourage myself in my certainty , put myself into my mortal preparation , and by midnight look to hear further from me .
+
+May I be bold to acquaint his Grace you are gone about it ?
+
+I know not what the success will be , my lord ; but the attempt I vow .
+
+I know thou'rt valiant ; and , to the possibility of thy soldiership , will subscribe for thee . Farewell .
+
+I love not many words .
+
+
+No more than a fish loves water . Is not this a strange fellow , my lord , that so confidently seems to undertake this business , which he knows is not to be done ; damns himself to do , and dares better be damned than to do't ?
+
+You do not know him , my lord , as we do : certain it is , that he will steal himself into a man's favour , and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries ; but when you find him out you have him ever after .
+
+Why , do you think he will make no deed at all of this that so seriously he does address himself unto ?
+
+None in the world ; but return with an invention and clap upon you two or three probable lies . But we have almost embossed him , you shall see his fall to-night ; for , indeed , he is not for your lordship's respect .
+
+We'll make you some sport with the fox ere we case him . He was first smoked by the old Lord Lafeu : when his disguise and he is parted , tell me what a sprat you shall find him ; which you shall see this very night .
+
+I must go look my twigs : he shall be caught .
+
+Your brother he shall go along with me .
+
+As't please your lordship : I'll leave you .
+
+
+Now will I lead you to the house , and show you
+The lass I spoke of .
+
+But you say she's honest .
+
+That's all the fault . I spoke with her but once ,
+And found her wondrous cold ; but I sent to her ,
+By this same coxcomb that we have i' the wind ,
+Tokens and letters which she did re-send ;
+And this is all I have done . She's a fair creature ;
+Will you go see her ?
+
+With all my heart , my lord .
+
+
+If you misdoubt me that I am not she ,
+I know not how I shall assure you further ,
+But I shall lose the grounds I work upon .
+
+Though my estate be fall'n , I was well born ,
+Nothing acquainted with these businesses ;
+And would not put my reputation now
+In any staining act .
+
+Nor would I wish you .
+First , give me trust , the county is my husband ,
+And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken
+Is so from word to word ; and then you cannot ,
+By the good aid that I of you shall borrow ,
+Err in bestowing it .
+
+I should believe you :
+For you have show'd me that which well approves
+You're great in fortune .
+
+Take this purse of gold ,
+And let me buy your friendly help thus far ,
+Which I will over-pay and pay again
+When I have found it . The county woos your daughter ,
+Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty ,
+Resolv'd to carry her : let her in fine consent ,
+As we'll direct her how 'tis best to bear it .
+Now , his important blood will nought deny
+That she'll demand : a ring the county wears ,
+That down ward hath succeeded in his house
+From son to son , some four or five descents
+Since the first father wore it : this ring he holds
+In most rich choice ; yet , in his idle fire ,
+To buy his will , it would not seem too dear ,
+Howe'er repented after .
+
+Now I see
+The bottom of your purpose .
+
+You see it lawful then . It is no more ,
+But that your daughter , ere she seems as won ,
+Desires this ring , appoints him an encounter ,
+In fine , delivers me to fill the time ,
+Herself most chastely absent . After this ,
+To marry her , I'll add three thousand crowns
+To what is past already .
+
+I have yielded .
+Instruct my daughter how she shall persever ,
+That time and place with this deceit so lawful
+May prove coherent . Every night he comes
+With musics of all sorts and songs compos'd
+To her unworthiness : it nothing steads us
+To chide him from our eaves , for he persists
+As if his life lay on't .
+
+Why then to-night
+Let us assay our plot ; which , if it speed ,
+Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed ,
+And lawful meaning in a lawful act ,
+Where both not sin , and yet a sinful fact .
+But let's about it .
+
+He can come no other way but by this hedge-corner . When you sally upon him , speak what terrible language you will : though you understand it not yourselves , no matter ; for we must not seem to understand him , unless some one among us , whom we must produce for an interpreter .
+
+Good captain , let me be the interpreter .
+
+Art not acquainted with him ? knows he not thy voice ?
+
+No , sir , I warrant you .
+
+But what linsey-woolsey hast thou to speak to us again ?
+
+Even such as you speak to me .
+
+He must think us some band of strangers i' the adversary's entertainment . Now , he hath a smack of all neighbouring languages ; therefore we must every one be a man of his own fancy , not to know what we speak one to another ; so we seem to know , is to know straight our purpose : chough's language , gabble enough , and good enough . As for you , interpreter , you must seem very politic . But couch , ho ! here he comes , to beguile two hours in a sleep , and then to return and swear the lies he forges .
+
+
+Ten o'clock : within these three hours 'twill be time enough to go home . What shall I say I have done ? It must be a very plausive invention that carries it . They begin to smoke me , and disgraces have of late knocked too often at my door . I find my tongue is too foolhardy ; but my heart hath the fear of Mars before it and of his creatures , not daring the reports of my tongue .
+
+This is the first truth that e'er thine own tongue was guilty of .
+
+What the devil should move me to undertake the recovery of this drum , being not ignorant of the impossibility , and knowing I had no such purpose ? I must give myself some hurts and say I got them in exploit . Yet slight ones will not carry it : they will say , 'Came you off with so little ?' and great ones I dare not give . Wherefore , what's the instance ? Tongue , I must put you into a butter-woman's mouth , and buy myself another of Bajazet's mute , if you prattle me into these perils .
+
+Is it possible he should know what he is , and be that he is ?
+
+I would the cutting of my garments would serve the turn or the breaking of my Spanish sword .
+
+We cannot afford you so .
+
+Or the baring of my beard , and to say it was in stratagem .
+
+'Twould not do .
+
+Or to drown my clothes , and say I was stripped .
+
+Hardly serve .
+
+Though I swore I leaped from the window of the citadel
+
+How deep ?
+
+Thirty fathom .
+
+Three great oaths would scarce make that be believed .
+
+I would I had any drum of the enemy's :
+I would swear I recovered it .
+
+Thou shalt hear one anon .
+
+A drum now of the enemy's !
+
+
+Throca movousus , cargo , cargo , cargo .
+
+Cargo , cargo , villianda par corbo , cargo .
+
+
+O ! ransom , ransom ! Do not hide mine eyes .
+
+Boskos thromuldo boskos .
+
+I know you are the Muskos' regiment ;
+And I shall lose my life for want of language .
+If there be here German , or Dane , low Dutch ,
+Italian , or French , let him speak to me :
+I will discover that which shall undo
+The Florentine .
+
+Boskos vauvado :
+I understand thee , and can speak thy tongue :
+Kerelybonto : Sir ,
+Betake thee to thy faith , for seventeen poniards
+Are at thy bosom .
+
+O !
+
+O ! pray , pray , pray .
+Manka revania dulche .
+
+Oscorbidulchos volivorco .
+
+The general is content to spare thee yet ;
+And , hoodwink'd as thou art , will lead thee on
+To gather from thee : haply thou may'st inform
+Something to save thy life .
+
+O ! let me live ,
+And all the secrets of our camp I'll show ,
+Their force , their purposes ; nay , I'll speak that
+Which you will wonder at .
+
+But wilt thou faithfully ?
+
+If I do not , damn me .
+
+Acordo linta .
+Come on ; thou art granted space .
+
+
+Go , tell the Count Rousillon , and my brother ,
+We have caught the woodcock , and will keep him muffled
+Till we do hear from them .
+
+Captain , I will .
+
+A' will betray us all unto ourselves :
+Inform on that .
+
+So I will , sir .
+
+Till then , I'll keep him dark and safely lock'd .
+
+
+They told me that your name was Fontibell .
+
+No , my good lord , Diana .
+
+Titled goddess ;
+And worth it , with addition ! But , fair soul ,
+In your fine frame hath love no quality ?
+If the quick fire of youth light not your mind ,
+You are no maiden , but a monument :
+When you are dead , you should be such a one
+As you are now , for you are cold and stern ;
+And now you should be as your mother was
+When your sweet self was got .
+
+She then was honest .
+
+So should you be .
+
+No :
+My mother did but duty ; such , my lord ,
+As you owe to your wife .
+
+No more o' that !
+I prithee do not strive against my vows .
+I was compell'd to her ; but I love thee
+By love's own sweet constraint , and will for ever
+Do thee all rights of service .
+
+Ay , so you serve us
+Till we serve you ; but when you have our roses ,
+You barely leave our thorns to prick ourselves
+And mock us with our bareness .
+
+How have I sworn !
+
+'Tis not the many oaths that make the truth ,
+But the plain single vow that is vow'd true .
+What is not holy , that we swear not by ,
+But take the Highest to witness : then , pray you , tell me ,
+If I should swear by God's great attributes
+I lov'd you dearly , would you believe my oaths ,
+When I did love you ill ? this has no holding ,
+To swear by him whom I protest to love ,
+That I will work against him : therefore your oaths
+Are words and poor conditions , but unseal'd ;
+At least in my opinion .
+
+Change it , change it .
+Be not so holy-cruel : love is holy ;
+And my integrity ne'er knew the crafts
+That you do charge men with . Stand no more off ,
+But give thyself unto my sick desires ,
+Who then recover : say thou art mine , and ever
+My love as it begins shall so persever .
+
+I see that men make ropes in such a scarr
+That we'll forsake ourselves . Give me that ring .
+
+I'll lend it thee , my dear ; but have no power
+To give it from me .
+
+Will you not , my lord ?
+
+It is an honour 'longing to our house ,
+Bequeathed down from many ancestors ,
+Which were the greatest obloquy i' the world
+In me to lose .
+
+Mine honour's such a ring :
+My chastity's the jewel of our house ,
+Bequeathed down from many ancestors ,
+Which were the greatest obloquy i' the world
+In me to lose . Thus your own proper wisdom
+Brings in the champion honour on my part
+Against your vain assault .
+
+Here , take my ring :
+My house , mine honour , yea , my life , be thine ,
+And I'll be bid by thee .
+
+When midnight comes , knock at my chamber-window :
+I'll order take my mother shall not hear .
+Now will I charge you in the band of truth ,
+When you have conquer'd my yet maiden bed ,
+Remain there but an hour , nor speak to me .
+My reasons are most strong ; and you shall know them
+When back again this ring shall be deliver'd :
+And on your finger in the night I'll put
+Another ring , that what in time proceeds
+May token to the future our past deeds .
+Adieu , till then ; then , fail not . You have won
+A wife of me , though there my hope be done .
+
+A heaven on earth I have won by wooing thee .
+
+
+For which live long to thank both heaven and me !
+You may so in the end .
+My mother told me just how he would woo
+As if she sat in 's heart ; she says all men
+Have the like oaths : he had sworn to marry me
+When his wife's dead ; therefore I'll lie with him
+When I am buried . Since Frenchmen are so braid ,
+Marry that will , I live and die a maid :
+Only in this disguise I think't no sin
+To cozen him that would unjustly win .
+
+
+You have not given him his mother's letter ?
+
+I have delivered it an hour since : there is something in't that stings his nature , for on the reading it he changed almost into another man .
+
+He has much worthy blame laid upon him for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady .
+
+Especially he hath incurred the everlasting displeasure of the king , who had even tuned his bounty to sing happiness to him . I will tell you a thing , but you shall let it dwell darkly with you .
+
+When you have spoken it , 'tis dead , and I am the grave of it .
+
+He hath perverted a young gentlewoman here in Florence , of a most chaste renown ; and this night he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honour : he hath given her his monumental ring , and thinks himself made in the unchaste composition .
+
+Now , God delay our rebellion ! as we are ourselves , what things are we !
+
+Merely our own traitors : and as in the common course of all treasons , we still see them reveal themselves , till they attain to their abhorred ends , so he that in this action contrives against his own nobility , in his proper stream o'erflows himself .
+
+Is it not most damnable in us , to be trumpeters of our unlawful intents ? We shall not then have his company to-night ?
+
+Not till after midnight , for he is dieted to his hour .
+
+That approaches apace : I would gladly have him see his company anatomized , that he might take a measure of his own judgments , wherein so curiously he had set this counterfeit .
+
+We will not meddle with him till he come , for his presence must be the whip of the other .
+
+In the meantime what near you of these wars ?
+
+I hear there is an overture of peace .
+
+Nay , I assure you , a peace concluded .
+
+What will Count Rousillon do then ? will he travel higher , or return again into France ?
+
+I perceive by this demand , you are not altogether of his council .
+
+Let it be forbid , sir ; so should I be a great deal of his act .
+
+Sir , his wife some two months since fled from his house : her pretence is a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques le Grand ; which holy undertaking with most austere sanctimony she accomplished ; and , there residing , the tenderness of her nature became as a prey to her grief ; in fine , made a groan of her last breath , and now she sings in heaven .
+
+How is this justified ?
+
+The stronger part of it by her own letters , which make her story true , even to the point of her death : her death itself , which could not be her office to say is come , was faithfully confirmed by the rector of the place .
+
+Hath the count all this intelligence ?
+
+Ay , and the particular confirmations , point from point , to the full arming of the verity .
+
+I am heartily sorry that he'll be glad of this .
+
+How mightily sometimes we make us comforts of our losses !
+
+And how mightily some other times we drown our gain in tears ! The great dignity that his valour hath here acquired for him shall at home be encountered with a shame as ample .
+
+The web of our life is of a mingled yarn , good and ill together : our virtues would be proud if our faults whipped them not ; and our crimes would despair if they were not cherished by our virtues .
+
+How now ! where's your master ?
+
+He met the duke in the street , sir , of whom he hath taken a solemn leave : his lordship will next morning for France . The duke hath offered him letters of commendations to the king .
+
+They shall be no more than needful there , if they were more than they can commend .
+
+They cannot be too sweet for the king's tartness . Here's his lordship now .
+
+How now , my lord ! is't not after midnight ?
+
+I have to-night dispatched sixteen businesses , a month's length a-piece , by an abstract of success : I have conge'd with the duke , done my adieu with his nearest , buried a wife , mourned for her , writ to my lady mother I am returning , entertained my convoy ; and between these main parcels of dispatch effected many nicer needs : the last was the greatest , but that I have not ended yet .
+
+If the business be of any difficulty , and this morning your departure hence , it requires haste of your lordship .
+
+I mean , the business is not ended , as fearing to hear of it hereafter . But shall we have this dialogue between the fool and the soldier ? Come , bring forth this counterfeit model : he has deceived me , like a double-meaning prophesier .
+
+Bring him forth .
+
+Has sat i' the stocks all night , poor gallant knave .
+
+No matter ; his heels have deserved it , in usurping his spurs so long . How does he carry himself ?
+
+I have told your lordship already , the stocks carry him . But to answer you as you would be understood ; he weeps like a wench that had shed her milk : he hath confessed himself to Morgan ,whom he supposes to be a friar ,from the time of his remembrance to this very instant disaster of his setting i' the stocks : and what think you he hath confessed ?
+
+Nothing of me , has a' ?
+
+His confession is taken , and it shall be read to his face : if your lordship be in't , as I believe you are , you must have the patience to hear it .
+
+
+A plague upon him ! muffled ! he can say nothing of me : hush ! hush !
+
+Hoodman comes ! Porto tartarossa .
+
+He calls for the tortures : what will you say without 'em ?
+
+I will confess what I know without constraint : if ye pinch me like a pasty , I can say no more .
+
+Bosko chimurcho .
+
+Boblibindo chicurmurco .
+
+You are a merciful general . Our general bids you answer to what I shall ask you out of a note .
+
+And truly , as I hope to live .
+
+First , demand of him how many horse the duke is strong . What say you to that ?
+
+Five or six thousand ; but very weak and unserviceable : the troops are all scattered , and the commanders very poor rogues , upon my reputation and credit , and as I hope to live .
+
+Shall I set down your answer so ?
+
+Do : I'll take the sacrament on't , how and which way you will .
+
+All's one to him . What a past-saving slave is this !
+
+You are deceived , my lord : this is Monsieur Parolles , the gallant militarist ,that was his own phrase ,that had the whole theorick of war in the knot of his scarf , and the practice in the chape of his dagger .
+
+I will never trust a man again for keeping his sword clean ; nor believe he can have everything in him by wearing his apparel neatly .
+
+Well , that's set down .
+
+Five or six thousand horse , I said ,I will say true ,or thereabouts , set down , for I'll speak truth .
+
+He's very near the truth in this .
+
+But I con him no thanks for't , in the nature he delivers it .
+
+Poor rogues , I pray you , say .
+
+Well , that's set down .
+
+I humbly thank you , sir . A truth's a truth ; the rogues are marvellous poor .
+
+Demand of him , of what strength they are a-foot . What say you to that ?
+
+By my troth , sir , if I were to live this present hour , I will tell true . Let me see : Spurio , a hundred and fifty ; Sebastian , so many ; Corambus , so many ; Jaques , so many ; Guiltian , Cosmo , Lodowick , and Gratii , two hundred fifty each ; mine own company , Chitopher , Vaumond , Bentii , two hundred fifty each : so that the muster-file , rotten and sound , upon my life , amounts not to fifteen thousand poll ; half of the which dare not shake the snow from off their cassocks , lest they shake themselves to pieces .
+
+What shall be done to him ?
+
+Nothing , but let him have thanks . Demand of him my condition , and what credit I have with the duke .
+
+Well , that's set down . You shall demand of him , whether one Captain Dumain be i' the camp , a Frenchman ; what his reputation is with the duke ; what his valour , honesty , and expertness in wars ; or whether he thinks it were not possible , with well-weighing sums of gold , to corrupt him to a revolt . What say you to this ? what do you know of it ?
+
+I beseech you , let me answer to the particular of the inter'gatories : demand them singly .
+
+Do you know this Captain Dumain ?
+
+I know him : a' was a botcher's 'prentice in Paris , from whence he was whipped for getting the shrieve's fool with child ; a dumb innocent , that could not say him nay .
+
+
+Nay , by your leave , hold your hands ; though I know his brains are forfeit to the next tile that falls .
+
+Well , is this captain in the Duke of Florence's camp ?
+
+Upon my knowledge he is , and lousy .
+
+Nay , look not so upon me ; we shall hear of your lordship anon .
+
+What is his reputation with the duke ?
+
+The duke knows him for no other but a poor officer of mine , and writ to me this other day to turn him out o' the band : I think I have his letter in my pocket .
+
+Marry , we'll search .
+
+In good sadness , I do not know : either it is there , or it is upon a file with the duke's other letters in my tent .
+
+Here 'tis ; here's a paper ; shall I read it to you ?
+
+I do not know if it be it or no .
+
+Our interpreter does it well .
+
+Excellently .
+
+Dian , the count's a fool , and full of gold
+
+That is not the duke's letter , sir ; that is an advertisement to a proper maid in Florence , one Diana , to take heed of the allurement of one Count Rousillon , a foolish idle boy , but for all that very ruttish . I pray you , sir , put it up again .
+
+Nay , I'll read it first , by your favour .
+
+My meaning in't , I protest , was very honest in the behalf of the maid ; for I knew the young count to be a dangerous and lascivious boy , who is a whale to virginity , and devours up all the fry it finds .
+
+Damnable both-sides rogue !
+
+When he swears oaths , bid him drop gold , and take it ;
+After he scores , he never pays the score :
+Half won is match well made ; match , and well make it ;
+He ne'er pays after-debts ; take it before ,
+And say a soldier , Dian , told thee this ,
+Men are to mell with , boys are not to kiss ;
+For count of this , the count's a fool , I know it ,
+Who pays before , but not when he does owe it .
+
+Thine , as he vow'd to thee in thine ear ,
+
+He shall be whipped through the army with this rime in's forehead .
+
+This is your devoted friend , sir ; the manifold linguist and the armipotent soldier .
+
+I could endure anything before but a cat , and now he's a cat to me .
+
+I perceive , sir , by our general's looks , we shall be fain to hang you .
+
+My life , sir , in any case ! not that I am afraid to die ; but that , my offences being many , I would repent out the remainder of nature . Let me live , sir , in a dungeon , i' the stocks , or anywhere , so I may live .
+
+We'll see what may be done , so you confess freely : therefore , once more to this Captain Dumain . You have answered to his reputation with the duke and to his valour : what is his honesty ?
+
+He will steal , sir , an egg out of a cloister ; for rapes and ravishments he parallels Nessus ; he professes not keeping of oaths ; in breaking 'em he is stronger than Hercules ; he will lie , sir , with such volubility , that you would think truth were a fool ; drunkenness is his best virtue , for he will be swine-drunk , and in his sleep he does little harm , save to his bed-clothes about him ; but they know his conditions , and lay him in straw . I have but little more to say , sir , of his honesty : he has everything that an honest man should not have ; what an honest man should have , he has nothing .
+
+I begin to love him for this .
+
+For this description of thine honesty ? A pox upon him for me ! he is more and more a cat .
+
+What say you to his expertness in war ?
+
+Faith , sir , he has led the drum before the English tragedians ,to belie him I will not ,and more of his soldiership I know not ; except , in that country , he had the honour to be the officer at a place there called Mile-end , to instruct for the doubling of files : I would do the man what honour I can , but of this I am not certain .
+
+He hath out-villained villany so far , that the rarity redeems him .
+
+A pox on him ! he's a cat still .
+
+His qualities being at this poor price , I need not ask you , if gold will corrupt him to revolt .
+
+Sir , for a cardecu he will sell the fee-simple of his salvation , the inheritance of it ; and cut the entail from all remainders , and a perpetual succession for it perpetually .
+
+What's his brother , the other Captain Dumain ?
+
+Why does he ask him or me ?
+
+What's he ?
+
+E'en a crow o' the same nest ; not altogether so great as the first in goodness , but greater a great deal in evil . He excels his brother for a coward , yet his brother is reputed one of the best that is . In a retreat he out-runs any lackey ; marry , in coming on he has the cramp .
+
+If your life be saved , will you undertake to betray the Florentine ?
+
+Ay , and the captain of his horse , Count Rousillon .
+
+I'll whisper with the general , and know his pleasure .
+
+I'll no more drumming ; a plague of all drums ! Only to seem to deserve well , and to beguile the supposition of that lascivious young boy the count , have I run into this danger . Yet who would have suspected an ambush where I was taken ?
+
+There is no remedy , sir , but you must die . The general says , you , that have so traitorously discovered the secrets of your army , and made such pestiferous reports of men very nobly held , can serve the world for no honest use ; therefore you must die . Come , headsman , off with his head .
+
+O Lord , sir , let me live , or let me see my death !
+
+That shall you , and take your leave of all your friends .
+
+So , look about you : know you any here ?
+
+Good morrow , noble captain .
+
+God bless you , Captain Parolles .
+
+God save you , noble captain .
+
+Captain , what greeting will you to my Lord Lafeu ? I am for France .
+
+Good captain , will you give me a copy of the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalf of the Count Rousillon ? an I were not a very coward I'd compel it of you ; but fare you well .
+
+
+You are undone , captain ; all but your scarf ; that has a knot on't yet .
+
+Who cannot be crushed with a plot ?
+
+If you could find out a country where but women were that had received so much shame , you might begin an impudent nation . Fare ye well , sir ; I am for France too : we shall speak of you there .
+
+
+Yet am I thankful : if my heart were great
+'Twould burst at this . Captain I'll be no more ;
+But I will eat and drink , and sleep as soft
+As captain shall : simply the thing I am
+Shall make me live . Who knows himself a braggart ,
+Let him fear this ; for it will come to pass
+That every braggart shall be found an ass .
+Rust , sword ! cool , blushes ! and Parolles , live
+Safest in shame ! being fool'd , by foolery thrive !
+There's place and means for every man alive .
+I'll after them .
+
+
+That you may well perceive I have not wrong'd you ,
+One of the greatest in the Christian world
+Shall be my surety ; 'fore whose throne 'tis needful ,
+Ere I can perfect mine intents , to kneel .
+Time was I did him a desired office ,
+Dear almost as his life ; which gratitude
+Through flinty Tartar's bosom would peep forth ,
+And answer , thanks . I duly am inform'd
+His Grace is at Marseilles ; to which place
+We have convenient convoy . You must know ,
+I am supposed dead : the army breaking ,
+My husband hies him home ; where , heaven aiding ,
+And by the leave of my good lord the king ,
+We'll be before our welcome .
+
+Gentle madam ,
+You never had a servant to whose trust
+Your business was more welcome .
+
+Nor you , mistress ,
+Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labour
+To recompense your love . Doubt not but heaven
+Hath brought me up to be your daughter's dower ,
+As it hath fated her to be my motive
+And helper to a husband . But , O strange men !
+That can such sweet use make of what they hate ,
+When saucy trusting of the cozen'd thoughts
+Defiles the pitchy night : so lust doth play
+With what it loathes for that which is away .
+But more of this hereafter . You , Diana ,
+Under my poor instructions yet must suffer
+Something in my behalf .
+
+Let death and honesty
+Go with your impositions , I am yours
+Upon your will to suffer .
+
+Yet , I pray you :
+But with the word the time will bring on summer ,
+When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns ,
+And be as sweet as sharp . We must away ;
+Our waggon is prepar'd , and time revives us :
+All's well that ends well : still the fine's the crown ;
+Whate'er the course , the end is the renown .
+
+
+No , no , no ; your son was misled with a snipt-taffeta fellow there , whose villanous saffron would have made all the unbaked and doughy youth of a nation in his colour : your daughter-in-law had been alive at this hour , and your son here at home , more advanced by the king than by that red-tailed humble-bee I speak of .
+
+I would I had not known him ; it was the death of the most virtuous gentlewoman that ever nature had praise for creating . If she had partaken of my flesh , and cost me the dearest groans of a mother , I could not have owed her a more rooted love .
+
+'Twas a good lady , 'twas a good lady : we may pick a thousand salads ere we light on such another herb .
+
+Indeed , sir , she was the sweet-marjoram of the salad , or , rather the herb of grace .
+
+They are not salad-herbs , you knave ; they are nose-herbs .
+
+I am no great Nebuchadnezzar , sir ; I have not much skill in grass .
+
+Whether dost thou profess thyself , a knave , or a fool ?
+
+A fool , sir , at a woman's service , and a knave at a man's .
+
+Your distinction ?
+
+I would cozen the man of his wife , and do his service .
+
+So you were a knave at his service , indeed .
+
+And I would give his wife my bauble , sir , to do her service .
+
+I will subscribe for thee , thou art both knave and fool .
+
+At your service .
+
+No , no , no .
+
+Why , sir , if I cannot serve you , I can serve as great a prince as you are .
+
+Who's that ? a Frenchman ?
+
+Faith , sir , a' has an English name ; but his phisnomy is more hotter in France than there .
+
+What prince is that ?
+
+The black prince , sir ; alias , the prince of darkness ; alias , the devil .
+
+Hold thee , there's my purse . I give thee not this to suggest thee from thy master thou talkest of : serve him still .
+
+I am a woodland fellow , sir , that always loved a great fire ; and the master I speak of , ever keeps a good fire . But , sure , he is the prince of the world ; let his nobility remain in's court . I am for the house with the narrow gate , which I take to be too little for pomp to enter : some that humble themselves may ; but the many will be too chill and tender , and they'll be for the flowery way that leads to the broad gate and the great fire .
+
+Go thy ways , I begin to be aweary of thee ; and I tell thee so before , because I would not fall out with thee . Go thy ways : let my horses be well looked to , without any tricks .
+
+If I put any tricks upon 'em , sir , they shall be jade's tricks , which are their own right by the law of nature .
+
+
+A shrewd knave and an unhappy .
+
+So he is . My lord that's gone made himself much sport out of him : by his authority he remains here , which he thinks is a patent for his sauciness ; and , indeed , he has no pace , but runs where he will .
+
+I like him well ; 'tis not amiss . And I was about to tell you , since I heard of the good lady's death , and that my lord your son was upon his return home , I moved the king my master to speak in the behalf of my daughter ; which , in the minority of them both , his majesty , out of a self-gracious remembrance , did first propose . His highness hath promised me to do it ; and to stop up the displeasure he hath conceived against your son , there is no fitter matter . How does your ladyship like it ?
+
+With very much content , my lord ; and I wish it happily effected .
+
+His highness comes post from Marseilles , of as able body as when he numbered thirty : he will be here to-morrow , or I am deceived by him that in such intelligence hath seldom failed .
+
+It rejoices me that I hope I shall see him ere I die . I have letters that my son will be here to-night : I shall beseech your lordship to remain with me till they meet together .
+
+Madam , I was thinking with what manners I might safely be admitted .
+
+You need but plead your honourable privilege .
+
+Lady , of that I have made a bold charter ; but I thank my God it holds yet .
+
+
+O madam ! yonder's my lord your son with a patch of velvet on's face : whether there be a scar under it or no , the velvet knows ; but 'tis a goodly patch of velvet . His left cheek is a cheek of two pile and a half , but his right cheek is worn bare .
+
+A scar nobly got , or a noble scar , is a good livery of honour ; so belike is that .
+
+But it is your carbonadoed face .
+
+Let us go see your son , I pray you : I long to talk with the young noble soldier .
+
+Faith , there's a dozen of 'em , with delicate fine hats and most courteous feathers , which bow the head and nod at every man .
+
+But this exceeding posting , day and night ,
+Must wear your spirits low ; we cannot help it :
+But since you have made the days and nights as one ,
+To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs ,
+Be bold you do so grow in my requital
+As nothing can unroot you . In happy time ;
+
+
+This man may help me to his majesty's ear ,
+
+If he would spend his power . God save you , sir .
+
+And you .
+
+Sir , I have seen you in the court of France .
+
+I have been sometimes there .
+
+I do presume , sir , that you are not fallen
+From the report that goes upon your goodness ;
+And therefore , goaded with most sharp occasions ,
+Which lay nice manners by , I put you to
+The use of your own virtues , for the which
+I shall continue thankful .
+
+What's your will ?
+
+That it will please you
+To give this poor petition to the king ,
+And aid me with that store of power you have
+To come into his presence .
+
+The king's not here .
+
+Not here , sir !
+
+Not , indeed :
+He hence remov'd last night , and with more haste
+Than is his use .
+
+Lord , how we lose our pains !
+
+All's well that ends well yet ,
+Though time seems so adverse and means unfit .
+I do beseech you , whither is he gone ?
+
+Marry , as I take it , to Rousillon ;
+Whither I am going .
+
+I do beseech you , sir ,
+Since you are like to see the king before me ,
+Commend the paper to his gracious hand ;
+Which I presume shall render you no blame
+But rather make you thank your pains for it .
+I will come after you with what good speed
+Our means will make us means .
+
+This I'll do for you .
+
+And you shall find yourself to be well thank'd ,
+Whate'er falls more . We must to horse again :
+Go , go , provide .
+
+
+Good Monsieur Lavache , give my Lord Lafeu this letter . I have ere now , sir , been better known to you , when I have held familiarity with fresher clothes ; but I am now , sir , muddied in Fortune's mood , and smell somewhat strong of her strong displeasure .
+
+Truly , Fortune's displeasure is but sluttish if it smell so strongly as thou speakest of : I will henceforth eat no fish of Fortune's buttering . Prithee , allow the wind .
+
+Nay , you need not to stop your nose , sir : I spake but by a metaphor .
+
+Indeed , sir , if your metaphor stink , I will stop my nose ; or against any man's metaphor . Prithee , get thee further .
+
+Pray you , sir , deliver me this paper .
+
+Foh ! prithee , stand away : a paper from Fortune's close-stool to give to a nobleman ! Look , here he comes himself .
+
+
+Here is a purr of Fortune's , sir , or of Fortune's cat but not a musk-cat that has fallen into the unclean fishpond of her displeasure , and , as he says , is muddied withal . Pray you , sir , use the carp as you may , for he looks like a poor , decayed , ingenious , foolish , rascally knave . I do pity his distress in my similes of comfort , and leave him to your lordship .
+
+My lord , I am a man whom Fortune hath cruelly scratched .
+
+And what would you have me to do ? 'tis too late to pare her nails now . Wherein have you played the knave with Fortune that she should scratch you , who of herself is a good lady , and would not have knaves thrive long under her ? There's a cardecu for you . Let the justices make you and Fortune friends ; I am for other business .
+
+I beseech your honour to hear me one single word .
+
+You beg a single penny more : come , you shall ha't ; save your word .
+
+My name , my good lord , is Parolles .
+
+You beg more than one word then . Cox my passion ! give me your hand . How does your drum ?
+
+O , my good lord ! you were the first that found me .
+
+Was I , in sooth ? and I was the first that lost thee .
+
+It lies in you , my lord , to bring me in some grace , for you did bring me out .
+
+Out upon thee , knave ! dost thou put upon me at once both the office of God and the devil ? one brings thee in grace and the other brings thee out .
+
+The king's coming ; I know by his trumpets . Sirrah , inquire further after me ; I had talk of you last night : though you are a fool and a knave , you shall eat : go to , follow .
+
+I praise God for you .
+
+
+We lost a jewel of her , and our esteem
+Was made much poorer by it : but your son ,
+As mad in folly , lack'd the sense to know
+Her estimation home .
+
+'Tis past , my liege ;
+And I beseech your majesty to make it
+Natural rebellion , done i' the blaze of youth ;
+When oil and fire , too strong for reason's force ,
+O'erbears it and burns on .
+
+My honour'd lady ,
+I have forgiven and forgotten all ,
+Though my revenges were high bent upon him ,
+And watch'd the time to shoot .
+
+This I must say ,
+But first I beg my pardon ,the young lord
+Did to his majesty , his mother , and his lady ,
+Offence of mighty note , but to himself
+The greatest wrong of all : he lost a wife
+Whose beauty did astonish the survey
+Of richest eyes , whose words all ears took captive ,
+Whose dear perfection hearts that scorn'd to serve
+Humbly call'd mistress .
+
+Praising what is lost
+Makes the remembrance dear . Well , call him hither ;
+We are reconcil'd , and the first view shall kill
+All repetition . Let him not ask our pardon :
+The nature of his great offence is dead ,
+And deeper than oblivion we do bury
+The incensing relics of it : let him approach ,
+A stranger , no offender ; and inform him
+So 'tis our will he should .
+
+I shall , my liege .
+
+
+What says he to your daughter ? have you spoke ?
+
+All that he is hath reference to your highness .
+
+Then shall we have a match . I have letters sent me ,
+That set him high in fame .
+
+
+He looks well on't .
+
+I am not a day of season ,
+For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail
+In me at once ; but to the brightest beams
+Distracted clouds give way : so stand thou forth ;
+The time is fair again .
+
+My high-repented blames ,
+Dear sovereign , pardon to me .
+
+All is whole ;
+Not one word more of the consumed time .
+Let's take the instant by the forward top ,
+For we are old , and on our quick'st decrees
+The inaudible and noiseless foot of time
+Steals ere we can effect them . You remember
+The daughter of this lord ?
+
+Admiringly , my liege :
+At first I stuck my choice upon her , ere my heart
+Durst make too bold a herald of my tongue ,
+Where the impression of mine eye infixing ,
+Contempt his scornful perspective did lend me ,
+Which warp'd the line of every other favour ;
+Scorn'd a fair colour , or express'd it stolen ;
+Extended or contracted all proportions
+To a most hideous object : thence it came
+That she , whom all men prais'd , and whom myself ,
+Since I have lost , have lov'd , was in mine eye
+The dust that did offend it .
+
+Well excus'd :
+That thou didst love her , strikes some scores away
+From the great compt . But love that comes too late ,
+Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried ,
+To the great sender turns a sour offence ,
+Crying , 'That's good that's gone .' Our rasher faults
+Make trivial price of serious things we have ,
+Not knowing them until we know their grave :
+Oft our displeasures , to ourselves unjust ,
+Destroy our friends and after weep their dust :
+Our own love waking cries to see what's done ,
+While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon .
+Be this sweet Helen's knell , and now forget her .
+Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin :
+The main consents are had ; and here we'll stay
+To see our widower's second marriage-day .
+
+Which better than the first , O dear heaven , bless !
+Or , ere they meet , in me , O nature , cesse !
+
+Come on , my son , in whom my house's name
+Must be digested , give a favour from you
+To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter ,
+That she may quickly come .
+
+And every hair that's on't , Helen , that's dead ,
+Was a sweet creature ; such a ring as this ,
+The last that e'er I took her leave at court ,
+I saw upon her finger .
+
+Hers it was not .
+
+Now , pray you , let me see it ; for mine eye ,
+While I was speaking , oft was fasten'd to't .
+This ring was mine ; and , when I gave it Helen ,
+I bade her , if her fortunes ever stood
+Necessitied to help , that by this token
+I would relieve her . Had you that craft to reave her
+Of what should stead her most ?
+
+My gracious sovereign ,
+Howe'er it pleases you to take it so ,
+The ring was never hers .
+
+Son , on my life ,
+I have seen her wear it ; and she reckon'd it
+At her life's rate .
+
+I am sure I saw her wear it .
+
+You are deceiv'd , my lord , she never saw it :
+In Florence was it from a casement thrown me ,
+Wrapp'd in a paper , which contain'd the name
+Of her that threw it . Noble she was , and thought
+I stood engag'd : but when I had subscrib'd
+To mine own fortune , and inform'd her fully
+I could not answer in that course of honour
+As she had made the overture , she ceas'd ,
+In heavy satisfaction , and would never
+Receive the ring again .
+
+Plutus himself ,
+That knows the tinct and multiplying medicine ,
+Hath not in nature's mystery more science
+Than I have in this ring : 'twas mine , 'twas Helen's ,
+Whoever gave it you . Then , if you know
+That you are well acquainted with yourself ,
+Confess 'twas hers , and by what rough enforcement
+You got it from her . She call'd the saints to surety ,
+That she would never put it from her finger
+Unless she gave it to yourself in bed ,
+Where you have never come , or sent it us
+Upon her great disaster .
+
+She never saw it .
+
+Thou speak'st it falsely , as I love mine honour ;
+And mak'st conjectural fears to come into me
+Which I would fain shut out . If it should prove
+That thou art so inhuman ,'twill not prove so ;
+And yet I know not : thou didst hate her deadly ,
+And she is dead ; which nothing , but to close
+Her eyes myself , could win me to believe ,
+More than to see this ring . Take him away .
+
+My fore-past proofs , howe'er the matter fall ,
+Shall tax my fears of little vanity ,
+Having vainly fear'd too little . Away with him !
+We'll sift this matter further .
+
+If you shall prove
+This ring was ever hers , you shall as easy
+Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence ,
+Where yet she never was .
+
+
+I am wrapp'd in dismal thinkings .
+
+
+Gracious sovereign ,
+Whether I have been to blame or no , I know not :
+Here's a petition from a Florentine ,
+Who hath , for four or five removes come short
+To tender it herself . I undertook it ,
+Vanquish'd thereto by the fair grace and speech
+Of the poor suppliant , who by this I know
+Is here attending : her business looks in her
+With an importing visage , and she told me ,
+In a sweet verbal brief , it did concern
+Your highness with herself .
+
+"Upon his many protestations to marry me when his wife was dead , I blush to say it , he won me . Now is the Count Rousillon a widower : his vows are forfeited to me , and my honour's paid to him . He stole from Florence , taking no leave , and I follow him to his country for justice . Grant it me , O king ! in you it best lies ; otherwise a seducer flourishes , and a poor maid is undone . DIANA CAPILET ."
+
+I will buy me a son-in-law in a fair , and toll for this : I'll none of him .
+
+The heavens have thought well on thee , Lafeu ,
+To bring forth this discovery . Seek these suitors :
+Go speedily and bring again the count .
+
+I am afeard the life of Helen , lady ,
+Was foully snatch'd .
+
+Now , justice on the doers !
+
+
+I wonder , sir , sith wives are monsters to you ,
+And that you fly them as you swear them lordship ,
+Yet you desire to marry .
+
+What woman's that ?
+
+I am , my lord , a wretched Florentine ,
+Derived from the ancient Capilet :
+My suit , as I do understand , you know ,
+And therefore know how far I may be pitied .
+
+I am her mother , sir , whose age and honour
+Both suffer under this complaint we bring ,
+And both shall cease , without your remedy .
+
+Come hither , county ; do you know these women ?
+
+My lord , I neither can nor will deny
+But that I know them : do they charge me further ?
+
+Why do you look so strange upon your wife ?
+
+She's none of mine , my lord .
+
+If you shall marry ,
+You give away this hand , and that is mine ;
+You give away heaven's vows , and those are mine ;
+You give away myself , which is known mine ;
+For I by vow am so embodied yours
+That she which marries you must marry me ;
+Either both or none .
+
+Your reputation comes too short for my daughter : you are no husband for her .
+
+My lord , this is a fond and desperate creature ,
+Whom sometime I have laugh'd with : let your highness
+Lay a more noble thought upon mine honour
+Than for to think that I would sink it here .
+
+Sir , for my thoughts , you have them ill to friend ,
+Till your deeds gain them : fairer prove your honour ,
+Than in my thought it lies .
+
+Good my lord ,
+Ask him upon his oath , if he does think
+He had not my virginity .
+
+What sayst thou to her ?
+
+She's impudent , my lord ;
+And was a common gamester to the camp .
+
+He does me wrong , my lord ; if I were so ,
+He might have bought me at a common price :
+Do not believe him . O ! behold this ring ,
+Whose high respect and rich validity
+Did lack a parallel ; yet for all that
+He gave it to a commoner o' the camp ,
+If I be one .
+
+He blushes , and 'tis it :
+Of six preceding ancestors , that gem
+Conferr'd by testament to the sequent issue ,
+Hath it been ow'd and worn . This is his wife :
+That ring's a thousand proofs .
+
+Methought you said
+You saw one here in court could witness it .
+
+I did , my lord , but loath am to produce
+So bad an instrument : his name's Parolles .
+
+I saw the man to-day , if man he be .
+
+Find him , and bring him hither .
+
+
+What of him ?
+He's quoted for a most perfidious slave ,
+With all the spots of the world tax'd and debosh'd ,
+Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth .
+Am I or that or this for what he'll utter ,
+That will speak anything ?
+
+She hath that ring of yours .
+
+I think she has : certain it is I lik'd her ,
+And boarded her i' the wanton way of youth .
+She knew her distance and did angle for me ,
+Madding my eagerness with her restraint ,
+As all impediments in fancy's course
+Are motives of more fancy ; and , in fine ,
+Her infinite cunning , with her modern grace ,
+Subdued me to her rate ; she got the ring ,
+And I had that which any inferior might
+At market-price have bought .
+
+I must be patient ;
+You , that have turn'd off a first so noble wife ,
+May justly diet me . I pray you yet ,
+Since you lack virtue I will lose a husband ,
+Send for your ring ; I will return it home ,
+And give me mine again .
+
+I have it not .
+
+What ring was yours , I pray you ?
+
+Sir , much like
+The same upon your finger .
+
+Know you this ring ? this ring was his of late .
+
+And this was it I gave him , being a-bed .
+
+The story then goes false you threw it him
+Out of a casement .
+
+I have spoke the truth .
+
+
+My lord , I do confess the ring was hers .
+
+You boggle shrewdly , every feather starts you .
+Is this the man you speak of ?
+
+Ay , my lord .
+
+Tell me , sirrah , but tell me true , I charge you ,
+Not fearing the displeasure of your master ,
+Which , on your just proceeding I'll keep off ,
+By him and by this woman here what know you ?
+
+So please your majesty , my master hath been an honourable gentleman : tricks he hath had in him , which gentlemen have .
+
+Come , come , to the purpose : did he love this woman ?
+
+Faith , sir , he did love her ; but how ?
+
+How , I pray you ?
+
+He did love her , sir , as a gentleman loves a woman .
+
+How is that ?
+
+He loved her , sir , and loved her not .
+
+As thou art a knave , and no knave .
+What an equivocal companion is this !
+
+I am a poor man , and at your majesty's command .
+
+He is a good drum , my lord , but a naughty orator .
+
+Do you know he promised me marriage ?
+
+Faith , I know more than I'll speak .
+
+But wilt thou not speak all thou knowest ?
+
+Yes , so please your majesty . I did go between them , as I said ; but more than that , he loved her , for , indeed , he was mad for her , and talked of Satan , and of limbo , and of Furies , and I know not what : yet I was in that credit with them at that time , that I knew of their going to bed , and of other motions , as promising her marriage , and things which would derive me ill will to speak of : therefore I will not speak what I know .
+
+Thou hast spoken all already , unless thou canst say they are married : but thou art too fine in thy evidence ; therefore stand aside . This ring , you say , was yours ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+Where did you buy it ? or who gave it you ?
+
+It was not given me , nor I did not buy it .
+
+Who lent it you ?
+
+It was not lent me neither .
+
+Where did you find it , then ?
+
+I found it not .
+
+If it were yours by none of all these ways ,
+How could you give it him ?
+
+I never gave it him .
+
+This woman's an easy glove , my lord : she goes off and on at pleasure .
+
+This ring was mine : I gave it his first wife .
+
+It might be yours or hers , for aught I know .
+
+Take her away ; I do not like her now .
+To prison with her ; and away with him .
+Unless thou tell'st me where thou hadst this ring
+Thou diest within this hour .
+
+I'll never tell you .
+
+Take her away .
+
+I'll put in bail , my liege .
+
+I think thee now some common customer .
+
+By Jove , if ever I knew man , 'twas you .
+
+Wherefore hast thou accus'd him all this while ?
+
+Because he's guilty , and he is not guilty .
+He knows I am no maid , and he'll swear to't ;
+I'll swear I am a maid , and he knows not .
+Great king , I am no strumpet , by my life ;
+I am either maid , or else this old man's wife .
+
+
+She does abuse our ears : to prison with her !
+
+Good mother , fetch my bail .
+
+Stay , royal sir ;
+The jeweller that owes the ring is sent for ,
+And he shall surety me . But for this lord ,
+Who hath abus'd me , as he knows himself ,
+Though yet he never harm'd me , here I quit him :
+He knows himself my bed he hath defil'd ,
+And at that time he got his wife with child :
+Dead though she be , she feels her young one kick :
+So there's my riddle : one that's dead is quick ;
+And now behold the meaning .
+
+
+Is there no exorcist
+Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes ?
+Is't real that I see ?
+
+No , my good lord ;
+'Tis but the shadow of a wife you see ;
+The name and not the thing .
+
+Both , both . O ! pardon .
+
+O my good lord ! when I was like this maid ,
+I found you wondrous kind . There is your ring ;
+And , look you , here's your letter ; this it says :
+When from my finger you can get this ring ,
+And are by me with child , &c . This is done :
+Will you be mine , now you are doubly won ?
+
+If she , my liege , can make me know this clearly ,
+I'll love her dearly , ever , ever dearly .
+
+If it appear not plain , and prove untrue ,
+Deadly divorce step between me and you !
+O ! my dear mother ; do I see you living ?
+
+Mine eyes smell onions ; I shall weep anon .
+
+Good Tom Drum , lend me a handkercher : so , I thank thee . Wait on me home , I'll make sport with thee : let thy curtsies alone , they are scurvy ones .
+
+Let us from point to point this story know ,
+To make the even truth in pleasure flow .
+
+
+If thou be'st yet a fresh uncropped flower ,
+Choose thou thy husband , and I'll pay thy dower ;
+For I can guess that by thy honest aid
+Thou keptst a wife herself , thyself a maid .
+Of that , and all the progress , more and less ,
+Resolvedly more leisure shall express :
+All yet seems well ; and if it end so meet ,
+The bitter past , more welcome is the sweet .
+
+Spoken by the The king's a beggar , now the play is done :
+All is well ended if this suit be won
+That you express content ; which we will pay ,
+With strife to please you , day exceeding day :
+Ours be your patience then , and yours our parts ;
+Your gentle hands lend us , and take our hearts .
+
+AS YOU LIKE IT
+
+As I remember , Adam , it was upon this fashion bequeathed me by will but poor a thousand crowns , and , as thou sayest , charged my brother on his blessing , to breed me well : and there begins my sadness . My brother Jaques he keeps at school , and report speaks goldenly of his profit : for my part , he keeps me rustically at home , or , to speak more properly , stays me here at home unkept ; for call you that keeping for a gentleman of my birth , that differs not from the stalling of an ox ? His horses are bred better ; for , besides that they are fair with their feeding , they are taught their manage , and to that end riders dearly hired : but I , his brother , gain nothing under him but growth , for the which his animals on his dunghills are as much bound to him as I . Besides this nothing that he so plentifully gives me , the something that nature gave me , his countenance seems to take from me : he lets me feed with his hinds , bars me the place of a brother , and , as much as in him lies , mines my gentility with my education . This is it , Adam , that grieves me ; and the spirit of my father , which I think is within me , begins to mutiny against this servitude . I will no longer endure it , though yet I know no wise remedy how to avoid it .
+
+Yonder comes my master , your brother .
+
+Go apart , Adam , and thou shalt hear how he will shake me up .
+
+
+Now , sir ! what make you here ?
+
+Nothing : I am not taught to make anything .
+
+What mar you then , sir ?
+
+Marry , sir , I am helping you to mar that which God made , a poor unworthy brother of yours , with idleness .
+
+Marry , sir , be better employed , and be naught awhile .
+
+Shall I keep your hogs , and eat husks with them ? What prodigal portion have I spent , that I should come to such penury ?
+
+Know you where you are , sir ?
+
+O ! sir , very well : here in your orchard .
+
+Know you before whom , sir ?
+
+Ay , better than he I am before knows me . I know you are my eldest brother ; and , in the gentle condition of blood , you should so know me . The courtesy of nations allows you my better , in that you are the first-born ; but the same tradition takes not away my blood , were there twenty brothers betwixt us . I have as much of my father in me as you ; albeit , I confess , your coming before me is nearer to his reverence .
+
+What , boy !
+
+Come , come , elder brother , you are too young in this .
+
+Wilt thou lay hands on me , villain ?
+
+I am no villain ; I am the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys ; he was my father , and he is thrice a villain that says such a father begot villains . Wert thou not my brother , I would not take this hand from thy throat till this other had pulled out thy tongue for saying so : thou hast railed on thyself .
+
+Sweet masters , be patient : for your father's remembrance , be at accord .
+
+Let me go , I say .
+
+I will not , till I please : you shall hear me . My father charged you in his will to give me good education : you have trained me like a peasant , obscuring and hiding from me all gentleman-like qualities . The spirit of my father grows strong in me , and I will no longer endure it ; therefore allow me such exercises as may become a gentleman , or give me the poor allottery my father left me by testament ; with that I will go buy my fortunes .
+
+And what wilt thou do ? beg , when that is spent ? Well , sir , get you in : I will not long be troubled with you ; you shall have some part of your will : I pray you , leave me .
+
+I will no further offend you than becomes me for my good .
+
+Get you with him , you old dog .
+
+Is 'old dog' my reward ? Most true , I have lost my teeth in your service . God be with my old master ! he would not have spoke such a word .
+
+
+Is it even so ? begin you to grow upon me ? I will physic your rankness , and yet give no thousand crowns neither . Holla , Dennis !
+
+
+Calls your worship ?
+
+Was not Charles the duke's wrestler here to speak with me ?
+
+So please you , he is here at the door , and importunes access to you .
+
+Call him in .
+
+'Twill be a good way ; and to-morrow the wrestling is .
+
+
+Good morrow to your worship .
+
+Good Monsieur Charles , what's the new news at the new court ?
+
+There's no news at the court , sir , but the old news : that is , the old duke is banished by his younger brother the new duke ; and three or four loving lords have put themselves into voluntary exile with him , whose lands and revenues enrich the new duke ; therefore he gives them good leave to wander .
+
+Can you tell if Rosalind , the duke's daughter , be banished with her father ?
+
+O , no ; for the duke's daughter , her cousin , so loves her ,being ever from their cradles bred together ,that she would have followed her exile , or have died to stay behind her . She is at the court , and no less beloved of her uncle than his own daughter ; and never two ladies loved as they do .
+
+Where will the old duke live ?
+
+They say he is already in the forest of Arden , and a many merry men with him ; and there they live like the old Robin Hood of England . They say many young gentlemen flock to him every day , and fleet the time carelessly , as they did in the golden world .
+
+What , you wrestle to-morrow before the new duke ?
+
+Marry , do I , sir ; and I came to acquaint you with a matter . I am given , sir , secretly to understand that your younger brother Orlando hath a disposition to come in disguised against me to try a fall . To-morrow , sir , I wrestle for my credit , and he that escapes me without some broken limb shall acquit him well . Your brother is but young and tender ; and , for your love , I would be loath to foil him as I must , for my own honour , if he come in : therefore , out of my love to you , I came hither to acquaint you withal , that either you might stay him from his intendment , or brook such disgrace well as he shall run into , in that it is a thing of his own search and altogether against my will .
+
+Charles , I thank thee for thy love to me , which thou shalt find I will most kindly requite . I had myself notice of my brother's purpose herein , and have by underhand means laboured to dissuade him from it , but he is resolute . I'll tell thee , Charles , it is the stubbornest young fellow of France ; full of ambition , an envious emulator of every man's good parts , a secret and villanous contriver against me his natural brother : therefore use thy discretion . I had as lief thou didst break his neck as his finger . And thou wert best look to't ; for if thou dost him any slight disgrace , or if he do not mightily grace himself on thee , he will practise against thee by poison , entrap thee by some treacherous device , and never leave thee till he hath ta'en thy life by some indirect means or other ; for , I assure thee ,and almost with tears I speak it ,there is not one so young and so villanous this day living . I speak but brotherly of him ; but should I anatomize him to thee as he is , I must blush and weep , and thou must look pale and wonder .
+
+I am heartily glad I came hither to you . If he come to-morrow , I'll give him his payment : if ever he go alone again , I'll never wrestle for prize more ; and so God keep your worship !
+
+
+Farewell , good Charles . Now will I stir this gamester . I hope I shall see an end of him ; for my soul , yet I know not why , hates nothing more than he . Yet he's gentle , never schooled and yet learned , full of noble device , of all sorts enchantingly beloved , and , indeed so much in the heart of the world , and especially of my own people , who best know him , that I am altogether misprised . But it shall not be so long ; this wrestler shall clear all : nothing remains but that I kindle the boy thither , which now I'll go about .
+
+I pray thee , Rosalind , sweet my coz , be merry .
+
+Dear Celia , I show more mirth than I am mistress of , and would you yet I were merrier ? Unless you could teach me to forget a banished father , you must not learn me how to remember any extraordinary pleasure .
+
+Herein I see thou lovest me not with the full weight that I love thee . If my uncle , thy banished father , had banished thy uncle , the duke my father , so thou hadst been still with me , I could have taught my love to take thy father for mine : so wouldst thou , if the truth of thy love to me were so righteously tempered as mine is to thee .
+
+Well , I will forget the condition of my estate , to rejoice in yours .
+
+You know my father hath no child but I , nor none is like to have ; and , truly , when he dies , thou shalt be his heir : for what he hath taken away from thy father perforce , I will render thee again in affection ; by mine honour , I will ; and when I break that oath , let me turn monster . Therefore , my sweet Rose , my dear Rose , be merry .
+
+From henceforth I will , coz , and devise sports . Let me see ; what think you of falling in love ?
+
+Marry , I prithee , do , to make sport withal : but love no man in good earnest ; nor no further in sport neither , than with safety of a pure blush thou mayst in honour come off again .
+
+What shall be our sport then ?
+
+Let us sit and mock the good housewife Fortune from her wheel , that her gifts may henceforth be bestowed equally .
+
+I would we could do so , for her benefits are mightily misplaced , and the bountiful blind woman doth most mistake in her gifts to women .
+
+'Tis true ; for those that she makes fair she scarce makes honest , and those that she makes honest she makes very ill-favouredly .
+
+Nay , now thou goest from Fortune's office to Nature's : Fortune reigns in gifts of the world , not in the lineaments of Nature .
+
+
+No ? when Nature hath made a fair creature , may she not by Fortune fall into the fire ? Though Nature hath given us wit to flout at Fortune , hath not Fortune sent in this fool to cut off the argument ?
+
+Indeed , there is Fortune too hard for Nature , when Fortune makes Nature's natural the cutter-off of Nature's wit .
+
+Peradventure this is not Fortune's work neither , but Nature's ; who , perceiving our natural wits too dull to reason of such goddesses , hath sent this natural for our whetstone : for always the dulness of the fool is the whetstone of the wits . How now , wit ! whither wander you ?
+
+Mistress , you must come away to your father .
+
+Were you made the messenger ?
+
+No , by mine honour ; but I was bid to come for you .
+
+Where learned you that oath , fool ?
+
+Of a certain knight that swore by his honour they were good pancakes , and swore by his honour the mustard was naught : now , I'll stand to it , the pancakes were naught and the mustard was good , and yet was not the knight forsworn .
+
+How prove you that , in the great heap of your knowledge ?
+
+Ay , marry : now unmuzzle your wisdom .
+
+Stand you both forth now : stroke your chins , and swear by your beards that I am a knave .
+
+By our beards , if we had them , thou art .
+
+By my knavery , if I had it , then I were ; but if you swear by that that is not , you are not forsworn : no more was this knight , swearing by his honour , for he never had any ; or if he had , he had sworn it away before ever he saw those pancakes or that mustard .
+
+Prithee , who is't that thou meanest ?
+
+One that old Frederick , your father , loves .
+
+My father's love is enough to honour him . Enough ! speak no more of him ; you'll be whipped for taxation one of these days .
+
+The more pity , that fools may not speak wisely what wise men do foolishly .
+
+By my troth , thou sayest true ; for since the little wit that fools have was silenced , the little foolery that wise men have makes a great show . Here comes Monsieur Le Beau .
+
+With his mouth full of news .
+
+Which he will put on us , as pigeons feed their young .
+
+Then we shall be news-cramm'd .
+
+All the better ; we shall be more marketable .
+
+Bon jour , Monsieur Le Beau : what's the news ?
+
+Fair princess , you have lost much good sport .
+
+Sport ! Of what colour ?
+
+What colour , madam ! How shall
+I answer you ?
+
+As wit and fortune will .
+
+Or as the Destinies decree .
+
+Well said : that was laid on with a trowel .
+
+Nay , if I keep not my rank ,
+
+Thou losest thy old smell .
+
+You amaze me , ladies : I would have told you of good wrestling , which you have lost the sight of .
+
+Yet tell us the manner of the wrestling .
+
+I will tell you the beginning ; and , if it please your ladyships , you may see the end , for the best is yet to do ; and here , where you are , they are coming to perform it .
+
+Well , the beginning , that is dead and buried .
+
+There comes an old man and his three sons ,
+
+I could match this beginning with an old tale .
+
+Three proper young men , of excellent growth and presence ;
+
+With bills on their necks , 'Be it known unto all men by these presents .'
+
+The eldest of the three wrestled with Charles , the duke's wrestler ; which Charles in a moment threw him and broke three of his ribs , that there is little hope of life in him : so he served the second , and so the third . Yonder they lie ; the poor old man , their father , making such pitiful dole over them that all the beholders take his part with weeping .
+
+Alas !
+
+But what is the sport , monsieur , that the ladies have lost ?
+
+Why , this that I speak of .
+
+Thus men may grow wiser every day : it is the first time that ever I heard breaking of ribs was sport for ladies .
+
+Or I , I promise thee .
+
+But is there any else longs to feel this broken music in his sides ? is there yet another dotes upon rib-breaking ? Shall we see this wrestling , cousin ?
+
+You must , if you stay here ; for here is the place appointed for the wrestling , and they are ready to perform it .
+
+Yonder , sure , they are coming : let us now stay and see it .
+
+
+Come on : since the youth will not be entreated , his own peril on his forwardness .
+
+Is yonder the man ?
+
+Even he , madam .
+
+Alas ! he is too young : yet he looks successfully .
+
+How now , daughter and cousin ! are you crept hither to see the wrestling ?
+
+Ay , my liege , so please you give us leave .
+
+You will take little delight in it , I can tell you , there is such odds in the man : in pity of the challenger's youth I would fam dissuade him , but he will not be entreated . Speak to him , ladies ; see if you can move him .
+
+Call him hither , good Monsieur le Beau .
+
+Do so : I'll not be by .
+
+
+Monsieur the challenger , the princes call for you .
+
+I attend them with all respect and duty .
+
+Young man , have you challenged Charles the wrestler ?
+
+No , fair princess ; he is the general challenger : I come but in , as others do , to try with him the strength of my youth .
+
+Young gentleman , your spirits are too bold for your years . You have seen cruel proof of this man's strength : if you saw yourself with your eyes or knew yourself with your judgment , the fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise . We pray you , for your own sake , to embrace your own safety and give over this attempt .
+
+Do , young sir : your reputation shall not therefore be misprised . We will make it our suit to the duke that the wrestling might not go forward .
+
+I beseech you , punish me not with your hard thoughts , wherein I confess me much guilty , to deny so fair and excellent ladies anything . But let your fair eyes and gentle wishes go with me to my trial : wherein if I be foiled , there is but one shamed that was never gracious ; if killed , but one dead that is willing to be so . I shall do my friends no wrong , for I have none to lament me ; the world no injury , for in it I have nothing ; only in the world I fill up a place , which may be better supplied when I have made it empty .
+
+The little strength that I have , I would it were with you .
+
+And mine , to eke out hers .
+
+Fare you well . Pray heaven I be deceived in you !
+
+Your heart's desires be with you !
+
+Come , where is this young gallant that is so desirous to lie with his mother earth ?
+
+Ready , sir ; but his will hath in it a more modest working .
+
+You shall try but one fall .
+
+No , I warrant your Grace , you shall not entreat him to a second , that have so mightily persuaded him from a first .
+
+You mean to mock me after ; you should not have mocked me before : but come your ways .
+
+Now Hercules be thy speed , young man !
+
+I would I were invisible , to catch the strong fellow by the leg .
+
+
+O excellent young man !
+
+If I had a thunderbolt in mine eye , I can tell who should down .
+
+
+No more , no more .
+
+Yes , I beseech your Grace : I am not yet well breathed .
+
+How dost thou , Charles ?
+
+He cannot speak , my lord .
+
+Bear him away . What is thy name , young man ?
+
+
+Orlando , my liege ; the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys .
+
+I would thou hadst been son to some man else :
+The world esteem'd thy father honourable ,
+But I did find him still mine enemy :
+Thou shouldst have better pleas'd me with this deed ,
+Hadst thou descended from another house .
+But fare thee well ; thou art a gallant youth :
+I would thou hadst told me of another father .
+
+
+Were I my father , coz , would I do this ?
+
+I am more proud to be Sir Rowland's son ,
+His youngest son ; and would not change that calling ,
+To be adopted heir to Frederick .
+
+My father lov'd Sir Rowland as his soul ,
+And all the world was of my father's mind :
+Had I before known this young man his son ,
+I should have given him tears unto entreaties ,
+Ere he should thus have ventur'd .
+
+Gentle cousin ,
+Let us go thank him and encourage him :
+My father's rough and envious disposition
+Sticks me at heart . Sir , you have well deserv'd :
+If you do keep your promises in love
+But justly , as you have exceeded all promise ,
+Your mistress shall be happy .
+
+Gentleman ,
+
+Wear this for me , one out of suits with fortune ,
+That could give more , but that her hand lacks means .
+Shall we go , coz ?
+
+Ay . Fare you well , fair gentleman .
+
+Can I not say , I thank you ? My better parts
+Are all thrown down , and that which here stands up
+Is but a quintain , a mere lifeless block .
+
+He calls us back : my pride fell with my fortunes ;
+I'll ask him what he would . Did you call , sir ?
+Sir , you have wrestled well , and overthrown
+More than your enemies .
+
+Will you go , coz ?
+
+Have with you . Fare you well .
+
+
+What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue ?
+I cannot speak to her , yet she urg'd conference .
+O poor Orlando , thou art overthrown !
+Or Charles or something weaker masters thee .
+
+
+Good sir , I do in friendship counsel you
+To leave this place . Albeit you have deserv'd
+High commendation , true applause and love ,
+Yet such is now the duke's condition
+That he misconstrues all that you have done .
+The duke is humorous : what he is indeed ,
+More suits you to conceive than I to speak of .
+
+I thank you , sir ; and pray you , tell me this ;
+Which of the two was daughter of the duke ,
+That here was at the wrestling ?
+
+Neither his daughter , if we judge by manners :
+But yet , indeed the smaller is his daughter :
+The other is daughter to the banish'd duke ,
+And here detain'd by her usurping uncle ,
+To keep his daughter company ; whose loves
+Are dearer than the natural bond of sisters .
+But I can tell you that of late this duke
+Hath ta'en displeasure 'gainst his gentle niece ,
+Grounded upon no other argument
+But that the people praise her for her virtues ,
+And pity her for her good father's sake ;
+And , on my life , his malice 'gainst the lady
+Will suddenly break forth . Sir , fare you well :
+Hereafter , in a better world than this ,
+I shall desire more love and knowledge of you .
+
+I rest much bounden to you : fare you well .
+
+Thus must I from the smoke into the smother ;
+From tyrant duke unto a tyrant brother .
+But heavenly Rosalind !
+
+
+Why , cousin ! why , Rosalind ! Cupid have mercy ! Not a word ?
+
+Not one to throw at a dog .
+
+No , thy words are too precious to be cast away upon curs ; throw some of them at me ; come , lame me with reasons .
+
+Then there were two cousins laid up ; when the one should be lamed with reasons and the other mad without any .
+
+But is all this for your father ?
+
+No , some of it is for my child's father :
+O , how full of briers is this working-day world !
+
+They are but burrs , cousin , thrown upon thee in holiday foolery : if we walk not in the trodden paths , our very petticoats will catch them .
+
+I could shake them off my coat : these burrs are in my heart .
+
+Hem them away .
+
+I would try , if I could cry 'hem ,' and have him .
+
+Come , come ; wrestle with thy affections .
+
+O ! they take the part of a better wrestler than myself !
+
+O , a good wish upon you ! you will try in time , in despite of a fall . But , turning these jests out of service , let us talk in good earnest : is it possible , on such a sudden , you should fall into so strong a liking with old Sir Rowland's youngest son ?
+
+The duke my father loved his father dearly .
+
+Doth it therefore ensue that you should love his son dearly ? By this kind of chase , I should hate him , for my father hated his father dearly ; yet I hate not Orlando .
+
+No , faith , hate him not , for my sake .
+
+Why should I not ? doth he not deserve well ?
+
+Let me love him for that ; and do you love him , because I do . Look , here comes the duke .
+
+With his eyes full of anger .
+
+
+Mistress , dispatch you with your safest haste ,
+And get you from our court .
+
+Me , uncle ?
+
+You , cousin :
+Within these ten days if that thou be'st found
+So near our public court as twenty miles ,
+Thou diest for it .
+
+I do beseech your Grace ,
+Let me the knowledge of my fault bear with me .
+If with myself I hold intelligence ,
+Or have acquaintance with mine own desires ,
+If that I do not dream or be not frantic ,
+As I do trust I am not ,then , dear uncle ,
+Never so much as in a thought unborn
+Did I offend your highness .
+
+Thus do all traitors :
+If their purgation did consist in words ,
+They are as innocent as grace itself :
+Let it suffice thee that I trust thee not .
+
+Yet your mistrust cannot make me a traitor :
+Tell me whereon the likelihood depends .
+
+Thou art thy father's daughter ; there's enough .
+
+So was I when your highness took his dukedom ;
+So was I when your highness banish'd him .
+Treason is not inherited , my lord ;
+Or , if we did derive it from our friends ,
+What's that to me ? my father was no traitor :
+Then , good my liege , mistake me not so much
+To think my poverty is treacherous .
+
+Dear sovereign , hear me speak .
+
+Ay , Celia ; we stay'd her for your sake ;
+Else had she with her father rang'd along .
+
+I did not then entreat to have her stay :
+It was your pleasure and your own remorse .
+I was too young that time to value her ;
+But now I know her : if she be a traitor ,
+Why so am I ; we still have slept together ,
+Rose at an instant , learn'd , play'd , eat together ;
+And wheresoe'er we went , like Juno's swans ,
+Still we went coupled and inseparable .
+
+She is too subtle for thee ; and her smoothness ,
+Her very silence and her patience ,
+Speak to the people , and they pity her .
+Thou art a fool : she robs thee of thy name ;
+And thou wilt show more bright and seem more virtuous
+When she is gone . Then open not thy lips :
+Firm and irrevocable is my doom
+Which I have pass'd upon her ; she is banish'd .
+
+Pronounce that sentence then , on me , my liege :
+I cannot live out of her company .
+
+You are a fool . You , niece , provide yourself :
+If you outstay the time , upon mine honour ,
+And in the greatness of my word , you die .
+
+
+O my poor Rosalind ! whither wilt thou go ?
+Wilt thou change fathers ? I will give thee mine .
+I charge thee , be not thou more griev'd than I am .
+
+I have more cause .
+
+Thou hast not , cousin ;
+Prithee , be cheerful ; know'st thou not , the duke
+Hath banish'd me , his daughter ?
+
+That he hath not .
+
+No , hath not ? Rosalind lacks then the love
+Which teacheth thee that thou and I am one :
+Shall we be sunder'd ? shall we part , sweet girl ?
+No : let my father seek another heir .
+Therefore devise with me how we may fly ,
+Whither to go , and what to bear with us :
+And do not seek to take your change upon you ,
+To bear your griefs yourself and leave me out ;
+For , by this heaven , now at our sorrows pale ,
+Say what thou canst , I'll go along with thee .
+
+Why , whither shall we go ?
+
+To seek my uncle in the forest of Arden .
+
+Alas , what danger will it be to us ,
+Maids as we are , to travel forth so far !
+Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold .
+
+I'll put myself in poor and mean attire ,
+And with a kind of umber smirch my face ;
+The like do you : so shall we pass along
+And never stir assailants .
+
+Were it not better ,
+Because that I am more than common tall ,
+That I did suit me all points like a man ?
+A gallant curtle-axe upon my thigh ,
+A boar-spear in my hand ; and ,in my heart
+Lie there what hidden woman's fear there will ,
+We'll have a swashing and a martial outside ,
+As many other mannish cowards have
+That do outface it with their semblances .
+
+What shall I call thee when thou art a man ?
+
+I'll have no worse a name than Jove's own page ,
+And therefore look you call me Ganymede .
+But what will you be call'd ?
+
+Something that hath a reference to my state :
+No longer Celia , but Aliena .
+
+But , cousin , what if we assay'd to steal
+The clownish fool out of your father's court ?
+Would he not be a comfort to our travel ?
+
+He'll go along o'er the wide world with me ;
+Leave me alone to woo him . Let's away ,
+And get our jewels and our wealth together ,
+Devise the fittest time and safest way
+To hide us from pursuit that will be made
+After my flight . Now go we in content
+To liberty and not to banishment .
+
+Now , my co-mates and brothers in exile ,
+Hath not old custom made this life more sweet
+Than that of painted pomp ? Are not these woods
+More free from peril than the envious court ?
+Here feel we but the penalty of Adam ,
+The seasons' difference ; as , the icy fang
+And churlish chiding of the winter's wind ,
+Which , when it bites and blows upon my body ,
+Even till I shrink with cold , I smile and say
+'This is no flattery : these are counsellors
+That feelingly persuade me what I am .'
+Sweet are the uses of adversity ,
+Which like the toad , ugly and venomous ,
+Wears yet a precious jewel in his head ;
+And this our life exempt from public haunt ,
+Finds tongues in trees , books in the running brooks ,
+Sermons in stones , and good in every thing .
+I would not change it .
+
+Happy is your Grace ,
+That can translate the stubbornness of fortune
+Into so quiet and so sweet a style .
+
+Come , shall we go and kill us venison ?
+And yet it irks me , the poor dappled fools ,
+Being native burghers of this desert city ,
+Should in their own confines with forked heads
+Have their round haunches gor'd .
+
+Indeed , my lord ,
+The melancholy Jaques grieves at that ;
+And , in that kind , swears you do more usurp
+Than doth your brother that hath banish'd you .
+To-day my Lord of Amiens and myself
+Did steal behind him as he lay along
+Under an oak whose antique root peeps out
+Upon the brook that brawls along this wood ;
+To the which place a poor sequester'd stag ,
+That from the hunters' aim had ta'en a hurt ,
+Did come to languish ; and , indeed , my lord ,
+The wretched animal heav'd forth such groans
+That their discharge did stretch his leathern coat
+Almost to bursting , and the big round tears
+Cours'd one another down his innocent nose
+In piteous chase ; and thus the hairy fool ,
+Much marked of the melancholy Jaques ,
+Stood on the extremest verge of the swift brook ,
+Augmenting it with tears .
+
+But what said Jaques ?
+Did he not moralize this spectacle ?
+
+O , yes , into a thousand similes .
+First , for his weeping into the needless stream ;
+'Poor deer ,' quoth he , 'thou mak'st a testament
+As worldlings do , giving thy sum of more
+To that which had too much :' then , being there alone ,
+Left and abandon'd of his velvet friends ;
+''Tis right ,' quoth he ; 'thus misery doth part
+The flux of company :' anon , a careless herd ,
+Full of the pasture , jumps along by him
+And never stays to greet him ; 'Ay ,' quoth Jaques ,
+'Sweep on , you fat and greasy citizens ;
+'Tis just the fashion ; wherefore do you look
+Upon that poor and broken bankrupt there ?'
+Thus most invectively he pierceth through
+The body of the country , city , court ,
+Yea , and of this our life ; swearing that we
+Are mere usurpers , tyrants , and what's worse ,
+To fright the animals and to kill them up
+In their assign'd and native dwelling-place .
+
+And did you leave him in this contemplation ?
+
+We did , my lord , weeping and commenting
+Upon the sobbing deer .
+
+Show me the place .
+I love to cope him in these sullen fits ,
+For then he's full of matter .
+
+I'll bring you to him straight .
+
+
+Can it be possible that no man saw them ?
+It cannot be : some villains of my court
+Are of consent and sufferance in this .
+
+I cannot hear of any that did see her .
+The ladies , her attendants of her chamber ,
+Saw her a-bed ; and , in the morning early
+They found the bed untreasur'd of their mistress .
+
+My lord , the roynish clown , at whom so oft
+Your Grace was wont to laugh , is also missing .
+Hisperia , the princess' gentlewoman ,
+Confesses that she secretly o'erheard
+Your daughter and her cousin much commend
+The parts and graces of the wrestler
+That did but lately foil the sinewy Charles ;
+And she believes , wherever they are gone ,
+That youth is surely in their company .
+
+Send to his brother ; fetch that gallant hither ;
+If he be absent , bring his brother to me ;
+I'll make him find him . Do this suddenly ,
+And let not search and inquisition quail
+To bring again these foolish runaways .
+
+
+Who's there ?
+
+What ! my young master ? O my gentle master !
+O my sweet master ! O you memory
+Of old Sir Rowland ! why , what make you here ?
+Why are you virtuous ? Why do people love you ?
+And wherefore are you gentle , strong , and valiant ?
+Why would you be so fond to overcome
+The bony priser of the humorous duke ?
+Your praise is come too swiftly home before you .
+Know you not , master , to some kind of men
+Their graces serve them but as enemies ?
+No more do yours : your virtues , gentle master ,
+Are sanctified and holy traitors to you .
+O , what a world is this , when what is comely
+Envenoms him that bears it !
+
+Why , what's the matter ?
+
+O unhappy youth !
+Come not within these doors ; within this roof
+The enemy of all your graces lives .
+Your brother ,no , no brother ; yet the son ,
+Yet not the son , I will not call him son
+Of him I was about to call his father ,
+Hath heard your praises , and this night he means
+To burn the lodging where you use to lie ,
+And you within it : if he fail of that ,
+He will have other means to cut you off .
+I overheard him and his practices .
+This is no place ; this house is but a butchery :
+Abhor it , fear it , do not enter it .
+
+Why , whither , Adam , wouldst thou have me go ?
+
+No matter whither , so you come not here .
+
+What ! wouldst thou have me go and beg my food ?
+Or with a base and boisterous sword enforce
+A thievish living on the common road ?
+This I must do , or know not what to do :
+Yet this I will not do , do how I can ;
+I rather will subject me to the malice
+Of a diverted blood and bloody brother .
+
+But do not so . I have five hundred crowns ,
+The thrifty hire I sav'd under your father ,
+Which I did store to be my foster-nurse
+When service should in my old limbs lie lame ,
+And unregarded age in corners thrown .
+Take that ; and He that doth the ravens feed ,
+Yea , providently caters for the sparrow ,
+Be comfort to my age ! Here is the gold ;
+All this I give you . Let me be your servant :
+Though I look old , yet I am strong and lusty ;
+For in my youth I never did apply
+Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood ,
+Nor did not with unbashful forehead woo
+The means of weakness and debility ;
+Therefore my age is as a lusty winter ,
+Frosty , but kindly . Let me go with you ;
+I'll do the service of a younger man
+In all your business and necessities .
+
+O good old man ! how well in thee appears
+The constant service of the antique world ,
+When service sweat for duty , not for meed !
+Thou art not for the fashion of these times ,
+Where none will sweat but for promotion ,
+And having that , do choke their service up
+Even with the having : it is not so with thee .
+But , poor old man , thou prun'st a rotten tree ,
+That cannot so much as a blossom yield ,
+In lieu of all thy pains and husbandry .
+But come thy ways , we'll go along together ,
+And ere we have thy youthful wages spent ,
+We'll light upon some settled low content .
+
+Master , go on , and I will follow thee
+To the last gasp with truth and loyalty .
+From seventeen years till now almost fourscore
+Here lived I , but now live here no more .
+At seventeen years many their fortunes seek ;
+But at fourscore it is too late a week :
+Yet fortune cannot recompense me better
+Than to die well and not my master's debtor .
+
+
+O Jupiter ! how weary are my spirits .
+
+I care not for my spirits if my legs were not weary .
+
+I could find it in my heart to disgrace my man's apparel and to cry like a woman ; but I must comfort the weaker vessel , as doublet and hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat : therefore , courage , good Aliena .
+
+I pray you , bear with me : I cannot go no further .
+
+For my part , I had rather bear with you than bear you ; yet I should bear no cross if I did bear you , for I think you have no money in your purse .
+
+Well , this is the forest of Arden .
+
+Ay , now am I in Arden ; the more fool I : when I was at home , I was in a better place : but travellers must be content .
+
+Ay , be so , good Touchstone . Look you , who comes here ; a young man and an old in solemn talk .
+
+
+That is the way to make her scorn you still .
+
+O Corin , that thou knew'st how I do love her !
+
+I partly guess , for I have lov'd ere now .
+
+No , Corin ; being old , thou canst not guess ,
+Though in thy youth thou wast as true a lover
+As ever sigh'd upon a midnight pillow :
+But if thy love were ever like to mine ,
+As sure I think did never man love so ,
+How many actions most ridiculous
+Hast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy ?
+
+Into a thousand that I have forgotten .
+
+O ! thou didst then ne'er love so heartily .
+If thou remember'st not the slightest folly
+That ever love did make thee run into ,
+Thou hast not lov'd :
+Or if thou hast not sat as I do now ,
+Wearing thy hearer with thy mistress' praise ,
+Thou hast not lov'd :
+Or if thou hast not broke from company
+Abruptly , as my passion now makes me ,
+Thou hast not lov'd . O Phebe , Phebe , Phebe !
+
+
+Alas , poor shepherd ! searching of thy wound ,
+I have by hard adventure found mine own .
+
+And I mine . I remember , when I was in love I broke my sword upon a stone , and bid him take that for coming a-night to Jane Smile ; and I remember the kissing of her batler , and the cow's dugs that her pretty chopped hands had milked ; and I remember the wooing of a peascod instead of her , from whom I took two cods , and giving her them again , said with weeping tears , 'Wear these for my sake .' We that are true lovers run into strange capers ; but as all is mortal in nature , so is all nature in love mortal in folly .
+
+Thou speakest wiser than thou art ware of .
+
+Nay , I shall ne'er be ware of mine own wit till I break my shins against it .
+
+Jove , Jove ! this shepherd's passion
+Is much upon my fashion .
+
+And mine ; but it grows something stale with me .
+
+I pray you , one of you question yond man ,
+If he for gold will give us any food :
+I faint almost to death .
+
+Holla , you clown !
+
+Peace , fool : he's not thy kinsman .
+
+Who calls ?
+
+Your betters , sir .
+
+Else are they very wretched .
+
+Peace , I say . Good even to you , friend .
+
+And to you , gentle sir , and to you all .
+
+I prithee , shepherd , if that love or gold
+Can in this desert place buy entertainment ,
+Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed .
+Here's a young maid with travel much oppress'd ,
+And faints for succour .
+
+Fair sir , I pity her ,
+And wish , for her sake more than for mine own ,
+My fortunes were more able to relieve her ;
+But I am shepherd to another man ,
+And do not shear the fleeces that I graze :
+My master is of churlish disposition
+And little recks to find the way to heaven
+By doing deeds of hospitality .
+Besides , his cote , his flocks , and bounds of feed
+Are now on sale ; and at our sheepcote now ,
+By reason of his absence , there is nothing
+That you will feed on ; but what is , come see ,
+And in my voice most welcome shall you be .
+
+What is he that shall buy his flock and pasture ?
+
+That young swain that you saw here but erewhile ,
+That little cares for buying anything .
+
+I pray thee , if it stand with honesty ,
+Buy thou the cottage , pasture , and the flock ,
+And thou shalt have to pay for it of us .
+
+And we will mend thy wages . I like this place ,
+And willingly could waste my time in it .
+
+Assuredly the thing is to be sold :
+Go with me : if you like upon report
+The soil , the profit , and this kind of life ,
+I will your very faithful feeder be ,
+And buy it with your gold right suddenly .
+
+
+Under the greenwood tree
+Who loves to lie with me ,
+And turn his merry note
+Unto the sweet bird's throat ,
+Come hither , come hither , come hither :
+Here shall he see
+No enemy
+But winter and rough weather .
+
+More , more , I prithee , more .
+
+It will make you melancholy , Monsieur Jaques .
+
+I thank it . More ! I prithee , more . I can suck melancholy out of a song as a weasel sucks eggs . More ! I prithee , more .
+
+My voice is ragged ; I know I cannot please you .
+
+I do not desire you to please me ; I do desire you to sing . Come , more ; another stanzo : call you them stanzos ?
+
+What you will , Monsieur Jaques .
+
+Nay , I care not for their names ; they owe me nothing . Will you sing ?
+
+More at your request than to please myself .
+
+Well then , if ever I thank any man , I'll thank you : but that they call compliment is like the encounter of two dog-apes , and when a man thanks me heartily , methinks I have given him a penny and he renders me the beggarly thanks . Come , sing ; and you that will not , hold your tongues .
+
+Well , I'll end the song . Sirs , cover the while ; the duke will drink under this tree . He hath been all this day to look you .
+
+And I have been all this day to avoid him . He is too disputable for my company : I think of as many matters as he , but I give heaven thanks , and make no boast of them . Come , warble ; come .
+
+Who doth ambition shun ,
+
+And loves to live i' the sun ,
+Secking the food he eats ,
+And pleas'd with what he gets .
+Come hither , come hither , come hither :
+Here shall he see
+No enemy
+But winter and rough weather .
+
+I'll give you a verse to this note , that I made yesterday in despite of my invention .
+
+And I'll sing it .
+
+Thus it goes :
+
+If it do come to pass
+That any man turn ass ,
+Leaving his wealth and ease ,
+A stubborn will to please ,
+Ducdame , ducdame , ducdame :
+Here shall he see
+Gross fools as he ,
+An if he will come to me .
+
+
+What's that 'ducdame ?'
+
+'Tis a Greek invocation to call fools into a circle . I'll go sleep if I can ; if I cannot , I'll rail against all the first-born of Egypt .
+
+And I'll go seek the duke : his banquet is prepared .
+
+
+Dear master , I can go no further : O ! I die for food . Here lie I down , and measure out my grave . Farewell , kind master .
+
+Why , how now , Adam ! no greater heart in thee ? Live a little ; comfort a little ; cheer thyself a little . If this uncouth forest yield anything savage , I will either be food for it , or bring it for food to thee . Thy conceit is nearer death than thy powers . For my sake be comfortable , hold death awhile at the arm's end , I will here be with thee presently , and if I bring thee not something to eat , I will give thee leave to die ; but if thou diest before I come , thou art a mocker of my labour . Well said ! thou lookest cheerly , and I'll be with thee quickly . Yet thou liest in the bleak air : come I will bear thee to some shelter , and thou shalt not die for lack of a dinner , if there live anything in this desert . Cheerly , good Adam .
+
+
+I think he be transform'd into a beast ,
+For I can nowhere find him like a man .
+
+My lord , he is but even now gone hence :
+Here was he merry , hearing of a song .
+
+If he , compact of jars , grow musical ,
+We shall have shortly discord in the spheres .
+Go , seek him : tell him I would speak with him .
+
+He saves my labour by his own approach .
+
+
+Why , how now , monsieur ! what a life is this ,
+That your poor friends must woo your company ?
+What , you look merrily !
+
+A fool , a fool ! I met a fool i' the forest ,
+A motley fool ; a miserable world !
+As I do live by food , I met a fool ;
+Who laid him down and bask'd him in the sun ,
+And rail'd on Lady Fortune in good terms ,
+In good set terms , and yet a motley fool .
+'Good morrow , fool ,' quoth I . 'No , sir ,' quoth he ,
+'Call me not fool till heaven hath sent me fortune .'
+And then he drew a dial from his poke ,
+And , looking on it with lack-lustre eye ,
+Says very wisely , 'It is ten o'clock ;
+Thus may we see ,' quoth he , 'how the world wags :
+'Tis but an hour ago since it was nine ,
+And after one hour more 'twill be eleven ;
+And so , from hour to hour we ripe and ripe ,
+And then from hour to hour we rot and rot ,
+And thereby hangs a tale .' When I did hear
+The motley fool thus moral on the time ,
+My lungs began to crow like chanticleer ,
+That fools should be so deep-contemplative ,
+And I did laugh sans intermission
+An hour by his dial . O noble fool !
+A worthy fool ! Motley's the only wear .
+
+What fool is this ?
+
+O worthy fool ! One that hath been a courtier ,
+And says , if ladies be but young and fair ,
+They have the gift to know it ; and in his brain ,
+Which is as dry as the remainder biscuit
+After a voyage ,he hath strange places cramm'd
+With observation , the which he vents
+In mangled forms . O that I were a fool !
+I am ambitious for a motley coat .
+
+Thou shalt have one .
+
+It is my only suit ;
+Provided that you weed your better judgments
+Of all opinion that grows rank in them
+That I am wise . I must have liberty
+Withal , as large a charter as the wind ,
+To blow on whom I please ; for so fools have :
+And they that are most galled with my folly ,
+They most must laugh . And why , sir , must they so ?
+The 'why' is plain as way to parish church :
+He that a fool doth very wisely hit
+Doth very foolishly , although he smart ,
+Not to seem senseless of the bob ; if not ,
+The wise man's folly is anatomiz'd
+Even by the squandering glances of the fool .
+Invest me in my motley ; give me leave
+To speak my mind , and I will through and through
+Cleanse the foul body of th' infected world ,
+If they will patiently receive my medicine .
+
+Fie on thee ! I can tell what thou wouldst do .
+
+What , for a counter , would I do , but good ?
+
+Most mischievous foul sin , in chiding sin :
+For thou thyself hast been a libertine ,
+As sensual as the brutish sting itself ;
+And all the embossed sores and headed evils ,
+That thou with licence of free foot hast caught ,
+Wouldst thou disgorge into the general world .
+
+Why , who cries out on pride ,
+That can therein tax any private party ?
+Doth it not flow as hugely as the sea ,
+Till that the weary very means do ebb ?
+What woman in the city do I name ,
+When that I say the city-woman bears
+The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders ?
+Who can come in and say that I mean her ,
+When such a one as she such is her neighbour ?
+Or what is he of basest function ,
+That says his bravery is not on my cost ,
+Thinking that I mean him ,but therein suits
+His folly to the mettle of my speech ?
+There then ; how then ? what then ? Let me see wherein
+My tongue hath wrong'd him : if it do him right ,
+Then he hath wrong'd himself ; if he be free ,
+Why then , my taxing like a wild goose flies ,
+Unclaim'd of any man . But who comes here ?
+
+
+Forbear , and eat no more .
+
+Why , I have eat none yet .
+
+Nor shalt not , till necessity be serv'd .
+
+Of what kind should this cock come of ?
+
+Art thou thus bolden'd , man , by thy distress ,
+Or else a rude despiser of good manners ,
+That in civility thou seem'st so empty ?
+
+You touch'd my vein at first : the thorny point
+Of bare distress hath ta'en from me the show
+Of smooth civility ; yet I am inland bred
+And know some nurture . But forbear , I say :
+He dies that touches any of this fruit
+Till I and my affairs are answered .
+
+An you will not be answered with reason ,
+I must die .
+
+What would you have ? Your gentleness shall force
+More than your force move us to gentleness .
+
+I almost die for food ; and let me have it .
+
+Sit down and feed , and welcome to our table .
+
+Speak you so gently ? Pardon me , I pray you :
+I thought that all things had been savage here ,
+And therefore put I on the countenance
+Of stern commandment . But whate'er you are
+That in this desert inaccessible ,
+Under the shade of melancholy boughs ,
+Lose and neglect the creeping hours of time ;
+If ever you have look'd on better days ,
+If ever been where bells have knoll'd to church ,
+If ever sat at any good man's feast ,
+If ever from your eyelids wip'd a tear ,
+And know what 'tis to pity , and be pitied ,
+Let gentleness my strong enforcement be :
+In the which hope I blush , and hide my sword .
+
+True is it that we have seen better days ,
+And have with holy bell been knoll'd to church ,
+And sat at good men's feasts , and wip'd our eyes
+Of drops that sacred pity hath engender'd ;
+And therefore sit you down in gentleness
+And take upon command what help we have
+That to your wanting may be minister'd .
+
+Then but forbear your food a little while ,
+Whiles , like a doe , I go to find my fawn
+And give it food . There is an old poor man ,
+Who after me hath many a weary step
+Limp'd in pure love : till he be first suffic'd ,
+Oppress'd with two weak evils , age and hunger ,
+I will not touch a bit .
+
+Go find him out ,
+And we will nothing waste till you return .
+
+I thank ye ; and be bless'd for your good comfort !
+
+
+Thou seest we are not all alone unhappy :
+This wide and universal theatre
+Presents more woful pageants than the scene
+Wherein we play in .
+
+All the world's a stage ,
+And all the men and women merely players :
+They have their exits and their entrances ;
+And one man in his time plays many parts ,
+His acts being seven ages . At first the infant ,
+Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms .
+And then the whining school-boy , with his satchel ,
+And shining morning face , creeping like snail
+Unwillingly to school . And then the lover ,
+Sighing like furnace , with a woful ballad
+Made to his mistress' eyebrow . Then a soldier ,
+Full of strange oaths , and bearded like the pard ,
+Jealous in honour , sudden and quick in quarrel ,
+Seeking the bubble reputation
+Even in the cannon's mouth . And then the justice ,
+In fair round belly with good capon lin'd ,
+With eyes severe , and beard of formal cut ,
+Full of wise saws and modern instances ;
+And so he plays his part . The sixth age shifts
+Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon ,
+With spectacles on nose and pouch on side ,
+His youthful hose well sav'd , a world too wide
+For his shrunk shank ; and his big manly voice ,
+Turning again toward childish treble , pipes
+And whistles in his sound . Last scene of all ,
+That ends this strange eventful history ,
+Is second childishness and mere oblivion ,
+Sans teeth , sans eyes , sans taste , sans everything .
+
+
+Welcome . Set down your venerable burden ,
+And let him feed .
+
+I thank you most for him .
+
+So had you need :
+I scarce can speak to thank you for myself .
+
+Welcome ; fall to : I will not trouble you
+As yet , to question you about your fortunes .
+Give us some music ; and , good cousin , sing .
+
+Blow , blow , thou winter wind ,
+Thou art not so unkind
+As man's ingratitude ;
+Thy tooth is not so keen ,
+Because thou art not seen ,
+Although thy breath be rude .
+Heigh-ho ! sing , heigh-ho ! unto the green holly :
+Most friendship is feigning , most loving mere folly .
+Then heigh-ho ! the holly !
+This life is most jolly .
+Freeze , freeze , thou bitter sky ,
+That dost not bite so nigh
+As benefits forgot :
+Though thou the waters warp ,
+Thy sting is not so sharp
+As friend remember'd not .
+Heigh-ho ! sing , heigh-ho ! unto the green holly :
+Most friendship is feigning , most loving mere folly .
+Then heigh-ho ! the holly !
+This life is most jolly .
+
+If that you were the good Sir Rowland's son ,
+As you have whisper'd faithfully you were ,
+And as mine eye doth his effigies witness
+Most truly limn'd and living in your face ,
+Be truly welcome hither : I am the duke
+That lov'd your father : the residue of your fortune ,
+Go to my cave and tell me . Good old man ,
+Thou art right welcome as thy master is .
+Support him by the arm . Give me your hand ,
+And let me all your fortunes understand .
+
+Not seen him since ! Sir , sir , that cannot be :
+But were I not the better part made mercy ,
+I should not seek an absent argument
+Of my revenge , thou present . But look to it :
+Find out thy brother , wheresoe'er he is ;
+Seek him with candle ; bring him , dead or living ,
+Within this twelvemonth , or turn thou no more
+To seek a living in our territory .
+Thy lands and all things that thou dost call thine
+Worth seizure , do we seize into our hands ,
+Till thou canst quit thee by thy brother's mouth
+Of what we think against thee .
+
+O that your highness knew my heart in this !
+I never lov'd my brother in my life .
+
+More villain thou . Well , push him out of doors ;
+And let my officers of such a nature
+Make an extent upon his house and lands .
+Do this expediently and turn him going .
+
+
+Hang there , my verse , in witness of my love :
+And thou , thrice-crowned queen of night , survey
+With thy chaste eye , from thy pale sphere above ,
+Thy huntress' name , that my full life doth sway .
+O Rosalind ! these trees shall be my books ,
+And in their barks my thoughts I'll character ,
+That every eye , which in this forest looks ,
+Shall see thy virtue witness'd everywhere .
+Run , run , Orlando : carve on every tree
+The fair , the chaste , and unexpressive she .
+
+And how like you this shepherd's life , Master Touchstone ?
+
+Truly , shepherd , in respect of itself , it is a good life ; but in respect that it is a shepherd's life , it is naught . In respect that it is solitary , I like it very well ; but in respect that it is private , it is a very vile life . Now , in respect it is in the fields , it pleaseth me well ; but in respect it is not in the court , it is tedious . As it is a spare life , look you , it fits my humour well ; but as there is no more plenty in it , it goes much against my stomach . Hast any philosophy in thee , shepherd ?
+
+No more but that I know the more one sickens the worse at ease he is ; and that he that wants money , means , and content , is without three good friends ; that the property of rain is to wet , and fire to burn ; that good pasture makes fat sheep , and that a great cause of the night is lack of the sun ; that he that hath learned no wit by nature nor art may complain of good breeding , or comes of a very dull kindred .
+
+Such a one is a natural philosopher . Wast ever in court , shepherd ?
+
+No , truly .
+
+Then thou art damned .
+
+Nay , I hope .
+
+Truly , thou art damned like an ill-roasted egg , all on one side .
+
+For not being at court ? Your reason .
+
+Why , if thou never wast at court , thou never sawest good manners ; if thou never sawest good manners , then thy manners must be wicked ; and wickedness is sin , and sin is damnation . Thou art in a parlous state , shepherd .
+
+Not a whit , Touchstone : those that are good manners at the court , are as ridiculous in the country as the behaviour of the country is most mockable at the court . You told me you salute not at the court , but you kiss your hands ; that courtesy would be uncleanly if courtiers were shepherds .
+
+Instance , briefly ; come , instance .
+
+Why , we are still handling our ewes , and their fells , you know , are greasy .
+
+Why , do not your courtier's hands sweat ? and is not the grease of a mutton as wholesome as the sweat of a man ? Shallow , shallow . A better instance , I say ; come .
+
+Besides , our hands are hard .
+
+Your lips will feel them the sooner : shallow again . A more sounder instance ; come .
+
+And they are often tarred over with the surgery of our sheep ; and would you have us kiss tar ? The courtier's hands are perfumed with civet .
+
+Most shallow man ! Thou worms-meat , in respect of a good piece of flesh , indeed ! Learn of the wise , and perpend : civet is of a baser birth than tar , the very uncleanly flux of a cat . Mend the instance , shepherd .
+
+You have too courtly a wit for me : I'll rest .
+
+Wilt thou rest damned ? God help thee , shallow man ! God make incision in thee ! thou art raw .
+
+Sir , I am a true labourer : I earn that I eat , get that I wear , owe no man hate , envy no man's happiness , glad of other men's good , content with my harm ; and the greatest of my pride is to see my ewes graze and my lambs suck .
+
+That is another simple sin in you , to bring the ewes and the rams together , and to offer to get your living by the copulation of cattle ; to be bawd to a bell-wether , and to betray a she-lamb of a twelvemonth to a crooked-pated , old , cuckoldy ram , out of all reasonable match . If thou be'st not damned for this , the devil himself will have no shepherds : I cannot see else how thou shouldst 'scape .
+
+Here comes young Master Ganymede , my new mistress's brother .
+
+From the east to western Ind ,
+No jewel is like Rosalind
+Her worth , being mounted on the wind ,
+Through all the world bears Rosalind .
+All the pictures fairest lin'd
+Are but black to Rosalind .
+Let no face be kept in mind ,
+But the fair of Rosalind .
+
+
+I'll rime you so , eight years together , dinners and suppers and sleeping hours excepted : it is the right butter-women's rank to market .
+
+Out , fool !
+
+For a taste :
+
+If a hart do lack a hind ,
+Let him seek out Rosalind .
+If the cat will after kind ,
+So be sure will Rosalind .
+Winter-garments must be lin'd ,
+So must slender Rosalind .
+They that reap must sheaf and bind ,
+Then to cart with Rosalind .
+Sweetest nut hath sourest rind ,
+Such a nut is Rosalind .
+He that sweetest rose will find
+Must find love's prick and Rosalind .
+
+This is the very false gallop of verses : why do you infect yourself with them ?
+
+Peace ! you dull fool : I found them on a tree .
+
+Truly , the tree yields bad fruit .
+
+I'll graff it with you , and then I shall graff it with a medlar : then it will be the earliest fruit i' the country ; for you'll be rotten ere you be half ripe , and that's the right virtue of the medlar .
+
+You have said ; but whether wisely or no , let the forest judge .
+
+
+Peace !
+Here comes my sister , reading : stand aside .
+
+
+Why should this a desert be ?
+For it is unpeopled ? No ;
+Tongues I'll hang on every tree ,
+That shall civil sayings show .
+Some , how brief the life of man
+Runs his erring pilgrimage ,
+That the stretching of a span
+Buckles in his sum of age ;
+Some , of violated vows
+'Twixt the souls of friend and friend :
+But upon the fairest boughs ,
+Or at every sentence' end ,
+Will I Rosalinda write ;
+Teaching all that read to know
+The quintessence of every sprite
+Heaven would in little show .
+Therefore Heaven Nature charg'd
+That one body should be fill'd
+With all graces wide enlarg'd :
+Nature presently distill'd
+Helen's cheek , but not her heart ,
+Cleopatra's majesty ,
+Atalanta's better part ,
+Sad Lucretia's modesty .
+Thus Rosalind of many parts
+By heavenly synod was devis'd
+Of many faces , eyes , and hearts ,
+To have the touches dearest priz'd .
+Heaven would that she these gifts should have ,
+And I to live and die her slave .
+
+
+O most gentle pulpiter ! what tedious homily of love have you wearied your parishioners withal , and never cried , 'Have patience , good people !'
+
+How now ! back , friends ! Shepherd , go off a little : go with him , sirrah .
+
+Come , shepherd , let us make an honourable retreat ; though not with bag and baggage , yet with scrip and scrippage .
+
+
+Didst thou hear these verses ?
+
+O , yes , I heard them all , and more too ; for some of them had in them more feet than the verses would bear .
+
+That's no matter : the feet might bear the verses .
+
+Ay , but the feet were lame , and could not bear themselves without the verse , and therefore stood lamely in the verse .
+
+But didst thou hear without wondering , how thy name should be hanged and carved upon these trees ?
+
+I was seven of the nine days out of the wonder before you came ; for look here what I found on a palm-tree : I was never so be-rimed since Pythagoras' time , that I was an Irish rat , which I can hardly remember .
+
+Trow you who hath done this ?
+
+Is it a man ?
+
+And a chain , that you once wore , about his neck . Change you colour ?
+
+I prithee , who ?
+
+O Lord , Lord ! it is a hard matter for friends to meet ; but mountains may be removed with earthquakes , and so encounter .
+
+Nay , but who is it ?
+
+Is it possible ?
+
+Nay , I prithee now , with most petitionary vehemence , tell me who it is .
+
+O wonderful , wonderful , and most wonderful wonderful ! and yet again wonderful ! and after that , out of all whooping !
+
+Good my complexion ! dost thou think , though I am caparison'd like a man , I have a doublet and hose in my disposition ? One inch of delay more is a South-sea of discovery ; I prithee , tell me who is it quickly , and speak apace . I would thou couldst stammer , that thou mightst pour this concealed man out of thy mouth , as wine comes out of a narrow-mouth'd bottle ; either too much at once , or none at all . I prithee , take the cork out of thy mouth , that I may drink thy tidings .
+
+So you may put a man in your belly .
+
+Is he of God's making ? What manner of man ? Is his head worth a hat , or his chin worth a beard ?
+
+Nay , he hath but a little beard .
+
+Why , God will send more , if the man will be thankful . Let me stay the growth of his beard , if thou delay me not the knowledge of his chin .
+
+It is young Orlando , that tripped up the wrestler's heels and your heart both , in an instant .
+
+Nay , but the devil take mocking : speak , sad brow and true maid .
+
+I' faith , coz , 'tis he .
+
+Orlando ?
+
+Orlando .
+
+Alas the day ! what shall I do with my doublet and hose ? What did he when thou sawest him ? What said he ? How looked he ? Wherein went he ? What makes he here ? Did he ask for me ? Where remains he ? How parted he with thee , and when shalt thou see him again ? Answer me in one word .
+
+You must borrow me Gargantua's mouth first : 'tis a word too great for any mouth of this age's size . To say ay and no to these particulars is more than to answer in a catechism .
+
+But doth he know that I am in this forest and in man's apparel ? Looks he as freshly as he did the day he wrestled ?
+
+It is as easy to count atomies as to resolve the propositions of a lover ; but take a taste of my finding him , and relish it with good observance . I found him under a tree , like a dropped acorn .
+
+It may well be called Jove's tree , when it drops forth such fruit .
+
+Give me audience , good madam .
+
+Proceed .
+
+There lay he , stretch'd along like a wounded knight .
+
+Though it be pity to see such a sight , it well becomes the ground .
+
+Cry 'holla !' to thy tongue , I prithee ; it curvets unseasonably . He was furnish'd like a hunter .
+
+O , ominous ! he comes to kill my heart .
+
+I would sing my song without a burthen : thou bringest me out of tune .
+
+Do you not know I am a woman ? when I think , I must speak . Sweet , say on .
+
+You bring me out . Soft ! comes he not here ?
+
+'Tis he : slink by , and note him .
+
+
+I thank you for your company ; but , good faith , I had as lief have been myself alone .
+
+And so had I ; but yet , for fashion' sake , I thank you too for your society .
+
+God be wi' you : let's meet as little as we can .
+
+I do desire we may be better strangers .
+
+I pray you , mar no more trees with writing love-songs in their barks .
+
+I pray you mar no more of my verses with reading them ill-favouredly .
+
+Rosalind is your love's name ?
+
+Yes , just .
+
+I do not like her name .
+
+There was no thought of pleasing you when she was christened .
+
+What stature is she of ?
+
+Just as high as my heart .
+
+You are full of pretty answers . Have you not been acquainted with goldsmiths' wives , and conn'd them out of rings ?
+
+Not so ; but I answer you right painted cloth , from whence you have studied your questions .
+
+You have a nimble wit : I think 'twas made of Atalanta's heels . Will you sit down with me ? and we two will rail against our mistress the world , and all our misery .
+
+I will chide no breather in the world but myself , against whom I know most faults .
+
+The worst fault you have is to be in love .
+
+'Tis a fault I will not change for your best virtue . I am weary of you .
+
+By my troth , I was seeking for a fool when I found you .
+
+He is drowned in the brook : look but in , and you shall see him .
+
+There I shall see mine own figure .
+
+Which I take to be either a fool or a cipher .
+
+I'll tarry no longer with you . Farewell , good Signior Love .
+
+I am glad of your departure . Adieu , good Monsieur Melancholy .
+
+
+I will speak to him like a saucy lackey , and under that habit play the knave with him . Do you hear , forester ?
+
+Very well : what would you ?
+
+I pray you , what is't o'clock ?
+
+You should ask me , what time o' day ; there's no clock in the forest .
+
+Then there is no true lover in the forest ; else sighing every minute and groaning every hour would detect the lazy foot of Time as well as a clock .
+
+And why not the swift foot of Time ? had not that been as proper ?
+
+By no means , sir . Time travels in divers paces with divers persons . I'll tell you who Time ambles withal , who Time trots withal , who Time gallops withal , and who he stands still withal .
+
+I prithee , who doth he trot withal ?
+
+Marry , he trots hard with a young maid between the contract of her marriage and the day it is solemnized ; if the interim be but a se'nnight , Time's pace is so hard that it seems the length of seven year .
+
+Who ambles Time withal ?
+
+With a priest that lacks Latin , and a rich man that hath not the gout ; for the one sleeps easily because he cannot study , and the other lives merrily because he feels no pain ; the one lacking the burden of lean and wasteful learning , the other knowing no burden of heavy tedious penury . These Time ambles withal .
+
+Who doth he gallop withal ?
+
+With a thief to the gallows ; for though he go as softly as foot can fall he thinks himself too soon there .
+
+Who stays it still withal ?
+
+With lawyers in the vacation ; for they sleep between term and term , and then they perceive not how Time moves .
+
+Where dwell you , pretty youth ?
+
+With this shepherdess , my sister ; here in the skirts of the forest , like fringe upon a petticoat .
+
+Are you native of this place ?
+
+As the cony , that you see dwell where she is kindled .
+
+Your accent is something finer than you could purchase in so removed a dwelling .
+
+I have been told so of many : but indeed an old religious uncle of mine taught me to speak , who was in his youth an inland man ; one that knew courtship too well , for there he fell in love . I have heard him read many lectures against it ; and I thank God , I am not a woman , to be touched with so many giddy offences as he hath generally taxed their whole sex withal .
+
+Can you remember any of the principal evils that he laid to the charge of women ?
+
+There were none principal ; they were all like one another as half-pence are ; every one fault seeming monstrous till his fellow fault came to match it .
+
+I prithee , recount some of them .
+
+No , I will not cast away my physic , but on those that are sick . There is a man haunts the forest , that abuses our young plants with carving 'Rosalind' on their barks ; hangs odes upon hawthorns , and elegies on brambles ; all , forsooth , deifying the name of Rosalind : if I could meet that fancy-monger , I would give him some good counsel , for he seems to have the quotidian of love upon him .
+
+I am he that is so love-shaked . I pray you , tell me your remedy .
+
+There is none of my uncle's marks upon you : he taught me how to know a man in love ; in which cage of rushes I am sure you are not prisoner .
+
+What were his marks ?
+
+A lean cheek , which you have not ; a blue eye and sunken , which you have not ; an unquestionable spirit , which you have not ; a beard neglected , which you have not : but I pardon you for that , for , simply , your having in beard is a younger brother's revenue . Then , your hose should be ungartered , your bonnet unbanded , your sleeve unbuttoned , your shoe untied , and everything about you demonstrating a careless desolation . But you are no such man : you are rather point-device in your accoutrements ; as loving yourself than seeming the lover of any other .
+
+Fair youth , I would I could make thee believe I love .
+
+Me believe it ! you may as soon make her that you love believe it ; which , I warrant , she is apter to do than to confess she does ; that is one of the points in the which women still give the lie to their consciences . But , in good sooth , are you he that hangs the verses on the trees , wherein Rosalind is so admired ?
+
+I swear to thee , youth , by the white hand of Rosalind , I am that he , that unfortunate he .
+
+But are you so much in love as your rimes speak ?
+
+Neither rime nor reason can express how much .
+
+Love is merely a madness , and , I tell you , deserves as well a dark house and a whip as madmen do ; and the reason why they are not so punished and cured is , that the lunacy is so ordinary that the whippers are in love too . Yet I profess curing it by counsel .
+
+Did you ever cure any so ?
+
+Yes , one ; and in this manner . He was to imagine me his love , his mistress ; and I set him every day to woo me : at which time would I , being but a moonish youth , grieve , be effeminate , changeable , longing and liking ; proud , fantastical , apish , shallow , inconstant , full of tears , full of smiles , for every passion something , and for no passion truly anything , as boys and women are , for the most part , cattle of this colour ; would now like him , now loathe him ; then entertain him , then forswear him ; now weep for him , then spit at him ; that I drave my suitor from his mad humour of love to a living humour of madness , which was , to forswear the full stream of the world , and to live in a nook merely monastic . And thus I cured him ; and this way will I take upon me to wash your liver as clean as a sound sheep's heart , that there shall not be one spot of love in't .
+
+I would not be cured , youth .
+
+I would cure you , if you would but call me Rosalind , and come every day to my cote and woo me .
+
+Now , by the faith of my love , I will : tell me where it is .
+
+Go with me to it and I'll show it you ; and by the way you shall tell me where in the forest you live . Will you go ?
+
+With all my heart , good youth .
+
+Nay , you must call me Rosalind . Come , sister , will you go ?
+
+
+Come apace , good Audrey : I will fetch up your goats , Audrey . And how , Audrey ? am I the man yet ? doth my simple feature content you ?
+
+Your features ! Lord warrant us ! what features ?
+
+I am here with thee and thy goats , as the most capricious poet , honest Ovid , was among the Goths .
+
+O knowledge ill-inhabited , worse than Jove in a thatch'd house !
+
+When a man's verses cannot be understood , nor a man's good wit seconded with the forward child Understanding , it strikes a man more dead than a great reckoning in a little room . Truly , I would the gods had made thee poetical .
+
+I do not know what 'poetical' is . Is it honest in deed and word ? Is it a true thing ?
+
+No , truly , for the truest poetry is the most feigning ; and lovers are given to poetry , and what they swear in poetry may be said as lovers they do feign .
+
+Do you wish then that the gods had made me poetical ?
+
+I do , truly ; for thou swearest to me thou art honest : now , if thou wert a poet , I might have some hope thou didst feign .
+
+Would you not have me honest ?
+
+No , truly , unless thou wert hard-favour'd ; for honesty coupled to beauty is to have honey a sauce to sugar .
+
+A material fool .
+
+Well , I am not fair , and therefore I pray the gods make me honest .
+
+Truly , and to cast away honesty upon a foul slut were to put good meat into an unclean dish .
+
+I am not a slut , though I thank the gods I am foul .
+
+Well , praised be the gods for thy foulness ! sluttishness may come hereafter . But be it as it may be , I will marry thee ; and to that end I have been with Sir Oliver Martext , the vicar of the next village , who hath promised to meet me in this place of the forest , and to couple us .
+
+I would fain see this meeting .
+
+Well , the gods give us joy !
+
+Amen . A man may , if he were of a fearful heart , stagger in this attempt ; for here we have no temple but the wood , no assembly but horn-beasts . But what though ? Courage ! As horns are odious , they are necessary . It is said , 'many a man knows no end of his goods :' right ; many a man has good horns , and knows no end of them . Well , that is the dowry of his wife ; 'tis none of his own getting . Horns ? Even so . Poor men alone ? No , no ; the noblest deer hath them as huge as the rascal . Is the single man therefore blessed ? No : as a walled town is more worthier than a village , so is the forehead of a married man more honourable than the bare brow of a bachelor ; and by how much defence is better than no skill , by so much is a horn more precious than to want . Here comes Sir Oliver .
+
+Sir Oliver Martext , you are well met : will you dispatch us here under this tree , or shall we go with you to your chapel ?
+
+Is there none here to give the woman ?
+
+I will not take her on gift of any man .
+
+Truly , she must be given , or the marriage is not lawful .
+
+Proceed , proceed : I'll give her .
+
+Good even , good Master What-ye-call't . how do you , sir ? You are very well met : God 'ild you for your last company : I am very glad to see you : even a toy in hand here , sir : nay , pray be covered .
+
+Will you be married , motley ?
+
+As the ox hath his bow , sir , the horse his curb , and the falcon her bells , so man hath his desires ; and as pigeons bill , so wedlock would be nibbling .
+
+And will you , being a man of your breeding , be married under a bush , like a beggar ? Get you to church , and have a good priest that can tell you what marriage is : this fellow will but join you together as they join wainscot ; then one of you will prove a shrunk panel , and like green timber , warp , warp .
+
+I am not in the mind but I were better to be married of him than of another : for he is not like to marry me well , and not being well married , it will be a good excuse for me hereafter to leave my wife .
+
+Go thou with me , and let me counsel thee .
+
+Come , sweet Audrey :
+We must be married , or we must live in bawdry .
+Farewell , good Master Oliver : not
+
+O sweet Oliver !
+O brave Oliver !
+Leave me not behind thee :
+
+but ,
+
+Wind away ,
+Begone , I say ,
+I will not to wedding with thee .
+
+'Tis no matter : ne'er a fantastical knave of them all shall flout me out of my calling .
+
+
+Never talk to me : I will weep .
+
+Do , I prithee ; but yet have the grace to consider that tears do not become a man .
+
+But have I not cause to weep ?
+
+As good cause as one would desire ; therefore weep .
+
+His very hair is of the dissembling colour .
+
+Something browner than Judas's ; marry , his kisses are Judas's own children .
+
+I' faith , his hair is of a good colour .
+
+An excellent colour : your chesnut was ever the only colour .
+
+And his kissing is as full of sanctity as the touch of holy bread .
+
+He hath bought a pair of cast lips of Diana : a nun of winter's sisterhood kisses not more religiously ; the very ice of chastity is in them .
+
+But why did he swear he would come this morning , and comes not ?
+
+Nay , certainly , there is no truth in him .
+
+Do you think so ?
+
+Yes : I think he is not a pick-purse nor a horse-stealer ; but for his verity in love , I do think him as concave as a covered goblet or a worm-eaten nut .
+
+Not true in love ?
+
+Yes , when he is in ; but I think he is not in .
+
+You have heard him swear downright he was .
+
+'Was' is not 'is :' besides , the oath of a lover is no stronger than the word of a tapster ; they are both the confirmers of false reckonings . He attends here in the forest on the duke your father .
+
+I met the duke yesterday and had much question with him . He asked me of what parentage I was ; I told him , of as good as he ; so he laughed , and let me go . But what talk we of fathers , when there is such a man as Orlando ?
+
+O , that's a brave man ! he writes brave verses , speaks brave words , swears brave oaths , and breaks them bravely , quite traverse , athwart the heart of his lover ; as a puisny tilter , that spurs his horse but on one side , breaks his staff like a noble goose . But all's brave that youth mounts and folly guides . Who comes here ?
+
+
+Mistress and master , you have oft inquir'd
+After the shepherd that complain'd of love ,
+Who you saw sitting by me on the turf ,
+Praising the proud disdainful shepherdess
+That was his mistress .
+
+Well , and what of him ?
+
+If you will see a pageant truly play'd ,
+Between the pale complexion of true love
+And the red glow of scorn and proud disdain ,
+Go hence a little , and I shall conduct you ,
+If you will mark it .
+
+O ! come , let us remove :
+The sight of lovers feedeth those in love .
+Bring us to this sight , and you shall say
+I'll prove a busy actor in their play .
+
+
+Sweet Phebe , do not scorn me ; do not , Phebe :
+Say that you love me not , but say not so
+In bitterness . The common executioner ,
+Whose heart the accustom'd sight of death makes hard ,
+Falls not the axe upon the humbled neck
+But first begs pardon : will you sterner be
+Than he that dies and lives by bloody drops ?
+
+
+I would not be thy executioner :
+I fly thee , for I would not injure thee .
+Thou tell'st me there is murder in mine eye :
+'Tis pretty , sure , and very probable ,
+That eyes , that are the frail'st and softest things ,
+Who shut their coward gates on atomies ,
+Should be call'd tyrants , butchers , murderers !
+Now I do frown on thee with all my heart ;
+And , if mine eyes can wound , now let them kill thee ;
+Now counterfeit to swound ; why now fall down ;
+Or , if thou canst not , O ! for shame , for shame ,
+Lie not , to say mine eyes are murderers .
+Now show the wound mine eye hath made in thee ;
+Scratch thee but with a pin , and there remains
+Some scar of it ; lean but upon a rush ,
+The cicatrice and capable impressure
+Thy palm some moment keeps ; but now mine eyes ,
+Which I have darted at thee , hurt thee not ,
+Nor , I am sure , there is no force in eyes
+That can do hurt .
+
+O dear Phebe ,
+If ever ,as that ever may be near ,
+You meet in some fresh cheek the power of fancy ,
+Then shall you know the wounds invisible
+That love's keen arrows make .
+
+But , till that time
+Come not thou near me ; and , when that time comes ,
+Afflict me with thy mocks , pity me not ;
+As , till that time I shall not pity thee .
+
+And why , I pray you ? Who might be your mother ,
+That you insult , exult , and all at once ,
+Over the wretched ? What though you have no beauty ,
+As by my faith , I see no more in you
+Than without candle may go dark to bed ,
+Must you be therefore proud and pitiless ?
+Why , what means this ? Why do you look on me ?
+I see no more in you than in the ordinary
+Of nature's sale-work . Od's my little life !
+I think she means to tangle my eyes too .
+No , faith , proud mistress , hope not after it :
+'Tis not your inky brows , your black silk hair ,
+Your bugle eyeballs , nor your cheek of cream ,
+That can entame my spirits to your worship .
+You foolish shepherd , wherefore do you follow her ,
+Like foggy south puffing with wind and rain ?
+You are a thousand times a properer man
+Than she a woman : 'tis such fools as you
+That make the world full of ill-favour'd children :
+'Tis not her glass , but you , that flatters her ;
+And out of you she sees herself more proper
+Than any of her lineaments can show her .
+But , mistress , know yourself : down on your knees ,
+And thank heaven , fasting , for a good man's love :
+For I must tell you friendly in your ear ,
+Sell when you can ; you are not for all markets .
+Cry the man mercy ; love him ; take his offer :
+Foul is most foul , being foul to be a scoffer .
+So take her to thee , shepherd . Fare you well .
+
+Sweet youth , I pray you , chide a year together :
+I had rather hear you chide than this man woo .
+
+He's fallen in love with her foulness , and she'll fall in love with my anger . If it be so , as fast as she answers thee with frowning looks , I'll sauce her with bitter words . Why look you so upon me ?
+
+For no ill will I bear you .
+
+I pray you , do not fall in love with me ,
+For I am falser than vows made in wine :
+Besides , I like you not . If you will know my house ,
+'Tis at the tuft of olives here hard by .
+Will you go , sister ? Shepherd , ply her hard .
+Come , sister . Shepherdess , look on him better ,
+And be not proud : though all the world could see ,
+None could be so abus'd in sight as he .
+Come , to our flock .
+
+
+Dead shepherd , now I find thy saw of might :
+'Who ever lov'd that lov'd not at first sight ?'
+
+Sweet Phebe ,
+
+Ha ! what sayst thou , Silvius ?
+
+Sweet Phebe , pity me .
+
+Why , I am sorry for thee , gentle Silvius .
+
+Wherever sorrow is , relief would be :
+If you do sorrow at my grief in love ,
+By giving love your sorrow and my grief
+Were both extermin'd .
+
+Thou hast my love : is not that neighbourly ?
+
+I would have you .
+
+Why , that were covetousness .
+Silvius , the time was that I hated thee ;
+And yet it is not that I bear thee love :
+But since that thou canst talk of love so well ,
+Thy company , which erst was irksome to me ,
+I will endure , and I'll employ thee too ;
+But do not look for further recompense
+Than thine own gladness that thou art employ'd .
+
+So holy and so perfect is my love ,
+And I in such a poverty of grace ,
+That I shall think it a most plenteous crop
+To glean the broken ears after the man
+That the main harvest reaps : loose now and then
+A scatter'd smile , and that I'll live upon .
+
+Know'st thou the youth that spoke to me erewhile ?
+
+Not very well , but I have met him oft ;
+And he hath bought the cottage and the bounds
+That the old carlot once was master of .
+
+Think not I love him , though I ask for him .
+'Tis but a peevish boy ; yet he talks well ;
+But what care I for words ? yet words do well ,
+When he that speaks them pleases those that hear .
+It is a pretty youth : not very pretty :
+But , sure , he's proud ; and yet his pride becomes him :
+He'll make a proper man : the best thing in him
+Is his complexion ; and faster than his tongue
+Did make offence his eye did heal it up .
+He is not very tall ; yet for his years he's tall :
+His leg is but so so ; and yet 'tis well :
+There was a pretty redness in his lip ,
+A little riper and more lusty red
+Than that mix'd in his cheek ; 'twas just the difference
+Betwixt the constant red and mingled damask .
+There be some women , Silvius , had they mark'd him
+In parcels as I did , would have gone near
+To fall in love with him ; but , for my part ,
+I love him not nor hate him not ; and yet
+Have more cause to hate him than to love him :
+For what had he to do to chide at me ?
+He said mine eyes were black and my hair black ;
+And , now I am remember'd , scorn'd at me .
+I marvel why I answer'd not again :
+But that's all one ; omittance is no quittance .
+I'll write to him a very taunting letter ,
+And thou shalt bear it : wilt thou , Silvius ?
+
+Phebe , with all my heart .
+
+I'll write it straight ;
+The matter's in my head and in my heart :
+I will be bitter with him and passing short .
+Go with me , Silvius .
+
+I prithee , pretty youth , let me be better acquainted with thee .
+
+They say you are a melancholy fellow .
+
+I am so ; I do love it better than laughing .
+
+Those that are in extremity of either are abominable fellows , and betray themselves to every modern censure worse than drunkards .
+
+Why , 'tis good to be sad and say nothing .
+
+Why , then , 'tis good to be a post .
+
+I have neither the scholar's melancholy , which is emulation ; nor the musician's , which is fantastical ; nor the courtier's , which is proud ; nor the soldier's , which is ambitious ; nor the lawyer's , which is politic ; nor the lady's , which is nice ; nor the lover's , which is all these : but it is a melancholy of mine own , compounded of many simples , extracted from many objects , and indeed the sundry contemplation of my travels , which , by often rumination , wraps me in a most humorous sadness .
+
+A traveller ! By my faith , you have great reason to be sad . I fear you have sold your own lands to see other men's ; then , to have seen much and to have nothing , is to have rich eyes and poor hands .
+
+Yes , I have gained my experience .
+
+And your experience makes you sad : I had rather have a fool to make me merry than experience to make me sad : and to travel for it too !
+
+
+Good day , and happiness , dear Rosalind !
+
+Nay then , God be wi' you , an you talk in blank verse .
+
+
+Farewell , Monsieur Traveller : look you lisp , and wear strange suits , disable all the benefits of your own country , be out of love with your nativity , and almost chide God for making you that countenance you are ; or I will scarce think you have swam in a gondola . Why , how now , Orlando ! where have you been all this while ? You a lover ! An you serve me such another trick , never come in my sight more .
+
+My fair Rosalind , I come within an hour of my promise .
+
+Break an hour's promise in love ! He that will divide a minute into a thousand parts , and break but a part of the thousandth part of a minute in the affairs of love , it may be said of him that Cupid hath clapped him o' the shoulder , but I'll warrant him heart-whole .
+
+Pardon me , dear Rosalind .
+
+Nay , an you be so tardy , come no more in my sight : I had as lief be wooed of a snail .
+
+Of a snail !
+
+Ay , of a snail ; for though he comes slowly , he carries his house on his head ; a better jointure , I think , than you make a woman : besides , he brings his destiny with him .
+
+What's that ?
+
+Why , horns ; that such as you are fain to be beholding to your wives for : but he comes armed in his fortune and prevents the slander of his wife .
+
+Virtue is no horn-maker ; and my Rosalind is virtuous .
+
+And I am your Rosalind ?
+
+It pleases him to call you so ; but he hath a Rosalind of a better leer than you .
+
+Come , woo me , woo me ; for now I am in a holiday humour , and like enough to consent . What would you say to me now , an I were your very very Rosalind ?
+
+I would kiss before I spoke .
+
+Nay , you were better speak first , and when you were gravelled for lack of matter , you might take occasion to kiss . Very good orators , when they are out , they will spit ; and for lovers lacking ,God warn us !matter , the cleanliest shift is to kiss .
+
+How if the kiss be denied ?
+
+Then she puts you to entreaty , and there begins new matter .
+
+Who could be out , being before his beloved mistress ?
+
+Marry , that should you , if I were your mistress ; or I should think my honesty ranker than my wit .
+
+What , of my suit ?
+
+Not out of your apparel , and yet out of your suit . Am not I your Rosalind ?
+
+I take some joy to say you are , because I would be talking of her .
+
+Well , in her person I say I will not have you .
+
+Then in mine own person I die .
+
+No , faith , die by attorney . The poor world is almost six thousand years old , and in all this time there was not any man died in his own person , videlicet , in a love-cause . Troilus had his brains dashed out with a Grecian club ; yet he did what he could to die before , and he is one of the patterns of love . Leander , he would have lived many a fair year , though Hero had turned nun , if it had not been for a hot mid-summer night ; for , good youth , he went but forth to wash him in the Hellespont , and being taken with the cramp was drowned ; and the foolish coroners of that age found it was 'Hero of Sestos .' But these are all lies : men have died from time to time , and worms have eaten them , but not for love .
+
+I would not have my right Rosalind of this mind ; for , I protest , her frown might kill me .
+
+By this hand , it will not kill a fly . But come , now I will be your Rosalind in a more coming-on disposition ; and ask me what you will , I will grant it .
+
+Then love me , Rosalind .
+
+Yes , faith will I , Fridays and Saturdays and all .
+
+And wilt thou have me ?
+
+Ay , and twenty such .
+
+What sayest thou ?
+
+Are you not good ?
+
+I hope so .
+
+Why then , can one desire too much of a good thing ?Come , sister , you shall be the priest and marry us .Give me your hand , Orlando . What do you say , sister ?
+
+Pray thee , marry us .
+
+I cannot say the words .
+
+You must begin ,'Will you , Orlando ,'
+
+Go to .Will you , Orlando , have to wife this Rosalind ?
+
+I will .
+
+Ay , but when ?
+
+Why now ; as fast as she can marry us .
+
+Then you must say , 'I take thee , Rosalind , for wife .'
+
+I take thee , Rosalind , for wife .
+
+I might ask you for your commission ; but , I do take thee , Orlando , for my husband : there's a girl goes before the priest ; and , certainly , a woman's thought runs before her actions .
+
+So do all thoughts ; they are winged .
+
+Now tell me how long you would have her after you have possessed her ?
+
+For ever and a day .
+
+Say 'a day ,' without the 'ever .' No , no , Orlando ; men are April when they woo , December when they wed : maids are May when they are maids , but the sky changes when they are wives . I will be more jealous of thee than a Barbary cock-pigeon over his hen ; more clamorous than a parrot against rain ; more new-fangled than an ape ; more giddy in my desires than a monkey : I will weep for nothing , like Diana in the fountain , and I will do that when you are disposed to be merry ; I will laugh like a hyen , and that when thou art inclined to sleep .
+
+But will my Rosalind do so ?
+
+By my life , she will do as I do .
+
+O ! but she is wise .
+
+Or else she could not have the wit to do this : the wiser , the waywarder : make the doors upon a woman's wit , and it will out at the casement ; shut that , and 'twill out at the key-hole ; stop that , 'twill fly with the smoke out at the chimney .
+
+A man that hath a wife with such a wit , he might say , 'Wit , whither wilt ?'
+
+Nay , you might keep that check for it till you met your wife's wit going to your neighbour's bed .
+
+And what wit could wit have to excuse that ?
+
+Marry , to say she came to seek you there . You shall never take her without her answer , unless you take her without her tongue . O ! that woman that cannot make her fault her husband's occasion , let her never nurse her child herself , for she will breed it like a fool .
+
+For these two hours , Rosalind , I will leave thee .
+
+Alas ! dear love , I cannot lack thee two hours .
+
+I must attend the duke at dinner : by two o'clock I will be with thee again .
+
+Ay , go your ways , go your ways ; I knew what you would prove , my friends told me as much , and I thought no less : that flattering tongue of yours won me : 'tis but one cast away , and so , come , death ! Two o'clock is your hour ?
+
+Ay , sweet Rosalind .
+
+By my troth , and in good earnest , and so God mend me , and by all pretty oaths that are not dangerous , if you break one jot of your promise or come one minute behind your hour , I will think you the most pathetical break-promise , and the most hollow lover , and the most unworthy of her you call Rosalind , that may be chosen out of the gross band of the unfaithful . Therefore , beware my censure , and keep your promise .
+
+With no less religion than if thou wert indeed my Rosalind : so , adieu .
+
+Well , Time is the old justice that examines all such offenders , and let Time try . Adieu .
+
+
+You have simply misused our sex in your love-prate : we must have your doublot and hose plucked over your head , and show the world what the bird hath done to her own nest .
+
+O coz , coz , coz , my pretty little coz , that thou didst know how many fathom deep I am in love ! But it cannot be sounded : my affection hath an unknown bottom , like the bay of Portugal .
+
+Or rather , bottomless ; that as fast as you pour affection in , it runs out .
+
+No ; that same wicked bastard of Venus , that was begot of thought , conceived of spleen , and born of madness , that blind rascally boy that abuses every one's eyes because his own are out , let him be judge how deep I am in love . I'll tell thee , Aliena , I cannot be out of the sight of Orlando : I'll go find a shadow and sigh till he come .
+
+And I'll sleep .
+
+
+Which is he that killed the deer ?
+
+Sir , it was I .
+
+Let's present him to the duke , like a
+Roman conqueror ; and it would do well to set the deer's horns upon his head for a branch of victory . Have you no song , forester , for this purpose ?
+
+Yes , sir .
+
+Sing it : 'tis no matter how it be in tune so it make noise enough .
+
+What shall he have that kill'd the deer ?
+His leather skin and horns to wear .
+Then sing him home
+
+Take thou no scorn to wear the horn ;
+It was a crest ere thou wast born :
+Thy father's father wore it ,
+And thy father bore it :
+The horn , the horn , the lusty horn
+Is not a thing to laugh to scorn
+
+
+How say you now ? Is it not past two o'clock ? And here much Orlando !
+
+I warrant you , with pure love and a troubled brain , he hath ta'en his bow and arrows , and is gone forth to sleep . Look , who comes here .
+
+
+My errand is to you , fair youth .
+My gentle Phebe did bid me give you this :
+
+I know not the contents ; but , as I guess
+By the stern brow and waspish action
+Which she did use as she was writing of it ,
+It bears an angry tenour : pardon me ;
+I am but as a guiltless messenger .
+
+Patience herself would startle at this letter ,
+And play the swaggerer : bear this , bear all :
+She says I am not fair ; that I lack manners ;
+She calls me proud , and that she could not love me
+Were man as rare as ph nix . 'Od's my will !
+Her love is not the hare that I do hunt :
+Why writes she so to me ? Well , shepherd , well ,
+This is a letter of your own device .
+
+No , I protest , I know not the contents :
+Phebe did write it .
+
+Come , come , you are a fool ,
+And turn'd into the extremity of love .
+I saw her hand : she has a leathern hand ,
+A freestone-colour'd hand ; I verily did think
+That her old gloves were on , but 'twas her hands :
+She has a housewife's hand ; but that's no matter :
+I say she never did invent this letter ;
+This is a man's invention , and his hand .
+
+Sure , it is hers .
+
+Why , 'tis a boisterous and a cruel style ,
+A style for challengers ; why , she defies me ,
+Like Turk to Christian : woman's gentle brain
+Could not drop forth such giant-rude invention ,
+Such Ethiop words , blacker in their effect
+Than in their countenance . Will you hear the letter ?
+
+So please you , for I never heard it yet ;
+Yet heard too much of Phebe's cruelty .
+
+She Phebes me . Mark how the tyrant writes .
+
+Art thou god to shepherd turn'd ,
+That a maiden's heart hath burn'd ?
+
+Can a woman rail thus ?
+
+Call you this railing ?
+
+Why , thy godhead laid apart ,
+Warr'st thou with a woman's heart ?
+
+Did you ever hear such railing ?
+
+Whiles the eye of man did woo me ,
+That could do no vengeance to me .
+
+Meaning me a beast .
+
+If the scorn of your bright eyne
+Have power to raise such love in mine ,
+Alack ! in me what strange effect
+Would they work in mild aspect .
+Whiles you chid me , I did love ,
+How then might your prayers move !
+He that brings this love to thee
+Little knows this love in me ;
+And by him seal up thy mind ;
+Whether that thy youth and kind
+Will the faithful offer take
+Of me and all that I can make ;
+Or else by him my love deny ,
+And then I'll study how to die .
+
+
+Call you this chiding ?
+
+Alas , poor shepherd !
+
+Do you pity him ? no , he deserves no pity . Wilt thou love such a woman ? What , to make thee an instrument and play false strains upon thee ! not to be endured ! Well , go your way to her , for I see love hath made thee a tame snake , and say this to her : that if she love me , I charge her to love thee : if she will not , I will never have her , unless thou entreat for her . If you be a true lover , hence , and not a word , for here comes more company .
+
+Good morrow , fair ones . Pray you if you know ,
+Where in the purlieus of this forest stands
+A sheepcote fenc'd about with olive-trees ?
+
+West of this place , down in the neighbour bottom :
+The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream
+Left on your right hand brings you to the place .
+But at this hour the house doth keep itself ;
+There's none within .
+
+If that an eye may profit by a tongue ,
+Then should I know you by description ;
+Such garments , and such years : 'The boy is fair ,
+Of female favour , and bestows himself
+Like a ripe sister : but the woman low ,
+And browner than her brother .' Are not you
+The owner of the house I did inquire for ?
+
+It is no boast , being ask'd , to say , we are .
+
+Orlando doth commend him to you both ,
+And to that youth he calls his Rosalind
+He sends this bloody napkin . Are you he ?
+
+I am : what must we understand by this ?
+
+Some of my shame ; if you will know of me
+What man I am , and how , and why , and where
+This handkercher was stain'd .
+
+I pray you , tell it .
+
+When last the young Orlando parted from you
+He left a promise to return again
+Within an hour ; and , pacing through the forest ,
+Chewing the food of sweet and bitter fancy ,
+Lo , what befell ! he threw his eye aside ,
+And mark what object did present itself :
+Under an oak , whose boughs were moss'd with age ,
+And high top bald with dry antiquity ,
+A wretched ragged man , o'ergrown with hair ,
+Lay sleeping on his back : about his neck
+A green and gilded snake had wreath'd itself ,
+Who with her head nimble in threats approach'd
+The opening of his mouth ; but suddenly ,
+Seeing Orlando , it unlink'd itself ,
+And with indented glides did slip away
+Into a bush ; under which bush's shade
+A lioness , with udders all drawn dry ,
+Lay couching , head on ground , with catlike watch ,
+When that the sleeping man should stir ; for 'tis
+The royal disposition of that beast
+To prey on nothing that doth seem as dead :
+This seen , Orlando did approach the man ,
+And found it was his brother , his elder brother .
+
+O ! I have heard him speak of that same brother ;
+And he did render him the most unnatural
+That liv'd 'mongst men .
+
+And well he might so do ,
+For well I know he was unnatural .
+
+But , to Orlando : did he leave him there ,
+Food to the suck'd and hungry lioness ?
+
+Twice did he turn his back and purpos'd so ;
+But kindness , nobler ever than revenge ,
+And nature , stronger than his just occasion ,
+Made him give battle to the lioness ,
+Who quickly fell before him : in which hurtling
+From miserable slumber I awak'd .
+
+Are you his brother ?
+
+Was it you he rescu'd ?
+
+Was't you that did so oft contrive to kill him ?
+
+'Twas I ; but 'tis not I . I do not shame
+To tell you what I was , since my conversion
+So sweetly tastes , being the thing I am .
+
+But , for the bloody napkin ?
+
+By and by .
+When from the first to last , betwixt us two ,
+Tears our recountments had most kindly bath'd ,
+As how I came into that desert place :
+In brief , he led me to the gentle duke ,
+Who gave me fresh array and entertainment ,
+Committing me unto my brother's love ;
+Who led me instantly unto his cave ,
+There stripp'd himself ; and here , upon his arm
+The lioness had torn some flesh away ,
+Which all this while had bled ; and now he fainted ,
+And cried , in fainting , upon Rosalind .
+Brief , I recover'd him , bound up his wound ;
+And , after some small space , being strong at heart ,
+He sent me hither , stranger as I am ,
+To tell this story , that you might excuse
+His broken promise ; and to give this napkin ,
+Dy'd in his blood , unto the shepherd youth
+That he in sport doth call his Rosalind .
+
+Why , how now , Ganymede ! sweet Ganymede !
+
+Many will swoon when they do look on blood .
+
+There is more in it . Cousin ! Ganymede !
+
+Look , he recovers .
+
+I would I were at home .
+
+We'll lead you thither . I pray you , will you take him by the arm ?
+
+Be of good cheer , youth . You a man ! You lack a man's heart .
+
+I do so , I confess it . Ah , sirrah ! a body would think this was well counterfeited . I pray you , tell your brother how well I counterfeited . Heigh-ho !
+
+This was not counterfeit : there is too great testimony in your complexion that it was a passion of earnest .
+
+Counterfeit , I assure you .
+
+Well then , take a good heart and counterfeit to be a man .
+
+So I do ; but , i' faith , I should have been a woman by right .
+
+Come ; you look paler and paler : pray you , draw homewards . Good sir , go with us .
+
+That will I , for I must bear answer back How you excuse my brother , Rosalind .
+
+I shall devise something . But , I pray you , commend my counterfeiting to him . Will you go ?
+
+We shall find a time , Audrey : patience , gentle Audrey .
+
+Faith , the priest was good enough , for all the old gentleman's saying .
+
+A most wicked Sir Oliver , Audrey ; a most vile Martext . But , Audrey , there is a youth here in the forest lays claim to you .
+
+Ay , I know who 'tis : he hath no interest in me in the world . Here comes the man you mean .
+
+
+It is meat and drink to me to see a clown . By my troth , we that have good wits have much to answer for : we shall be flouting ; we cannot hold .
+
+Good even , Audrey .
+
+God ye good even , William .
+
+And good even to you , sir .
+
+Good even , gentle friend . Cover thy head , cover thy head ; nay , prithee , be covered . How old are you , friend ?
+
+Five-and-twenty , sir .
+
+A ripe age . Is thy name William ?
+
+William , sir .
+
+A fair name . Wast born i' the forest here ?
+
+Ay , sir , I thank God .
+
+'Thank God ;' a good answer . Art rich ?
+
+Faith , sir , so so .
+
+'So so ,' is good , very good , very excellent good : and yet it is not ; it is but so so . Art thou wise ?
+
+Ay , sir , I have a pretty wit .
+
+Why , thou sayest well . I do now remember a saying , 'The fool doth think he is wise , but the wise man knows himself to be a fool .' The heathen philosopher , when he had a desire to eat a grape , would open his lips when he put it into his mouth ; meaning thereby that grapes were made to eat and lips to open . You do love this maid ?
+
+I do , sir .
+
+Give me your hand . Art thou learned ?
+
+No , sir .
+
+Then learn this of me : to have , is to have ; for it is a figure in rhetoric , that drink , being poured out of a cup into a glass , by filling the one doth empty the other ; for all your writers do consent that ipse is he : now , you are not ipse , for I am he .
+
+Which he , sir ?
+
+He , sir , that must marry this woman . Therefore , you clown , abandon ,which is in the vulgar , leave ,the society ,which in the boorish is , company ,of this female ,which in the common is , woman ; which together is , abandon the society of this female , or , clown , thou perishest ; or , to thy better understanding , diest ; or , to wit , I kill thee , make thee away , translate thy life into death , thy liberty into bondage . I will deal in poison with thee , or in bastinado , or in steel ; I will bandy with thee in faction ; I will o'errun thee with policy ; I will kill thee a hundred and fifty ways : therefore tremble , and depart .
+
+Do , good William .
+
+God rest you merry , sir .
+
+Our master and mistress seek you : come , away , away !
+
+Trip , Audrey ! trip , Audrey ! I attend , I attend .
+
+
+Is't possible that on so little acquaintance you should like her ? that , but seeing , you should love her ? and , loving , woo ? and , wooing , she should grant ? and will you persever to enjoy her ?
+
+Neither call the giddiness of it in question , the poverty of her , the small acquaintance , my sudden wooing , nor her sudden consenting ; but say with me , I love Aliena ; say with her , that she loves me ; consent with both , that we may enjoy each other : it shall be to your good ; for my father's house and all the revenue that was old Sir Rowland's will I estate upon you , and here live and die a shepherd .
+
+You have my consent . Let your wedding be to-morrow : thither will I invite the duke and all's contented followers . Go you and prepare Aliena ; for , look you , here comes my Rosalind .
+
+
+God save you , brother .
+
+And you , fair sister .
+
+
+O ! my dear Orlando , how it grieves me to see thee wear thy heart in a scarf .
+
+It is my arm .
+
+I thought thy heart had been wounded with the claws of a lion .
+
+Wounded it is , but with the eyes of a lady .
+
+Did your brother tell you how I counterfeited to swound when he showed me your handkercher ?
+
+Ay , and greater wonders than that .
+
+O ! I know where you are . Nay , 'tis true : there was never anything so sudden but the fight of two rams , and C sar's thrasonical brag of 'I came , saw , and overcame :' for your brother and my sister no sooner met , but they looked ; no sooner looked but they loved ; no sooner loved but they sighed ; no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason ; no sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy : and in these degrees have they made a pair of stairs to marriage which they will climb incontinent , or else be incontinent before marriage . They are in the very wrath of love , and they will together : clubs cannot part them .
+
+They shall be married to-morrow , and I will bid the duke to the nuptial . But , O ! how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man's eyes . By so much the more shall I to-morrow be at the height of heart-heaviness , by how much I shall think my brother happy in having what he wishes for .
+
+Why then , to-morrow I cannot serve your turn for Rosalind ?
+
+I can live no longer by thinking .
+
+I will weary you then no longer with idle talking . Know of me then ,for now I speak to some purpose ,that I know you are a gentleman of good conceit . I speak not this that you should bear a good opinion of my knowledge , insomuch I say I know you are ; neither do I labour for a greater esteem than may in some little measure draw a belief from you , to do yourself good , and not to grace me . Believe then , if you please , that I can do strange things . I have , since I was three years old , conversed with a magician , most profound in his art and yet not damnable . If you do love Rosalind so near the heart as your gesture cries it out , when your brother marries Aliena , shall you marry her . I know into what straits of fortune she is driven ; and it is not impossible to me , if it appear not inconvenient to you , to set her before your eyes to-morrow , human as she is , and without any danger .
+
+Speakest thou in sober meanings ?
+
+By my life , I do ; which I tender dearly , though I say I am a magician . Therefore , put you in your best array ; bid your friends ; for if you will be married to-morrow , you shall ; and to Rosalind , if you will . Look , here comes a lover of mine , and a lover of hers .
+
+
+Youth , you have done me much ungentleness ,
+To show the letter that I writ to you .
+
+I care not if I have : it is my study
+To seem despiteful and ungentle to you .
+You are there follow'd by a faithful shepherd :
+Look upon him , love him ; he worships you .
+
+Good shepherd , tell this youth what 'tis to love .
+
+It is to be all made of sighs and tears ;
+And so am I for Phebe .
+
+And I for Ganymede .
+
+And I for Rosalind .
+
+And I for no woman .
+
+It is to be all made of faith and service ;
+And so am I for Phebe .
+
+And I for Ganymede .
+
+And I for Rosalind .
+
+And I for no woman .
+
+It is to be all made of fantasy ,
+All made of passion , and all made of wishes ;
+All adoration , duty , and observance ;
+All humbleness , all patience , and impatience ;
+All purity , all trial , all obeisance ;
+And so am I for Phebe .
+
+And so am I for Ganymede .
+
+And so am I for Rosalind .
+
+And so am I for no woman .
+
+If this be so , why blame you me to love you ?
+
+If this be so , why blame you me to love you ?
+
+If this be so , why blame you me to love you ?
+
+Who do you speak to , 'Why blame you me to love you ?'
+
+To her that is not here , nor doth not hear .
+
+Pray you , no more of this : 'tis like the howling of Irish wolves against the moon .
+
+
+As you love Phebe , meet : and as I love no woman , I'll meet . So , fare you well : I have left you commands .
+
+I'll not fail , if I live .
+
+Nor I .
+
+Nor I .
+
+
+To-morrow is the joyful day , Audrey ; to-morrow will we be married .
+
+I do desire it with all my heart , and I hope it is no dishonest desire to desire to be a woman of the world . Here come two of the banished duke's pages .
+
+
+Well met , honest gentleman .
+
+By my troth , well met . Come , sit , sit , and a song .
+
+We are for you : sit i' the middle .
+
+Shall we clap into't roundly , without hawking or spitting , or saying we are hoarse , which are the only prologues to a bad voice ?
+
+I'faith , i'faith ; and both in a tune , like two gipsies on a horse .
+
+It was a lover and his lass ,
+With a hey , and a ho , and a hey nonino ,
+That o'er the green corn-field did pass ,
+In the spring time , the only pretty ring time ,
+When birds do sing , hey ding a ding , ding ;
+Sweet lovers love the spring .
+Between the acres of the rye ,
+With a hey , and a ho , and a hey nonino ,
+These pretty country folks would lie ,
+In the spring time , &c .
+This carol they began that hour ,
+With a hey , and a ho , and a hey nonino ,
+How that a life was but a flower
+In the spring time , &c .
+And therefore take the present time ,
+With a hey , and a ho , and a hey nonino ;
+For love is crowned with the prime
+In the spring time , &c .
+
+Truly , young gentlemen , though there was no great matter in the ditty , yet the note was very untuneable .
+
+You are deceived , sir : we kept time ; we lost not our time .
+
+By my troth , yes ; I count it but time lost to hear such a foolish song . God be wi' you ; and God mend your voices ! Come , Audrey .
+
+
+Dost thou believe , Orlando , that the boy
+Can do all this that he hath promised ?
+
+I sometimes do believe , and sometimes do not ;
+As those that fear they hope , and know they fear .
+
+
+Patience once more , whiles our compact is urg'd .
+
+
+You say , if I bring in your Rosalind ,
+You will bestow her on Orlando here ?
+
+That would I , had I kingdoms to give with her .
+
+And you say , you will have her when I bring her ?
+
+That would I , were I of all kingdoms king .
+
+You say , that you'll marry me , if I be willing ?
+
+That will I , should I die the hour after .
+
+But if you do refuse to marry me ,
+You'll give yourself to this most faithful shepherd ?
+
+So is the bargain .
+
+You say , that you'll have Phebe , if she will ?
+
+Though to have her and death were both one thing .
+
+I have promis'd to make all this matter even .
+Keep you your word , O duke , to give your daughter ;
+You yours , Orlando , to receive his daughter ;
+Keep your word , Phebe , that you'll marry me ,
+Or else , refusing me , to wed this shepherd ;
+Keep your word , Silvius , that you'll marry her ,
+If she refuse me : and from hence I go ,
+To make these doubts all even .
+
+
+I do remember in this shepherd boy
+Some lively touches of my daughter's favour .
+
+My lord , the first time that I ever saw him ,
+Methought he was a brother to your daughter ;
+But , my good lord , this boy is forest-born ,
+And hath been tutor'd in the rudiments
+Of many desperate studies by his uncle ,
+Whom he reports to be a great magician ,
+Obscured in the circle of this forest .
+
+
+There is , sure , another flood toward , and these couples are coming to the ark . Here comes a pair of very strange beasts , which in all tongues are called fools .
+
+Salutation and greeting to you all !
+
+Good my lord , bid him welcome . This is the motley-minded gentleman that I have so often met in the forest : he hath been a courtier , he swears .
+
+If any man doubt that , let him put me to my purgation . I have trod a measure ; I have flattered a lady ; I have been politic with my friend , smooth with mine enemy ; I have undone three tailors ; I have had four quarrels , and like to have fought one .
+
+And how was that ta'en up ?
+
+Faith , we met , and found the quarrel was upon the seventh cause .
+
+How seventh cause ? Good my lord , like this fellow .
+
+I like him very well .
+
+God 'ild you , sir ; I desire you of the like . I press in here , sir , amongst the rest of the country copulatives , to swear , and to forswear , according as marriage binds and blood breaks . A poor virgin , sir , an ill-favoured thing , sir , but mine own : a poor humour of mine , sir , to take that that no man else will . Rich honesty dwells like a miser , sir , in a poor house , as your pearl in your foul oyster .
+
+By my faith , he is very swift and sententious .
+
+According to the fool's bolt , sir , and such dulcet diseases .
+
+But , for the seventh cause ; how did you find the quarrel on the seventh cause ?
+
+Upon a lie seven times removed :bear your body more seeming , Audrey :as thus , sir . I did dislike the cut of a certain courtier's beard : he sent me word , if I said his beard was not cut well , he was in the mind it was : this is called 'the retort courteous .' If I sent him word again , it was not well cut , he would send me word , he cut it to please himself : this is called the 'quip modest .' If again , it was not well cut , he disabled my judgment : this is called the 'reply churlish .' If again , it was not well cut , he would answer , I spake not true : this is called the 'reproof valiant :' if again , it was not well cut , he would say , I lie : this is called the 'countercheck quarrelsome' : and so to the 'lie circumstantial ,' and the 'lie direct .'
+
+And how oft did you say his beard was not well cut ?
+
+I durst go no further than the 'lie circumstantial ,' nor he durst not give me the 'lie direct ;' and so we measured swords and parted .
+
+Can you nominate in order now the degrees of the lie ?
+
+O sir , we quarrel in print ; by the book , as you have books for good manners : I will name you the degrees . The first , the 'retort courteous ;' the second , the 'quip modest ;' the third , the 'reply churlish ;' the fourth , the 'reproof valiant ;' the fifth , the 'countercheck quarrelsome ;' the sixth , the 'lie with circumstance ;' the seventh , the 'lie direct .' All these you may avoid but the lie direct ; and you may avoid that too , with an 'if .' I knew when seven justices could not take up a quarrel ; but when the parties were met themselves , one of them thought but of an 'if ,' as 'If you said so , then I said so ;' and they shook hands and swore brothers . Your 'if' is the only peace-maker ; much virtue in 'if .'
+
+Is not this a rare fellow , my lord ? he's as good at any thing , and yet a fool .
+
+He uses his folly like a stalking-horse , and under the presentation of that he shoots his wit .
+
+
+Then is there mirth in heaven ,
+When earthly things made even
+Atone together .
+Good duke , receive thy daughter ;
+Hymen from heaven brought her ;
+Yea , brought her hither ,
+That thou mightst join her hand with his ,
+Whose heart within her bosom is .
+
+To you I give myself , for I am yours .
+
+
+To you I give myself , for I am yours .
+
+If there be truth in sight , you are my daughter .
+
+If there be truth in sight , you are my Rosalind .
+
+If sight and shape be true ,
+Why then , my love adieu !
+
+I'll have no father , if you be not he .
+
+
+I'll have no husband , if you be not he :
+
+
+Nor ne'er wed woman , if you be not she .
+
+
+Peace , ho ! I bar confusion :
+'Tis I must make conclusion
+Of these most strange events :
+Here's eight that must take hands
+To join in Hymen's bands ,
+If truth holds true contents .
+
+
+You and you no cross shall part :
+
+
+You and you are heart in heart :
+
+
+You to his love must accord ,
+Or have a woman to your lord :
+
+
+You and you are sure together ,
+As the winter to foul weather .
+Whiles a wedlock hymn we sing ,
+Feed yourselves with questioning ,
+That reason wonder may diminish ,
+How thus we met , and these things finish .
+
+
+Wedding is great Juno's crown :
+O blessed bond of board and bed !
+'Tis Hymen peoples every town ;
+High wedlock then be honoured .
+Honour , high honour , and renown ,
+To Hymen , god of every town !
+
+O my dear niece ! welcome thou art to me :
+Even daughter , welcome in no less degree .
+
+I will not eat my word , now thou art mine ;
+Thy faith my fancy to thee doth combine .
+
+
+Let me have audience for a word or two :
+I am the second son of old Sir Rowland ,
+That bring these tidings to this fair assembly .
+Duke Frederick , hearing how that every day
+Men of great worth resorted to this forest ,
+Address'd a mighty power , which were on foot
+In his own conduct , purposely to take
+His brother here and put him to the sword :
+And to the skirts of this wild wood he came ,
+Where , meeting with an old religious man ,
+After some question with him , was converted
+Both from his enterprise and from the world ;
+His crown bequeathing to his banish'd brother ,
+And all their lands restor'd to them again
+That were with him exil'd . This to be true ,
+I do engage my life .
+
+Welcome , young man ;
+Thou offer'st fairly to thy brothers' wedding :
+To one , his lands withheld ; and to the other
+A land itself at large , a potent dukedom .
+First , in this forest , let us do those ends
+That here were well begun and well begot ;
+And after , every of this happy number
+That have endur'd shrewd days and nights with us ,
+Shall share the good of our returned fortune ,
+According to the measure of their states .
+Meantime , forget this new-fall'n dignity ,
+And fall into our rustic revelry .
+Play , music ! and you , brides and bridegrooms all ,
+With measure heap'd in joy , to the measures fall .
+
+Sir , by your patience . If I heard you rightly ,
+The duke hath put on a religious life ,
+And thrown into neglect the pompous court ?
+
+He hath .
+
+To him will I : out of these convertites
+There is much matter to be heard and learn'd .
+
+
+You to your former honour I bequeath ;
+Your patience and your virtue well deserve it :
+
+
+You to a love that your true faith doth merit :
+
+
+You to your land , and love , and great allies :
+
+
+You to a long and well-deserved bed :
+
+
+And you to wrangling ; for thy loving voyage
+Is but for two months victual'd . So , to your pleasures :
+I am for other than for dancing measures .
+
+Stay , Jaques , stay .
+
+To see no pastime , I : what you would have
+I'll stay to know at your abandon'd cave .
+
+
+Proceed , proceed : we will begin these rites ,
+As we do trust they'll end , in true delights .
+
+It is not the fashion to see the lady the epilogue ; but it is no more unhandsome than to see the lord the prologue . If it be true that good wine needs no bush , 'tis true that a good play needs no epilogue ; yet to good wine they do use good bushes , and good plays prove the better by the help of good epilogues . What a case am I in then , that am neither a good epilogue , nor cannot insinuate with you in the behalf of a good play ! I am not furnished like a beggar , therefore to beg will not become me : my way is , to conjure you ; and I'll begin with the women . I charge you , O women ! for the love you bear to men , to like as much of this play as please you : and I charge you , O men ! for the love you bear to women ,as I perceive by your simpering none of you hate them ,that between you and the women , the play may please . If I were a woman I would kiss as many of you as had beards that pleased me , complexions that liked me , and breaths that I defied not ; and , I am sure , as many as have good beards , or good faces , or sweet breaths , will , for my kind offer , when I make curtsy , bid me farewell .
+
+CYMBELINE
+
+You do not meet a man but frowns ; our bloods
+No more obey the heavens than our courtiers
+Still seem as does the king .
+
+But what's the matter ?
+
+His daughter , and the heir of 's kingdom , whom
+He purpos'd to his wife's sole son ,a widow
+That late he married ,hath referr'd herself
+Unto a poor but worthy gentleman . She's wedded ;
+Her husband banish'd , she imprison'd : all
+Is outward sorrow , though I think the king
+Be touch'd at very heart .
+
+None but the king ?
+
+He that hath lost her too ; so is the queen ,
+That most desir'd the match ; but not a courtier ,
+Although they wear their faces to the bent
+Of the king's looks , hath a heart that is not
+Glad at the thing they scowl at .
+
+And why so ?
+
+He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing
+Too bad for bad report ; and he that hath her ,
+I mean that married her , alack ! good man !
+And therefore banish'd is a creature such
+As , to seek through the regions of the earth
+For one his like , there would be something failing
+In him that should compare . I do not think
+So fair an outward and such stuff within
+Endows a man but he .
+
+You speak him far .
+
+I do extend him , sir , within himself ,
+Crush him together rather than unfold
+His measure duly .
+
+What's his name and birth ?
+
+I cannot delve him to the root : his father
+Was called Sicilius , who did join his honour
+Against the Romans with Cassibelan ,
+But had his titles by Tenantius whom
+He serv'd with glory and admir'd success ,
+So gain'd the sur-addition Leonatus ;
+And had , besides this gentleman in question ,
+Two other sons , who in the wars o' the time
+Died with their swords in hand ; for which their father
+Then old and fond of issue took such sorrow
+That he quit being , and his gentle lady ,
+Big of this gentleman , our theme , deceas'd
+As he was born . The king , he takes the babe
+To his protection ; calls him Posthumus Leonatus ;
+Breeds him and makes him of his bedchamber ,
+Puts to him all the learnings that his time
+Could make him the receiver of ; which he took ,
+As we do air , fast as 'twas minister'd ,
+And in's spring became a harvest ; liv'd in court ,
+Which rare it is to do most prais'd , most lov'd ;
+A sample to the youngest , to the more mature
+A glass that feated them , and to the graver
+A child that guided dotards ; to his mistress ,
+For whom he now is banish'd , her own price
+Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue ;
+By her election may be truly read
+What kind of man he is .
+
+I honour him ,
+Even out of your report . But pray you , tell me ,
+Is she sole child to the king ?
+
+His only child .
+He had twosons ,if this be worth your hearing ,
+Mark it ,the eldest of them at three years old ,
+I' the swathing clothes the other , from their nursery
+Were stol'n ; and to this hour no guess in knowledge
+Which way they went .
+
+How long is this ago ?
+
+Some twenty years .
+
+That a king's children should be so convey'd ,
+So slackly guarded , and the search so slow ,
+That could not trace them !
+
+Howsoe'er 'tis strange ,
+Or that the negligence may well be laugh'd at ,
+Yet is it true , sir .
+
+I do well believe you .
+
+We must forbear . Here comes the gentleman ,
+The queen , and princess .
+
+No , be assur'd you shall not find me , daughter ,
+After the slander of most step-mothers ,
+Evil-ey'd unto you ; you're my prisoner , but
+Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys
+That lock up your restraint . For you , Posthumus ,
+So soon as I can win the offended king ,
+I will be known your advocate ; marry , yet
+The fire of rage is in him , and 'twere good
+You lean'd unto his sentence with what patience
+Your wisdom may inform you .
+
+Please your highness ,
+I will from hence to-day .
+
+You know the peril :
+I'll fetch a turn about the garden , pitying
+The pangs of barr'd affections , though the king
+Hath charg'd you should not speak together .
+
+
+O !
+Dissembling courtesy . How fine this tyrant
+Can tickle where she wounds ! My dearest husband ,
+I something fear my father's wrath ; but nothing ,
+Always reserv'd my holy duty ,what
+His rage can do on me . You must be gone ;
+And I shall here abide the hourly shot
+Of angry eyes , not comforted to live ,
+But that there is this jewel in the world
+That I may see again .
+
+My queen ! my mistress !
+O lady , weep no more , lest I give cause
+To be suspected of more tenderness
+Than doth become a man . I will remain
+The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth .
+My residence in Rome at one Philario's ,
+Who to my father was a friend , to me
+Known but by letter ; thither write , my queen ,
+And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send ,
+Though ink be made of gall .
+
+
+Be brief , I pray you ;
+If the king come , I shall incur I know not
+How much of his displeasure .
+
+Yet I'll move him
+To walk this way . I never do him wrong ,
+But he does buy my injuries to be friends ,
+Pays dear for my offences .
+
+
+Should we be taking leave
+As long a term as yet we have to live ,
+The loathness to depart would grow . Adieu !
+
+Nay , stay a little :
+Were you but riding forth to air yourself
+Such parting were too petty . Look here , love ;
+This diamond was my mother's ; take it , heart ;
+But keep it till you woo another wife ,
+When Imogen is dead .
+
+How ! how ! another ?
+You gentle gods , give me but this I have ,
+And sear up my embracements from a next
+With bonds of death !Remain , remain thou here
+
+While sense can keep it on ! And , sweetest , fairest ,
+As I my poor self did exchange for you ,
+To your so infinite loss , so in our trifles
+I still win of you ; for my sake wear this ;
+It is a manacle of love ; I'll place it
+Upon this fairest prisoner .
+
+
+O the gods !
+When shall we see again ?
+
+
+Alack ! the king !
+
+Thou basest thing , avoid ! hence , from my sight !
+If after this command thou fraught the court
+With thy unworthiness , thou diest . Away !
+Thou'rt poison to my blood .
+
+The gods protect you
+And bless the good remainders of the court !
+I am gone .
+
+
+There cannot be a pinch in death
+More sharp than this is .
+
+O disloyal thing ,
+That shouldst repair my youth , thou heap'st instead
+A year's age on me .
+
+I beseech you , sir ,
+Harm not yourself with your vexation ;
+I am senseless of your wrath ; a touch more rare
+Subdues all pangs , all fears .
+
+Past grace ? obedience ?
+
+Past hope , and in despair ; that way , past grace .
+
+That mightst have had the sole son of my queen !
+
+O bless'd , that I might not ! I chose an eagle
+And did avoid a puttock .
+
+Thou took'st a beggar ; wouldst have made my throne
+A seat for baseness .
+
+No ; I rather added
+A lustre to it .
+
+O thou vile one !
+
+Sir ,
+It is your fault that I have lov'd Posthumus ;
+You bred him as my playfellow , and he is
+A man worth any woman , overbuys me
+Almost the sum he pays .
+
+What ! art thou mad ?
+
+Almost , sir ; heaven restore me ! Would I were
+A neat-herd's daughter , and my Leonatus
+Our neighbour shepherd's son !
+
+Thou foolish thing !
+
+
+They were again together ; you have done
+Not after our command . Away with her ,
+
+And pen her up .
+
+Beseech your patience . Peace !
+Dear lady daughter , peace ! Sweet sovereign ,
+Leave us to ourselves , and make yourself some comfort
+Out of your best advice .
+
+Nay , let her languish
+A drop of blood a day ; and , being aged ,
+Die of this folly !
+
+
+Fie ! you must give way :
+
+Here is your servant . How now , sir ! What news ?
+
+My lord your son drew on my master .
+
+Ha !
+No harm , I trust , is done ?
+
+There might have been ,
+But that my master rather play'd than fought ,
+And had no help of anger ; they were parted
+By gentlemen at hand .
+
+I am very glad on 't .
+
+Your son's my father's friend ; he takes his part .
+To draw upon an exile ! O brave sir !
+I would they were in Afric both together ,
+Myself by with a needle , that I might prick
+The goer-back . Why came you from your master ?
+
+On his command : he would not suffer me
+To bring him to the haven ; left these notes
+Of what commands I should be subject to ,
+When 't pleas'd you to employ me .
+
+This hath been
+Your faithful servant ; I dare lay mine honour
+He will remain so .
+
+I humbly thank your highness .
+
+Pray , walk awhile .
+
+About some half-hour hence ,
+I pray you , speak with me . You shall at least
+Go see my lord aboard ; for this time leave me .
+
+
+Sir , I would advise you to shift a shirt ; the violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice . Where air comes out , air comes in ; there's none abroad so wholesome as that you vent .
+
+If my shirt were bloody , them to shift it . Have I hurt him ?
+
+No faith ; not so much as his patience .
+
+Hurt him ! his body's a passable carcass if he be not hurt ; it is a throughfare for steel if it be not hurt .
+
+His steel was in debt ; it went o' the backside the town .
+
+The villain would not stand me .
+
+No ; but he fled forward still , toward your face .
+
+Stand you ! You have land enough of your own ; but he added to your having , gave you some ground .
+
+As many inches as you have oceans . Puppies !
+
+I would they had not come between us .
+
+So would I till you had measured how long a fool you were upon the ground .
+
+And that she should love this fellow and refuse me !
+
+If it be a sin to make a true election , she is damned .
+
+Sir , as I told you always , her beauty and her brain go not together ; she's a good sign , but I have seen small reflection of her wit .
+
+She shines not upon fools , lest the reflection should hurt her .
+
+Come , I'll to my chamber . Would there had been some hurt done !
+
+I wish not so ; unless it had been the fall of an ass , which is no great hurt .
+
+You'll go with us ?
+
+I'll attend your lordship .
+
+Nay , come , let's go together .
+
+Well , my lord .
+
+
+I would thou grew'st unto the shores of the haven ,
+And question'dst every sail : if he should write ,
+And I not have it , 'twere a paper lost ,
+As offer'd mercy is . What was the last
+That he spake to thee ?
+
+It was his queen , his queen !
+
+Then wav'd his handkerchief ?
+
+And kiss'd it , madam .
+
+Senseless linen , happier therein than I !
+And that was all ?
+
+No , madam ; for so long
+As he could make me with this eye or ear
+Distinguish him from others , he did keep
+The deck , with glove , or hat , or handkerchief ,
+Still waving , as the fits and stirs of 's mind
+Could best express how slow his soul sail'd on ,
+How swift his ship .
+
+Thou shouldst have made him
+As little as a crow , or less , ere left
+To after-eye him .
+
+Madam , so I did .
+
+I would have broke mine eye-strings , crack'd them , but
+To look upon him , till the diminution
+Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle ,
+Nay , follow'd him , till he had melted from
+The smallness of a gnat to air , and then
+Have turn'd mine eye , and wept . But , good Pisanio ,
+When shall we hear from him ?
+
+Be assur'd , madam ,
+With his next vantage .
+
+I did not take my leave of him , but had
+Most pretty things to say ; ere I could tell him
+How I would think on him at certain hours
+Such thoughts and such , or I could make him swear
+The shes of Italy should not betray
+Mine interest and his honour , or have charg'd him ,
+At the sixth hour of morn , at noon , at mid-night ,
+To encounter me with orisons , for then
+I am in heaven for him ; or ere I could
+Give him that parting kiss which I had set
+Betwixt two charming words , comes in my father ,
+And like the tyrannous breathing of the north
+Shakes all our buds from growing .
+
+
+The queen , madam ,
+Desires your highness' company .
+
+Those things I bid you do , get them dispatch'd .
+I will attend the queen .
+
+Madam , I shall .
+
+
+Believe it , sir , I have seen him in Britain ; he was then of a crescent note , expected to prove so worthy as since he hath been allowed the name of ; but I could then have looked on him without the help of admiration , though the catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his side and I to peruse him by items .
+
+You speak of him when he was less furnished than now he is with that which makes him both without and within .
+
+I have seen him in France : we had very many there could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he .
+
+This matter of marrying his king's daughter ,wherein he must be weighed rather by her value than his own ,words him , I doubt not , a great deal from the matter .
+
+And then , his banishment .
+
+Ay , and the approbation of those that weep this lamentable divorce under her colours are wonderfully to extend him ; be it but to fortify her judgment , which else an easy battery might lay flat , for taking a beggar without less quality . But how comes it , he is to sojourn with you ? How creeps acquaintance ?
+
+His father and I were soldiers together ; to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life . Here comes the Briton : let him be so entertained amongst you as suits , with gentlemen of your knowing , to a stranger of his quality .
+
+I beseech you all , be better known to this gentleman , whom I commend to you , as a noble friend of mine ; how worthy he is I will leave to appear hereafter , rather than story him in his own hearing .
+
+Sir , we have known together in Orleans .
+
+Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies , which I will be ever to pay and yet pay still .
+
+Sir , you o'er-rate my poor kindness . I was glad I did atone my countryman and you ; it had been pity you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose as then each bore , upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature .
+
+By your pardon , sir , I was then a young traveller ; rather shunned to go even with what I heard than in my every action to be guided by others' experiences ; but , upon my mended judgment ,if I offend not to say it is mended ,my quarrel was not altogether slight .
+
+Faith , yes , to be put to the arbitrement of swords , and by such two that would by all likelihood have confounded one the other , or have fallen both .
+
+Can we , with manners , ask what was the difference ?
+
+Safely , I think . 'Twas a contention in public , which may , without contradiction , suffer the report . It was much like an argument that fell out last night , where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses ; this gentleman at that time vouching and upon warrant of bloody affirmation his to be more fair , virtuous , wise , chaste , constant , qualified , and less attemptable , than any the rarest of our ladies in France .
+
+That lady is not now living , or this gentleman's opinion by this worn out .
+
+She holds her virtue still and I my mind .
+
+You must not so far prefer her 'fore ours of Italy .
+
+Being so far provoked as I was in France , I would abate her nothing , though I profess myself her adorer , not her friend .
+
+As fair and as good a kind of hand-in-hand comparison had been something too fair and too good for any lady in Britain . If she went before others I have seen , as that diamond of yours outlustres many I have beheld , I could not but believe she excelled many ; but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is , nor you the lady .
+
+I praised her as I rated her ; so do I my stone .
+
+What do you esteem it at ?
+
+More than the world enjoys .
+
+Either your unparagoned mistress is dead , or she's outprized by a trifle .
+
+You are mistaken ; the one may be sold , or given ; or if there were wealth enough for the purchase , or merit for the gift ; the other is not a thing for sale , and only the gift of the gods .
+
+Which the gods have given you ?
+
+Which , by their graces , I will keep .
+
+You may wear her in little yours , but , you know , strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds . Your ring may be stolen , too ; so your brace of unprizeable estimations , the one is but frail and the other causal ; a cunning thief , or a that way accomplished courtier , would hazard the winning both of first and last .
+
+Your Italy contains none so accomplished a courtier to convince the honour of my mistress , if , in the holding or loss of that , you term her frail . I do nothing doubt you have store of thieves ; notwithstanding I fear not my ring .
+
+Let us leave here , gentlemen .
+
+Sir , with all my heart . This worthy signior , I thank him , makes no stranger of me ; we are familiar at first .
+
+With five times so much conversation I should get ground of your fair mistress , make her go back , even to the yielding , had I admittance and opportunity to friend .
+
+No , no .
+
+I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring , which , in my opinion , o'ervalues it something ; but I make my wager rather against your confidence than her reputation ; and , to bar your offence herein too , I durst attempt it against any lady in the world .
+
+You are a great deal abused in too bold a persuasion ; and I doubt not you sustain what you're worthy of by your attempt .
+
+What's that ?
+
+A repulse ; though your attempt , as you call it , deserves more ,a punishment too .
+
+Gentlemen , enough of this ; it came in too suddenly ; let it die as it was born , and , I pray you , be better acquainted .
+
+Would I had put my estate and my neighbour's on the approbation of what I have spoke !
+
+What lady would you choose to assail ?
+
+Yours ; whom in constancy you think stands so safe . I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring , that , commend me to the court where your lady is , with no more advantage than the opportunity of a second conference , and I will bring from thence that honour of hers which you imagine so reserved .
+
+I will wage against your gold , gold to it : my ring I hold dear as my finger ; 'tis part of it .
+
+You are afraid , and therein the wiser . If you buy ladies' flesh at a million a dram , you cannot preserve it from tainting . But I see you have some religion in you , that you fear .
+
+This is but a custom in your tongue ; you bear a graver purpose , I hope .
+
+I am the master of my speeches , and would undergo what's spoken , I swear .
+
+Will you ? I shall but lend my diamond till your return . Let there be covenants drawn between 's : my mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking ; I dare you to this match . Here's my ring .
+
+I will have it no lay .
+
+By the gods , it is one . If I bring you no sufficient testimony that I have enjoyed the dearest bodily part of your mistress , my ten thousand ducats are yours ; so is your diamond too : if I come off , and leave her in such honour as you have trust in , she your jewel , this your jewel , and my gold are yours ; provided I have your commendation for my more free entertainment .
+
+I embrace these conditions ; let us have articles betwixt us . Only , thus far you shall answer : if you make your voyage upon her and give me directly to understand that you have prevailed , I am no further your enemy ; she is not worth our debate : if she remain unseduced ,you not making it appear otherwise ,for your ill opinion , and the assault you have made to her chastity , you shall answer me with your sword .
+
+Your hand ; a covenant . We will have these things set down by lawful counsel , and straight away for Britain , lest the bargain should catch cold and starve . I will fetch my gold and have our two wagers recorded .
+
+Agreed .
+
+
+Will this hold , think you ?
+
+Signior Iachimo will not from it . Pray , let us follow 'em .
+
+
+Whiles yet the dew 's on ground , gather those flowers :
+Make haste ; who has the note of them ?
+
+I , madam .
+
+Dispatch .
+
+Now , Master doctor , have you brought those drugs ?
+
+Pleaseth your highness , ay ; here they are , madam :
+
+But I beseech your Grace , without offence ,
+My conscience bids me ask ,wherefore you have
+Commanded of me these most poisonous compounds ,
+Which are the movers of a languishing death ,
+But though slow , deadly ?
+
+I wonder , doctor ,
+Thou ask'st me such a question : have I not been
+Thy pupil long ? Hast thou not learn'd me how
+To make perfumes ? distil ? preserve ? yea , so
+That our great king himself doth woo me oft
+For my confections ? Having thus far proceeded ,
+Unless thou think'st me devilish ,is 't not meet
+That I did amplify my judgment in
+Other conclusions ? I will try the forces
+Of these thy compounds on such creatures as
+We count not worth the hanging ,but none human ,
+To try the vigour of them and apply
+Allayments to their act , and by them gather
+Their several virtues and effects .
+
+Your highness
+Shall from this practice but make hard your heart ;
+Besides , the seeing these effects will be
+Both noisome and infectious .
+
+O ! content thee .
+
+
+Here comes a flattering rascal ; upon him
+Will I first work : he's for his master ,
+And enemy to my son . How now , Pisanio :
+Doctor , your service for this time is ended ;
+
+Take your own way .
+
+I do suspect you , madam ;
+But you shall do no harm .
+
+Hark thee , a word .
+
+I do not like her . She doth think she has
+Strange lingering poisons ; I do know her spirit ,
+And will not trust one of her malice with
+A drug of such damn'd nature . Those she has
+Will stupify and dull the sense awhile ;
+Which first , perchance , she'll prove on cats and dogs ,
+Then afterward up higher ; but there is
+No danger in what show of death it makes ,
+More than the locking-up the spirits a time ,
+To be more fresh , reviving . She is fool'd
+With a most false effect ; and I the truer ,
+So to be false with her .
+
+No further service , doctor ,
+Until I send for thee .
+
+I humbly take my leave .
+
+
+Weeps she still , sayst thou ? Dost thou think in time
+She will not quench , and let instructions enter
+Where folly now possesses ? Do thou work :
+When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son ,
+I'll tell thee on the instant thou art then
+As great as is thy master ; greater , for
+His fortunes all lie speechless , and his name
+Is at last gasp ; return he cannot , nor
+Continue where he is ; to shift his being
+Is to exchange one misery with another ,
+And every day that comes comes to decay
+A day's work in him . What shalt thou expect ,
+To be depender on a thing that leans ,
+Who cannot be new built , nor has no friends ,
+So much as but to prop him ?
+
+Thou tak'st up
+Thou know'st not what ; but take it for thy labour :
+It is a thing I made , which hath the king
+Five times redeem'd from death ; I do not know
+What is more cordial : nay , I prithee , take it ;
+It is an earnest of a further good
+That I mean to thee . Tell thy mistress how
+The case stands with her ; do 't as from thyself .
+Think what a chance thou changest on , but think
+Thou hast thy mistress still , to boot , my son ,
+Who shall take notice of thee . I'll move the king
+To any shape of thy preferment such
+As thou'lt desire ; and then myself , I chiefly ,
+That set thee on to this desert , am bound
+To load thy merit richly . Call my women ;
+Think on my words .
+
+A sly and constant knave ,
+Not to be shak'd ; the agent for his master ,
+And the remembrancer of her to hold
+The hand-fast to her lord . I have given him that
+Which , if he take , shall quite unpeople her
+Of leigers for her sweet , and which she after ,
+Except she bend her humour , shall be assur'd
+To taste of too .
+
+
+So , so ;well done , well done .
+The violets , cowslips , and the prime-roses
+Bear to my closet . Fare thee well , Pisanio :
+Think on my words .
+
+And shall do :
+But when to my good lord I prove untrue ,
+I'll choke myself ; there's all I'll do for you .
+
+
+A father cruel , and a step-dame false ;
+A foolish suitor to a wedded lady ,
+That hath her husband banish'd : O ! that husband ,
+My supreme crown of grief ! and those repeated
+Vexations of it ! Had I been thief-stol'n ,
+As my two brothers , happy ! but most miserable
+Is the desire that's glorious : bless'd be those ,
+How mean so'er , that have their honest wills ,
+Which seasons comfort . Who may this be ? Fie !
+
+
+Madam , a noble gentleman of Rome ,
+Comes from my lord with letters .
+
+Change you , madam ?
+The worthy Leonatus is in safety ,
+And greets your highness dearly .
+
+
+Thanks , good sir :
+You are kindly welcome .
+
+All of her that is out of door most rich !
+If she be furnish'd with a mind so rare ,
+She is alone the Arabian bird , and I
+Have lost the wager . Boldness be my friend !
+Arm me , audacity , from head to foot !
+Or , like the Parthian , I shall flying fight ;
+Rather , directly fly .
+
+He is one of the noblest note , to whose kindnesses I am most infinitely tied . Reflect upon him accordingly , as you value your truest
+So far I read aloud ;
+But even the very middle of my heart
+Is warm'd by the rest , and takes it thankfully .
+You are as welcome , worthy sir , as I
+Have words to bid you ; and shall find it so
+In all that I can do .
+
+Thanks , fairest lady .
+What ! are men mad ? Hath nature given them eyes
+To see this vaulted arch , and the rich crop
+Of sea and land , which can distinguish 'twixt
+The fiery orbs above and the twinn'd stones
+Upon the number'd beach ? and can we not
+Partition make with spectacles so precious
+'Twixt fair and foul ?
+
+What makes your admiration ?
+
+It cannot be i' the eye ; for apes and monkeys
+'Twixt two such shes would chatter this way and
+Contemn with mows the other ; nor i' the judgment ,
+For idiots in this case of favour would
+Be wisely definite ; nor i' the appetite ;
+Sluttery to such neat excellence oppos'd
+Should make desire vomit emptiness ,
+Not so allur'd to feed .
+
+What is the matter , trow ?
+
+The cloyed will ,
+That satiate yet unsatisfied desire , that tub
+Both fill'd and running ,ravening first the lamb ,
+Longs after for the garbage .
+
+What , dear sir ,
+Thus raps you ? are you well ?
+
+Thanks , madam , well .
+
+
+Beseech you , sir ,
+Desire my man's abode where I did leave him ;
+He's strange and peevish .
+
+I was going , sir ,
+To give him welcome .
+
+
+Continues well my lord his health , beseech you ?
+
+Well , madam .
+
+Is he dispos'd to mirth ? I hope he is .
+
+Exceeding pleasant ; none a stranger there
+So merry and so gamesome : he is call'd
+The Briton reveller .
+
+When he was here
+He did incline to sadness , and oft-times
+Not knowing why .
+
+I never saw him sad .
+There is a Frenchman his companion , one ,
+An eminent monsieur , that , it seems , much loves
+A Gallian girl at home ; he furnaces
+The thick sighs from him , whiles the jolly Briton
+Your lord , I mean laughs from 's free lungs , cries , 'O !
+Can my sides hold , to think that man , who knows
+By history , report , or his own proof ,
+What woman is , yea , what she cannot choose
+But must be , will his free hours languish for
+Assured bondage ?'
+
+Will my lord say so ?
+
+Ay , madam , with his eyes in flood with laughter :
+It is a recreation to be by
+And hear him mock the Frenchman ; but , heavens know ,
+Some men are much to blame .
+
+Not he , I hope .
+
+Not he ; but yet heaven's bounty towards him might
+Be us'd more thankfully . In himself , 'tis much ;
+In you ,which I account his beyond all talents ,
+Whilst I am bound to wonder , I am bound
+To pity too .
+
+What do you pity , sir ?
+
+Two creatures , heartily .
+
+Am I one , sir ?
+You look on me : what wrack discern you in me
+Deserves your pity ?
+
+Lamentable ! What !
+To hide me from the radiant sun and solace
+I' the dungeon by a snuff !
+
+I pray you , sir ,
+Deliver with more openness your answers
+To my demands . Why do you pity me ?
+
+That others do ,
+I was about to say , enjoy your But
+It is an office of the gods to venge it ,
+Not mine to speak on 't .
+
+You do seem to know
+Something of me , or what concerns me ; pray you ,
+Since doubting things go ill often hurts more
+Than to be sure they do ; for certainties
+Either are past remedies , or , timely knowing ,
+The remedy then born ,discover to me
+What both you spur and stop .
+
+Had I this cheek
+To bathe my lips upon ; this hand , whose touch ,
+Whose every touch , would force the feeler's soul
+To the oath of loyalty ; this object , which
+Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye ,
+Firing it only here ; should I damn'd then
+Slaver with lips as common as the stairs
+That mount the Capitol ; join gripes with hands
+Made hard with hourly falsehood ,falsehood , as
+With labour ;then by-peeping in an eye ,
+Base and illustrous as the smoky light
+That's fed with stinking tallow ; it were fit
+That all the plagues of hell should at one time
+Encounter such revolt .
+
+My lord , I fear ,
+Has forgot Britain .
+
+And himself . Not I ,
+Inclin'd to this intelligence , pronounce
+The beggary of his change ; but 'tis your graces
+That from my mutest conscience to my tongue
+Charms this report out .
+
+Let me hear no more .
+
+O dearest soul ! your cause doth strike my heart
+With pity , that doth make me sick . A lady
+So fair ,and fasten'd to an empery
+Would make the great'st king double ,to be partner'd
+With tom-boys hir'd with that self-exhibition
+Which your own coffers yield ! with diseas'd ventures
+That play with all infirmities for gold
+Which rottenness can lend nature ! such boil'd stuff
+As well might poison poison ! Be reveng'd ;
+Or she that bore you was no queen , and you
+Recoil from your great stock .
+
+Reveng'd !
+How should I be reveng'd ? If this be true ,
+As I have such a heart , that both mine ears
+Must not in haste abuse ,if it be true ,
+How should I be reveng'd ?
+
+Should be make me
+Live like Diana's priest , betwixt cold sheets ,
+Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps ,
+In your despite , upon your purse ? Revenge it .
+I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure ,
+More noble than that runagate to your bed ,
+And will continue fast to your affection ,
+Still close as sure .
+
+What ho , Pisanio !
+
+Let me my service tender on your lips .
+
+Away ! I do condemn mine ears that have
+So long attended thee . If thou wert honourable ,
+Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue , not
+For such an end thou seek'st ; as base as strange .
+Thou wrong'st a gentleman , who is as far
+From thy report as thou from honour , and
+Solicit'st here a lady that disdains
+Thee and the devil alike . What ho , Pisanio !
+The king my father shall be made acquainted
+Of thy assault ; if he shall think it fit ,
+A saucy stranger in his court to mart
+As in a Romish stew and to expound
+His beastly mind to us , he hath a court
+He little cares for and a daughter who
+He not respects at all . What ho , Pisanio !
+
+O happy Leonatus ! I may say :
+The credit that thy lady hath of thee
+Deserves thy trust , and thy most perfect goodness
+Her assur'd credit . Blessed live you long !
+A lady to the worthiest sir that ever
+Country call'd his ; and you his mistress , only
+For the most worthiest fit . Give me your pardon .
+I have spoken this , to know if your affiance
+Were deeply rooted , and shall make your lord
+That which he is , new o'er ; and he is one
+The truest manner'd ; such a holy witch
+That he enchants societies into him ;
+Half all men's hearts are his .
+
+You make amends .
+
+He sits 'mongst men like a descended god :
+He hath a kind of honour sets him off ,
+More than a mortal seeming . Be not angry ,
+Most mighty princess , that I have adventur'd
+To try your taking of a false report ; which hath
+Honour'd with confirmation your great judgment
+In the election of a sir so rare ,
+Which you know cannot err . The love I bear him
+Made me to fan you thus ; but the gods made you ,
+Unlike all others , chaffless . Pray , your pardon .
+
+All's well , sir . Take my power i' the court for yours .
+
+My humble thanks . I had almost forget
+To entreat your Grace but in a small request ,
+And yet of moment too , for it concerns
+Your lord , myself , and other noble friends ,
+Are partners in the business .
+
+Pray , what is 't ?
+
+Some dozen Romans of us and your lord ,
+The best feather of our wing , have mingled sums
+To buy a present for the emperor ;
+Which I , the factor for the rest , have done
+In France ; 'tis plate of rare device , and jewels
+Of rich and exquisite form ; their values great ;
+And I am something curious , being strange ,
+To have them in safe stowage . May it please you
+To take them in protection ?
+
+Willingly ;
+And pawn mine honour for their safety : since
+My lord hath interest in them , I will keep them
+In my bedchamber .
+
+They are in a trunk ,
+Attended by my men ; I will make bold
+To send them to you , only for this night ;
+I must aboard to-morrow .
+
+O ! no , no .
+
+Yes , I beseech , or I shall short my word
+By lengthening my return . From Gallia
+I cross'd the seas on purpose and on promise
+To see your Grace .
+
+I thank you for your pains ;
+But not away to-morrow !
+
+O ! I must , madam :
+Therefore I shall beseech you , if you please
+To greet your lord with writing , do 't to-night :
+I have outstood my time , which is material
+To the tender of our present .
+
+I will write .
+Send your trunk to me ; it shall safe be kept ,
+And truly yielded you . You're very welcome .
+
+Was there ever man had such luck ! when I kissed the jack , upon an up-cast to be hit away ! I had a hundred pound on 't ; and then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing , as if I borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend them at my pleasure .
+
+What got he by that ? You have broke his pate with your bowl .
+
+If his wit had been like him that broke it , it would have run all out .
+
+When a gentleman is disposed to swear , it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths , ha ?
+
+No , my lord ;
+
+nor crop the ears of them .
+
+Whoreson dog ! I give him satisfaction !
+Would he had been one of my rank !
+
+To have smelt like a fool .
+
+I am not vexed more at any thing in the earth . A pox on 't ! I had rather not be so noble as I am . They dare not fight with me because of the queen my mother . Every Jack-slave hath his bellyful of fighting , and I must go up and down like a cock that nobody can match .
+
+You are cock and capon too ; and you crow , cock , with your comb on .
+
+Sayest thou ?
+
+It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offence to .
+
+No , I know that ; but it is fit I should commit offence to my inferiors .
+
+Ay , it is fit for your lordship only .
+
+Why , so I say .
+
+Did you hear of a stranger that's come to court to-night ?
+
+A stranger , and I not know on 't !
+
+He's a strange fellow himself , and knows it not .
+
+There's an Italian come ; and 'tis thought , one of Leonatus' friends .
+
+Leonatus ! a banished rascal ; and he's another , whatsoever he be . Who told you of this stranger ?
+
+One of your lordship's pages .
+
+Is it fit I went to look upon him ? Is there no derogation in 't ?
+
+You cannot derogate , my lord .
+
+Not easily , I think .
+
+You are a fool , granted ; therefore your issues , being foolish , do not derogate .
+
+Come , I'll go see this Italian . What I have lost to-day at bowls I'll win to-night of him . Come , go .
+
+I'll attend your lordship .
+
+That such a crafty devil as is his mother
+Should yield the world this ass ! a woman that
+Bears all down with her brain , and this her son
+Cannot take two from twenty for his heart
+And leave eighteen . Alas ! poor princess ,
+Thou divine Imogen , what thou endur'st
+Betwixt a father by thy step-dame govern'd ,
+A mother hourly coining plots , a wooer
+More hateful than the foul expulsion is
+Of thy dear husband , than that horrid act
+Of the divorce he'd make . The heavens hold firm
+The walls of thy dear honour ; keep unshak'd
+That temple , thy fair mind ; that thou mayst stand ,
+To enjoy thy banish'd lord and this great land !
+
+
+Who's there ? my woman Helen ?
+
+Please you , madam .
+
+What hour is it ?
+
+Almost midnight , madam .
+
+I have read three hours then ; mine eyes are weak ;
+Fold down the leaf where I have left ; to bed :
+Take not away the taper , leave it burning ,
+And if thou canst awake by four o' the clock ,
+I prithee , call me . Sleep has seized me wholly .
+
+To your protection I commend me , gods !
+From fairies and the tempters of the night
+Guard me , beseech ye !
+
+
+The crickets sing , and man's o'erlabour'd sense
+Repairs itself by rest . Our Tarquin thus
+Did softly press the rushes ere he waken'd
+The chastity he wounded . Cytherea ,
+How bravely thou becom'st thy bed ! freshlily ,
+And whiter than the sheets ! That I might touch !
+But kiss : one kiss ! Rubies unparagon'd ,
+How dearly they do 't ! 'Tis her breathing that
+Perfumes the chamber thus ; the flame of the taper
+Bows toward her , and would under-peep her lids ,
+To see the enclosed lights , now canopied
+Under these windows , white and azure lac'd
+With blue of heaven's own tinct . But my design ,
+To note the chamber : I will write all down :
+Such and such pictures ; there the window ; such
+Th' adornment of her bed ; the arras , figures ,
+Why , such and such ; and the contents o' the story .
+Ah ! but some natural notes about her body ,
+Above ten thousand meaner moveables
+Would testify , to enrich mine inventory .
+O sleep ! thou ape of death , lie dull upon her ;
+And be her senses but as a monument
+Thus in a chapel lying . Come off , come off ;
+
+As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard !
+'Tis mine ; and this will witness outwardly ,
+As strongly as the conscience does within ,
+To the madding of her lord . On her left breast
+A mole cinque-spotted , like the crimson drops
+I' the bottom of a cowslip : here's a voucher ;
+Stronger than ever law could make : this secret
+Will force him think I have pick'd the lock and ta'en
+The treasure of her honour . No more . To what end ?
+Why should I write this down , that's riveted ,
+Screw'd to my memory ? She hath been reading late
+The tale of Tereus ; here the leaf's turn'd down
+Where Philomel gave up . I have enough :
+To the trunk again , and shut the spring of it .
+Swift , swift , you dragons of the night , that dawning
+May bare the raven's eye ! I lodge in fear ;
+Though this a heavenly angel , hell is here .
+
+One , two , three : time , time !
+
+
+Your lordship is the most patient man in loss , the most coldest that ever turned up ace .
+
+It would make any man cold to lose .
+
+But not every man patient after the noble temper of your lordship . You are most hot and furious when you win .
+
+Winning will put any man into courage .
+If I could get this foolish Imogen , I should have gold enough . It's almost morning , is 't not ?
+
+Day , my lord .
+
+I would this music would come . I am advised to give her music o' mornings ; they say it will penetrate .
+
+
+Come on ; tune . If you can penetrate her with your fingering , so ; we'll try with tongue too : if none will do , let her remain ; but I'll never give o'er . First , a very excellent good-conceited thing ; after , a wonderful sweet air , with admirable rich words to it : and then let her consider .
+
+
+Hark ! hark ! the lark at heaven's gate sings ,
+And Ph bus 'gins arise ,
+His steeds to water at those springs
+On chalic'd flowers that lies ,
+And winking Mary-buds begin
+To ope their golden eyes :
+With every thing that pretty is ,
+My lady sweet , arise .
+Arise , arise !
+
+
+So , get you gone . If this penetrate , I will consider your music the better ; if it do not , it is a vice in her ears , which horse-hairs and calves'-guts , nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot , can never amend .
+
+Here comes the king .
+
+I am glad I was up so late , for that's the reason I was up so early ; he cannot choose but take this service I have done fatherly .
+
+Good morrow to your majesty and to my gracious mother .
+
+Attend you here the door of our stern daughter ?
+Will she not forth ?
+
+I have assail'd her with musics , but she vouchsafes no notice .
+
+The exile of her minion is too new ,
+She hath not yet forgot him ; some more time
+Must wear the print of his remembrance out ,
+And then she's yours .
+
+You are most bound to the king ,
+Who lets go by no vantages that may
+Prefer you to his daughter . Frame yourself
+To orderly soliciting , and be friended
+With aptness of the season ; make denials
+Increase your services ; so seem as if
+You were inspir'd to do those duties which
+You tender to her ; that you in all obey her
+Save when command to your dismission tends ,
+And therein you are senseless .
+
+Senseless ! not so .
+
+
+So like you , sir , ambassadors from Rome ;
+The one is Caius Lucius .
+
+A worthy fellow ,
+Albeit he comes on angry purpose now ;
+But that's no fault of his : we must receive him
+According to the honour of his sender ;
+And towards himself , his goodness forespent on us ,
+We must extend our notice . Our dear son ,
+When you have given good morning to your mistress ,
+Attend the queen and us ; we shall have need
+To employ you towards this Roman . Come , our queen .
+
+
+If she be up , I'll speak with her ; if not ,
+Let her lie still , and dream . By your leave , ho !
+
+I know her women are about her . What
+If I do line one of their hands ? 'Tis gold
+Which buys admittance ; oft it doth ; yea , and makes
+Diana's rangers false themselves , yield up
+Their deer to the stand o' the stealer ; and 'tis gold
+Which makes the true man kill'd and saves the thief ;
+Nay , sometime hangs both thief and true man . What
+Can it not do and undo ? I will make
+One of her women lawyer to me , for
+I yet not understand the case myself .
+By your leave .
+
+Who's there , that knocks ?
+
+A gentleman .
+
+No more ?
+
+Yes , and a gentlewoman's son .
+
+That's more
+Than some whose tailors are as dear as yours
+Can justly boast of . What's your lordship's pleasure ?
+
+Your lady's person : is she ready ?
+
+Ay ,
+To keep her chamber .
+
+There's gold for you ; sell me your good report .
+
+How ! my good name ? or to report of you
+What I shall think is good ?The princess !
+
+
+Good morrow , fairest ; sister , your sweet hand .
+
+
+Good morrow , sir . You lay out too much pains
+For purchasing but trouble ; the thanks I give
+Is telling you that I am poor of thanks
+And scarce can spare them .
+
+Still , I swear I love you .
+
+If you but said so , 'twere as deep with me :
+If you swear still , your recompense is still
+That I regard it not .
+
+This is no answer .
+
+But that you shall not say I yield being silent
+I would not speak . I pray you , spare me : faith ,
+I shall unfold equal discourtesy
+To your best kindness . One of your great knowing
+Should learn , being taught , forbearance .
+
+To leave you in your madness , 'twere my sin :
+I will not .
+
+Fools cure not mad folks .
+
+Do you call me fool ?
+
+As I am mad , I do :
+If you'll be patient , I'll no more be mad ;
+That cures us both . I am much sorry , sir ,
+You put me to forget a lady's manners ,
+By being so verbal ; and learn now , for all ,
+That I , which know my heart , do here pronounce
+By the very truth of it , I care not for you ;
+And am so near the lack of charity ,
+To accuse myself ,I hate you ; which I had rather
+You felt than make 't my boast .
+
+You sin against
+Obedience , which you owe your father . For
+The contract you pretend with that base wretch ,
+One bred of alms and foster'd with cold dishes ,
+With scraps o' the court , it is no contract , none ;
+And though it be allow'd in meaner parties
+Yet who than he more mean ?to knit their souls
+On whom there is no more dependancy
+But brats and beggary in self-figur'd knot ;
+Yet you are curb'd from that enlargement by
+The consequence o' the crown , and must not soil
+The precious note of it with a base slave ,
+A hilding for a livery , a squire's cloth ,
+A pantler , not so eminent .
+
+Profane fellow !
+Wert thou the son of Jupiter , and no more
+But what thou art besides , thou wert too base
+To be his groom ; thou wert dignified enough ,
+Even to the point of envy , if 'twere made
+Comparative for your virtues , to be styl'd
+The under-hangman of his kingdom , and hated
+For being preferr'd so well .
+
+The south-fog rot him !
+
+He never can meet more mischance than come
+To be but nam'd of thee . His meanest garment
+That ever hath but clipp'd his body , is dearer
+In my respect than all the hairs above thee ,
+Were they all made such men . How now , Pisanio !
+
+
+'His garment !' Now , the devil
+
+To Dorothy my woman hie thee presently ,
+
+'His garment !'
+
+I am sprighted with a fool ,
+Frighted , and anger'd worse . Go , bid my woman
+Search for a jewel that too casually
+Hath left mine arm ; it was thy master's , 'shrew me
+If I would lose it for a revenue
+Of any king's in Europe . I do think
+I saw 't this morning ; confident I am
+Last night 'twas on mine arm , I kiss'd it ;
+I hope it be not gone to tell my lord
+That I kiss aught but he .
+
+'Twill not be lost .
+
+I hope so ; go , and search .
+
+
+You have abus'd me :
+'His meanest garment !'
+
+Ay , I said so , sir :
+If you will make 't an action , call witness to 't .
+
+I will inform your father .
+
+Your mother too :
+She's my good lady , and will conceive , I hope ,
+But the worst of me . So I leave you , sir ,
+To the worst of discontent .
+
+
+I'll be reveng'd .
+'His meanest garment !' Well .
+
+
+Fear it not , sir ; I would I were so sure
+To win the king as I am bold her honour
+Will remain hers .
+
+What means do you make to him ?
+
+Not any , but abide the change of time ,
+Quake in the present winter's state and wish
+That warmer days would come ; in these sear'd hopes ,
+I barely gratify your love ; they failing ,
+I must die much your debtor .
+
+Your very goodness and your company
+O'erpays all I can do . By this , your king
+Hath heard of great Augustus ; Caius Lucius
+Will do 's commission throughly , and I think
+He'll grant the tribute , send the arrearages ,
+Or look upon our Romans , whose remembrance
+Is yet fresh in their grief .
+
+I do believe
+Statist though I am none , nor like to be
+That this will prove a war ; and you shall hear
+The legions now in Gallia sooner landed
+In our not-fearing Britain , than have tidings
+Of any penny tribute paid . Our countrymen
+Are men more order'd than when Julius C sar
+Smil'd at their lack of skill , but found their courage
+Worthy his frowning at : their discipline ,
+Now winged ,with their courage will make known
+To their approvers they are people such
+That mend upon the world .
+
+See ! Iachimo !
+
+
+The swiftest harts have posted you by land ,
+And winds of all the corners kiss'd your sails ,
+To make your vessel nimble .
+
+Welcome , sir .
+
+I hope the briefness of your answer made
+The speediness of your return .
+
+Your lady
+Is one of the fairest that I have look'd upon .
+
+And therewithal the best ; or let her beauty
+Look through a casement to allure false hearts
+And be false with them .
+
+Here are letters for you .
+
+Their tenour good , I trust .
+
+'Tis very like .
+
+Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court
+When you were there ?
+
+He was expected then ,
+But not approach'd .
+
+All is well yet .
+Sparkles this stone as it was wont ? or is't not
+Too dull for your good wearing ?
+
+If I have lost it ,
+I should have lost the worth of it in gold .
+I'll make a journey twice as far to enjoy
+A second night of such sweet shortness which
+Was mine in Britain ; for the ring is won .
+
+The stone's too hard to come by .
+
+Not a whit ,
+Your lady being so easy .
+
+Make not , sir ,
+Your loss your sport : I hope you know that we
+Must not continue friends .
+
+Good sir , we must ,
+If you keep covenant . Had I not brought
+The knowledge of your mistress home , I grant
+We were to question further , but I now
+Profess myself the winner of her honour ,
+Together with your ring ; and not the wronger
+Of her or you , having proceeded but
+By both your wills .
+
+If you can make 't apparent
+That you have tasted her in bed , my hand
+And ring is yours ; if not , the foul opinion
+You had of her pure honour gains or loses
+Your sword or mine or masterless leaves both
+To who shall find them .
+
+Sir , my circumstances
+Being so near the truth as I will make them ,
+Must first induce you to believe : whose strength
+I will confirm with oath ; which , I doubt not ,
+You'll give me leave to spare , when you shall find
+You need it not .
+
+Proceed .
+
+First , her bedchamber ,
+Where I confess I slept not , but profess
+Had that was well worth watching ,it was hang'd
+With tapestry of silk and silver ; the story
+Proud Cleopatra , when she met her Roman ,
+And Cydnus swell'd above the banks , or for
+The press of boats or pride ; a piece of work
+So bravely done , so rich , that it did strive
+In workmanship and value ; which I wonder'd
+Could be rarely and exactly wrought ,
+Since the true life on 't was
+
+This is true ;
+And this you might have heard of here , by me ,
+Or by some other .
+
+More particulars
+Must justify my knowledge .
+
+So they must ,
+Or do your honour injury .
+
+The chimney
+Is south the chamber , and the chimney-piece
+Chaste Dian bathing ; never saw I figures
+So likely to report themselves ; the cutter
+Was as another nature , dumb ; outwent her ,
+Motion and breath left out .
+
+This is a thing
+Which you might from relation likewise reap ,
+Being , as it is , much spoke of .
+
+The roof o' the chamber
+With golden cherubins is fretted ; her andirons
+I had forgot them were two winking Cupids
+Of silver , each on one foot standing , nicely
+Depending on their brands .
+
+This is her honour !
+Let it be granted you have seen all this ,and praise
+Be given to your remembrance ,the description
+Of what is in her chamber nothing saves
+The wager you have laid .
+
+Then , if you can ,
+Be pale : I beg but leave to air this jewel ; see !
+
+And now 'tis up again ; it must be married
+To that your diamond ; I'll keep them .
+
+Jove !
+Once more let me behold it . Is it that
+Which I left with her ?
+
+Sir ,I thank her ,that :
+She stripp'd it from her arm ; I see her yet ;
+Her pretty action did outsell her gift ,
+And yet enrich'd it too . She gave it me , and said
+She priz'd it once .
+
+May be she pluck'd it off
+To send it me .
+
+She writes so to you , doth she ?
+
+O ! no , no , no , 'tis true . Here , take this too ;
+
+It is a basilisk unto mine eye ,
+Kills me to look on 't . Let there be no honour
+Where there is beauty ; truth where semblance ; love
+Where there's another man ; the vows of women
+Of no more bondage be to where they are made
+Than they are to their virtues , which is nothing .
+O ! above measure false .
+
+Have patience , sir ,
+And take your ring again ; 'tis not yet won :
+It may be probable she lost it ; or
+Who knows if one of her women , being corrupted ,
+Hath stol'n it from her ?
+
+Very true ;
+And so I hope he came by 't . Back my ring .
+Render to me some corporal sign about her ,
+More evident than this ; for this was stol'n .
+
+By Jupiter , I had it from her arm .
+
+Hark you , he swears ; by Jupiter he swears .
+'Tis true ; nay , keep the ring ; 'tis true : I am sure
+She would not lose it ; her attendants are
+All sworn and honourable ; they induc'd to steal it !
+And by a stranger ! No , he hath enjoy'd her ;
+The cognizance of her incontinency
+Is this ; she hath bought the name of whore thus dearly .
+There , take thy hire ; and all the fiends of hell
+Divide themselves between you !
+
+Sir , be patient :
+This is not strong enough to be believ'd
+Of one persuaded well of
+
+Never talk on 't ;
+She hath been colted by him .
+
+If you seek
+For further satisfying , under her breast ,
+Worthy the pressing , lies a mole , right proud
+Of that most delicate lodging : by my life ,
+I kiss'd it , and it gave me present hunger
+To feed again , though full . You do remember
+This stain upon her ?
+
+Ay , and it doth confirm
+Another stain , as big as hell can hold ,
+Were there no more but it .
+
+Will you hear more ?
+
+Spare your arithmetic ; never count the turns ;
+Once , and a million !
+
+I'll be sworn ,
+
+No swearing .
+If you will swear you have not done 't , you lie ;
+And I will kill thee if thou dost deny
+Thou'st made me cuckold .
+
+I'll deny nothing .
+
+O ! that I had her here , to tear her limb-meal .
+I will go there and do 't , i' the court , before
+Her father . I'll do something
+
+
+Quite besides
+The government of patience ! You have won :
+Let's follow him , and pervert the present wrath
+He hath against himself .
+
+With all my heart .
+
+
+Is there no way for men to be , but women
+Must be half-workers ? We are all bastards ; all ,
+And that most venerable man which I
+Did call my father was I know not where
+When I was stamp'd ; some coiner with his tools
+Made me a counterfeit ; yet my mother seem'd
+The Dian of that time ; so doth my wife
+The nonpareil of this . O ! vengeance , vengeance ;
+Me of my lawful pleasure she restrain'd
+And pray'd me oft forbearance ; did it with
+A pudency so rosy the sweet view on 't
+Might well have warm'd old Saturn ; that I thought her
+As chaste as unsunn'd snow . O ! all the devils !
+This yellow Iachimo , in an hour ,was 't not ?
+Or less at first ?perchance he spoke not , but
+Like a full-acorn'd boar , a German one ,
+Cried 'O !' and mounted ; found no opposition
+But what he look'd for should oppose and she
+Should from encounter guard . Could I find out
+The woman's part in me ! For there's no motion
+That tends to vice in man but I affirm
+It is the woman's part ; be it lying , note it ,
+The woman's ; flattering , hers ; deceiving , hers ;
+Lust and rank thoughts , hers , hers ; revenges , hers ;
+Ambitions , covetings , change of prides , disdain ,
+Nice longing , slanders , mutability ,
+All faults that man may name , nay , that hell knows ,
+Why , hers , in part , or all ; but rather , all ;
+For even to vice
+They are not constant , but are changing still
+One vice but of a minute old for one
+Not half so old as that . I'll write against them ,
+Detest them , curse them . Yet 'tis greater skill
+In a true hate to pray they have their will :
+The very devils cannot plague them better .
+
+Now say what would Augustus C sar with us ?
+
+When Julius C sar whose remembrance yet
+Lives in men's eyes , and will to ears and tongues
+Be theme and hearing ever was in this Britain ,
+And conquer'd it , Cassibelan , thine uncle ,
+Famous in C sar's praises , no whit less
+Than in his feats deserving it ,for him
+And his succession , granted Rome a tribute ,
+Yearly three thousand pounds , which by thee lately
+Is left untender'd .
+
+And , to kill the marvel ,
+Shall be so ever .
+
+There be many C sars
+Ere such another Julius . Britain is
+A world by itself , and we will nothing pay
+For wearing our own noses .
+
+That opportunity ,
+Which then they had to take from 's , to resume ,
+We have again . Remember , sir , my liege ,
+The kings your ancestors , together with
+The natural bravery of your isle , which stands
+As Neptune's park , ribbed and paled in
+With rocks unscaleable and roaring waters ,
+With sands , that will not bear your enemies' boats ,
+But suck them up to the topmast . A kind of conquest
+C sar made here , but made not here his brag
+Of 'came , and saw , and overcame :' with shame
+The first that ever touch'd him he was carried
+From off our coast , twice beaten ; and his shipping
+Poor ignorant baubles !on our terrible seas ,
+Like egg-shells mov'd upon their surges , crack'd
+As easily 'gainst our rocks : for joy whereof
+The fam'd Cassibelan , who was once at point
+O giglot fortune !to master C sar's sword ,
+Made Lud's town with rejoicing-fires bright ,
+And Britons stiut with courage .
+
+Come , there's no more tribute to be paid . Our kingdom is stronger than it was at that time ; and , as I said , there is no moe such C sars ; other of them may have crooked noses , but to owe such straight arms , none .
+
+Son , let your mother end .
+
+We have yet many among us can gripe as hard as Cassibelan ; I do not say I am one , but I have a hand . Why tribute ? why should we pay tribute ? If C sar can hide the sun from us with a blanket , or put the moon in his pocket , we will pay him tribute for light ; else , sir , no more tribute , pray you now .
+
+You must know ,
+Till the injurious Romans did extort
+This tribute from us , we were free ; C sar's ambition
+Which swell'd so much that it did almost stretch
+The sides o' the world against all colour here
+Did put the yoke upon 's ; which to shake off
+Becomes a war-like people , whom we reckon
+Ourselves to be . We do say then to C sar
+Our ancestor was that Mulmutius which
+Ordain'd our laws , whose use the sword of C sar
+Hath too much mangled ; whose repair and franchise
+Shall , by the power we hold , be our good deed ,
+Though Rome be therefore angry . Mulmutius made our laws ,
+Who was the first of Britain which did put
+His brows within a golden crown , and call'd
+Himself a king .
+
+I am sorry , Cymbeline ,
+That I am to pronounce Augustus C sar
+C sar , that hath more kings his servants than
+Thyself domestic officers thine enemy .
+Receive it from me , then : war and confusion
+In C sar's name pronounce I 'gainst thee : look
+For fury not to be resisted . Thus defied ,
+I thank thee for myself .
+
+Thou art welcome , Caius .
+Thy C sar knighted me ; my youth I spent
+Much under him ; of him I gather'd honour ;
+Which he , to seek of me again , perforce ,
+Behoves me keep at utterance . I am perfect
+That the Pannonians and Dalmatians for
+Their liberties are now in arms ; a precedent
+Which not to read would show the Britons cold :
+So C sar shall not find them .
+
+Let proof speak .
+
+His majesty bids you welcome . Make pastime with us a day or two , or longer ; if you seek us afterwards in other terms , you shall find us in our salt-water girdle ; if you beat us out of it , it is yours ; if you fall in the adventure , our crows shall fare the better for you ; and there's an end .
+
+So , sir .
+
+I know your master's pleasure and he mine :
+All the remain is 'Welcome !'
+
+
+How ! of adultery ! Wherefore write you not
+What monster's her accuser ? Leonatus !
+O master ! what a strange infection
+Is fall'n into thy ear ! What false Italian
+As poisonous-tongu'd as handed hath prevail'd
+On thy too ready hearing ? Disloyal ! No :
+She's punish'd for her truth , and undergoes ,
+More goddess-like than wife-like , such assaults
+As would take in some virtue . O my master !
+Thy mind to her is now as low as were
+Thy fortunes . How ! that I should murder her ?
+Upon the love and truth and vows which I
+Have made to thy command ? I , her ? her blood ?
+If it be so to do good service , never
+Let me be counted serviceable . How look I ,
+That I should seem to lack humanity
+So much as this fact comes to ?Do't : the letter
+That I have sent her by her own command
+Shall give thee opportunity :O damn'd paper !
+Black as the ink that's on thee . Senseless bauble ,
+Art thou a feodary for this act , and look'st
+So virgin-like without ? Lo ! here she comes .
+I am ignorant in what I am commanded .
+
+
+How now , Pisanio !
+
+Madam , here is a letter from my lord .
+
+Who ? thy lord ? that is my lord , Leonatus .
+O ! learn'd indeed were that astronomer
+That knew the stars as I his characters ;
+He'd lay the future open . You good gods ,
+Let what is here contain'd relish of love ,
+Of my lord's health , of his content , yet not
+That we two are asunder ; let that grieve him ,
+Some griefs are med'cinable ; that is one of them ,
+For it doth physic love ,of his content ,
+All but in that ! Good wax , thy leave . Bless'd be
+You bees that make these locks of counsel ! Lovers
+And men in dangerous bonds pray not alike ;
+Though forfeiters you cast in prison , yet
+You clasp young Cupid's tables . Good news , gods !
+Justice , and your father's wrath , should he take me in his dominion , could not be so cruel to me , as you , O the dearest of creatures , would not even renew me with your eyes . Take notice that I am in Cambria , at Milford-Haven ; what your own love will out of this advise you , follow . So , he wishes you all happiness , that remains loyal to his vow , and your , increasing in love ,
+O ! for a horse with wings ! Hear'st thou , Pisanio ?
+He is at Milford-Haven ; read , and tell me
+How far 'tis thither . If one of mean affairs
+May plod it in a week , why may not I
+Glide thither in a day ? Then , true Pisanio ,
+Who long'st , like me , to see thy lord ; who long'st ,
+O ! let me 'bate ,but not like me ; yet long'st ,
+But in a fainter kind :O ! not like me ,
+For mine's beyond beyond ; say , and speak thick ;
+Love's counsellor should fill the bores of hearing ,
+To the smothering of the sense ,how far it is
+To this same blessed Milford ; and , by the way ,
+Tell me how Wales was made so happy as
+T' inherit such a haven ; but , first of all ,
+How we may steal from hence , and , for the gap
+That we shall make in time , from our hencegoing
+And our return , to excuse ; but first , how get hence .
+Why should excuse be born or ere begot ?
+We'll talk of that hereafter . Prithee , speak ,
+How many score of miles may we well ride
+'Twixt hour and hour ?
+
+One score 'twixt sun and sun ,
+Madam , 's enough for you , and too much too .
+
+Why , one that rode to 's execution , man ,
+Could never go so slow : I have heard of riding wagers ,
+Where horses have been nimbler than the sands
+That run i' the clock's behalf . But this is foolery ;
+Go bid my woman feign a sickness ; say
+She'll home to her father ; and provide me presently
+A riding-suit , no costlier than would fit
+A franklin's housewife .
+
+Madam , you're best consider .
+
+I see before me , man ; nor here , nor here ,
+Nor what ensues , but have a fog in them ,
+That I cannot look through . Away , I prithee ;
+Do as I bid thee . There's no more to say ;
+Accessible is none but Milford way .
+
+
+A goodly day not to keep house , with such
+Whose roof's as low as ours ! Stoop , boys ; this gate
+Instructs you how to adore the heavens , and bows you
+To a morning's holy office ; the gates of monarchs
+Are arch'd so high that giants may jet through
+And keep their impious turbans on , without
+Good morrow to the sun . Hail , thou fair heaven !
+We house i' the rock , yet use thee not so hardly
+As prouder livers do .
+
+Hail , heaven !
+
+Hail , heaven !
+
+Now for our mountain sport . Up to yond hill ;
+Your legs are young ; I'll tread these flats . Consider ,
+When you above perceive me like a crow ,
+That it is place which lessens and sets off ;
+And you may then revolve what tales I have told you
+Of courts , of princes , of the tricks in war ;
+This service is not service , so being done ,
+But being so allow'd ; to apprehend thus
+Draws us a profit from all things we see ,
+And often , to our comfort , shall we find
+The sharded beetle in a safer hold
+Than is the full wing'd eagle . O ! this life
+Is nobler than attending for a check ,
+Richer than doing nothing for a bribe ,
+Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk ;
+Such gain the cap of him that makes 'em fine ,
+Yet keeps his book uncross'd ; no life to ours .
+
+Out of your proof you speak ; we , poor unfledg'd ,
+Have never wing'd from view o' the nest , nor know not
+What air's from home . Haply this life is best ,
+If quiet life be best ; sweeter to you
+That have a sharper known , well corresponding
+With your stiff age ; but unto us it is
+A cell of ignorance , travelling a-bed ,
+A prison for a debtor , that not dares
+To stride a limit .
+
+What should we speak of
+When we are old as you ? when we shall hear
+The rain and wind beat dark December , how
+In this our pinching cave shall we discourse
+The freezing hours away ? We have seen nothing ;
+We are beastly , subtle as the fox for prey ,
+Like war-like as the wolf for what we eat ;
+Our valour is to chase what flies ; our cage
+We make a quire , as doth the prison'd bird ,
+And sing our bondage freely .
+
+How you speak !
+Did you but know the city's usuries
+And felt them knowingly ; the art o' the court ,
+As hard to leave as keep , whose top to climb
+Is certain falling , or so slippery that
+The fear's as bad as falling ; the toil of the war ,
+A pain that only seems to seek out danger
+I' the name of fame and honour ; which dies i' the search ,
+And hath as oft a slanderous epitaph
+As record of fair act ; nay , many times ,
+Doth ill deserve by doing well ; what's worse ,
+Must curtsy at the censure : O boys ! this story
+The world may read in me ; my body's mark'd
+With Roman swords , and my report was once
+First with the best of note ; Cymbeline lov'd me ,
+And when a soldier was the theme , my name
+Was not far off ; then was I as a tree
+Whose boughs did bend with fruit , but , in one night ,
+A storm or robbery , call it what you will ,
+Shook down my mellow hangings , nay , my leaves ,
+And left me bare to weather .
+
+Uncertain favour !
+
+My fault being nothing ,as I have told you oft ,
+But that two villains , whose false oaths prevail'd
+Before my perfect honour , swore to Cymbeline
+I was confederate with the Romans ; so
+Follow'd my banishment , and this twenty years
+This rock and these demesnes have been my world ,
+Where I have liv'd at honest freedom , paid
+More pious debts to heaven than in all
+The fore-end of my time . But , up to the mountains !
+This is not hunter's language . He that strikes
+The venison first shall be the lord o' the feast ;
+To him the other two shall minister ;
+And we will fear no poison which attends
+In place of greater state . I'll meet you in the valleys .
+
+How hard it is to hide the sparks of nature !
+These boys know little they are sons to the king ;
+Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive .
+They think they are mine ; and , though train'd up thus meanly
+I' the cave wherein they bow , their thoughts do hit
+The roofs of palaces , and nature prompts them
+In simple and low things to prince it much
+Beyond the trick of others . This Polydore ,
+The heir of Cymbeline and Britain , who
+The king his father call'd Guiderius ,Jove !
+When on my three-foot stool I sit and tell
+The war-like feats I have done , his spirits fly out
+Into my story : say , 'Thus mine enemy fell ,
+And thus I set my foot on 's neck ;' even then
+The princely blood flows in his cheek , he sweats ,
+Strains his young nerves , and puts himself in posture
+That acts my words . The younger brother , Cadwal ,
+Once Arviragus ,in as like a figure ,
+Strikes life into my speech and shows much more
+His own conceiving . Hark ! the game is rous'd .
+O Cymbeline ! heaven and my conscience knows
+Thou didst unjustly banish me ; whereon ,
+At three and two years old , I stole these babes ,
+Thinking to bar thee of succession , as
+Thou reft'st me of my lands . Euriphile ,
+Thou wast their nurse ; they took thee for their mother ,
+And every day do honour to her grave :
+Myself , Belarius , that am Morgan call'd ,
+They take for natural father . The game is up .
+
+
+Thou told'st me , when we came from horse , the place
+Was near at hand : ne'er long'd my mother so
+To see me first , as I have now . Pisanio ! man !
+Where is Posthumus ? What is in thy mind ,
+That makes thee stare thus ? Wherefore breaks that sigh
+From the inward of thee ? One , but painted thus ,
+Would be interpreted a thing perplex'd
+Beyond self-explication ; put thyself
+Into a haviour of less fear , ere wildness
+Vanquish my staider senses . What's the matter ?
+Why tender'st thou that paper to me with
+A look untender ? If 't be summer news ,
+Smile to 't before ; if winterly , thou need'st
+But keep that count'nance still . My husband's hand !
+That drug-damn'd Italy hath out-craftied him ,
+And he's at some hard point . Speak , man ; thy tongue
+May take off some extremity , which to read
+Would be even mortal to me .
+
+Please you , read ;
+And you shall find me , wretched man , a thing
+The most disdain'd of fortune .
+
+Thy mistress , Pisanio , hath played the strumpet in my bed ; the testimonies whereof lie bleeding in me . I speak not out of weak surmises , but from proof as strong as my grief and as certain as I expect my revenge . That part thou , Pisanio , must act for me , if thy faith be not tainted with the breach of hers . Let thine own hands take away her life ; I shall give thee opportunity at Milford-Haven ; she hath my letter for the purpose ; where , if thou fear to strike , and to make me certain it is done , thou art the pandar to her dishonour and equally to me disloyal .
+
+What shall I need to draw my sword ? the paper
+Hath cut her throat already . No , 'tis slander ,
+Whose edge is sharper than the sword , whose tongue
+Outvenoms all the worms of Nile , whose breath
+Rides on the posting winds and doth belie
+All corners of the world ; kings , queens , and states ,
+Maids , matrons , nay , the secrets of the grave
+This viperous slander enters . What cheer , madam ?
+
+False to his bed ! What is it to be false ?
+To lie in watch there and to think on him ?
+To weep 'twixt clock and clock ? if sleep charge nature ,
+To break it with a fearful dream of him ,
+And cry myself awake ? that's false to 's bed , is it ?
+
+Alas ! good lady .
+
+I false ! Thy conscience witness ! Iachimo ,
+Thou didst accuse him of incontinency ;
+Thou then look'dst like a villain ; now methinks
+Thy favour's good enough . Some jay of Italy ,
+Whose mother was her painting , hath betray'd him :
+Poor I am stale , a garment out of fashion ,
+And , for I am richer than to hang by the walls ,
+I must be ripp'd ; to pieces with me ! O !
+Men's vows are women's traitors ! All good seeming ,
+By thy revolt , O husband ! shall be thought
+Put on for villany ; not born where 't grows ,
+But worn a bait for ladies .
+
+Good madam , hear me .
+
+True honest men being heard , like false neas ,
+Were in his time thought false , and Sinon's weeping
+Did scandal many a holy tear , took pity
+From most true wretchedness ; so thou , Posthumus ,
+Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men ;
+Goodly and gallant shall be false and perjur'd
+From thy great fail . Come , fellow , be thou honest ;
+Do thou thy master's bidding . When thou seest him ,
+A little witness my obedience ; look !
+I draw the sword myself ; take it , and hit
+The innocent mansion of my love , my heart .
+Fear not , 'tis empty of all things but grief ;
+Thy master is not there , who was indeed
+The riches of it : do his bidding ; strike .
+Thou mayst be valiant in a better cause ,
+But now thou seem'st a coward .
+
+Hence , vile instrument !
+Thou shalt not damn my hand .
+
+Why , I must die ;
+And if I do not by thy hand , thou art
+No servant of thy master's . Against self-slaughter
+There is a prohibition so divine
+That cravens my weak hand . Come , here's my heart .
+Something's afore 't ; soft , soft ! we'll no defence ;
+Obedient as the scabbard . What is here ?
+The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus
+All turn'd to heresy ! Away , away !
+Corrupters of my faith ; you shall no more
+Be stomachers to my heart . Thus may poor fools
+Believe false teachers ; though those that are betray'd
+Do feel the treason sharply , yet the traitor
+Stands in worse case of woe .
+And thou , Posthumus , thou that didst set up
+My disobedience 'gainst the king my father ,
+And make me put into contempt the suits
+Of princely fellows , shalt hereafter find
+It is no act of common passage , but
+A strain of rareness ; and I grieve myself
+To think , when thou shalt be disedg'd by her
+That now thou tir'st on , how thy memory
+Will then be pang'd by me . Prithee , dispatch ;
+The lamb entreats the butcher ; where's thy knife ?
+Thou art too slow to do thy master's bidding ,
+When I desire it too .
+
+O , gracious lady !
+Since I receiv'd command to do this business
+I have not slept one wink .
+
+Do 't , and to bed then .
+
+I'll wake mine eyeballs blind first .
+
+Wherefore then
+Didst undertake it ? Why hast thou abus'd
+So many miles with a pretence ? this place ?
+Mine action and thine own ? our horses' labour ?
+The time inviting thee ? the perturb'd court ,
+For my being absent ?whereunto I never
+Purpose return .Why hast thou gone so far ,
+To be unbent when thou hast ta'en thy stand ,
+The elected deer before thee ?
+
+But to win time
+To lose so bad employment , in the which
+I have consider'd of a course . Good lady ,
+Hear me with patience .
+
+Talk thy tongue weary ; speak :
+I have heard I am a strumpet , and mine ear ,
+Therein false struck , can take no greater wound ,
+Nor tent to bottom that . But speak .
+
+Then , madam ,
+I thought you would not back again .
+
+Most like ,
+Bringing me here to kill me .
+
+Not so , neither ;
+But if I were as wise as honest , then
+My purpose would prove well . It cannot be
+But that my master is abus'd ; some villain ,
+Some villain , ay , and singular in his art ,
+Hath done you both this cursed injury .
+
+Some Roman courtezan .
+
+No , on my life .
+I'll give but notice you are dead and send him
+Some bloody sign of it ; for 'tis commanded
+I should do so : you shall be miss'd at court ,
+And that will well confirm it .
+
+Why , good fellow ,
+What shall I do the while ? where bide ? how live ?
+Or in my life what comfort , when I am
+Dead to my husband ?
+
+If you'll back to the court ,
+
+No court , no father ; nor no more ado
+With that harsh , noble , simple nothing Cloten !
+That Cloten , whose love-suit hath been to me
+As fearful as a siege .
+
+If not at court ,
+Then not in Britain must you bide .
+
+Where then ?
+Hath Britain all the sun that shines ? Day , night ,
+Are they not but in Britain ? I' the world's volume
+Our Britain seems as of it , but not in 't ;
+In a great pool a swan's nest : prithee , think
+There's livers out of Britain .
+
+I am most glad
+You think of other place . The ambassador ,
+Lucius the Roman , comes to Milford-Haven
+To-morrow ; now , if you could wear a mind
+Dark as your fortune is , and but disguise
+That which , t' appear itself , must not yet be
+But by self-danger , you should tread a course
+Pretty , and full of view ; yea , haply , near
+The residence of Posthumus ; so nigh at least
+That though his actions were not visible , yet
+Report should render him hourly to your ear
+As truly as he moves .
+
+O ! for such means :
+Though peril to my modesty , not death on 't ,
+I would adventure .
+
+Well , then , here's the point :
+You must forget to be a woman ; change
+Command into obedience ; fear and niceness
+The handmaids of all women , or more truly
+Woman it pretty self into a waggish courage ;
+Ready in gibes , quick-answer'd , saucy , and
+As quarrelous as the weasel ; nay , you must
+Forget that rarest treasure of your cheek ,
+Exposing it but , O ! the harder heart ,
+Alack ! no remedy to the greedy touch
+Of common-kissing Titan , and forget
+Your laboursome and dainty trims , wherein
+You made great Juno angry .
+
+Nay , be brief :
+I see into thy end , and am almost
+A man already .
+
+First , make yourself but like one .
+Forethinking this , I have already fit
+'Tis in my cloak-bag doublet , hat , hose , all
+That answer to them ; would you in their serving ,
+And with what imitation you can borrow
+From youth of such a season , 'fore noble Lucius
+Present yourself , desire his service , tell him
+Wherein you are happy ,which you'll make him know ,
+If that his head have ear in music ,doubtless
+With joy he will embrace you , for he's honourable ,
+And , doubling that , most holy . Your means abroad ,
+You have me , rich ; and I will never fail
+Beginning nor supplyment .
+
+Thou art all the comfort
+The gods will diet me with . Prithee , away ;
+There's more to be consider'd , but we'll even
+All that good time will give us ; this attempt
+I'm soldier to , and will abide it with
+A prince's courage . Away , I prithee .
+
+Well , madam , we must take a short farewell ,
+Lest , being miss'd , I be suspected of
+Your carriage from the court . My noble mistress ,
+Here is a box , I had it from the queen ,
+What's in 't is precious ; if you are sick at sea ,
+Or stomach-qualm'd at land , a dram of this
+Will drive away distemper . To some shade ,
+And fit you to your manhood . May the gods
+Direct you to the best !
+
+Amen . I thank thee
+
+
+Thus far ; and so farewell .
+
+Thanks , royal sir .
+My emperor hath wrote , I must from hence ;
+And am right sorry that I must report ye
+My master's enemy .
+
+Our subjects , sir ,
+Will not endure his yoke ; and for ourself
+To show less sovereignty than they , must needs
+Appear unking-like .
+
+So , sir : I desire of you
+A conduct over land to Milford-Haven .
+Madam , all joy befall your Grace .
+
+And you !
+
+My lords , you are appointed for that office ;
+The due of honour in no point omit .
+So , farewell , noble Lucius .
+
+Your hand , my lord .
+
+Receive it friendly ; but from this time forth
+I wear it as your enemy .
+
+Sir , the event
+Is yet to name the winner . Fare you well .
+
+Leave not the worthy Lucius , good my lords ,
+Till he have cross'd the Severn . Happiness !
+
+
+He goes hence frowning ; but it honours us
+That we have given him cause .
+
+'Tis all the better ;
+Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it .
+
+Lucius hath wrote already to the emperor
+How it goes here . It fits us therefore ripely
+Our chariots and horsemen be in readiness ;
+The powers that he already hath in Gallia
+Will soon be drawn to head , from whence he moves
+His war for Britain .
+
+'Tis not sleepy business ;
+But must be look'd to speedily and strongly .
+
+Our expectation that it would be thus
+Hath made us forward . But , my gentle queen ,
+Where is our daughter ? She hath not appear'd
+Before the Roman , nor to us hath tender'd
+The duty of the day ; she looks us like
+A thing more made of malice than of duty :
+We have noted it . Call her before us , for
+We have been too slight in sufferance .
+
+
+Royal sir .
+Since the exile of Posthumus , most retir'd
+Hath her life been ; the cure whereof , my lord ,
+'Tis time must do . Beseech your majesty ,
+Forbear sharp speeches to her ; she's a lady
+So tender of rebukes that words are strokes ,
+And strokes death to her .
+
+
+Where is she , sir ? How
+Can her contempt be answer'd ?
+
+Please you , sir ,
+Her chambers are all lock'd , and there's no answer
+That will be given to the loudest noise we make .
+
+My lord , when last I went to visit her ,
+She pray'd me to excuse her keeping close ,
+Whereto constrain'd by her infirmity ,
+She should that duty leave unpaid to you ,
+Which daily she was bound to proffer ; this
+She wish'd me to make known , but our great court
+Made me to blame in memory .
+
+Her doors lock'd !
+Not seen of late ! Grant , heavens , that which I fear
+Prove false !
+
+
+Son , I say , follow the king .
+
+That man of hers , Pisanio , her old servant ,
+I have not seen these two days .
+
+Go , look after .
+
+Pisanio , thou that stand'st so for Posthumus !
+He hath a drug of mine ; I pray his absence
+Proceed by swallowing that , for he believes
+It is a thing most precious . But for her ,
+Where is she gone ? Haply , despair hath sciz'd her ,
+Or , wing'd with fervour of her love , she's flown
+To her desir'd Posthumus . Gone she is
+To death or to dishonour , and my end
+Can make good use of either ; she being down ,
+I have the placing of the British crown .
+
+How now , my son !
+
+'Tis certain she is fled .
+Go in and cheer the king ; he rages , none
+Dare come about him .
+
+All the better ; may
+This night forestall him of the coming day !
+
+
+I love and hate her ; for she's fair and royal ,
+And that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite
+Than lady , ladies , woman ; from every one
+The best she hath , and she , of all compounded ,
+Outsells them all . I love her therefore ; but
+Disdaining me and throwing favours on
+The low Posthumus slanders so her judgment
+That what's else rare is chok'd , and in that point
+I will conclude to hate her , nay , indeed ,
+To be reveng'd upon her . For , when fools
+Shall
+
+
+Who is here ? What ! are you packing , sirrah ?
+Come hither . Ah ! you precious pandar . Villain ,
+Where is thy lady ? In a word ; or else
+
+Thou art straightway with the fiends .
+
+O ! good my lord .
+
+Where is thy lady ? or , by Jupiter
+I will not ask again . Close villain ,
+I'll have this secret from thy heart , or rip
+Thy heart to find it . Is she with Posthumus ?
+From whose so many weights of baseness cannot
+A dram of worth be drawn .
+
+Alas ! my lord ,
+How can she be with him ? When was she miss'd ?
+He is in Rome .
+
+Where is she , sir ? Come nearer ,
+No further halting ; satisfy me home
+What is become of her ?
+
+O ! my all-worthy lord .
+
+All-worthy villain !
+Discover where thy mistress is at once .
+At the next word ; no more of 'worthy lord !'
+Speak , or thy silence on the instant is
+Thy condemnation and thy death .
+
+Then , sir ,
+This paper is the history of my knowledge
+Touching her flight .
+
+
+Let's see 't . I will pursue her
+Even to Augustus' throne .
+
+Or this , or perish .
+She's far enough ; and what he learns by this
+May prove his travel , not her danger .
+
+Hum !
+
+I'll write to my lord she's dead . O Imogen !
+Safe mayst thou wander , safe return agen !
+
+Sirrah , is this letter true ?
+
+Sir , as I think .
+
+It is Posthumus' hand ; I know 't . Sirrah , if thou wouldst not be a villain , but do me true service , undergo those employments wherein I should have cause to use thee with a serious industry , that is , what villany soe'er I bid thee do , to perform it directly and truly , I would think thee an honest man ; thou shouldst neither want my means for thy relief nor my voice for thy preferment .
+
+Well , my good lord .
+
+Wilt thou serve me ? For since patiently and constantly thou hast stuck to the bare fortune of that beggar Posthumus , thou canst not , in the course of gratitude , but be a diligent follower of mine . Wilt thou serve me ?
+
+Sir , I will .
+
+Give me thy hand ; here's my purse . Hast any of thy late master's garments in thy possession ?
+
+I have , my lord , at my lodging , the same suit he wore when he took leave of my lady and mistress .
+
+The first service thou dost me , fetch that suit hither : let it be thy first service ; go .
+
+I shall , my lord .
+
+
+Meet thee at Milford-Haven !I forgot to ask him one thing ; I'll remember 't anon ,even there , thou villain Posthumus , will I kill thee . I would these garments were come . She said upon a time ,the bitterness of it I now belch from my heart ,that she held the very garment of Posthumus in more respect than my noble and natural person , together with the adornment of my qualities . With that suit upon my back will I ravish her : first kill him , and in her eyes ; there shall she see my valour , which will then be a torment to her contempt . He on the ground , my speech of insultment ended on his dead body , and when my lust hath dined ,which , as I say , to vex her , I will execute in the clothes that she so praised ,to the court I'll knock her back , foot her home again . She hath despised me rejoicingly , and I'll be merry in my revenge .
+
+Be those the garments ?
+
+Ay , my noble lord .
+
+How long is 't since she went to Milford-Haven ?
+
+She can scarce be there yet .
+
+Bring this apparel to my chamber ; that is the second thing that I have commanded thee : the third is , that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my design . Be but duteous , and true preferment shall tender itself to thee . My revenge is now at Milford ; would I had wings to follow it !
+Come , and be true .
+
+
+Thou bidd'st me to my loss ; for true to thee
+Were to prove false , which I will never be ,
+To him that is most true . To Milford go ,
+And find not her whom thou pursu'st . Flow , flow ,
+You heavenly blessings , on her ! This fool's speed
+Be cross'd with slowness ; labour be his meed !
+
+
+I see a man's life is a tedious one ;
+I have tir'd myself , and for two nights together
+Have made the ground my bed ; I should be sick
+But that my resolution helps me . Milford ,
+When from the mountain-top Pisanio show'd thee ,
+Thou wast within a ken . O Jove ! I think
+Foundations fly the wretched ; such , I mean ,
+Where they should be reliev'd . Two beggars told me
+I could not miss my way ; will poor folks lie ,
+That have afflictions on them , knowing 'tis
+A punishment or trial ? Yes ; no wonder ,
+When rich ones scarce tell true . To lapse in fulness
+Is sorer than to lie for need , and falsehood
+Is worse in kings than beggars . My dear lord !
+Thou art one o' the false ones . Now I think on thee ,
+My hunger's gone , but even before I was
+At point to sink for food . But what is this ?
+Here is a path to 't ; 'tis some savage hold ;
+I were best not call , I dare not call , yet famine ,
+Ere clean it o'erthrow nature , makes it valiant .
+Plenty and peace breeds cowards , hardness ever
+Of hardiness is mother . Ho ! Who's here ?
+If any thing that's civil , speak ; if savage ,
+Take or lend . Ho ! No answer ? Then I'll enter .
+Best draw my sword ; and if mine enemy
+But fear the sword like me , he'll scarcely look on 't .
+Such a foe , good heavens !
+
+You , Polydore , have prov'd best woodman , and
+Are master of the feast ; Cadwal and I
+Will play the cook and servant , 'tis our match ;
+The sweat of industry would dry and die
+But for the end it works to . Come ; our stomachs
+Will make what's homely savoury ; weariness
+Can snore upon the flint when resty sloth
+Finds the down pillow hard . Now , peace be here ,
+Poor house , that keep'st thyself !
+
+I am throughly weary .
+
+I am weak with toil , yet strong in appetite .
+
+There is cold meat i' the cave ; we'll browse on that ,
+Whilst what we have kill'd be cook'd .
+
+Stay ; come not in ;
+But that it eats our victuals , I should think
+Here were a fairy .
+
+What's the matter , sir ?
+
+By Jupiter , an angel ! or , if not ,
+An earthly paragon ! Behold divineness
+No elder than a boy !
+
+
+Good masters , harm me not :
+Before I enter'd here , I call'd ; and thought
+To have begg'd or bought what I have took . Good troth ,
+I have stol'n nought , nor would not , though I had found
+Gold strew'd i' the floor . Here's money for my meat ;
+I would have left it on the board so soon
+As I had made my meal , and parted
+With prayers for the provider .
+
+Money , youth ?
+
+All gold and silver rather turn to dirt !
+As 'tis no better reckon'd but of those
+Who worship dirty gods .
+
+I see you're angry .
+Know , if you kill me for my fault , I should
+Have died had I not made it .
+
+Whither bound ?
+
+To Milford-Haven .
+
+What's your name ?
+
+Fidele , sir . I have a kinsman who
+Is bound for Italy ; he embark'd at Milford :
+To whom being going , almost spent with hunger ,
+I am fall'n in this offence .
+
+Prithee , fair youth ,
+Think us no churis , nor measure our good minds
+By this rude place we live in . Well encounter'd !
+'Tis almost night ; you shall have better cheer
+Ere you depart , and thanks to stay and eat it .
+Boys , bid him welcome .
+
+Were you a woman , youth ,
+I should woo hard but be your groom . In honesty ,
+I bid for you , as I do buy .
+
+I'll make 't my comfort
+He is a man ; I'll love him as my brother ;
+And such a welcome as I'd give to him
+After a long absence , such is yours : most welcome !
+Be sprightly , for you fall 'mongst friends .
+
+'Mongst friends ,
+If brothers .
+
+Would it had been so , that they
+Had been my father's sons ; then had my prize
+Been less , and so more equal ballasting
+To thee , Posthumus .
+
+He wrings at some distress .
+
+Would I could free 't !
+
+Or I , whate'er it be ,
+What pain it cost , what danger . Gods !
+
+Hark , boys
+
+
+Great men ,
+That had a court no bigger than this cave ,
+That did attend themselves and had the virtue
+Which their own conscience seal'd them ,laying by
+That nothing-gift of differing multitudes ,
+Could not out-peer these twain . Pardon me , gods !
+I'd change my sex to be companion with them ,
+Since Leonatus' false .
+
+It shall be so .
+Boys , we'll go dress our hunt . Fair youth , come in :
+Discourse is heavy , fasting ; when we have supp'd ,
+We'll mannerly demand thee of thy story ,
+So far as thou wilt speak it .
+
+Pray , draw near .
+
+The night to the owl and morn to the lark less welcome .
+
+Thanks , sir .
+
+I pray , draw near .
+
+
+This is the tenour of the emperor's writ :
+That since the common men are now in action
+'Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians ,
+And that the legions now in Gallia are
+Full weak to undertake our wars against
+The fall'n-off Britons , that we do incite
+The gentry to this business . He creates
+Lucius pro-consul ; and to you the tribunes ,
+For this immediate levy , he commends
+His absolute commission . Long live C sar !
+
+Is Lucius general of the forces ?
+
+Ay .
+
+Remaining now in Gallia ?
+
+With those legions
+Which I have spoke of , whereunto your levy
+Must be supplyant ; the words of your commission
+Will tie you to the numbers and the time
+Of their dispatch .
+
+We will discharge our duty .
+
+I am near to the place where they should meet , if Pisanio have mapped it truly . How fit his garments serve me ! Why should his mistress , who was made by him that made the tailor , not be fit too ? the rather ,saving reverence of the word ,for 'tis said a woman's fitness comes by fits . Therein I must play the workman . I dare speak it to myself ,for it is not vain-glory , for a man and his glass to confer in his own chamber ,I mean , the lines of my body are as well drawn as his ; no less young , more strong , not beneath him in fortunes , beyond him in the advantage of the time , above him in birth , alike conversant in general services , and more remarkable in single oppositions ; yet this imperceiverant thing loves him in my despite . What mortality is ! Posthumus , thy head , which now is growing upon thy shoulders , shall within this hour be off , thy mistress enforced , thy garments cut to pieces before thy face ; and all this done , spurn her home to her father , who may haply be a little angry for my so rough usage , but my mother , having power of his testiness , shall turn all into my commendations . My horse is tied up safe ; out , sword , and to a sore purpose ! Fortune , put them into my hand ! This is the very description of their meeting-place ; and the fellow dares not deceive me .
+
+
+You are not well ; remain here in the cave ;
+We'll come to you after hunting .
+
+Brother , stay here ;
+Are we not brothers ?
+
+So man and man should be ,
+But clay and clay differs in dignity ,
+Whose dust is both alike . I am very sick .
+
+Go you to hunting ; I'll abide with him .
+
+So sick I am not , yet I am not well ;
+But not so citizen a wanton as
+To seem to die ere sick . So please you , leave me ;
+Stick to your journal course ; the breach of custom
+Is breach of all . I am ill ; but your being by me
+Cannot amend me ; society is no comfort
+To one not sociable . I am not very sick ,
+Since I can reason of it ; pray you , trust me here ,
+I'll rob none but myself , and let me die ,
+Stealing so poorly .
+
+I love thee ; I have spoke it ;
+How much the quantity , the weight as much ,
+As I do love my father .
+
+What ! how ! how !
+
+If it be sin to say so , sir , I yoke me
+In my good brother's fault : I know not why
+I love this youth ; and I have heard you say ,
+Love's reason's without reason : the bier at door ,
+And a demand who is 't shall die , I'd say
+'My father , not this youth .'
+
+O noble strain !
+O worthiness of nature ! breed of greatness !
+Cowards father cowards , and base things sire base :
+Nature hath meal and bran , contempt and grace .
+I'm not their father ; yet who this should be ,
+Doth miracle itself , lov'd before me .
+'Tis the ninth hour o' the morn .
+
+Brother , farewell .
+
+I wish ye sport .
+
+You health . So please you , sir .
+
+These are kind creatures . Gods , what lies I have heard !
+Our courtiers say all's savage but at court :
+Experience , O ! thou disprov'st report .
+The imperious seas breed monsters , for the dish
+Poor tributary rivers as sweet fish .
+I am sick still , heart-sick . Pisanio ,
+I'll now taste of thy drug .
+
+
+I could not stir him ;
+He said he was gentle , but unfortunate ;
+Dishonestly afflicted , but yet honest .
+
+Thus did he answer me ; yet said hereafter
+I might know more .
+
+To the field , to the field !
+
+
+We'll leave you for this time ; go in and rest .
+
+We'll not be long away .
+
+Pray , be not sick ,
+For you must be our housewife .
+
+Well or ill ,
+I am bound to you .
+
+And shalt be ever .
+
+This youth , howe'er distress'd , appears he hath had
+Good ancestors .
+
+How angel-like he sings !
+
+But his neat cookery ! he cut our roots
+In characters ,
+And sauc'd our broths as Juno had been sick
+And he her dieter .
+
+Nobly he yokes
+A smiling with a sigh , as if the sigh
+Was that it was , for not being such a smile ;
+The smile mocking the sigh , that it would fly
+From so divine a temple , to commix
+With winds that sailors rail at .
+
+I do note
+That grief and patience rooted in him , both
+Mingle their spurs together .
+
+Grow , patience !
+And let the stinking-elder , grief , untwine
+His perishing root with the increasing vine !
+
+It is great morning . Come , away !Who's there ?
+
+
+I cannot find those runagates ; that villain
+Hath mock'd me . I am faint .
+
+'Those runagates !'
+Means he not us ? I partly know him ; 'tis
+Cloten , the son o' the queen . I fear some ambush .
+I saw him not these many years , and yet
+I know 'tis he . We are held as outlaws : hence !
+
+He is but one . You and my brother search
+What companies are near ; pray you , away ;
+Let me alone with him .
+
+
+Soft ! What are you
+That fly me thus ? some villain mountainers ?
+I have heard of such . What slave art thou ?
+
+A thing
+More slavish did I ne'er than answering
+A 'slave' without a knock .
+
+Thou art a robber ,
+A law-breaker , a villain . Yield thee , thief .
+
+To who ? to thee ? What art thou ? Have not I
+An arm as big as thine ? a heart as big ?
+Thy words , I grant , are bigger , for I wear not
+My dagger in my mouth . Say what thou art ,
+Why I should yield to thee ?
+
+Thou villain base ,
+Know'st me not by my clothes ?
+
+No , nor thy tailor , rascal ,
+Who is thy grandfather : he made those clothes ,
+Which , as it seems , make thee .
+
+Thou precious varlet ,
+My tailor made them not .
+
+Hence then , and thank
+The man that gave them thee . Thou art some fool ;
+I am loath to beat thee .
+
+Thou injurious thief ,
+Hear but my name , and tremble .
+
+What's thy name ?
+
+Cloten , thou villain .
+
+Cloten , thou double villain , be thy name ,
+I cannot tremble at it ; were it Toad , or Adder , Spider ,
+'Twould move me sooner .
+
+To thy further fear ,
+Nay , to thy mere confusion , thou shalt know
+I am son to the queen .
+
+I'm sorry for 't , not seeming
+So worthy as thy birth .
+
+Art not afeard ?
+
+Those that I reverence those I fear , the wise ;
+At fools I laugh , not fear them .
+
+Die the death :
+When I have slain thee with my proper hand ,
+I'll follow those that even now fled hence ,
+And on the gates of Lud's town set your heads :
+Yield , rustic mountaineer .
+
+No companies abroad .
+
+None in the world . You did mistake him , sure .
+
+I cannot tell ; long is it since I saw him ,
+But time hath nothing blurr'd those lines of favour
+Which then he wore ; the snatches in his voice ,
+And burst of speaking , were as his . I am absolute
+'Twas very Cloten .
+
+In this place we left them :
+I wish my brother make good time with him ,
+You say he is so fell .
+
+Being scarce made up ,
+I mean , to man , he had not apprehension
+Of roaring terrors ; for defect of judgment
+Is oft the cease of fear . But see , thy brother .
+
+
+This Cloten was a fool , an empty purse ,
+There was no money in 't . Not Hercules
+Could have knock'd out his brains , for he had none ;
+Yet I not doing this , the fool had borne
+My head as I do his .
+
+What hast thou done ?
+
+I am perfect what : cut off one Cloten's head ,
+Son to the queen , after his own report ;
+Who call'd me traitor , mountaineer , and swore ,
+With his own single hand he'd take us in ,
+Displace our heads where thank the gods !they grow ,
+And set them on Lud's town .
+
+We are all undone .
+
+Why , worthy father , what have we to lose ,
+But that he swore to take , our lives ? The law
+Protects not us ; then why should we be tender
+To let an arrogant piece of flesh threat us ,
+Play judge and executioner all himself ,
+For we do fear the law ? What company
+Discover you abroad ?
+
+No single soul
+Can we set eye on ; but in all safe reason
+He must have some attendants . Though his humour
+Was nothing but mutation , ay , and that
+From one bad thing to worse ; not frenzy , not
+Absolute madness could so far have rav'd
+To bring him here alone . Although , perhaps ,
+It may be heard at court that such as we
+Cave here , hunt here , are outlaws , and in time
+May make some stronger head ; the which he hearing ,
+As it is like him ,might break out , and swear
+He'd fetch us in ; yet is 't not probable
+To come alone , either he so undertaking ,
+Or they so suffering ; then , on good ground we fear ,
+If we do fear this body hath a tail
+More perilous than the head .
+
+Let ordinance
+Come as the gods foresay it ; howsoe'er ,
+My brother hath done well .
+
+I had no mind
+To hunt this day ; the boy Fidele's sickness
+Did make my way long forth .
+
+With his own sword ,
+Which he did wave against my throat , I have ta'en
+His head from him ; I'll throw 't into the creek
+Behind our rock , and let it to the sea ,
+And tell the fishes he's the queen's son , Cloten :
+That's all I reck .
+
+
+I fear 'twill be reveng'd .
+Would , Polydore , thou hadst not done 't ! though valour
+Becomes thee well enough .
+
+Would I had done 't
+So the revenge alone pursu'd me ! Polydore ,
+I love thee brotherly , but envy much
+Thou hast robb'd me of this deed ; I would revenges ,
+That possible strength might meet , would seek us through
+And put us to our answer .
+
+Well , 'tis done .
+We'll hunt no more to-day , nor seek for danger
+Where there's no profit . I prithee , to our rock ;
+You and Fidele play the cooks ; I'll stay
+Till hasty Polydore return , and bring him
+To dinner presently .
+
+Poor sick Fidele !
+I'll willingly to him ; to gain his colour
+I'd let a parish of such Clotens blood ,
+And praise myself for charity .
+
+
+O thou goddess !
+Thou divine Nature , how thyself thou blazon'st
+In these two princely boys . They are as gentle
+As zephyrs , blowing below the violet ,
+Not wagging his sweet head ; and yet as rough ,
+Their royal blood enchaf'd , as the rud'st wind ,
+That by the top doth take the mountain pine ,
+And make him stoop to the vale . 'Tis wonder
+That an invisible instinct should frame them
+To royalty unlearn'd , honour untaught ,
+Civility not seen from other , valour
+That wildly grows in them , but yields a crop
+As if it had been sow'd ! Yet still it's strange
+What Cloten's being here to us portends ,
+Or what his death will bring us .
+
+
+Where's my brother ?
+I have sent Cloten's clotpoll down the stream ,
+In embassy to his mother ; his body's hostage
+For his return .
+
+
+My ingenious instrument !
+Hark ! Polydore , it sounds ; but what occasion
+Hath Cadwal now to give it motion ? Hark !
+
+Is he at home ?
+
+He went hence even now .
+
+What does he mean ? since death of my dear'st mother
+It did not speak before . All solemn things
+Should answer solemn accidents . The matter ?
+Triumphs for nothing and lamenting toys
+Is jollity for apes and grief for boys .
+Is Cadwal mad ?
+
+
+Look ! here he comes ,
+And brings the dire occasion in his arms
+Of what we blame him for .
+
+The bird is dead
+That we have made so much on . I had rather
+Have skipp'd from sixteen years of age to sixty ,
+To have turn'd my leaping-time into a crutch ,
+Than have seen this .
+
+O , sweetest , fairest lily !
+My brother wears thee not the one half so well
+As when thou grew'st thyself .
+
+O melancholy !
+Who ever yet could sound thy bottom ? find
+The ooze , to show what coast thy sluggish crare
+Might easiliest harbour in ? Thou blessed thing !
+Jove knows what man thou mightst have made ; but I ,
+Thou diedst , a most rare boy , of melancholy .
+How found you him ?
+
+Stark , as you see :
+Thus smiling , as some fly had tickled slumber ,
+Not as death's dart , being laugh'd at ; his right cheek
+Reposing on a cushion .
+
+Where ?
+
+O' the floor ,
+His arms thus leagu'd ; I thought he slept , and put
+My clouted brogues from off my feet , whose rudeness
+Answer'd my steps too loud .
+
+Why , he but sleeps :
+If he be gone , he'll make his grave a bed ;
+With female fairies will his tomb be haunted ,
+And worms will not come to thee .
+
+With fairest flowers
+While summer lasts and I live here , Fidele ,
+I'll sweeten thy sad grave ; thou shalt not lack
+The flower that's like thy face , pale primrose , nor
+The azur'd hare-bell , like thy veins , no , nor
+The leaf of eglantine , whom not to slander ,
+Out-sweeten'd not thy breath : the ruddock would ,
+With charitable bill ,O bill ! sore-shaming
+Those rich-left heirs , that let their fathers lie
+Without a monument ,bring thee all this ;
+Yea , and furr'd moss besides , when flowers are none ,
+To winter-ground thy corse .
+
+Prithee , have done ,
+And do not play in wench-like words with that
+Which is so serious . Let us bury him ,
+And not protract with admiration what
+Is now due debt . To the grave !
+
+Say , where shall 's lay him ?
+
+By good Euriphile , our mother .
+
+Be 't so :
+And let us , Polydore , though now our voices
+Have got the mannish crack , sing him to the ground ,
+As once our mother ; use like note and words ,
+Save that Euriphile must be Fidele .
+
+Cadwal ,
+I cannot sing ; I'll weep , and word it with thee ;
+For notes of sorrow out of tune are worse
+Than priests and fanes that lie .
+
+We'll speak it then .
+
+Great griefs , I see , medicine the less , for Cloten
+Is quite forgot . He was a queen's son , boys ,
+And though he came our enemy , remember
+He was paid for that ; though mean and mighty rotting
+Together , have one dust , yet reverence
+That angel of the world doth make distinction
+Of place 'tween high and low . Our foe was princely ,
+And though you took his life , as being our foe ,
+Yet bury him as a prince .
+
+Pray you , fetch him hither .
+Thersites' body is as good as Ajax'
+When neither are alive .
+
+If you'll go fetch him ,
+We'll say our song the whilst . Brother , begin .
+
+
+Nay , Cadwal , we must lay his head to the east ;
+My father hath a reason for 't .
+
+'Tis true .
+
+Come on then , and remove him .
+
+So , begin .
+
+
+Fear no more the heat o' the sun ,
+Nor the furious winter's rages ;
+Thou thy worldly task hast done ,
+Home art gone , and ta'en thy wages ;
+Golden lads and girls all must ,
+As chimney-sweepers , come to dust .
+
+Fear no more the frown o' the great ,
+Thou art past the tyrant's stroke :
+Care no more to clothe and eat ;
+To thee the reed is as the oak :
+The sceptre , learning , physic , must
+All follow this , and come to dust .
+
+Fear no more the lightning-flash ,
+
+Nor the all-dreaded thunder-stone ;
+
+Fear not slander , censure rash ;
+
+Thou hast finish'd joy and moan
+
+All lovers young , all lovers must
+Consign to thee , and come to dust .
+
+No exorciser harm thee !
+
+Nor no witchcraft charm thee !
+
+Ghost unlaid forbear thee !
+
+Nothing ill come near thee !
+
+Quiet consummation have ;
+And renowned be thy grave !
+
+We have done our obsequies . Come , lay him down .
+
+Here's a few flowers , but 'bout mid-night , more ;
+The herbs that have on them cold dew o' the night
+Are strewings fitt'st for graves . Upon their faces
+You were as flowers , now wither'd ; even so
+These herblets shall , which we upon you strew .
+Come on , away ; apart upon our knees .
+The ground that gave them first has them again ;
+Their pleasures here are past , so is their pain .
+
+
+Yes , sir , to Milford-Haven ; which is the way ?
+I thank you . By yond bush ? Pray , how far thither ?
+'Ods pittikins ! can it be six mile yet ?
+I have gone all night : Faith , I'll lie down and sleep .
+
+
+But , soft ! no bed-fellow ! O gods and goddesses !
+These flowers are like the pleasures of the world ;
+This bloody man , the care on 't . I hope I dream ;
+For so I thought I was a cave-keeper ,
+And cook to honest creatures ; but 'tis not so ,
+'Twas but a bolt of nothing , shot at nothing ,
+Which the brain makes of fumes . Our very eyes
+Are sometimes like our judgments , blind . Good faith ,
+I tremble still with fear ; but if there be
+Yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity
+As a wren's eye , fear'd gods , a part of it !
+The dream's here still ; even when I wake , it is
+Without me , as within me ; not imagin'd , felt .
+A headless man ! The garments of Posthumus !
+I know the shape of 's leg , this is his hand ,
+His foot Mercurial , his Martial thigh ,
+The brawns of Hercules , but his Jovial face
+Murder in heaven ? How ! 'Tis gone . Pisanio ,
+All curses madded Hecuba gave the Greeks ,
+And mine to boot , be darted on thee ! Thou ,
+Conspir'd with that irregulous devil , Cloten ,
+Hast here cut off my lord . To write and read
+Be henceforth treacherous ! Damn'd Pisanio
+Hath with his forged letters , damn'd Pisanio ,
+From this most bravest vessel of the world
+Struck the main-top ! O Posthumus ! alas !
+Where is thy head ? where's that ? Ay me ! where's that ?
+Pisanio might have kill'd thee at the heart ,
+And left this head on . How should this be ? Pisanio ?
+'Tis he and Cloten ; malice and lucre in them
+Have laid this woe here . O ! 'tis pregnant , pregnant !
+The drug he gave me , which he said was precious
+And cordial to me , have I not found it
+Murderous to the senses ? That confirms it home ;
+This is Pisanio's deed , and Cloten's : O !
+Give colour to my pale cheek with thy blood ,
+That we the horrider may seem to those
+Which chance to find us . O ! my lord , my lord .
+
+To them the legions garrison'd in Gallia ,
+After your will , have cross'd the sea , attending
+You here at Milford-Haven with your ships :
+They are in readiness .
+
+But what from Rome ?
+
+The senate hath stirr'd up the confiners
+And gentlemen of Italy , most willing spirits ,
+That promise noble service ; and they come
+Under the conduct of bold Iachimo ,
+Sienna's brother .
+
+When expect you them ?
+
+With the next benefit o' the wind .
+
+This forwardness
+Makes our hopes fair . Command our present numbers
+Be muster'd ; bid the captains look to 't . Now , sir ,
+What have you dream'd of late of this war's purpose ?
+
+Last night the very gods show'd me a vision ,
+I fast and pray'd for their intelligence ,thus :
+I saw Jove's bird , the Roman eagle , wing'd
+From the spongy south to this part of the west ,
+There vanish'd in the sunbeams ; which portends ,
+Unless my sins abuse my divination ,
+Success to the Roman host .
+
+Dream often so ,
+And never false . Soft , ho ! what trunk is here
+Without his top ? The ruin speaks that sometime
+It was a worthy building . How ! a page !
+Or dead or sleeping on him ? But dead rather ,
+For nature doth abhor to make his bed
+With the defunct , or sleep upon the dead .
+Let's see the boy's face .
+
+He's alive , my lord .
+
+He'll , then , instruct us of this body . Young one ,
+Inform us of thy fortunes , for it seems
+They crave to be demanded . Who is this
+Thou mak'st thy bloody pillow ? Or who was he
+That , otherwise than noble nature did ,
+Hath alter'd that good picture ? What's thy interest
+In this sad wrack ? How came it ? Who is it ?
+What art thou ?
+
+I am nothing ; or if not ,
+Nothing to be were better . This was my master ,
+A very valiant Briton and a good ,
+That here by mountaineers lies slain . Alas !
+There are no more such masters ; I may wander
+From east to occident , cry out for service ,
+Try many , all good , serve truly , never
+Find such another master .
+
+'Lack , good youth !
+Thou mov'st no less with thy complaining than
+Thy master in bleeding . Say his name , good friend .
+
+Richard du Champ .
+
+If I do lie and do
+No harm by it , though the gods hear , I hope
+They'll pardon it .Say you , sir ?
+
+Thy name ?
+
+Fidele , sir .
+
+Thou dost approve thyself the very same ;
+Thy name well fits thy faith , thy faith thy name .
+Wilt take thy chance with me ? I will not say
+Thou shalt be so well master'd , but be sure
+No less belov'd . The Roman emperor's letters ,
+Sent by a consul to me , should not sooner
+Than thine own worth prefer thee . Go with me .
+
+I'll follow , sir . But first , an 't please the gods ,
+I'll hide my master from the flies , as deep
+As these poor pickaxes can dig ; and when
+With wild wood-leaves and weeds I ha' strew'd his grave ,
+And on it said a century of prayers ,
+Such as I can , twice o'er , I'll weep and sigh ;
+And , leaving so his service , follow you ,
+So please you entertain me .
+
+Ay , good youth ,
+And rather father thee than master thee .
+My friends ,
+The boy hath taught us manly duties ; let us
+Find out the prettiest daisied plot we can ,
+And make him with our pikes and partisans
+A grave ; come , arm him . Boy , he is preferr'd
+By thee to us , and he shall be interr'd
+As soldiers can . Be cheerful ; wipe thine eyes :
+Some falls are means the happier to arise .
+
+
+Again ; and bring me word how 'tis with her .
+
+A fever with the absence of her son ,
+A madness , of which her life's in danger . Heavens !
+How deeply you at once do touch me . Imogen ,
+The great part of my comfort , gone ; my queen
+Upon a desperate bed , and in a time
+When fearful wars point at me ; her son gone ,
+So needful for this present : it strikes me , past
+The hope of comfort . But for thee , fellow ,
+Who needs must know of her departure and
+Dost seem so ignorant , we'll enforce it from thee
+By a sharp torture .
+
+Sir , my life is yours ,
+I humbly set it at your will ; but , for my mistress ,
+I nothing know where she remains , why gone ,
+Nor when she purposes return . Beseech your highness ,
+Hold me your loyal servant .
+
+Good my liege ,
+The day that she was missing he was here ;
+I dare be bound he's true and shall perform
+All parts of his subjection loyally . For Cloten ,
+There wants no diligence in seeking him ,
+And will , no doubt , be found .
+
+The time is troublesome .
+
+
+We'll slip you for a season ; but our jealousy
+Does yet depend .
+
+So please-your majesty ,
+The Roman legions , all from Gallia drawn ,
+Are landed on your coast , with a supply
+Of Roman gentlemen , by the senate sent .
+
+Now for the counsel of my son and queen !
+I am amaz'd with matter .
+
+Good my liege ,
+Your preparation can affront no less
+Than what you hear of ; come more , for more you're ready :
+The want is , but to put those powers in motion
+That long to move .
+
+I thank you . Let's withdraw ;
+And meet the time as it seeks us . We fear not
+What can from Italy annoy us , but
+We grieve at chances here . Away !
+
+
+I heard no letter from my master since
+I wrote him Imogen was slain ; 'tis strange ;
+Nor hear I from my mistress , who did promise
+To yield me often tidings ; neither know I
+What is betid to Cloten ; but remain
+Perplex'd in all : the heavens still must work .
+Wherein I am false I am honest ; not true to be true :
+These present wars shall find I love my country ,
+Even to the note o' the king , or I'll fall in them .
+All other doubts , by time let them be clear'd ;
+Fortune brings in some boats that are not steer'd .
+
+
+The noise is round about us .
+
+Let us from it .
+
+What pleasure , sir , find we in life , to lock it
+From action and adventure ?
+
+Nay , what hope
+Have we in hiding us ? this way , the Romans
+Must or for Britons slay us , or receive us
+For barbarous and unnatural revolts
+During their use , and slay us after .
+
+Sons ,
+We'll higher to the mountains ; there secure us .
+To the king's party there's no going ; newness
+Of Cloten's death ,we being not known , not muster'd
+Among the bands ,may drive us to a render
+Where we have liv'd , and so extort from 's that
+Which we have done , whose answer would be death
+Drawn on with torture .
+
+This is , sir , a doubt
+In such a time nothing becoming you ,
+Nor satisfying us .
+
+It is not likely
+That when they hear the Roman horses neigh ,
+Behold their quarter'd fires , have both their eyes
+And ears so cloy'd importantly as now ,
+That they will waste their time upon our note ,
+To know from whence we are .
+
+O ! I am known
+Of many in the army ; many years ,
+Though Cloten then but young , you see , not wore him
+From my remembrance . And , besides , the king
+Hath not deserv'd my service nor your loves
+Who find in my exile the want of breeding ,
+The certainty of this hard life ; aye hopeless
+To have the courtesy your cradle promis'd ,
+But to be still hot summer's tanlings and
+The shrinking slaves of winter .
+
+Than be so
+Better to cease to be . Pray , sir , to the army :
+I and my brother are not known ; yourself ,
+So out of thought , and thereto so o'ergrown ,
+Cannot be question'd .
+
+By this sun that shines ,
+I'll thither : what thing is it that I never
+Did see man die ! scarce ever look'd on blood
+But that of coward hares , hot goats , and venison !
+Never bestrid a horse , save one that had
+A rider like myself , who ne'er wore rowel
+Nor iron on his heel ! I am asham'd
+To look upon the holy sun , to have
+The benefit of his bless'd beams , remaining
+So long a poor unknown .
+
+By heavens ! I'll go :
+If you will bless me , sir , and give me leave ,
+I'll take the better care ; but if you will not ,
+The hazard therefore due fall on me by
+The hands of Romans .
+
+So say I ; amen .
+
+No reason I , since of your lives you set
+So slight a valuation , should reserve
+My crack'd one to more care . Have with you , boys !
+If in your country wars you chance to die ,
+That is my bed too , lads , and there I'll lie :
+Lead , lead .
+
+The time seems long ; their blood thinks scorn ,
+Till it fly out and show them princes born .
+
+Yea , bloody cloth , I'll keep thee , for I wish'd
+Thou shouldst be colour'd thus . You married ones ,
+If each of you should take this course , how many
+Must murder wives much better than themselves
+For wrying but a little ! O Pisanio !
+Every good servant does not all commands ;
+No bond but to do just ones . Gods ! if you
+Should have ta'en vengeance on my faults , I never
+Had liv'd to put on this ; so had you sav'd
+The noble Imogen to repent , and struck
+Me , wretch more worth your vengeance . But , alack !
+You snatch some hence for little faults ; that's love ,
+To have them fall no more ; you some permit
+To second ills with ills , each elder worse ,
+And make them dread it , to the doers' thrift .
+But Imogen is your own ; do your best wills ,
+And make me bless'd to obey . I am brought hither
+Among the Italian gentry , and to fight
+Against my lady's kingdom ; 'tis enough
+That , Britain , I have kill'd thy mistress-piece !
+I'll give no wound to thee . Therefore good heavens ,
+Hear patiently my purpose : I'll disrobe me
+Of these Italian weeds , and suit myself
+As does a Briton peasant ; so I'll fight
+Against the part I come with , so I'll die
+For thee , O Imogen ! even for whom my life
+Is , every breath , a death : and thus , unknown ,
+Pitied nor hated , to the face of peril
+Myself I'll dedicate . Let me make men know
+More valour in me than my habits show .
+Gods ! put the strength o' the Leonati in me .
+To shame the guise o' the world , I will begin
+The fashion , less without and more within .
+
+
+The heaviness and guilt within my bosom
+Takes off my manhood : I have belied a lady ,
+The princess of this country , and the air on 't
+Revengingly enfeebles me ; or could this carl ,
+A very drudge of nature's , have subdu'd me
+In my profession ? Knighthoods and honours , borne
+As I wear mine , are titles but of scorn .
+If that thy gentry , Britain , go before
+This lout as he exceeds our lords , the odds
+Is that we scarce are men and you are gods .
+
+
+Stand , stand ! We have the advantage of the ground .
+The lane is guarded ; nothing routs us but
+The villany of our fears .
+
+Stand , stand , and fight !
+
+Stand , stand , and fight !
+
+Away , boy , from the troops , and save thyself ;
+For friends kill friends , and the disorder's such
+As war were hoodwink'd .
+
+'Tis their fresh supplies .
+
+It is a day turn'd strangely : or betimes
+Let's re-inforce , or fly .
+
+
+Cam'st thou from where they made the stand ?
+
+I did :
+Though you , it seems , come from the fliers .
+
+I did .
+
+No blame be to you , sir ; for all was lost ,
+But that the heavens fought . The king himself
+Of his wings destitute , the army broken ,
+And but the backs of Britons seen , all flying
+Through a strait lane ; the enemy full-hearted ,
+Lolling the tongue with slaughtering , having work
+More plentiful than tools to do 't , struck down
+Some mortally , some slightly touch'd , some falling
+Merely through fear ; that the strait pass was damm'd
+With dead men hurt behind , and cowards living
+To die with lengthen'd shame .
+
+Where was this lane ?
+
+Close by the battle , ditch'd , and wall'd with turf ;
+Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier ,
+An honest one , I warrant ; who deserv'd
+So long a breeding as his white beard came to ,
+In doing this for his country ; athwart the lane ,
+He , with two striplings ,lads more like to run
+The country base than to commit such slaughter ,
+With faces fit for masks , or rather fairer
+Than those for preservation cas'd , or shame ,
+Made good the passage ; cried to those that fled ,
+'Our Britain's harts die flying , not our men :
+To darkness fleet souls that fly backwards . Stand !
+Or we are Romans , and will give you that
+Like beasts which you shun beastly , and may save ,
+But to look back in frown : stand , stand !' These three ,
+Three thousand confident , in act as many ,
+For three performers are the file when all
+The rest do nothing ,with this word , 'Stand , stand !'
+Accommodated by the place , more charming
+With their own nobleness ,which could have turn'd
+A distaff to a lance ,gilded pale looks ,
+Part shame , part spirit renew'd ; that some , turn'd coward
+But by example ,O ! a sin of war ,
+Damn'd in the first beginners ,'gan to look
+The way that they did , and to grin like lions
+Upon the pikes o' the hunters . Then began
+A stop i' the chaser , a retire , anon ,
+A rout , confusion thick ; forthwith they fly
+Chickens , the way which they stoop'd eagles ; slaves ,
+The strides they victors made . And now our cowards
+Like fragments in hard voyages became
+The life o' the need ; having found the back door open
+Of the unguarded hearts , Heavens ! how they wound ;
+Some slain before ; some dying ; some their friends
+O'er-borne i' the former wave ; ten , chas'd by one ,
+Are now each one the slaughter-man of twenty ;
+Those that would die or ere resist are grown
+The mortal bugs o' the field .
+
+This was strange chance :
+A narrow lane , an old man , and two boys !
+
+Nay , do not wonder at it ; you are made
+Rather to wonder at the things you hear
+Than to work any . Will you rime upon 't ,
+And vent it for a mockery ? Here is one :
+'Two boys , an old man twice a boy , a lane ,
+Preserv'd the Britons , was the Romans' bane .'
+
+Nay , be not angry , sir .
+
+'Lack ! to what end ?
+Who dares not stand his foe , I'll be his friend ;
+For if he'll do , as he is made to do ,
+I know he'll quickly fly my friendship too .
+You have put me into rime .
+
+Farewell ; you're angry .
+
+
+Still going ?This is a lord ! O noble misery !
+To be i' the field , and ask , 'what news ?' of me !
+To-day how many would have given their honours
+To have sav'd their carcases ! took heel to do 't ,
+And yet died too ! I , in mine own woe charm'd ,
+Could not find death where I did hear him groan ,
+Nor feel him where he struck : being an ugly monster ,
+'Tis strange he hides him in fresh cups , soft beds ,
+Sweet words ; or hath more ministers than we
+That draw his knives i' the war . Well , I will find him ;
+For being now a favourer to the Briton ,
+No more a Briton , I have resum'd again
+The part I came in ; fight I will no more ,
+But yield me to the veriest hind that shall
+Once touch my shoulder . Great the slaughter is
+Here made by the Roman ; great the answer be
+Britons must take . For me , my ransom's death ;
+On either side I come to spend my breath ,
+Which neither here I'll keep nor bear agen ,
+But end it by some means for Imogen .
+
+
+Great Jupiter be prais'd ! Lucius is taken .
+'Tis thought the old man and his sons were angels .
+
+There was a fourth man , in a silly habit ,
+That gave th' affront with them .
+
+So 'tis reported ;
+But none of 'em can be found . Stand ! who is there ?
+
+A Roman ,
+Who had not now been drooping here , if seconds
+Had answer'd him .
+
+Lay hands on him ; a dog !
+A lag of Rome shall not return to tell
+What crows have peck'd them here . He brags his service
+As if he were of note : bring him to the king .
+
+
+You shall not now be stol'n , you have locks upon you :
+So graze as you find pasture .
+
+Ay , or a stomach .
+
+
+Most welcome , bondage ! for thou art a way ,
+I think , to liberty . Yet am I better
+Than one that's sick o' the gout , since he had rather
+Groan so in perpetuity than be cur'd
+By the sure physician death ; who is the key
+To unbar these locks . My conscience , thou art fetter'd
+More than my shanks and wrists : you good gods , give me
+The penitent instrument to pick that bolt ;
+Then , free for ever ! Is 't enough I am sorry ?
+So children temporal fathers do appease ;
+Gods are more full of mercy . Must I repent ?
+I cannot do it better than in gyves ,
+Desir'd more than constrain'd ; to satisfy ,
+If of my freedom 'tis the main part , take
+No stricter render of me than my all .
+I know you are more clement than vile men ,
+Who of their broken debtors take a third ,
+A sixth , a tenth , letting them thrive again
+On their abatement : that's not my desire ;
+For Imogen's dear life take mine ; and though
+'Tis not so dear , yet 'tis a life ; you coin'd it ;
+'Tween man and man they weigh not every stamp ;
+Though light , take pieces for the figure's sake :
+You rather mine , being yours ; and so great powers ,
+If you will take this audit , take this life ,
+And cancel these cold bonds . O Imogen !
+I'll speak to thee in silence .
+
+
+No more , thou thunder-master , show
+Thy spite on mortal flies :
+With Mars fall out , with Juno chide ,
+That thy adulteries
+Rates and revenges .
+Hath my poor boy done aught but well ,
+Whose face I never saw ?
+I died whilst in the womb he stay'd
+Attending nature's law :
+Whose father then as men report ,
+Thou orphans' father art
+Thou shouldst have been , and shielded him
+From this earth-vexing smart .
+
+Lucina lent not me her aid ,
+But took me in my throes ;
+That from me was Posthumus ript ,
+Came crying 'mongst his foes ,
+A thing of pity !
+
+Great nature , like his ancestry ,
+Moulded the stuff so fair ,
+That he deserv'd the praise o' the world ,
+As great Sicilius' heir .
+
+When once he was mature for man ,
+In Britain where was he
+That could stand up his parallel ,
+Or fruitful object be
+In eye of Imogen , that best
+Could deem his dignity ?
+
+With marriage wherefore was he mock'd ,
+To be exil'd , and thrown
+From Leonati's seat , and cast
+From her his dearest one ,
+Sweet Imogen ?
+
+Why did you suffer Iachimo ,
+Slight thing of Italy ,
+To taint his nobler heart and brain
+With needless jealousy ;
+And to become the geck and scorn
+O' the other's villany ?
+
+For this from stiller seats we came ,
+Our parents and us twain ,
+That striking in our country's cause
+Fell bravely and were slain ;
+Our fealty and Tenantius' right
+With honour to maintain .
+
+Like hardiment Posthumus hath
+To Cymbeline perform'd :
+Then Jupiter , thou king of gods ,
+Why hast thou thus adjourn'd
+The graces for his merits due ,
+Being all to dolours turn'd ?
+
+Thy crystal window ope ; look out ;
+No longer exercise
+Upon a valiant race thy harsh
+And potent injuries .
+
+Since , Jupiter , our son is good ,
+Take off his miseries .
+
+Peep through thy marble mansion ; help !
+Or we poor ghosts will cry
+To the shining synod of the rest
+Against thy deity .
+
+Help , Jupiter ! or we appeal ,
+And from thy justice fly .
+
+
+No more , you petty spirits of region low , Offend our hearing ; hush ! How dare you ghosts
+Accuse the thunderer , whose bolt , you know ,
+Sky-planted , batters all rebelling coasts ?
+Poor shadows of Elysium , hence ; and rest
+Upon your never-withering banks of flowers :
+Be not with mortal accidents opprest ;
+No care of yours it is ; you know 'tis ours .
+Whom best I love I cross ; to make my gift ,
+The more delay'd , delighted . Be content ;
+Your low-laid son our godhead will uplift :
+His comforts thrive , his trials well are spent .
+Our Jovial star reign'd at his birth , and in
+Our temple was he married . Rise , and fade !
+He shall be lord of Lady Imogen ,
+And happier much by his affliction made .
+This tablet lay upon his breast , wherein
+Our pleasure his full fortune doth confine ;
+And so , away : no further with your din
+Express impatience , lest you stir up mine .
+Mount , eagle , to my palace crystalline .
+
+
+He came in thunder ; his celestial breath
+Was sulphurous to smell ; the holy eagle
+Stoop'd , as to foot us ; his ascension is
+More sweet than our bless'd fields ; his royal bird
+Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak ,
+As when his god is pleas'd .
+
+Thanks , Jupiter !
+
+The marble pavement closes ; he is enter'd
+His radiant roof . Away ! and , to be blest ,
+Let us with care perform his great behest .
+
+
+Sleep , thou hast been a grandsire , and begot
+A father to me ; and thou hast created
+A mother and two brothers . But O scorn !
+Gone ! they went hence so soon as they were born :
+And so I am awake . Poor wretches , that depend
+On greatness' favour dream as I have done ;
+Wake , and find nothing . But , alas ! I swerve :
+Many dream not to find , neither deserve ,
+And yet are steep'd in favours ; so am I ,
+That have this golden chance and know not why .
+What fairies haunt this ground ? A book ? O rare one !
+Be not , as is our fangled world , a garment
+Nobler than that it covers : let thy effects
+So follow , to be most unlike our courtiers ,
+As good as promise .
+Whenas a lion's whelp shall , to himself unknown , without seeking find , and be embraced by a piece of tender air ; and when from a stately cedar shall be lopped branches , which , being dead many years , shall after revive , be jointed to the old stock , and freshly grow , then shall Posthumus end his miseries , Britain be fortunate , and flourish in peace and plenty .
+'Tis still a dream , or else such stuff as madmen
+Tongue and brain not ; either both or nothing ;
+Or senseless speaking , or a speaking such
+As sense cannot untie . Be what it is ,
+The action of my life is like it , which
+I'll keep , if but for sympathy .
+
+
+Come , sir , are you ready for death ?
+
+Over-roasted rather ; ready long ago .
+
+Hanging is the word , sir : if you be ready for that , you are well cooked .
+
+So , if I prove a good repast to the spectators , the dish pays the shot .
+
+A heavy reckoning for you , sir ; but the comfort is , you shall be called to no more payments , fear no more tavern-bills , which are often the sadness of parting , as the procuring of mirth . You come in faint for want of meat , depart reeling with too much drink , sorry that you have paid too much ; and sorry that you are paid too much ; purse and brain both empty ; the brain the heavier for being too light , the purse too light , being drawn of heaviness of this contradiction you shall now be quit . O ! the charity of a penny cord ; it sums up thousands in a trice : you have no true debitor and creditor but it ; of what's past , is , and to come , the discharge . Your neck , sir , is pen , book and counters ; so the acquittance follows .
+
+I am merrier to die than thou art to live .
+
+Indeed , sir , he that sleeps feels not the toothache ; but a man that were to sleep your sleep , and a hangman to help him to bed , I think he would change places with his officer ; for look you , sir , you know not which way you shall go .
+
+Yes , indeed do I , fellow .
+
+Your death has eyes in 's head , then ; I have not seen him so pictured : you must either be directed by some that take upon them to know , or take upon yourself that which I am sure you do not know , or jump the after inquiry on your own peril : and how you shall speed in your journey's end , I think you'll never return to tell one .
+
+I tell thee , fellow , there are none want eyes to direct them the way I am going but such as wink and will not use them .
+
+What an infinite mock is this , that a man should have the best use of eyes to see the way of blindness ! I am sure hanging's the way of winking .
+
+
+Knock off his manacles ; bring your prisoner to the king .
+
+Thou bring'st good news ; I am called to be made free .
+
+I'll be hang'd , then .
+
+Thou shalt be then freer than a gaoler ; no bolts for the dead .
+
+
+Unless a man would marry a gallows and beget young gibbets , I never saw one so prone . Yet , on my conscience , there are verier knaves desire to live , for all he be a Roman ; and there be some of them too , that die against their wills ; so should I , if I were one . I would we were all of one mind , and one mind good ; O ! there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses . I speak against my present profit , but my wish hath a preferment in 't .
+
+
+Stand by my side , you whom the gods have made
+Preservers of my throne . Woe is my heart
+That the poor soldier that so richly fought ,
+Whose rags sham'd gilded arms , whose naked breast
+Stepp'd before targes of proof , cannot be found :
+He shall be happy that can find him , if
+Our grace can make him so .
+
+I never saw
+Such noble fury in so poor a thing ;
+Such precious deeds in one that promis'd nought
+But beggary and poor looks .
+
+No tidings of him ?
+
+He hath been search'd among the dead and living ,
+But no trace of him .
+
+To my grief , I am
+The heir of his reward ; which I will add
+
+To you , the liver , heart , and brain of Britain ,
+By whom , I grant , she lives . 'Tis now the time
+To ask of whence you are : report it .
+
+Sir ,
+In Cambria are we born , and gentlemen :
+Further to boast were neither true nor modest ,
+Unless I add , we are honest .
+
+Bow your knees .
+Arise , my knights o' the battle : I create you
+Companions to our person , and will fit you
+With dignities becoming your estates .
+
+
+There's business in these faces . Why so sadly
+Greet you our victory ? you look like Romans ,
+
+And not o' the court of Britain .
+
+Hail , great king !
+To sour your happiness , I must report
+The queen is dead .
+
+Whom worse than a physician
+Would this report become ? But I consider ,
+By medicine life may be prolong'd , yet death
+Will seize the doctor too . How ended she ?
+
+With horror , madly dying , like her life ;
+Which , being cruel to the world , concluded
+Most cruel to herself . What she confess'd
+I will report , so please you : these her women
+Can trip me if I err ; who with wet cheeks
+Were present when she finish'd .
+
+Prithee , say .
+
+First , she confess'd she never lov'd you , only
+Affected greatness got by you , not you ;
+Married your royalty , was wife to your place ;
+Abhorr'd your person .
+
+She alone knew this ;
+And , but she spoke it dying , I would not
+Believe her lips in opening it . Proceed .
+
+Your daughter , whom she bore in hand to love
+With such integrity , she did confess
+Was as a scorpion to her sight ; whose life ,
+But that her flight prevented it , she had
+Ta'en off by poison .
+
+O most delicate fiend !
+Who is't can read a woman ? Is there more ?
+
+More , sir , and worse . She did confess she had
+For you a mortal mineral ; which , being took ,
+Should by the minute feed on life , and ling'ring ,
+By inches waste you ; in which time she purpos'd ,
+By watching , weeping , tendance , kissing , to
+O'ercome you with her show ; yea , and in time
+When she had fitted you with her craft to work
+Her son into the adoption of the crown ;
+But failing of her end by his strange absence ,
+Grew shameless-desperate ; open'd , in despite
+Of heaven and men , her purposes ; repented
+The evils she hatch'd were not effected : so ,
+Despairing died .
+
+Heard you all this , her women ?
+
+We did , so please your highness .
+
+Mine eyes
+Were not in fault , for she was beautiful ;
+Mine ears , that heard her flattery ; nor my heart ,
+That thought her like her seeming : it had been vicious
+To have mistrusted her : yet , O my daughter !
+That it was folly in me , thou mayst say ,
+And prove it in thy feeling . Heaven mend all !
+
+Thou com'st not , Caius , now for tribute ; that
+The Britons have raz'd out , though with the loss
+Of many a bold one ; whose kinsmen have made suit
+That their good souls may be appeas'd with slaughter
+Of you their captives , which ourself have granted :
+
+So , think of your estate .
+
+Consider , sir , the chance of war : the day
+Was yours by accident ; had it gone with us ,
+We should not , when the blood was cool , have threaten'd
+Our prisoners with the sword . But since the gods
+Will have it thus , that nothing but our lives
+May be call'd ransom , let it come ; sufficeth ,
+A Roman with a Roman's heart can suffer ;
+Augustus lives to think on 't ; and so much
+For my peculiar care . This one thing only
+I will entreat ; my boy , a Briton born ,
+Let him be ransom'd ; never master had
+A page so kind , so duteous , diligent ,
+So tender over his occasions , true ,
+So feat , so nurse-like . Let his virtue join
+With my request , which I'll make bold your highness
+Cannot deny ; he hath done no Briton harm ,
+Though he have serv'd a Roman . Save him , sir ,
+And spare no blood beside .
+
+I have surely seen him ;
+His favour is familiar to me . Boy ,
+Thou hast look'd thyself into my grace ,
+And art mine own . I know not why nor wherefore ,
+To say , 'live , boy :' ne'er thank thy master ; live :
+And ask of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt ,
+Fitting my bounty and thy state , I'll give it ;
+Yea , though thou do demand a prisoner ,
+The noblest ta'en .
+
+I humbly thank your highness .
+
+I do not bid thee beg my life , good lad ;
+And yet I know thou wilt .
+
+No , no ; alack !
+There's other work in hand . I see a thing
+Bitter to me as death ; your life , good master ,
+Must shuffle for itself .
+
+The boy disdains me ,
+He leaves me , scorns me ; briefly die their joys
+That place them on the truth of girls and boys .
+Why stands he so perplex'd ?
+
+What wouldst thou , boy ?
+I love thee more and more ; think more and more
+What's best to ask . Know'st him thou look'st on ? speak ;
+Wilt have him live ? Is he thy kin ? thy friend ?
+
+He is a Roman ; no more kin to me
+Than I to your highness ; who , being born your vassal ,
+Am something nearer .
+
+Wherefore ey'st him so ?
+
+I'll tell you , sir , in private , if you please
+To give me hearing .
+
+Ay , with all my heart ,
+And lend my best attention . What's thy name ?
+
+Fidele , sir .
+
+Thou'rt my good youth , my page ;
+I'll be thy master : walk with me ; speak freely .
+
+
+Is not this boy reviv'd from death ?
+
+One sand another
+Not more resembles ;that sweet rosy lad
+Who died , and was Fidele . What think you ?
+
+The same dead thing alive .
+
+Peace , peace ! see further ; he eyes us not ; forbear ;
+Creatures may be alike ; were 't he , I am sure
+He would have spoke to us .
+
+But we saw him dead .
+
+Be silent ; let's see further .
+
+It is my mistress :
+Since she is living , let the time run on
+To good , or bad .
+
+
+Come , stand thou by our side :
+Make thy demand aloud .
+
+Sir , step you forth ;
+Give answer to this boy , and do it freely ,
+Or , by our greatness and the grace of it ,
+Which is our honour , bitter torture shall
+Winnow the truth from falsehood . On , speak to him .
+
+My boon is , that this gentleman may render
+Of whom he had this ring .
+
+What's that to him ?
+
+That diamond upon your finger , say
+How came it yours ?
+
+Thou'lt torture me to leave unspoken that
+Which , to be spoke , would torture thee .
+
+How ! me ?
+
+I am glad to be constrain'd to utter that
+Which torments me to conceal . By villany
+I got this ring ; 'twas Leonatus' jewel ,
+Whom thou didst banish , and which more may grieve thee ,
+As it doth me a nobler sir ne'er liv'd
+'Twixt sky and ground . Wilt thou hear more , my lord ?
+
+All that belongs to this .
+
+That paragon , thy daughter ,
+For whom my heart drops blood , and my false spirits
+Quail to remember ,Give me leave ; I faint .
+
+My daughter ! what of her ? Renew thy strength ;
+I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will
+Than die ere I hear more . Strive , man , and speak .
+
+Upon a time ,unhappy was the clock
+That struck the hour !it was in Rome ,accurs'd
+The mansion where !'twas at a feast O , would
+Our viands had been poison'd , or at least
+Those which I heav'd to head !the good Posthumus ,
+What should I say ? he was too good to be
+Where ill men were ; and was the best of all
+Amongst the rar'st of good ones ;sitting sadly
+Hearing us praise our loves of Italy
+For beauty that made barren the swell'd boast
+Of him that best could speak ; for feature laming
+The shrine of Venus , or straight-pight Minerva ,
+Postures beyond brief nature ; for condition ,
+A shop of all the qualities that man
+Loves woman for ; besides that hook of wiving ,
+Fairness which strikes the eye .
+
+I stand on fire .
+Come to the matter .
+
+All too soon I shall ,
+Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly . This Posthumus
+Most like a noble lord in love , and one
+That had a royal lover took his hint ;
+And , not dispraising whom we prais'd ,therein
+He was as calm as virtue ,he began
+His mistress' picture ; which by his tongue being made ,
+And then a mind put in 't , either our brags
+Were crack'd of kitchen trulls , or his description
+Prov'd us unspeaking sots .
+
+Nay , nay , to the purpose .
+
+Your daughter's chastity , there it begins .
+He spake of her as Dian had hot dreams ,
+And she alone were cold ; whereat I , wretch ,
+Made scruple of his praise , and wager'd with him
+Pieces of gold 'gainst this , which then he wore
+Upon his honour'd finger , to attain
+In suit the place of his bed , and win this ring
+By hers and mine adultery . He , true knight ,
+No lesser of her honour confident
+Than I did truly find her , stakes this ring ;
+And would so , had it been a carbuncle
+Of Ph bus' wheel ; and might so safely , had it
+Been all the worth of 's car . Away to Britain
+Post I in this design . Well may you , sir ,
+Remember me at court , where I was taught
+Of your chaste daughter the wide difference
+'Twixt amorous and villanous . Being thus quench'd
+Of hope , not longing , mine Italian brain
+'Gan in your duller Britain operate
+Most vilely ; for my vantage , excellent ;
+And , to be brief , my practice so prevail'd ,
+That I return'd with simular proof enough
+To make the noble Leonatus mad ,
+By wounding his belief in her renown
+With tokens thus , and thus ; averring notes
+Of chamber-hanging , pictures , this her bracelet ;
+Oh cunning ! how I got it !nay , some marks
+Of secret on her person , that he could not
+But think her bond of chastity quite crack'd ,
+I having ta'en the forfeit . Whereupon ,
+Methinks I see him now ,
+
+Ay , so thou dost ,
+Italian fiend !Ay me , most credulous fool ,
+Egregious murderer , thief , any thing
+That's due to all the villains past , in being ,
+To come . O ! give me cord , or knife , or poison ,
+Some upright justicer . Thou king , send out
+For torturers ingenious ; it is I
+That all the abhorred things o' the earth amend
+By being worse than they . I am Posthumus ,
+That kill'd thy daughter ; villain-like , I lie ;
+That caus'd a lesser villain than myself ,
+A sacrilegious thief , to do 't ; the temple
+Of virtue was she ; yea , and she herself .
+Spit , and throw stones , cast mire upon me , set
+The dogs o' the street to bay me ; every villain
+Be call'd Posthumus Leonatus ; and
+Be villany less than 'twas ! O Imogen !
+My queen , my life , my wife ! O Imogen ,
+Imogen , Imogen !
+
+Peace , my lord ! hear , hear !
+
+Shall 's have a play of this ? Thou scornful page ,
+There lie thy part .
+
+
+O , gentlemen , help !
+Mine , and your mistress ! O ! my Lord Posthumus ,
+You ne'er kill'd Imogen till now . Help , help !
+Mine honour'd lady !
+
+Does the world go round ?
+
+How come these staggers on me ?
+
+Wake , my mistress !
+
+If this be so , the gods do mean to strike me
+To death with mortal joy .
+
+How fares my mistress ?
+
+O ! get thee from my sight :
+Thou gav'st me poison : dangerous fellow , hence !
+Breathe not where princes are .
+
+The tune of Imogen !
+
+Lady ,
+The gods throw stones of sulphur on me , if
+That box I gave you was not thought by me
+A precious thing : I had it from the queen .
+
+New matter still ?
+
+It poison'd me .
+
+O gods !
+I left out one thing which the queen confess'd ,
+Which must approve thee honest : 'If Pisanio
+Have ,' said she , 'given his mistress that confection
+Which I gave him for cordial , she is serv'd
+As I would serve a rat .'
+
+What's this , Cornelius ?
+
+The queen , sir , very oft importun'd me
+To temper poisons for her , still pretending
+The satisfaction of her knowledge only
+In killing creatures vile , as cats and dogs ,
+Of no esteem ; I , dreading that her purpose
+Was of more danger , did compound for her
+A certain stuff , which , being ta'en , would cease
+The present power of life , but in short time
+All offices of nature should again
+Do their due functions . Have you ta'en of it ?
+
+Most like I did , for I was dead .
+
+My boys ,
+There was our error .
+
+This is , sure , Fidele .
+
+Why did you throw your wedded lady from you ?
+Think that you are upon a rock ; and now
+Throw me again .
+
+
+Hang there like fruit , my soul ,
+Till the tree die !
+
+How now , my flesh , my child !
+What , mak'st thou me a dullard in this act ?
+Wilt thou not speak to me ?
+
+Your blessing , sir .
+
+Though you did love this youth , I blame ye not ;
+You had a motive for 't .
+
+My tears that fall
+Prove holy water on thee ! Imogen ,
+Thy mother's dead .
+
+I am sorry for 't , my lord .
+
+O , she was naught ; and long of her it was
+That we meet here so strangely ; but her son
+Is gone , we know not how , nor where .
+
+My lord ,
+Now fear is from me , I'll speak troth . Lord Cloten ,
+Upon my lady's missing , came to me
+With his sword drawn , foam'd at the mouth , and swore
+If I discover'd not which way she was gone ,
+It was my instant death . By accident ,
+I had a feigned letter of my master's
+Then in my pocket , which directed him
+To seek her on the mountains near to Milford ;
+Where , in a frenzy , in my master's garments ,
+Which he enforc'd from me , away he posts
+With unchaste purpose and with oath to violate
+My lady's honour ; what became of him
+I further know not .
+
+Let me end the story :
+I slew him there .
+
+Marry , the gods forfend !
+I would not thy good deeds should from my lips
+Pluck a hard sentence : Prithee , valiant youth ,
+Deny 't again .
+
+I have spoke it , and I did it .
+
+He was a prince .
+
+A most incivil one . The wrongs he did me
+Were nothing prince-like ; for he did provoke me
+With language that would make me spurn the sea
+If it could so roar to me . I cut off 's head ;
+And am right glad he is not standing here
+To tell this tale of mine .
+
+I am sorry for thee :
+By thine own tongue thou art condemn'd , and must
+Endure our law . Thou'rt dead .
+
+That headless man
+I thought had been my lord .
+
+Bind the offender ,
+And take him from our presence .
+
+Stay , sir king :
+This man is better than the man he slew ,
+As well descended as thyself ; and hath
+More of thee merited than a band of Clotens
+Had ever scar for .
+
+Let his arms alone ;
+They were not born for bondage .
+
+Why , old soldier ,
+Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for ,
+By tasting of our wrath ? How of descent
+As good as we ?
+
+In that he spake too far .
+
+And thou shalt die for 't .
+
+We will die all three :
+But I will prove that two on 's are as good
+As I have given out him . My sons , I must
+For mine own part unfold a dangerous speech ,
+Though , haply , well for you .
+
+Your danger's ours .
+
+And our good his .
+
+Have at it , then , by leave .
+Thou hadst , great king , a subject who was call'd
+Belarius .
+
+What of him ? he is
+A banish'd traitor .
+
+He it is that hath
+Assum'd this age : indeed , a banish'd man ;
+I know not how a traitor .
+
+Take him hence :
+The whole world shall not save him .
+
+Not too hot :
+First pay me for the nursing of thy sons ;
+And let it be confiscate all so soon
+As I have receiv'd it .
+
+Nursing of my sons !
+
+I am too blunt and saucy ; here's my knee :
+Ere I arise I will prefer my sons ;
+Then spare not the old father . Mighty sir ,
+These two young gentlemen , that call me father ,
+And think they are my sons , are none of mine ;
+They are the issue of your loins , my liege ,
+And blood of your begetting .
+
+How ! my issue !
+
+So sure as you your father's . I , old Morgan ,
+Am that Belarius whom you sometime banish'd :
+Your pleasure was my mere offence , my punishment
+Itself , and all my treason ; that I suffer'd
+Was all the harm I did . These gentle princes
+For such and so they are these twenty years
+Have I train'd up ; those arts they have as I
+Could put into them ; my breeding was , sir , as
+Your highness knows . Their nurse , Euriphile ,
+Whom for the theft I wedded , stole these children
+Upon my banishment : I mov'd her to 't ,
+Having receiv'd the punishment before ,
+For that which I did then ; beaten for loyalty
+Excited me to treason . Their dear loss ,
+The more of you 'twas felt the more it shap'd
+Unto my end of stealing them . But , gracious sir ,
+Here are your sons again ; and I must lose
+Two of the sweet'st companions in the world .
+The benediction of these covering heavens
+Fall on their heads like dew ! for they are worthy
+To inlay heaven with stars .
+
+Thou weep'st , and speak'st .
+The service that you three have done is more
+Unlike than this thou tell'st . I lost my children :
+If these be they , I know not how to wish
+A pair of worthier sons .
+
+Be pleas'd awhile .
+This gentleman , whom I call Polydore ,
+Most worthy prince , as yours , is true Guiderius ;
+This gentleman , my Cadwal , Arviragus ,
+Your younger princely son ; he , sir , was lapp'd
+In a most curious mantle , wrought by the hand
+Of his queen mother , which , for more probation ,
+I can with ease produce .
+
+Guiderius had
+Upon his neck a mole , a sanguine star ;
+It was a mark of wonder .
+
+This is he ,
+Who hath upon him still that natural stamp .
+It was wise nature's end in the donation ,
+To be his evidence now .
+
+O ! what , am I
+A mother to the birth of three ? Ne'er mother
+Rejoic'd deliverance more . Blest pray you be ,
+That , after this strange starting from your orbs ,
+You may reign in them now . O Imogen !
+Thou hast lost by this a kingdom .
+
+No , my lord ;
+I have got two worlds by 't . O my gentle brothers !
+Have we thus met ? O , never say hereafter
+But I am truest speaker : you call'd me brother ,
+When I was but your sister ; I you brothers
+When ye were so indeed .
+
+Did you e'er meet ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+And at first meeting lov'd ;
+Continu'd so , until we thought he died .
+
+By the queen's dram she swallow'd .
+
+O rare instinct !
+When shall I hear all through ? This fierce abridgment
+Hath to it circumstantial branches , which
+Distinction should be rich in . Where ? how liv'd you ?
+And when came you to serve our Roman captive ?
+How parted with your brothers ? how first met them ?
+Why fied you from the court , and whither ? These ,
+And your three motives to the battle , with
+I know not how much more , should be demanded ,
+And all the other by-dependances ,
+From chance to chance , but nor the time nor place
+Will serve our long inter'gatories . See ,
+Posthumus anchors upon Imogen ,
+And she , like harmless lightning , throws her eye
+On him , her brothers , me , her master , hitting
+Each object with a joy : the counterchange
+Is severally in all . Let's quit this ground ,
+And smoke the temple with our sacrifices .
+
+
+Thou art my brother ; so we'll hold thee ever .
+
+You are my father too ; and did relieve me ,
+To see this gracious season .
+
+All o'erjoy'd
+Save these in bonds ; let them be joyful too ,
+For they shall taste our comfort .
+
+My good master ,
+I will yet do you service .
+
+Happy be you !
+
+The forlorn soldier , that so nobly fought
+He would have well becom'd this place and grac'd
+The thankings of a king .
+
+I am , sir ,
+The soldier that did company these three
+In poor beseeming ; 'twas a fitment for
+The purpose I then follow'd . That I was he ,
+Speak , Iachimo ; I had you down and might
+Have made you finish .
+
+I am down again ;
+But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee ,
+As then your force did . Take that life , beseech you ,
+Which I so often owe , but your ring first ,
+And here the bracelet of the truest princess
+That ever swore her faith .
+
+Kneel not to me :
+The power that I have on you is to spare you ;
+The malice towards you to forgive you . Live ,
+And deal with others better .
+
+Nobly doom'd :
+We'll learn our freeness of a son-in-law ;
+Pardon's the word to all .
+
+You holp us , sir ,
+As you did mean indeed to be our brother ;
+Joy'd are we that you are .
+
+Your servant , princes . Good my lord of Rome ,
+Call forth your soothsayer . As I slept , methought
+Great Jupiter , upon his eagle back'd ,
+Appear'd to me , with other spritely shows
+Of mine own kindred : when I wak'd , I found
+This label on my bosom ; whose containing
+Is so from sense in hardness that I can
+Make no collection of it ; let him show
+His skill in the construction .
+
+Philarmonus !
+
+Here , my good lord .
+
+Read , and declare the meaning
+
+Whenas a lion's whelp shall , to himself unknown , without seeking find , and be embraced by a piece of tender air ; and when from a stately cedar shall be lopped branches , which , being dead many years , shall after revive , be jointed to the old stock , and freshly grow : then shall Posthumus end his miseries , Britain be fortunate , and flourish in peace and plenty .
+Thou , Leonatus , art the lion's whelp ;
+The fit and apt construction of thy name ,
+Being Leo-natus , doth import so much .
+
+
+The piece of tender air , thy virtuous daughter ,
+Which we call mollis aer ; and mollis aer
+We term it mulier ; which mulier , I divine ,
+Is this most constant wife ; who , even now ,
+Answering the letter of the oracle ,
+Unknown to you ,
+
+unsought , were clipp'd about
+With this most tender air .
+
+This hath some seeming .
+
+The lofty cedar , royal Cymbeline ,
+Personates thee , and thy lopp'd branches point
+Thy two sons forth ; who , by Belarius stolen ,
+For many years thought dead , are now reviv'd
+To the majestic cedar join'd , whose issue
+Promises Britain peace and plenty .
+
+Well ;
+My peace we will begin . And , Caius Lucius ,
+Although the victor , we submit to C sar ,
+And to the Roman empire ; promising
+To pay our wonted tribute , from the which
+We were dissuaded by our wicked queen ;
+Whom heavens in justice both on her and hers
+Have laid most heavy hand .
+
+The fingers of the powers above do tune
+The harmony of this peace . The vision
+Which I made known to Lucius ere the stroke
+Of this yet scarce-cold battle , at this instant
+Is full accomplish'd ; for the Roman eagle ,
+From south to west on wing soaring aloft ,
+Lessen'd herself , and in the beams o' the sun
+So vanish'd : which foreshow'd our princely eagle ,
+The imperial C sar , should again unite
+His favour with the radiant Cymbeline ,
+Which shines here in the west .
+
+Laud we the gods ;
+And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils
+From our bless'd altars . Publish we this peace
+To all our subjects . Set we forward : let
+A Roman and a British ensign wave
+Friendly together ; so through Lud's town march :
+And in the temple of great Jupiter
+Our peace we'll ratify ; seal it with feasts .
+Set on there . Never was a war did cease ,
+Ere bloody hands were wash'd , with such a peace .
+
+LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST
+
+Let fame , that all hunt after in their lives ,
+Live register'd upon our brazen tombs ,
+And then grace us in the disgrace of death ;
+When , spite of cormorant devouring Time ,
+The endeavour of this present breath may buy
+That honour which shall bate his scythe's keen edge ,
+And make us heirs of all eternity .
+Therefore , brave conquerors ,for so you are ,
+That war against your own affections
+And the huge army of the world's desires ,
+Our late edict shall strongly stand in force :
+Navarre shall be the wonder of the world ;
+Our court shall be a little academe ,
+Still and contemplative in living art .
+You three , Berowne , Dumaine , and Longaville ,
+Have sworn for three years' term to live with me ,
+My fellow-scholars , and to keep those statutes
+That are recorded in this schedule here :
+Your oaths are pass'd ; and now subscribe your names ,
+That his own hand may strike his honour down
+That violates the smallest branch herein .
+If you are arm'd to do , as sworn to do ,
+Subscribe to your deep oaths , and keep it too .
+
+I am resolv'd ; 'tis but a three years' fast :
+The mind shall banquet , though the body pine :
+Fat paunches have lean pates , and dainty bits
+Make rich the ribs , but bankrupt quite the wits .
+
+My loving lord , Dumaine is mortified :
+The grosser manner of these world's delights
+He throws upon the gross world's baser slaves :
+To love , to wealth , to pomp , I pine and die ;
+With all these living in philosophy .
+
+I can but say their protestation over ;
+So much , dear liege , I have already sworn ,
+That is , to live and study here three years .
+But there are other strict observances ;
+As , not to see a woman in that term ,
+Which I hope well is not enrolled there :
+And one day in a week to touch no food ,
+And but one meal on every day beside ;
+The which I hope is not enrolled there :
+And then , to sleep but three hours in the night ,
+And not be seen to wink of all the day ,
+When I was wont to think no harm all night
+And make a dark night too of half the day ,
+Which I hope well is not enrolled there .
+O ! these are barren tasks , too hard to keep ,
+Not to see ladies , study , fast , not sleep .
+
+Your oath is pass'd to pass away from these .
+
+Let me say no , my liege , an if you please .
+I only swore to study with your Grace ,
+And stay here in your court for three years' space .
+
+You swore to that , Berowne , and to the rest .
+
+By yea and nay , sir , then I swore in jest .
+What is the end of study ? let me know .
+
+Why , that to know which else we should not know .
+
+Things hid and barr'd , you mean , from common sense ?
+
+Ay , that is study's god-like recompense .
+
+Come on then ; I will swear to study so ,
+To know the thing I am forbid to know ;
+As thus : to study where I well may dine ,
+When I to feast expressly am forbid ;
+Or study where to meet some mistress fine ,
+When mistresses from common sense are hid ;
+Or , having sworn too hard-a-keeping oath ,
+Study to break it , and not break my troth .
+If study's gain be thus , and this be so ,
+Study knows that which yet it doth not know .
+Swear me to this , and I will ne'er say no .
+
+These be the stops that hinder study quite ,
+And train our intellects to vain delight .
+
+Why , all delights are vain ; but that most vain
+Which , with pain purchas'd doth inherit pain :
+As , painfully to pore upon a book ,
+To seek the light of truth ; while truth the while
+Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look :
+Light seeking light doth light of light beguile :
+So , ere you find where light in darkness lies ,
+Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes .
+Study me how to please the eye indeed ,
+By fixing it upon a fairer eye ,
+Who dazzling so , that eye shall be his heed ,
+And give him light that it was blinded by .
+Study is like the heaven's glorious sun ,
+That will not be deep-search'd with saucy looks ;
+Small have continual plodders ever won ,
+Save base authority from others' books .
+These earthly godfathers of heaven's lights
+That give a name to every fixed star ,
+Have no more profit of their shining nights
+Than those that walk and wot not what they are .
+Too much to know is to know nought but fame ;
+And every godfather can give a name .
+
+How well he's read , to reason against reading !
+
+Proceeded well , to stop all good proceeding !
+
+He weeds the corn , and still lets grow the weeding .
+
+The spring is near , when green geese are a-breeding .
+
+How follows that ?
+
+Fit in his place and time .
+
+In reason nothing .
+
+Something then , in rime .
+
+Berowne is like an envious sneaping frost
+That bites the first-born infants of the spring .
+
+Well , say I am : why should proud summer boast
+Before the birds have any cause to sing ?
+Why should I joy in an abortive birth ?
+At Christmas I no more desire a rose
+Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth ;
+But like of each thing that in season grows .
+So you , to study now it is too late ,
+Climb o'er the house to unlock the little gate .
+
+Well , sit you out : go home , Berowne : adieu !
+
+No , my good lord ; I have sworn to stay with you :
+And though I have for barbarism spoke more
+Than for that angel knowledge you can say ,
+Yet confident I'll keep to what I swore ,
+And bide the penance of each three years' day .
+Give me the paper ; let me read the same ;
+And to the strict'st decrees I'll write my name .
+
+How well this yielding rescues thee from shame !
+
+Item , That no woman shall come within a mile of my court . Hath this been proclaimed ?
+
+Four days ago .
+
+Let's see the penalty . On pain of losing her tongue . Who devised this penalty ?
+
+Marry , that did I .
+
+Sweet lord , and why ?
+
+To fright them hence with that dread penalty .
+
+A dangerous law against gentility !
+
+Item . If any man be seen to talk with a woman within the term of three years , he shall endure such public shame as the rest of the court can possibly devise .
+This article , my liege , yourself must break ;
+For well you know here comes in embassy
+The French king's daughter with yourself to speak
+A maid of grace and complete majesty
+About surrender up of Aquitaine
+To her decrepit , sick , and bed-rid father :
+Therefore this article is made in vain ,
+Or vainly comes th' admired princess hither .
+
+What say you , lords ? why , this was quite forgot .
+
+So study evermore is overshot :
+While it doth study to have what it would ,
+It doth forget to do the thing it should ;
+And when it hath the thing it hunteth most ,
+'Tis won as towns with fire ; so won , so lost .
+
+We must of force dispense with this decree ;
+She must lie here on mere necessity .
+
+Necessity will make us all forsworn
+Three thousand times within this three years' space ;
+For every man with his affects is born ,
+Not by might master'd , but by special grace .
+If I break faith this word shall speak for me ,
+I am forsworn 'on mere necessity .'
+So to the laws at large I write my name :
+
+And he that breaks them in the least degree
+Stands in attainder of eternal shame :
+Suggestions are to others as to me ;
+But I believe , although I seem so loath ,
+I am the last that will last keep his oath .
+But is there no quick recreation granted ?
+
+Ay , that there is . Our court , you know , is haunted
+With a refined traveller of Spain ;
+A man in all the world's new fashion planted ,
+That hath a mint of phrases in his brain ;
+One whom the music of his own vain tongue
+Doth ravish like enchanting harmony ;
+A man of complements , whom right and wrong
+Have chose as umpire of their mutiny :
+This child of fancy , that Armado hight ,
+For interim to our studies shall relate
+In high-born words the worth of many a knight
+From tawny Spain lost in the world's debate .
+How you delight , my lords , I know not , I ;
+But , I protest , I love to hear him lie ,
+And I will use him for my minstrelsy .
+
+Armado is a most illustrious wight ,
+A man of fire-new words , fashion's own knight .
+
+Costard the swain and he shall be our sport ;
+And , so to study , three years is but short .
+
+
+Which is the duke's own person ?
+
+This , fellow . What wouldst ?
+
+I myself reprehend his own person , for I am his Grace's tharborough : but I would see his own person in flesh and blood .
+
+This is he .
+
+Signior Arm Arm commends you . There's villany abroad : this letter will tell you more .
+
+Sir , the contempts thereof are as touching me .
+
+A letter from the magnificent Armado .
+
+How long soever the matter , I hope in God for high words .
+
+A high hope for a low heaven : God grant us patience !
+
+To hear , or forbear laughing ?
+
+To hear meekly , sir , and to laugh moderately ; or to forbear both .
+
+Well , sir , be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness .
+
+The matter is to me , sir , as concerning Jaquenetta . The manner of it is , I was taken with the manner .
+
+In what manner ?
+
+In manner and form following , sir ; all those three : I was seen with her in the manor-house , sitting with her upon the form , and taken following her into the park ; which , put together , is , in manner and form following . Now , sir , for the manner ,it is the manner of a man to speak to a woman , for the form ,in some form .
+
+For the following , sir ?
+
+As it shall follow in my correction ; and God defend the right !
+
+Will you hear this letter with attention ?
+
+As we would hear an oracle .
+
+Such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh .
+
+Great deputy , the welkin's vicegerent , and sole dominator of Navarre , my soul's earth's God , and body's fostering patron ,
+
+Not a word of Costard yet .
+
+So it is ,
+
+It may be so ; but if he say it is so , he is , in telling true , but so .
+
+Peace !
+
+Be to me and every man that dares not fight .
+
+No words !
+
+Of other men's secrets , I beseech you .
+
+So it is , besieged with sable-coloured melancholy , I did commend the black-oppressing humour to the most wholesome physic of thy health-giving air ; and , as I am a gentleman , betook myself to walk . The time when ? About the sixth hour ; when beasts most graze , birds best peck , and men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper : so much for the time when . Now for the ground which ; which , I mean , I walked upon : it is ycleped thy park . Then for the place where ; where , I mean , I did encounter that most obscene and preposterous event , that draweth from my snow-white pen the ebon-coloured ink , which here thou viewest , beholdest , surveyest , or seest . But to the place where , it standeth north-north-east and by east from the west corner of thy curious-knotted garden : there did I see that low-spirited swain , that base minnow of thy mirth ,
+
+Me .
+
+that unlettered small-knowing soul ,
+
+Me .
+
+that shallow vessel ,
+
+Still me .
+
+which , as I remember , hight Costard ,
+
+O me .
+
+sorted and consorted , contrary to thy established proclaimed edict and continent canon , with with ,O ! with but with this I passion to say wherewith ,
+
+With a wench .
+
+with a child of our grandmother Eve , a female ; or , for thy more sweet understanding , a woman . Him , I ,as my everesteemed duty pricks me on ,have sent to thee , to receive the meed of punishment , by thy sweet Grace's officer , Antony Dull ; a man of good repute , carriage , bearing , and estimation .
+
+Me , an't please you ; I am Antony Dull .
+
+For Jaquenetta ,so is the weaker vessel called which I apprehended with the aforesaid swain ,I keep her as a vessel of thy law's fury ; and shall , at the least of thy sweet notice , bring her to trial . Thine , in all compliments of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty ,
+
+This is not so well as I looked for , but the best that ever I heard .
+
+Ay , the best for the worst . But , sirrah , what say you to this ?
+
+Sir , I confess the wench .
+
+Did you hear the proclamation ?
+
+I do confess much of the hearing it , but little of the marking of it .
+
+It was proclaimed a year's imprisonment to be taken with a wench .
+
+I was taken with none , sir : I was taken with a damosel .
+
+Well , it was proclaimed 'damosel .'
+
+This was no damosel neither , sir : she was a 'virgin .'
+
+It is so varied too ; for it was proclaimed 'virgin .'
+
+If it were , I deny her virginity : I was taken with a maid .
+
+This maid will not serve your turn , sir .
+
+This maid will serve my turn , sir .
+
+Sir , I will pronounce your sentence : you shall fast a week with bran and water .
+
+I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge .
+
+And Don Armado shall be your keeper .
+My Lord Berowne , see him deliver'd o'er :
+And go we , lords , to put in practice that
+Which each to other hath so strongly sworn .
+
+
+I'll lay my head to any good man's hat ,
+These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn .
+Sirrah , come on .
+
+I suffer for the truth , sir : for true it is I was taken with Jaquenetta , and Jaquenetta is a true girl ; and therefore welcome the sour cup of prosperity ! Affliction may one day smile again ; and till then , sit thee down , sorrow !
+
+
+Boy , what sign is it when a man of great spirit grows melancholy ?
+
+A great sign , sir , that he will look sad .
+
+Why , sadness is one and the self-same thing , dear imp .
+
+No , no ; O Lord , sir , no .
+
+How canst thou part sadness and melancholy , my tender juvenal ?
+
+By a familiar demonstration of the working , my tough senior .
+
+Why tough senior ? why tough senior ?
+
+Why tender juvenal ? why tender juvenal ?
+
+I spoke it , tender juvenal , as a congruent epitheton appertaining to thy young days , which we may nominate tender .
+
+And I , tough senior , as an appertinent title to your old time , which we may name tough .
+
+Pretty , and apt .
+
+How mean you , sir ? I pretty , and my saying apt ? or I apt , and my saying pretty ?
+
+Thou pretty , because little .
+
+Little pretty , because little . Wherefore apt ?
+
+And therefore apt , because quick .
+
+Speak you this in my praise , master ?
+
+In thy condign praise .
+
+I will praise an eel with the same praise .
+
+What ! that an eel is ingenious ?
+
+That an eel is quick .
+
+I do say thou art quick in answers : thou heatest my blood .
+
+I am answered , sir .
+
+I love not to be crossed .
+
+He speaks the mere contrary : crosses love not him .
+
+I have promised to study three years with the duke .
+
+You may do it in an hour , sir .
+
+Impossible .
+
+How many is one thrice told ?
+
+I am ill at reckoning ; it fitteth the spirit of a tapster .
+
+You are a gentleman and a gamester , sir .
+
+I confess both : they are both the varnish of a complete man .
+
+Then , I am sure you know how much the gross sum of deuce-ace amounts to .
+
+It doth amount to one more than two .
+
+Which the base vulgar do call three .
+
+True .
+
+Why , sir , is this such a piece of study ? Now , here's 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 .
+
+A most fine figure !
+
+To prove you a cipher .
+
+I will hereupon confess I am in love ; and as it is base for a soldier to love , so am I in love with a base wench . If drawing my sword against the humour 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 devised curtsy . I think scorn to sigh : methinks I should outswear Cupid . Comfort me , boy : what great men have been in love ?
+
+Hercules , master .
+
+Most sweet Hercules ! More authority , dear boy , name more ; and , sweet my child , let them be men of good repute and carriage .
+
+Samson , 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 .
+
+O well-knit Samson ! strong-jointed Samson ! I do excel thee in my rapier as much as thou didst me in carrying gates . I am in love too . Who was Samson's love , my dear Moth ?
+
+A woman , master .
+
+Of what complexion ?
+
+Of all the four , or the three , or the two , or one of the four .
+
+Tell me precisely of what complexion .
+
+Of the sea-water green , sir .
+
+Is that one of the four complexions ?
+
+As I have read , sir ; and the best of them too .
+
+Green indeed is the colour of lovers ; but to have a love of that colour , methinks Samson had small reason for it . He surely affected her for her wit .
+
+It was so , sir , for she had a green wit .
+
+My love is most immaculate white and red .
+
+Most maculate thoughts , master , are masked under such colours .
+
+Define , define , well-educated infant .
+
+My father's wit , and my mother's tongue , assist me !
+
+Sweet invocation of a child ; most pretty and pathetical !
+
+
+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 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 .
+
+A dangerous rime , master , against the reason of white and red .
+
+Is there not a ballad , boy , of the King and the Beggar ?
+
+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 .
+
+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 .
+
+To be whipped ; and yet a better love than my master .
+
+Sing , boy : my spirit grows heavy in love .
+
+And that's great marvel , loving a light wench .
+
+I say , sing .
+
+Forbear till this company be past .
+
+
+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 allowed for the day-woman .
+Fare you well .
+
+I do betray myself with blushing . Maid !
+
+Man ?
+
+I will visit thee at the lodge .
+
+That's hereby .
+
+I know where it is situate .
+
+Lord , how wise you are !
+
+I will tell thee wonders .
+
+With that face ?
+
+I love thee .
+
+So I heard you say .
+
+And so farewell .
+
+Fair weather after you !
+
+Come , Jaquenetta , away !
+
+
+Villain , thou shalt fast for thy offences ere thou be pardoned .
+
+Well , sir , I hope , when I do it , I shall do it on a full stomach .
+
+Thou shalt be heavily punished .
+
+I am more bound to you than your fellows , for they are but lightly rewarded .
+
+Take away this villain : shut him up .
+
+Come , you transgressing slave : away !
+
+Let me not be pent up , sir : I will fast , being loose .
+
+No , sir ; that were fast and loose : thou shalt to prison .
+
+Well , if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that I have seen , some shall see
+
+What shall some see ?
+
+Nay , nothing , Master Moth , but what they look upon . It is not for prisoners to be too silent in their words ; and therefore I will say nothing : I thank God I have as little patience as another man , and therefore I can be quiet .
+
+
+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 was Samson so tempted , and he had an excellent strength ; yet was Solomon so seduced , and he had a very good wit . Cupid's butt-shaft is too hard for Hercules' club , and therefore too much odds for a Spaniard's rapier . The first and second clause will not serve my turn ; the passado he respects not , the duello he regards not : his disgrace is to be called 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 rime , for I am sure I shall turn sonneter . Devise , wit ; write , pen ; for I am for whole volumes in folio .
+
+Now , madam , summon up your dearest spirits :
+Consider whom the king your father sends ,
+To whom he sends , and what's his embassy :
+Yourself , held precious in the world's esteem ,
+To parley with the sole inheritor
+Of all perfections that a man may owe ,
+Matchless Navarre ; the plea of no less weight
+Than Aquitaine , a dowry for a queen .
+Be now as prodigal of all dear grace
+As Nature was in making graces dear
+When she did starve the general world beside ,
+And prodigally gave them all to you .
+
+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 utter'd 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 seemth it a needful course ,
+Before we enter his forbidden gates ,
+To know his pleasure ; and in that behalf ,
+Bold 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 dispatch ,
+Importunes personal conference with his Grace .
+Haste , signify so much ; while we attend ,
+Like humble-visag'd suitors , his high will .
+
+Proud of employment , willingly I go .
+
+All pride is willing pride , and yours is so .
+
+Who are the votaries , my loving lords ,
+That are vow-fellows with this virtuous duke ?
+
+Lord Longaville is one .
+
+Know you the man ?
+
+I know him , madam : at a marriage feast ,
+Between Lord Perigort and the beauteous heir
+Of Jacques Falconbridge , solemnized
+In Normandy , saw I this Longaville .
+A man of sovereign parts he is esteem'd ;
+Well fitted in the arts , glorious in arms :
+Nothing becomes him ill that he would well .
+The only soil of his fair virtue's gloss ,
+If virtue's gloss will stain with any soil ,
+Is a sharp wit match'd with too blunt a will ;
+Whose edge hath power to cut , whose will still wills
+It should none spare that come within his power .
+
+Some merry mocking lord , belike ; is't so ?
+
+They say so most that most his humours know .
+
+Such short-liv'd wits do wither as they grow .
+Who are the rest ?
+
+The young Dumaine , a well-accomplish'd youth ,
+Of all that virtue love for virtue lov'd :
+Most power to do most harm , least knowing ill ,
+For he hath wit to make an ill shape good ,
+And shape to win grace though he had no wit .
+I saw him at the Duke Alen on's once ;
+And much too little of that good I saw
+Is my report to his great worthiness .
+
+Another of these students at that time
+Was there with him , if I have heard a truth :
+Berowne they call him ; but a merrier man ,
+Within the limit of becoming mirth ,
+I never spent an hour's talk withal .
+His eye begets occasion for his wit ;
+For every object that the one doth catch
+The other turns to a mirth-moving jest ,
+Which his fair tongue , conceit's expositor ,
+Delivers in such apt and gracious words ,
+That aged ears play truant at his tales ,
+And younger hearings are quite ravished ;
+So sweet and voluble is his discourse .
+
+God bless my ladies ! are they all in love ,
+That every one her own hath garnished
+With such bedecking ornaments of praise ?
+
+Here comes Boyet .
+
+
+Now , what admittance , lord ?
+
+Navarre had notice of your fair approach ;
+And he and his competitors in oath
+Were all address'd to meet you , gentle lady ,
+Before I came . Marry , thus much I have learnt ;
+He rather means to lodge you in the field ,
+Like one that comes here to besiege his court ,
+Than seek a dispensation for his oath ,
+To let you enter his unpeeled house .
+Here comes Navarre .
+
+Fair princess , welcome to the court of Navarre .
+
+'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 .
+
+You shall be welcome , madam , to my court .
+
+I will be welcome , then : conduct me thither .
+
+Hear me , dear lady ; I have sworn an oath .
+
+Our Lady help my lord ! he'll be forsworn .
+
+Not for the world , fair madam , by my will .
+
+Why , will shall break it ; will , and nothing else .
+
+Your ladyship is ignorant what it is .
+
+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 :
+To teach a teacher ill beseemeth me .
+Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming ,
+And suddenly resolve me in my suit .
+
+
+Madam , I will , if suddenly I may .
+
+You will the sooner that I were away ,
+For you'll prove perjur'd if you make me stay .
+
+Did not I dance with you in Brabant once ?
+
+Did not I dance with you in Brabant once ?
+
+I know you did .
+
+How needless was it then
+To ask the question !
+
+You must not be so quick .
+
+'Tis 'long of you that spur me with such questions .
+
+Your wit's too hot , it speeds too fast , 'twill tire .
+
+Not till it leave the rider in the mire .
+
+What time o' day ?
+
+The hour that fools should ask .
+
+Now fair befall your mask !
+
+Fair fall the face it covers !
+
+And send you many lovers !
+
+Amen , so you be none .
+
+Nay , then I will be gone .
+
+Madam , your father here doth intimate
+The payment of a hundred thousand crowns ;
+Being but the one half of an entire sum
+Disbursed by my father in his wars .
+But say that he , or we ,as neither have ,
+Receiv'd that sum , yet there remains unpaid
+A hundred thousand more ; in surety of the which ,
+One part of Aquitaine is bound to us ,
+Although not valu'd to the money's worth .
+If then the king your father will restore
+But that one half which is unsatisfied ,
+We will give up our right in Aquitaine ,
+And hold fair friendship with his majesty .
+But that it seems , he little purposeth ,
+For here he doth demand to have repaid
+A hundred thousand crowns ; and not demands ,
+On payment of a hundred thousand crowns ,
+To have his title live in Aquitaine ;
+Which we much rather had depart withal ,
+And have the money by our father lent ,
+Than Aquitaine , so gelded as it is .
+Dear princess , were not his requests so far
+From reason's yielding , your fair self should make
+A yielding 'gainst some reason in my breast ,
+And go well satisfied to France again .
+
+You do the king my father too much wrong
+And wrong the reputation of your name ,
+In so unseeming to confess receipt
+Of that which hath so faithfully been paid .
+
+I do protest I never heard of it ;
+And if you prove it , I'll repay it back
+Or yield up Aquitaine .
+
+We arrest your word .
+Boyet , you can produce acquittances
+For such a sum from special officers
+Of Charles his father .
+
+Satisfy me so .
+
+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 .
+
+It shall suffice me : at which interview
+All liberal reason I will yield unto .
+Meantime , receive such welcome at my hand
+As honour , without breach of honour , may
+Make tender of to thy true worthiness .
+You may not come , fair princess , in my gates ;
+But here without you shall be so receiv'd ,
+As you shall deem yourself lodg'd in my heart ,
+Though so denied fair harbour in my house .
+Your own good thoughts excuse me , and farewell :
+To-morrow shall we visit you again .
+
+Sweet health and fair desires consort your Grace !
+
+Thy own wish wish I thee in every place !
+
+
+Lady , I will commend you to mine own heart .
+
+Pray you , do my commendations ; I would be glad to see it .
+
+I would you heard it groan .
+
+Is the fool sick ?
+
+Sick at the heart .
+
+Alack ! let it blood .
+
+Would that do it good ?
+
+My physic says , 'ay .'
+
+Will you prick't with your eye ?
+
+No point , with my knife .
+
+Now , God save thy life !
+
+And yours from long living !
+
+I cannot stay thanksgiving .
+
+
+Sir , I pray you , a word : what lady is that same ?
+
+The heir of Alen on , Katharine her name .
+
+A gallant lady . Monsieur , fare you well .
+
+
+I beseech you a word : what is she in the white ?
+
+A woman sometimes , an you saw her in the light .
+
+Perchance light in the light . I desire her name .
+
+She hath but one for herself ; to desire that , were a shame .
+
+Pray you , sir , whose daughter ?
+
+Her mother's , I have heard .
+
+God's blessing on your beard !
+
+Good sir , be not offended .
+She is an heir of Falconbridge .
+
+Nay , my choler is ended .
+She is a most sweet lady .
+
+Not unlike , sir ; that may be .
+
+
+What's her name , in the cap ?
+
+Rosaline , by good hap .
+
+Is she wedded or no ?
+
+To her will , sir , or so .
+
+You are welcome , sir . Adieu .
+
+Farewell to me , sir , and welcome to you .
+
+
+That last is Berowne , the merry mad-cap lord :
+Not a word with him but a jest .
+
+And every jest but a word .
+
+It was well done of you to take him at his word .
+
+I was as willing to grapple , as he was to board .
+
+Two hot sheeps , marry !
+
+And wherefore not ships ?
+No sheep , sweet lamb , unless we feed on your lips .
+
+You sheep , and I pasture : shall that finish the jest ?
+
+So you grant pasture for me .
+
+
+Not so , gentle beast .
+My lips are no common , though several they be .
+
+Belonging to whom ?
+
+To my fortunes and me .
+
+Good wits will be jangling ; but , gentles , agree .
+This civil war of wits were much better us'd
+On Navarre and his book-men , for here 'tis abus'd .
+
+If my observation ,which very seldom lies ,
+By the heart's still rhetoric disclosed with eyes ,
+Deceive me not now , Navarre is infected .
+
+With what ?
+
+With that which we lovers entitle affected .
+
+Your reason .
+
+Why , all his behaviours did make their retire
+To the court of his eye , peeping thorough desire ;
+His heart , like an agate , with your print impress'd ,
+Proud with his form , in his eye pride express'd :
+His tongue , all impatient to speak and not see ,
+Did stumble with haste in his eyesight to be ;
+All senses to that sense did make their repair ,
+To feel only looking on fairest of fair ,
+Methought all his senses were lock'd in his eye ,
+As jewels in crystal for some prince to buy ;
+Who , tend'ring their own worth from where they were glass'd ,
+Did point you to buy them , along as you pass'd .
+His face's own margent did quote such amazes ,
+That all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes .
+I'll give you Aquitaine , and all that is his ,
+An' you give him for my sake but one loving kiss .
+
+Come to our pavilion : Boyet is dispos'd .
+
+But to speak that in words which his eye hath disclos'd .
+I only have made a mouth of his eye ,
+By adding a tongue which I know will not he .
+
+Thou art an old love-monger , and speak'st skilfully .
+
+He is Cupid's grandfather and learns news of him .
+
+Then was Venus like her mother , for her father is but grim .
+
+Do you hear , my mad wenches ?
+
+No .
+
+What , then , do you see ?
+
+Ay , our way to be gone .
+
+You are too hard for me .
+
+Warble , child ; make passionate my sense of hearing .
+
+Concolinel ,
+
+Sweet air ! Go , tenderness of years ; take this key , give enlargement to the swain , bring him festinately hither ; I must employ him in a letter to my love .
+
+Master , will you win your love with a French brawl ?
+
+How meanest thou ? brawling in French ?
+
+No , my complete master ; but to jig off a tune at the tongue's end , canary to it with your feet , humour it with turning up your eyelids , sigh a note and sing a note , sometime through the throat , as if you swallowed love by singing love , sometime through the nose , as if you snuffed up love by smelling love ; with your hat penthouse-like o'er the shop of your eyes ; with your arms crossed on your thin belly-doublet like a rabbit on a spit ; or your hands in your pocket like a man after the old painting ; and keep not too long in one tune , but a snip and away . These are complements , these are humours , these betray nice wenches , that would be betrayed without these ; and make them men of note ,do you note me ?that most are affected to these .
+
+How hast thou purchased this experience ?
+
+By my penny of observation .
+
+But O but O ,
+
+'The hobby-horse is forgot .'
+
+Callest thou my love 'hobby-horse ?'
+
+No , master ; the hobby-horse is but a colt , and your love perhaps , a hackney . But have you forgot your love ?
+
+Almost I had .
+
+Negligent student ! learn her by heart .
+
+By heart , and in heart , boy .
+
+And out of heart , master : all those three I will prove .
+
+What wilt thou prove ?
+
+A man , if I live ; and this , by , in , and without , upon the instant : by heart you love her , because your heart cannot come by her ; in heart you love her , because your heart is in love with her ; and out of heart you love her , being out of heart that you cannot enjoy her .
+
+I am all these three .
+
+And three times as much more , and yet nothing at all .
+
+Fetch hither the swain : he must carry me a letter .
+
+A message well sympathized : a horse to be ambassador for an ass .
+
+Ha , ha ! what sayest thou ?
+
+Marry , sir , you must send the ass upon the horse , for he is very slow-gaited . But I go .
+
+The way is but short : away !
+
+As swift as lead , sir .
+
+Thy meaning , pretty ingenious ?
+Is not lead a metal heavy , dull , and slow ?
+
+Minime , honest master ; or rather , master , no .
+
+I say , lead is slow .
+
+You are too swift , sir , to say so :
+Is that lead slow which is fir'd from a gun ?
+
+Sweet smoke of rhetoric !
+He reputes me a cannon ; and the bullet , that's he :
+I shoot thee at the swain .
+
+Thump then , and I flee .
+
+
+A most acute juvenal ; volable and free of grace !
+By thy favour , sweet welkin , I must sigh in thy face :
+Most rude melancholy , valour gives thee place .
+My herald is return'd .
+
+
+A wonder , master ! here's a costard broken in a shin .
+
+Some enigma , some riddle : come , thy l'envoy ; begin .
+
+No egma , no riddle , no l'envoy ; no salve in the mail , sir . O ! sir , plantain , a plain plantain : no l'envoy , no l'envoy : no salve , sir , but a plantain .
+
+By virtue , thou enforcest laughter ; thy silly thought , my spleen ; the heaving of my lungs provokes me to ridiculous smiling : O ! pardon me , my stars . Doth the inconsiderate take salve for l'envoy , and the word l'envoy for a salve ?
+
+Do the wise think them other ? is not l'envoy a salve ?
+
+No , page : it is an epilogue or discourse , to make plain
+Some obscure precedence that hath tofore been sain .
+I will example it :
+
+The fox , the ape , and the humble-bee
+Were still at odds , being but three .
+
+There's the moral . Now the l'envoy .
+
+I will add the l'envoy . Say the moral again .
+
+
+The fox , the ape , and the humble-bee ,
+Were still at odds , being but three .
+
+Until the goose came out of door ,
+And stay'd the odds by adding four .
+
+Now will I begin your moral , and do you follow with my l'envoy .
+
+The fox , the ape , and the humble-bee ,
+Were still at odds , being but three .
+
+Until the goose came out of door ,
+Staying the odds by adding four .
+
+
+A good l'envoy , ending in the goose .
+Would you desire more ?
+
+The boy hath sold him a bargain , a goose , that's flat .
+Sir , your pennyworth is good an your goose be fat .
+To sell a bargain well is as cunning as fast and loose :
+Let me see ; a fat l'envoy ; ay , that's a fat goose .
+
+Come hither , come hither . How did this argument begin ?
+
+By saying that a costard was broken in a shin .
+Then call'd you for the l'envoy .
+
+True , and I for a plantain : thus came your argument in ;
+Then the boy's fat l'envoy , the goose that you bought ;
+And he ended the market .
+
+But tell me ; how was there a costard broken in a shin ?
+
+I will tell you sensibly .
+
+Thou hast no feeling of it , Moth : I will speak that l'envoy :
+I , Costard , running out , that was safely within ,
+Fell over the threshold and broke my shin .
+
+We will talk no more of this matter .
+
+Till there be more matter in the shin .
+
+Sirrah Costard , I will enfranchise thee .
+
+O ! marry me to one Frances : I smell some l'envoy , some goose , in this .
+
+By my sweet soul , I mean setting thee at liberty , enfreedoming thy person : thou wert immured , restrained , captivated , bound .
+
+True , true , and now you will be my purgation and let me loose .
+
+I give thee thy liberty , set thee from durance ; and in lieu thereof , impose upon thee nothing but this :
+
+Bear this significant to the country maid Jaquenetta . [Giving money .] There is remuneration ; for the best ward of mine honour is rewarding my dependents . Moth , follow .
+
+
+Like the sequel , I . Signior Costard , adieu .
+
+My sweet ounce of man's flesh ! my incony Jew !
+
+Now will I look to his remuneration . Remuneration ! O ! that's the Latin word for three farthings : three farthings , remuneration . 'What's the price of this inkle ?' 'One penny .' 'No , I'll give you a remuneration :' why , it carries it Remuneration ! why , it is a fairer name than French crown . I will never buy and sell out of this word .
+
+
+O ! my good knave Costard , exceedingly well met .
+
+Pray you , sir , how much carnation riband may a man buy for a remuneration ?
+
+What is a remuneration ?
+
+Marry , sir , halfpenny farthing .
+
+Why then , three-farthing-worth of silk .
+
+I thank your worship . God be wi' you !
+
+Stay , slave ; I must employ thee :
+As thou wilt win my favour , good my knave ,
+Do one thing for me that I shall entreat .
+
+When would you have it done , sir ?
+
+O , this afternoon .
+
+Well , I will do it , sir ! fare you well .
+
+O , thou knowest not what it is .
+
+I shall know , sir , when I have done it .
+
+Why , villain , thou must know first .
+
+I will come to your worship to-morrow morning .
+
+It must be done this afternoon . Hark , slave , it is but this :
+The princess comes to hunt here in the park ,
+And in her train there is a gentle lady :
+When tongues speak sweetly , then they name her name ,
+And Rosaline they call her : ask for her
+And to her white hand see thou do commend
+This seal'd-up counsel .
+
+There's thy guerdon : go .
+
+Gardon , O sweet gardon ! better than remuneration ; a 'leven-pence farthing better .
+Most sweet gardon ! I will do it , sir , in print
+Gardon ! remuneration !
+
+
+And I ,
+Forsooth , in love ! I , that have been love's whip ;
+A very beadle to a humorous sigh ;
+A critic , nay , a night-watch constable ,
+A domineering pedant o'er the boy ,
+Than whom no mortal so magnificent !
+This wimpled , whining , purblind , wayward boy ,
+This senior-junior , giant-dwarf , Dan Cupid ;
+Regent of love-rimes , lord of folded arms ,
+The anointed sovereign of sighs and groans ,
+Liege of all loiterers and malecontents ,
+Dread prince of plackets , king of codpieces ,
+Sole imperator and great general
+Of trotting 'paritors : O my little heart !
+And I to be a corporal of his field ,
+And wear his colours like a tumbler's hoop !
+What I ! I love ! I sue ! I seek a wife !
+A woman that is like a German clock ,
+Still a-repairing , ever out of frame ,
+And never going aright , being a watch ,
+But being watch'd that it may still go right !
+Nay , to be perjur'd , which is worst of all ;
+And , among three , to love the worst of all ;
+A wightly wanton with a velvet brow ,
+With two pitch balls stuck in her face for eyes ;
+Ay , and , by heaven , one that will do the deed
+Though Argus were her eunuch and her guard :
+And I to sigh for her ! to watch for her !
+To pray for her ! Go to ; it is a plague
+That Cupid will impose for my neglect
+Of his almighty dreadful little might .
+Well , I will love , write , sigh , pray , sue , and groan :
+Some men must love my lady , and some Joan .
+
+Was that the king , that spurr'd his horse so hard
+Against the steep uprising of the hill ?
+
+I know not ; but I think it was not he .
+
+Whoe'er a' was , a' show'd a mounting mind .
+Well , lords , to-day we shall have our dispatch ;
+On Saturday we will return to France .
+Then , forester , my friend , where is the bush
+That we must stand and play the murderer in ?
+
+Hereby , upon the edge of yonder coppice ;
+A stand where you may make the fairest shoot .
+
+I thank my beauty , I am fair that shoot ,
+And thereupon thou speak'st the fairest shoot .
+
+Pardon me , madam , for I meant not so .
+
+What , what ? first praise me , and again say no ?
+O short-liv'd pride ! Not fair ? alack for woe !
+
+Yes , madam , fair .
+
+Nay , never paint me now :
+Where fair is not , praise cannot mend the brow .
+Here , good my glass :
+
+Take this for telling true :
+Fair payment for foul words is more than due .
+
+Nothing but fair is that which you inherit .
+
+See , see ! my beauty will be sav'd by merit .
+O heresy in fair , fit for these days !
+A giving hand , though foul , shall have fair praise .
+But come , the bow : now mercy goes to kill ,
+And shooting well is then accounted ill .
+Thus will I save my credit in the shoot :
+Not wounding , pity would not let me do't ;
+If wounding , then it was to show my skill ,
+That more for praise than purpose meant to kill .
+And out of question so it is sometimes ,
+Glory grows guilty of detested crimes ,
+When , for fame's sake , for praise , an outward part ,
+We bend to that the working of the heart ;
+As I for praise alone now seek to spill
+The poor deer's blood , that my heart means no ill .
+
+Do not curst wives hold that self-sovereignty
+Only for praise' sake , when they strive to be
+Lords o'er their lords ?
+
+Only for praise ; and praise we may afford
+To any lady that subdues a lord .
+
+
+Here comes a member of the commonwealth .
+
+God dig-you-den all ! Pray you , which is the head lady ?
+
+Thou shalt know her , fellow , by the rest that have no heads .
+
+Which is the greatest lady , the highest ?
+
+The thickest , and the tallest .
+
+The thickest , and the tallest ! it is so ; truth is truth .
+An your waist , mistress , were as slender as my wit ,
+One o'these maids' girdles for your waist should be fit .
+Are not you the chief woman ? you are the thickest here .
+
+What's your will , sir ? what's your will ?
+
+I have a letter from Monsieur Berowne to one Lady Rosaline .
+
+O ! thy letter , thy letter ; he's a good friend of mine .
+Stand aside , good bearer . Boyet , you can carve ;
+Break up this capon .
+
+I am bound to serve .
+This letter is mistook ; it importeth none here :
+It is writ to Jaquenetta .
+
+We will read it , I swear .
+Break the neck of the wax , and every one give ear .
+
+By heaven , that thou art fair , is most infallible ; true , that thou art beauteous ; truth itself , that thou art lovely . More fairer than fair , beautiful than beauteous , truer than truth itself , have commiseration on thy heroical vassal ! The magnanimous and most illustrate king Cophetua set eye upon the pernicious and indubitate beggar Zenelophon , and he it was that might rightly say veni , vidi , vici ; which to anatomize in the vulgar O base and obscure vulgar !videlicet , he came , saw , and overcame : he came , one ; saw , two ; overcame , three . Who came ? the king : Why did he come ? to see : Why did he see ? to overcome : To whom came he ? to the beggar : What saw he ? the beggar . Whom overcame he ? the beggar . The conclusion is victory : on whose side ? the king's ; the captive is enriched : on whose side ? the beggar's . The catastrophe is a nuptial : on whose side ? the king's , no , on both in one , or one in both . I am the king , for so stands the comparison ; thou the beggar , for so witnesseth thy lowliness . Shall I command thy love ? I may : Shall I enforce thy love ? I could : Shall I entreat thy love ? I will . What shalt thou exchange for rags ? robes ; for tittles ? titles ; for thyself ? me . Thus , expecting thy reply , I profane my lips on thy foot , my eyes on thy picture , and my heart on thy every part .
+Thine , in the dearest design of Industry , DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO .
+Thus dost thou hear the Nemean lion roar
+'Gainst thee , thou lamb , that standest as his prey :
+Submissive fall his princely feet before ,
+And he from forage will incline to play .
+But if thou strive , poor soul , what art thou then ?
+Food for his rage , repasture for his den .
+
+What plume of feathers is he that indited this letter ?
+What vane ? what weathercock ? did you ever hear better ?
+
+I am much deceiv'd but I remember the style .
+
+Else your memory is bad , going o'er it erewhile .
+
+This Armado is a Spaniard , that keeps here in court ;
+A phantasime , a Monarcho , and one that makes sport
+To the prince and his book-mates .
+
+Thou , fellow , a word .
+Who gave thee this letter ?
+
+I told you ; my lord .
+
+To whom shouldst thou give it ?
+
+From my lord to my lady .
+
+From which lord , to which lady ?
+
+From my lord Berowne , a good master of mine ,
+To a lady of France , that he call'd Rosaline .
+
+Thou hast mistaken his letter . Come , lords , away .
+Here , sweet , put up this : 'twill be thine another day .
+
+
+Who is the suitor ? who is the suitor ?
+
+Shall I teach you to know ?
+
+Ay , my continent of beauty .
+
+Why , she that bears the bow .
+Finely put off !
+
+My lady goes to kill horns ; but , if thou marry ,
+Hang me by the neck if horns that year miscarry .
+Finely put on !
+
+Well then , I am the shooter .
+
+And who is your deer ?
+
+If we choose by the horns , yourself : come not near .
+Finely put on , indeed !
+
+You still wrangle with her , Boyet , and she strikes at the brow .
+
+But she herself is hit lower : have I hit her now ?
+
+Shall I come upon thee with an old saying , that was a man when King Pepin of France was a little boy , as touching the hit it ?
+
+So may I answer thee with one as old , that was a woman when Queen Guinever of Britain was a little wench , as touching the hit it .
+
+
+Thou canst not hit it , hit it , hit it ,
+Thou canst not hit it , my good man .
+
+An I cannot , cannot , cannot ,
+An I cannot , another can .
+
+By my troth , most pleasant : how both did fit it !
+
+A mark marvellous well shot , for they both did hit it .
+
+A mark ! O ! mark but that mark ; a mark , says my lady !
+Let the mark have a prick in't , to mete at , if it may be .
+
+Wide o' the bow hand ! i' faith your hand is out .
+
+Indeed a' must shoot nearer , or he'll ne'er hit the clout .
+
+An' if my hand be out , then belike your hand is in .
+
+Then will she get the upshoot by cleaving the pin .
+
+Come , come , you talk greasily ; your lips grow foul .
+
+She's too hard for you at pricks , sir : challenge her to bowl .
+
+I fear too much rubbing . Good night , my good owl .
+
+
+By my soul , a swain ! a most simple clown !
+Lord , lord how the ladies and I have put him down !
+O' my troth , most sweet jests ! most incony vulgar wit !
+When it comes so smoothly off , so obscenely , as it were , so fit ,
+Armado , o' the one side , O ! a most dainty man .
+To see him walk before a lady , and to bear her fan !
+To see him kiss his hand ! and how most sweetly a' will swear !
+And his page o' t'other side , that handful of wit !
+Ah ! heavens , it is a most pathetical nit .
+
+
+Sola , sola !
+
+
+Very reverend sport , truly : and done in the testimony of a good conscience .
+
+The deer was , as you know , sanguis , in blood ; ripe as a pomewater , who now hangeth like a jewel in the ear of c lo , the sky , the welkin , the heaven ; and anon falleth like a crab on the face of terra , the soil , the land , the earth .
+
+Truly , Master Holofernes , the epithets are sweetly varied , like a scholar at the least : but , sir , I assure ye , it was a buck of the first head .
+
+Sir Nathaniel , haud credo .
+
+'Twas not a haud credo ; 'twas a pricket .
+
+Most barbarous intimation ! yet a kind of insinuation , as it were , in via , in way , of explication ; facere , as it were , replication , or , rather , ostentare , to show , as it were , his inclination ,after his undressed , unpolished , uneducated , unpruned , untrained , or , rather , unlettered , or , ratherest , unconfirmed fashion ,to insert again my haud credo for a deer .
+
+I said the deer was not a haud credo ; 'twas a pricket .
+
+Twice sod simplicity , bis coctus !
+O ! thou monster Ignorance , how deformed dost thou look !
+
+Sir , he hath not fed of the dainties that are bred of a book ;
+he hath not eat paper , as it were ; he hath not drunk ink : his intellect is not replenished ; he is only an animal , only sensible in the duller parts :
+And such barren plants are set before us , that we thankful should be ,
+Which we of taste and feeling are , for those parts that do fructify in us more than he ;
+For as it would ill become me to be vain , indiscreet , or a fool :
+So , were there a patch set on learning , to see him in a school :
+But , omne bene , say I ; being of an old Father's mind ,
+Many can brook the weather that love not the wind .
+
+You two are book-men : can you tell by your wit ,
+What was a month old at Cain's birth , that's not five weeks old as yet ?
+
+Dictynna , goodman Dull : Dictynna , goodman Dull .
+
+What is Dictynna ?
+
+A title to Ph be , to Luna , to the moon .
+
+The moon was a month old when Adam was no more ;
+And raught not to five weeks when he came to five-score .
+The allusion holds in the exchange .
+
+'Tis true indeed : the collusion holds in the exchange .
+
+God comfort thy capacity ! I say , the allusion holds in the exchange .
+
+And I say the pollusion holds in the exchange , for the moon is never but a month old ; and I say beside that 'twas a pricket that the princess killed .
+
+Sir Nathaniel , will you hear an extemporal epitaph on the death of the deer ? and , to humour the ignorant , I have call'd the deer the princess killed , a pricket .
+
+Perge , good Master Holofernes , perge ; so it shall please you to abrogate scurrility .
+
+I will something affect the letter ; for it argues facility .
+
+The preyful princess pierc'd and prick'd a pretty pleasing pricket ;
+Some say a sore ; but not a sore , till now made sore with shooting .
+The dogs did yell ; put l to sore , then sorel jumps from thicket ;
+Or pricket , sore , or else sorel ; the people fall a hooting .
+If sore be sore , then l to sore makes fifty sores one sorel !
+Of one sore I a hundred make , by adding but one more l .
+
+
+A rare talent !
+
+If a talent be a claw , look how he claws him with a talent .
+
+This is a gift that I have , simple , simple ; a foolish extravagant spirit , full of forms , figures , shapes , objects , ideas , apprehensions , motions , revolutions : these are begot in the ventricle of memory , nourished in the womb of pia mater , and delivered upon the mellowing of occasion . But the gift is good in those in whom it is acute , and I am thankful for it .
+
+Sir , I praise the Lord for you , and so may my parishioners ; for their sons are well tutored by you , and their daughters profit very greatly under you : you are a good member of the commonwealth .
+
+Mehercle ! if their sons be ingenuous , they shall want no instruction ; if their daughters be capable , I will put it to them . But , vir sapit qui pauca loquitur . A soul feminine saluteth us .
+
+
+God give you good morrow , Master parson .
+
+Master parson , quasi pers-on . An if one should be pierced , which is the one ?
+
+Marry , Master schoolmaster , he that is likest to a hogshead .
+
+Piercing a hogshead ! a good lustre of conceit in a turf of earth ; fire enough for a flint , pearl enough for a swine : 'tis pretty ; it is well .
+
+Good Master parson
+
+be so good as read me this letter : it was given me by Costard , and sent me from Don Armado : I beseech you , read it .
+
+Fauste , precor gelida quando pecus omne sub umbra Ruminat , and so forth . Ah ! good old Mantuan . I may speak of thee as the traveller doth of Venice :
+
+Venetia , Venetia ,
+Chi non te vede , non te pretia .
+
+Old Mantuan ! old Mantuan ! Who understandeth thee not , loves thee not . Ut , re , sol , la , mi , fa . Under pardon , sir , what are the contents ? or , rather , as Horace says in his What , my soul , verses ?
+
+Ay , sir , and very learned .
+
+Let me hear a staff , a stanze , a verse : lege , domine .
+
+
+If love make me forsworn , how shall I swear to love ?
+Ah ! never faith could hold , if not to beauty vow'd ;
+Though to myself forsworn , to thee I'll faithful prove ;
+Those thoughts to me were oaks , to thee like osiers bow'd
+Study his bias leaves and makes his book thine eyes .
+Where all those pleasures live that art would comprehend :
+If knowledge be the mark , to know thee shall suffice
+Well learned is that tongue that well can thee commend ;
+All ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder ;
+Which is to me some praise that I thy parts admire
+Thy eye Jove's lightning bears , thy voice his dreadful thunder ,
+Which , not to anger bent , is music and sweet fire .
+Celestial as thou art , O ! pardon love this wrong .
+That sings heaven's praise with such an earthly tongue !
+
+
+You find not the apostrophas , and so miss the accent : let me supervise the canzonet . Here are only numbers ratified ; but , for the elegancy , facility , and golden cadence of poesy , caret . Ovidius Naso was the man : and why , indeed , Naso , but for smelling out the odoriferous flowers of fancy , the jerks of invention ? Imitari is nothing ; so doth the hound his master , the ape his keeper , the 'tired horse his rider . But , damosella virgin , was this directed to you ?
+
+Ay , sir ; from one Monsieur Berowne , one of the strange queen's lords .
+
+I will overglance the superscript . To the snow-white hand of the most beauteous Lady Rosaline . I will look again on the intellect of the letter , for the nomination of the party writing to the person written unto : Your ladyship's , in all desired employment ,
+
+
+Good Costard , go with me . Sir , God save your life !
+
+Have with thee , my girl .
+
+
+Sir , you have done this in the fear of God , very religiously ; and , as a certain Father saith
+
+Sir , tell not me of the Father ; I do fear colourable colours . But to return to the verses : did they please you , Sir Nathaniel ?
+
+Marvellous well for the pen .
+
+I do dine to-day at the father's of a certain pupil of mine ; where , if before repast it shall please you to gratify the table with a grace , I will , on my privilege I have with the parents of the foresaid child or pupil , undertake your ben venuto ; where I will prove those verses to be very unlearned , neither savouring of poetry , wit , nor invention . I beseech your society .
+
+And thank you too ; for society saith the text is the happiness of life .
+
+And , certes , the text most infallibly concludes it .[To
+
+The king he is hunting the deer ; I am coursing myself : they have pitched a toil ; I am toiling in a pitch ,pitch that defiles : defile ! a foul word ! Well , sit thee down , sorrow ! for so they say the fool said , and so say I , and I the fool : well proved , wit ! By the Lord , this love is as mad as Ajax : it kills sheep : it kills me , I a sheep : well proved again o' my side ! I will not love ; if I do , hang me ; i' faith , I will not . O ! but her eye ,by this light , but for her eye , I would not love her ; yes , for her two eyes . Well , I do nothing in the world but lie , and lie in my throat . By heaven , I do love , and it hath taught me to rime , and to be melancholy ; and here is part of my rime , and here my melancholy . Well , she hath one o' my sonnets already : the clown bore it , the fool sent it , and the lady hath it : sweet clown , sweeter fool , sweetest lady ! By the world , I would not care a pin if the other three were in . Here comes one with a paper : God give him grace to groan !
+
+Ah me !
+
+Shot , by heaven ! Proceed , sweet Cupid : thou hast thumped him with thy bird-bolt under the left pap . In faith , secrets !
+
+
+So sweet a kiss the golden sun gives not
+To those fresh morning drops upon the rose ,
+As thy eye-beams , when their fresh rays have smote
+The night of dew that on my cheeks down flows :
+Nor shines the silver moon one half so bright
+Through the transparent bosom of the deep ,
+As doth thy face through tears of mine give light ,
+Thou shin'st in every tear that I do weep .
+No drop but as a coach doth carry thee ;
+So ridest thou triumphing in my woe .
+Do but behold the tears that swell in me ,
+And they thy glory through my grief will show
+But do not love thyself , then thou wilt keep
+My tears for glasses , and still make me weep .
+O queen of queens ! how far thou dost excel ,
+No thought can think , nor tongue of mortal tell
+
+How shall she know my griefs ? I'll drop the paper :
+Sweet leaves , shade folly . Who is he comes here ?
+
+What , Longaville ! and reading ! listen , ear .
+
+
+Now , in thy likeness , one more fool appear !
+
+Ay me ! I am forsworn .
+
+Why , he comes in like a perjure , wearing papers .
+
+In love , I hope : sweet fellowship in shame !
+
+One drunkard loves another of the name .
+
+Am I the first that have been perjur'd so ?
+
+I could put thee in comfort : not by two that I know :
+Thou mak'st the triumviry , the corner-cap of society ,
+The shape of love's Tyburn , that hangs up simplicity .
+
+I fear these stubborn lines lack power to move .
+O sweet Maria , empress of my love !
+These numbers will I tear , and write in prose .
+
+O ! rimes are guards on wanton Cupid's hose :
+Disfigure not his slop .
+
+This same shall go .
+
+Did not the heavenly rhetoric of thine eye ,
+'Gainst whom the world cannot hold argument ,
+Persuade my heart to this false perjury ?
+Vows for thee broke deserve not punishment .
+A woman I forswore ; but I will prove ,
+Thou being a goddess , I forswore not thee :
+My vow was earthly , thou a heavenly love ;
+Thy grace , being gain'd , cures all disgrace in me .
+Vows are but breath , and breath a vapour is :
+Then thou , fair sun , which on my earth dost shine ,
+Exhal'st this vapour-vow ; in thee it is :
+If broken , then , it is no fault of mine :
+If by me broke , what fool is not so wise
+To lose an oath to win a paradise !
+
+
+This is the liver-vein , which makes flesh a deity ;
+A green goose a goddess ; pure , pure idolatry .
+God amend us , God amend ! we are much out o' the way .
+
+By whom shall I send this ?Company ! stay .
+
+
+All hid , all hid ; an old infant play .
+Like a demi-god here sit I in the sky ,
+And wretched fools' secrets heedfully o'er-eye .
+More sacks to the mill ! O heavens ! I have my wish .
+
+Dumaine transform'd : four woodcocks in a dish !
+
+O most divine Kate !
+
+O most profane coxcomb !
+
+By heaven , the wonder of a mortal eye !
+
+By earth , she is but corporal ; there you lie .
+
+Her amber hairs for foul have amber quoted .
+
+An amber-colour'd raven was well noted .
+
+As upright as the cedar .
+
+Stoop , I say ;
+Her shoulder is with child .
+
+As fair as day .
+
+Ay , as some days ; but then no sun must shine .
+
+O ! that I had my wish .
+
+And I had mine !
+
+And I mine too , good Lord !
+
+Amen , so I had mine . Is not that a good word ?
+
+I would forget her ; but a fever she
+Reigns in my blood , and will remember'd be .
+
+A fever in your blood ! why , then incision
+Would let her out in saucers : sweet misprision !
+
+Once more I'll read the ode that I have writ .
+
+Once more I'll mark how love can vary wit .
+
+
+On a day , alack the day !
+Love , whose month is ever May ,
+Spied a blossom passing fair
+Playing in the wanton air :
+Through the velvet leaves the wind ,
+All unseen , 'gan passage find ;
+That the lover , sick to death ,
+Wish'd himself the heaven's breath .
+Air , quoth he , thy cheeks may blow ;
+Air , would I might triumph so !
+But alack ! my hand is sworn
+Ne'er to pluck thee from thy thorn :
+Vow , alack ! for youth unmeet ,
+Youth so apt to pluck a sweet .
+Do not call it sin in me ,
+That I am forsworn for thee ;
+Thou for whom e'en Jove would swear
+Juno but an Ethiop were ;
+And deny himself for Jove ,
+Turning mortal for thy love .
+
+This will I send , and something else more plain ,
+That shall express my true love's fasting pain .
+O ! would the King , Berowne , and Longaville
+Were lovers too . Ill , to example ill ,
+Would from my forehead wipe a perjur'd note ;
+For none offend where all alike do dote .
+
+Dumaine , thy love is far from charity ,
+That in love's grief desir'st society :
+You may look pale , but I should blush , I know ,
+To be o'erheard and taken napping so .
+
+Come , sir , you blush : as his your case is such ;
+You chide at him , offending twice as much :
+You do not love Maria ; Longaville
+Did never sonnet for her sake compile ,
+Nor never lay his wreathed arms athwart
+His loving bosom to keep down his heart .
+I have been closely shrouded in this bush ,
+And mark'd you both , and for you both did blush .
+I heard your guilty rimes , observ'd your fashion ,
+Saw sighs reek from you , noted well your passion :
+Ay me ! says one ; O Jove ! the other cries ;
+One , her hairs were gold , crystal the other's eyes :
+
+
+You would for paradise break faith and troth ;
+
+
+And Jove , for your love , would infringe an oath .
+What will Berowne say , when that he shall hear
+A faith infringed , which such zeal did swear ?
+How will he scorn ! how will he spend his wit !
+How will he triumph , leap and laugh at it !
+For all the wealth that ever I did see ,
+I would not have him know so much by me .
+
+Now step I forth to whip hypocrisy .
+
+Ah ! good my liege , I pray thee , pardon me :
+Good heart ! what grace hast thou , thus to reprove
+These worms for loving , that art most in love ?
+Your eyes do make no coaches ; in your tears
+There is no certain princess that appears :
+You'll not be perjur'd , 'tis a hateful thing :
+Tush ! none but minstrels like of sonneting .
+But are you not asham'd ? nay , are you not ,
+All three of you , to be thus much o'ershot ?
+You found his mote ; the king your mote did see ;
+But I a beam do find in each of three .
+O ! what a scene of foolery have I seen ,
+Of sighs , of groans , of sorrow , and of teen ;
+O me ! with what strict patience have I sat ,
+To see a king transformed to a gnat ;
+To see great Hercules whipping a gig ,
+And profound Solomon to tune a jig ,
+And Nestor play at push-pin with the boys ,
+And critic Timon laugh at idle toys !
+Where lies thy grief ? O ! tell me , good Dumaine ,
+And , gentle Longaville , where lies thy pain ?
+And where my liege's ? all about the breast :
+A caudle , ho !
+
+Too bitter is thy jest .
+Are we betray'd thus to thy over-view ?
+
+Not you to me , but I betray'd by you :
+I , that am honest ; I , that hold it sin
+To break the vow I am engaged in ;
+I am betray'd , by keeping company
+With men like men , men of inconstancy .
+When shall you see me write a thing in rime ?
+Or groan for Joan ? or spend a minute's time
+In pruning me ? When shall you hear that I
+Will praise a hand , a foot , a face , an eye ,
+A gait , a state , a brow , a breast , a waist , leg , a limb ?
+
+Soft ! Whither away so fast ? true man or a thief that gallops so ?
+
+I post from love ; good lover , let me go .
+
+
+God bless the king !
+
+What present hast thou there ?
+
+Some certain treason .
+
+What makes treason here ?
+
+Nay , it makes nothing , sir .
+
+If it mar nothing neither ,
+The treason and you go in peace away together .
+
+I beseech your Grace , let this letter be read :
+Our parson misdoubts it ; 'twas treason , he said .
+
+Berowne , read it over
+
+There hadst thou it ?
+
+Of Costard .
+
+Where hadst thou it ?
+
+Of Dun Adramadio , Dun Adramadio .
+
+
+How now ! what is in you ? why dost thou tear it ?
+
+A toy , my liege , a toy : your Grace needs not fear it .
+
+It did move him to passion , and therefore let's hear it .
+
+It is Berowne's writing , and here is his name .
+
+Ah , you whoreson logger-head , you were born to do me shame .
+Guilty , my lord , guilty ; I confess , I confess .
+
+What ?
+
+That you three fools lack'd me fool to make up the mess ;
+He , he , and you , and you my liege , and I ,
+Are pick-purses in love , and we deserve to die .
+O ! dismiss this audience , and I shall tell you more .
+
+Now the number is even .
+
+True , true ; we are four .
+Will these turtles be gone ?
+
+Hence , sirs ; away !
+
+Walk aside the true folk , and let the traitors stay .
+
+
+Sweet lords , sweet lovers , O ! let us embrace .
+As true we are as flesh and blood can be :
+The sea will ebb and flow , heaven show his face ;
+Young blood doth not obey an old decree :
+We cannot cross the cause why we were born ;
+Therefore , of all hands must we be forsworn .
+
+What ! did these rent lines show some love of thine ?
+
+'Did they ,' quoth you ? Who sees the heavenly Rosaline ,
+That , like a rude and savage man of Inde ,
+At the first opening of the gorgeous east ,
+Bows not his vassal head , and , strucken blind ,
+Kisses the base ground with obedient breast ?
+What peremptory eagle-sighted eye
+Dares look upon the heaven of her brow ,
+That is not blinded by her majesty ?
+
+What zeal , what fury hath inspir'd thee now ?
+My love , her mistress , is a gracious moon ;
+She , an attending star , scarce seen a light .
+
+My eyes are then no eyes , nor I Berowne :
+O ! but for my love , day would turn to night .
+Of all complexions the cull'd sovereignty
+Do meet , as at a fair , in her fair cheek ;
+Where several worthies make one dignity ,
+Where nothing wants that want itself doth seek .
+Lend me the flourish of all gentle tongues ,
+Fie , painted rhetoric ! O ! she needs it not :
+To things of sale a seller's praise belongs ;
+She passes praise ; then praise too short doth blot .
+A wither'd hermit , five-score winters worn ,
+Might shake off fifty , looking in her eye :
+Beauty doth varnish age , as if new-born ,
+And gives the crutch the cradle's infancy .
+O ! 'tis the sun that maketh all things shine .
+
+By heaven , thy love is black as ebony .
+
+Is ebony like her ? O wood divine !
+A wife of such wood were felicity .
+O ! who can give an oath ? where is a book ?
+That I may swear beauty doth beauty lack ,
+If that she learn not of her eye to look :
+No face is fair that is not full so black .
+
+O paradox ! Black is the badge of hell ,
+The hue of dungeons and the scowl of night ;
+And beauty's crest becomes the heavens well .
+
+Devils soonest tempt , resembling spirits of light .
+O ! if in black my lady's brows be deck'd ,
+It mourns that painting and usurping hair
+Should ravish doters with a false aspect ;
+And therefore is she born to make black fair .
+Her favour turns the fashion of the days ,
+For native blood is counted painting now :
+And therefore red , that would avoid dispraise ,
+Paints itself black , to imitate her brow .
+
+To look like her are chimney-sweepers black .
+
+And since her time are colliers counted bright .
+
+And Ethiops of their sweet complexion crack .
+
+Dark needs no candles now , for dark is light .
+
+Your mistresses dare never come in rain ,
+For fear their colours should be wash'd away .
+
+'Twere good yours did ; for , sir , to tell you plain ,
+I'll find a fairer face not wash'd to-day .
+
+I'll prove her fair , or talk till doomsday here .
+
+No devil will fright thee then so much as she .
+
+I never knew man hold vile stuff so dear .
+
+Look , here's thy love :
+
+my foot and her face see .
+
+O ! if the streets were paved with thine eyes ,
+Her feet were much too dainty for such tread .
+
+O vile ! then , as she goes , what upward lies
+The street should see as she walk'd over head .
+
+But what of this ? Are we not all in love ?
+
+Nothing so sure ; and thereby all forsworn .
+
+Then leave this chat ; and good Berowne , now prove
+Our loving lawful , and our faith not torn .
+
+Ay , marry , there ; some flattery for this evil .
+
+O ! some authority how to proceed ;
+Some tricks , some quillets , how to cheat the devil .
+
+Some salve for perjury .
+
+O , 'tis more than need .
+Have at you , then , affection's men-at-arms :
+Consider what you first did swear unto ,
+To fast , to study , and to see no woman ;
+Flat treason 'gainst the kingly state of youth .
+Say , can you fast ? your stomachs are too young ,
+And abstinence engenders maladies .
+And where that you have vow'd to study , lords ,
+In that each of you hath forsworn his book ,
+Can you still dream and pore and thereon look ?
+For when would you , my lord , or you , or you ,
+Have found the ground of study's excellence
+Without the beauty of a woman's face ?
+From women's eyes this doctrine I derive :
+They are the ground , the books , the academes ,
+From whence doth spring the true Promethean fire .
+Why , universal plodding poisons up
+The nimble spirits in the arteries ,
+As motion and long-during action tires
+The sinewy vigour of the traveller .
+Now , for not looking on a woman's face ,
+You have in that forsworn the use of eyes ,
+And study too , the causer of your vow ;
+For where is any author in the world
+Teaches such beauty as a woman's eye ?
+Learning is but an adjunct to ourself ,
+And where we are our learning likewise is :
+Then when ourselves we see in ladies' eyes ,
+Do we not likewise see our learning there ?
+O ! we have made a vow to study , lords ,
+And in that vow we have forsworn our books :
+For when would you , my liege , or you , or you ,
+In leaden contemplation have found out
+Such fiery numbers as the prompting eyes
+Of beauty's tutors have enrich'd you with ?
+Other slow arts entirely keep the brain ,
+And therefore , finding barren practisers ,
+Scarce show a harvest of their heavy toil ;
+But love , first learned in a lady's eyes ,
+Lives not alone immured in the brain ,
+But , with the motion of all elements ,
+Courses as swift as thought in every power ,
+And gives to every power a double power ,
+Above their functions and their offices .
+It adds a precious seeing to the eye ;
+A lover's eyes will gaze an eagle blind ;
+A lover's ear will hear the lowest sound ,
+When the suspicious head of theft is stopp'd :
+Love's feeling is more soft and sensible
+Than are the tender horns of cockled snails :
+Love's tongue proves dainty Bacchus gross in taste .
+For valour , is not Love a Hercules ,
+Still climbing trees in the Hesperides ?
+Subtle as Sphinx ; as sweet and musical
+As bright Apollo's lute , strung with his hair ;
+And when Love speaks , the voice of all the gods
+Makes heaven drowsy with the harmony .
+Never durst poet touch a pen to write
+Until his ink were temper'd with Love's sighs ;
+O ! then his lines would ravish savage ears ,
+And plant in tyrants mild humility .
+From women's eyes this doctrine I derive :
+They sparkle still the right Promethean fire ;
+They are the books , the arts , the academes ,
+That show , contain , and nourish all the world ;
+Else none at all in aught proves excellent .
+Then fools you were these women to forswear ,
+Or , keeping what is sworn , you will prove fools .
+For wisdom's sake , a word that all men love ,
+Or for love's sake , a word that loves all men ,
+Or for men's sake , the authors of these women ;
+Or women's sake , by whom we men are men ,
+Let us once lose our oaths to find ourselves ,
+Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths .
+It is religion to be thus forsworn ;
+For charity itself fulfils the law ;
+And who can sever love from charity ?
+
+Saint Cupid , then ! and , soldiers , to the field !
+
+Advance your standards , and upon them , lords !
+Pell-mell , down with them ! but be first advis'd ,
+In conflict that you get the sun of them .
+
+Now to plain-dealing ; lay these glozes by ;
+Shall we resolve to woo these girls of France ?
+
+And win them too : therefore let us devise
+Some entertainment for them in their tents .
+
+First , from the park let us conduct them thither ;
+Then homeward every man attach the hand
+Of his fair mistress : in the afternoon
+We will with some strange pastime solace them ,
+Such as the shortness of the time can shape ;
+For revels , dances , masks , and merry hours ,
+Forerun fair Love , strewing her way with flowers .
+
+Away , away ! no time shall be omitted ,
+That will betime , and may by us be fitted .
+
+Allons ! allons ! Sow'd cockle reap'd no corn ;
+And justice always whirls in equal measure :
+Light wenches may prove plagues to men forsworn ;
+If so , our copper buys no better treasure .
+
+Satis quod sufficit .
+
+I praise God for you , sir : your reasons at dinner have been sharp and sententious ; pleasant without scurrility , witty without affection , audacious without impudency , learned without opinion , and strange without heresy . I did converse this quondam day with a companion of the king's , who is intituled , nominated , or called , Don Adriano de Armado .
+
+Novi hominem tanquam te : his humour is lofty , his discourse peremptory , his tongue field , his eye ambitious , his gait majestical , and his general behaviour vain , ridiculous , and thrasonical . He is too picked , too spruce , too affected , too odd , as it were , too peregrinate , as I may call it .
+
+A most singular and choice epithet .
+
+
+He draweth out the thread of his verbosity finer than the staple of his argument . I abhor such fanatical phantasimes , such insociable and point-devise companions ; such rackers of orthography , as to speak dout , fine , when he should say , doubt ; det , when he should pronounce , debt ,d , e , b , t , not d , e , t : he clepeth a calf , cauf ; half , hauf ; neighbour vocatur nebour , neigh abbreviated ne . This is abhominable , which he would call abominable ,it insinuateth me of insanie : anne intelligis , domine ? To make frantic , lunatic .
+
+Laus Deo bone intelligo .
+
+Bone ? bone , for bene : Priscian a little scratched ; 'twill serve .
+
+
+Videsne quis venit ?
+
+Video , et gaudeo .
+
+Chirrah !
+
+Quare Chirrah , not sirrah ?
+
+Men of peace , well encountered .
+
+Most military sir , salutation .
+
+They have been at a great feast of languages , and stolen the scraps .
+
+O ! they have lived long on the almsbasket of words . I marvel thy master hath not eaten thee for a word ; for thou art not so long by the head as honorificabilitudinitatibus : thou art easier swallowed than a flap-dragon .
+
+Peace ! the peal begins .
+
+Monsieur , are you not lettered ?
+
+Yes , yes ; he teaches boys the hornbook . What is a , b , spelt backward , with the horn on his head ?
+
+Ba , pueritia , with a horn added .
+
+Ba ! most silly sheep with a horn . You hear his learning .
+
+Quis , quis , thou consonant ?
+
+The third of the five vowels , if you repeat them ; or the fifth , if I .
+
+I will repeat them ,a , e , i ,
+
+The sheep ; the other two concludes it ,o , u .
+
+Now , by the salt wave of the Mediterraneum , a sweet touch , a quick venew of wit ! snip , snap , quick and home ! it rejoiceth my intellect : true wit !
+
+Offered by a child to an old man ; which is wit-old .
+
+What is the figure ? what is the figure ?
+
+Horns .
+
+Thou disputest like an infant ; go , whip thy gig .
+
+Lend me your horn to make one , and I will whip about your infamy circum circa . A gig of a cuckold's horn .
+
+An I had but one penny in the world , thou shouldst have it to buy gingerbread . Hold , there is the very remuneration I had of thy master , thou halfpenny purse of wit , thou pigeon-egg of discretion . O ! an the heavens were so pleased that thou wert but my bastard , what a joyful father wouldst thou make me . Go to ; thou hast it ad dunghill , at the fingers' ends , as they say .
+
+O ! I smell false Latin ; dunghill for unguem .
+
+Arts-man , pr ambula : we will be singled from the barbarous . Do you not educate youth at the charge-house on the top of the mountain ?
+
+Or mons , the hill .
+
+At your sweet pleasure , for the mountain .
+
+I do , sans question .
+
+Sir , it is the king's most sweet pleasure and affection to congratulate the princess at her pavilion in the posteriors of this day , which the rude multitude call the afternoon .
+
+The posterior of the day , most generous sir , is liable , congruent , and measurable for the afternoon : the word is well culled , chose , sweet and apt , I do assure you , sir ; I do assure .
+
+Sir , the king is a noble gentleman , and my familiar , I do assure ye , very good friend . For what is inward between us , let it pass : I do beseech thee , remember thy curtsy ; I beseech thee , apparel thy head : and among other importunate and most serious designs , and of great import indeed , too , but let that pass : for I must tell thee , it will please his Grace , by the world , sometime to lean upon my poor shoulder , and with his royal finger , thus dally with my excrement , with my mustachio : but , sweet heart , let that pass . By the world , I recount no fable : some certain special honours it pleaseth his greatness to impart to Armado , a soldier , a man of travel , that hath seen the world : but let that pass . The very all of all is , but , sweet heart , I do implore secrecy , that the king would have me present the princess , sweet chuck , with some delightful ostentation , or show , or pageant , or antick , or fire-work . Now , understanding that the curate and your sweet self are good at such eruptions and sudden breaking out of mirth , as it were , I have acquainted you withal , to the end to crave your assistance .
+
+Sir , you shall present before her the Nine Worthies . Sir Nathaniel , as concerning some entertainment of time , some show in the posterior of this day , to be rendered by our assistance , at the king's command , and this most gallant , illustrate , and learned gentleman , before the princess ; I say , none so fit as to present the Nine Worthies .
+
+Where will you find men worthy enough to present them ?
+
+Joshua , yourself ; myself , or this gallant gentleman , Judas Maccab us ; this swain , because of his great limb , or joint , shall pass Pompey the Great ; the page , Hercules ,
+
+Pardon , sir ; error : he is not quantity enough for that Worthy's thumb : he is not so big as the end of his club .
+
+Shall I have audience ? he shall present Hercules in minority : his enter and exit shall be strangling a snake ; and I will have an apology for that purpose .
+
+An excellent device ! so , if any of the audience hiss , you may cry , 'Well done , Hercules ! now thou crushest the snake !' that is the way to make an offence gracious , though few have the grace to do it .
+
+For the rest of the Worthies ?
+
+I will play three myself .
+
+Thrice-worthy gentleman !
+
+Shall I tell you a thing ?
+
+We attend .
+
+We will have , if this fadge not , an antick . I beseech you , follow .
+
+Via , goodman Dull ! thou hast spoken no word all this while .
+
+Nor understood none neither , sir .
+
+Allons ! we will employ thee .
+
+I'll make one in a dance , or so ; or I will play the tabor to the Worthies , and let them dance the hay .
+
+Most dull , honest Dull , to our sport , away !
+
+
+Sweet hearts , we shall be rich ere we depart ,
+If fairings come thus plentifully in : lady wall'd about with diamonds !
+Look you what I have from the loving king .
+
+Madam , came nothing else along with that ?
+
+Nothing but this ! yes , as much love in rime
+As would be cramm'd up in a sheet of paper ,
+Writ o' both sides the leaf , margent and all ,
+That he was fain to seal on Cupid's name .
+
+That was the way to make his godhead wax ;
+For he hath been five thousand years a boy .
+
+Ay , and a shrewd unhappy gallows too .
+
+You'll ne'er be friends with him : a' kill'd your sister .
+
+He made her melancholy , sad , and heavy ;
+And so she died : had she been light , like you ,
+Of such a merry , nimble , stirring spirit ,
+She might ha' been a grandam ere she died ;
+And so may you , for a light heart lives long .
+
+What's your dark meaning , mouse , of this light word ?
+
+A light condition in a beauty dark .
+
+We need more light to find your meaning out .
+
+You'll mar the light by taking it in snuff ;
+Therefore , I'll darkly end the argument .
+
+Look , what you do , you do it still i' the dark .
+
+So do not you , for you are a light wench .
+
+Indeed I weigh not you , and therefore light .
+
+You weigh me not . O ! that's you care not for me .
+
+Great reason ; for , 'past cure is still past care .'
+
+Well bandied both ; a set of wit well play'd .
+But Rosaline , you have a favour too :
+Who sent it ? and what is it ?
+
+I would you knew :
+An if my face were but as fair as yours ,
+My favour were as great ; be witness this .
+Nay , I have verses too , I thank Berowne :
+The numbers true ; and , were the numb'ring too ,
+I were the fairest goddess on the ground :
+I am compar'd to twenty thousand fairs .
+O ! he hath drawn my picture in his letter .
+
+Anything like ?
+
+Much in the letters , nothing in the praise .
+
+Beauteous as ink ; a good conclusion .
+
+Fair as a text B in a copy-book .
+
+'Ware pencils ! how ? let me not die your debtor .
+My red dominical , my golden letter :
+O , that your face were not so full of O's !
+
+A pox of that jest ! and beshrew all shrows !
+
+But what was sent to you from fair Dumaine ?
+
+Madam , this glove .
+
+Did he not send you twain ?
+
+Yes , madam ; and moreover ,
+Some thousand verses of a faithful lover :
+A huge translation of hypocrisy ,
+Vilely compil'd , profound simplicity .
+
+This , and these pearls to me sent Longaville :
+The letter is too long by half a mile .
+
+I think no less . Dost thou not wish in heart
+The chain were longer and the letter short ?
+
+Ay , or I would these hands might never part .
+
+We are wise girls to mock our lovers so .
+
+They are worse fools to purchase mocking so .
+That same Berowne I'll torture ere I go .
+O that I knew he were but in by the week !
+How I would make him fawn , and beg , and seek ,
+And wait the season , and observe the times ,
+And spend his prodigal wits in bootless rimes ,
+And shape his service wholly to my hests ,
+And make him proud to make me proud that jests !
+So perttaunt-like would I o'ersway his state
+That he should be my fool , and I his fate .
+
+None are so surely caught , when they are catch'd ,
+As wit turn'd fool : folly , in wisdom hatch'd ,
+Hath wisdom's warrant and the help of school
+And wit's own grace to grace a learned fool .
+
+The blood of youth burns not with such excess
+As gravity's revolt to wantonness .
+
+Folly in fools bears not so strong a note
+As foolery in the wise , when wit doth dote ;
+Since all the power thereof it doth apply
+To prove , by wit , worth in simplicity .
+
+
+Here comes Boyet , and mirth is in his face .
+
+O ! I am stabb'd with laughter . Where's her Grace ?
+
+Thy news , Boyet ?
+
+Prepare , madam , prepare !
+Arm , wenches , arm ! encounters mounted are
+Against your peace : Love doth approach disguis'd ,
+Armed in arguments ; you'll be surpris'd :
+Muster your wits ; stand in your own defence ;
+Or hide your heads like cowards , and fly hence .
+
+Saint Denis to Saint Cupid ! What are they
+That charge their breath against us ? say , scout , say .
+
+Under the cool shade of a sycamore
+I thought to close mine eyes some half an hour ,
+When , lo ! to interrupt my purpos'd rest ,
+Toward that shade I might behold addrest
+The king and his companions : warily
+I stole into a neighbour thicket by ,
+And overheard what you shall overhear ;
+That , by and by , disguis'd they will be here .
+Their herald is a pretty knavish page ,
+That well by heart hath conn'd his embassage :
+Action and accent did they teach him there ;
+'Thus must thou speak , and thus thy body bear .'
+And ever and anon they made a doubt
+Presence majestical would put him out ;
+'For ,' quoth the king , 'an angel shalt thou see ;
+Yet fear not thou , but speak audaciously .'
+The boy replied , 'An angel is not evil ;
+I should have fear'd her had she been a devil .'
+With that all laugh'd and clapp'd him on the shoulder ,
+Making the bold wag by their praises bolder .
+One rubb'd his elbow thus , and fleer'd , and swore
+A better speech was never spoke before ;
+Another , with his finger and his thumb ,
+Cry'd 'Via ! we will do't , come what will come ;'
+The third he caper'd and cried , 'All goes well ;'
+The fourth turn'd on the toe , and down he fell .
+With that , they all did tumble on the ground ,
+With such a zealous laughter , so profound ,
+That in this spleen ridiculous appears ,
+To check their folly , passion's solemn tears .
+
+But what , but what , come they to visit us ?
+
+They do , they do ; and are apparell'd thus ,
+Like Muscovites or Russians , as I guess .
+Their purpose is to parle , to court and dance ;
+And every one his love-feat will advance
+Unto his several mistress , which they'll know
+By favours several which they did bestow .
+
+And will they so ? the gallants shall be task'd :
+For , ladies , we will every one be mask'd ,
+And not a man of them shall have the grace ,
+Despite of suit , to see a lady's face .
+Hold , Rosaline , this favour thou shalt wear ,
+And then the king will court thee for his dear :
+Hold , take thou this , my sweet , and give me thine ,
+So shall Berowne take me for Rosaline ,
+And change you favours too ; so shall your loves
+Woo contrary , deceiv'd by these removes .
+
+Come on , then ; wear the favours most in sight .
+
+But in this changing what is your intent ?
+
+The effect of my intent is , to cross theirs :
+They do it but in mocking merriment ;
+And mock for mock is only my intent .
+Their several counsels they unbosom shall
+To loves mistook and so be mock'd withal
+Upon the next occasion that we meet ,
+With visages display'd , to talk and greet .
+
+But shall we dance , if they desire us to't ?
+
+No , to the death , we will not move a foot :
+Nor to their penn'd speech render we no grace ;
+But while 'tis spoke each turn away her face .
+
+Why , that contempt will kill the speaker's heart ,
+And quite divorce his memory from his part .
+
+Therefore I do it ; and I make no doubt ,
+The rest will ne'er come in , if he be out .
+There's no such sport as sport by sport o'erthrown ,
+To make theirs ours and ours none but our own :
+So shall we stay , mocking intended game ,
+And they , well mock'd , depart away with shame .
+
+
+The trumpet sounds : be mask'd ; the maskers come .
+
+
+All hail , the richest beauties on the earth !
+
+Beauties no richer than rich taffeta .
+
+A holy parcel of the fairest dames ,
+
+That ever turn'd their backs to mortal views !
+
+'Their eyes ,' villain , 'their eyes .'
+
+That ever turn'd their eyes to mortal views !
+Out
+
+True ; 'out ,' indeed .
+
+'Out of your favours , heavenly spirits , vouchsafe
+Not to behold'
+
+'Once to behold ,' rogue .
+
+'Once to behold with your sun-beamed eyes ,
+with your sun-beamed eyes'
+
+They will not answer to that epithet ;
+You were best call it 'daughter-beamed eyes .'
+
+They do not mark me , and that brings me out .
+
+Is this your perfectness ? be gone , you rogue !
+
+
+What would these strangers ? know their minds , Boyet :
+If they do speak our language , 'tis our will
+That some plain man recount their purposes :
+Know what they would .
+
+What would you with the princess ?
+
+Nothing but peace and gentle visitation .
+
+What would they , say they ?
+
+Nothing but peace and gentle visitation .
+
+Why , that they have ; and bid them so be gone .
+
+She says , you have it , and you may be gone .
+
+Say to her , we have measur'd many miles ,
+To tread a measure with her on this grass .
+
+They say , that they have measur'd many a mile ,
+To tread a measure with you on this grass .
+
+It is not so . Ask them how many inches
+Is in one mile : if they have measur'd many ,
+The measure then of one is easily told .
+
+If to come hither you have measur'd miles ,
+And many miles , the princess bids you tell
+How many inches do fill up one mile .
+
+Tell her we measure them by weary steps .
+
+She hears herself .
+
+How many weary steps ,
+Of many weary miles you have o'ergone ,
+Are number'd in the travel of one mile ?
+
+We number nothing that we spend for you :
+Our duty is so rich , so infinite ,
+That we may do it still without accompt .
+Vouchsafe to show the sunshine of your face ,
+That we , like savages , may worship it .
+
+My face is but a moon , and clouded too .
+
+Blessed are clouds , to do as such clouds do !
+Vouchsafe , bright moon , and these thy stars , to shine ,
+Those clouds remov'd , upon our wat'ry eyne .
+
+O vain petitioner ! beg a greater matter ;
+Thou now request'st but moonshine in the water .
+
+Then , in our measure but vouchsafe one change .
+Thou bid'st me beg ; this begging is not strange .
+
+Play , music , then ! Nay , you must do it soon .
+
+Not yet ! no dance ! thus change I like the moon .
+
+Will you not dance ? How come you thus estrang'd ?
+
+You took the moon at full , but now she's chang'd .
+
+Yet still she is the moon , and I the man .
+The music plays ; vouchsafe some motion to it .
+
+Our ears vouchsafe it .
+
+But your legs should do it .
+
+Since you are strangers , and come here by chance ,
+We'll not be nice : take hands : we will not dance .
+
+Why take we hands then ?
+
+Only to part friends .
+Curtsy , sweet hearts ; and so the measure ends .
+
+More measure of this measure : be not nice .
+
+We can afford no more at such a price .
+
+Prize you yourselves ? what buys your company ?
+
+Your absence only .
+
+That can never be .
+
+Then cannot we be bought : and so , adieu ;
+Twice to your visor , and half once to you !
+
+If you deny to dance , let's hold more chat .
+
+In private , then .
+
+I am best pleas'd with that .
+
+
+White-handed mistress , one sweet word with thee .
+
+Honey , and milk , and sugar ; there are three .
+
+Nay then , two treys , an if you grow so nice ,
+Metheglin , wort , and malmsey : well run , dice !
+There's half a dozen sweets .
+
+Seventh sweet , adieu :
+Since you can cog , I'll play no more with you .
+
+One word in secret .
+
+Let it not be sweet .
+
+Thou griev'st my gall .
+
+Gall ! bitter .
+
+Therefore meet .
+
+
+Will you vouchsafe with me to change a word ?
+
+Name it .
+
+Fair lady ,
+
+Say you so ? Fair lord ,
+Take that for your fair lady .
+
+Please it you ,
+As much in private , and I'll bid adieu .
+
+
+What ! was your visor made without a tongue ?
+
+I know the reason , lady , why you ask .
+
+O ! for your reason ; quickly , sir ; I long .
+
+You have a double tongue within your mask ,
+And would afford my speechless visor half .
+
+'Veal ,' quoth the Dutchman . Is not 'veal' a calf ?
+
+A calf , fair lady !
+
+No , a fair lord calf .
+
+Let's part the word .
+
+No , I'll not be your half :
+Take all , and wean it : it may prove an ox .
+
+Look , how you butt yourself in these sharp mocks .
+Will you give horns , chaste lady ? do not so .
+
+Then die a calf , before your horns do grow .
+
+One word in private with you , ere I die .
+
+Bleat softly then ; the butcher hears you cry .
+
+
+The tongues of mocking wenches are as keen
+As is the razor's edge invisible ,
+Cutting a smaller hair than may be seen ,
+Above the sense of sense ; so sensible
+Seemeth their conference ; their conceits have wings
+Fleeter than arrows , bullets , wind , thought , swifter things .
+
+Not one word more , my maids : break off , break off .
+
+By heaven , all dry-beaten with pure scoff !
+
+Farewell , mad wenches : you have simple wits .
+
+Twenty adieus , my frozen Muscovits .
+
+Are these the breed of wits so wonder'd at ?
+
+Tapers they are , with your sweet breaths puff'd out .
+
+Well-liking wits they have ; gross , gross ; fat , fat .
+
+O poverty in wit , kingly-poor flout !
+Will they not , think you , hang themselves to-night ?
+Or ever , but in visors , show their faces ?
+This pert Berowne was out of countenance quite .
+
+O ! they were all in lamentable cases .
+The king was weeping-ripe for a good word .
+
+Berowne did swear himself out of all suit .
+
+Dumaine was at my service , and his sword :
+'No point ,' quoth I : my servant straight was mute .
+
+Lord Longaville said , I came o'er his heart ;
+And trow you what he call'd me ?
+
+Qualm , perhaps .
+
+Yes , in good faith .
+
+Go , sickness as thou art !
+
+Well , better wits have worn plain statutecaps .
+But will you hear ? the king is my love sworn .
+
+And quick Berowne hath plighted faith to me .
+
+And Longaville was for my service born .
+
+Dumaine is mine , as sure as bark on tree .
+
+Madam , and pretty mistresses , give ear :
+Immediately they will again be here
+In their own shapes ; for it can never be
+They will digest this harsh indignity .
+
+Will they return ?
+
+They will , they will , God knows ;
+And leap for joy , though they are lame with blows :
+Therefore change favours ; and , when they repair ,
+Blow like sweet roses in this summer air .
+
+How blow ? how blow ? speak to be understood .
+
+Fair ladies mask'd , are roses in their bud :
+Dismask'd , their damask sweet commixture shown ,
+Are angels vailing clouds , or roses blown .
+
+Avaunt perplexity ! What shall we do
+If they return in their own shapes to woo ?
+
+Good madam , if by me you'll be advis'd ,
+Let's mock them still , as well known as disguis'd .
+Let us complain to them what fools were here ,
+Disguis'd like Muscovites , in shapeless gear ;
+And wonder what they were , and to what end
+Their shallow shows and prologue vilely penn'd ,
+And their rough carriage so ridiculous ,
+Should be presented at our tent to us .
+
+Ladies , withdraw : the gallants are at hand .
+
+Whip to your tents , as roes run over land .
+
+Fair sir , God save you ! Where is the princess ?
+
+Gone to her tent . Please it your majesty ,
+Command me any service to her thither ?
+
+That she vouchsafe me audience for one word .
+
+I will ; and so will she , I know , my lord .
+
+
+This fellow pecks up wit , as pigeons pease ,
+And utters it again when God doth please :
+He is wit's pedlar , and retails his wares
+At wakes and wassails , meetings , markets , fairs ;
+And we that sell by gross , the Lord doth know ,
+Have not the grace to grace it with such show .
+This gallant pins the wenches on his sleeve ;
+Had he been Adam , he had tempted Eve :
+He can carve too , and lisp : why , this is he
+That kiss'd his hand away in courtesy ;
+This is the ape of form , monsieur the nice ,
+That , when he plays at tables , chides the dice
+In honourable terms : nay , he can sing
+A mean most meanly , and in ushering
+Mend him who can : the ladies call him , sweet ;
+The stairs , as he treads on them , kiss his feet .
+This is the flower that smiles on every one ,
+To show his teeth as white as whales-bone ;
+And consciences , that will not die in debt ,
+Pay him the due of honey-tongu'd Boyet .
+
+A blister on his sweet tongue , with my heart ,
+That put Armado's page out of his part !
+
+
+See where it comes ! Behaviour , what wert thou ,
+Till this man show'd thee ? and what art thou now ?
+
+All hail , sweet madam , and fair time of day !
+
+'Fair ,' in 'all hail ,' is foul , as I conceive .
+
+Construe my speeches better , if you may .
+
+Then wish me better : I will give you leave .
+
+We came to visit you , and purpose now
+To lead you to our court : vouchsafe it then .
+
+This field shall hold me , and so hold your vow :
+Nor God , nor I , delights in perjur'd men .
+
+Rebuke me not for that which you provoke :
+The virtue of your eye must break my oath .
+
+You nick-name virtue ; vice you should have spoke ;
+For virtue's office never breaks men's troth .
+Now , by my maiden honour , yet as pure
+As the unsullied lily , I protest ,
+A world of torments though I should endure ,
+I would not yield to be your house's guest ;
+So much I hate a breaking cause to be
+Of heavenly oaths , vow'd with integrity .
+
+O ! you have liv'd in desolation here ,
+Unseen , unvisited , much to our shame .
+
+Not so , my lord ; it is not so , I swear ;
+We have had pastime here and pleasant game .
+A mess of Russians left us but of late .
+
+How , madam ! Russians ?
+
+Ay , in truth , my lord ;
+Trim gallants , full of courtship and of state .
+
+Madam , speak true . It is not so , my lord :
+My lady , to the manner of the days ,
+In courtesy gives undeserving praise .
+We four , indeed , confronted were with four
+In Russian habit : here they stay'd an hour ,
+And talk'd apace ; and in that hour , my lord ,
+They did not bless us with one happy word .
+I dare not call them fools ; but this I think ,
+When they are thirsty , fools would fam have drink .
+
+This jest is dry to me . Fair gentle sweet ,
+Your wit makes wise things foolish : when we greet ,
+With eyes best seeing , heaven's fiery eye ,
+By light we lose light : your capacity
+Is of that nature that to your huge store
+Wise things seem foolish and rich things but poor .
+
+This proves you wise and rich , for in my eye
+
+I am a fool , and full of poverty .
+
+But that you take what doth to you belong ,
+It were a fault to snatch words from my tongue .
+
+O ! I am yours , and all that I possess .
+
+All the fool mine ?
+
+I cannot give you less .
+
+Which of the visors was it that you wore ?
+
+Where ? when ? what visor ? why demand you this ?
+
+There , then , that visor ; that superfluous case
+That hid the worse , and show'd the better face .
+
+We are descried : they'll mock us now downright .
+
+Let us confess , and turn it to a jest .
+
+Amaz'd , my lord ? Why looks your highness sad ?
+
+Help ! hold his brows ! he'll swound .
+Why look you pale ?
+Sea-sick , I think , coming from Muscovy .
+
+Thus pour the stars down plagues for perjury .
+Can any face of brass hold longer out ?
+Here stand I , lady ; dart thy skill at me ;
+Bruise me with scorn , confound me with a flout ;
+Thrust thy sharp wit quite through my ignorance ;
+Cut me to pieces with thy keen conceit ;
+And I will wish thee never more to dance ,
+Nor never more in Russian habit wait .
+O ! never will I trust to speeches penn'd ,
+Nor to the motion of a school-boy's tongue ,
+Nor never come in visor to my friend ,
+Nor woo in rime , like a blind harper's song ,
+Taffeta phrases , silken terms precise ,
+Three-pil'd hyperboles , spruce affectation ,
+Figures pedantical ; these summer flies
+Have blown me full of maggot ostentation :
+I do forswear them ; and I here protest ,
+By this white glove ,how white the hand ,
+God knows ,
+Henceforth my wooing mind shall be express'd
+In russet yeas and honest kersey noes :
+And , to begin , wench ,so God help me , la !
+My love to thee is sound , sans crack or flaw .
+
+Sans 'sans ,' I pray you .
+
+Yet I have a trick
+Of the old rage : bear with me , I am sick ;
+I'll leave it by degrees . Soft ! let us see :
+Write , 'Lord have mercy on us' on those three ;
+They are infected , in their hearts it lies ;
+They have the plague , and caught it of your eyes :
+These lords are visited ; you are not free ,
+For the Lord's tokens on you do I see .
+
+No , they are free that gave these tokens to us .
+
+Our states are forfeit : seek not to undo us .
+
+It is not so . For how can this be true ,
+That you stand forfeit , being those that sue ?
+
+Peace ! for I will not have to do with you .
+
+Nor shall not , if I do as I intend .
+
+Speak for yourselves : my wit is at an end .
+
+Teach us , sweet madam , for our rude transgression
+Some fair excuse .
+
+The fairest is confession .
+Were you not here , but even now , disguis'd ?
+
+Madam , I was .
+
+And were you well advis'd ?
+
+I was , fair madam .
+
+When you then were here ,
+What did you whisper in your lady's ear ?
+
+That more than all the world I did respect her .
+
+When she shall challenge this , you will reject her .
+
+Upon mine honour , no .
+
+Peace ! peace ! forbear ;
+Your oath once broke , you force not to forswear .
+
+Despise me , when I break this oath of mine .
+
+I will ; and therefore keep it . Rosaline ,
+What did the Russian whisper in your ear ?
+
+Madam , he swore that he did hold me dear
+As precious eyesight , and did value me
+Above this world ; adding thereto , moreover ,
+That he would wed me , or else die my lover .
+
+God give thee joy of him ! the noble lord
+Most honourably doth uphold his word .
+
+What mean you , madam ? by my life , my troth ,
+I never swore this lady such an oath .
+
+By heaven you did ; and to confirm it plain ,
+You gave me this : but take it , sir , again .
+
+My faith and this the princess I did give :
+I knew her by this jewel on her sleeve .
+
+Pardon me , sir , this jewel did she wear ;
+And Lord Berowne , I thank him , is my dear .
+What , will you have me , or your pearl again ?
+
+Neither of either ; I remit both twain .
+I see the trick on't : here was a consent ,
+Knowing aforehand of our merriment ,
+To dash it like a Christmas comedy .
+Some carry-tale , some please-man , some slight zany ,
+Some mumble-news , some trencher-knight , some Dick ,
+That smiles his cheek in years , and knows the trick
+To make my lady laugh when she's dispos'd ,
+Told our intents before ; which once disclos'd ,
+The ladies did change favours , and then we ,
+Following the signs , woo'd but the sign of she .
+Now , to our perjury to add more terror ,
+We are again forsworn , in will and error .
+Much upon this it is :
+
+and might not you
+Forestall our sport , to make us thus untrue ?
+Do not you know my lady's foot by the squire ,
+And laugh upon the apple of her eye ?
+And stand between her back , sir , and the fire ,
+Holding a trencher , jesting merrily ?
+You put our page out : go , you are allow'd ;
+Die when you will , a smock shall be your shroud .
+You leer upon me , do you ? there's an eye
+Wounds like a leaden sword .
+
+Full merrily
+Hath this brave manage , this career , been run .
+
+Lo ! he is tilting straight . Peace ! I have done .
+
+Welcome , pure wit ! thou partest a fair fray .
+
+O Lord , sir , they would know
+Whether the three Worthies shall come in or no .
+
+What , are there but three ?
+
+No , sir ; but it is vara fine ,
+For every one pursents three .
+
+And three times thrice is nine .
+
+Not so , sir ; under correction , sir , I hope , it is not so .
+You cannot beg us , sir , I can assure you , sir ; we know what we know :
+I hope , sir , three times thrice , sir ,
+
+Is not nine .
+
+Under correction , sir , we know whereuntil it doth amount .
+
+By Jove , I always took three threes for nine .
+
+O Lord , sir ! it were pity you should get your living by reckoning , sir .
+
+How much is it ?
+
+O Lord , sir ! the parties themselves , the actors , sir , will show whereuntil it doth amount : for mine own part , I am , as they say , but to parfect one man in one poor man , Pompion the Great , sir .
+
+Art thou one of the Worthies ?
+
+It pleased them to think me worthy of Pompion the Great : for mine own part , I know not the degree of the Worthy , but I am to stand for him .
+
+Go , bid them prepare .
+
+We will turn it finely off , sir ; we will take some care .
+
+
+Berowne , they will shame us ; let them not approach .
+
+We are shame-proof , my lord ; and 'tis some policy
+To have one show worse than the king's and his company .
+
+I say they shall not come .
+
+Nay , my good lord , let me o'errule you now .
+That sport best pleases that doth least know how ;
+Where zeal strives to content , and the contents
+Die in the zeal of those which it presents ;
+Their form confounded makes most form in mirth ,
+When great things labouring perish in their birth .
+
+A right description of our sport , my lord .
+
+
+Anointed , I implore so much expense of thy royal sweet breath as will utter a brace of words .
+
+
+Doth this man serve God ?
+
+Why ask you ?
+
+He speaks not like a man of God's making ,
+
+That's all one , my fair , sweet , honey monarch ; for , I protest , the schoolmaster is exceeding fantastical ; too-too vain ; too-too vain : but we will put it , as they say , to fortuna de la guerra . I wish you the peace of mind , most royal couplement !
+
+
+Here is like to be a good presence of Worthies . He presents Hector of Troy ; the swain , Pompey the Great ; the parish curate , Alexander ; Armado's page , Hercules ; the pedant , Judas Maccab us :
+And if these four Worthies in their first show thrive ,
+These four will change habits and present the other five .
+
+There is five in the first show .
+
+You are deceived , 'tis not so .
+
+The pedant , the braggart , the hedgepriest , the fool , and the boy :
+Abate throw at novum , and the whole world again
+Cannot pick out five such , take each one in his vein .
+
+The ship is under sail , and here she comes amain .
+
+
+I Pompey am ,
+
+You lie , you are not he .
+
+I Pompey am ,
+
+With libbard's head on knee .
+
+Well said , old mocker : I must needs be friends with thee .
+
+I Pompey am , Pompey surnam'd the Big ,
+
+'The Great .'
+
+It is 'Great ,' sir ; Pompey surnam'd the Great ;
+That oft in field , with targe and shield , did make my foe to sweat :
+And travelling along this coast , I here am come by chance ,
+And lay my arms before the legs of this sweet lass of France .
+If your ladyship would say , 'Thanks , Pompey ,' I had done .
+
+Great thanks , great Pompey .
+
+'Tis not so much worth ; but I hope I was perfect . I made a little fault in 'Great .'
+
+My hat to a halfpenny , Pompey proves the best Worthy .
+
+
+When in the world I liv'd , I was the world's commander ;
+By east , west , north , and south , I spread my conquering might :
+My scutcheon plain declares that I am Alisander ,
+
+Your nose says , no , you are not ; for it stands too right .
+
+Your nose smells 'no ,' in this , most tender-smelling knight .
+
+The conqueror is dismay'd . Proceed , good Alexander .
+
+When in the world I liv'd , I was the world's commander ;
+
+Most true ; 'tis right : you were so , Alisander .
+
+Pompey the Great ,
+
+Your servant , and Costard .
+
+Take away the conqueror , take away Alisander .
+
+
+There , an't shall please you : a foolish mild man ; an honest man , look you , and soon dashed ! He is a marvellous good neighbour , faith , and a very good bowler ; but , for Alisander ,alas , you see how 'tis ,a little o'erparted . But there are Worthies a-coming will speak their mind in some other sort .
+
+Stand aside , good Pompey .
+
+
+Great Hercules is presented by this imp ,
+Whose club kill'd Cerberus , that three-headed canis ;
+And , when he was a babe , a child , a shrimp ,
+Thus did he strangle serpents in his manus .
+Quoniam , he seemeth in minority ,
+Ergo , I come with this apology .
+Keep some state in thy exit , and vanish .
+
+Judas I am .
+
+A Judas !
+
+Not Iscariot , sir .
+Judas I am , ycleped Maccab us .
+
+Judas Maccab us clipt is plain Judas .
+
+A kissing traitor . How art thou prov'd Judas ?
+
+Judas I am .
+
+The more shame for you , Judas .
+
+What mean you , sir ?
+
+To make Judas hang himself .
+
+Begin , sir ; you are my elder .
+
+Well follow'd : Judas was hanged on an elder .
+
+I will not be put out of countenance .
+
+Because thou hast no face .
+
+What is this ?
+
+A cittern-head .
+
+The head of a bodkin .
+
+A death's face in a ring .
+
+The face of an old Roman coin , scarce seen .
+
+The pommel of C sar's falchion .
+
+The carved-bone face on a flask .
+
+Saint George's half-cheek in a brooch .
+
+Ay , and in a brooch of lead .
+
+Ay , and worn in the cap of a toothdrawer .
+And now forward ; for we have put thee in countenance .
+
+You have put me out of countenance .
+
+False : we have given thee faces .
+
+But you have outfaced them all .
+
+An thou wert a lion , we would do so .
+
+Therefore , as he is an ass , let him go .
+And so adieu , sweet Jude ! nay , why dost thou stay ?
+
+For the latter end of his name .
+
+For the ass to the Jude ? give it him :Jud-as , away !
+
+This is not generous , not gentle , not humble .
+
+A light for Monsieur Judas ! it grows dark , he may stumble .
+
+Alas ! poor Maccab us , how hath he been baited .
+
+
+Hide thy head , Achilles : here comes Hector in arms .
+
+Though my mocks come home by me , I will now be merry .
+
+Hector was but a Troyan in respect of this .
+
+But is this Hector ?
+
+I think Hector was not so clean-timbered .
+
+His calf is too big for Hector .
+
+More calf , certain .
+
+No ; he is best indued in the small .
+
+This cannot be Hector .
+
+He's a god or a painter ; for he makes faces .
+
+The armipotent Mars , of lances the almighty ,
+Gave Hector a gift ,
+
+A gilt nutmeg .
+
+A lemon .
+
+Stuck with cloves .
+
+No , cloven .
+
+Peace !
+The armipotent Mars , of lances the almighty , Gave Hector a gift , the heir of Ilion ;
+A man so breath'd , that certain he would fight ye
+From morn till night , out of his pavilion .
+I am that flower ,
+
+That mint .
+
+That columbine .
+
+Sweet Lord Longaville , rein thy tongue .
+
+I must rather give it the rein , for it runs against Hector .
+
+Ay , and Hector's a greyhound .
+
+The sweet war-man is dead and rotten ; sweet chucks , beat not the bones of the buried ; when he breathed , he was a man . But I will forward with my device .
+
+Sweet royalty , bestow on me the sense of hearing .
+
+Speak , brave Hector ; we are much delighted .
+
+I do adore thy sweet Grace's slipper .
+
+Loves her by the foot .
+
+He may not by the yard .
+
+This Hector far surmounted Hannibal ,
+
+The party is gone ; fellow Hector , she is gone ; she is two months on her way .
+
+What meanest thou ?
+
+Faith , unless you play the honest Troyan , the poor wench is cast away : she's quick ; the child brags in her belly already : 'tis yours .
+
+Dost thou infamonize me among potentates ? Thou shalt die .
+
+Then shall Hector be whipped for Jaquenetta that is quick by him , and hanged for Pompey that is dead by him .
+
+Most rare Pompey !
+
+Renowned Pompey !
+
+Greater than great , great , great , great Pompey ! Pompey the Huge !
+
+Hector trembles .
+
+Pompey is moved . More Ates , more Ates ! stir them on ! stir them on !
+
+Hector will challenge him .
+
+Ay , if a' have no more man's blood in's belly than will sup a flea .
+
+By the north pole , I do challenge thee .
+
+I will not fight with a pole , like a northern man : I'll slash ; I'll do it by the sword . I bepray you , let me borrow my arms again .
+
+Room for the incensed Worthies !
+
+I'll do it in my shirt .
+
+Most resolute Pompey !
+
+Master , let me take you a button-hole lower . Do you not see Pompey is uncasing for the combat ? What mean you ? you will lose your reputation .
+
+Gentlemen and soldiers , pardon me ; I will not combat in my shirt .
+
+You may not deny it ; Pompey hath made the challenge .
+
+Sweet bloods , I both may and will .
+
+What reason have you for't ?
+
+The naked truth of it is , I have no shirt . I go woolward for penance .
+
+True , and it was enjoined him in Rome for want of linen ; since when , I'll be sworn , he wore none but a dish-clout of Jaquenetta's , and that a' wears next his heart for a favour .
+
+
+God save you , madam !
+
+Welcome , Marcade ;
+But that thou interrupt'st our merriment .
+
+I am sorry , madam ; for the news I bring
+Is heavy in my tongue . The king your father
+
+Dead , for my life !
+
+Even so : my tale is told .
+
+Worthies , away ! The scene begins to cloud .
+
+For my own part , I breathe free breath . I have seen the day of wrong through the little hole of discretion , and I will right myself like a soldier .
+
+
+How fares your majesty ?
+
+Boyet , prepare : I will away to-night .
+
+Madam , not so : I do beseech you , stay .
+
+Prepare , I say . I thank you , gracious lords ,
+For all your fair endeavours ; and entreat ,
+Out of a new-sad soul , that you vouchsafe
+In your rich wisdom to excuse or hide
+The liberal opposition of our spirits ,
+If over-boldly we have borne ourselves
+In the converse of breath ; your gentleness
+Was guilty of it . Farewell , worthy lord !
+A heavy heart bears not a nimble tongue ,
+Excuse me so , coming so short of thanks
+For my great suit so easily obtain'd .
+
+The extreme part of time extremely forms
+All causes to the purpose of his speed ,
+And often , at his very loose , decides
+That which long process could not arbitrate :
+And though the mourning brow of progeny
+Forbid the smiling courtesy of love
+The holy suit which fain it would convince ;
+Yet , since love's argument was first on foot ,
+Let not the cloud of sorrow justle it
+From what it purpos'd ; since , to wail friends lost
+Is not by much so wholesome-profitable
+As to rejoice at friends but newly found .
+
+I understand you not : my griefs are double .
+
+Honest plain words best pierce the ear of grief ;
+And by these badges understand the king .
+For your fair sakes have we neglected time ,
+Play'd foul play with our oaths . Your beauty , ladies ,
+Hath much deform'd us , fashioning our humours
+Even to the opposed end of our intents ;
+And what in us hath seem'd ridiculous ,
+As love is full of unbefitting strains ;
+All wanton as a child , skipping and vain ;
+Form'd by the eye , and , therefore , like the eye ,
+Full of stray shapes , of habits and of forms ,
+Varying in subjects , as the eye doth roll
+To every varied object in his glance :
+Which parti-coated presence of loose love
+Put on by us , if , in your heavenly eyes ,
+Have misbecome our oaths and gravities ,
+Those heavenly eyes , that look into these faults ,
+Suggested us to make . Therefore , ladies ,
+Our love being yours , the error that love makes
+Is likewise yours : we to ourselves prove false ,
+By being once false for ever to be true
+To those that make us both ,fair ladies , you :
+And even that falsehood , in itself a sin ,
+Thus purifies itself and turns to grace .
+
+We have receiv'd your letters full of love ;
+Your favours , the embassadors of love ;
+And , in our maiden council , rated them
+At courtship , pleasant jest , and courtesy ,
+As bombast and as lining to the time .
+But more devout than this in our respects
+Have we not been ; and therefore met your loves
+In their own fashion , like a merriment .
+
+Our letters , madam , show'd much more than jest .
+
+So did our looks .
+
+We did not quote them so .
+
+Now , at the latest minute of the hour ,
+Grant us your loves .
+
+A time , methinks , too short
+To make a world-without-end bargain in .
+No , no , my lord , your Grace is perjur'd much ,
+Full of dear guiltiness ; and therefore this :
+If for my love ,as there is no such cause ,
+You will do aught , this shall you do for me :
+Your oath I will not trust ; but go with speed
+To some forlorn and naked hermitage ,
+Remote from all the pleasures of the world ;
+There stay , until the twelve celestial signs
+Have brought about their annual reckoning .
+If this austere insociable life
+Change not your offer made in heat of blood ;
+If frosts and fasts , hard lodging and thin weeds ,
+Nip not the gaudy blossoms of your love ,
+But that it bear this trial and last love ;
+Then , at the expiration of the year ,
+Come challenge me , challenge me by these deserts ,
+And , by this virgin palm now kissing thine ,
+I will be thine ; and , till that instant , shut
+My woful self up in a mourning house ,
+Raining the tears of lamentation
+For the remembrance of my father's death .
+If this thou do deny , let our hands part ;
+Neither intitled in the other's heart .
+
+If this , or more than this , I would deny ,
+To flatter up these powers of mine with rest ,
+The sudden hand of death close up mine eye !
+Hence ever then my heart is in thy breast .
+
+And what to me , my love ? and what to me ?
+
+You must be purged too , your sins are rack'd :
+You are attaint with faults and perjury ;
+Therefore , if you my favour mean to get ,
+A twelvemonth shall you spend , and never rest ,
+But seek the weary beds of people sick .
+
+But what to me , my love ? but what to me ?
+
+A wife ! A beard , fair health , and honesty ;
+With three-fold love I wish you all these three .
+
+O ! shall I say , I thank you , gentle wife ?
+
+Not so , my lord . A twelvemonth and a day
+I'll mark no words that smooth-fac'd wooers say :
+Come when the king doth to my lady come ;
+Then , if I have much love , I'll give you some .
+
+I'll serve thee true and faithfully till then .
+
+Yet swear not , lest you be forsworn again .
+
+What says Maria ?
+
+At the twelvemonth's end
+I'll change my black gown for a faithful friend .
+
+I'll stay with patience ; but the time is long .
+
+The liker you ; few taller are so young .
+
+Studies my lady ? mistress , look on me .
+Behold the window of my heart , mine eye ,
+What humble suit attends thy answer there ;
+Impose some service on me for thy love .
+
+Oft have I heard of you , my Lord Berowne ,
+Before I saw you , and the world's large tongue
+Proclaims you for a man replete with mocks ;
+Full of comparisons and wounding flouts ,
+Which you on all estates will execute
+That lie within the mercy of your wit :
+To weed this wormwood from your fruitful brain ,
+And therewithal to win me , if you please ,
+Without the which I am not to be won ,
+You shall this twelvemonth term , from day to day ,
+Visit the speechless sick , and still converse
+With groaning wretches ; and your task shall be ,
+With all the fierce endeavour of your wit
+To enforce the pained impotent to smile .
+
+To move wild laughter in the throat of death ?
+It cannot be ; it is impossible :
+Mirth cannot move a soul in agony .
+
+Why , that's the way to choke a gibing spirit ,
+Whose influence is begot of that loose grace
+Which shallow laughing hearers give to fools .
+A jest's prosperity lics in the ear
+Of him that hears it , never in the tongue
+Of him that makes it : then , if sickly ears ,
+Deaf'd with the clamours of their own dear groans ,
+Will hear your idle scorns , continue them ,
+And I will have you and that fault withal ;
+But if they will not , throw away that spirit ,
+And I shall find you empty of that fault ,
+Right joyful of your reformation .
+
+A twelvemonth ! well , befall what will befall ,
+I'll jest a twelvemonth in a hospital .
+
+Ay , sweet my lord ; and so I take my leave .
+
+No , madam ; we will bring you on your way .
+
+Our wooing doth not end like an old play ;
+Jack hath not Jill ; these ladies' courtesy
+Might well have made our sport a comedy .
+
+Come , sir , it wants a twelvemonth and a day ,
+And then 'twill end .
+
+That's too long for a play .
+
+
+Sweet majesty , vouchsafe me ,
+
+Was not that Hector ?
+
+The worthy knight of Troy .
+
+I will kiss thy royal finger , and take leave . I am a votary ; I have vowed to Jaquenetta to hold the plough for her sweet love three years . But , most esteemed greatness , will you hear the dialogue that the two learned men have compiled in praise of the owl and the cuckoo ? it should have followed in the end of our show .
+
+Call them forth quickly ; we will do so .
+
+Holla ! approach .
+
+
+This side is Hiems , Winter ; this Ver , the Spring ; the one maintained by the owl , the other by the cuckoo . Ver , begin .
+
+SPRING .
+
+
+I
+
+When daisies pied and violets blue
+And lady-smocks all silver-white
+And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue
+Do paint the meadows with delight ,
+The cuckoo then , on every tree ,
+Mocks married men ; for thus sings he ,
+Cuckoo ,
+Cuckoo , cuckoo : O , word of fear ,
+Unpleasing to a married ear !
+
+II .
+
+When shepherds pipe on oaten straws ,
+And merry larks are ploughmen's clocks ,
+When turtles tread , and rooks , and daws ,
+And maidens bleach their summer smocks ,
+The cuckoo then , on every tree ,
+Mocks married men ; for thus sings he ,
+Cuckoo ;
+Cuckoo , cuckoo : O , word of fear ,
+Unpleasing to a married ear !
+
+WINTER .
+
+
+III .
+
+When icicles hang by the wall ,
+And Dick the shepherd blows his nail ,
+And Tom bears logs into the hall ,
+And milk comes frozen home in pail ,
+When blood is nipp'd , and ways be foul ,
+Then nightly sings the staring owl ,
+Tu-who ;
+Tu-whit , tu-who a merry note ,
+While greasy Joan doth keel the pot .
+
+IV
+
+When all aloud the wind doth blow ,
+And coughing drowns the parson's saw ,
+And birds sit brooding in the snow ,
+And Marian's nose looks red and raw ,
+When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl ,
+Then nightly sings the staring owl ,
+Tu-who ;
+Tu-whit , tu-who a merry note ,
+While greasy Joan doth keel the pot .
+
+
+The words of Mercury are harsh after the songs of Apollo . You , that way : we , this way .
+
+MEASURE FOR MEASURE
+
+Escalus .
+
+My lord ?
+
+Of government the properties to unfold ,
+Would seem in me to affect speech and discourse ,
+Since I am put to know that your own science
+Exceeds , in that , the lists of all advice
+My strength can give you : then no more remains ,
+But that , to your sufficiency , as your worth is able ,
+And let them work . The nature of our people ,
+Our city's institutions , and the terms
+For common justice , you're as pregnant in ,
+As art and practice hath enriched any
+That we remember . There is our commission ,
+
+From which we would not have you warp . Call hither ,
+I say , bid come before us Angelo .
+
+What figure of us think you he will bear ?
+For you must know , we have with special soul
+Elected him our absence to supply ,
+Lent him our terror , drest him with our love ,
+And given his deputation all the organs
+Of our own power : what think you of it ?
+
+If any in Vienna be of worth
+To undergo such ample grace and honour ,
+It is Lord Angelo .
+
+Look where he comes .
+
+
+Always obedient to your Grace's will ,
+I come to know your pleasure .
+
+Angelo ,
+There is a kind of character in thy life ,
+That , to th' observer doth thy history
+Fully unfold . Thyself and thy belongings
+Are not thine own so proper , as to waste
+Thyself upon thy virtues , they on thee .
+Heaven doth with us as we with torches do ,
+Not light them for themselves ; for if our virtues
+Did not go forth of us , 'twere all alike
+As if we had them not . Spirits are not finely touch'd
+But to fine issues , nor Nature never lends
+The smallest scruple of her excellence ,
+But , like a thrifty goddess , she determines
+Herself the glory of a creditor ,
+Both thanks and use . But I do bend my speech
+To one that can my part in him advertise ;
+Hold , therefore , Angelo :
+
+In our remove be thou at full ourself ;
+Mortality and mercy in Vienna
+Live in thy tongue and heart . Old Escalus ,
+Though first in question , is thy secondary .
+Take thy commission .
+
+
+Now , good my lord ,
+Let there be some more test made of my metal ,
+Before so noble and so great a figure
+Be stamp'd upon it .
+
+No more evasion :
+We have with a leaven'd and prepared choice
+Proceeded to you ; therefore take your honours .
+Our haste from hence is of so quick condition
+That it prefers itself , and leaves unquestion'd
+Matters of needful value . We shall write to you ,
+As time and our concernings shall importune ,
+How it goes with us ; and do look to know
+What doth befall you here . So , fare you well :
+To the hopeful execution do I leave you
+Of your commissions .
+
+Yet , give leave , my lord ,
+That we may bring you something on the way .
+
+My haste may not admit it ;
+Nor need you , on mine honour , have to do
+With any scruple : your scope is as mine own ,
+So to enforce or qualify the laws
+As to your soul seems good . Give me your hand ;
+I'll privily away : I love the people ,
+But do not like to stage me to their eyes .
+Though it do well , I do not relish well
+Their loud applause and Aves vehement ,
+Nor do I think the man of safe discretion
+That does affect it . Once more , fare you well .
+
+The heavens give safety to your purposes !
+
+Lead forth and bring you back in happiness !
+
+I thank you . Fare you well .
+
+
+I shall desire you , sir , to give me leave
+To have free speech with you ; and it concerns me
+To look into the bottom of my place :
+A power I have , but of what strength and nature
+I am not yet instructed .
+
+'Tis so with me . Let us withdraw together ,
+And we may soon our satisfaction have
+Touching that point .
+
+I'll wait upon your honour .
+
+
+If the Duke with the other dukes come not to composition with the King of Hungary , why then , all the dukes fall upon the king .
+
+Heaven grant us its peace , but not the King of Hungary's !
+
+Amen .
+
+Thou concludest like the sanctimonious pirate , that went to sea with the Ten Commandments , but scraped one out of the table .
+
+'Thou shalt not steal ?'
+
+Ay , that he razed .
+
+Why , 'twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions : they put forth to steal . There's not a soldier of us all , that , in the thanksgiving before meat , doth relish the petition well that prays for peace .
+
+I never heard any soldier dislike it .
+
+I believe thee , for I think thou never wast where grace was said .
+
+No ? a dozen times at least .
+
+What , in metre ?
+
+In any proportion or in any language .
+
+I think , or in any religion .
+
+Ay ; why not ? Grace is grace , despite of all controversy : as , for example , thou thyself art a wicked villain , despite of all grace .
+
+Well , there went but a pair of shears between us .
+
+I grant ; as there may between the lists and the velvet : thou art the list .
+
+And thou the velvet : thou art good velvet ; thou art a three-piled piece , I warrant thee . I had as lief be a list of an English kersey as be piled , as thou art piled , for a French velvet . Do I speak feelingly now ?
+
+I think thou dost ; and , indeed , with most painful feeling of thy speech : I will , out of thine own confession , learn to begin thy health ; but , whilst I live , forget to drink after thee .
+
+I think I have done myself wrong , have I not ?
+
+Yes , that thou hast , whether thou art tainted or free .
+
+Behold , behold , where Madam Mitigation comes ! I have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to
+
+To what , I pray ?
+
+Judge .
+
+To three thousand dolours a year .
+
+Ay , and more .
+
+A French crown more .
+
+Thou art always figuring diseases in me ; but thou art full of error : I am sound .
+
+Nay , not as one would say , healthy ; but so sound as things that are hollow : thy bones are hollow ; impiety has made a feast of thee .
+
+
+How now ! which of your hips has the most profound sciatica ?
+
+Well , well ; there's one yonder arrested and carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all .
+
+Who's that , I pray thee ?
+
+Marry , sir , that's Claudio , Signior Claudio .
+
+Claudio to prison ! 'tis not so .
+
+Nay , but I know 'tis so : I saw him arrested ; saw him carried away ; and , which is more , within these three days his head to be chopped off .
+
+But , after all this fooling , I would not have it so . Art thou sure of this ?
+
+I am too sure of it ; and it is for getting Madam Julietta with child .
+
+Believe me , this may be : he promised to meet me two hours since , and he was ever precise in promise-keeping .
+
+Besides , you know , it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose .
+
+But most of all , agreeing with the proclamation .
+
+Away ! let's go learn the truth of it .
+
+
+Thus , what with the war , what with the sweat , what with the gallows and what with poverty , I am custom-shrunk .
+
+How now ! what's the news with you ?
+
+Yonder man is carried to prison .
+
+Well : what has he done ?
+
+A woman .
+
+But what's his offence ?
+
+Groping for trouts in a peculiar river .
+
+What , is there a maid with child by him ?
+
+No ; but there's a woman with maid by him . You have not heard of the proclamation , have you ?
+
+What proclamation , man ?
+
+All houses of resort in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down
+
+And what shall become of those in the city ?
+
+They shall stand for seed : they had gone down too , but that a wise burgher put in for them .
+
+But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down ?
+
+To the ground , mistress .
+
+Why , here's a change indeed in the commonwealth ! What shall become of me ?
+
+Come ; fear not you : good counsellors lack no clients : though you change your place , you need not change your trade ; I'll be your tapster still . Courage ! there will be pity taken on you ; you that have worn your eyes almost out in the service , you will be considered .
+
+What's to do here , Thomas tapster ?
+Let's withdraw .
+
+Here comes Signior Claudio , led by the provost to prison ; and there's Madam Juliet .
+
+Fellow , why dost thou show me thus to the world ?
+Bear me to prison , where I am committed .
+
+I do it not in evil disposition ,
+But from Lord Angelo by special charge .
+
+Thus can the demi-god Authority
+Make us pay down for our offence' by weight .
+The words of heaven ; on whom it will , it will ;
+On whom it will not , so : yet still 'tis just .
+
+
+Why , how now , Claudio ! whence comes this restraint ?
+
+From too much liberty , my Lucio , liberty :
+As surfeit is the father of much fast ,
+So every scope by the immoderate use
+Turns to restraint . Our natures do pursue
+Like rats that ravin down their proper bane ,
+A thirsty evil , and when we drink we die .
+
+If I could speak so wisely under an arrest , I would send for certain of my creditors . And yet , to say the truth , I had as lief have the foppery of freedom as the morality of imprisonment . What's thy offence , Claudio ?
+
+What but to speak of would offend again .
+
+What , is't murder ?
+
+No .
+
+Lechery ?
+
+Call it so .
+
+Away , sir ! you must go .
+
+One word , good friend . Lucio , a word with you .
+
+
+A hundred , if they'll do you any good .
+Is lechery so looked after ?
+
+Thus stands it with me : upon a true contract
+I got possession of Julietta's bed :
+You know the lady ; she is fast my wife ,
+Save that we do the denunciation lack
+Of outward order : this we came not to ,
+Only for propagation of a dower
+Remaining in the coffer of her friends ,
+From whom we thought it meet to hide our love
+Till time had made them for us . But it chances
+The stealth of our most mutual entertainment
+With character too gross is writ on Juliet .
+
+With child , perhaps ?
+
+Unhappily , even so .
+And the new deputy now for the duke ,
+Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness ,
+Or whether that the body public be
+A horse whereon the governor doth ride ,
+Who , newly in the seat , that it may know
+He can command , lets it straight feel the spur ;
+Whether the tyranny be in his place ,
+Or in his eminence that fills it up ,
+I stagger in :but this new governor
+Awakes me all the enrolled penalties
+Which have , like unscour'd armour , hung by the wall
+So long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round ,
+And none of them been worn ; and , for a name ,
+Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
+Freshly on me : 'tis surely for a name .
+
+I warrant it is : and thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders that a milkmaid , if she be in love , may sigh it off . Send after the duke and appeal to him .
+
+I have done so , but he's not to be found .
+I prithee , Lucio , do me this kind service .
+This day my sister should the cloister enter ,
+And there receive her approbation :
+Acquaint her with the danger of my state ;
+Implore her , in my voice , that she make friends
+To the strict deputy ; bid herself assay him :
+I have great hope in that ; for in her youth
+There is a prone and speechless dialect ,
+Such as move men ; beside , she hath prosperous art
+When she will play with reason and discourse ,
+And well she can persuade .
+
+I pray she may : as well for the encouragement of the like , which else would stand under grievous imposition , as for the enjoying of thy life , who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack . I'll to her .
+
+I thank you , good friend Lucio .
+
+Within two hours .
+
+Come , officer , away !
+
+
+No , holy father ; throw away that thought :
+Believe not that the dribbling dart of love
+Can pierce a complete bosom . Why I desire thee
+To give me secret harbour , hath a purpose
+More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends
+Of burning youth .
+
+May your Grace speak of it ?
+
+My holy sir , none better knows than you
+How I have ever lov'd the life remov'd ,
+And held in idle price to haunt assemblies
+Where youth , and cost , and witless bravery keeps .
+I have deliver'd to Lord Angelo
+A man of stricture and firm abstinence
+My absolute power and place here in Vienna ,
+And he supposes me travell'd to Poland ;
+For so I have strew'd it in the common ear ,
+And so it is receiv'd . Now , pious sir ,
+You will demand of me why I do this ?
+
+Gladly , my lord .
+
+We have strict statutes and most biting laws ,
+The needful bits and curbs to headstrong steeds ,
+Which for this fourteen years we have let sleep ;
+Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave ,
+That goes not out to prey . Now , as fond fathers ,
+Having bound up the threat'ning twigs of birch ,
+Only to stick it in their children's sight
+For terror , not to use , in time the rod
+Becomes more mock'd than fear'd ; so our decrees ,
+Dead to infliction , to themselves are dead ,
+And liberty plucks justice by the nose ;
+The baby beats the nurse , and quite athwart
+Goes all decorum .
+
+It rested in your Grace
+T' unloose this tied-up justice when you pleas'd ;
+And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd
+Than in Lord Angelo .
+
+I do fear , too dreadful :
+Sith 'twas my fault to give the people scope ,
+'Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them
+For what I bid them do : for we bid this be done ,
+When evil deeds have their permissive pass
+And not the punishment . Therefore , indeed , my father ,
+I have on Angelo impos'd the office ,
+Who may , in the ambush of my name , strike home ,
+And yet my nature never in the sight
+To do it slander . And to behold his sway ,
+I will , as 'twere a brother of your order ,
+Visit both prince and people : therefore , I prithee ,
+Supply me with the habit , and instruct me
+How I may formally in person bear me
+Like a true friar . Moe reasons for this action
+At our more leisure shall I render you ;
+Only , this one : Lord Angelo is precise ;
+Stands at a guard with envy ; scarce confesses
+That his blood flows , or that his appetite
+Is more to bread than stone : hence shall we see ,
+If power change purpose , what our seemers be .
+
+
+And have you nuns no further privileges ?
+
+Are not these large enough ?
+
+Yes , truly : I speak not as desiring more ,
+But rather wishing a more strict restraint
+Upon the sisterhood , the votarists of Saint Clare .
+
+Ho ! Peace be in this place !
+
+Who's that which calls ?
+
+It is a man's voice . Gentle Isabella ,
+Turn you the key , and know his business of him :
+You may , I may not ; you are yet unsworn .
+When you have vow'd , you must not speak with men
+But in the presence of the prioress :
+Then , if you speak , you must not show your face ,
+Or , if you show your face , you must not speak .
+He calls again ; I pray you , answer him .
+
+
+Peace and prosperity ! Who is't that calls ?
+
+
+Hail , virgin , if you be , as those cheek-roses
+Proclaim you are no less ! Can you so stead me
+As bring me to the sight of Isabella ,
+A novice of this place , and the fair sister
+To her unhappy brother Claudio ?
+
+Why 'her unhappy brother ?' let me ask ;
+The rather for I now must make you know
+I am that Isabella and his sister .
+
+Gentle and fair , your brother kindly greets you :
+Not to be weary with you , he's in prison .
+
+Woe me ! for what ?
+
+For that which , if myself might be his judge ,
+He should receive his punishment in thanks :
+He hath got his friend with child .
+
+Sir , make me not your story .
+
+It is true .
+I would not , though 'tis my familiar sin
+With maids to seem the lapwing and to jest ,
+Tongue far from heart , play with all virgins so :
+I hold you as a thing ensky'd and sainted ;
+By your renouncement an immortal spirit ,
+And to be talk'd with in sincerity ,
+As with a saint .
+
+You do blaspheme the good in mocking me .
+
+Do not believe it . Fewness and truth , 'tis thus :
+Your brother and his lover have embrac'd :
+As those that feed grow full , as blossoming time
+That from the seedness the bare fallow brings
+To teeming foison , even so her plenteous womb
+Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry .
+
+Some one with child by him ? My cousin Juliet ?
+
+Is she your cousin ?
+
+Adoptedly ; asschool-maids change their names
+By vain , though apt affection .
+
+She it is .
+
+O ! let him marry her .
+
+This is the point .
+The duke is very strangely gone from hence ;
+Bore many gentlemen , myself being one ,
+In hand and hope of action ; but we do learn
+By those that know the very nerves of state ,
+His givings out were of an infinite distance
+From his true-meant design . Upon his place ,
+And with full line of his authority ,
+Governs Lord Angelo ; a man whose blood
+Is very snow-broth ; one who never feels
+The wanton stings and motions of the sense ,
+But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge
+With profits of the mind , study and fast .
+He ,to give fear to use and liberty ,
+Which have for long run by the hideous law ,
+As mice by lions , hath pick'd out an act ,
+Under whose heavy sense your brother's life
+Falls into forfeit : he arrests him on it ,
+And follows close the rigour of the statute ,
+To make him an example . All hope is gone ,
+Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
+To soften Angelo ; and that's my pith of business
+Twixt you and your poor brother .
+
+Doth he so seek his life ?
+
+He's censur'd him
+Already ; and , as I hear , the provost hath
+A warrant for his execution .
+
+Alas ! what poor ability's in me
+To do him good ?
+
+Assay the power you have .
+
+My power ? alas ! I doubt
+
+Our doubts are traitors ,
+And make us lose the good we oft might win ,
+By fearing to attempt . Go to Lord Angelo ,
+And let him learn to know , when maidens sue ,
+Men give like gods ; but when they weep and kneel ,
+All their petitions are as freely theirs
+As they themselves would owe them .
+
+I'll see what I can do .
+
+But speedily .
+
+I will about it straight ;
+No longer staying but to give the Mother
+Notice of my affair . I humbly thank you :
+Commend me to my brother ; soon at night
+I'll send him certain word of my success .
+
+I take my leave of you .
+
+Good sir , adieu .
+
+We must not make a scarecrow of the law ,
+Setting it up to fear the birds of prey ,
+And let it keep one shape , till custom make it
+Their perch and not their terror .
+
+Ay , but yet
+Let us be keen and rather cut a little ,
+Than fall , and bruise to death . Alas ! this gentleman ,
+Whom I would save , had a most noble father .
+Let but your honour know ,
+Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue ,
+That , in the working of your own affections ,
+Had time coher'd with place or place with wishing ,
+Or that the resolute acting of your blood
+Could have attain'd the effect of your own purpose ,
+Whether you had not , some time in your life ,
+Err'd in this point which now you censure him ,
+And pull'd the law upon you .
+
+'Tis one thing to be tempted , Escalus ,
+Another thing to fall . I not deny ,
+The jury , passing on the prisoner's life ,
+May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two
+Guiltier than him they try ; what's open made to justice ,
+That justice seizes : what know the laws
+That thieves do pass on thieves ? 'Tis very pregnant ,
+The jewel that we find , we stoop and take it
+Because we see it ; but what we do not see
+We tread upon , and never think of it .
+You may not so extenuate his offence
+For I have had such faults ; but rather tell me ,
+When I , that censure him , do so offend ,
+Let mine own judgment pattern out my death ,
+And nothing come in partial . Sir , he must die .
+
+Be it as your wisdom will .
+
+Where is the provost ?
+
+Here , if it like your honour .
+
+See that Claudio
+Be executed by nine to-morrow morning :
+Bring him his confessor , let him be prepar'd ;
+For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage .
+
+
+Well , heaven forgive him , and forgive us all !
+Some rise by sin , and some by virtue fall :
+Some run from brakes of ice , and answer none ,
+And some condemned for a fault alone .
+
+
+Come , bring them away : if these be good people in a common-weal that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses , I know no law : bring them away .
+
+How now , sir ! What's your name , and what's the matter ?
+
+If it please your honour , I am the poor duke's constable , and my name is Elbow : I do lean upon justice , sir ; and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors .
+
+Benefactors ! Well ; what benefactors are they ? are they not malefactors ?
+
+If it please your honour , I know not well what they are ; but precise villains they are , that I am sure of , and void of all profanation in the world that good Christians ought to have .
+
+This comes off well : here's a wise officer .
+
+Go to : what quality are they of ? Elbow is your name ? why dost thou not speak , Elbow ?
+
+He cannot , sir : he's out at elbow .
+
+What are you , sir ?
+
+He , sir ! a tapster , sir ; parcel-bawd ; one that serves a bad woman , whose house , sir , was , as they say , plucked down in the suburbs ; and now she professes a hot-house , which , I think , is a very ill house too .
+
+How know you that ?
+
+My wife , sir , whom I detest before heaven and your honour ,
+
+How ! thy wife ?
+
+Ay , sir ; whom , I thank heaven , is an honest woman ,
+
+Dost thou detest her therefore ?
+
+I say , sir , I will detest myself also , as well as she , that this house , if it be not a bawd's house , it is pity of her life , for it is a naughty house .
+
+How dost thou know that , constable ?
+
+Marry , sir , by my wife ; who , if she had been a woman cardinally given , might have been accused in fornication , adultery , and all uncleanliness there .
+
+By the woman's means ?
+
+Ay , sir , by Mistress Overdone's means ; but as she spit in his face , so she defied him .
+
+Sir , if it please your honour , this is not so .
+
+Prove it before these varlets here , thou honourable man , prove it .
+
+Do you hear how he misplaces ?
+
+Sir , she came in , great with child , and longing ,saving your honour's reverence ,for stewed prunes . Sir , we had but two in the house , which at that very distant time stood , as it were , in a fruit-dish , a dish of some three-pence ; your honours have seen such dishes ; they are not China dishes , but very good dishes .
+
+Go to , go to : no matter for the dish , sir .
+
+No , indeed , sir , not of a pin ; you are therein in the right : but to the point . As I say , this Mistress Elbow , being , as I say , with child , and being great-bellied , and longing , as I said , for prunes , and having but two in the dish , as I said , Master Froth here , this very man , having eaten the rest , as I said , and , as I say , paying for them very honestly ; for , as you know , Master Froth , I could not give you three-pence again .
+
+No , indeed .
+
+Very well : you being then , if you be remembered , cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes ,
+
+Ay , so I did , indeed .
+
+Why , very well : I telling you then , if you be remembered , that such a one and such a one were past cure of the thing you wot of , unless they kept very good diet , as I told you ,
+
+All this is true .
+
+Why , very well then .
+
+Come , you are a tedious fool : to the purpose . What was done to Elbow's wife , that he hath cause to complain of ? Come me to what was done to her .
+
+Sir , your honour cannot come to that yet .
+
+No , sir , nor I mean it not .
+
+Sir , but you shall come to it , by your honour's leave . And , I beseech you , look into Master Froth here , sir ; a man of fourscore pound a year , whose father died at Hallowmas . Was't not at Hallowmas , Master Froth ?
+
+All-hallownd eve .
+
+Why , very well : I hope here be truths . He , sir , sitting , as I say , in a lower chair , sir ; 'twas in the Bunch of Grapes , where indeed , you have a delight to sit , have you not ?
+
+I have so , because it is an open room and good for winter .
+
+Why , very well then : I hope here be truths .
+
+This will last out a night in Russia ,
+When nights are longest there : I'll take my leave ,
+And leave you to the hearing of the cause ,
+Hoping you'll find good cause to whip them all .
+
+I think no less . Good morrow to your lordship .
+
+Now , sir , come on : what was done to Elbow's wife , once more ?
+
+Once , sir ? there was nothing done to her once .
+
+I beseech you , sir , ask him what this man did to my wife .
+
+I beseech your honour , ask me .
+
+Well , sir , what did this gentleman to her ?
+
+I beseech you , sir , look in this gentleman's face . Good Master Froth , look upon his honour ; 'tis for a good purpose . Doth your honour mark his face ?
+
+Ay , sir , very well .
+
+Nay , I beseech you , mark it well .
+
+Well , I do so .
+
+Doth your honour see any harm in his face ?
+
+Why , no .
+
+I'll be supposed upon a book , his face is the worst thing about him . Good , then ; if his face be the worst thing about him , how could Master Froth do the constable's wife any harm ? I would know that of your honour .
+
+He's in the right . Constable , what say you to it ?
+
+First , an' it like you , the house is a respected house ; next , this is a respected fellow , and his mistress is a respected woman .
+
+By this hand , sir , his wife is a more respected person than any of us all .
+
+Varlet , thou liest : thou liest , wicked varlet . The time is yet to come that she was ever respected with man , woman , or child .
+
+Sir , she was respected with him before he married with her .
+
+Which is the wiser here ? Justice , or Iniquity ? Is this true ?
+
+O thou caitiff ! O thou varlet ! O thou wicked Hannibal ! I respected with her before I was married to her ? If ever I was respected with her , or she with me , let not your worship think me the poor duke's officer . Prove this , thou wicked Hannibal , or I'll have mine action of battery on thee .
+
+If he took you a box o' th' ear , you might have your action of slander too .
+
+Marry , I thank your good worship for it . What is't your worship's pleasure I shall do with this wicked caitiff ?
+
+Truly , officer , because he hath some offences in him that thou wouldest discover if thou couldst , let him continue in his courses till thou knowest what they are .
+
+Marry , I thank your worship for it . Thou seest , thou wicked varlet , now , what's come upon thee : thou art to continue now , thou varlet , thou art to continue .
+
+Where were you born , friend ?
+
+Here in Vienna , sir .
+
+Are you of fourscore pounds a year ?
+
+Yes , an't please you , sir .
+
+So .
+
+What trade are you of , sir ?
+
+A tapster ; a poor widow's tapster .
+
+Your mistress' name ?
+
+Mistress Overdone .
+
+Hath she had any more than one husband ?
+
+Nine , sir ; Overdone by the last .
+
+Nine !Come hither to me , Master Froth . Master Froth , I would not have you acquainted with tapsters ; they will draw you , Master Froth , and you will hang them . Get you gone , and let me hear no more of you .
+
+I thank your worship . For mine own part , I never come into any room in a taphouse , but I am drawn in .
+
+Well : no more of it , Master Froth : farewell .
+
+Come you hither to me , Master tapster . What's your name , Master tapster ?
+
+Pompey .
+
+What else ?
+
+Bum , sir .
+
+Troth , and your bum is the greatest thing about you , so that , in the beastliest sense , you are Pompey the Great . Pompey , you are partly a bawd , Pompey , howsoever you colour it in being a tapster , are you not ? come , tell me true : it shall be the better for you .
+
+Truly , sir , I am a poor fellow that would live .
+
+How would you live , Pompey ? by being a bawd ? What do you think of the trade , Pompey ? is it a lawful trade ?
+
+If the law would allow it , sir .
+
+But the law will not allow it , Pompey ; nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna .
+
+Does your worship mean to geld and splay all the youth of the city ?
+
+No , Pompey .
+
+Truly , sir , in my humble opinion , they will to't then . If your worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves , you need not to fear the bawds .
+
+There are pretty orders beginning , I can tell you : it is but heading and hanging .
+
+If you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten year together , you'll be glad to give out a commission for more heads . If this law hold in Vienna ten year , I'll rent the fairest house in it after threepence a bay . If you live to see this come to pass , say , Pompey told you so .
+
+Thank you , good Pompey ; and , in requital of your prophecy , hark you : I advise you , let me not find you before me again upon any complaint whatsoever ; no , not for dwelling where you do : if I do , Pompey , I shall beat you to your tent , and prove a shrewd C sar to you . In plain dealing , Pompey , I shall have you whipt . So , for this time , Pompey , fare you well .
+
+I thank your worship for your good counsel ;
+
+but I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better determine .
+Whip me ! No , no ; let carman whip his jade ;
+The valiant heart's not whipt out of his trade .
+
+
+Come hither to me , Master Elbow ; come hither , Master constable . How long have you been in this place of constable ?
+
+Seven year and a half , sir .
+
+I thought , by your readiness in the office , you had continued in it some time . You say , seven years together ?
+
+And a half , sir .
+
+Alas ! it hath been great pains to you ! They do you wrong to put you so oft upon 't . Are there not men in your ward sufficient to serve it ?
+
+Faith , sir , few of any wit in such matters . As they are chosen , they are glad to choose me for them : I do it for some piece of money , and go through with all .
+
+Look you bring me in the names of some six or seven , the most sufficient of your parish .
+
+To your worship's house , sir ?
+
+To my house . Fare you well .
+
+What's o'clock , think you ?
+
+Eleven , sir .
+
+I pray you home to dinner with me .
+
+I humbly thank you .
+
+It grieves me for the death of Claudio ;
+But there is no remedy .
+
+Lord Angelo is severe .
+
+It is but needful :
+Mercy is not itself , that oft looks so ;
+Pardon is still the nurse of second woe .
+But yet , poor Claudio ! There's no remedy .
+Come , sir .
+
+
+He's hearing of a cause : he will come straight :
+I'll tell him of you .
+
+Pray you , do .
+
+I'll know
+His pleasure ; may be he will relent . Alas !
+He hath but as offended in a dream :
+All sects , all ages smack of this vice , and he
+To die for it !
+
+
+Now , what's the matter , provost ?
+
+Is it your will Claudio shall die to-morrow ?
+
+Did I not tell thee , yea ? hadst thou not order ?
+Why dost thou ask again ?
+
+Lest I might be too rash .
+Under your good correction , I have seen ,
+When , after execution , Judgment hath
+Repented o'er his doom .
+
+Go to ; let that be mine :
+Do you your office , or give up your place ,
+And you shall well be spar'd .
+
+I crave your honour's pardon .
+What shall be done , sir , with the groaning Juliet ?
+She's very near her hour .
+
+Dispose of her
+To some more fitter place ; and that with speed .
+
+
+Here is the sister of the man condemn'd
+Desires access to you .
+
+Hath he a sister ?
+
+Ay , my good lord ; a very virtuous maid ,
+And to be shortly of a sisterhood ,
+If not already .
+
+Well , let her be admitted .
+
+See you the fornicatress be remov'd :
+Let her have needful , but not lavish , means ;
+There shall be order for't .
+
+
+God save your honour !
+
+
+Stay a little while .
+
+You're welcome : what's your will ?
+
+I am a woful suitor to your honour ,
+Please but your honour hear me .
+
+Well ; what's your suit ?
+
+There is a vice that most I do abhor ,
+And most desire should meet the blow of justice ,
+For which I would not plead , but that I must ;
+For which I must not plead , but that I am
+At war 'twixt will and will not .
+
+Well ; the matter ?
+
+I have a brother is condemn'd to die :
+I do beseech you , let it be his fault ,
+And not my brother .
+
+Heaven give thee moving graces !
+
+Condemn the fault , and not the actor of it ?
+Why , every fault's condemn'd ere it be done .
+Mine were the very cipher of a function ,
+To fine the faults whose fine stands in record ,
+And let go by the actor .
+
+O just , but severe law !
+I had a brother , then .Heaven keep your honour !
+
+
+Give't not o'er so : to him again , entreat him ;
+Kneel down before him , hang upon his gown ;
+You are too cold ; if you should need a pin ,
+You could not with more tame a tongue desire it .
+To him . I say !
+
+Must he needs die ?
+
+Maiden , no remedy .
+
+Yes ; I do think that you might pardon him ,
+And neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy .
+
+I will not do't .
+
+But can you , if you would ?
+
+Look , what I will not , that I cannot do .
+
+But might you do't , and do the world no wrong ,
+If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse
+As mine is to him ?
+
+He's sentenc'd : 'tis too late .
+
+You are too cold .
+
+Too late ? why , no ; I , that do speak a word ,
+May call it back again . Well , believe this ,
+No ceremony that to great ones 'longs ,
+Not the king's crown , nor the deputed sword ,
+The marshal's truncheon , nor the judge's robe ,
+Become them with one half so good a grace
+As mercy does .
+If he had been as you , and you as he ,
+You would have slipt like him ; but he , like you ,
+Would not have been so stern .
+
+Pray you , be gone .
+
+I would to heaven I had your potency ,
+And you were Isabel ! should it then be thus ?
+No ; I would tell what 'twere to be a judge ,
+And what a prisoner .
+
+Ay , touch him ; there's the vein .
+
+Your brother is a forfeit of the law ,
+And you but waste your words .
+
+Alas ! alas !
+Why , all the souls that were were forfeit once ;
+And He that might the vantage best have took ,
+Found out the remedy . How would you be ,
+If He , which is the top of judgment , should
+But judge you as you are ? O ! think on that ,
+And mercy then will breathe within your lips ,
+Like man new made .
+
+Be you content , fair maid ;
+It is the law , not I , condemn your brother :
+Were he my kinsman , brother , or my son ,
+It should be thus with him : he must die to-morrow .
+
+To-morrow ! O ! that's sudden ! Spare him , spare him !
+He's not prepar'd for death . Even for our kitchens
+We kill the fowl of season : shall we serve heaven
+With less respect than we do minister
+To our gross selves ? Good , good my lord , bethink you :
+Who is it that hath died for this offence ?
+There's many have committed it .
+
+Ay , well said .
+
+The law hath not been dead , though it hath slept :
+Those many had not dar'd to do that evil ,
+If that the first that did th' edict infringe
+Had answer'd for his deed : now 'tis awake ,
+Takes note of what is done , and , like a prophet ,
+Looks in a glass , that shows what future evils ,
+Either new , or by remissness new-conceiv'd ,
+And so in progress to be hatch'd and born ,
+Are now to have no successive degrees ,
+But , ere they live , to end .
+
+Yet show some pity .
+
+I show it most of all when I show justice ;
+For then I pity those I do not know ,
+Which a dismiss'd offence would after gall ,
+And do him right , that , answering one foul wrong ,
+Lives not to act another . Be satisfied :
+Your brother dies to-morrow : be content .
+
+So you must be the first that gives this sentence ,
+And he that suffers . O ! it is excellent
+To have a giant's strength , but it is tyrannous
+To use it like a giant .
+
+That's well said .
+
+Could great men thunder
+As Jove himself does , Jove would ne'er be quiet ,
+For every pelting , petty officer
+Would use his heaven for thunder ; nothing but thunder .
+Merciful heaven !
+Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt
+Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled oak
+Than the soft myrtle ; but man , proud man ,
+Drest in a little brief authority ,
+Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd ,
+His glassy essence , like an angry ape ,
+Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
+As make the angels weep ; who , with our spleens ,
+Would all themselves laugh mortal .
+
+O , to him , to him , wench ! He will relent :
+He's coming : I perceive't .
+
+Pray heaven she win him !
+
+We cannot weigh our brother with ourself :
+Great men may jest with saints ; 'tis wit in them ,
+But , in the less foul profanation .
+
+Thou'rt in the right , girl : more o' that .
+
+That in the captain's but a choleric word ,
+Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy .
+
+Art advis'd o' that ? more on 't .
+
+Why do you put these sayings upon me ?
+
+Because authority , though it err like others ,
+Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself ,
+That skins the vice o' the top . Go to your bosom ;
+Knock there , and ask your heart what it doth know
+That's like my brother's fault : if it confess
+A natural guiltiness such as is his ,
+Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue
+Against my brother's life .
+
+She speaks , and 'tis
+Such sense that my sense breeds with it . Fare you well .
+
+Gentle my lord , turn back .
+
+I will bethink me . Come again to-morrow .
+
+Hark how I'll bribe you . Good my lord , turn back .
+
+How ! bribe me ?
+
+Ay , with such gifts that heaven shall share with you .
+
+You had marr'd all else .
+
+Not with fond sicles of the tested gold ,
+Or stones whose rates are either rich or poor
+As fancy values them ; but with true prayers
+That shall be up at heaven and enter there
+Ere sun-rise : prayers from preserved souls ,
+From fasting maids whose minds are dedicate
+To nothing temporal .
+
+Well ; come to me to-morrow .
+
+Go to ; 'tis well : away !
+
+Heaven keep your honour safe !
+
+Amen :
+For I am that way going to temptation ,
+Where prayers cross .
+
+At what hour to-morrow
+Shall I attend your lordship ?
+
+At any time 'fore noon .
+
+Save your honour !
+
+
+From thee ; even from thy virtue !
+What's this ? what's this ? Is this her fault or mine ?
+The tempter or the tempted , who sins most ?
+Ha !
+Not she ; nor doth she tempt : but it is I ,
+That , lying by the violet in the sun ,
+Do as the carrion does , not as the flower ,
+Corrupt with virtuous season . Can it be
+That modesty may more betray our sense
+Than woman's lightness ? Having waste ground enough ,
+Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary ,
+And pitch our evils there ? O , fie , fie , fie !
+What dost thou , or what art thou , Angelo ?
+Dost thou desire her foully for those things
+That make her good ? O , let her brother live !
+Thieves for their robbery have authority
+When judges steal themselves . What ! do I love her ,
+That I desire to hear her speak again ,
+And feast upon her eyes ? What is't I dream on ?
+O cunning enemy , that , to catch a saint ,
+With saints dost bait thy hook ! Most dangerous
+Is that temptation that doth goad us on
+To sin in loving virtue : never could the strumpet ,
+With all her double vigour , art and nature ,
+Once stir my temper ; but this virtuous maid
+Subdues me quite . Ever till now ,
+When men were fond , I smil'd and wonder'd how .
+
+
+Hail to you , provost ! so I think you are .
+
+I am the provost . What's your will , good friar ?
+
+Bound by my charity and my bless'd order ,
+I come to visit the afflicted spirits
+Here in the prison : do me the common right
+To let me see them and to make me know
+The nature of their crimes , that I may minister
+To them accordingly .
+
+I would do more than that , if more were needful .
+Look , here comes one : a gentlewoman of mine ,
+Who , falling in the flaws of her own youth ,
+Hath blister'd her report . She is with child ,
+And he that got it , sentenc'd ; a young man
+More fit to do another such offence ,
+Than die for this .
+
+
+When must he die ?
+
+As I do think , to-morrow .
+
+
+I have provided for you : stay a while ,
+And you shall be conducted .
+
+Repent you , fair one , of the sin you carry ?
+
+I do , and bear the shame most patiently .
+
+I'll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience ,
+And try your penitence , if it be sound ,
+Or hollowly put on .
+
+I'll gladly learn .
+
+Love you the man that wrong'd you ?
+
+Yes , as I love the woman that wrong'd him .
+
+So then it seems your most offenceful act
+Was mutually committed ?
+
+Mutually .
+
+Then was your sin of heavier kind than his .
+
+I do confess it , and repent it , father .
+
+'Tis meet so , daughter : but lest you do repent ,
+As that the sin hath brought you to this shame ,
+Which sorrow is always toward ourselves , not heaven ,
+Showing we would not spare heaven as we love it ,
+But as we stand in fear ,
+
+I do repent me , as it is an evil ,
+And take the shame with joy .
+
+There rest .
+Your partner , as I hear , must die to-morrow ,
+And I am going with instruction to him .
+God's grace go with you ! Benedicite !
+
+
+Must die to-morrow ! O injurious love ,
+That respites me a life , whose very comfort
+Is still a dying horror !
+
+'Tis pity of him .
+
+
+When I would pray and think , I think and pray
+To several subjects : heaven hath my empty words ,
+Whilst my invention , hearing not my tongue ,
+Anchors on Isabel : heaven in my mouth ,
+As if I did but only chew his name ,
+And in my heart the strong and swelling evil
+Of my conception . The state , whereon I studied ,
+Is like a good thing , being often read ,
+Grown fear'd and tedious ; yea , my gravity ,
+Wherein , let no man hear me , I take pride ,
+Could I with boot change for an idle plume ,
+Which the air beats for vain . O place ! O form !
+How often dost thou with thy case , thy habit ,
+Wrench awe from fools , and tie the wiser souls
+To thy false seeming ! Blood , thou art blood :
+Let's write good angel on the devil's horn ,
+'Tis not the devil's crest .
+
+How now ! who's there ?
+
+One Isabel , a sister ,
+Desires access to you .
+
+Teach her the way .
+
+O heavens !
+Why does my blood thus muster to my heart ,
+Making both it unable for itself ,
+And dispossessing all my other parts
+Of necessary fitness ?
+So play the foolish throngs with one that swounds ;
+Come all to help him , and so stop the air
+By which he should revive : and even so
+The general , subject to a well-wish'd king ,
+Quit their own part , and in obsequious fondness
+Crowd to his presence , where their untaught love
+Must needs appear offence .
+
+How now , fair maid !
+
+I am come to know your pleasure .
+
+That you might know it , would much better please me ,
+Than to demand what 'tis . Your brother cannot live .
+
+Even so . Heaven keep your honour !
+
+Yet may he live awhile ; and , it may be ,
+As long as you or I : yet he must die .
+
+Under your sentence ?
+
+Yea .
+
+When , I beseech you ? that in his reprieve ,
+Longer or shorter , he may be so fitted
+That his soul sicken not .
+
+Ha ! fie , these filthy vices ! It were as good
+To pardon him that hath from nature stolen
+A man already made , as to remit
+Their saucy sweetness that do coin heaven's image
+In stamps that are forbid : 'tis all as easy
+Falsely to take away a life true made ,
+As to put metal in restrained means
+To make a false one .
+
+'Tis set down so in heaven , but not in earth .
+
+Say you so ? then I shall pose you quickly .
+Which had you rather , that the most just law
+Now took your brother's life ; or , to redeem him ,
+Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness
+As she that he hath stain'd ?
+
+Sir , believe this ,
+I had rather give my body than my soul .
+
+I talk not of your soul . Our compell'd sins
+Stand more for number than for accompt .
+
+How say you ?
+
+Nay , I'll not warrant that ; for I can speak
+Against the thing I say . Answer to this :
+I , now the voice of the recorded law ,
+Pronounce a sentence on your brother's life :
+Might there not be a charity in sin
+To save this brother's life ?
+
+Please you to do't ,
+I'll take it as a peril to my soul ;
+It is no sin at all , but charity .
+
+Pleas'd you to do't , at peril of your soul ,
+Were equal poise of sin and charity .
+
+That I do beg his life , if it be sin ,
+Heaven let me bear it ! you granting of my suit ,
+If that be sin , I'll make it my morn prayer
+To have it added to the faults of mine ,
+And nothing of your answer .
+
+Nay , but hear me .
+Your sense pursues not mine : either you are ignorant ,
+Or seem so craftily ; and that's not good .
+
+Let me be ignorant , and in nothing good ,
+But graciously to know I am no better .
+
+Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright
+When it doth tax itself ; as these black masks
+Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder
+Than beauty could , display'd . But mark me ;
+To be received plain , I'll speak more gross :
+Your brother is to die .
+
+So .
+
+And his offence is so , as it appears
+Accountant to the law upon that pain .
+
+True .
+
+Admit no other way to save his life ,
+As I subscribe not that , nor any other ,
+But in the loss of question ,that you , his sister ,
+Finding yourself desir'd of such a person ,
+Whose credit with the judge , or own great place ,
+Could fetch your brother from the manacles
+Of the all-building law ; and that there were
+No earthly mean to save him , but that either
+You must lay down the treasures of your body
+To this suppos'd , or else to let him suffer ;
+What would you do ?
+
+As much for my poor brother , as myself :
+That is , were I under the terms of death ,
+Th' impression of keen whips I'd wear as rubies ,
+And strip myself to death , as to a bed
+That , longing , have been sick for , ere I'd yield
+My body up to shame .
+
+Then must your brother die .
+
+And 'twere the cheaper way :
+Better it were a brother died at once ,
+Than that a sister , by redeeming him ,
+Should die for ever .
+
+Were not you then as cruel as the sentence
+That you have slander'd so ?
+
+Ignomy in ransom and free pardon
+Are of two houses : lawful mercy
+Is nothing kin to foul redemption .
+
+You seem'd of late to make the law a tyrant ;
+And rather prov'd the sliding of your brother
+A merriment than a vice .
+
+O , pardon me , my lord ! it oft falls out ,
+To have what we would have , we speak not what we mean .
+I something do excuse the thing I hate ,
+For his advantage that I dearly love .
+
+We are all frail .
+
+Else let my brother die ,
+If not a feodary , but only he
+Owe and succeed thy weakness .
+
+Nay , women are frail too .
+
+Ay , as the glasses where they view themselves ,
+Which are as easy broke as they make forms .
+Women ! Help heaven ! men their creation mar
+In profiting by them . Nay , call us ten times frail ,
+For we are soft as our complexions are ,
+And credulous to false prints .
+
+I think it well :
+And from this testimony of your own sex ,
+Since I suppose we are made to be no stronger
+Than faults may shake our frames ,let me be bold ;
+I do arrest your words . Be that you are ,
+That is , a woman ; if you be more , you're none ;
+If you be one , as you are well express'd
+By all external warrants , show it now ,
+By putting on the destin'd livery .
+
+I have no tongue but one : gentle my lord ,
+Let me entreat you speak the former language .
+
+Plainly conceive , I love you .
+
+My brother did love Juliet ; and you tell me
+That he shall die for't .
+
+He shall not , Isabel , if you give me love .
+
+I know your virtue hath a licence in't .
+Which seems a little fouler than it is ,
+To pluck on others .
+
+Believe me , on mine honour ,
+My words express my purpose .
+
+Ha ! little honour to be much believ'd ,
+And most pernicious purpose ! Seeming , seeming !
+I will proclaim thee , Angelo ; look for't :
+Sign me a present pardon for my brother ,
+Or with an outstretch'd throat I'll tell the world aloud
+What man thou art .
+
+Who will believe thee , Isabel ?
+My unsoil'd name , the austereness of my life ,
+My vouch against you , and my place i' the state ,
+Will so your accusation overweigh ,
+That you shall stifle in your own report
+And smell of calumny . I have begun ;
+And now I give my sensual race the rein :
+Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite ;
+Lay by all nicety and prolixious blushes ,
+That banish what they sue for ; redeem thy brother
+By yielding up thy body to my will ,
+Or else he must not only die the death ,
+But thy unkindness shall his death draw out
+To lingering sufferance . Answer me to-morrow ,
+Or , by the affection that now guides me most ,
+I'll prove a tyrant to him . As for you ,
+Say what you can , my false o'erweighs your true .
+
+
+To whom should I complain ? Did I tell this ,
+Who would believe me ? O perilous mouths !
+That bear in them one and the self-same tongue ,
+Either of condemnation or approof ,
+Bidding the law make curt'sy to their will ;
+Hooking both right and wrong to th' appetite ,
+To follow as it draws . I'll to my brother :
+Though he hath fallen by prompture of the blood ,
+Yet hath he in him such a mind of honour ,
+That , had he twenty heads to tender down
+On twenty bloody blocks , he'd yield them up ,
+Before his sister should her body stoop
+To such abhorr'd pollution .
+Then , Isabel , live chaste , and , brother , die :
+More than our brother is our chastity .
+I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request ,
+And fit his mind to death , for his soul's rest .
+
+So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo ?
+
+The miserable have no other medicine
+But only hope :
+I have hope to live , and am prepar'd to die .
+
+Be absolute for death ; either death or life
+Shall thereby be the sweeter . Reason thus with life :
+If I do lose thee , I do lose a thing
+That none but fools would keep : a breath thou art ,
+Servile to all the skyey influences ,
+That dost this habitation , where thou keep'st ,
+Hourly afflict . Merely , thou art death's fool ;
+For him thou labour'st by thy flight to shun ,
+And yet run'st toward him still . Thou art not noble :
+For all th' accommodations that thou bear'st
+Are nurs'd by baseness . Thou art by no means valiant ;
+For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork
+Of a poor worm . Thy best of rest is sleep ,
+And that thou oft provok'st ; yet grossly fear'st
+Thy death , which is no more . Thou art not thyself ;
+For thou exist'st on many a thousand grains
+That issue out of dust . Happy thou art not ;
+For what thou hast not , still thou striv'st to get ,
+And what thou hast , forget'st . Thou art not certain ;
+For thy complexion shifts to strange effects ,
+After the moon . If thou art rich , thou'rt poor ;
+For , like an ass whose back with ingots bows ,
+Thou bear'st thy heavy riches but a journey ,
+And death unloads thee . Friend hast thou none ;
+For thine own bowels , which do call thee sire ,
+The mere effusion of thy proper loins ,
+Do curse the gout , serpigo , and the rheum ,
+For ending thee no sooner . Thou hast nor youth nor age ;
+But , as it were , an after-dinner's sleep ,
+Dreaming on both ; for all thy blessed youth
+Becomes as aged , and doth beg the alms
+Of palsied eld ; and when thou art old and rich ,
+Thou hast neither heat , affection , limb , nor beauty ,
+To make thy riches pleasant . What's yet in this
+That bears the name of life ? Yet in this life
+Lie hid moe thousand deaths : yet death we fear ,
+That makes these odds all even .
+
+I humbly thank you .
+To sue to live , I find I seek to die ,
+And , seeking death , find life : let it come on .
+
+What ho ! Peace here ; grace and good company !
+
+Who's there ? come in : the wish deserves a welcome .
+
+Dear sir , ere long I'll visit you again .
+
+Most holy sir , I thank you .
+
+
+My business is a word or two with Claudio .
+
+And very welcome . Look , signior ; here's your sister .
+
+Provost , a word with you .
+
+As many as you please .
+
+Bring me to hear them speak , where I may be conceal'd .
+
+
+Now , sister , what's the comfort ?
+
+Why , as all comforts are ; most good , most good indeed .
+Lord Angelo , having affairs to heaven ,
+Intends you for his swift ambassador ,
+Where you shall be an everlasting leiger :
+Therefore , your best appointment make with speed ;
+To-morrow you set on .
+
+Is there no remedy ?
+
+None , but such remedy , as to save a head
+To cleave a heart in twain .
+
+But is there any ?
+
+Yes , brother , you may live :
+There is a devilish mercy in the judge ,
+If you'll implore it , that will free your life ,
+But fetter you till death .
+
+Perpetual durance ?
+
+Ay , just ; perpetual durance , a restraint ,
+Though all the world's vastidity you had ,
+To a determin'd scope .
+
+But in what nature ?
+
+In such a one as , you consenting to't ,
+Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear ,
+And leave you naked .
+
+Let me know the point .
+
+O , I do fear thee , Claudio ; and I quake ,
+Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain ,
+And six or seven winters more respect
+Than a perpetual honour . Dar'st thou die ?
+The sense of death is most in apprehension ,
+And the poor beetle , that we tread upon ,
+In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great
+As when a giant dies .
+
+Why give you me this shame ?
+Think you I can a resolution fetch
+From flowery tenderness ? If I must die ,
+I will encounter darkness as a bride ,
+And hug it in mine arms .
+
+There spake my brother : there my father's grave
+Did utter forth a voice . Yes , thou must die :
+Thou art too noble to conserve a life
+In base appliances . This outward-sainted deputy ,
+Whose settled visage and deliberate word
+Nips youth i' the head , and follies doth enmew
+As falcon doth the fowl , is yet a devil ;
+His filth within being cast , he would appear
+A pond as deep as hell .
+
+The prenzie Angelo ?
+
+O , 'tis the cunning livery of hell ,
+The damned'st body to invest and cover
+In prenzie guards ! Dost thou think , Claudio ?
+If I would yield him my virginity ,
+Thou mightst be freed .
+
+O heavens ! it cannot be .
+
+Yes , he would give't thee , from this rank offence ,
+So to offend him still . This night's the time
+That I should do what I abhor to name ,
+Or else thou diest to-morrow .
+
+Thou shalt not do't .
+
+O ! were it but my life ,
+I'd throw it down for your deliverance
+As frankly as a pin .
+
+Thanks , dear Isabel .
+
+Be ready , Claudio , for your death to-morrow .
+
+Yes . Has he affections in him ,
+That thus can make him bite the law by the nose ,
+When he would force it ? Sure , it is no sin ;
+Or of the deadly seven it is the least .
+
+Which is the least ?
+
+If it were damnable , he being so wise ,
+Why would he for the momentary trick
+Be perdurably fin'd ? O Isabel !
+
+What says my brother ?
+
+Death is a fearful thing .
+
+And shamed life a hateful .
+
+Ay , but to die , and go we know not where ;
+To lie in cold obstruction and to rot ;
+This sensible warm motion to become
+A kneaded clod ; and the delighted spirit
+To bathe in fiery floods , or to reside
+In thrilling region of thick-ribbed ice ;
+To be imprison'd in the viewless winds ,
+And blown with restless violence round about
+The pendant world ; or to be worse than worst
+Of those that lawless and incertain thoughts
+Imagine howling : 'tis too horrible !
+The weariest and most loathed worldly life
+That age , ache , penury and imprisonment
+Can lay on nature is a paradise
+To what we fear of death .
+
+Alas ! alas !
+
+Sweet sister , let me live :
+What sin you do to save a brother's life ,
+Nature dispenses with the deed so far
+That it becomes a virtue .
+
+O you beast !
+O faithless coward ! O dishonest wretch !
+Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice ?
+Is't not a kind of incest , to take life
+From thine own sister's shame ? What should I think ?
+Heaven shield my mother play'd my father fair ;
+For such a warped slip of wilderness
+Ne'er issu'd from his blood . Take my defiance ;
+Die , perish ! Might but my bending down
+Reprieve thee from thy fate , it should proceed .
+I'll pray a thousand prayers for thy death ,
+No word to save thee .
+
+Nay , hear me , Isabel .
+
+O , fie , fie , fie !
+Thy sin's not accidental , but a trade .
+Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd :
+'Tis best that thou diest quickly .
+
+
+O hear me , Isabella .
+
+
+Vouchsafe a word , young sister , but one word .
+
+What is your will ?
+
+Might you dispense with your leisure , I would by and by have some speech with you : the satisfaction I would require is likewise your own benefit .
+
+I have no superfluous leisure : my stay must be stolen out of other affairs ; but I will attend you a while .
+
+Son , I have overheard what hath past between you and your sister . Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her ; only he hath made an assay of her virtue to practise his judgment with the disposition of natures . She , having the truth of honour in her , hath made him that gracious denial which he is most glad to receive : I am confessor to Angelo , and I know this to be true ; therefore prepare yourself to death . Do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible : to-morrow you must die ; go to your knees and make ready .
+
+Let me ask my sister pardon . I am so out of love with life that I will sue to be rid of it .
+
+Hold you there : farewell .
+
+
+Provost , a word with you .
+
+What's your will , father ?
+
+That now you are come , you will be gone . Leave me awhile with the maid : my mind promises with my habit no loss shall touch her by my company .
+
+In good time .
+
+
+The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good : the goodness that is cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness ; but grace , being the soul of your complexion , shall keep the body of it ever fair . The assault that Angelo hath made to you , fortune hath conveyed to my understanding ; and , but that frailty hath examples for his falling , I should wonder at Angelo . How would you do to content this substitute , and to save your brother ?
+
+I am now going to resolve him ; I had rather my brother die by the law than my son should be unlawfully born . But O , how much is the good duke deceived in Angelo ! If ever he return and I can speak to him . I will open my lips in vain , or discover his government .
+
+That shall not be much amiss : yet , as the matter now stands , he will avoid your accusation ; 'he made trial of you only .' Therefore , fasten your ear on my advisings : to the love I have in doing good a remedy presents itself . I do make myself believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit , redeem your brother from the angry law , do no stain to your own gracious person , and much please the absent duke , if peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing of this business .
+
+Let me hear you speak further . I have spirit to do anything that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit .
+
+Virtue is bold , and goodness never fearful . Have you not heard speak of Mariana , the sister of Frederick , the great soldier who miscarried at sea ?
+
+I have heard of the lady , and good words went with her name .
+
+She should this Angelo have married ; was affianced to her by oath , and the nuptial appointed : between which time of the contract , and limit of the solemnity , her brother Frederick was wracked at sea , having in that perished vessel the dowry of his sister . But mark how heavily this befell to the poor gentlewoman : there she lost a noble and renowned brother , in his love toward her ever most kind and natural ; with him the portion and sinew of her fortune , her marriage-dowry with both , her combinate husband , this well-seeming Angelo .
+
+Can this be so ? Did Angelo so leave her ?
+
+Left her in her tears , and dried not one of them with his comfort ; swallowed his vows whole , pretending in her discoveries of dishonour : in few , bestowed her on her own lamentation , which she yet wears for his sake ; and he , a marble to her tears , is washed with them , but relents not .
+
+What a merit were it in death to take this poor maid from the world ! What corruption in this life , that it will let this man live ! But how out of this can she avail ?
+
+It is a rupture that you may easily heal ; and the cure of it not only saves your brother , but keeps you from dishonour in doing it .
+
+Show me how , good father .
+
+This forenamed maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection : his unjust unkindness , that in all reason should have quenched her love , hath , like an impediment in the current , made it more violent and unruly . Go you to Angelo : answer his requiring with a plausible obedience : agree with his demands to the point ; only refer yourself to this advantage , first , that your stay with him may not be long , that the time may have all shadow and silence in it , and the place answer to convenience . This being granted in course , and now follows all , we shall advise this wronged maid to stead up your appointment , go in your place ; if the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter , it may compel him to her recompense ; and here by this is your brother saved , your honour untainted , the poor Mariana advantaged , and the corrupt deputy scaled . The maid will I frame and make fit for his attempt . If you think well to carry this , as you may , the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof . What think you of it ?
+
+The image of it gives me content already , and I trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection .
+
+It lies much in your holding up . Haste you speedily to Angelo : if for this night he entreat you to his bed , give him promise of satisfaction . I will presently to St . Luke's ; there , at the moated grange , resides this dejected Mariana : at that place call upon me , and dispatch with Angelo , that it may be quickly .
+
+I thank you for this comfort . Fare you well , good father .
+
+
+Nay , if there be no remedy for it , but that you will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts , we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard .
+
+O heavens ! what stuff is here ?
+
+'Twas never merry world , since , of two usuries , the merriest was put down , and the worser allowed by order of law a furred gown to keep him warm ; and furred with fox and lamb skins too , to signify that craft , being richer than innocency , stands for the facing .
+
+Come your way , sir . Bless you , good father friar .
+
+And you , good brother father . What offence hath this man made you , sir ?
+
+Marry , sir , he hath offended the law : and , sir , we take him to be a thief too , sir ; for we have found upon him , sir , a strange picklock , which we have sent to the deputy .
+
+Fie , sirrah : a bawd , a wicked bawd !
+The evil that thou causest to be done ,
+That is thy means to live . Do thou but think
+What 'tis to cram a maw or clothe a back
+From such a filthy vice : say to thyself ,
+From their abominable and beastly touches
+I drink , I eat , array myself , and live .
+Canst thou believe thy living is a life ,
+So stinkingly depending ? Go mend , go mend .
+
+Indeed , it does stink in some sort , sir ; but yet , sir , I would prove
+
+Nay , if the devil have given thee proofs for sin ,
+Thou wilt prove his . Take him to prison , officer ;
+Correction and instruction must both work
+Ere this rude beast will profit .
+
+He must before the deputy , sir ; he has given him warning . The deputy cannot abide a whoremaster : if he be a whoremonger , and comes before him , he were as good go a mile on his errand .
+
+That we were all , as some would seem to be ,
+From our faults , as faults from seeming , free !
+
+His neck will come to your waist ,a cord , sir .
+
+I spy comfort : I cry , bail . Here's a gentleman and a friend of mine .
+
+
+How now , noble Pompey ! What , at the wheels of C sar ? Art thou led in triumph ? What , is there none of Pygmalion's images , newly made woman , to he had now , for putting the hand in the pocket and extracting it clutched ? What reply ? ha ? What say'st thou to this tune , matter and method ? Is't not drowned i' the last rain , ha ? What sayest thou Trot ? Is the world as it was , man ? Which is the way ? Is it sad , and few words , or how ? The trick of it ?
+
+Still thus , and thus , still worse !
+
+How doth my dear morsel , thy mistress ? Procures she still , ha ?
+
+Troth , sir , she hath eaten up all her beef , and she is herself in the tub .
+
+Why , 'tis good ; it is the right of it ; it must be so : ever your fresh whore and your powdered bawd : an unshunned consequence ; it must be so . Art going to prison , Pompey ?
+
+Yes , faith , sir .
+
+Why , 'tis not amiss , Pompey . Farewell . Go , say I sent thee thither . For debt , Pompey ? or how ?
+
+For being a bawd , for being a bawd .
+
+Well , then , imprison him . If imprisonment be the due of a bawd , why , 'tis his right : bawd is he , doubtless , and of antiquity too ; bawd-born . Farewell , good Pompey . Commend me to the prison , Pompey . You will turn good husband now , Pompey ; you will keep the house .
+
+I hope , sir , your good worship will be my bail .
+
+No , indeed will I not , Pompey ; it is not the wear . I will pray , Pompey , to increase your bondage : if you take it not patiently , why , your mettle is the more . Adieu , trusty Pompey . Bless you , friar .
+
+And you .
+
+Does Bridget paint still , Pompey , ha ?
+
+Come your ways , sir ; come .
+
+You will not bail me then , sir ?
+
+Then , Pompey , nor now . What news abroad , friar ? What news ?
+
+Come your ways , sir ; come .
+
+Go to kennel , Pompey ; go .
+
+What news , friar , of the duke ?
+
+I know none . Can you tell me of any ?
+
+Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia ; other some , he is in Rome : but where is he , think you ?
+
+I know not where ; but wheresoever , I wish him well .
+
+It was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal from the state , and usurp the beggary he was never born to . Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence ; he puts transgression to't .
+
+He does well in't .
+
+A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him : something too crabbed that way , friar .
+
+It is too general a vice , and severity must cure it .
+
+Yes , in good sooth , the vice is of a great kindred ; it is well allied ; but it is impossible to extirp it quite , friar , till eating and drinking be put down . They say this Angelo was not made by man and woman after this downright way of creation : is it true , think you ?
+
+How should he be made , then ?
+
+Some report a sea-maid spawn'd him ; some that he was begot between two stock-fishes . But it is certain that when he makes water his urine is congealed ice ; that I know to be true ; and he is a motion generative ; that's infallible .
+
+You are pleasant , sir , and speak apace .
+
+Why , what a ruthless thing is this in him , for the rebellion of a cod-piece to take away the life of a man ! Would the duke that is absent have done this ? Ere he would have hanged a man for the getting a hundred bastards , he would have paid for the nursing a thousand : he had some feeling of the sport ; he knew the service , and that instructed him to mercy .
+
+I never heard the absent duke much detected for women ; he was not inclined that way .
+
+O , sir , you are deceived .
+
+'Tis not possible .
+
+Who ? not the duke ? yes , your beggar of fifty , and his use was to put a ducat in her clack-dish ; the duke had crotchets in him . He would be drunk too ; that let me inform you .
+
+You do him wrong , surely .
+
+Sir , I was an inward of his . A shy fellow was the duke ; and , I believe I know the cause of his withdrawing .
+
+What , I prithee , might be the cause ?
+
+No , pardon ; 'tis a secret must be locked within the teeth and the lips ; but this I can let you understand , the greater file of the subject held the duke to be wise .
+
+Wise ! why , no question but he was .
+
+A very superficial , ignorant , unweighing fellow .
+
+Either this is envy in you , folly , or mistaking : the very stream of his life and the business he hath helmed must , upon a warranted need , give him a better proclamation . Let him be but testimonied in his own bringings forth , and he shall appear to the envious a scholar , a statesman and a soldier . Therefore you speak unskilfully ; or , if your knowledge be more , it is much darkened in your malice .
+
+Sir , I know him , and I love him .
+
+Love talks with better knowledge , and knowledge with dearer love .
+
+Come , sir , I know what I know .
+
+I can hardly believe that , since you know not what you speak . But , if ever the duke return ,as our prayers are he may ,let me desire you to make your answer before him : if it be honest you have spoke , you have courage to maintain it . I am bound to call upon you ; and , I pray you , your name ?
+
+Sir , my name is Lucio , well known to the duke .
+
+He shall know you better , sir , if I may live to report you .
+
+I fear you not .
+
+O ! you hope the duke will return no more , or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite . But indeed I can do you little harm ; you'll forswear this again .
+
+I'll be hanged first : thou art deceived in me , friar . But no more of this . Canst thou tell if Claudio die to-morrow or no ?
+
+Why should he die , sir ?
+
+Why ? for filling a bottle with a tundish . I would the duke we talk of were returned again : this ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with continency ; sparrows must not build in his house-eaves , because they are lecherous . The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered ; he would never bring them to light : would he were returned ! Marry , this Claudio is condemned for untrussing . Farewell , good friar ; I prithee , pray for me . The duke , I say to thee again , would eat mutton on Fridays . He's not past it yet , and I say to thee , he would mouth with a beggar , though she smelt brown bread and garlic : say that I said so . Farewell .
+
+
+No might nor greatness in mortality
+Can censure 'scape : back-wounding calumny
+The whitest virtue strikes . What king so strong
+Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue ?
+But who comes here ?
+
+
+Go ; away with her to prison !
+
+Good my lord , be good to me ; your honour is accounted a merciful man ; good my lord .
+
+Double and treble admonition , and still forfeit in the same kind ? This would make mercy swear , and play the tyrant .
+
+A bawd of eleven years' continuance , may it please your honour .
+
+My lord , this is one Lucio's information against me . Mistress Kate Keepdown was with child by him in the duke's time ; he promised her marriage ; his child is a year and a quarter old , come Philip and Jacob : I have kept it myself , and see how he goes about to abuse me !
+
+That fellow is a fellow of much licence : let him be called before us . Away with her to prison ! Go to ; no more words .
+
+Provost , my brother Angelo will not be altered ; Claudio must die to-morrow . Let him be furnished with divines , and have all charitable preparation : if my brother wrought by my pity , it should not be so with him .
+
+So please you , this friar hath been with him , and advised him for the entertainment of death .
+
+Good even , good father .
+
+Bliss and goodness on you !
+
+Of whence are you ?
+
+Not of this country , though my chance is now
+To use it for my time : I am a brother
+Of gracious order , late come from the See ,
+In special business from his Holiness .
+
+What news abroad i' the world ?
+
+None , but there is so great a fever on goodness , that the dissolution of it must cure it : novelty is only in request ; and it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course , as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking : there is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure , but security enough to make fellowships accursed . Much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world . This news is old enough , yet it is every day's news . I pray you , sir , of what disposition was the duke ?
+
+One that , above all other strifes , contended especially to know himself .
+
+What pleasure was he given to ?
+
+Rather rejoicing to see another merry , than merry at anything which professed to make him rejoice : a gentleman of all temperance . But leave we him to his events , with a prayer they may prove prosperous ; and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared . I am made to understand , that you have lent him visitation .
+
+He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge , but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice ; yet had he framed to himself , by the instruction of his frailty , many deceiving promises of life , which I , by my good leisure have discredited to him , and now is he resolved to die .
+
+You have paid the heavens your function , and the prisoner the very debt of your calling . I have laboured for the poor gentleman to the extremest shore of my modesty ; but my brother justice have I found so severe , that he hath forced me to tell him he is indeed Justice .
+
+If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding , it shall become him well ; wherein if he chance to fail , he hath sentenced himself .
+
+I am going to visit the prisoner . Fare you well .
+
+Peace be with you !
+
+He , who the sword of heaven will bear
+Should be as holy as severe ;
+Pattern in himself to know ,
+Grace to stand , and virtue go ;
+More nor less to others paying
+Than by self offences weighing .
+Shame to him whose cruel striking
+Kills for faults of his own liking !
+Twice treble shame on Angelo ,
+To weed my vice and let his grow !
+O , what may man within him hide ,
+Though angel on the outward side !
+How many likeness made in crimes ,
+Making practice on the times ,
+To draw with idle spiders' strings
+Most pond'rous and substantial things !
+Craft against vice I must apply :
+With Angelo to-night shall lie
+His old betrothed but despis'd :
+So disguise shall , by the disguis'd ,
+Pay with falsehood false exacting ,
+And perform an old contracting .
+
+Take , O take those lips away ,
+That so sweetly were forsworn ;
+And those eyes , the break of day ,
+Lights that do mislead the morn :
+But my kisses bring again ,
+bring again ,
+Seals of love , but seal'd in vain ,
+seal'd in vain .
+
+
+Break off thy song , and haste thee quick away :
+Here comes a man of comfort , whose advice
+Hath often still'd my brawling discontent .
+
+I cry you mercy , sir ; and well could wish
+You had not found me here so musical :
+Let me excuse me , and believe me so ,
+
+My mirth it much displeas'd , but pleas'd my woe .
+
+'Tis good ; though music oft hath such a charm
+To make bad good , and good provoke to harm .
+I pray you tell me , hath anybody inquired for me here to-day ? much upon this time have I promised here to meet .
+
+You have not been inquired after : I have sat here all day .
+
+I do constantly believe you . The time is come even now . I shall crave your forbearance a little ; may be I will call upon you anon , for some advantage to yourself .
+
+I am always bound to you .
+
+Very well met , and well come .
+What is the news from this good deputy ?
+
+He hath a garden circummur'd with brick ,
+Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd ;
+And to that vineyard is a planched gate ,
+That makes his opening with this bigger key ;
+This other doth command a little door
+Which from the vineyard to the garden leads ;
+There have I made my promise
+Upon the heavy middle of the night
+To call upon him .
+
+But shall you on your knowledge find this way ?
+
+I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't :
+With whispering and most guilty diligence ,
+In action all of precept , he did show me
+The way twice o'er .
+
+Are there no other tokens
+Between you 'greed concerning her observance ?
+
+No , none , but only a repair i' the dark ;
+And that I have possess'd him my most stay
+Can be but brief ; for I have made him know
+I have a servant comes with me along ,
+That stays upon me , whose persuasion is
+I come about my brother .
+
+'Tis well borne up .
+I have not yet made known to Mariana
+A word of this . What ho ! within ! come forth .
+
+
+I pray you , be acquainted with this maid ;
+
+She comes to do you good .
+
+I do desire the like .
+
+Do you persuade yourself that I respect you ?
+
+Good friar , I know you do , and oft have found it .
+
+Take then this your companion by the hand ,
+Who hath a story ready for your ear .
+I shall attend your leisure : but make haste ;
+The vaporous night approaches .
+
+Will't please you walk aside ?
+
+
+O place and greatness ! millions of false eyes
+Are stuck upon thee : volumes of report
+Run with these false and most contrarious quests
+Upon thy doings : thousand escapes of wit
+Make thee the father of their idle dream ,
+And rack thee in their fancies !
+
+Welcome ! How agreed ?
+
+She'll take the enterprise upon her , father ,
+If you advise it .
+
+It is not my consent ,
+But my entreaty too .
+
+Little have you to say
+When you depart from him , but , soft and low ,
+'Remember now my brother .'
+
+Fear me not .
+
+Nor , gentle daughter , fear you not at all .
+He is your husband on a pre-contract :
+To bring you thus together , 'tis no sin ,
+Sith that the justice of your title to him
+Doth flourish the deceit . Come , let us go :
+Our corn's to reap , for yet our tithe's to sow .
+
+
+Come hither , sirrah . Can you cut off a man's head ?
+
+If the man be a bachelor , sir , I can ; but if he be a married man , he is his wife's head , and I can never cut off a woman's head .
+
+Come , sir , leave me your snatches , and yield me a direct answer . To-morrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine . Here is in our prison a common executioner , who in his office lacks a helper : if you will take it on you to assist him , it shall redeem you from your gyves ; if not , you shall have your full time of imprisonment , and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping , for you have been a notorious bawd .
+
+Sir , I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind ; but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman . I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellow partner .
+
+What ho , Abhorson ! Where's Abhorson , there ?
+
+
+Do you call , sir ?
+
+Sirrah , here's a fellow will help you to-morrow in your execution . If you think it meet , compound with him by the year , and let him abide here with you ; if not , use him for the present , and dismiss him . He cannot plead his estimation with you ; he hath been a bawd .
+
+A bawd , sir ? Fie upon him ! he will discredit our mystery .
+
+Go to , sir ; you weigh equally ; a feather will turn the scale .
+
+
+Pray , sir , by your good favour for surely , sir , a good favour you have , but that you have a hanging look ,do you call , sir , your occupation a mystery ?
+
+Ay , sir ; a mystery .
+
+Painting , sir , I have heard say , is a mystery ; and your whores , sir , being members of my occupation , using painting , do prove my occupation a mystery : but what mystery there should be in hanging , if I should be hanged , I cannot imagine .
+
+Sir , it is a mystery .
+
+Proof ?
+
+Every true man's apparel fits your thief .
+
+If it be too little for your thief , your true man thinks it big enough ; if it be too big for your thief , your thief thinks it little enough : so , every true man's apparel fits your thief .
+
+
+Are you agreed ?
+
+Sir , I will serve him ; for I do find that your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd , he doth often ask forgiveness .
+
+You , sirrah , provide your block and your axe to-morrow four o'clock .
+
+Come on , bawd ; I will instruct thee in my trade ; follow .
+
+I do desire to learn , sir ; and , I hope , if you have occasion to use me for your own turn , you shall find me yare ; for , truly , sir , for your kindness I owe you a good turn .
+
+Call hither Barnardine and Claudio :
+
+The one has my pity ; not a jot the other ,
+Being a murderer , though he were my brother .
+
+
+Look , here's the warrant , Claudio , for thy death :
+'Tis now dead midnight , and by eight to-morrow
+
+Thou must be made immortal . Where's Barnardine ?
+
+As fast lock'd up in sleep as guiltless labour
+When it lies starkly in the traveller's bones ;
+He will not wake .
+
+Who can do good on him ?
+Well , go ; prepare yourself .
+
+But hark , what noise ?
+Heaven give your spirits comfort !
+
+By and by .
+I hope it is some pardon or reprieve
+For the most gentle Claudio .
+
+Welcome , father .
+
+The best and wholesom'st spirits of the night
+Envelop you , good provost ! Who call'd here of late ?
+
+None since the curfew rung .
+
+Not Isabel ?
+
+No .
+
+They will , then , ere't be long .
+
+What comfort is for Claudio ?
+
+There's some in hope .
+
+It is a bitter deputy .
+
+Not so , not so : his life is parallel'd
+Even with the stroke and line of his great justice :
+He doth with holy abstinence subdue
+That in himself which he spurs on his power
+To qualify in others : were he meal'd with that
+Which he corrects , then were he tyrannous ;
+But this being so , he's just .
+
+Now are they come .
+
+This is a gentle provost : seldom when
+The steeled gaoler is the friend of men .
+
+How now ! What noise ? That spirit's possess'd with haste
+That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes .
+
+
+There he must stay until the officer
+Arise to let him in ; he is call'd up .
+
+Have you no countermand for Claudio yet ,
+But he must die to-morrow ?
+
+None , sir , none .
+
+As near the dawning , provost , as it is ,
+You shall hear more ere morning .
+
+Happily
+You something know ; yet , I believe there comes
+No countermand : no such example have we .
+Besides , upon the very siege of justice ,
+Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
+Profess'd the contrary .
+
+This is his lordship's man .
+
+And here comes Claudio's pardon .
+
+My lord hath sent you this note ; and by me this further charge , that you swerve not from the smallest article of it , neither in time , matter , or other circumstance . Good morrow ; for , as I take it , it is almost day .
+
+I shall obey him .
+
+
+This is his pardon , purchased by such sin
+For which the pardoner himself is in ;
+Hence hath offence his quick celerity ,
+When it is borne in high authority .
+When vice makes mercy , mercy's so extended ,
+That for the fault's love is the offender friended .
+Now , sir , what news ?
+
+I told you ; Lord Angelo , belike thinking me remiss in mine office , awakens me with this unwonted putting on ; methinks strangely , for he hath not used it before .
+
+Pray you , let's hear .
+
+Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary , let Claudio be executed by four of the clock ; and , in the afternoon , Barnardine . For my better satisfaction , let me have Claudio's head sent me by five . Let this be duly performed ; with a thought that more depends on it than we must yet deliver . Thus fail not to do your office , as you will answer it at your peril .
+What say you to this , sir ?
+
+What is that Barnardine who is to be executed this afternoon ?
+
+A Bohemian born , but here nursed up and bred ; one that is a prisoner nine years old .
+
+How came it that the absent duke had not either delivered him to his liberty or executed him ? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so .
+
+His friends still wrought reprieves for him ; and , indeed , his fact , till now in the government of Lord Angelo , came not to an undoubtful proof .
+
+It is now apparent ?
+
+Most manifest , and not denied by himself .
+
+Hath he borne himself penitently in prison ? How seems he to be touched ?
+
+A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep ; careless , reckless , and fearless of what's past , present , or to come ; insensible of mortality , and desperately mortal .
+
+He wants advice .
+
+He will hear none . He hath evermore had the liberty of the prison : give him leave to escape hence , he would not : drunk many times a day , if not many days entirely drunk . We have very oft awaked him , as if to carry him to execution , and showed him a seeming warrant for it : it hath not moved him at all .
+
+More of him anon . There is written in your brow , provost , honesty and constancy ; if I read it not truly , my ancient skill beguiles me ; but , in the boldness of my cunning I will lay myself in hazard . Claudio , whom here you have warrant to execute , is no greater forfeit to the law than Angalo who hath sentenced him . To make you understand this in a manifested effect , I crave but four days' respite , for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy .
+
+Pray , sir , in what ?
+
+In the delaying death .
+
+Alack ! how may I do it , having the hour limited , and an express command , under penalty , to deliver his head in the view of Angelo ? I may make my case as Claudio's to cross this in the smallest .
+
+By the vow of mine order I warrant you , if my instructions may be your guide . Let this Barnardine be this morning executed , and his head borne to Angelo .
+
+Angelo hath seen them both , and will discover the favour .
+
+O ! death's a great disguiser , and you may add to it . Shave the head , and tie the beard ; and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death : you know the course is common . If anything fall to you upon this , more than thanks and good fortune , by the saint whom I profess , I will plead against it with my life .
+
+Pardon me , good father ; it is against my oath .
+
+Were you sworn to the duke or to the deputy ?
+
+To him , and to his substitutes .
+
+You will think you have made no offence , if the duke avouch the justice of your dealing ?
+
+But what likelihood is in that ?
+
+Not a resemblance , but a certainty . Yet since I see you fearful , that neither my coat , integrity , nor persuasion can with ease attempt you , I will go further than I meant , to pluck all fears out of you . Look you , sir ; here is the hand and seal of the duke : you know the character , I doubt not , and the signet is not strange to you .
+
+I know them both .
+
+The contents of this is the return of the duke : you shall anon over-read if at your pleasure , where you shall find within these two days , he will be here . This is a thing that Angelo knows not , for he this very day receives letters of strange tenour ; perchance of the duke's death ; perchance , his entering into some monastery ; but , by chance , nothing of what is writ . Look , the unfolding star calls up the shepherd . Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be : all difficulties are but easy when they are known . Call your executioner , and off with Barnardine's head : I will give him a present shrift and advise him for a better place . Yet you are amaz'd , but this shall absolutely resolve you . Come away ; it is almost clear dawn .
+
+
+I am as well acquainted here as I was in our house of profession : one would think it were Mistress Overdone's own house , for here be many of her old customers . First , here's young Master Rash ; he's in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger , nine-score and seventeen pounds , of which he made five marks , ready money : marry , then ginger was not much in request , for the old women were all dead . Then is there here one Master Caper , at the suit of Master Three-pile the mercer , for some four suits of peach-colour'd satin , which now peaches him a beggar . Then have we young Dizy , and young Master Deep-vow , and Master Copperspur , and Master Starve-lackey the rapier and dagger man , and young Drop-heir that kill'd lusty Pudding , and Master Forthlight , the tilter , and brave Master Shoe-tie the great traveller , and wild Half-can that stabbed Pots , and , I think , forty more ; all great doers in our trade , and are now 'for the Lord's sake .'
+
+
+Sirrah , bring Barnardine hither .
+
+Master Barnardine ! you must rise and be hanged , Master Barnardine .
+
+What ho ! Barnardine !
+
+A pox o' your throats !
+Who makes that noise there ? What are you ?
+
+Your friends , sir ; the hangman . You must be so good , sir , to rise and be put to death .
+
+Away ! you rogue , away !
+I am sleepy .
+
+Tell him he must awake , and that quickly too .
+
+Pray , Master Barnardine , awake till you are executed , and sleep afterwards .
+
+Go in to him , and fetch him out .
+
+He is coming , sir , he is coming ; I hear his straw rustle .
+
+Is the axe upon the block , sirrah ?
+
+Very ready , sir .
+
+
+How now , Abhorson ! what's the news with you ?
+
+Truly , sir , I would desire you to clap into your prayers ; for , look you , the warrant's come .
+
+You rogue , I have been drinking all night ; I am not fitted for't .
+
+O , the better , sir ; for he that drinks all night , and is hang'd betimes in the morning , may sleep the sounder all the next day .
+
+Look you , sir ; here comes your ghostly father : do we jest now , think you ?
+
+
+Sir , induced by my charity , and hearing how hastily you are to depart , I am come to advise you , comfort you , and pray with you .
+
+Friar , not I : I have been drinking hard all night , and I will have more time to prepare me , or they shall beat out my brains with billets . I will not consent to die this day , that's certain .
+
+O , sir , you must ; and therefore , I beseech you look forward on the journey you shall go .
+
+I swear I will not die to-day for any man's persuasion .
+
+But hear you .
+
+Not a word : if you have anything to say to me , come to my ward ; for thence will not I to day .
+
+Unfit to live or die . O , gravel heart !
+After him fellows : bring him to the block .
+
+
+Now , sir , how do you find the prisoner ?
+
+A creature unprepar'd , unmeet for death ;
+And , to transport him in the mind he is
+Were damnable .
+
+Here in the prison , father ,
+There died this morning of a cruel fever
+One Ragozine , a most notorious pirate ,
+A man of Claudio's years ; his beard and head
+Just of his colour . What if we do omit
+This reprobate till he were well inclin'd ,
+And satisfy the deputy with the visage
+Of Ragozine , more like to Claudio ?
+
+O , 'tis an accident that heaven provides !
+Dispatch it presently : the hour draws on
+Prefix'd by Angelo . See this be done ,
+And sent according to command , whiles I
+Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die .
+
+This shall be done , good father , presently .
+But Barnardine must die this afternoon :
+And how shall we continue Claudio ,
+To save me from the danger that might come
+If he were known alive ?
+
+Let this be done :
+Put them in secret holds , both Barnardine and Claudio :
+Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting
+To the under generation , you shall find
+Your safety manifested .
+
+I am your free dependant .
+
+Quick , dispatch ,
+And send the head to Angelo .
+
+Now will I write letters to Angelo ,
+The provost , he shall bear them ,whose contents
+Shall witness to him I am near at home ,
+And that , by great injunctions , I am bound
+To enter publicly : him I'll desire
+To meet me at the consecrated fount
+A league below the city ; and from thence ,
+By cold gradation and well-balanc'd form ,
+We shall proceed with Angelo .
+
+
+Here is the head ; I'll carry it myself .
+
+Convenient is it . Make a swift return ,
+For I would commune with you of such things
+That want no ear but yours .
+
+I'll make all speed .
+
+
+Peace , ho , be here !
+
+The tongue of Isabel . She's come to know
+If yet her brother's pardon be come hither ;
+But I will keep her ignorant of her good ,
+To make her heavenly comforts of despair ,
+When it is least expected .
+
+
+Ho ! by your leave .
+
+Good morning to you , fair and gracious daughter .
+
+The better , given me by so holy a man .
+Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon ?
+
+He hath releas'd him , Isabel , from the world :
+His head is off and sent to Angelo .
+
+Nay , but it is not so .
+
+It is no other : show your wisdom , daughter ,
+In your close patience .
+
+O ! I will to him and pluck out his eyes !
+
+You shall not be admitted to his sight .
+
+Unhappy Claudio ! Wretched Isabel !
+Injurious world ! Most damned Angelo !
+
+This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot ;
+Forbear it therefore ; give your cause to heaven .
+Mark what I say , which you shall find
+By every syllable a faithful verity .
+The duke comes home to-morrow ; nay , dry your eyes :
+One of our covent , and his confessor ,
+Gives me this instance : already he hath carried
+Notice to Escalus and Angelo ,
+Who do prepare to meet him at the gates ,
+There to give up their power . If you can , pace your wisdom
+In that good path that I would wish it go ,
+And you shall have your bosom on this wretch ,
+Grace of the Duke , revenges to your heart ,
+And general honour .
+
+I am directed by you .
+
+This letter then to Friar Peter give ;
+'Tis that he sent me of the duke's return :
+Say , by this token , I desire his company
+At Mariana's house to-night . Her cause and yours ,
+I'll perfect him withal , and he shall bring you
+Before the duke ; and to the head of Angelo
+Accuse him home , and home . For my poor self ,
+I am combined by a sacred vow
+And shall be absent . Wend you with this letter .
+Command these fretting waters from your eyes
+With a light heart : trust not my holy order ,
+If I pervert your course . Who's here ?
+
+
+Good even . Friar , where is the provost ?
+
+Not within , sir .
+
+O pretty Isabella , I am pale at mine heart to see thine eyes so red : thou must be patient . I am fain to dine and sup with water and bran ; I dare not for my head fill my belly ; one fruitful meal would set me to't . But they say the duke will be here to-morrow . By my troth , Isabel , I loved thy brother : if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home , he had lived .
+
+
+Sir , the duke is marvellous little beholding to your reports ; but the best is , he lives not in them .
+
+Friar , thou knowest not the duke so well as I do : he's a better woodman than thou takest him for .
+
+Well , you'll answer this one day .
+Fare ye well .
+
+Nay , tarry ; I'll go along with thee : I can tell thee pretty tales of the duke .
+
+You have told me too many of him already , sir , if they be true ; if not true , none were enough .
+
+I was once before him for getting a wench with child .
+
+Did you such a thing ?
+
+Yes , marry , did I ; but I was fain to forswear it : they would else have married me to the rotten medlar .
+
+Sir , your company is fairer than honest .
+Rest you well .
+
+By my troth , I'll go with thee to the lane's end . If bawdy talk offend you , we'll have very little of it . Nay , friar , I am a kind of burr ; I shall stick .
+
+
+Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other .
+
+In most uneven and distracted manner .
+His actions show much like to madness : pray heaven his wisdom be not tainted ! And why meet him at the gates , and redeliver our authorities there ?
+
+I guess not .
+
+And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering , that if any crave redress of injustice , they should exhibit their petitions in the street ?
+
+He shows his reason for that : to have a dispatch of complaints , and to deliver us from devices hereafter , which shall then have no power to stand against us .
+
+Well , I beseech you , let it be proclaim'd :
+Betimes i' the morn I'll call you at your house ;
+Give notice to such men of sort and suit
+As are to meet him .
+
+I shall , sir : fare you well .
+
+Good night .
+
+This deed unshapes me quite , makes me unpregnant
+And dull to all proceedings . A deflower'd maid ,
+And by an eminent body that enforc'd
+The law against it ! But that her tender shame
+Will not proclaim against her maiden loss ,
+How might she tongue me ! Yet reason dares her no :
+For my authority bears so credent bulk ,
+That no particular scandal once can touch :
+But it confounds the breather . He should have liv'd ,
+Save that his riotous youth , with dangerous sense ,
+Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge ,
+By so receiving a dishonour'd life
+With ransom of such shame . Would yet he had liv'd !
+Alack ! when once our grace we have forgot ,
+Nothing goes right : we would , and we would not .
+
+
+These letters at fit time deliver me .
+
+The provost knows our purpose and our plot .
+The matter being afoot , keep your instruction ,
+And hold you ever to our special drift ,
+Though sometimes you do blench from this to that ,
+As cause doth minister . Go call at Flavius' house ,
+And tell him where I stay : give the like notice
+To Valentinus , Rowland , and to Crassus ,
+And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate ;
+But send me Flavius first .
+
+It shall be speeded well .
+
+I thank thee , Varrius ; thou hast made good haste .
+Come , we will walk . There's other of our friends
+Will greet us here anon , my gentle Varrius .
+
+
+To speak so indirectly I am loath :
+I would say the truth ; but to accuse him so ,
+That is your part : yet I'm advis'd to do it ;
+He says , to veil full purpose .
+
+Be rul'd by him .
+
+Besides , he tells me that if peradventure
+He speak against me on the adverse side ,
+I should not think it strange ; for 'tis a physic
+That's bitter to sweet end .
+
+I would , Friar Peter
+
+O , peace ! the friar is come .
+
+
+Come ; I have found you out a stand most fit ,
+Where you may have such vantage on the duke ,
+He shall not pass you . Twice have the trumpets sounded :
+The generous and gravest citizens
+Have hent the gates , and very near upon
+The duke is ent'ring : therefore hence , away !
+
+My very worthy cousin , fairly met !
+Our old and faithful friend , we are glad to see you .
+
+Happy return be to your royal Grace !
+
+Happy return be to your royal Grace !
+
+Many and hearty thankings to you both .
+We have made inquiry of you ; and we hear
+Such goodness of your justice , that our soul
+Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks ,
+Forerunning more requital .
+
+You make my bonds still greater .
+
+O ! your desert speaks loud ; and I should wrong it ,
+To lock it in the wards of covert bosom ,
+When it deserves , with characters of brass ,
+A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time
+And razure of oblivion . Give me your hand ,
+And let the subject see , to make them know
+That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
+Favours that keep within . Come , Escalus ,
+You must walk by us on our other hand ;
+And good supporters are you .
+
+
+Now is your time : speak loud and kneel before him .
+
+Justice , O royal duke ! Vail your regard
+Upon a wrong'd , I'd fain have said , a maid !
+O worthy prince ! dishonour not your eye
+By throwing it on any other object
+Till you have heard me in my true complaint
+And given me justice , justice , justice , justice !
+
+Relate your wrongs : in what ? by whom ? Be brief ;
+Here is Lord Angelo , shall give you justice :
+Reveal yourself to him .
+
+O worthy duke !
+You bid me seek redemption of the devil .
+Hear me yourself ; for that which I must speak
+Must either punish me , not being believ'd ,
+Or wring redress from you . Hear me , O , hear me , here !
+
+My lord , her wits , I fear me , are not firm :
+She hath been a suitor to me for her brother
+Cut off by course of justice ,
+
+By course of justice !
+
+And she will speak most bitterly and strange .
+
+Most strange , but yet most truly , will I speak .
+That Angelo's forsworn , is it not strange ?
+That Angelo's a murderer , is't not strange ?
+That Angelo is an adulterous thief ,
+A hypocrite , a virgin-violator ;
+Is it not strange , and strange ?
+
+Nay , it is ten times strange .
+
+It is not truer he is Angelo
+Than this is all as true as it is strange ;
+Nay , it is ten times true ; for truth is truth
+To the end of reckoning .
+
+Away with her ! poor soul ,
+She speaks this in the infirmity of sense .
+
+O prince , I conjure thee , as thou believ'st
+There is another comfort than this world ,
+That thou neglect me not , with that opinion
+That I am touch'd with madness . Make not impossible
+That which but seems unlike . 'Tis not impossible
+But one , the wicked'st caitiff on the ground ,
+May seem as shy , as grave , as just , as absolute
+As Angelo ; even so may Angelo ,
+In all his dressings , characts , titles , forms ,
+Be an arch-villain . Believe it , royal prince :
+If he be less , he's nothing ; but he's more ,
+Had I more name for badness .
+
+By mine honesty ,
+If she be mad ,as I believe no other ,
+Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense ,
+Such a dependency of thing on thing ,
+As e'er I heard in madness .
+
+O gracious duke !
+Harp not on that ; nor do not banish reason
+For inequality ; but let your reason serve
+To make the truth appear where it seems hid ,
+And hide the false seems true .
+
+Many that are not mad
+Have , sure , more lack of reason . What would you say ?
+
+I am the sister of one Claudio ,
+Condemn'd upon the act of fornication
+To lose his head ; condemn'd by Angelo .
+I , in probation of a sisterhood ,
+Was sent to by my brother ; one Lucio
+As then the messenger ,
+
+That's I , an't like your Grace :
+I came to her from Claudio , and desir'd her
+To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo
+For her poor brother's pardon .
+
+That's he indeed .
+
+You were not bid to speak .
+
+No , my good lord ;
+Nor wish'd to hold my peace .
+
+I wish you now , then ;
+Pray you , take note of it ; and when you have
+A business for yourself , pray heaven you then
+Be perfect .
+
+I warrant your honour .
+
+The warrant's for yourself : take heed to it .
+
+This gentleman told somewhat of my tale ,
+
+Right .
+
+It may be right ; but you are in the wrong
+To speak before your time . Proceed .
+
+I went
+To this pernicious caitiff deputy .
+
+That's somewhat madly spoken .
+
+Pardon it ;
+The phrase is to the matter .
+
+Mended again : the matter ; proceed .
+
+In brief , to set the needless process by ,
+How I persuaded , how I pray'd , and kneel'd ,
+How he refell'd me , and how I replied ,
+For this was of much length ,the vile conclusion
+I now begin with grief and shame to utter .
+He would not , but by gift of my chaste body
+To his concupiscible intemperate lust ,
+Release my brother ; and , after much debatement ,
+My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour ,
+And I did yield to him . But the next morn betimes ,
+His purpose surfeiting , he sends a warrant
+For my poor brother's head .
+
+This is most likely !
+
+O , that it were as like as it is true !
+
+By heaven , fond wretch ! thou know'st not what thou speak'st ,
+Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour
+In hateful practice . First , his integrity
+Stands without blemish ; next , it imports no reason
+That with such vehemency he should pursue
+Faults proper to himself : if he had so offended ,
+He would have weigh'd thy brother by himself ,
+And not have cut him off . Some one hath set you on :
+Confess the truth , and say by whose advice
+Thou cam'st here to complain .
+
+And is this all ?
+Then , O you blessed ministers above ,
+Keep me in patience ; and , with ripen'd time
+Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
+In countenance ! Heaven shield your Grace from woe ,
+As I , thus wrong'd , hence unbelieved go !
+
+I know you'd fain be gone . An officer !
+To prison with her ! Shall we thus permit
+A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
+On him so near us ? This needs must be a practice .
+Who knew of your intent and coming hither ?
+
+One that I would were here , Friar Lodowick .
+
+A ghostly father , belike . Who knows that Lodowick ?
+
+My lord , I know him ; 'tis a meddling friar ;
+I do not like the man : had he been lay , my lord ,
+For certain words he spake against your Grace
+In your retirement , I had swing'd him soundly .
+
+Words against me ! This' a good friar , belike !
+And to set on this wretched woman here
+Against our substitute ! Let this friar be found .
+
+But yesternight , my lord , she and that friar ,
+I saw them at the prison : a saucy friar ,
+A very scurvy fellow .
+
+Bless'd be your royal Grace !
+I have stood by , my lord , and I have heard
+Your royal ear abus'd . First , hath this woman
+Most wrongfully accus'd your substitute ,
+Who is as free from touch or soil with her ,
+As she from one ungot .
+
+We did believe no less .
+Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of ?
+
+I know him for a man divine and holy ;
+Not scurvy , nor a temporary meddler ,
+As he's reported by this gentleman ;
+And , on my trust , a man that never yet
+Did , as he vouches , misreport your Grace .
+
+My lord , most villanously ; believe it .
+
+Well ; he in time may come to clear himself ,
+But at this instant he is sick , my lord ,
+Of a strange fever . Upon his mere request ,
+Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
+Intended 'gainst Lord Angelo , came I hither ,
+To speak , as from his mouth , what he doth know
+Is true and false ; and what he with his oath
+And all probation will make up full clear ,
+Whensoever he's convented . First , for this woman ,
+To justify this worthy nobleman ,
+So vulgarly and personally accus'd ,
+Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes ,
+Till she herself confess it .
+
+Good friar , let's hear it .
+
+Do you not smile at this , Lord Angelo ?
+O heaven , the vanity of wretched fools !
+Give us some seats . Come , cousin Angelo ;
+In this I'll be impartial ; be you judge
+Of your own cause . Is this the witness , friar ?
+First , let her show her face , and after speak .
+
+Pardon , my lord ; I will not show my face
+Until my husband bid me .
+
+What , are you married ?
+
+No , my lord .
+
+Are you a maid ?
+
+No , my lord .
+
+A widow , then ?
+
+Neither , my lord .
+
+Why , you
+Are nothing , then : neither maid , widow , nor wife ?
+
+My lord , she may be a punk ; for many of them are neither maid , widow , nor wife .
+
+Silence that fellow : I would he had some cause
+To prattle for himself .
+
+Well , my lord .
+
+My lord , I do confess I ne'er was married ;
+And I confess besides I am no maid :
+I have known my husband yet my husband knows not
+That ever he knew me .
+
+He was drunk then my lord : it can be no better .
+
+For the benefit of silence , would thou wert so too !
+
+Well , my lord .
+
+This is no witness for Lord Angelo .
+
+Now I come to't , my lord :
+She that accuses him of fornication ,
+In self-same manner doth accuse my husband ;
+And charges him , my lord , with such a time ,
+When , I'll depose , I had him in mine arms ,
+With all th' effect of love .
+
+Charges she moe than me ?
+
+Not that I know .
+
+No ? you say your husband .
+
+Why , just , my lord , and that is Angelo ,
+Who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body
+But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel's .
+
+This is a strange abuse . Let's see thy face .
+
+My husband bids me ; now I will unmask .
+
+This is that face , thou cruel Angelo ,
+Which once thou swor'st was worth the looking on :
+This is the hand which , with a vow'd contract ,
+Was fast belock'd in thine : this is the body
+That took away the match from Isabel ,
+And did supply thee at thy garden-house
+In her imagin'd person .
+
+Know you this woman ?
+
+Carnally , she says .
+
+Sirrah , no more !
+
+Enough , my lord .
+
+My lord , I must confess I know this woman ;
+And five years since there was some speech of marriage
+Betwixt myself and her , which was broke off ,
+Partly for that her promised proportions
+Came short of composition ; but , in chief
+For that her reputation was disvalu'd
+In levity : since which time of five years
+I never spake with her , saw her , nor heard from her ,
+Upon my faith and honour .
+
+Noble prince ,
+As there comes light from heaven and words from breath ,
+As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue ,
+I am affianc'd this man's wife as strongly
+As words could make up vows : and , my good lord ,
+But Tuesday night last gone in 's garden-house
+He knew me as a wife . As this is true ,
+Let me in safety raise me from my knees
+Or else for ever be confixed here ,
+A marble monument .
+
+I did but smile till now :
+Now , good my lord , give me the scope of justice ;
+My patience here is touch'd . I do perceive
+These poor informal women are no more
+But instruments of some more mightier member
+That sets them on . Let me have way , my lord ,
+To find this practice out .
+
+Ay , with my heart ;
+And punish them unto your height of pleasure .
+Thou foolish friar , and thou pernicious woman ,
+Compact with her that's gone , think'st thou thy oaths ,
+Though they would swear down each particular saint ,
+Were testimonies against his worth and credit
+That's seal'd in approbation ? You , Lord Escalus ,
+Sit with my cousin ; lend him your kind pains
+To find out this abuse , whence 'tis deriv'd .
+There is another friar that set them on ;
+Let him be sent for .
+
+Would he were here , my lord ; for he indeed
+Hath set the women on to this complaint :
+Your provost knows the place where he abides
+And he may fetch him .
+
+Go do it instantly .
+
+And you , my noble and well-warranted cousin ,
+Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth ,
+Do with your injuries as seems you best ,
+In any chastisement : I for awhile will leave you ;
+But stir not you , till you have well determin'd
+Upon these slanderers .
+
+My lord , we'll do it throughly .
+
+Signior Lucio , did not you say you knew that
+Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person ?
+
+Cucullus non facit monachum : honest in nothing , but in his clothes ; and one that hath spoke most villanous speeches of the duke .
+
+We shall entreat you to abide here till he come and enforce them against him . We shall find this friar a notable fellow .
+
+As any in Vienna , on my word .
+
+Call that same Isabel here once again :
+I would speak with her .
+
+
+Pray you , my lord , give me leave to question ; you shall see how I'll handle her .
+
+Not better than he , by her own report .
+
+Say you ?
+
+Marry , sir , I think , if you handled her privately , she would sooner confess : perchance , publicly , she'll be ashamed .
+
+I will go darkly to work with her .
+
+That's the way : for women are light at midnight .
+
+
+Come on , mistress : here's a gentlewoman denies all that you have said .
+
+My lord , here comes the rascal I spoke of ; here with the provost .
+
+In very good time : speak not you to him , till we call upon you .
+
+
+Mum .
+
+Come , sir . Did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo ? they have confessed you did .
+
+'Tis false .
+
+How ! know you where you are ?
+
+Respect to your great place ! and let the devil
+Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne .
+Where is the duke ? 'tis he should hear me speak .
+
+The duke's in us , and we will hear you speak :
+Look you speak justly .
+
+Boldly , at least . But , O , poor souls !
+Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox ?
+Good night to your redress ! Is the duke gone ?
+Then is your cause gone too . The duke's unjust ,
+Thus to retort your manifest appeal ,
+And put your trial in the villain's mouth
+Which here you come to accuse .
+
+This is the rascal : this is he I spoke of .
+
+Why , thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar !
+Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd these women
+To accuse this worthy man , but , in foul mouth ,
+And in the witness of his proper ear ,
+To call him villain ?
+And then to glance from him to the duke himself .
+To tax him with injustice ? take him hence ;
+To the rack with him ! We'll touse you joint by joint ,
+But we will know his purpose . What ! 'unjust' ?
+
+Be not so hot ; the duke
+Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he
+Dare rack his own : his subject am I not ,
+Nor here provincial . My business in this state
+Made me a looker-on here in Vienna ,
+Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble
+Till it o'er-run the stew : laws for all faults ,
+But faults so countenanc'd , that the strong statutes
+Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop ,
+As much in mock as mark .
+
+Slander to the state ! Away with him to prison !
+
+What can you vouch against him , Signior Lucio ?
+Is this the man that you did tell us of ?
+
+'Tis he , my lord . Come hither , goodman bald-pate : do you know me ?
+
+I remember you , sir , by the sound of your voice : I met you at the prison , in the absence of the duke .
+
+O ! did you so ? And do you remember what you said of the duke ?
+
+Most notedly , sir .
+
+Do you so , sir ? And was the duke a flesh-monger , a fool , and a coward , as you then reported him to be ?
+
+You must , sir , change persons with me , ere you make that my report : you , indeed , spoke so of him ; and much more , much worse .
+
+O thou damnable fellow ! Did not I pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches ?
+
+I protest I love the duke as I love myself .
+
+Hark how the villain would close now , after his treasonable abuses !
+
+Such a fellow is not to be talk'd withal .
+Away with him to prison ! Where is the provost ?
+Away with him to prison ! Lay bolts enough on him , let him speak no more . Away with those giglots too , and with the other confederate companion !
+
+
+Stay , sir ; stay awhile .
+
+What ! resists he ? Help him , Lucio .
+
+Come , sir ; come , sir ; come , sir ; foh ! sir . Why , you bald-pated , lying rascal , you must be hooded , must you ? show your knave's visage , with a pox to you ! show your sheepbiting face , and be hanged an hour ! Will't not off ?
+
+
+Thou art the first knave that e'er made a duke .
+First , provost , let me bail these gentle three .
+
+
+Sneak not away , sir ; for the friar and you
+Must have a word anon . Lay hold on him .
+
+This may prove worse than hanging .
+
+What you have spoke I pardon ; sit you down :
+We'll borrow place of him .
+
+Sir , by your leave .
+Hast thou or word , or wit , or impudence ,
+That yet can do thee office ? If thou hast ,
+Rely upon it till my tale be heard ,
+And hold no longer out .
+
+O my dread lord !
+I should be guiltier than my guiltiness ,
+To think I can be undiscernible
+When I perceive your Grace , like power divine ,
+Hath look'd upon my passes . Then , good prince ,
+No longer session hold upon my shame ,
+But let my trial be mine own confession :
+Immediate sentence then and sequent death
+Is all the grace I beg .
+
+Come hither , Mariana ,
+Say , wast thou e'er contracted to this woman ?
+
+I was , my lord .
+
+Go take her hence , and marry her instantly .
+Do you the office , friar ; which consummate ,
+Return him here again . Go with him , provost .
+
+
+My lord , I am more amaz'd at his dishonour
+Than at the strangeness of it .
+
+Come hither , Isabel .
+Your friar is now your prince : as I was then
+Advertising and holy to your business ,
+Not changing heart with habit , I am still
+Attorney'd at your service .
+
+O , give me pardon ,
+That I , your vassal , have employ'd and pain'd
+Your unknown sovereignty !
+
+You are pardon'd , Isabel :
+And now , dear maid , be you as free to us .
+Your brother's death , I know , sits at your heart ;
+And you may marvel why I obscur'd myself ,
+Labouring to save his life , and would not rather
+Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power
+Than let him so be lost . O most kind maid !
+It was the swift celerity of his death ,
+Which I did think with slower foot came on ,
+That brain'd my purpose : but , peace be with him !
+That life is better life , past fearing death ,
+Than that which lives to fear : make it your comfort ,
+So happy is your brother .
+
+I do , my lord .
+
+
+For this new-married man approaching here ,
+Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd
+Your well-defended honour , you must pardon
+For Mariana's sake . But as he adjudg'd your brother ,
+Being criminal , in double violation
+Of sacred chastity , and of promise-breach ,
+Thereon dependent , for your brother's life ,
+The very mercy of the law cries out
+Most audible , even from his proper tongue ,
+'An Angelo for Claudio , death for death !'
+Haste still pays haste , and leisure answers leisure ,
+Like doth quit like , and Measure still for Measure .
+Then , Angelo , thy fault's thus manifested ,
+Which , though thou wouldst deny , denies thee vantage .
+We do condemn thee to the very block
+Where Claudio stoop'd to death , and with like haste .
+Away with him !
+
+O , my most gracious lord !
+I hope you will not mock me with a husband .
+
+It is your husband mock'd you with a husband .
+Consenting to the safeguard of your honour ,
+I thought your marriage fit ; else imputation ,
+For that he knew you , might reproach your life
+And choke your good to come . For his possessions ,
+Although by confiscation they are ours ,
+We do instate and widow you withal ,
+To buy you a better husband .
+
+O my dear lord !
+I crave no other , nor no better man .
+
+Never crave him ; we are definitive .
+
+Gentle my liege ,
+
+You do but lose your labour .
+Away with him to death !
+
+Now , sir , to you .
+
+O my good lord ! Sweet Isabel , take my part :
+Lend me your knees , and , all my life to come ,
+I'll lend you all my life to do you service ,
+
+Against all sense you do importune her :
+Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact ,
+Her brother's ghost his paved bed would break ,
+And take her hence in horror .
+
+Isabel ,
+Sweet Isabel , do yet but kneel by me :
+Hold up your hands , say nothing , I'll speak all .
+They say best men are moulded out of faults ,
+And , for the most , become much more the better
+For being a little bad : so may my husband .
+O , Isabel ! will you not lend a knee ?
+
+He dies for Claudio's death .
+
+Most bounteous sir ,
+Look , if it please you , on this man condemn'd ,
+As if my brother liv'd . I partly think
+A due sincerity govern'd his deeds ,
+Till he did look on me : since it is so ,
+Let him not die . My brother had but justice ,
+In that he did the thing for which he died :
+For Angelo ,
+His act did not o'ertake his bad intent ;
+And must be buried but as an intent
+That perish'd by the way . Thoughts are no subjects ;
+Intents but merely thoughts .
+
+Merely , my lord .
+
+Your suit's unprofitable : stand up , I say .
+I have bethought me of another fault .
+Provost , how came it Claudio was beheaded
+At an unusual hour ?
+
+It was commanded so .
+
+Had you a special warrant for the deed ?
+
+No , my good lord ; it was by private message .
+
+For which I do discharge you of your office :
+Give up your keys .
+
+Pardon me , noble lord :
+I thought it was a fault , but knew it not ,
+Yet did repent me , after more advice ;
+For testimony whereof , one in the prison ,
+That should by private order else have died
+I have reserv'd alive .
+
+What's he ?
+
+His name is Barnardine .
+
+I would thou hadst done so by Claudio .
+Go , fetch him hither : let me look upon him .
+
+
+I am sorry , one so learned and so wise
+As you , Lord Angelo , have still appear'd ,
+Should slip so grossly , both in the heat of blood ,
+And lack of temper'd judgment afterward .
+
+I am sorry that such sorrow I procure ;
+And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart
+That I crave death more willingly than mercy :
+'Tis my deserving , and I do entreat it .
+
+
+Which is that Barnardine ?
+
+This , my lord .
+
+There was a friar told me of this man .
+Sirrah , thou art said to have a stubborn soul ,
+That apprehends no further than this world ,
+And squar'st thy life according . Thou'rt condemn'd :
+But , for those earthly faults , I quit them all ,
+And pray thee take this mercy to provide
+For better times to come . Friar , advise him :
+I leave him to your hand .What muffled fellow's that ?
+
+This is another prisoner that I sav'd ,
+That should have died when Claudio lost his head ,
+As like almost to Claudio as himself .
+
+
+If he be like your brother , for his sake
+Is he pardon'd ; and , for your lovely sake
+Give me your hand and say you will be mine ,
+He is my brother too . But fitter time for that .
+By this , Lord Angelo perceives he's safe :
+Methinks I see a quickening in his eye .
+Well , Angelo , your evil quits you well :
+Look that you love your wife ; her worth worth yours .
+I find an apt remission in myself ,
+And yet here's one in place I cannot pardon .
+
+
+You , sirrah , that knew me for a fool , a coward ,
+One all of luxury , an ass , a madman :
+Wherein have I so deserv'd of you ,
+That you extol me thus ?
+
+'Faith , my lord , I spoke it but according to the trick . If you will hang me for it , you may ; but I had rather it would please you I might be whipped .
+
+Whipp'd first , sir , and hang'd after .
+Proclaim it , provost , round about the city ,
+If any woman's wrong'd by this lewd fellow ,
+As I have heard him swear himself there's one
+Whom he begot with child , let her appear ,
+And he shall marry her : the nuptial finish'd ,
+Let him be whipp'd and hang'd .
+
+I beseech your highness , do not marry me to a whore . Your highness said even now , I made you a duke : good my lord , do not recompense me in making me a cuckold .
+
+Upon mine honour , thou shalt marry her .
+Thy slanders I forgive ; and therewithal
+Remit thy other forfeits . Take him to prison ,
+And see our pleasure herein executed .
+
+Marrying a punk , my lord , is pressing to death , whipping , and hanging .
+
+Slandering a prince deserves it .
+She , Claudio , that you wrong'd , look you restore .
+Joy to you , Mariana ! love her , Angelo :
+I have confess'd her and I know her virtue .
+Thanks , good friend Escalus , for thy much goodness :
+There's more behind that is more gratulate .
+Thanks , provost , for thy care and secrecy ;
+We shall employ thee in a worthier place .
+Forgive him , Angelo , that brought you home
+The head of Ragozine for Claudio's :
+The offence pardons itself . Dear Isabel ,
+I have a motion much imports your good ;
+Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline ,
+What's mine is yours , and what is yours is mine .
+So , bring us to our palace ; where we'll show
+What's yet behind , that's meet you all should know .
+
+MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
+
+I learn in this letter that Don Pedro of Arragon comes this night to Messina .
+
+He is very near by this : he was not three leagues off when I left him .
+
+How many gentlemen have you lost in this action ?
+
+But few of any sort , and none of name .
+
+A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings home full numbers . I find here that Don Pedro hath bestowed much honour on a young Florentine called Claudio .
+
+Much deserved on his part and equally remembered by Don Pedro . He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age , doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion : he hath indeed better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how .
+
+He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it .
+
+I have already delivered him letters , and there appears much joy in him ; even so much that joy could not show itself modest enough without a badge of bitterness .
+
+Did he break out into tears ?
+
+In great measure .
+
+A kind overflow of kindness . There are no faces truer than those that are so washed : how much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping !
+
+I pray you is Signior Mountanto returned from the wars or no ?
+
+I know none of that name , lady : there was none such in the army of any sort .
+
+What is he that you ask for , niece ?
+
+My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua .
+
+O ! he is returned , and as pleasant as ever he was .
+
+He set up his bills here in Messina and challenged Cupid at the flight ; and my uncle's fool , reading the challenge , subscribed for Cupid , and challenged him at the bird-bolt . I pray you , how many hath he killed and eaten in these wars ? But how many hath he killed ? for , indeed , I promised to eat all of his killing .
+
+Faith , niece , you tax Signior Benedick too much ; but he'll be meet with you , I doubt it not .
+
+He hath done good service , lady , in these wars .
+
+You had musty victual , and he hath holp to eat it : he is a very valiant trencherman ; he hath an excellent stomach .
+
+And a good soldier too , lady .
+
+And a good soldier to a lady ; but what is he to a lord ?
+
+A lord to a lord , a man to a man , stuffed with all honourable virtues .
+
+It is so , indeed ; he is no less than a stuffed man ; but for the stuffing ,well , we are all mortal .
+
+You must not , sir , mistake my niece There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her : they never meet but there's a skirmish of wit between them .
+
+Alas ! he gets nothing by that . In our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off , and now is the whole man governed with one ! so that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm , let him bear it for a difference between himself and his horse ; for it is all the wealth that he hath left to be known a reasonable creature . Who is his companion now ? He hath every month a new sworn brother .
+
+Is't possible ?
+
+Very easily possible : he wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat ; it ever changes with the next block .
+
+I see , lady , the gentleman is not in your books .
+
+No ; an he were , I would burn my study . But , I pray you , who is his companion ? Is there no young squarer now that will make a voyage with him to the devil ?
+
+He is most in the company of the right noble Claudio .
+
+O Lord ! he will hang upon him like a disease : he is sooner caught than the pestilence , and the taker runs presently mad . God help the noble Claudio ! if he have caught the Benedick , it will cost him a thousand pound ere a' be cured .
+
+I will hold friends with you , lady .
+
+Do , good friend .
+
+You will never run mad , niece .
+
+No , not till a hot January .
+
+Don Pedro is approached .
+
+
+Good Signior Leonato , you are come to meet your trouble : the fashion of the world is to avoid cost , and you encounter it .
+
+Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your Grace , for trouble being gone , comfort should remain ; but when you depart from me , sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave .
+
+You embrace your charge too willingly . I think this is your daughter .
+
+Her mother hath many times told me so .
+
+Were you in doubt , sir , that you asked her ?
+
+Signior Benedick , no ; for then you were a child .
+
+You have it full , Benedick : we may guess by this what you are , being a man . Truly , the lady fathers herself . Be happy , lady , for you are like an honourable father .
+
+If Signior Leonato be her father , she would not have his head on her shoulders for all Messina , as like him as she is .
+
+I wonder that you will still be talking , Signior Benedick : nobody marks you .
+
+What ! my dear Lady Disdain , are you yet living ?
+
+Is it possible Disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick ? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain , if you come in her presence .
+
+Then is courtesy a turncoat . But it is certain I am loved of all ladies , only you excepted ; and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart ; for , truly , I love none .
+
+A dear happiness to women : they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor . I thank God and my cold blood , I am of your humour for that : I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me .
+
+God keep your ladyship still in that mind ; so some gentleman or other shall scape a predestinate scratched face .
+
+Scratching could not make it worse , an 'twere such a face as yours were .
+
+Well , you are a rare parrot-teacher .
+
+A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours .
+
+I would my horse had the speed of your tongue , and so good a continuer . But keep your way , i' God's name ; I have done .
+
+You always end with a jade's trick : I know you of old .
+
+This is the sum of all , Leonato : Signior Claudio , and Signior Benedick , my dear friend Leonato hath invited you all . I tell him we shall stay here at the least a month , and he heartily prays some occasion may detain us longer : I dare swear he is no hypocrite , but prays from his heart .
+
+If you swear , my lord , you shall not be forsworn .
+
+Let me bid you welcome , my lord : being reconciled to the prince your brother , I owe you all duty .
+
+I thank you : I am not of many words , but I thank you .
+
+Please it your Grace lead on ?
+
+Your hand , Leonato ; we will go together .
+
+
+Benedick , didst thou note the daughter of Signior Leonato ?
+
+I noted her not ; but I looked on her .
+
+Is she not a modest young lady ?
+
+Do you question me , as an honest man should do , for my simple true judgment ; or would you have me speak after my custom , as being a professed tyrant to their sex ?
+
+No ; I pray thee speak in sober judgment .
+
+Why , i' faith , methinks she's too low for a high praise , too brown for a fair praise , and too little for a great praise : only this commendation I can afford her , that were she other than she is , she were unhandsome , and being no other but as she is , I do not like her .
+
+Thou thinkest I am in sport : I pray thee tell me truly how thou likest her .
+
+Would you buy her , that you inquire after her ?
+
+Can the world buy such a jewel ?
+
+Yea , and a case to put it into . But speak you this with a sad brow , or do you play the flouting Jack , to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder , and Vulcan a rare carpenter ? Come , in what key shall a man take you , to go in the song ?
+
+In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on .
+
+I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such matter : there's her cousin an she were not possessed with a fury , exceeds her as much in beauty as the first of May doth the last of December . But I hope you have no intent to turn husband , have you ?
+
+I would scarce trust myself , though I had sworn to the contrary , if Hero would be my wife .
+
+Is't come to this , i' faith ? Hath not the world one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion ? Shall I never see a bachelor of three-score again ? Go to , i' faith ; an thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke , wear the print of it , and sigh away Sundays . Look ! Don Pedro is returned to seek you .
+
+
+What secret hath held you here , that you followed not to Leonato's ?
+
+I would your Grace would constrain me to tell .
+
+I charge thee on thy allegiance .
+
+You hear , Count Claudio : I can be secret as a dumb man ; I would have you think so ; but on my allegiance , mark you this , on my allegiance : he is in love . With who ? now that is your Grace's part . Mark how short his answer is : with Hero , Leonato's short daughter .
+
+If this were so , so were it uttered .
+
+Like the old tale , my lord : 'it is not so , nor 'twas not so ; but , indeed , God forbid it should be so .'
+
+If my passion change not shortly , God forbid it should be otherwise .
+
+Amen , if you love her ; for the lady is very well worthy .
+
+You speak this to fetch me in , my lord .
+
+By my troth , I speak my thought .
+
+And in faith , my lord , I spoke mine .
+
+And by my two faiths and troths , my lord , I spoke mine .
+
+That I love her , I feel .
+
+That she is worthy , I know .
+
+That I neither feel how she should be loved nor know how she should be worthy , is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of me : I will die in it at the stake .
+
+Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty .
+
+And never could maintain his part but in the force of his will .
+
+That a woman conceived me , I thank her ; that she brought me up , I likewise give her most humble thanks : but that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead , or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick , all women shall pardon me . Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any , I will do myself the right to trust none ; and the fine is ,for the which I may go the finer ,I will live a bachelor .
+
+I shall see thee , ere I die , look pale with love .
+
+With anger , with sickness , or with hunger , my lord ; not with love : prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will get again with drinking , pick out mine eyes with a ballad-maker's pen , and hang me up at the door of a brothel-house for the sign of blind Cupid .
+
+Well , if ever thou dost fall from this faith , thou wilt prove a notable argument .
+
+If I do , hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me ; and he that hits me , let him be clapped on the shoulder , and called Adam .
+
+Well , as time shall try :
+'In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke .'
+
+The savage bull may ; but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it , pluck off the bull's horns and set them in my forehead ; and let me be vilely painted , and in such great letters as they write , 'Here is good horse to hire ,' let them signify under my sign 'Here you may see Benedick the married man .'
+
+If this should ever happen , thou wouldst be horn-mad .
+
+Nay , if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in Venice , thou wilt quake for this shortly .
+
+I look for an earthquake too then .
+
+Well , you will temporize with the hours . In the meantime , good Signior Benedick , repair to Leonato's : commend me to him and tell him I will not fail him at supper ; for indeed he hath made great preparation .
+
+I have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage ; and so I commit you
+
+To the tuition of God : from my house , if I had it ,
+
+The sixth of July : your loving friend , Benedick .
+
+Nay , mock not , mock not . The body of your discourse is sometime guarded with fragments , and the guards are but slightly basted on neither : ere you flout old ends any further , examine your conscience : and so I leave you .
+
+
+My liege , your highness now may do me good .
+
+My love is thine to teach : teach it but how ,
+And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn
+Any hard lesson that may do thee good .
+
+Hath Leonato any son , my lord ?
+
+No child but Hero ; she's his only heir .
+Dost thou affect her , Claudio ?
+
+O ! my lord ,
+When you went onward on this ended action ,
+I looked upon her with a soldier's eye ,
+That lik'd , but had a rougher task in hand
+Than to drive liking to the name of love ;
+But now I am return'd , and that war-thoughts
+Have left their places vacant , in their rooms
+Come thronging soft and delicate desires ,
+All prompting me how fair young Hero is ,
+Saying , I lik'd her ere I went to wars .
+
+Thou wilt be like a lover presently ,
+And tire the hearer with a book of words .
+If thou dost love fair Hero , cherish it ,
+And I will break with her , and with her father ,
+And thou shalt have her . Was't not to this end
+That thou began'st to twist so fine a story ?
+
+How sweetly do you minister to love ,
+That know love's grief by his complexion !
+But lest my liking might too sudden seem ,
+I would have salv'd it with a longer treatise .
+
+What need the bridge much broader than the flood ?
+The fairest grant is the necessity .
+Look , what will serve is fit : 'tis once , thou lov'st ,
+And I will fit thee with the remedy .
+I know we shall have revelling to-night :
+I will assume thy part in some disguise ,
+And tell fair Hero I am Claudio ;
+And in her bosom I'll unclasp my heart ,
+And take her hearing prisoner with the force
+And strong encounter of my amorous tale :
+Then , after to her father will I break ;
+And the conclusion is , she shall be thine .
+In practice let us put it presently .
+
+
+How now , brother ! Where is my cousin , your son ? Hath he provided this music ?
+
+He is very busy about it . But , brother , I can tell you strange news that you yet dreaint not of .
+
+Are they good ?
+
+As the event stamps them : but they have a good cover ; they show well outward . The prince and Count Claudio , walking in a thick-pleached alley in my orchard , were thus much overheard by a man of mine : the prince discovered to Claudio that he loved my niece your daughter , and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance ; and , if he found her accordant , he meant to take the present time by the top and instantly break with you of it .
+
+Hath the fellow any wit that told you this ?
+
+A good sharp fellow : I will send for him ; and question him yourself .
+
+No , no ; we will hold it as a dream till it appear itself : but I will acquaint my daughter withal , that she may be the better prepared for an answer , if peradventure this be true . Go you , and tell her of it .
+
+Cousins , you know what you have to do . O ! I cry you mercy , friend ; go you with me , and I will use your skill . Good cousin , have a care this busy time .
+
+
+What the good-year , my lord ! why are you thus out of measure sad ?
+
+There is no measure in the occasion that breeds ; therefore the sadness is without limit .
+
+You should hear reason .
+
+And when I have heard it , what blessing brings it ?
+
+It not a present remedy , at least a patient sufferance .
+
+I wonder that thou , being ,as thou say'st thou art ,born under Saturn , goest about to apply a moral medicine to a mortifying mischief . I cannot hide what I am : I must be sad when I have cause , and smile at no man's jests ; eat when I have stomach , and wait for no man's leisure ; sleep when I am drowsy , and tend on no man's business ; laugh when I am merry , and claw no man in his humour .
+
+Yea ; but you must not make the full show of this till you may do it without controlment . You have of late stood out against your brother , and he hath ta'en you newly into his grace ; where it is impossible you should take true root but by the fair weather that you make yourself : it is needful that you frame the season for your own harvest .
+
+I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace ; and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any : in this , though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man , it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain . I am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog ; therefore I have decreed not to sing in my cage . If I had my mouth , I would bite ; if I had my liberty , I would do my liking : in the meantime , let me be that I am , and seek not to alter me .
+
+Can you make no use of your discontent ?
+
+I make all use of it , for I use it only . Who comes here ?
+
+What news , Borachio ?
+
+I came yonder from a great supper : the prince , your brother , is royally entertained by Leonato ; and I can give you intelligence of an intended marriage .
+
+Will it serve for any model to build mischief on ? What is he for a fool that betroths himself to unquietness ?
+
+Marry , it is your brother's right hand .
+
+Who ? the most exquisite Claudio ?
+
+Even he .
+
+A proper squire ! And who , and who ? which way looks he ?
+
+Marry , on Hero , the daughter and heir of Leonato .
+
+A very forward March-chick ! How came you to this ?
+
+Being entertained for a perfumer , as I was smoking a musty room , comes me the prince and Claudio , hand in hand , in sad conference : I whipt me behind the arras , and there heard it agreed upon that the prince should woo Hero for himself , and having obtained her , give her to Count Claudio .
+
+Come , come ; let us thither : this may prove food to my displeasure . That young start-up hath all the glory of my overthrow : if I can cross him any way , I bless myself every way . You are both sure , and will assist me ?
+
+To the death , my lord .
+
+To the death , my lord .
+
+Let us to the great supper : their cheer is the greater that I am subdued . Would the cook were of my mind ! Shall we go prove what's to be done ?
+
+We'll wait upon your lordship .
+
+Was not Count John here at supper ?
+
+I saw him not .
+
+How tartly that gentleman looks ! I never can see him but I am heart-burned an hour after .
+
+He is of a very melancholy disposition .
+
+He were an excellent man that were made just in the mid-way between him and Benedick : the one is too like an image , and says nothing ; and the other too like my lady's eldest son , evermore tattling .
+
+Then half Signior Benedick's tongue in Count John's mouth , and half Count John's melancholy in Signior Benedick's face ,
+
+With a good leg and a good foot , uncle , and money enough in his purse , such a man would win any woman in the world , if a' could get her good will .
+
+By my troth , niece , thou wilt never get thee a husband , if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue .
+
+In faith , she's too curst .
+
+Too curst is more than curst : I shall lessen God's sending that way ; for it is said , 'God sends a curst cow short horns ;' but to a cow too curst he sends none .
+
+So , by being too curst , God will send you no horns ?
+
+Just , if he send me no husband ; for the which blessing I am at him upon my knees every morning and evening . Lord ! I could not endure a husband with a beard on his face : I had rather lie in the woollen .
+
+You may light on a husband that hath no beard .
+
+What should I do with him ? dress him in my apparel and make him my waiting-gentlewoman ? He that hath a beard is more than a youth , and he that hath no beard is less than a man ; and he that is more than a youth is not for me ; and he that is less than a man , I am not for him : therefore I will even take sixpence in earnest of the bear-ward , and lead his apes into hell .
+
+Well then , go you into hell ?
+
+No ; but to the gate ; and there will the devil meet me , like an old cuckold , with horns on his head , and say , 'Get you to heaven , Beatrice , get you to heaven ; here's no place for you maids :' so deliver I up my apes , and away to Saint Peter for the heavens ; he shows me where the bachelors sit , and there live we as merry as the day is long .
+
+Well , niece , I trust you will be ruled by your father .
+
+Yes , faith ; it is my cousin's duty to make curtsy , and say , 'Father , as it please you :' but yet for all that , cousin , let him be a handsome fellow , or else make another curtsy , and say , 'Father , as it please me .'
+
+Well , niece , I hope to see you one day fitted with a husband .
+
+Not till God make men of some other metal than earth . Would it not grieve a woman to be over-mastered with a piece of valiant dust ? to make an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl ? No , uncle , I'll none : Adam's sons are my brethren ; and truly , I hold it a sin to match in my kindred .
+
+Daughter , remember what I told you : if the prince do solicit you in that kind , you know your answer .
+
+The fault will be in the music , cousin , if you be not wooed in good time : if the prince be too important , tell him there is measure in everything , and so dance out the answer . For , hear me , Hero : wooing , wedding , and repenting , is as a Scotch jig , a measure , and a cinque-pace : the first suit is hot and hasty , like a Scotch jig , and full as fantastical ; the wedding , mannerly-modest , as a measure , full of state and ancientry ; and then comes Repentance , and , with his bad legs , falls into the cinque-pace faster and faster , till he sink into his grave .
+
+Cousin , you apprehend passing shrewdly .
+
+I have a good eye , uncle : I can see a church by daylight .
+
+The revellers are entering , brother : make good room .
+
+Lady , will you walk about with your friend ?
+
+So you walk softly and look sweetly and say nothing , I am yours for the walk ; and especially when I walk away .
+
+With me in your company ?
+
+I may say so , when I please .
+
+And when please you to say so ?
+
+When I like your favour ; for God defend the lute should be like the case !
+
+My visor is Philemon's roof ; within the house is Jove .
+
+Why , then , your visor should be thatch'd .
+
+Speak low , if you speak love .
+
+
+Well , I would you did like me .
+
+So would not I , for your own sake ; for I have many ill qualities .
+
+Which is one ?
+
+I say my prayers aloud .
+
+I love you the better ; the hearers may cry Amen .
+
+God match me with a good dancer !
+
+Amen .
+
+And God keep him out of my sight when the dance is done ! Answer , clerk .
+
+No more words : the clerk is answered .
+
+I know you well enough : you are Signior Antonio .
+
+At a word , I am not .
+
+I know you by the waggling of your head .
+
+To tell you true , I counterfeit him .
+
+You could never do him so ill-well , unless you were the very man . Here's his dry hand up and down : you are he , you are he .
+
+At a word , I am not .
+
+Come , come ; do you think I do not know you by your excellent wit ? Can virtue hide itself ? Go to , mum , you are he : graces will appear , and there's an end .
+
+Will you not tell me who told you so ?
+
+No , you shall pardon me .
+
+Nor will you not tell me who you are ?
+
+Not now .
+
+That I was disdainful , and that I had my good wit out of the 'Hundred Merry Tales .' Well , this was Signior Benedick that said so .
+
+What's he ?
+
+I am sure you know him well enough .
+
+Not I , believe me .
+
+Did he never make you laugh ?
+
+I pray you , what is he ?
+
+Why , he is the prince's jester : a very dull fool ; only his gift is in devising impossible slanders : none but libertines delight in him ; and the commendation is not in his wit , but in his villany ; for he both pleases men and angers them , and then they laugh at him and beat him . I am sure he is in the fleet : I would he had boarded me !
+
+When I know the gentleman , I'll tell him what you say .
+
+Do , do : he'll but break a comparison or two on me ; which , peradventure not marked or not laughed at , strikes him into melancholy ; and then there's a partridge wing saved , for the fool will eat no supper that night .
+
+We must follow the leaders .
+
+In every good thing .
+
+Nay , if they lead to any ill , I will leave them at the next turning .
+
+
+Sure my brother is amorous on Hero , and hath withdrawn her father to break with him about it . The ladies follow her and but one visor remains .
+
+And that is Claudio : I know him by his bearing .
+
+Are you not Signior Benedick ?
+
+You know me well ; I am he .
+
+Signior , you are very near my brother in his love : he is enamoured on Hero ; I pray you , dissuade him from her ; she is no equal for his birth : you may do the part of an honest man in it .
+
+How know you he loves her ?
+
+I heard him swear his affection .
+
+So did I too ; and he swore he would marry her to-night .
+
+Come , let us to the banquet .
+
+
+Thus answer I in name of Benedick ,
+But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio .
+'Tis certain so ; the prince woos for himself .
+Friendship is constant in all other things
+Save in the office and affairs of love :
+Therefore all hearts in love use their own tongues ;
+Let every eye negotiate for itself
+And trust no agent ; for beauty is a witch
+Against whose charms faith melteth into blood .
+This is an accident of hourly proof ,
+Which I mistrusted not . Farewell , therefore , Hero !
+
+
+Count Claudio ?
+
+Yea , the same .
+
+Come , will you go with me ?
+
+Whither ?
+
+Even to the next willow , about your own business , count . What fashion will you wear the garland of ? About your neck , like a usurer's chain ? or under your arm , like a lieutenant's scarf ? You must wear it one way , for the prince hath got your Hero .
+
+I wish him joy of her .
+
+Why , that's spoken like an honest drovier : so they sell bullocks . But did you think the prince would have served you thus ?
+
+I pray you , leave me .
+
+Ho ! now you strike like the blind man : 'twas the boy that stole your meat , and you'll beat the post .
+
+If it will not be , I'll leave you .
+
+
+Alas ! poor hurt fowl . Now will he creep into sedges . But , that my lady Beatrice should know me , and not know me ! The prince's fool ! Ha ! it may be I go under that title because I am merry . Yea , but so I am apt to do myself wrong ; I am not so reputed : it is the base though bitter disposition of Beatrice that puts the world into her person , and so gives me out . Well , I'll be revenged as I may .
+
+
+Now , signior , where's the count ? Did you see him ?
+
+Troth , my lord , I have played the part of Lady Fame . I found him here as melancholy as a lodge in a warren . I told him , and I think I told him true , that your Grace had got the good will of this young lady ; and I offered him my company to a willow tree , either to make him a garland , as being forsaken , or to bind him up a rod , as being worthy to be whipped .
+
+To be whipped ! What's his fault ?
+
+The flat transgression of a school-boy , who , being overjoy'd with finding a bird's nest , shows it his companion , and he steals it .
+
+Wilt thou make a trust a transgression ? The transgression is in the stealer .
+
+Yet it had not been amiss the rod had been made , and the garland too ; for the garland he might have worn himself , and the rod he might have bestowed on you , who , as I take it , have stolen his bird's nest .
+
+I will but teach them to sing , and restore them to the owner .
+
+If their singing answer your saying , by my faith , you say honestly .
+
+The Lady Beatrice hath a quarrel to you : the gentleman that danced with her told her she is much wronged by you .
+
+O ! she misused me past the endurance of a block : an oak but with one green leaf on it , would have answered her : my very visor began to assume life and scold with her . She told me , not thinking I had been myself , that I was the prince's jester ; that I was duller than a great thaw ; huddling jest upon jest with such impossible conveyance upon me , that I stood like a man at a mark , with a whole army shooting at me . She speaks poniards , and every word stabs : if her breath were as terrible as her terminations , there were no living near her ; she would infect to the north star . I would not marry her , though she were endowed with all that Adam had left him before he transgressed : she would have made Hercules have turned spit , yea , and have cleft his club to make the fire too . Come , talk not of her ; you shall find her the infernal Ate in good apparel . I would to God some scholar would conjure her , for certainly , while she is here , a man may live as quiet in hell as in a sanctuary ; and people sin upon purpose because they would go thither ; so , indeed , all disquiet , horror and perturbation follow her .
+
+
+Look ! here she comes .
+
+Will your Grace command me any service to the world's end ? I will go on the slightest errand now to the Antipodes that you can devise to send me on ; I will fetch you a toothpicker now from the furthest inch of Asia ; bring you the length of Prester John's foot ; fetch you a hair off the Great Cham's beard ; do you any embassage to the Pigmies , rather than hold three words' conference with this harpy . You have no employment for me ?
+
+None , but to desire your good company .
+
+O God , sir , here's a dish I love not : I cannot endure my Lady Tongue .
+
+
+Come , lady , come ; you have lost the heart of Signior Benedick .
+
+Indeed , my lord , he lent it me awhile ; and I gave him use for it , a double heart for a single one : marry , once before he won it of me with false dice , therefore your Grace may well say I have lost it .
+
+You have put him down , lady , you have put him down .
+
+So I would not he should do me , my lord , lest I should prove the mother of fools . I have brought Count Claudio , whom you sent me to seek .
+
+Why , how now , count ! wherefore are you sad ?
+
+Not sad , my lord .
+
+How then ? Sick ?
+
+Neither , my lord .
+
+The count is neither sad , nor sick , nor merry , nor well ; but civil count , civil as an orange , and something of that jealous complexion .
+
+I' faith , lady , I think your blazon to be true ; though , I'll be sworn , if he be so , his conceit is false . Here , Claudio , I have wooed in thy name , and fair Hero is won ; I have broke with her father , and , his good will obtained ; name the day of marriage , and God give thee joy !
+
+Count , take of me my daughter , and with her my fortunes : his Grace hath made the match , and all grace say Amen to it !
+
+Speak , count , 'tis your cue .
+
+Silence is the perfectest herald of joy : I were but little happy , if I could say how much . Lady , as you are mine , I am yours : I give away myself for you and dote upon the exchange .
+
+Speak , cousin ; or , if you cannot , stop his mouth with a kiss , and let not him speak neither .
+
+In faith , lady , you have a merry heart .
+
+Yea , my lord ; I thank it , poor fool , it keeps on the windy side of care . My cousin tells him in his ear that he is in her heart .
+
+And so she doth , cousin .
+
+Good Lord , for alliance ! Thus goes every one to the world but I , and I am sunburnt . I may sit in a corner and cry heigh-ho for a husband !
+
+Lady Beatrice , I will get you one .
+
+I would rather have one of your father's getting . Hath your Grace ne'er a brother like you ? Your father got excellent husbands , if a maid could come by them .
+
+Will you have me , lady ?
+
+No , my lord , unless I might have another for working days : your Grace is too costly to wear every day . But , I beseech your Grace , pardon me ; I was born to speak all mirth and no matter .
+
+Your silence most offends me , and to be merry best becomes you ; for , out of question , you were born in a merry hour .
+
+No , sure , my lord , my mother cried ; but then there was a star danced , and under that was I born . Cousins , God give you joy !
+
+Niece , will you look to those things I told you of ?
+
+I cry you mercy , uncle . By your Grace's pardon .
+
+
+By my troth , a pleasant-spirited lady .
+
+There's little of the melancholy element in her , my lord : she is never sad but when she sleeps ; and not ever sad then , for I have heard my daughter say , she hath often dreamed of unhappiness and waked herself with laughing .
+
+She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband .
+
+O ! by no means : she mocks all her wooers out of suit .
+
+She were an excellent wife for Benedick .
+
+O Lord ! my lord , if they were but a week married , they would talk themselves mad .
+
+Count Claudio , when mean you to go to church ?
+
+To-morrow , my lord . Time goes on crutches till love have all his rites .
+
+Not till Monday , my dear son , which is hence a just seven-night ; and a time too brief too , to have all things answer my mind .
+
+Come , you shake the head at so long a breathing ; but , I warrant thee , Claudio , the time shall not go dully by us . I will in the interim undertake one of Hercules' labours , which is , to bring Signior Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection the one with the other . I would fain have it a match ; and I doubt not but to fashion it , if you three will but minister such assistance as I shall give you direction .
+
+My lord , I am for you , though it cost me ten nights' watchings .
+
+And I , my lord .
+
+And you too , gentle Hero ?
+
+I will do any modest office , my lord , to help my cousin to a good husband .
+
+And Benedick is not the unhopefullest husband that I know . Thus far can I praise him ; he is of a noble strain , of approved valour , and confirmed honesty . I will teach you how to humour your cousin , that she shall fall in love with Benedick ; and I , with your two helps , will so practise on Benedick that , in despite of his quick wit and his queasy stomach , he shall fall in love with Beatrice . If we can do this , Cupid is no longer an archer : his glory shall be ours , for we are the only love-gods . Go in with me , and I will tell you my drift .
+
+
+It is so ; the Count Claudio shall marry the daughter of Leonato .
+
+Yea , my lord ; but I can cross it .
+
+Any bar , any cross , any impediment will be medicinable to me : I am sick in displeasure to him , and whatsoever comes athwart his affection ranges evenly with mine . How canst thou cross this marriage ?
+
+Not honestly , my lord ; but so covertly that no dishonesty shall appear in me .
+
+Show me briefly how .
+
+I think I told your lordship , a year since , how much I am in the favour of Margaret , the waiting-gentlewoman to Hero .
+
+I remember .
+
+I can , at any unseasonable instant of the night , appoint her to look out at her lady's chamber-window .
+
+What life is in that , to be the death of this marriage ?
+
+The poison of that lies in you to temper . Go you to the prince your brother ; spare not to tell him , that he hath wronged his honour in marrying the renowned Claudio ,whose estimation do you mightily hold up ,to a contaminated stale , such a one as Hero .
+
+What proof shall I make of that ?
+
+Proof enough to misuse the prince , to vex Claudio , to undo Hero , and kill Leonato .
+Look you for any other issue ?
+
+Only to despite them , I will endeavour any thing .
+
+Go , then ; find me a meet hour to draw Don Pedro and the Count Claudio alone : tell them that you know that Hero loves me ; intend a kind of zeal both to the prince and Claudio , as in love of your brother's honour , who hath made this match , and his friend's reputation , who is thus like to be cozened with the semblance of a maid ,that you have discovered thus . They will scarcely believe this without trial : offer them instances , which shall bear no less likelihood than to see me at her chamber-window , hear me call Margaret Hero ; hear Margaret term me Claudio ; and bring them to see this the very night before the intended wedding : for in the meantime I will so fashion the matter that Hero shall be absent ; and there shall appear such seeming truth of Hero's disloyalty , that jealousy shall be called assurance , and all the preparation overthrown .
+
+Grow this to what adverse issue it can , I will put it in practice . Be cunning in the working this , and thy fee is a thousand ducats .
+
+Be you constant in the accusation , and my cunning shall not shame me .
+
+I will presently go learn their day of marriage .
+
+
+Boy !
+
+
+Signior ?
+
+In my chamber-window lies a book ; bring it hither to me in the orchard .
+
+I am here already , sir .
+
+I know that ; but I would have thee hence , and here again . [Exit Boy .] I do much wonder that one man , seeing how much another man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviours to love , will , after he hath laughed at such shallow follies in others , become the argument of his own scorn by falling in love : and such a man is Claudio . I have known , when there was no music with him but the drum and the fife ; and now had he rather hear the tabor and the pipe : I have known , when he would have walked ten mile afoot to see a good armour ; and now will he lie ten nights awake , carving the fashion of a new doublet . He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose , like an honest man and a soldier ; and now is he turned orthographer ; his words are a very fantastical banquet , just so many strange dishes . May I be so converted , and see with these eyes ? I cannot tell ; I think not : I will not be sworn but love may transform me to an oyster ; but I'll take my oath on it , till he have made an oyster of me , he shall never make me such a fool . One woman is fair , yet I am well ; another is wise , yet I am well ; another virtuous , yet I am well ; but till all graces be in one woman , one woman shall not come in my grace . Rich she shall be , that's certain ; wise , or I'll none ; virtuous , or I'll never cheapen her ; fair , or I'll never look on her ; mild , or come not near me ; noble , or not I for an angel ; of good discourse , an excellent musician , and her hair shall be of what colour it please God . Ha ! the prince and Monsieur Love ! I will hide me in the arbour .
+
+Come , shall we hear this music ?
+
+Yea , my good lord . How still the evening is ,
+As hush'd on purpose to grace harmony !
+
+See you where Benedick hath hid himself ?
+
+O ! very well , my lord : the music ended ,
+We'll fit the kid-fox with a penny-worth .
+
+Come , Balthazar , we'll hear that song again .
+
+O ! good my lord , tax not so bad a voice
+To slander music any more than once .
+
+It is the witness still of excellency ,
+To put a strange face on his own perfection .
+I pray thee , sing , and let me woo no more .
+
+Because you talk of wooing , I will sing ;
+Since many a wooer doth commence his suit
+To her he thinks not worthy ; yet he woos ;
+Yet will he swear he loves .
+
+Nay , pray thee , come ;
+Or if thou wilt hold longer argument ,
+Do it in notes .
+
+Note this before my notes ;
+There's not a note of mine that's worth the noting .
+
+Why these are very crotchets that he speaks ;
+Notes , notes , forsooth , and nothing !
+
+
+Now , divine air ! now is his soul ravished ! Is it not strange that sheeps' guts should hale souls out of men's bodies ? Well , a horn for my money , when all's done .
+
+Sigh no more , ladies , sigh no more ,
+Men were deceivers ever ;
+One foot in sea , and one on shore ,
+To one thing constant never .
+Then sigh not so ,
+But let them go ,
+And be you blithe and bonny ,
+Converting all your sounds of woe
+Into Hey nonny , nonny .
+Sing no more ditties , sing no mo
+Of dumps so dull and heavy ;
+The fraud of men was ever so ,
+Since summer first was leavy .
+Then sigh not so ,
+But let them go ,
+And be you blithe and bonny ,
+Converting all your sounds of woe
+Into Hey nonny , nonny .
+
+
+By my troth , a good song .
+
+And an ill singer , my lord .
+
+Ha , no , no , faith ; thou singest well enough for a shift .
+
+An he had been a dog that should have howled thus , they would have hanged him ; and I pray God his bad voice bode no mischief . I had as lief have heard the night-raven , come what plague could have come after it .
+
+Yea , marry ; dost thou hear , Balthazar ? I pray thee , get us some excellent music , for to-morrow night we would have it at the Lady Hero's chamber-window .
+
+The best I can , my lord .
+
+Do so : farewell .
+
+Come hither , Leonato : what was it you told me of to-day , that your niece Beatrice was in love with Signior Benedick ?
+
+O ! ay :
+
+Stalk on , stalk on ; the fowl sits . I did never think that lady would have loved any man .
+
+No , nor I neither ; but most wonderful that she should so dote on Signior Benedick , whom she hath in all outward behaviours seemed ever to abhor .
+
+Is't possible ? Sits the wind in that corner ?
+
+By my troth , my lord , I cannot tell what to think of it but that she loves him with an enraged affection : it is past the infinite of thought .
+
+May be she doth but counterfeit .
+
+Faith , like enough .
+
+O God ! counterfeit ! There was never counterfeit of passion came so near the life of passion as she discovers it .
+
+Why , what effects of passion shows she ?
+
+Bait the hook well : this fish will bite .
+
+What effects , my lord ? She will sit you ;
+
+You heard my daughter tell you how .
+
+She did , indeed .
+
+How , how , I pray you ? You amaze me : I would have thought her spirit had been invincible against all assaults of affection .
+
+I would have sworn it had , my lord ; especially against Benedick .
+
+I should think this a gull , but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it : knavery cannot , sure , hide itself in such reverence .
+
+He hath ta'en the infection : hold it up .
+
+Hath she made her affection known to Benedick ?
+
+No ; and swears she never will : that's her torment .
+
+'Tis true , indeed ; so your daughter says : 'Shall I ,' says she , 'that have so oft encountered him with scorn , write to him that I love him ?'
+
+This says she now when she is beginning to write to him ; for she'll be up twenty times a night , and there will she sit in her smock till she have writ a sheet of paper : my daughter tells us all .
+
+Now you talk of a sheet of paper , I remember a pretty jest your daughter told us of .
+
+O ! when she had writ it , and was reading it over , she found Benedick and Beatrice between the sheet ?
+
+That .
+
+O ! she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence ; railed at herself , that she should be so immodest to write to one that she knew would flout her : 'I measure him ,' says she , 'by my own spirit ; for I should flout him , if he writ to me ; yea , though I love him , I should .'
+
+Then down upon her knees she falls , weeps , sobs , beats her heart , tears her hair , prays , curses ; 'O sweet Benedick ! God give me patience !'
+
+She doth indeed ; my daughter says so ; and the ecstasy hath so much overborne her , that my daughter is sometimes afeard she will do a desperate outrage to herself . It is very true .
+
+It were good that Benedick knew of it by some other , if she will not discover it .
+
+To what end ? he would but make a sport of it and torment the poor lady worse .
+
+An he should , it were an alms to hang him . She's an excellent sweet lady , and , out of all suspicion , she is virtuous .
+
+And she is exceeding wise .
+
+In everything but in loving Benedick .
+
+O ! my lord , wisdom and blood combating in so tender a body , we have ten proofs to one that blood hath the victory . I am sorry for her , as I have just cause , being her uncle and her guardian .
+
+I would she had bestowed this dotage on me ; I would have daffed all other respects and made her half myself . I pray you , tell Benedick of it , and hear what a' will say .
+
+Were it good , think you ?
+
+Hero thinks surely she will die ; for she says she will die if he love her not , and she will die ere she make her love known , and she will die if he woo her , rather than she will bate one breath of her accustomed crossness .
+
+She doth well : if she should make tender of her love , 'tis very possible he'll scorn it ; for the man ,as you know all ,hath a contemptible spirit .
+
+he is a very proper man .
+
+He hath indeed a good outward happiness .
+
+'Fore God , and in my mind , very wise .
+
+He doth indeed show some sparks that are like wit .
+
+And I take him to be valiant .
+
+As Hector , I assure you : and in the managing of quarrels you may say he is wise ; for either he avoids them with great discretion , or undertakes them with a most Christian-like fear .
+
+If he do fear God , a' must necessarily keep peace : if he break the peace , he ought to enter into a quarrel with fear and trembling .
+
+And so will he do ; for the man doth fear God , howsoever it seems not in him by some large jests he will make . Well , I am sorry for your niece . Shall we go seek Benedick , and tell him of her love ?
+
+Never tell him , my lord : let her wear it out with good counsel .
+
+Nay , that's impossible : she may wear her heart out first .
+
+Well , we will hear further of it by your daughter : let it cool the while . I love Benedick well , and I could wish he would modestly examine himself , to see how much he is unworthy to have so good a lady .
+
+My lord , will you walk ? dinner is ready .
+
+If he do not dote on her upon this , I will never trust my expectation .
+
+Let there be the same net spread for her ; and that must your daughter and her gentlewoman carry . The sport will be , when they hold one an opinion of another's dotage , and no such matter : that's the scene that I would see , which will be merely a dumbshow . Let us send her to call him in to dinner .
+
+
+This can be no trick : the conference was sadly borne . They have the truth of this from Hero . They seem to pity the lady : it seems , her affections have their full bent . Love me ! why , it must be requited . I hear how I am censured : they say I will bear myself proudly , if I perceive the love come from her ; they say too that she will rather die than give any sign of affection . I did never think to marry : I must not seem proud : happy are they that hear their detractions , and can put them to mending . They say the lady is fair : 'tis a truth , I can bear them witness ; and virtuous : 'tis so , I cannot reprove it ; and wise , but for loving me : by my troth , it is no addition to her wit , nor no great argument of her folly , for I will be horribly in love with her . I may chance have some odd quirks and remnants of wit broken on me , because I have railed so long against marriage ; but doth not the appetite alter ? A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age . Shall quips and sentences and these paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career of his humour ? No ; the world must be peopled . When I said I would die a bachelor , I did not think I should live till I were married . Here comes Beatrice . By this day ! she's a fair lady : I do spy some marks of love in her .
+
+
+Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner .
+
+Fair Beatrice , I thank you for your pains .
+
+I took no more pains for those thanks than you take pains to thank me : if it had been painful , I would not have come .
+
+You take pleasure then in the message ?
+
+Yea , just so much as you may take upon a knife's point , and choke a daw withal . You have no stomach , signior : fare you well .
+
+
+Ha ! 'Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner ,' there's a double meaning in that . 'I took no more pains for those thanks than you took pains to thank me ,' that's as much as to say , Any pains that I take for you is as easy as thanks . If I do not take pity of her , I am a villain ; if I do not love her , I am a Jew . I will go get her picture .
+
+Good Margaret , run thee to the parlour ;
+There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice
+Proposing with the prince and Claudio :
+Whisper her ear , and tell her , I and Ursula
+Walk in the orchard , and our whole discourse
+Is all of her ; say that thou overheard'st us ,
+And bid her steal into the pleached bower ,
+Where honey-suckles , ripen'd by the sun ,
+Forbid the sun to enter ; like favourites ,
+Made proud by princes , that advance their pride
+Against that power that bred it . There will she hide her ,
+To listen our propose . This is thy office ;
+Bear thee well in it and leave us alone .
+
+I'll make her come , I warrant you , presently .
+
+
+Now , Ursula , when Beatrice doth come ,
+As we do trace this alley up and down ,
+Our talk must only be of Benedick :
+When I do name him , let it be thy part
+To praise him more than ever man did merit .
+My talk to thee must be how Benedick
+Is sick in love with Beatrice : of this matter
+Is little Cupid's crafty arrow made ,
+That only wounds by hearsay .
+
+
+Now begin ;
+For look where Beatrice , like a lapwing , runs
+
+Close by the ground , to hear our conference .
+
+The pleasant'st angling is to see the fish
+Cut with her golden oars the silver stream ,
+And greedily devour the treacherous bait :
+So angle we for Beatrice ; who even now
+Is couched in the woodbine coverture .
+Fear you not my part of the dialogue .
+
+Then go we near her , that her ear lose nothing
+Of the false sweet bait that we lay for it .
+
+No , truly , Ursula , she is too disdainful ;
+I know her spirits are as coy and wild
+As haggerds of the rock .
+
+But are you sure
+That Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely ?
+
+So says the prince , and my new-trothed lord .
+
+And did they bid you tell her of it , madam ?
+
+They did entreat me to acquaint her of it ;
+But I persuaded them , if they lov'd Benedick ,
+To wish him wrestle with affection ,
+And never to let Beatrice know of it .
+
+Why did you so ? Doth not the gentleman
+Deserve as full as fortunate a bed
+As ever Beatrice shall couch upon ?
+
+O god of love ! I know he doth deserve
+As much as may be yielded to a man ;
+But nature never fram'd a woman's heart
+Of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice ;
+Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes ,
+Misprising what they look on , and her wit
+Values itself so highly , that to her
+All matter else seems weak . She cannot love ,
+Nor take no shape nor project of affection ,
+She is so self-endear'd .
+
+Sure , I think so ;
+And therefore certainly it were not good
+She knew his love , lest she make sport at it .
+
+Why , you speak truth . I never yet saw man ,
+How wise , how noble , young , how rarely featur'd ,
+But she would spell him backward : if fair-fac'd ,
+She would swear the gentleman should be her sister ;
+If black , why , Nature , drawing of an antick ,
+Made a foul blot ; if tall , a lance ill-headed ;
+If low , an agate very vilely cut ;
+If speaking , why , a vane blown with all winds ;
+If silent , why , a block moved with none .
+So turns she every man the wrong side out ,
+And never gives to truth and virtue that
+Which simpleness and merit purchaseth .
+
+Sure , sure , such carping is not commendable .
+
+No ; not to be so odd and from all fashions
+As Beatrice is , cannot be commendable .
+But who dare tell her so ? If I should speak ,
+She would mock me into air : O ! she would laugh me
+Out of myself , press me to death with wit .
+Therefore let Benedick , like cover'd fire ,
+Consume away in sighs , waste inwardly :
+It were a better death than die with mocks ,
+Which is as bad as die with tickling .
+
+Yet tell her of it : hear what she will say .
+
+No ; rather I will go to Benedick ,
+And counsel him to fight against his passion .
+And , truly , I'll devise some honest slanders
+To stain my cousin with . One doth not know
+How much an ill word may empoison liking .
+
+O ! do not do your cousin such a wrong .
+She cannot be so much without true judgment ,
+Having so swift and excellent a wit
+As she is priz'd to have ,as to refuse
+So rare a gentleman as Signior Benedick .
+
+He is the only man of Italy ,
+Always excepted my dear Claudio .
+
+I pray you , be not angry with me , madam ,
+Speaking my fancy : Signior Benedick ,
+For shape , for bearing , argument and valour ,
+Goes foremost in report through Italy .
+
+Indeed , he hath an excellent good name .
+
+His excellence did earn it , ere he had it .
+When are you married , madam ?
+
+Why , every day , to-morrow . Come , go in :
+I'll show thee some attires , and have thy counsel
+Which is the best to furnish me to-morrow .
+
+She's lim'd , I warrant you : we have caught her , madam .
+
+If it prove so , then loving goes by haps :
+Some Cupid kills with arrows , some with traps .
+
+
+What fire is in mine ears ? Can this be true ?
+Stand I condemn'd for pride and scorn so much ?
+Contempt , farewell ! and maiden pride , adieu !
+No glory lives behind the back of such .
+And , Benedick , love on ; I will requite thee ,
+Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand :
+If thou dost love , my kindness shall incite thee
+To bind our loves up in a holy band ;
+For others say thou dost deserve , and I
+Believe it better than reportingly .
+
+
+I do but stay till your marriage be consummate , and then go I toward Arragon .
+
+I'll bring you thither , my lord , if you'll vouchsafe me .
+
+Nay , that would be as great a soil in the new gloss of your marriage , as to show a child his new coat and forbid him to wear it . I will only be bold with Benedick for his company ; for , from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot , he is all mirth : he hath twice or thrice cut Cupid's bow-string , and the little hangman dare not shoot at him . He hath a heart as sound as a bell , and his tongue is the clapper ; for what his heart thinks his tongue speaks .
+
+Gallants , I am not as I have been .
+
+So say I : methinks you are sadder .
+
+I hope he be in love .
+
+Hang him , truant ! there's no true drop of blood in him , to be truly touched with love . If he be sad , he wants money .
+
+I have the tooth-ache .
+
+Draw it .
+
+Hang it .
+
+You must hang it first , and draw it afterwards .
+
+What ! sigh for the tooth-ache ?
+
+Where is but a humour or a worm ?
+
+Well , every one can master a grief but he that has it .
+
+Yet say I , he is in love .
+
+There is no appearance of fancy in him , unless it be a fancy that he hath to strange disguises ; as , to be a Dutchman to-day , a Frenchman to-morrow , or in the shape of two countries at once , as a German from the waist downward , all slops , and a Spaniard from the hip upward , no doublet . Unless he have a fancy to this foolery , as it appears he hath , he is no fool for fancy , as you would have it appear he is .
+
+If he be not in love with some woman , there is no believing old signs : a' brushes his hat a mornings ; what should that bode ?
+
+Hath any man seen him at the barber's ?
+
+No , but the barber's man hath been seen with him ; and the old ornament of his cheek hath already stuffed tennis-balls .
+
+Indeed he looks younger than he did , by the loss of a beard .
+
+Nay , a' rubs himself with civet : can you smell him out by that ?
+
+That's as much as to say the sweet youth's in love .
+
+The greatest note of it is his melancholy .
+
+And when was he wont to wash his face ?
+
+Yea , or to paint himself ? for the which , I hear what they say of him .
+
+Nay , but his jesting spirit ; which is now crept into a lute-string , and new-governed by stops .
+
+Indeed , that tells a heavy tale for him . Conclude , conclude he is in love .
+
+Nay , but I know who loves him .
+
+That would I know too : I warrant , one that knows him not .
+
+Yes , and his ill conditions ; and in despite of all , dies for him .
+
+She shall be buried with her face upwards .
+
+Yet is this no charm for the tooth-ache .
+Old signior , walk aside with me : I have studied eight or nine wise words to speak to you , which these hobby-horses must not hear .
+
+
+For my life , to break with him about Beatrice .
+
+'Tis even so . Hero and Margaret have by this played their parts with Beatrice , and then the two bears will not bite one another when they meet .
+
+
+My lord and brother , God save you !
+
+Good den , brother .
+
+If your leisure served , I would speak with you .
+
+In private ?
+
+If it please you ; yet Count Claudio may hear , for what I would speak of concerns him .
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+Means your lordship to be married to-morrow ?
+
+You know he does .
+
+I know not that , when he knows what I know .
+
+If there be any impediment , I pray you discover it .
+
+You may think I love you not : let that appear hereafter , and aim better at me by that I now will manifest . For my brother , I think he holds you well , and in dearness of heart hath holp to effect your ensuing marriage ; surely suit ill-spent , and labour ill bestowed !
+
+Why , what's the matter ?
+
+I came hither to tell you ; and circumstances shortened ,for she hath been too long a talking of ,the lady is disloyal .
+
+Who , Hero ?
+
+Even she : Leonato's Hero , your Hero , every man's Hero .
+
+Disloyal ?
+
+The word's too good to paint out her wickedness ; I could say , she were worse : think you of a worse title , and I will fit her to it . Wonder not till further warrant : go but with me to-night , you shall see her chamber-window entered , even the night before her wedding-day : if you love her then , to-morrow wed her ; but it would better fit your honour to change your mind .
+
+May this be so ?
+
+I will not think it .
+
+If you dare not trust that you see , confess not that you know . If you will follow me , I will show you enough ; and when you have seen more and heard more , proceed accordingly .
+
+If I see any thing to-night why I should not marry her to-morrow , in the congregation , where I should wed , there will I shame her .
+
+And , as I wooed for thee to obtain her , I will join with thee to disgrace her .
+
+I will disparage her no further till you are my witnesses : bear it coldly but till midnight , and let the issue show itself .
+
+O day untowardly turned !
+
+O mischief strangely thwarting !
+
+O plague right well prevented ! So will you say when you have seen the sequel .
+
+
+Are you good men and true ?
+
+Yea , or else it were pity but they should suffer salvation , body and soul .
+
+Nay , that were a punishment too good for them , if they should have any allegiance in them , being chosen for the prince's watch .
+
+Well , give them their charge , neighbour Dogberry .
+
+First , who think you the most desartless man to be constable ?
+
+Hugh Oatcake , sir , or George Seacoal ; for they can write and read .
+
+Come hither , neighbour Seacoal . God hath blessed you with a good name : to be a well-favoured man is the gift of fortune ; but to write and read comes by nature .
+
+Both which , Master constable ,
+
+You have : I knew it would be your answer . Well , for your favour , sir , why , give God thanks , and make no boast of it ; and for your writing and reading , let that appear when there is no need of such vanity . You are thought here to be the most senseless and fit man for the constable of the watch ; therefore bear you the lanthorn . This is your charge : you shall comprehend all vagrom men ; you are to bid any man stand , in the prince's name .
+
+How , if a' will not stand ?
+
+Why , then , take no note of him , but let him go ; and presently call the rest of the watch together , and thank God you are rid of a knave .
+
+If he will not stand when he is bidden , he is none of the prince's subjects .
+
+True , and they are to meddle with none but the prince's subjects . You shall also make no noise in the streets : for , for the watch to babble and to talk is most tolerable and not to be endured .
+
+We will rather sleep than talk : we know what belongs to a watch .
+
+Why , you speak like an ancient and most quiet watchman , for I cannot see how sleeping should offend ; only have a care that your bills be not stolen . Well , you are to call at all the alehouses , and bid those that are drunk get them to bed .
+
+How if they will not ?
+
+Why then , let them alone till they are sober : if they make you not then the better answer , you may say they are not the men you took them for .
+
+Well , sir .
+
+If you meet a thief , you may suspect him , by virtue of your office , to be no true man ; and , for such kind of men , the less you meddle or make with them , why , the more is for your honesty .
+
+If we know him to be a thief , shall we not lay hands on him ?
+
+Truly , by your office , you may ; but I think they that touch pitch will be defiled . The most peaceable way for you , if you do take a thief , is , to let him show himself what he is and steal out of your company .
+
+You have been always called a merciful man , partner .
+
+Truly , I would not hang a dog by my will , much more a man who hath any honesty in him .
+
+If you hear a child cry in the night , you must call to the nurse and bid her still it .
+
+How if the nurse be asleep and will not hear us ?
+
+Why , then , depart in peace , and let the child wake her with crying ; for the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baes , will never answer a calf when he bleats .
+
+'Tis very true .
+
+This is the end of the charge . You constable , are to present the prince's own person : if you meet the prince in the night , you may stay him .
+
+Nay , by 'r lady , that I think , a' cannot .
+
+Five shillings to one on't , with any man that knows the statues , he may stay him : marry , not without the prince be willing ; for , indeed , the watch ought to offend no man , and it is an offence to stay a man against his will .
+
+By 'r lady , I think it be so .
+
+Ha , ah , ha ! Well , masters , good night : an there be any matter of weight chances , call up me : keep your fellows' counsels and your own , and good night . Come , neighbour .
+
+Well , masters , we hear our charge : let us go sit here upon the church-bench till two , and then all go to bed .
+
+One word more , honest neighbours . I pray you , watch about Signior Leonato's door ; for the wedding being there to-morrow , there is a great coil to-night . Adieu ; be vigitant , I beseech you .
+
+What , Conrade !
+
+Peace ! stir not .
+
+Conrade , I say !
+
+Here , man , I am at thy elbow .
+
+Mass , and my elbow itched ; I thought there would a scab follow .
+
+I will owe thee an answer for that ; and now forward with thy tale .
+
+Stand thee close then under this penthouse , for it drizzles rain , and I will , like a true drunkard , utter all to thee .
+
+Some treason , masters ; yet stand close .
+
+Therefore know , I have earned of Don John a thousand ducats .
+
+Is it possible that any villany should be so dear ?
+
+Thou shouldst rather ask if it were possible any villany should be so rich ; for when rich villains have need of poor ones , poor ones may make what price they will .
+
+I wonder at it .
+
+That shows thou art unconfirmed . Thou knowest that the fashion of a doublet , or a hat , or a cloak , is nothing to a man .
+
+Yes , it is apparel .
+
+I mean , the fashion .
+
+Yes , the fashion is the fashion .
+
+Tush ! I may as well say the fool's the fool . But seest thou not what a deformed thief this fashion is ?
+
+I know that Deformed ; a' has been a vile thief this seven years ; a' goes up and down like a gentleman : I remember his name .
+
+Didst thou not hear somebody ?
+
+No : 'twas the vane on the house .
+
+Seest thou not , I say , what a deformed thief this fashion is ? how giddily he turns about all the hot bloods between fourteen and five-and-thirty ? sometime fashioning them like Pharaoh's soldiers in the reechy painting ; sometime like god Bel's priests in the old church-window ; sometime like the shaven Hercules in the smirched worm-eaten tapestry , where his cod-piece seems as massy as his club ?
+
+All this I see , and I see that the fashion wears out more apparel than the man . But art not thou thyself giddy with the fashion too , that thou hast shifted out of thy tale into telling me of the fashion ?
+
+Not so , neither ; but know , that I have to-night wooed Margaret , the Lady Hero's gentlewoman , by the name of Hero : she leans me out at her mistress' chamber-window , bids me a thousand times good night ,I tell this tale vilely :I should first tell thee how the prince , Claudio , and my master , planted and placed and possessed by my master Don John , saw afar off in the orchard this amiable encounter .
+
+And thought they Margaret was Hero ?
+
+Two of them did , the prince and Claudio ; but the devil my master , knew she was Margaret ; and partly by his oaths , which first possessed them , partly by the dark night , which did deceive them , but chiefly by my villany , which did confirm any slander that Don John had made , away went Claudio enraged ; swore he would meet her , as he was appointed , next morning at the temple , and there , before the whole congregation , shame her with what he saw o'er night , and send her home again without a husband .
+
+We charge you in the prince's name , stand !
+
+Call up the right Master constable . We have here recovered the most dangerous piece of lechery that ever was known in the commonwealth .
+
+And one Deformed is one of them : I know him , a' wears a lock .
+
+Masters , masters !
+
+You'll be made bring Deformed forth , I warrant you .
+
+Masters ,
+
+Never speak : we charge you let us obey you to go with us .
+
+We are like to prove a goodly commodity , being taken up of these men's bills .
+
+A commodity in question , I warrant you . Come , we'll obey you .
+
+
+Good Ursula , wake my cousin Beatrice , and desire her to rise .
+
+I will , lady .
+
+And bid her come hither .
+
+Well .
+
+
+Troth , I think your other rabato were better .
+
+No , pray thee , good Meg , I'll wear this .
+
+By my troth's not so good ; and I warrant your cousin will say so .
+
+My cousin's a fool , and thou art another : I'll wear none but this .
+
+I like the new tire within excellently , if the hair were a thought browner ; and your gown's a most rare fashion , i' faith . I saw the Duchess of Milan's gown that they praise so .
+
+O ! that exceeds , they say .
+
+By my troth's but a night-gown in respect of yours : cloth o' gold , and cuts , and laced with silver , set with pearls , down sleeves , side sleeves , and skirts round , underborne with a bluish tinsel ; but for a fine , quaint , graceful , and excellent fashion , yours is worth ten on't .
+
+God give me joy to wear it ! for my heart is exceeding heavy .
+
+'Twill be heavier soon by the weight of a man .
+
+Fie upon thee ! art not ashamed ?
+
+Of what , lady ? of speaking honourably ? is not marriage honourable in a beggar ? Is not your lord honourable without marriage ? I think you would have me say , 'saving your reverence , a husband :' an bad thinking do not wrest true speaking , I'll offend nobody . Is there any harm in 'the heavier for a husband ?' None , I think , an it be the right husband and the right wife ; otherwise 'tis light , and not heavy : ask my Lady Beatrice else ; here she comes .
+
+
+Good morrow , coz .
+
+Good morrow , sweet Hero .
+
+Why , how now ! do you speak in the sick tune ?
+
+I am out of all other tune , methinks .
+
+Clap's into 'Light o' love ;' that goes without a burden : do you sing it , and I'll dance it .
+
+Ye light o' love with your heels ! then , if your husband have stables enough , you'll see he shall lack no barns .
+
+O illegitimate construction ! I scorn that with my heels .
+
+'Tis almost five o'clock , cousin ; 'tis time you were ready . By my troth , I am exceeding ill . Heigh-ho !
+
+For a hawk , a horse , or a husband ?
+
+For the letter that begins them all , H .
+
+Well , an you be not turned Turk , there's no more sailing by the star .
+
+What means the fool , trow ?
+
+Nothing I ; but God send every one their heart's desire !
+
+These gloves the count sent me ; they are an excellent perfume .
+
+I am stuffed , cousin , I cannot smell .
+
+A maid , and stuffed ! there's goodly catching of cold .
+
+O , God help me ! God help me ! how long have you professed apprehension ?
+
+Ever since you left it . Doth not my wit become me rarely !
+
+It is not seen enough , you should wear it in your cap . By my troth , I am sick .
+
+Get you some of this distilled Carduus Benedictus , and lay it to your heart : it is the only thing for a qualm .
+
+There thou prick'st her with a thistle .
+
+Benedictus ! why Benedictus ? you have some moral in this Benedictus .
+
+Moral ! no , by my troth , I have no moral meaning ; I meant , plain holy-thistle . You may think , perchance , that I think you are in love : nay , by'r lady , I am not such a fool to think what I list ; nor I list not to think what I can ; nor , indeed , I cannot think , if I would think my heart out of thinking , that you are in love , or that you will be in love , or that you can be in love . Yet Benedick was such another , and now is he become a man : he swore he would never marry ; and yet now , in despite of his heart , he eats his meat without grudging : and how you may be converted , I know not ; but methinks you look with your eyes as other women do .
+
+What pace is this that thy tongue keeps ?
+
+Not a false gallop .
+
+
+Madam , withdraw : the prince , the count , Signior Benedick , Don John , and all the gallants of the town , are come to fetch you to church .
+
+Help to dress me , good coz , good Meg , good Ursula .
+
+
+What would you with me , honest neighbour ?
+
+Marry , sir , I would have some confidence with you , that decerns you nearly .
+
+Brief , I pray you ; for you see it is a busy time with me .
+
+Marry , this it is , sir .
+
+Yes , in truth it is , sir .
+
+What is it , my good friends ?
+
+Goodman Verges , sir , speaks a little off the matter : an old man , sir , and his wits are not so blunt , as , God help , I would desire they were ; but , in faith , honest as the skin between his brows .
+
+Yes , I thank God , I am as honest as any man living , that is an old man and no honester than I .
+
+Comparisons are odorous : palabras , neighbour Verges .
+
+Neighbours , you are tedious .
+
+It pleases your worship to say so , but we are the poor duke's officers ; but truly , for mine own part , if I were as tedious as a king , I could find in my heart to bestow it all of your worship .
+
+All thy tediousness on me ! ha ?
+
+Yea , an't were a thousand pound more than 'tis ; for I hear as good exclamation on your worship , as of any man in the city , and though I be but a poor man , I am glad to hear it .
+
+And so am I .
+
+I would fain know what you have to say .
+
+Marry , sir , our watch to-night , excepting your worship's presence , ha' ta'en a couple of as arrant knaves as any in Messina .
+
+A good old man , sir ; he will be talking ; as they say , 'when the age is in , the wit is out .' God help us ! it is a world to see ! Well said , i' faith , neighbour Verges : well , God's a good man ; an two men ride of a horse , one must ride behind . An honest soul , i' faith , sir ; by my troth he is , as ever broke bread : but God is to be worshipped : all men are not alike ; alas ! good neighbour .
+
+Indeed , neighbour , he comes too short of you .
+
+Gifts that God gives .
+
+I must leave you .
+
+One word , sir : our watch , sir , hath indeed comprehended two aspicious persons , and we would have them this morning examined before your worship .
+
+Take their examination yourself , and bring it me : I am now in great haste , as may appear unto you .
+
+It shall be suffigance .
+
+Drink some wine ere you go : fare you well .
+
+
+My lord , they stay for you to give your daughter to her husband .
+
+I'll wait upon them : I am ready .
+
+
+Go , good partner , go , get you to Francis Seacoal ; bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol : we are now to examination these men .
+
+And we must do it wisely .
+
+We will spare for no wit , I warrant you ; here's that shall drive some of them to a non-come : only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication , and meet me at the gaol .
+
+Come , Friar Francis , be brief : only to the plain form of marriage , and you shall recount their particular duties afterwards .
+
+You come hither , my lord , to marry this lady ?
+
+No .
+
+To be married to her , friar ; you come to marry her .
+
+Lady , you come hither to be married to this count ?
+
+I do .
+
+If either of you know any inward impediment , why you should not be conjoined , I charge you , on your souls , to utter it .
+
+Know you any , Hero ?
+
+None , my lord .
+
+Know you any , count ?
+
+I dare make his answer ; none .
+
+O ! what men dare do ! what men may do ! what men daily do , not knowing what they do !
+
+How now ! Interjections ? Why then , some be of laughing , as ah ! ha ! he !
+
+Stand thee by , friar . Father , by your leave :
+Will you with free and unconstrained soul
+Give me this maid , your daughter ?
+
+As freely , son , as God did give her me .
+
+And what have I to give you back whose worth
+May counterpoise this rich and precious gift ?
+
+Nothing , unless you render her again .
+
+Sweet prince , you learn me noble thankfulness .
+There , Leonato , take her back again :
+Give not this rotten orange to your friend ;
+She's but the sign and semblance of her honour .
+Behold ! how like a maid she blushes here .
+O ! what authority and show of truth
+Can cunning sin cover itself withal .
+Comes not that blood as modest evidence
+To witness simple virtue ? Would you not swear ,
+All you that see her , that she were a maid ,
+By these exterior shows ? But she is none :
+She knows the heat of a luxurious bed ;
+Her blush is guiltiness , not modesty .
+
+What do you mean , my lord ?
+
+Not to be married ,
+Not to knit my soul to an approved wanton .
+
+Dear my lord , if you , in your own proof ,
+Have vanquish'd the resistance of her youth ,
+And made defeat of her virginity ,
+
+I know what you would say : if I have known her ,
+You'll say she did embrace me as a husband ,
+And so extenuate the 'forehand sin :
+No , Leonato ,
+I never tempted her with word too large ;
+But , as a brother to his sister , show'd
+Bashful sincerity and comely love .
+
+And seem'd I ever otherwise to you ?
+
+Out on thee ! Seeming ! I will write against it :
+You seem to me as Dian in her orb ,
+As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown ;
+But you are more intemperate in your blood
+Than Venus , or those pamper'd animals
+That rage in savage sensuality .
+
+Is my lord well , that he doth speak so wide ?
+
+Sweet prince , why speak not you ?
+
+What should I speak ?
+I stand dishonour'd , that have gone about
+To link my dear friend to a common stale .
+
+Are these things spoken , or do I but dream ?
+
+Sir , they are spoken , and these things are true .
+
+This looks not like a nuptial .
+
+True ! O God !
+
+Leonato , stand I here ?
+Is this the prince ? Is this the prince's brother ?
+Is this face Hero's ? Are our eyes our own ?
+
+All this is so ; but what of this , my lord ?
+
+Let me but move one question to your daughter ;
+And by that fatherly and kindly power
+That you have in her , bid her answer truly .
+
+I charge thee do so , as thou art my child .
+
+O , God defend me ! how am I beset !
+What kind of catechizing call you this ?
+
+To make you answer truly to your name .
+
+Is it not Hero ? Who can blot that name
+With any just reproach ?
+
+Marry , that can Hero :
+Hero itself can blot out Hero's virtue .
+What man was he talk'd with you yesternight
+Out at your window , betwixt twelve and one ?
+Now , if you are a maid , answer to this .
+
+I talk'd with no man at that hour , my lord .
+
+Why , then are you no maiden . Leonato ,
+I am sorry you must hear : upon mine honour ,
+Myself , my brother , and this grieved count ,
+Did see her , hear her , at that hour last night ,
+Talk with a ruffian at her chamber-window ;
+Who hath indeed , most like a liberal villain ,
+Confess'd the vile encounters they have had
+A thousand times in secret .
+
+Fie , fie ! they are not to be nam'd , my lord ,
+Not to be spoke of ;
+There is not chastity enough in language
+Without offence to utter them . Thus , pretty lady ,
+I am sorry for thy much misgovernment .
+
+O Hero ! what a Hero hadst thou been ,
+If half thy outward graces had been plac'd
+About thy thoughts and counsels of thy heart !
+But fare thee well , most foul , most fair ! farewell ,
+Thou pure impiety , and impious purity !
+For thee I'll lock up all the gates of love ,
+And on my eyelids shall conjecture hang ,
+To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm ,
+And never shall it more be gracious .
+
+Hath no man's dagger here a point for me ?
+
+
+Why , how now , cousin ! wherefore sink you down ?
+
+Come , let us go . These things , come thus to light ,
+Smother her spirits up .
+
+
+How doth the lady ?
+
+Dead , I think ! help , uncle !
+Hero ! why , Hero ! Uncle ! Signior Benedick !
+Friar !
+
+O Fate ! take not away thy heavy hand :
+Death is the fairest cover for her shame
+That may be wish'd for .
+
+How now , cousin Hero !
+
+Have comfort , lady .
+
+Dost thou look up ?
+
+Yea ; wherefore should she not ?
+
+Wherefore ! Why , doth not every earthly thing
+Cry shame upon her ? Could she here deny
+The story that is printed in her blood ?
+Do not live , Hero ; do not ope thine eyes ;
+For , did I think thou wouldst not quickly die ,
+Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames ,
+Myself would , on the rearward of reproaches ,
+Strike at thy life . Griev'd I , I had but one ?
+Chid I for that at frugal nature's frame ?
+O ! one too much by thee . Why had I one ?
+Why ever wast thou lovely in mine eyes ?
+Why had I not with charitable hand
+Took up a beggar's issue at my gates ,
+Who smirched thus , and mir'd with infamy ,
+I might have said , 'No part of it is mine ;
+This shame derives itself from unknown loins ?'
+But mine , and mine I lov'd , and mine I prais'd ,
+And mine that I was proud on , mine so much
+That I myself was to myself not mine ,
+Valuing of her ; why , she O ! she is fallen
+Into a pit of ink , that the wide sea
+Hath drops too few to wash her clean again ,
+And salt too little which may season give
+To her foul-tainted flesh .
+
+Sir , sir , be patient .
+For my part , I am so attir'd in wonder ,
+I know not what to say .
+
+O ! on my soul , my cousin is belied !
+
+Lady , were you her bedfellow last night ?
+
+No , truly , not ; although , until last night ,
+I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow .
+
+Confirm'd , confirm'd ! O ! that is stronger made ,
+Which was before barr'd up with ribs of iron .
+Would the two princes lie ? and Claudio lie ,
+Who lov'd her so , that , speaking of her foulness ,
+Wash'd it with tears ? Hence from her ! let her die .
+
+Hear me a little ;
+For I have only been silent so long ,
+And given way unto this course of fortune ,
+By noting of the lady : I have mark'd
+A thousand blushing apparitions
+To start into her face ; a thousand innocent shames
+In angel whiteness bear away those blushes ;
+And in her eye there hath appear'd a fire ,
+To burn the errors that these princess hold
+Against her maiden truth . Call me a fool ;
+Trust not my reading nor my observations ,
+Which with experimental seal doth warrant
+The tenour of my book ; trust not my age ,
+My reverence , calling , nor divinity ,
+If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here
+Under some biting error .
+
+Friar , it cannot be .
+Thou seest that all the grace that she hath left
+Is , that she will not add to her damnation
+A sin of perjury : she not denies it .
+Why seek'st thou then to cover with excuse
+That which appears in proper nakedness ?
+
+Lady , what man is he you are accus'd of ?
+
+They know that do accuse me , I know none ;
+If I know more of any man alive
+Than that which maiden modesty doth warrant ,
+Let all my sins lack mercy ! O , my father !
+Prove you that any man with me convers'd
+At hours unmeet , or that I yesternight
+Maintain'd the change of words with any creature ,
+Refuse me , hate me , torture me to death .
+
+There is some strange misprision in the princes .
+
+Two of them have the very bent of honour ;
+And if their wisdoms be misled in this ,
+The practice of it lives in John the bastard ,
+Whose spirits toil in frame of villanies .
+
+I know not . If they speak but truth of her ,
+These hands shall tear her ; if they wrong her honour ,
+The proudest of them shall well hear of it .
+Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine .
+Nor age so eat up my invention ,
+Nor fortune made such havoc of my means ,
+Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends ,
+But they shall find , awak'd in such a kind ,
+Both strength of limb and policy of mind ,
+Ability in means and choice of friends ,
+To quit me of them throughly .
+
+Pause awhile ,
+And let my counsel sway you in this case .
+Your daughter here the princes left for dead ;
+Let her awhile be secretly kept in ,
+And publish it that she is dead indeed :
+Maintain a mourning ostentation ;
+And on your family's old monument
+Hang mournful epitaphs and do all rites
+That appertain unto a burial .
+
+What shall become of this ? What will this do ?
+
+Marry , this well carried shall on her behalf
+Change slander to remorse ; that is some good :
+But not for that dream I on this strange course ,
+But on this travail look for greater birth .
+She dying , as it must be so maintain'd ,
+Upon the instant that she was accus'd ,
+Shall be lamented , pitied and excus'd
+Of every hearer ; for it so falls out
+That what we have we prize not to the worth
+Whiles we enjoy it , but being lack'd and lost ,
+Why , then we rack the value , then we find
+The virtue that possession would not show us
+Whiles it was ours . So will it fare with Claudio :
+When he shall hear she died upon his words ,
+The idea of her life shall sweetly creep
+Into his study of imagination ,
+And every lovely organ of her life
+Shall come apparell'd in more precious habit ,
+More moving-delicate , and full of life
+Into the eye and prospect of his soul ,
+Than when she liv'd indeed : then shall he mourn ,
+If ever love had interest in his liver ,
+And wish he had not so accused her ,
+No , though he thought his accusation true .
+Let this be so , and doubt not but success
+Will fashion the event in better shape
+Than I can lay it down in likelihood .
+But if all aim but this be levell'd false ,
+The supposition of the lady's death
+Will quench the wonder of her infamy :
+And if it sort not well , you may conceal her ,
+As best befits her wounded reputation ,
+In some reclusive and religious life ,
+Out of all eyes , tongues , minds , and injuries .
+
+Signior Leonato , let the friar advise you :
+And though you know my inwardness and love
+Is very much unto the prince and Claudio ,
+Yet , by mine honour , I will deal in this
+As secretly and justly as your soul
+Should with your body .
+
+Being that I flow in grief ,
+The smallest twine may lead me .
+
+'Tis well consented : presently away ;
+For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure .
+Come , lady , die to live : this wedding day
+Perhaps is but prolong'd : have patience and endure .
+
+
+Lady Beatrice , have you wept all this while ?
+
+Yea , and I will weep a while longer .
+
+I will not desire that .
+
+You have no reason ; I do it freely .
+
+Surely I do believe your fair cousin is wronged .
+
+Ah ! how much might the man deserve of me that would right her .
+
+Is there any way to show such friendship ?
+
+A very even way , but no such friend .
+
+May a man do it ?
+
+It is a man's office , but not yours .
+
+I do love nothing in the world so well as you : is not that strange ?
+
+As strange as the thing I know not .
+It were as possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as your , but believe me not , and yet I lie not ; I confess nothing , not I deny nothing . I am sorry for my cousin .
+
+By my sword , Beatrice , thou lovest me .
+
+Do not swear by it , and eat it .
+
+I will swear by it that you love me ; and I will make him eat it that says I love not you .
+
+Will you not eat your word ?
+
+With no sauce that can be devised to it . I protest I love thee .
+
+Why then , God forgive me !
+
+What offence , sweet Beatrice ?
+
+You have stayed me in a happy hour :
+I was about to protest I loved you .
+
+And do it with all thy heart .
+
+I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest .
+
+Come , bid me do anything for thee .
+
+Kill Claudio .
+
+Ha ! not for the wide world .
+
+You kill me to deny it . Farewell .
+
+Tarry , sweet Beatrice .
+
+I am gone , though I am here : there is no love in you : nay , I pray you , let me go .
+
+Beatrice ,
+
+In faith , I will go .
+
+We'll be friends first .
+
+You dare easier be friends with me than fight with mine enemy .
+
+Is Claudio thine enemy ?
+
+Is he not approved in the height a villain , that hath slandered , scorned , dishonoured my kinswoman ? O ! that I were a man . What ! bear her in hand until they come to take hands , and then , with public accusation , uncovered slander , unmitigated rancour ,O God , that I were a man ! I would eat his heart in the market-place .
+
+Hear me , Beatrice ,
+
+Talk with a man out at a window ! a proper saying !
+
+Nay , but Beatrice ,
+
+Sweet Hero ! she is wronged , she is slandered , she is undone .
+
+Beat
+
+Princes and counties ! Surely , a princely testimony , a goodly Count Comfect ; a sweet gallant , surely ! O ! that I were a man for his sake , or that I had any friend would be a man for my sake ! But manhood is melted into curtsies , valour into compliment , and men are only turned into tongue , and trim ones too : he is now as valiant as Hercules , that only tells a lie and swears it . I cannot be a man with wishing , therefore I will die a woman with grieving .
+
+Tarry , good Beatrice . By this hand , I love thee .
+
+Use it for my love some other way than swearing by it .
+
+Think you in your soul the Count Claudio hath wronged Hero ?
+
+Yea , as sure as I have a thought or a soul .
+
+Enough ! I am engaged , I will challenge him . I will kiss your hand , and so leave you . By this hand , Claudio shall render me a dear account . As you hear of me , so think of me . Go , comfort your cousin : I must say she is dead ; and so , farewell .
+
+
+Is our whole dissembly appeared ?
+
+O ! a stool and a cushion for the sexton .
+
+Which be the malefactors ?
+
+Marry , that am I and my partner .
+
+Nay , that's certain : we have the exhibition to examine .
+
+But which are the offenders that are to be examined ? let them come before Master constable .
+
+Yea , marry , let them come before me .
+What is your name , friend ?
+
+Borachio .
+
+Pray write down Borachio . Yours , sirrah ?
+
+I am a gentleman , sir , and my name is Conrade .
+
+Write down Master gentleman Conrade . Masters , do you serve God ?
+
+Yea , sir , we hope .
+
+Yea , sir , we hope .
+
+Write down that they hope they serve God : and write God first ; for God defend but God should go before such villains ! Masters , it is proved already that you are little better than false knaves , and it will go near to be thought so shortly . How answer you for yourselves ?
+
+Marry , sir , we say we are none .
+
+A marvellous witty fellow , I assure you ; but I will go about with him . Come you hither , sirrah ; a word in your ear : sir , I say to you , it is thought you are false knaves .
+
+Sir , I say to you we are none .
+
+Well , stand aside . 'Fore God , they are both in a tale . Have you writ down , that they are none ?
+
+Master constable , you go not the way to examine : you must call forth the watch that are their accusers .
+
+Yea , marry , that's the eftest way . Let the watch come forth . Masters , I charge you , in the prince's name , accuse these men .
+
+This man said , sir , that Don John , the prince's brother , was a villain .
+
+Write down Prince John a villain .
+Why , this is flat perjury , to call a prince's brother villain .
+
+Master constable ,
+
+Pray thee , fellow , peace : I do not like thy look , I promise thee .
+
+What heard you him say else ?
+
+Marry , that he had received a thousand ducats of Don John for accusing the Lady Hero wrongfully .
+
+Flat burglary as ever was committed .
+
+Yea , by the mass , that it is .
+
+What else , fellow ?
+
+And that Count Claudio did mean , upon his words , to disgrace Hero before the whole assembly , and not marry her .
+
+O villain ! thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption for this .
+
+What else ?
+
+This is all .
+
+And this is more , masters , than you can deny . Prince John is this morning secretly stolen away : Hero was in this manner accused , in this very manner refused , and , upon the grief of this , suddenly died . Master constable , let these men be bound , and brought to Leonato's : I will go before and show him their examination .
+
+
+Come , let them be opinioned .
+
+Let them be in the hands
+
+Off , coxcomb !
+
+God's my life ! where's the sexton ? let him write down the prince's officer coxcomb . Come , bind them . Thou naughty varlet !
+
+Away ! you are an ass ; you are an ass .
+
+Dost thou not suspect my place ? Dost thou not suspect my years ? O that he were here to write me down an ass ! but , masters , remember that I am an ass ; though it be not written down , yet forget not that I am an ass . No , thou villain , thou art full of piety , as shall be proved upon thee by good witness . I am a wise fellow ; and , which is more , an officer ; and , which is more , a householder ; and , which is more , as pretty a piece of flesh as any in Messina ; and one that knows the law , go to ; and a rich fellow enough , go to ; and a fellow that hath had losses ; and one that hath two gowns , and everything handsome about him . Bring him away . O that I had been writ down an ass !
+
+If you go on thus , you will kill yourself ;
+And 'tis not wisdom thus to second grief
+Against yourself .
+
+I pray thee , cease thy counsel ,
+Which falls into mine ears as profitless
+As water in a sieve : give not me counsel ;
+Nor let no comforter delight mine ear
+But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine :
+Bring me a father that so lov'd his child ,
+Whose joy of her is overwhelm'd like mine ,
+And bid him speak of patience ;
+Measure his woe the length and breadth of mine ,
+And let it answer every strain for strain ,
+As thus for thus and such a grief for such ,
+In every lineament , branch , shape , and form :
+If such a one will smile , and stroke his beard ;
+Bid sorrow wag , cry 'hem' when he should groan ,
+Patch grief with proverbs ; make misfortune drunk
+With candle-wasters ; bring him yet to me ,
+And I of him will gather patience .
+But there is no such man ; for , brother , men
+Can counsel and speak comfort to that grief
+Which they themselves not feel ; but , tasting it ,
+Their counsel turns to passion , which before
+Would give preceptial medicine to rage ,
+Fetter strong madness in a silken thread ,
+Charm ache with air and agony with words .
+No , no ; 'tis all men's office to speak patience
+To those that wring under the load of sorrow ,
+But no man's virtue nor sufficiency
+To be so moral when he shall endure
+The like himself . Therefore give me no counsel :
+My griefs cry louder than advertisement .
+
+Therein do men from children nothing differ .
+
+I pray thee , peace ! I will be flesh and blood ;
+For there was never yet philosopher
+That could endure the toothache patiently ,
+However they have writ the style of gods
+And made a push at chance and sufferance .
+
+Yet bend not all the harm upon yourself ;
+Make those that do offend you suffer too .
+
+There thou speak'st reason : nay , I will do so .
+My soul doth tell me Hero is belied ;
+And that shall Claudio know ; so shall the prince ,
+And all of them that thus dishonour her .
+
+Here come the prince and Claudio hastily .
+
+
+Good den , good den .
+
+Good day to both of you .
+
+Hear you , my lords ,
+
+We have some haste , Leonato .
+
+Some haste , my lord ! well , fare you well , my lord :
+Are you so hasty now ?well , all is one .
+
+Nay , do not quarrel with us , good old man .
+
+If he could right himself with quarrelling ,
+Some of us would lie low .
+
+Who wrongs him ?
+
+Marry , thou dost wrong me ; thou dissembler , thou .
+Nay , never lay thy hand upon thy sword ;
+I fear thee not .
+
+Marry , beshrew my hand ,
+If it should give your age such cause of fear .
+In faith , my hand meant nothing to my sword .
+
+Tush , tush , man ! never fleer and jest at me :
+I speak not like a dotard nor a fool ,
+As , under privilege of age , to brag
+What I have done being young , or what would do ,
+Were I not old . Know , Claudio , to thy head ,
+Thou hast so wrong'd mine innocent child and me
+That I am forc'd to lay my reverence by ,
+And , with grey hairs and bruise of many days ,
+Do challenge thee to trial of a man .
+I say thou hast belied mine innocent child :
+Thy slander hath gone through and through her heart ,
+And she lies buried with her ancestors ;
+O ! in a tomb where never scandal slept ,
+Save this of hers , fram'd by thy villany !
+
+My villany ?
+
+Thine , Claudio ; thine , I say .
+
+You say not right , old man .
+
+My lord , my lord ,
+I'll prove it on his body , if he dare ,
+Despite his nice fence and his active practice ,
+His May of youth and bloom of lustihood .
+
+Away ! I will not have to do with you .
+
+Canst thou so daff me ? Thou hast kill'd my child ;
+If thou kill'st me , boy , thou shalt kill a man .
+
+He shall kill two of us , and men indeed :
+But that's no matter ; let him kill one first :
+Win me and wear me ; let him answer me .
+Come , follow me , boy ; come , sir boy , come , follow me .
+Sir boy , I'll whip you from your foining fence ;
+Nay , as I am a gentleman , I will .
+
+Brother ,
+
+Content yourself . God knows I lov'd my niece ;
+And she is dead , slander'd to death by villains ,
+That dare as well answer a man indeed
+As I dare take a serpent by the tongue .
+Boys , apes , braggarts , Jacks , milksops !
+
+Brother Antony ,
+
+Hold you content . What , man ! I know them , yea ,
+And what they weigh , even to the utmost scruple ,
+Scrambling , out-facing , fashion-monging boys ,
+That lie and cog and flout , deprave and slander ,
+Go antickly , show outward hideousness ,
+And speak off half a dozen dangerous words ,
+How they might hurt their enemies , if they durst ;
+And this is all !
+
+But , brother Antony ,
+
+Come , 'tis no matter :
+Do not you meddle , let me deal in this .
+
+Gentlemen both , we will not wake your patience .
+My heart is sorry for your daughter's death ;
+But , on my honour , she was charg'd with nothing
+But what was true and very full of proof .
+
+My lord , my lord
+
+I will not hear you .
+
+No ?
+Come , brother , away . I will be heard .
+
+And shall , or some of us will smart for it .
+
+See , see ; here comes the man we went to seek .
+
+Now , signior , what news ?
+
+Good day , my lord .
+
+Welcome , signior : you are almost come to part almost a fray .
+
+We had like to have had our two noses snapped off with two old men without teeth .
+
+Leonato and his brother . What thinkest thou ? Had we fought , I doubt we should have been too young for them .
+
+In a false quarrel there is no true valour . I came to seek you both .
+
+We have been up and down to seek thee ; for we are high-proof melancholy , and would fain have it beaten away . Wilt thou use thy wit ?
+
+It is in my scabbard ; shall I draw it ?
+
+Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side ?
+
+Never any did so , though very many have been beside their wit . I will bid thee draw , as we do the minstrels ; draw , to pleasure us .
+
+As I am an honest man , he looks pale . Art thou sick , or angry ?
+
+What , courage , man ! What though care killed a cat , thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care .
+
+Sir , I shall meet your wit in the career , an you charge it against me . I pray you choose another subject .
+
+Nay then , give him another staff : this last was broke cross .
+
+By this light , he changes more and more : I think he be angry indeed .
+
+If he be , he knows how to turn his girdle .
+
+Shall I speak a word in your ear ?
+
+God bless me from a challenge !
+
+You are a villain ; I jest not : I will make it good how you dare , with what you dare , and when you dare . Do me right , or I will protest your cowardice . You have killed a sweet lady , and her death shall fall heavy on you . Let me hear from you .
+
+Well I will meet you , so I may have good cheer .
+
+What , a feast , a feast ?
+
+I' faith , I thank him ; he hath bid me to a calf's-head and a capon , the which if I do not carve most curiously , say my knife's naught .
+Shall I not find a woodcock too ?
+
+Sir , your wit ambles well ; it goes easily .
+
+I'll tell thee how Beatrice praised thy wit the other day . I said , thou hadst a fine wit . 'True ,' says she , 'a fine little one .' 'No ,' said I , 'a great wit .' 'Right ,' said she , 'a great gross one .' 'Nay ,' said I , 'a good wit .' 'Just ,' said she , 'it hurts nobody .' 'Nay ,' said I , 'the gentleman is wise .' 'Certain ,' said she , 'a wise gentleman .' 'Nay ,' said I , 'he hath the tongues .' 'That I believe ,' said she . 'for he swore a thing to me on Monday night , which he forswore on Tuesday morning : there's a double tongue ; there's two tongues .' Thus did she , an hour together , trans-shape thy particular virtues ; yet at last she concluded with a sigh , thou wast the properest man in Italy .
+
+For the which she wept heartily and said she cared not .
+
+Yea , that she did ; but yet , for all that , an if she did not hate him deadly , she would love him dearly . The old man's daughter told us all .
+
+All , all ; and moreover , God saw him when he was hid in the garden .
+
+But when shall we set the savage bull's horns on the sensible Benedick's head ?
+
+Yea , and text underneath , 'Here dwells Benedick the married man !'
+
+Fare you well , boy : you know my mind . I will leave you now to your gossip-like humour : you break jests as braggarts do their blades , which , God be thanked , hurt not . My lord , for your many courtesies I thank you : I must discontinue your company . Your brother the bastard is fled from Messina : you have , among you , killed a sweet and innocent lady . For my Lord Lack-beard there , he and I shall meet ; and till then , peace be with him .
+
+
+He is in earnest .
+
+In most profound earnest ; and , I'll warrant you , for the love of Beatrice .
+
+And hath challenged thee ?
+
+Most sincerely .
+
+What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet and hose and leaves off his wit !
+
+He is then a giant to an ape ; but then is an ape a doctor to such a man .
+
+But , soft you ; let me be : pluck up , my heart , and be sad ! Did he not say my brother was fled ?
+
+
+Come , you , sir : if justice cannot tame you , she shall ne'er weigh more reasons in her balance . Nay , an you be a cursing hypocrite once , you must be looked to .
+
+How now ! two of my brother's men bound ! Borachio , one !
+
+Hearken after their offence , my lord .
+
+Officers , what offence have these men done ?
+
+Marry , sir , they have committed false report ; moreover , they have spoken untruths ; secondarily , they are slanders ; sixth and lastly , they have belied a lady ; thirdly , they have verified unjust things ; and to conclude , they are lying knaves .
+
+First , I ask thee what they have done ; thirdly , I ask thee what's their offence ; sixth and lastly , why they are committed ; and , to conclude , what you lay to their charge ?
+
+Rightly reasoned , and in his own division ; and , by my troth , there's one meaning well suited .
+
+Who have you offended , masters , that you are thus bound to your answer ? this learned constable is too cunning to be understood . What's your offence ?
+
+Sweet prince , let me go no further to mine answer : do you hear me , and let this count kill me . I have deceived even your very eyes : what your wisdoms could not discover , these shallow fools have brought to light ; who , in the night overheard me confessing to this man how Don John your brother incensed me to slander the Lady Hero ; how you were brought into the orchard and saw me court Margaret in Hero's garments ; how you disgraced her , when you should marry her . My villany they have upon record ; which I had rather seal with my death than repeat over to my shame . The lady is dead upon mine and my master's false accusation ; and , briefly , I desire nothing but the reward of a villain .
+
+Runs not this speech like iron through your blood ?
+
+I have drunk poison whiles he utter'd it .
+
+But did my brother set thee on to this ?
+
+Yea ; and paid me richly for the practice of it .
+
+He is compos'd and fram'd of treachery :
+And fled he is upon this villany .
+
+Sweet Hero ! now thy image doth appear
+In the rare semblance that I lov'd it first .
+
+Come , bring away the plaintiffs : by this time our sexton hath reformed Signior Leonato of the matter . And masters , do not forget to specify , when time and place shall serve , that I am an ass .
+
+Here , here comes Master Signior Leonato , and the sexton too .
+
+
+Which is the villain ? Let me see his eyes ,
+That , when I note another man like him ,
+I may avoid him . Which of these is he ?
+
+If you would know your wronger , look on me .
+
+Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast kill'd
+Mine innocent child ?
+
+Yea , even I alone .
+
+No , not so , villain ; thou beliest thyself :
+Here stand a pair of honourable men ;
+A third is fled , that had a hand in it .
+I thank you , princes , for my daughter's death
+Record it with your high and worthy deeds .
+'Twas bravely done , if you bethink you of it .
+
+I know not how to pray your patience ;
+Yet I must speak . Choose your revenge yourself ;
+Impose me to what penance your invention
+Can lay upon my sin : yet sinn'd I not
+But in mistaking .
+
+By my soul , nor I :
+And yet , to satisfy this good old man ,
+I would bend under any heavy weight
+That he'll enjoin me to .
+
+I cannot bid you bid my daughter live ;
+That were impossible : but , I pray you both ,
+Possess the people in Messina here
+How innocent she died ; and if your love
+Can labour aught in sad invention ,
+Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb ,
+And sing it to her bones : sing it to-night .
+To-morrow morning come you to my house ,
+And since you could not be my son-in-law ,
+Be yet my nephew . My brother hath a daughter ,
+Almost the copy of my child that's dead ,
+And she alone is heir to both of us :
+Give her the right you should have given her cousin ,
+And so dies my revenge .
+
+O noble sir ,
+Your over-kindness doth wring tears from me !
+I do embrace your offer ; and dispose
+For henceforth of poor Claudio .
+
+To-morrow then I will expect your coming ;
+To-night I take my leave . This naughty man
+Shall face to face be brought to Margaret ,
+Who , I believe , was pack'd in all this wrong ,
+Hir'd to it by your brother .
+
+No , by my soul she was not ;
+Nor knew not what she did when she spoke to me ;
+But always hath been just and virtuous
+In anything that I do know by her .
+
+Moreover , sir ,which , indeed , is not under white and black ,this plaintiff here , the offender , did call me ass : I beseech you , let it be remembered in his punishment . And also , the watch heard them talk of one Deformed : they say he wears a key in his ear and a lock hanging by it , and borrows money in God's name , the which he hath used so long and never paid , that now men grow hard-hearted , and will lend nothing for God's sake . Pray you , examine him upon that point .
+
+I thank thee for thy care and honest pains .
+
+Your worship speaks like a most thankful and reverend youth , and I praise God for you .
+
+There's for thy pains .
+
+God save the foundation !
+
+Go , I discharge thee of thy prisoner , and I thank thee .
+
+I leave an arrant knave with your worship ; which I beseech your worship to corect yourself , for the example of others . God keep your worship ! I wish your worship well ; God restore you to health ! I humbly give you leave to depart , and if a merry meeting may be wished , God prohibit it ! Come , neighbour .
+
+
+Until to-morrow morning , lords , farewell .
+
+Farewell , my lords : we look for you to-morrow .
+
+We will not fail .
+
+To-night I'll mourn with Hero .
+
+
+Bring you these fellows on . We'll talk with Margaret ,
+How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow .
+
+
+Pray thee , sweet Mistress Margaret , deserve well at my hands by helping me to the speech of Beatrice .
+
+Will you then write me a sonnet in praise of my beauty ?
+
+In so high a style , Margaret , that no man living shall come over it ; for , in most comely truth , thou deservest it .
+
+To have no man come over me ! why , shall I always keep below stairs ?
+
+Thy wit is as quick as the greyhound's mouth ; it catches .
+
+And yours as blunt as the fencer's foils , which hit , but hurt not .
+
+A most manly wit , Margaret ; it will not hurt a woman : and so , I pray thee , call Beatrice . I give thee the bucklers .
+
+Give us the swords , we have bucklers of our own .
+
+If you use them , Margaret , you must put in the pikes with a vice ; and they are dangerous weapons for maids .
+
+Well , I will call Beatrice to you , who I think hath legs .
+
+And therefore will come .
+
+
+The god of love ,
+That sits above ,
+And knows me , and knows me ,
+How pitiful I deserve ,
+
+I mean , in singing ; but in loving , Leander the good swimmer , Troilus the first employer of pandars , and a whole book full of these quondam carpet-mongers , whose names yet run smoothly in the even road of a blank verse , why , they were never so truly turned over and over as my poor self , in love . Marry , I cannot show it in rime ; I have tried : I can find out no rime to 'lady' but 'baby ,' an innocent rime ; for 'scorn ,' 'horn ,' a hard rime ; for 'school ,' 'fool ,' a babbling rime ; very ominous endings : no , I was not born under a riming planet , nor I cannot woo in festival terms .
+
+Sweet Beatrice , wouldst thou come when I called thee ?
+
+Yea , signior ; and depart when you bid me .
+
+O , stay but till then !
+
+'Then' is spoken ; fare you well now : and yet , ere I go , let me go with that I came for ; which is , with knowing what hath passed between you and Claudio .
+
+Only foul words ; and thereupon I will kiss thee .
+
+Foul words is but foul wind , and foul wind is but foul breath , and foul breath is noisome ; therefore I will depart unkissed .
+
+Thou hast frighted the word out of his right sense , so forcible is thy wit . But I must tell thee plainly , Claudio undergoes my challenge , and either I must shortly hear from him , or I will subscribe him a coward . And , I pray thee now , tell me , for which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love with me ?
+
+For them all together ; which maintained so politic a state of evil that they will not admit any good part to intermingle with them . But for which of my good parts did you first suffer love for me ?
+
+'Suffer love ,' a good epithet ! I do suffer love indeed , for I love thee against my will .
+
+In spite of your heart , I think . Alas , poor heart ! If you spite it for my sake , I will spite it for yours ; for I will never love that which my friend hates .
+
+Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably .
+
+It appears not in this confession : there's not one wise man among twenty that will praise himself .
+
+An old , an old instance , Beatrice , that lived in the time of good neighbours . If a man do not erect in this age his own tomb ere he dies , he shall live no longer in monument than the bell rings and the widow weeps .
+
+And how long is that think you ?
+
+Question : why , an hour in clamour and a quarter in rheum : therefore it is most expedient for the wise ,if Don Worm , his conscience , find no impediment to the contrary ,to be the trumpet of his own virtues , as I am to myself . So much for praising myself , who , I myself will bear witness , is praiseworthy . And now tell me , how doth your cousin ?
+
+Very ill .
+
+And how do you ?
+
+Very ill too .
+
+Serve God , love me , and mend . There will I leave you too , for here comes one in haste .
+
+
+Madam , you must come to your uncle . Yonder's old coil at home : it is proved , my Lady Hero hath been falsely accused , the prince and Claudio mightily abused ; and Don John is the author of all , who is fled and gone . Will you come presently ?
+
+Will you go hear this news , signior ?
+
+I will live in thy heart , die in thy lap , and be buried in thy eyes ; and moreover I will go with thee to thy uncle's .
+
+
+Is this the monument of Leonato ?
+
+It is , my lord .
+
+Done to death by slanderous tongues
+Was the Hero that here lies :
+Death , in guerdon of her wrongs ,
+Gives her fame which never dies .
+So the life that died with shame
+Lives in doath with glorious fame .
+
+Hang thou there upon the tomb ,
+Praising her when I am dumb .
+Now , music , sound , and sing your solemn hymn .
+
+Pardon , goddess of the night ,
+Those that slew thy virgin knight ;
+For the which , with songs of woe ,
+Round about her tomb they go .
+Midnight , assist our moan ;
+Help us to sigh and groan ,
+Heavily , heavily :
+Graves , yawn and yield your dead ,
+Till death be uttered ,
+Heavily , heavily .
+
+Now , unto thy bones good night !
+Yearly will I do this rite .
+
+Good morrow , masters : put your torches out .
+The wolves have prey'd ; and look , the gentle day ,
+Before the wheels of Ph bus , round about
+Dapples the drowsy east with spots of grey .
+Thanks to you all , and leave us : fare you well
+
+Good morrow , masters : each his several way .
+
+Come , let us hence , and put on other weeds ;
+And then to Leonato's we will go .
+
+And Hymen now with luckier issue speed's ,
+Than this for whom we render'd up this woe !
+
+
+Did I not tell you she was innocent ?
+
+So are the prince and Claudio , who accus'd her
+Upon the error that you heard debated :
+But Margaret was in some fault for this ,
+Although against her will , as it appears
+In the true course of all the question .
+
+Well , I am glad that all things sort so well .
+
+And so am I , being else by faith enforc'd
+To call young Claudio to a reckoning for it .
+
+Well , daughter , and you gentlewomen all ,
+Withdraw into a chamber by yourselves ,
+And when I send for you , come hither mask'd :
+The prince and Claudio promis'd by this hour
+To visit me .
+
+You know your office , brother ;
+You must be father to your brother's daughter ,
+And give her to young Claudio .
+
+Which I will do with confirm'd countenance .
+
+Friar , I must entreat your pains , I think .
+
+To do what , signior ?
+
+To bind me , or undo me ; one of them .
+Signior Leonato , truth it is , good signior ,
+Your niece regards me with an eye of favour .
+
+That eye my daughter lent her : 'tis most true .
+
+And I do with an eye of love requite her .
+
+The sight whereof I think , you had from me ,
+From Claudio , and the prince . But what's your will ?
+
+Your answer , sir , is enigmatical :
+But , for my will , my will is your good will
+May stand with ours , this day to be conjoin'd
+In the state of honourable marriage :
+In which , good friar , I shall desire your help .
+
+My heart is with your liking .
+
+And my help .
+Here come the prince and Claudio .
+
+
+Good morrow to this fair assembly .
+
+Good morrow , prince ; good morrow , Claudio :
+We here attend you . Are you yet determin'd
+To-day to marry with my brother's daughter ?
+
+I'll hold my mind , were she an Ethiop .
+
+Call her forth , brother : here's the friar ready .
+
+
+Good morrow , Benedick . Why , what's the matter ,
+That you have such a February face ,
+So full of frost , of storm and cloudiness ?
+
+I think he thinks upon the savage bull .
+Tush ! fear not , man , we'll tip thy horns with gold ,
+And all Europa shall rejoice at thee ,
+As once Europa did at lusty Jove ,
+When he would play the noble beast in love .
+
+Bull Jove , sir , had an amiable low :
+And some such strange bull leap'd your father's cow ,
+And got a calf in that same noble feat ,
+Much like to you , for you have just his bleat .
+
+For this I owe you : here come other reckonings .
+
+Which is the lady I must seize upon ?
+
+This same is she , and I do give you her .
+
+Why , then she's mine . Sweet , let me see your face .
+
+No , that you shall not , till you take her hand
+Before this friar , and swear to marry her .
+
+Give me your hand : before this holy friar ,
+I am your husband , if you like of me .
+
+And when I liv'd , I was your other wife :
+
+And when you lov'd , you were my other husband .
+
+Another Hero !
+
+Nothing certainer :
+One Hero died defil'd , but I do live ,
+And surely as I live , I am a maid .
+
+The former Hero ! Hero that is dead !
+
+She died , my lord , but whiles her slander liv'd .
+
+All this amazement can I qualify :
+When after that the holy rites are ended ,
+I'll tell you largely of fair Hero's death :
+Meantime , let wonder seem familiar ,
+And to the chapel let us presently .
+
+Soft and fair , friar . Which is Beatrice ?
+
+I answer to that name . What is your will ?
+
+Do not you love me ?
+
+Why , no ; no more than reason .
+
+Why , then , your uncle and the prince and Claudio
+Have been deceived ; for they swore you did .
+
+Do not you love me ?
+
+Troth , no ; no more than reason .
+
+Why , then , my cousin , Margaret , and Ursula ,
+Are much deceiv'd ; for they did swear you did .
+
+They swore that you were almost sick for me .
+
+They swore that you were well-nigh dead for me .
+
+'Tis no such matter . Then , you do not love me ?
+
+No , truly , but in friendly recompense .
+
+Come , cousin , I am sure you love the gentleman .
+
+And I'll be sworn upon 't that he loves her ;
+For here's a paper written in his hand ,
+A halting sonnet of his own pure brain ,
+Fashion'd to Beatrice .
+
+And here's another ,
+Writ in my cousin's hand , stolen from her pocket ,
+Containing her affection unto Benedick .
+
+A miracle ! here's our own hands against our hearts . Come , I will have thee ; but , by this light , I take thee for pity .
+
+I would not deny you ; but , by this good day , I yield upon great persuasion , and partly to save your life , for I was told you were in a consumption .
+
+Peace ! I will stop your mouth .
+
+
+How dost thou , Benedick , the married man ?
+
+I'll tell thee what , prince ; a college of witcrackers cannot flout me out of my humour . Dost thou think I care for a satire or an epigram ? No ; if a man will be beaten with brains , a' shall wear nothing handsome about him . In brief , since I do purpose to marry , I will think nothing to any purpose that the world can say against it ; and therefore never flout at me for what I have said against it , for man is a giddy thing , and this is my conclusion . For thy part , Claudio , I did think to have beaten thee ; but , in that thou art like to be my kinsman , live unbruised , and love my cousin .
+
+I had well hoped thou wouldst have denied Beatrice , that I might have cudgelled thee out of thy single life , to make thee a double-dealer ; which , out of question , thou wilt be , if my cousin do not look exceeding narrowly to thee .
+
+Come , come , we are friends . Let's have a dance ere we are married , that we may lighten our own hearts and our wives' heels .
+
+We'll have dancing afterward .
+
+First , of my word ; therefore play , music ! Prince , thou art sad ; get thee a wife , get thee a wife : there is no staff more reverend than one tipped with horn .
+
+
+My lord , your brother John is ta'en in flight ,
+And brought with armed men back to Messina .
+
+Think not on him till to-morrow : I'll devise thee brave punishments for him . Strike up , pipers !
+
+PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE
+
+
+To sing a song that old was sung ,
+From ashes ancient Gower is come ,
+Assuming man's infirmities ,
+To glad your ear , and please your eyes .
+It hath been sung at festivals ,
+On ember-eves , and holy-ales ;
+And lords and ladies in their lives
+Have read it for restoratives :
+The purchase is to make men glorious ;
+Et bonum quo antiquius , eo melius .
+If you , born in these latter times ,
+When wit's more ripe , accept my rimes ,
+And that to hear an old man sing
+May to your wishes pleasure bring ,
+I life would wish , and that I might
+Waste it for you like taper-light .
+This Antioch , then , Antiochus the Great
+Built up , this city , for his chiefest seat ,
+The fairest in all Syria ,
+I tell you what mine authors say :
+This king unto him took a fere ,
+Who died and left a female heir ,
+So buxom , blithe , and full of face
+As heaven had lent her all his grace ;
+With whom the father liking took ,
+And her to incest did provoke .
+Bad child , worse father ! to entice his own
+To evil should be done by none .
+By custom what they did begin
+Was with long use account no sin .
+The beauty of this sinful dame
+Made many princes thither frame ,
+To seek her as a bed-fellow ,
+In marriage-pleasures play-fellow :
+Which to prevent , he made a law ,
+To keep her still , and men in awe ,
+That whoso ask'd her for his wife ,
+His riddle told not , lost his life :
+So for her many a wight did die ,
+As yon grim looks do testify .
+What now ensues , to the judgment of your eye
+I give , my cause who best can justify .
+
+
+Young Prince of Tyre , you have at large receiv'd
+The danger of the task you undertake .
+
+I have , Antiochus , and , with a soul
+Embolden'd with the glory of her praise ,
+Think death no hazard in this enterprise .
+
+Bring in our daughter , clothed like a bride ,
+For the embracements even of Jove himself ;
+At whose conception , till Lucina reign'd ,
+Nature this dowry gave , to glad her presence ,
+The senate-house of planets all did sit ,
+To knit in her their best perfections .
+
+See , where she comes apparell'd like the spring ,
+Graces her subjects , and her thoughts the king
+Of every virtue gives renown to men !
+Her face the book of praises , where is read
+Nothing but curious pleasures , as from thence
+Sorrow were ever raz'd , and testy wrath
+Could never be her mild companion .
+You gods , that made me man , and sway in love ,
+That hath inflam'd desire in my breast
+To taste the fruit of you celestial tree
+Or die in the adventure , be my helps ,
+As I am son and servant to your will ,
+To compass such a boundless happiness !
+
+Prince Pericles ,
+
+That would be son to great Antiochus .
+
+Before thee stands this fair Hesperides ,
+With golden fruit , but dangerous to be touch'd ;
+For death-like dragons here affright thee hard :
+Her face , like heaven , enticeth thee to view
+Her countless glory , which desert must gain ;
+And which , without desert , because thine eye
+Presumes to reach , all thy whole heap must die .
+Yon sometime famous princes , like thyself ,
+Drawn by report , adventurous by desire ,
+Tell thee with speechless tongues and semblance pale ,
+That without covering , save yon field of stars ,
+They here stand martyrs , slain in Cupid's wars ;
+And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist
+For going on death's net , whom none resist .
+
+Antiochus , I thank thee , who hath taught
+My frail mortality to know itself ,
+And by those fearful objects to prepare
+This body , like to them , to what I must ;
+For death remember'd should be like a mirror ,
+Who tells us life's but breath , to trust it error .
+I'll make my will then ; and as sick men do ,
+Who know the world , see heaven , but feeling woe ,
+Gripe not at earthly joys as erst they did :
+So I bequeath a happy peace to you
+And all good men , as every prince should do ;
+My riches to the earth from whence they came ,
+
+But my unspotted fire of love to you .
+Thus ready for the way of life or death ,
+I wait the sharpest blow .
+
+Scorning advice , read the conclusion then ;
+Which read and not expounded , 'tis decreed ,
+As these before thee thou thyself shalt bleed .
+
+Of all say'd yet , mayst thou prove prosperous !
+Of all say'd yet , I wish thee happiness !
+
+Like a bold champion , I assume the lists ,
+Nor ask advice of any other thought
+But faithfulness and courage .
+
+I am no viper , yet I feed
+On mother's flesh which did me breed ;
+I sought a husband , in which labour
+I found that kindness in a father .
+He's father , son , and husband mild ,
+I mother , wife , and yet his child .
+How they may be , and yet in two ,
+As you will live , resolve it you .
+
+Sharp physic is the last : but , O you powers !
+That give heaven countless eyes to view men's acts ,
+Why cloud they not their sights perpetually ,
+If this be true , which makes me pale to read it ?
+Fair glass of light , I lov'd you , and could still ,
+Were not this glorious casket stor'd with ill :
+But I must tell you now my thoughts revolt ;
+For he's no man on whom perfections wait
+That , knowing sin within , will touch the gate .
+You're a fair viol , and your sense the strings ,
+Who , finger'd to make men his lawful music ,
+Would draw heaven down and all the gods to hearken ;
+But being play'd upon before your time ,
+Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime .
+Good sooth , I care not for you .
+
+Prince Pericles , touch not , upon thy life ,
+For that's an article within our law ,
+As dangerous as the rest . Your time's expir'd :
+Either expound now or receive your sentence .
+
+Great king ,
+Few love to hear the sins they love to act ;
+'Twould braid yourself too near for me to tell it .
+Who has a book of all that monarchs do ,
+He's more secure to keep it shut than shown ;
+For vice repeated is like the wandering wind ,
+Blows dust in others' eyes , to spread itself ;
+And yet the end of all is bought thus dear ,
+The breath is gone , and the sore eyes see clear
+To stop the air would hurt them . The blind mole casts
+Copp'd hills towards heaven , to tell the earth is throng'd
+By man's oppression ; and the poor worm doth die for 't .
+Kings are earth's gods ; in vice their law's their will ;
+And if Jove stray , who dares say Jove doth ill ?
+It is enough you know ; and it is fit ,
+What being more known grows worse , to smother it .
+All love the womb that their first being bred ,
+Then give my tongue like leave to love my head .
+
+Heaven ! that I had thy head ; he has found the meaning ;
+But I will gloze with him . Young Prince of Tyre ,
+Though by the tenour of our strict edict ,
+Your exposition misinterpreting ,
+We might proceed to cancel of your days ;
+Yet hope , succeeding from so fair a tree
+As your fair self , doth tune us otherwise :
+Forty days longer we do respite you ;
+If by which time our secret be undone ,
+This mercy shows we'll joy in such a son :
+And until then your entertain shall be
+As doth befit our honour and your worth .
+
+
+How courtesy would seem to cover sin ,
+When what is done is like a hypocrite ,
+The which is good in nothing but in sight !
+If it be true that I interpret false ,
+Then were it certain you were not so bad
+As with foul incest to abuse your soul ;
+Where now you're both a father and a son ,
+By your untimely claspings with your child ,
+Which pleasure fits a husband , not a father ;
+And she an eater of her mother's flesh ,
+By the defiling of her parent's bed ;
+And both like serpents are , who though they feed
+On sweetest flowers , yet they poison breed .
+Antioch , farewell ! for wisdom sees , those men
+Blush not in actions blacker than the night ,
+Will shun no course to keep them from the light .
+One sin , I know , another doth provoke ;
+Murder's as near to lust as flame to smoke .
+Poison and treason are the hands of sin ,
+Ay , and the targets , to put off the shame :
+Then , lest my life be cropp'd to keep you clear ,
+By flight I'll shun the danger which I fear .
+
+He hath found the meaning , for which we mean
+To take his head .
+He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy ,
+Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin
+In such a loathed manner ;
+And therefore instantly this prince must die ,
+For by his fall my honour must keep high .
+Who attends us there ?
+
+
+Doth your highness call ?
+
+Thaliard ,
+You're of our chamber , and our mind partakes
+Her private actions to your secrecy ;
+And for your faithfulness we will advance you .
+Thaliard , behold , here's poison , and here's gold ;
+We hate the Prince of Tyre , and thou must kill him :
+It fits thee not to ask the reason why ,
+Because we bid it . Say , is it done ?
+
+My lord , 'tis done .
+
+Enough .
+
+Let your breath cool yourself , telling your haste .
+
+My lord , Prince Pericles is fled .
+
+
+As thou
+Wilt live , fly after ; and , as an arrow shot
+From a well-experienc'd archer hits the mark
+His eye doth level at , so thou ne'er return
+Unless thou say 'Prince Pericles is dead .'
+
+My lord ,
+If I can get him within my pistol's length ,
+I'll make him sure enough : so , farewell to your highness .
+
+Thaliard , adieu !
+
+Till Pericles be dead ,
+My heart can lend no succour to my head .
+
+
+Let none disturb us .
+Why should this change of thoughts ,
+The sad companion , dull-ey'd melancholy ,
+Be my so us'd a guest , as not an hour
+In the day's glorious walk or peaceful night
+The tomb where grief should sleep can breed me quiet ?
+Here pleasures court mine eyes , and mine eyes shun them ,
+And danger , which I feared , is at Antioch ,
+Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here ;
+Yet neither pleasure's art can joy my spirits ,
+Nor yet the other's distance comfort me .
+Then it is thus : the passions of the mind ,
+That have their first conception by mis-dread ,
+Have after-nourishment and life by care ;
+And what was first but fear what might be done ,
+Grows elder now and cares it be not done .
+And so with me : the great Antiochus ,
+'Gainst whom I am too little to contend ,
+Since he's so great can make his will his act ,
+Will think me speaking , though I swear to silence ;
+Nor boots it me to say I honour him ,
+If he suspect I may dishonour him ;
+And what may make him blush in being known ,
+He'll stop the course by which it might be known .
+With hostile forces he'll o'erspread the land ,
+And with the ostent of war will look so huge ,
+Amazement shall drive courage from the state ,
+Our men be vanquish'd ere they do resist ,
+And subjects punish'd that ne'er thought offence :
+Which care of them , not pity of myself ,
+Who am no more but as the tops of trees ,
+Which fence the roots they grow by and defend them ,
+Make both my body pine and soul to languish ,
+And punish that before that he would punish .
+
+
+Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast !
+
+And keep your mind , till you return to us ,
+Peaceful and comfortable .
+
+Peace , peace ! and give experience tongue .
+They do abuse the king that flatter him ;
+For flattery is the bellows blows up sin ;
+The thing the which is flatter'd , but a spark ,
+To which that blast gives heat and stronger glowing ;
+Whereas reproof , obedient and in order ,
+Fits kings , as they are men , for they may err :
+When Signior Sooth here does proclaim a peace ,
+He flatters you , makes war upon your life .
+Prince , pardon me , or strike me , if you please ;
+I cannot be much lower than my knees .
+
+All leave us else ; but let your cares o'erlook
+What shipping and what lading's in our haven ,
+And then return to us .
+
+Helicanus , thou
+Hast mov'd us ; what seest thou in our looks ?
+
+An angry brow , dread lord .
+
+If there be such a dart in prince's frowns ,
+How durst thy tongue move anger to our face ?
+
+How dare the plants look up to heaven , from whence
+They have their nourishment ?
+
+Thou know'st I have power
+To take thy life from thee .
+
+I have ground the axe myself ;
+Do you but strike the blow .
+
+Rise , prithee , rise ;
+Sit down ; thou art no flatterer :
+I thank thee for it ; and heaven forbid
+That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid !
+Fit counsellor and servant for a prince ,
+Who by thy wisdom mak'st a prince thy servant ,
+What wouldst thou have me do ?
+
+To bear with patience
+Such griefs as you yourself do lay upon yourself .
+
+Thou speak'st like a physician , Helicanus ,
+That minister'st a potion unto me
+That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself .
+Attend me then : I went to Antioch ,
+Where as thou know'st , against the face of death
+I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty ,
+From whence an issue I might propagate
+Are arms to princes and bring joys to subjects .
+Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder ;
+The rest , hark in thine ear , as black as incest ;
+Which by my knowledge found , the sinful father
+Seem'd not to strike , but smooth ; but thou know'st this ,
+'Tis time to fear when tyrants seem to kiss .
+Which fear so grew in me I hither fled ,
+Under the covering of a careful night ,
+Who seem'd my good protector ; and , being here ,
+Bethought me what was past , what might succeed .
+I knew him tyrannous ; and tyrants' fears
+Decrease not , but grow faster than the years .
+And should he doubt it , as no doubt he doth ,
+That I should open to the listening air
+How many worthy princes' bloods were shed ,
+To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope ,
+To lop that doubt he'll fill this land with arms ,
+And make pretence of wrong that I have done him ;
+When all , for mine , if I may call 't , offence ,
+Must feel war's blow , who spares not innocence :
+Which love to all , of which thyself art one ,
+Who now reprov'st me for it ,
+
+Alas ! sir .
+
+Drew sleep out of mine eyes , blood from my cheeks ,
+Musings into my mind , with thousand doubts
+How I might stop this tempest , ere it came ;
+And finding little comfort to relieve them ,
+I thought it princely charity to grieve them .
+
+Well , my lord , since you have given me leave to speak ,
+Freely will I speak . Antiochus you fear ,
+And justly too , I think , you fear the tyrant ,
+Who either by public war or private treason
+Will take away your life .
+Therefore , my lord , go travel for a while ,
+Till that his rage and anger be forgot ,
+Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life .
+Your rule direct to any ; if to me ,
+Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be .
+
+I do not doubt thy faith ;
+But should he wrong my liberties in my absence ?
+
+We'll mingle our bloods together in the earth ,
+From whence we had our being and our birth .
+
+Tyre , I now look from thee then , and to Tarsus
+Intend my travel , where I'll hear from thee ,
+And by whose letters I'll dispose myself .
+The care I had and have of subjects' good
+On thee I'll lay , whose wisdom's strength can bear it .
+I'll take thy word for faith , not ask thine oath ;
+Who shuns not to break one will sure crack both .
+But in our orbs we'll live so round and safe ,
+That time of both this truth shall ne'er convince ,
+Thou show'dst a subject's shine , I a true prince .
+
+
+So this is Tyre , and this the court . Here must I kill King Pericles ; and if I do not , I am sure to be hanged at home : 'tis dangerous . Well , I perceive he was a wise fellow , and had good discretion , that , being bid to ask what he would of the king , desired he might know none of his secrets : now do I see he had some reason for it ; for if a king bid a man be a villain , he is bound by the indenture of his oath to be one . Hush ! here come the lords of Tyre .
+
+
+You shall not need , my fellow peers of Tyre ,
+Further to question me of your king's departure :
+His seal'd commission , left in trust with me ,
+Doth speak sufficiently he's gone to travel .
+
+How ! the king gone !
+
+If further yet you will be satisfied ,
+Why , as it were unlicens'd of your loves ,
+He would depart , I'll give some light unto you .
+Being at Antioch
+
+What from Antioch ?
+
+Royal Antiochus on what cause I know not
+Took some displeasure at him , at least he judg'd so ;
+And doubting lest that he had err'd or sinn'd ,
+To show his sorrow he'd correct himself ;
+So puts himself unto the shipman's toil ,
+With whom each minute threatens life or death .
+
+Well , I perceive
+I shall not be hang'd now , although I would ;
+But since he's gone , the king it sure must please :
+He 'scap'd the land , to perish at the sea .
+I'll present myself .
+
+Peace to the lords of Tyre .
+
+Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome .
+
+From him I come ,
+With message unto princely Pericles ;
+But since my landing I have understood
+Your lord hath betook himself to unknown travels ,
+My message must return from whence it came .
+
+We have no reason to desire it ,
+Commended to our master , not to us :
+Yet , ere you shall depart , this we desire ,
+As friends to Antioch , we may feast in Tyre .
+
+
+My Dionyza , shall we rest us here ,
+And by relating tales of others' griefs ,
+See if 'twill teach us to forget our own ?
+
+That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it ;
+For who digs hills because they do aspire
+Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher .
+O my distressed lord ! even such our griefs are ;
+Here they're but felt , and seen with mischief's eyes ,
+But like to groves , being topp'd , they higher rise .
+
+O Dionyza ,
+Who wanteth food , and will not say he wants it ,
+Or can conceal his hunger till he famish ?
+Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep
+Our woes into the air ; our eyes do weep
+Till tongues fetch breath that may proclaim them louder ;
+That if heaven slumber while their creatures want ,
+They may awake their helps to comfort them .
+I'll then discourse our woes , felt several years ,
+And wanting breath to speak help me with tears .
+
+I'll do my best , sir .
+
+This Tarsus , o'er which I have the government ,
+A city on whom plenty held full hand ,
+For riches strew'd herself even in the streets ;
+Whose towers bore heads so high they kiss'd the clouds ,
+And strangers ne'er beheld but wonder'd at ;
+Whose men and dames so jetted and adorn'd ,
+Like one another's glass to trim them by :
+Their tables were stor'd full to glad the sight ,
+And not so much to feed on as delight ;
+All poverty was scorn'd , and pride so great ,
+The name of help grew odious to repeat .
+
+O ! 'tis too true ,
+
+But see what heaven can do ! By this our change ,
+These mouths , whom but of late earth , sea , and air
+Were all too little to content and please ,
+Although they gave their creatures in abundance ,
+As houses are defil'd for want of use ,
+They are now starv'd for want of exercise ;
+Those palates who , not yet two summers younger ,
+Must have inventions to delight the taste ,
+Would now be glad of bread , and beg for it ;
+Those mothers who , to nousle up their babes ,
+Thought nought too curious , are ready now
+To eat those little darlings whom they lov'd .
+So sharp are hunger's teeth , that man and wife
+Draw lots who first shall die to lengthen life .
+Here stands a lord , and there a lady weeping ;
+Here many sink , yet those which see them fall
+Have scarce strength left to give them burial .
+Is not this true ?
+
+Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it .
+
+O ! let those cities that of plenty's cup
+And her prosperities so largely taste ,
+With their superfluous riots , hear these tears :
+The misery of Tarsus may be theirs .
+
+
+Where's the lord governor ?
+
+Here .
+Speak out thy sorrows which thou bring'st in haste ,
+For comfort is too far for us to expect .
+
+We have descried , upon our neighbouring shore ,
+A portly sail of ships make hitherward .
+
+I thought as much .
+One sorrow never comes but brings an heir
+That may succeed as his inberitor ;
+And so in ours . Some neighbouring nation ,
+Taking advantage of our misery ,
+Hath stuff'd these hollow vessels with their power ,
+To beat us down , the which are down already ;
+And make a conquest of unhappy me ,
+Whereas no glory's got to overcome .
+
+That's the least fear ; for by the semblance
+Of their white flags display'd , they bring us peace ,
+And come to us as favourers , not as foes .
+
+Thou speak'st like him 's untutor'd to repeat :
+Who makes the fairest show means most deceit .
+But bring they what they will and what they can ,
+What need we fear ?
+The ground's the lowest and we are half way there .
+Go tell their general we attend him here ,
+To know for what he comes , and whence he comes ,
+And what he craves .
+
+I go , my lord .
+
+
+Welcome is peace if he on peace consist ;
+If wars we are unable to resist .
+
+
+Lord governor , for so we hear you are ,
+Let not our ships and number of our men ,
+Be like a beacon fir'd to amaze your eyes .
+We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre ,
+And seen the desolation of your streets :
+Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears ,
+But to relieve them of their heavy load ;
+And these our ships , you happily may think
+Are like the Trojan horse was stuff'd within
+With bloody veins , expecting overthrow ,
+Are stor'd with corn to make your needy bread ,
+And give them life whom hunger starv'd half dead .
+
+The gods of Greece protect you !
+And we'll pray for you .
+
+Arise , I pray you , rise :
+We do not look for reverence , but for love ,
+And harbourage for ourself , our ships , and men .
+
+The which when any shall not gratify ,
+Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought ,
+Be it our wives , our children , or ourselves ,
+The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils !
+Till when the which , I hope , shall ne'er be seen
+Your Grace is welcome to our town and us .
+
+Which welcome we'll accept ; feast here awhile ,
+Until our stars that frown lend us a smile .
+
+Here have you seen a mighty king
+His child , I wis , to incest bring ;
+A better prince and benign lord ,
+That will prove awful both in deed and word .
+Be quiet , then , as men should be ,
+Till he hath pass'd necessity .
+I'll show you those in troubles reign ,
+Losing a mite , a mountain gain .
+The good in conversation ,
+To whom I give my benison ,
+Is still at Tarsus , where each man
+Thinks all is writ he speken can ;
+And , to remember what he does ,
+Build his statue to make him glorious :
+But tidings to the contrary
+Are brought your eyes ; what need speak I ?
+
+
+Good Helicane hath stay'd at home ,
+Not to eat honey like a drone
+From others' labours ; for though he strive
+To killen bad , keep good alive ,
+And to fulfil his prince' desire ,
+Sends word of all that haps in Tyre :
+How Thaliard came full bent with sin
+And had intent to murder him ;
+And that in Tarsus was not best
+Longer for him to make his rest .
+He , doing so , put forth to seas ,
+Where when men been , there's seldom ease ;
+For now the wind begins to blow ;
+Thunder above and deeps below
+Make such unquiet , that the ship
+Should house him safe is wrack'd and split ;
+And he , good prince , having all lost ,
+By waves from coast to coast is tost .
+All perishen of man , of pelf ,
+Ne aught escapen but himself ;
+Till Fortune , tir'd with doing bad ,
+Threw him ashore , to give him glad ;
+And here he comes . What shall be next ,
+Pardon old Gower , this longs the text .
+
+Yet cease your ire , you angry stars of heaven !
+Wind , rain , and thunder , remember , earthly man
+Is but a substance that must yield to you ;
+And I , as fits my nature , do obey you .
+Alas ! the sea hath cast me on the rocks ,
+Wash'd me from shore to shore , and left me breath
+Nothing to think on but ensuing death :
+Let it suffice the greatness of your powers
+To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes ;
+And having thrown him from your watery grave ,
+Here to have death in peace is all he'll crave .
+
+
+What , ho , Pilch !
+
+Ha ! come and bring away the nets .
+
+What , Patch-breech , I say !
+
+What say you , master ?
+
+Look how thou stirrest now ! come away , or I'll fetch thee with a wannion .
+
+Faith , master , I am thinking of the poor men that were cast away before us even now .
+
+Alas ! poor souls ; it grieved my heart to hear what pitiful cries they made to us to help them , when , well-a-day , we could scarce help ourselves .
+
+Nay , master , said not I as much when I saw the porpus how he bounced and tumbled ? they say they're half fish half flesh ; a plague on them ! they ne'er come but I look to be washed . Master , I marvel how the fishes live in the sea .
+
+Why , as men do a-land ; the great ones eat up the little ones ; I can compare our rich misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale ; a' plays and tumbles , driving the poor fry before him , and at last devours them all at a mouthful . Such whales have I heard on o' the land , who never leave gaping till they've swallowed the whole parish , church , steeple , bells , and all .
+
+A pretty moral .
+
+But master , if I had been the sexton , I would have been that day in the belfry .
+
+Why , man ?
+
+Because he should have swallowed me too ; and when I had been in his belly , I would have kept such a jangling of the bells , that he should never have left till he cast bells , steeple , church , and parish , up again . But if the good King Simonides were of my mind ,
+
+Simonides !
+
+We would purge the land of these drones , that rob the bee of her honey .
+
+How from the finny subject of the sea
+These fishers tell the infirmities of men ;
+And from their watery empire recollect
+All that may men approve or men detect !
+
+
+Peace be at your labour , honest fishermen .
+
+Honest ! good fellow , what's that ? if it be a day fits you , search out of the calendar , and nobody look after it .
+
+Y' may see the sea hath cast me on your coast .
+
+What a drunken knave was the sea , to cast thee in our way !
+
+A man whom both the waters and the wind ,
+In that vast tennis-court , have made the ball
+For them to play upon , entreats you pity him ;
+He asks of you , that never us'd to beg .
+
+No , friend , cannot you beg ? here's them in our country of Greece gets more with begging than we can do with working .
+
+Canst thou catch any fishes then ?
+
+I never practised it .
+
+Nay then thou wilt starve , sure ; for here's nothing to be got now-a-days unless thou canst fish for 't .
+
+What I have been I have forgot to know ,
+But what I am want teaches me to think on ;
+A man throng'd up with cold ; my veins are chill ,
+And have no more of life than may suffice
+To give my tongue that heat to ask your help ;
+Which if you shall refuse , when I am dead ,
+For that I am a man , pray see me buried .
+
+Die , quoth-a ? Now , gods forbid ! I have a gown here ; come , put it on ; keep thee warm . Now , afore me , a handsome fellow ! Come , thou shalt go home , and we'll have flesh for holidays , fish for fasting-days , and moreo'er puddings and flap-jacks ; and thou shalt be welcome .
+
+I thank you , sir .
+
+Hark you , my friend ; you said you could not beg .
+
+I did but crave .
+
+But crave ! Then I'll turn craver too , and so I shall 'scape whipping .
+
+Why , are all your beggars whipped , then ?
+
+O ! not all , my friend , not all ; for if all your beggars were whipped , I would wish no better office than to be beadle . But , master , I'll go draw up the net .
+
+
+How well this honest mirth becomes their labour !
+
+Hark you , sir ; do you know where ye are ?
+
+Not well .
+
+Why , I'll tell you : this is called Pentapolis , and our king the good Simonides .
+
+The good King Simonides do you call him ?
+
+Ay , sir ; and he deserves to be so called for his peaceable reign and good government .
+
+He is a happy king , since he gains from his subjects the name of good by his government . How far is his court distant from this shore ?
+
+Marry , sir , half a day's journey ; and I'll tell you , he hath a fair daughter , and to-morrow is her birthday ; and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world to just and tourney for her love .
+
+Were my fortunes equal to my desires , I could wish to make one there .
+
+O ! sir , things must be as they may ; and what a man cannot get , he may lawfully deal for his wife's soul ,
+
+
+Help , master , help ! here's a fish hangs in the net , like a poor man's right in the law ; 'twill hardly come out . Ha ! bots on 't , 'tis come at last , and 'tis turned to a rusty armour .
+
+An armour , friends ! I pray you , let me see it .
+Thanks , Fortune , yet , that after all my crosses
+Thou giv'st me somewhat to repair myself ;
+And though it was mine own , part of mine heritage ,
+Which my dead father did bequeath to me ,
+With this strict charge , even as he left his life ,
+'Keep it , my Pericles , it hath been a shield
+'Twixt me and death ;' and pointed to this brace ;
+'For that it sav'd me , keep it ; in like necessity
+The which the gods protect thee from !'t may defend thee .'
+It kept where I kept , I so dearly lov'd it ;
+Till the rough seas , that spare not any man ,
+Took it in rage , though calm'd they have given 't again .
+I thank thee for 't ; my shipwrack now 's no ill ,
+Since I have here my father's gift in 's will .
+
+What mean you , sir ?
+
+To beg of you , kind friends , this coat of worth ,
+For it was sometime target to a king ;
+I know it by this mark . He lov'd me dearly ,
+And for his sake I wish the having of it ;
+And that you'd guide me to your sovereign's court ,
+Where with it I may appear a gentleman ;
+And if that ever my low fortunes better ,
+I'll pay your bounties ; till then rest your debtor .
+
+Why , wilt thou tourney for the lady ?
+
+I'll show the virtue I have borne in arms .
+
+Why , do'e take it ; and the gods give thee good on 't !
+
+Ay , but hark you , my friend ; 'twas we that made up this garment through the rough seams of the water ; there are certain condolements , certain vails . I hope , sir , if you thrive , you'll remember from whence you had it .
+
+Believe it , I will .
+By your furtherance I am cloth'd in steel ;
+And spite of all the rapture of the sea ,
+This jewel holds his biding on my arm :
+Unto thy value will I mount myself
+Upon a courser , whose delightful steps
+Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread .
+Only , my friend , I yet am unprovided
+Of a pair of bases .
+
+We'll sure provide ; thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair , and I'll bring thee to the court myself .
+
+Then honour be but a goal to my will ! This day I'll rise , or else add ill to ill .
+
+Are the knights ready to begin the triumph ?
+
+They are , my liege ;
+And stay your coming to present themselves .
+
+Return them , we are ready ; and our daughter ,
+In honour of whose birth these triumphs are ,
+Sits here , like beauty's child , whom nature gat
+For men to see , and seeing wonder at .
+
+
+It pleaseth you , my royal father , to express
+My commendations great , whose merit's less .
+
+'Tis fit it should be so ; for princes are
+A model , which heaven makes like to itself :
+As jewels lose their glory if neglected ,
+So princes their renowns if not respected .
+'Tis now your honour , daughter , to explain
+The labour of each knight in his device .
+
+Which , to preserve mine honour , I'll perform .
+
+
+Who is the first that doth prefer himself ?
+
+A knight of Sparta , my renowned father ;
+And the device he bears upon his shield
+Is a black Ethiop reaching at the sun ;
+The word , Lux tua vita mihi .
+
+He loves you well that holds his life of you .
+
+Who is the second that presents himself ?
+
+A prince of Macedon , my royal father ;
+And the device he bears upon his shield
+Is an arm'd knight that's conquer'd by a lady ;
+The motto thus , in Spanish , Piu por dulzura que por fuerza .
+
+
+And what's the third ?
+
+The third of Antioch ;
+And his device , a wreath of chivalry ;
+The word , Me pomp provexit apex .
+
+
+What is the fourth ?
+
+A burning torch that's turned upside down ;
+The word , Quod me alit me extinguit .
+
+Which shows that beauty hath his power and will ,
+Which can as well inflame as it can kill .
+
+
+The fifth , a hand environed with clouds ,
+Holding out gold that's by the touchstone tried ;
+The motto thus , Sic spectanda fides .
+
+
+And what 's
+The sixth and last , the which the knight himself
+With such a graceful courtesy deliver'd ?
+
+He seems to be a stranger ; but his present is
+A wither'd branch , that's only green at top ;
+The motto , In hac spe vivo .
+
+A pretty moral ;
+From the dejected state wherein he is ,
+He hopes by you his fortune yet may flourish .
+
+He had need mean better than his outward show
+Can any way speak in his just commend ;
+For , by his rusty outside he appears
+To have practis'd more the whipstock than the lance .
+
+He well may be a stranger , for he comes
+To an honour'd triumph strangely furnished .
+
+And on set purpose let his armour rust
+Until this day , to scour it in the dust .
+
+Opinion's but a fool , that makes us scan
+The outward habit by the inward man .
+But stay , the knights are coming ; we'll withdraw
+Into the gallery .
+
+
+Knights ,
+To say you're welcome were superfluous .
+To place upon the volume of your deeds ,
+As in a title-page , your worth in arms ,
+Were more than you expect , or more than's fit ,
+Since every worth in show commends itself .
+Prepare for mirth , for mirth becomes a feast :
+You are princes and my guests .
+
+But you , my knight and guest ;
+To whom this wreath of victory I give ,
+And crown you king of this day's happiness .
+
+'Tis more by fortune , lady , than by merit .
+
+Call it by what you will , the day is yours ;
+And here , I hope , is none that envies it .
+In framing an artist art hath thus decreed ,
+To make some good , but others to exceed ;
+And you're her labour'd scholar . Come , queen o' the feast ,
+For , daughter , so you are ,here take your place ;
+Marshal the rest , as they deserve their grace .
+
+We are honour'd much by good Simonides .
+
+Your presence glads our days ; honour we love ,
+For who hates honour , hates the gods above .
+
+Sir , yonder is your place .
+
+Some other is more fit .
+
+Contend not , sir ; for we are gentlemen
+That neither in our hearts nor outward eyes
+Envy the great nor do the low despise .
+
+You are right courteous knights .
+
+Sit , sir ; sit .
+
+By Jove , I wonder , that is king of thoughts ,
+These cates resist me , she but thought upon .
+
+By Juno , that is queen of marriage ,
+All viands that I eat do seem unsavoury ,
+Wishing him my meat . Sure , he's a gallant gentleman .
+
+He's but a country gentleman ;
+He has done no more than other knights have done ;
+He has broken a staff or so ; so let it pass .
+
+To me he seems like diamond to glass .
+
+Yon king's to me like to my father's picture ,
+Which tells me in that glory once he was ;
+Had princes sit , like stars , about his throne ,
+And he the sun for them to reverence .
+None that beheld him , but like lesser lights
+Did vail their crowns to his supremacy ;
+Where now his son's like a glow-worm in the night ,
+The which hath fire in darkness , none in light :
+Whereby I see that Time's the king of men ;
+He's both their parent , and he is their grave ,
+And gives them what he will , not what they crave .
+
+What , are you merry , knights ?
+
+Who can be other in this royal presence ?
+
+Here , with a cup that's stor'd unto the brim ,
+As you do love , fill to your mistress' lips ,
+We drink this health to you .
+
+We thank your Grace .
+
+Yet pause awhile ;
+Yon knight doth sit too melancholy ,
+As if the entertainment in our court
+Had not a show might countervail his worth .
+Note it not you , Thaisa ?
+
+What is it
+To me , my father ?
+
+O ! attend , my daughter :
+Princes in this should live like gods above ,
+Who freely give to every one that comes
+To honour them ;
+And princes not doing so are like to gnats ,
+Which make a sound , but kill'd are wonder'd at .
+Therefore to make his entrance more sweet ,
+Here say we drink this standing-bowl of wine to him .
+
+Alas ! my father , it befits not me
+Unto a stranger knight to be so bold ;
+He may my proffer take for an offence ,
+Since men take women's gifts for impudence .
+
+How !
+Do as I bid you , or you'll move me else .
+
+Now , by the gods , he could not please me better .
+
+And further tell him , we desire to know of him ,
+Of whence he is , his name , and parentage .
+
+The king , my father , sir , has drunk to you .
+
+I thank him .
+
+Wishing it so much blood unto your life .
+
+I thank both him and you , and pledge him freely .
+
+And further he desires to know of you ,
+Of whence you are , your name and parentage .
+
+A gentleman of Tyre , my name , Pericles ;
+My education been in arts and arms ;
+Who , looking for adventures in the world ,
+Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men ,
+And after shipwrack , driven upon this shore .
+
+He thanks your Grace ; names himself Pericles ,
+A gentleman of Tyre ,
+Who only by misfortune of the seas
+Bereft of ships and men , cast on this shore .
+
+Now , by the gods , I pity his misfortune ,
+And will awake him from his melancholy .
+Come , gentlemen , we sit too long on trifles ,
+And waste the time which looks for other revels .
+Even in your armours , as you are address'd ,
+Will very well become a soldier's dance .
+I will not have excuse , with saying this
+Loud music is too harsh for ladies' heads
+Since they love men in arms as well as beds .
+
+So this was well ask'd , 'twas so well perform'd .
+Come , sir ;
+Here is a lady that wants breathing too :
+And I have often heard , you knights of Tyre
+Are excellent in making ladies trip ,
+And that their measures are as excellent .
+
+In those that practise them they are , my lord .
+
+O ! that's as much as you would be denied
+Of your fair courtesy .
+
+Unclasp , unclasp ;
+Thanks , gentlemen , to all ; all have done well ,
+
+
+But you the best . Pages and lights , to conduct
+These knights unto their several lodgings ! Yours , sir ,
+We have given order to be next our own .
+
+I am at your Grace's pleasure .
+
+Princes , it is too late to talk of love ,
+And that's the mark I know you level at ;
+Therefore each one betake him to his rest ;
+To-morrow all for speeding do their best .
+
+
+No , Escanes , know this of me ,
+Antiochus from incest liv'd not free ;
+For which , the most high gods not minding longer
+To withhold the vengeance that they had in store ,
+Due to this heinous capital offence ,
+Even in the height and pride of all his glory ,
+When he was seated in a chariot
+Of an inestimable value , and his daughter with him ,
+A fire from heaven came and shrivell'd up
+Their bodies , even to loathing ; for they so stunk ,
+That all those eyes ador'd them ere their fall
+Scorn now their hand should give them burial .
+
+'Twas very strange .
+
+And yet but just ; for though
+This king were great , his greatness was no guard
+To bar heaven's shaft , but sin had his reward .
+
+'Tis very true .
+
+
+See , not a man in private conference
+Or council has respect with him but he .
+
+It shall no longer grieve without reproof .
+
+And curs'd be he that will not second it .
+
+Follow me then . Lord Helicane , a word .
+
+With me ? and welcome . Happy day , my lords .
+
+Know that our griefs are risen to the top ,
+And now at length they overflow their banks .
+
+Your griefs ! for what ? wrong not the prince you love .
+
+Wrong not yourself then , noble Helicane ;
+But if the prince do live , let us salute him ,
+Or know what ground's made happy by his breath .
+If in the world he live , we'll seek him out ;
+If in his grave he rest , we'll find him there ;
+And be resolv'd he lives to govern us ,
+Or dead , give 's cause to mourn his funeral ,
+And leaves us to our free election .
+
+Whose death's indeed the strongest in our censure :
+And knowing this kingdom is without a head ,
+Like goodly buildings left without a roof
+Soon fall to ruin , your noble self ,
+That best know'st how to rule and how to reign ,
+We thus submit unto , our sovereign .
+
+Live , noble Helicane !
+
+For honour's cause forbear your suffrages :
+If that you love Prince Pericles , forbear .
+Take I your wish , I leap into the seas ,
+Where's hourly trouble for a minute's ease .
+A twelvemonth longer , let me entreat you
+To forbear the absence of your king ;
+If in which time expir'd he not return ,
+I shall with aged patience bear your yoke .
+But if I cannot win you to this love ,
+Go search like nobles , like noble subjects ,
+And in your search spend your adventurous worth ;
+Whom if you find , and win unto return ,
+You shall like diamonds sit about his crown .
+
+To wisdom he's a fool that will not yield ;
+And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us ,
+We with our travels will endeavour it .
+
+Then you love us , we you , and we'll clasp hands :
+When peers thus knit , a kingdom ever stands .
+
+
+Good morrow to the good Simonides .
+
+Knights , from my daughter this I let you know ,
+That for this twelvemonth she'll not undertake
+A married life .
+Her reason to herself is only known ,
+Which yet from her by no means can I get .
+
+May we not get access to her , my lord ?
+
+Faith , by no means ; she hath so strictly tied
+Her to her chamber that 'tis impossible .
+One twelve moons more she'll wear Diana's livery ;
+This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vow'd ,
+And on her virgin honour will not break it .
+
+Though loath to bid farewell , we take our leaves .
+
+
+So ,
+They're well dispatch'd ; now to my daughter's letter .
+She tells me here , she'll wed the stranger knight ,
+Or never more to view nor day nor light .
+'Tis well , mistress ; your choice agrees with mine ;
+I like that well : how absolute she's in 't ,
+Not minding whether I dislike or no !
+Well , I do commend her choice ;
+And will no longer have it be delay'd .
+Soft ! here he comes : I must dissemble it .
+
+
+All fortune to the good Simonides !
+
+To you as much , sir ! I am beholding to you
+For your sweet music this last night : I do
+Protest my ears were never better fed
+With such delightful pleasing harmony
+
+It is your Grace's pleasure to commend ,
+Not my desert .
+
+Sir , you are music's master .
+
+The worst of all her scholars , my good lord .
+
+Let me ask you one thing .
+What do you think of my daughter , sir ?
+
+A most virtuous princess .
+
+And she is fair too , is she not ?
+
+As a fair day in summer ; wondrous fair .
+
+My daughter , sir , thinks very well of you ;
+Ay , so well , that you must be her master ,
+And she will be your scholar : therefore look to it .
+
+I am unworthy for her schoolmaster .
+
+She thinks not so ; peruse this writing else .
+
+What's here ?
+A letter that she loves the knight of Tyre !
+'Tis the king's subtilty to have my life .
+O ! seek not to entrap me , gracious lord ,
+A stranger and distressed gentleman ,
+That never aim'd so high to love your daughter ,
+But bent all offices to honour her .
+
+Thou hast bewitch'd my daughter , and thou art
+A villain .
+
+By the gods , I have not :
+Never did thought of mine levy offence ;
+Nor never did my actions yet commence
+A deed might gain her love or your displeasure .
+
+Traitor , thou liest .
+
+Traitor !
+
+Ay , traitor .
+
+Even in his throat , unless it be the king ,
+That calls me traitor , I return the lie .
+
+Now , by the gods , I do applaud his courage .
+
+My actions are as noble as my thoughts ,
+That never relish'd of a base descent .
+I came unto your court for honour's cause ,
+And not to be a rebel to her state ;
+And he that otherwise accounts of me ,
+This sword shall prove he's honour's enemy .
+
+No ?
+Here comes my daughter , she can witness it .
+
+
+Then , as you are as virtuous as fair ,
+Resolve your angry father , if my tongue
+Did e'er solicit , or my hand subscribe
+To any syllable that made love to you .
+
+Why , sir , say if you had ,
+Who takes offence at that would make me glad ?
+
+Yea , mistress , are you so peremptory ?
+
+
+I am glad on 't , with all my heart .
+I'll tame you ; I'll bring you in subjection .
+Will you , not having my consent ,
+Bestow your love and your affections
+Upon a stranger ?
+
+who , for aught I know ,
+May be , nor can I think the contrary ,
+As great in blood as I myself .
+
+
+Therefore , hear you , mistress ; either frame
+Your will to mine ; and you , sir , hear you ,
+Either be rul'd by me , or I will make you
+Man and wife :
+Nay , come , your hands and lips must seal it too ;
+And being join'd , I'll thus your hopes destroy ;
+And for a further grief ,God give you joy !
+What ! are you both pleas'd ?
+
+Yes , if you love me , sir .
+
+Even as my life , or blood that fosters it .
+
+What ! are you both agreed ?
+
+Yes , if 't please your majesty .
+
+Yes , if 't please your majesty .
+
+It pleaseth me so well , that I will see you wed ;
+Then with what haste you can get you to bed .
+
+Now sleep yslaked hath the rout ;
+No din but snores the house about ,
+Made louder by the o'er-fed breast
+Of this most pompous marriage-feast .
+The cat , with eyne of burning coal ,
+Now couches fore the mouse's hole ;
+And crickets sing at the oven's mouth ,
+E'er the blither for their drouth .
+Hymen hath brought the bride to bed ,
+Where , by the loss of maidenhead ,
+A babe is moulded . Be attent ;
+And time that is so briefly spent
+With your fine fancies quaintly eche ;
+What's dumb in show I'll plain with speech .
+
+
+By many a dern and painful perch ,
+Of Pericles the careful search
+By the four opposing coigns ,
+Which the world together joins ,
+Is made with all due diligence
+That horse and sail and high expense ,
+Can stead the quest . At last from Tyre ,
+Fame answering the most strange inquire
+To the court of King Simonides
+Are letters brought , the tenour these :
+Antiochus and his daughter dead ;
+The men of Tyrus on the head
+Of Helicanus would set on
+The crown of Tyre , but he will none :
+The mutiny he there hastes t' oppress ;
+Says to 'em , if King Pericles
+Come not home in twice six moons ,
+He , obedient to their dooms ,
+Will take the crown . The sum of this ,
+Brought hither to Pentapolis ,
+Yravished the regions round ,
+And every one with claps can sound ,
+'Our heir-apparent is a king !
+Who dream'd , who thought of such a thing ?'
+Brief , he must hence depart to Tyre :
+His queen , with child , makes her desire ,
+Which who shall cross ?along to go ;
+Omit we all their dole and woe :
+Lychorida , her nurse , she takes ,
+And so to sea . Their vessel shakes
+On Neptune's billow ; half the flood
+Hath their keel cut : but Fortune's mood
+Varies again ; the grisled north
+Disgorges such a tempest forth ,
+That , as a duck for life that dives ,
+So up and down the poor ship drives .
+The lady shrieks , and well-a-near
+Does fall in travail with her fear ;
+And what ensues in this fell storm
+Shall for itself itself perform .
+I nill relate , action may
+Conveniently the rest convey ,
+Which might not what by me is told .
+In your imagination hold
+This stage the ship , upon whose deck
+The sea-tost Pericles appears to speak .
+
+Thou God of this great vast , rebuke these surges ,
+Which wash both heaven and hell ; and thou , that hast
+Upon the winds command , bind them in brass ,
+Having call'd them from the deep . O ! still
+Thy deafening , dreadful thunders ; gently quench
+Thy nimble , sulphurous flashes . O ! how Lychorida ,
+How does my queen ? Thou stormest venomously ;
+Wilt thou spit all thyself ? The seaman's whistle
+Is as a whisper in the ears of death ,
+Unheard . Lychorida ! Lucina , O !
+Divinest patroness , and midwife gentle
+To those that cry by night , convey thy deity
+Aboard our dancing boat ; make swift the pangs
+Of my queen's travails !
+
+Now , Lychorida !
+
+Here is a thing too young for such a place ,
+Who , if it had conceit , would die , as I
+Am like to do : take in your arms this piece
+Of your dead queen .
+
+How , how , Lychorida !
+
+Patience , good sir ; do not assist the storm .
+Here's all that is left living of your queen ,
+A little daughter : for the sake of it ,
+Be manly , and take comfort .
+
+O you gods !
+Why do you make us love your goodly gifts ,
+And snatch them straight away ? We here below ,
+Recall not what we give , and therein may
+Use honour with you .
+
+Patience , good sir ,
+Even for this charge .
+
+Now , mild may be thy life !
+For a more blust'rous birth had never babe :
+Quiet and gentle thy conditions !
+For thou art the rudeliest welcome to this world
+That e'er was prince's child . Happy what follows !
+Thou hast as chiding a nativity
+As fire , air , water , earth , and heaven can make ,
+To herald thee from the womb ; even at the first
+Thy loss is more than can thy portage quit ,
+With all thou canst find here . Now , the good gods
+Throw their best eyes upon 't !
+
+
+What courage , sir ? God save you !
+
+Courage enough . I do not fear the flaw ;
+It hath done to me the worst . Yet for the love
+Of this poor infant , this fresh-new sea-farer ,
+I would it would be quiet .
+
+Slack the bolins there ! thou wilt not , wilt thou ? Blow , and split thyself .
+
+But sea-room , an the brine and cloudy billow kiss the moon , I care not .
+
+Sir , you queen must overboard : the sea works high , the wind is loud , and will not lie till the ship be cleared of the dead .
+
+That's your superstition .
+
+Pardon us , sir ; with us at sea it hath been still observed , and we are strong in custom . Therefore briefly yield her , for she must overboard straight .
+
+As you think meet . Most wretched queen !
+
+Here she lies , sir .
+
+A terrible child-bed hast thou had , my dear ;
+No light , no fire : the unfriendly elements
+Forgot thee utterly ; nor have I time
+To give thee hallow'd to thy grave , but straight
+Must cast thee , scarcely coffin'd , in the ooze ;
+Where , for a monument upon thy bones ,
+And aye-remaining lamps , the belching whale
+And humming water must o'erwhelm thy corpse ,
+Lying with simple shells ! O Lychorida !
+Bid Nestor bring me spices , ink and paper ,
+My casket and my jewels ; and bid Nicander
+Bring me the satin coffer : lay the babe
+Upon the pillow . Hie thee , whiles I say
+A priestly farewell to her : suddenly , woman .
+
+
+Sir , we have a chest beneath the hatches , caulk'd and bitumed ready .
+
+I thank thee . Mariner , say what coast is this ?
+
+We are near Tarsus .
+
+Thither , gentle mariner ,
+Alter thy course for Tyre . When canst thou reach it ?
+
+By break of day , if the wind cease .
+
+O ! make for Tarsus .
+There will I visit Cleon , for the babe
+Cannot hold out to Tyrus ; there I'll leave it
+At careful nursing . Go thy ways , good mariner ;
+I'll bring the body presently .
+
+
+Philemon , ho !
+
+
+Doth my lord call ?
+
+Get fire and meat for these poor men ;
+'T has been a turbulent and stormy night .
+
+I have been in many ; but such a night as this
+Till now I ne'er endur'd .
+
+Your master will be dead ere you return ;
+There's nothing can be minister'd to nature
+That can recover him .
+
+Give this to the 'pothecary ,
+And tell me how it works .
+
+Good morrow , sir .
+
+Good morrow to your lordship .
+
+Gentlemen ,
+Why do you stir so early ?
+
+Sir ,
+Our lodgings , standing bleak upon the sea ,
+Shook as the earth' did quake ;
+The very principals did seem to rend ,
+And all to topple . Pure surprise and fear
+Made me to quit the house .
+
+That is the cause we trouble you so early ;
+'Tis not our husbandry .
+
+O ! you say well .
+
+But I much marvel that your lordship , having
+Rich tire about you , should at these early hours
+Shake off the golden slumber of repose .
+'Tis most strange ,
+Nature should be so conversant with pain ,
+Being thereto not compell'd .
+
+I hold it ever ,
+Virtue and cunning were endowments greater
+Than nobleness and riches ; careless heirs
+May the two latter darken and expend ,
+But immortality attends the former ,
+Making a man a god . 'Tis known I ever
+Have studied physic , through which secret art ,
+By turning o'er authorities , I have
+Together with my practice made familiar
+To me and to my aid the blest infusions
+That dwell in vegetives , in metals , stones ;
+And can speak of the disturbances
+That nature works , and of her cures ; which doth give me
+A more content in course of true delight
+Than to be thirsty after tottering honour ,
+Or tie my treasure up in silken bags ,
+To please the fool and death .
+
+Your honour has through Ephesus pour'd forth
+Your charity , and hundreds call themselves
+Your creatures , who by you have been restor'd :
+And not your knowledge , your personal pain , but even
+Your purse , still open , hath built Lord Cerimon
+Such strong renown as time shall ne'er decay .
+
+
+So ; lift there .
+
+What is that ?
+
+Sir , even now
+Did the sea toss upon our shore this chest :
+'Tis of some wrack .
+
+Set it down ; let's look upon 't .
+
+'Tis like a coffin , sir .
+
+Whate'er it be ,
+'Tis wondrous heavy . Wrench it open straight ;
+If the sea's stomach be o'ercharg'd with gold ,
+'Tis a good constraint of fortune it belches upon us .
+
+'Tis so , my lord .
+
+How close 'tis caulk'd and bitumed !
+Did the sea cast it up ?
+
+I never saw so huge a billow , sir ,
+As toss'd it upon shore .
+
+Come , wrench it open .
+Soft ! it smells most sweetly in my sense .
+
+A delicate odour .
+
+As ever hit my nostril . So , up with it .
+O you most potent gods ! what's here ? a corse !
+
+Most strange !
+
+Shrouded in cloth of state ; balm'd and entreasur'd
+With full bags of spices ! A passport too !
+Apollo , perfect me i' the characters !
+
+Here I give to understand ,
+If e'er this coffin drive a-land ,
+I , King Pericles , have lost
+This queen worth all our mundane cost .
+Who finds her , give her burying ;
+She was the daughter of a king :
+Besides this treasure for a fee ,
+The gods requite his charity !
+
+If thou liv'st , Pericles , thou hast a heart
+That even cracks for woe ! This chanc'd to-night .
+
+Most likely , sir .
+
+Nay , certainly to-night ;
+For look , how fresh she looks . They were too rough
+That threw her in the sea . Make fire within ;
+Fetch hither all the boxes in my closet .
+
+Death may usurp on nature many hours ,
+And yet the fire of life kindle again
+The overpress'd spirits . I heard
+Of an Egyptian , that had nine hours lien dead ,
+Who was by good appliances recovered .
+
+
+Well said , well said ; the fire and cloths .
+The rough and woeful music that we have ,
+Cause it to sound , beseech you .
+The viol once more ;how thou stirr'st , thou block !
+The music there ! I pray you , give her air .
+Gentlemen ,
+This queen will live ; nature awakes , a warmth
+Breathes out of her ; she hath not been entranc'd
+Above five hours . See ! how she 'gins to blow
+
+Into life's flower again .
+
+The heavens
+Through you increase our wonder and set up
+Your fame for ever .
+
+She is alive ! behold ,
+Her eyelids , cases to those heavenly jewels
+Which Pericles hath lost ,
+Begin to part their fringes of bright gold ;
+The diamonds of a most praised water
+Do appear , to make the world twice rich . Live ,
+And make us weep to hear your fate , fair creature ,
+Rare as you seem to be !
+
+
+O dear Diana !
+Where am I ? Where's my lord ? What world is this ?
+
+Is not this strange ?
+
+Most rare .
+
+Hush , gentle neighbours !
+Lend me your hands ; to the next chamber bear her .
+Get linen ; now this matter must be look'd to ,
+For her relapse is mortal , Come , come ;
+And sculapius guide us !
+
+
+Most honour'd Cleon , I must needs be gone ;
+My twelve months are expir'd , and Tyrus stands
+In a litigious peace . You and your lady
+Take from my heart all thankfulness ; the gods
+Make up the rest upon you !
+
+Your shafts of fortune , though they hurt you mortally ,
+Yet glance full wanderingly on us .
+
+O your sweet queen !
+That the strict fates had pleas'd you had brought her hither ,
+To have bless'd mine eyes with her !
+
+We cannot but obey
+The powers above us . Could I rage and roar
+As doth the sea she lies in , yet the end
+Must be as 'tis . My gentle babe Marina whom ,
+For she was born at sea , I have nam'd so here
+I charge your charity withal , and leave her
+The infant of your care , beseeching you
+To give her princely training , that she may be
+Manner'd as she is born .
+
+Fear not , my lord , but think
+Your Grace , that fed my country with your corn
+For which the people's prayers still fall upon you
+Must in your child be thought on . If neglection
+Should therein make me vile , the common body ,
+By you reliev'd , would force me to my duty ;
+But if to that my nature need a spur ,
+The gods revenge it upon me and mine ,
+To the end of generation !
+
+I believe you ;
+Your honour and your goodness teach me to 't ,
+Without your vows . Till she be married , madam ,
+By bright Diana , whom we honour , all
+Unscissar'd shall this hair of mine remain ,
+Though I show ill in 't . So I take my leave .
+Good madam , make me blessed in your care
+In bringing up my child .
+
+I have one myself ,
+Who shall not be more dear to my respect
+Than yours , my lord .
+
+Madam , my thanks and prayers .
+
+We'll bring your Grace e'en to the edge o' the shore ;
+Then give you up to the mask'd Neptune and
+The gentlest winds of heaven .
+
+I will embrace
+Your offer . Come , dearest madam . O ! no tears ,
+Lychorida , no tears :
+Look to your little mistress , on whose grace
+You may depend hereafter . Come , my lord .
+
+
+Madam , this letter , and some certain jewels ,
+Lay with you in your coffer ; which are now
+At your command . Know you the character ?
+
+It is my lord's .
+That I was shipp'd at sea , I well remember ,
+Even on my eaning time ; but whether there
+Deliver'd , by the holy gods ,
+I cannot rightly say . But since King Pericles ,
+My wedded lord , I ne'er shall see again ,
+A vestal livery will I take me to ,
+And never more have joy .
+
+Madam , if this you purpose as you speak ,
+Diana's temple is not distant far ,
+Where you may abide till your date expire .
+Moreover , if you please , a niece of mine
+Shall there attend you .
+
+My recompense is thanks , that's all ;
+Yet my good will is great , though the gift small .
+
+Imagine Pericles arriv'd at Tyre ,
+Welcom'd and settled to his own desire .
+His woeful queen we leave at Ephesus ,
+Unto Diana there a votaress .
+Now to Marina bend your mind ,
+Whom our fast-growing scene must find
+At Tarsus , and by Cleon train'd
+In music , letters ; who hath gain'd
+Of education all the grace ,
+Which makes her bath the heart and places
+Of general wonder . But , alack !
+That monster envy , oft the wrack
+Of earned praise , Marina's life
+Seeks to take off by treason's knife .
+And in this kind hath our Cleon
+One daughter , and a wench full grown ,
+Even ripe for marriage-rite ; this maid
+Hight Philoten , and it is said
+For certain in our story , she
+Would ever with Marina be :
+Be 't when she weav'd the sleided silk
+With fingers , long , small , white as milk ,
+Or when she would with sharp neeld wound
+The cambric , which she made more sound
+By hurting it ; when to the lute
+She sung , and made the night-bird mute ,
+That still records with moan ; or when
+She would with rich and constant pen
+Vail to her mistress Dian ; still
+This Philoten contends in skill
+With absolute Marina : so
+With the dove of Paphos might the crow
+Vie feathers white . Marina gets
+All praises , which are paid as debts ,
+And not as given . This so darks
+In Philoten all graceful marks ,
+That Cleon's wife , with envy rare ,
+A present murderer does prepare
+For good Marina , that her daughter
+Might stand peerless by this slaughter .
+The sooner her vile thoughts to stead ,
+Lychorida , our nurse , is dead :
+And cursed Dionyza hath
+The pregnant instrument of wrath
+Prest for this blow . The unborn event
+I do commend to your content :
+Only I carry winged time
+Post on the lame feet of my rime ;
+Which never could I so convey ,
+Unless your thoughts went on my way .
+Dionyza doth appear ,
+With Leonine , a murderer .
+
+
+Thy oath remember ; thou hast sworn to do 't :
+'Tis but a blow , which never shall be known .
+Thou canst not do a thing i' the world so soon ,
+To yield thee so much profit . Let not conscience ,
+Which is but cold , inflaming love i' thy bosom ,
+Inflame too nicely ; nor let pity , which
+Even women have cast off , melt thee , but he
+A soldier to thy purpose .
+
+I'll do 't ; but yet she is a goodly creature .
+
+The fitter , then , the gods should have her . Here
+She comes weeping for her only mistress' death .
+Thou art resolv'd ?
+
+I am resolv'd .
+
+
+No , I will rob Tellus of her weed ,
+To strew thy green with flowers ; the yellows , blues ,
+The purple violets , and marigolds ,
+Shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave ,
+While summer days do last . Ay me ! poor maid ,
+Born in a tempest , when my mother died ,
+This world to me is like a lasting storm ,
+Whirring me from my friends .
+
+How now , Marina ! why do you keep alone ?
+How chance my daughter is not with you ? Do not
+Consume your blood with sorrowing ; you have
+A nurse of me . Lord ! how your favour's chang'd
+With this unprofitable woe . Come ,
+Give me your flowers , ere the sea mar it .
+Walk with Leonine ; the air is quick there ,
+And it pierces and sharpens the stomach . Come ,
+Leonine , take her by the arm , walk with her .
+
+No , I pray you ;
+I'll not bereave you of your servant .
+
+Come , come ;
+I love the king your father , and yourself ,
+With more than foreign heart . We every day
+Expect him here ; when he shall come and find
+Our paragon to all reports thus blasted ,
+He will repent the breadth of his great voyage ;
+Blame both my lord and me , that we have taken
+No care to your best courses . Go , I pray you ;
+Walk , and be cheerful once again ; reserve
+That excellent complexion , which did steal
+The eyes of young and old . Care not for me ;
+I can go home alone .
+
+Well , I will go ;
+But yet I have no desire to it .
+
+Come , come , I know 'tis good for you .
+Walk half an hour , Leonine , at least .
+Remember what I have said .
+
+I warrant you , madam .
+
+I'll leave you , my sweet lady , for a while ;
+Pray you walk softly , do not heat your blood :
+What ! I must have care of you .
+
+My thanks , sweet madam .
+
+Is this wind westerly that blows ?
+
+South-west .
+
+When I was born , the wind was north .
+
+Was 't so ?
+
+My father , as nurse said , did never fear ,
+But cried 'Good seamen !' to the sailors , galling
+His kingly hands haling ropes ;
+And , clasping to the mast , endur'd a sea
+That almost burst the deck .
+
+When was this ?
+
+When I was born :
+Never were waves nor wind more violent ;
+And from the ladder-tackle washes off
+A canvas-climber . 'Ha !' says one , 'wilt out ?'
+And with a dropping industry they skip
+From stem to stern ; the boatswain whistles , and
+The master calls , and trebles their confusion .
+
+Come ; say your prayers .
+
+What mean you ?
+
+If you require a little space for prayer ,
+I grant it . Pray ; but be not tedious ,
+For the gods are quick of ear , and I am sworn
+To do my work with haste .
+
+Why will you kill me ?
+
+To satisfy my lady .
+
+Why would she have me kill'd ?
+Now , as I can remember , by my troth ,
+I never did her hurt in all my life .
+I never spake bad word , nor did ill turn
+To any living creature ; believe me , la ,
+I never kill'd a mouse , nor hurt a fly ;
+I trod upon a worm against my will ,
+But I wept for it . How have I offended ,
+Wherein my death might yield her any profit ,
+Or my life imply her any danger ?
+
+My commission
+Is not to reason of the deed , but do 't .
+
+You will not do 't for all the world , I hope .
+You are well favour'd , and your looks foreshow
+You have a gentle heart . I saw you lately ,
+When you caught hurt in parting two that fought ;
+Good sooth , it show'd well in you ; do so now ;
+Your lady seeks my life ; come you between ,
+And save poor me , the weaker .
+
+I am sworn ,
+And will dispatch .
+
+
+Hold , villain !
+
+
+A prize ! a prize !
+
+Half-part , mates , half-part .
+Come , let's have her aboard suddenly .
+
+These roguing thieves serve the great pirate Valdes ;
+And they have seiz'd Marina . Let her go ;
+There's no hope she'll return . I'll swear she's dead ,
+And thrown into the sea . But I'll see further ;
+Perhaps they will but please themselves upon her ,
+Not carry her aboard . If she remain ,
+Whom they have ravish'd must by me be slain .
+
+
+Boult .
+
+Sir ?
+
+Search the market narrowly ; Mitylene is full of gallants ; we lost too much money this mart by being too wenchless .
+
+We were never so much out of creatures . We have but poor three , and they can do no more than they can do ; and they with continual action are even as good as rotten .
+
+Therefore , let's have fresh ones , whate'er we pay for them . If there be not a conscience to be used in every trade , we shall never prosper .
+
+Thou sayst true ; 'tis not the bringing up of poor bastards , as , I think , I have brought up some eleven
+
+Ay , to eleven ; and brought them down again . But shall I search the market ?
+
+What else , man ? The stuff we have a strong wind will blow it to pieces , they are so pitifully sodden .
+
+Thou sayst true ; they're too unwholesome , o' conscience . The poor Transylvanian is dead , that lay with the little baggage .
+
+Ay , she quickly pooped him ; she made him roast-meat for worms . But I'll go search the market .
+
+
+Three or four thousand chequins were as pretty a proportion to live quietly , and so give over .
+
+Why to give over , I pray you ? is it a shame to get when we are old ?
+
+O ! our credit comes not in like the commodity , nor the commodity wages not with the danger ; therefore , if in our youths we could pick up some pretty estate , 'twere not amiss to keep our door hatched . Besides , the sore terms we stand upon with the gods will be strong with us for giving over .
+
+Come , other sorts offend as well as we .
+
+As well as we ! ay , and better too ; we offend worse . Neither is our profession any trade ; it's no calling . But here comes Boult .
+
+
+Come your ways . My masters , you say she's a virgin ?
+
+O ! sir , we doubt it not .
+
+Master , I have gone through for this piece , you see : if you like her , so ; if not , I have lost my earnest .
+
+Boult , has she any qualities ?
+
+She has a good face , speaks well , and has excellent good clothes ; there's no further necessity of qualities can make her be refused .
+
+What's her price , Boult ?
+
+I cannot be bated one doit of a thousand pieces .
+
+Well , follow me , my masters , you shall have your money presently . Wife , take her in ; instruct her what she has to do , that she may not be raw in her entertainment .
+
+
+Boult , take you the marks of her , the colour of her hair , complexion , height , age , with warrant of her virginity ; and cry , 'He that will give most , shall have her first .' Such a maiden-head were no cheap thing , if men were as they have been . Get this done as I command you .
+
+Performance shall follow .
+
+
+Alack ! that Leonine was so slack , so slow .
+He should have struck , not spoke ; or that these pirates
+Not enough barbarous had not o'erboard thrown me
+For to seek my mother !
+
+Why lament you , pretty one ?
+
+That I am pretty .
+
+Come , the gods have done their part in you .
+
+I accuse them not .
+
+You are lit into my hands , where you are like to live .
+
+The more my fault
+To 'scape his hands where I was like to die .
+
+Ay , and you shall live in pleasure .
+
+No .
+
+Yes , indeed , shall you , and taste gentlemen of all fashions . You shall fare well ; you shall have the difference of all complexions . What ! do you stop your ears ?
+
+Are you a woman ?
+
+What would you have me be , an I be not a woman ?
+
+An honest woman , or not a woman .
+
+Marry , whip thee , gosling ; I think I shall have something to do with you . Come , you are a young foolish sapling , and must be bowed as I would have you .
+
+The gods defend me !
+
+If it please the gods to defend you by men , then men must comfort you , men must feed you , men must stir you up . Boult's returned .
+
+Now , sir , hast thou cried her through the market ?
+
+I have cried her almost to the number of her hairs ; I have drawn her picture with my voice .
+
+And I prithee , tell me , how dost thou find the inclination of the people , especially of the younger sort ?
+
+Faith , they listened to me , as they would have hearkened to their father's testament . There was a Spaniard's mouth so watered , that he went to bed to her very description .
+
+We shall have him here to-morrow with his best ruff on .
+
+To-night , to-night . But , mistress , do you know the French knight that cowers i' the hams ?
+
+Who ? Monsieur Veroles ?
+
+Ay ; he offered to cut a caper at the proclamation ; but he made a groan at it , and swore he would see her to-morrow .
+
+Well , well ; as for him , he brought his disease hither : here he does but repair it . I know he will come in our shadow , to scatter his crowns in the sun .
+
+Well , if we had of every nation a traveller , we should lodge them with this sign .
+
+Pray you , come hither awhile . You have fortunes coming upon you . Mark me : you must seem to do that fearfully , which you commit willingly ; to despise profit where you have most gain . To weep that you live as ye do makes pity in your lovers ; seldom but that pity begets you a good opinion , and that opinion a mere profit .
+
+I understand you not .
+
+O ! take her home , mistress , take her home ; these blushes of hers must be quenched with some present practice .
+
+Thou sayst true , i' faith , so they must ; for your bride goes to that with shame which is her way to go with warrant .
+
+Faith , some do , and some do not . But , mistress , if I have bargained for the joint ,
+
+Thou mayst cut a morsel off the spit .
+
+I may so ?
+
+Who should deny it ? Come , young one , I like the manner of your garments well .
+
+Ay , by my faith , they shall not be changed yet .
+
+Boult , spend thou that in the town ; report what a sojourner we have ; you'll lose nothing by custom . When nature framed this piece , she meant thee a good turn ; therefore say what a paragon she is , and thou hast the harvest out of thine own report .
+
+I warrant you , mistress , thunder shall not so awake the beds of eels as my giving out her beauty stir up the lewdly-inclined . I'll bring home some to-night .
+
+Come your ways ; follow me .
+
+If fires be hot , knives sharp , or waters deep ,
+Untied I still my virgin knot will keep .
+Diana , aid my purpose !
+
+What have we to do with Diana ?
+Pray you , will you go with us ?
+
+
+Why , are you foolish ? Can it be undone ?
+
+O Dionyza ! such a piece of slaughter
+The sun and moon ne'er look'd upon .
+
+I think
+You'll turn a child again .
+
+Were I chief lord of all this spacious world ,
+I'd give it to undo the deed . O lady !
+Much less in blood than virtue , yet a princess
+To equal any single crown o' the earth
+I' the justice of compare . O villain Leonine !
+Whom thou hast poison'd too ;
+If thou hadst drunk to him 't had been a kindness
+Becoming well thy fact ; what canst thou say
+When noble Pericles shall demand his child ?
+
+That she is dead . Nurses are not the fates ,
+To foster it , nor ever to preserve .
+She died at night ; I'll say so . Who can cross it ?
+Unless you play the pious innocent ,
+And for an honest attribute cry out
+'She died by foul play .'
+
+O ! go to . Well , well ,
+Of all the faults beneath the heavens , the gods
+Do like this worst .
+
+Be one of those that think
+The pretty wrens of Tarsus will fly hence ,
+And open this to Pericles . I do shame
+To think of what a noble strain you are ,
+And of how coward a spirit .
+
+To such proceeding
+Who ever but his approbation added ,
+Though not his prime consent , he did not flow
+From honourable sources .
+
+Be it so , then ;
+Yet none does know but you how she came dead ,
+Nor none can know , Leonine being gone .
+She did distain my child , and stood between
+Her and her fortunes ; none would look on her ,
+But cast their gazes on Marina's face ,
+Whilst ours was blurted at and held a malkin
+Not worth the time of day . It pierc'd me thorough ;
+And though you call my course unnatural ,
+You not your child well loving , yet I find
+It greets me as an enterprise of kindness
+Perform'd to your sole daughter .
+
+Heavens forgive it !
+
+And as for Pericles ,
+What should he say ? We wept after her hearse ,
+And even yet we mourn ; her monument
+Is almost finish'd , and her epitaphs
+In glittering golden characters express
+A general praise to her , and care in us
+At whose expense 'tis done .
+
+Thou art like the harpy ,
+Which , to betray , dost with thine angel's face ,
+Seize with thine eagle's talons .
+
+You are like one that superstitiously
+Doth swear to the gods that winter kills the flies ;
+But yet I know you'll do as I advise .
+
+Thus time we waste , and longest leagues make short ;
+Sail seas in cockles , have an wish but for 't ;
+Making to take your imagination
+From bourn to bourn , region to region .
+By you being pardon'd , we commit no crime
+To use one language in each several clime
+Where our scenes seem to live . I do beseech you
+To learn of me , who stand i' the gaps to teach you ,
+The stages of our story . Pericles
+Is now again thwarting the wayward seas ,
+Attended on by many a lord and knight ,
+To see his daughter , all his life's delight .
+Old Helicanus goes along . Behind
+Is left to govern it , you bear in mind ,
+Old Escanes , whom Helicanus late
+Advanc'd in time to great and high estate .
+Well-sailing ships and bounteous winds have brought
+This king to Tarsus , think his pilot thought ,
+So with his steerage shall your thoughts grow on ,
+To fetch his daughter home , who first is gone .
+Like motes and shadows see them move awhile ;
+Your ears unto your eyes I'll reconcile .
+
+
+See how belief may suffer by foul show !
+This borrow'd passion stands for true old woe ;
+And Pericles , in sorrow all devour'd ,
+With sighs shot through , and biggest tears o'ershower'd ,
+Leaves Tarsus and again embarks . He swears
+Never to wash his face , nor cut his hairs ;
+He puts on sackcloth , and to sea . He bears
+A tempest , which his mortal vessel tears ,
+And yet he rides it out . Now please you wit
+The epitaph is for Marina writ
+By wicked Dionyza .
+
+
+the fairest , sweet'st , and best lies here ,
+who wither'd in her spring of year :
+she was of tyrus the king's daughter ,
+on whom foul death hath made this slaughter .
+marina was she call'd ; and at her birth ,
+thetis , being proud , swallow'd some part o' the earth :
+therefore the earth , fearing to be o'erflow'd ,
+hath thetis' birth-child on the heavens bestow'd :
+wherefore she does , and swears she'll never stint ,
+make raging battery upon shores of flint .
+
+No visor does become black villany
+So well as soft and tender flattery .
+Let Pericles believe his daughter's dead ,
+And bear his courses to be ordered
+By Lady Fortune ; while our scene must play
+His daughter's woe and heavy well-a-day
+In her unholy service . Patience then ,
+And think you now are all in Mitylen .
+
+
+Did you ever hear the like ?
+
+No , nor never shall do in such a place as this , she being once gone .
+
+But to have divinity preached there ! did you ever dream of such a thing ?
+
+No , no . Come , I am for no more bawdy-houses . Shall's go hear the vestals sing ?
+
+I'll do any thing now that is virtuous ; but I am out of the road of rutting for ever .
+
+
+Well , I had rather than twice the worth of her she had ne'er come here .
+
+Fie , fie upon her ! she is able to freeze the god Priapus , and undo a whole generation ; we must either get her ravished , or be rid of her . When she should do for clients her fitment , and do me the kindness of our profession , she has me her quirks , her reasons , her master-reasons , her prayers , her knees ; that she would make a puritan of the devil if he should cheapen a kiss of her .
+
+Faith , I must ravish her , or she'll disfurnish us of all our cavaliers , and make all our swearers priests .
+
+Now , the pox upon her green-sickness for me !
+
+Faith , there's no way to be rid on 't but by the way to the pox . Here comes the Lord Lysimachus , disguised .
+
+We should have both lord and lown if the peevish baggage would but give way to customers .
+
+
+How now ! How a dozen of virginities ?
+
+Now , the gods to-bless your honour !
+
+I am glad to see your honour in good health .
+
+You may so ; 'tis the better for you that your resorters stand upon sound legs . How now ! wholesome iniquity , have you that a man may deal withal , and defy the surgeon ?
+
+We have here one , sir , if she would but there never came her like in Mitylene .
+
+If she'd do the deed of darkness , thou wouldst say .
+
+Your honour knows what 'tis to say well enough .
+
+Well ; call forth , call forth .
+
+For flesh and blood , sir , white and red , you shall see a rose ; and she were a rose indeed if she had but
+
+What , prithee ?
+
+O ! sir , I can be modest .
+
+That dignifies the renown of a bawd no less than it gives a good report to a number to be chaste .
+
+
+Here comes that which grows to the stalk ; never plucked yet , I can assure you .
+
+Is she not a fair creature ?
+
+Faith , she would serve after a long voyage at sea . Well , there's for you ; leave us .
+
+I beseech your honour , give me leave ; a word , and I'll have done presently .
+
+I beseech you do .
+
+First , I would have you note , this is an honourable man .
+
+I desire to find him so , that I may worthily note him .
+
+Next , he's the governor of this country , and a man whom I am bound to .
+
+If he govern the country , you are bound to him indeed ; but how honourable he is in that I know not .
+
+Pray you , without any more virginal fencing , will you use him kindly ? He will line your apron with gold .
+
+What he will do graciously , I will thankfully receive .
+
+Ha' you done ?
+
+My lord , she's not paced yet ; you must take some pains to work her to your manage . Come , we will leave his honour and her together .
+
+Go thy ways .
+
+Now , pretty one , how long have you been at this trade ?
+
+What trade , sir ?
+
+Why , I cannot name 't but I shall offend .
+
+I cannot be offended with my trade . Please you to name it .
+
+How long have you been of this profession ?
+
+E'er since I can remember .
+
+Did you go to 't so young ? Were you a gamester at five or at seven ?
+
+Earlier too , sir , if now I be one .
+
+Why , the house you dwell in proclaims you to be a creature of sale .
+
+Do you know this house to be a place of such resort , and will come into 't ? I hear say you are of honourable parts , and are the governor of this place .
+
+Why , hath your principal made known unto you who I am ?
+
+Who is my principal ?
+
+Why , your herb-woman ; she that sets seeds and roots of shame and iniquity . O ! you have heard something of my power , and so stand aloof for more serious wooing . But I protest to thee , pretty one , my authority shall not see thee , or else look friendly upon thee . Come , bring me to some private place ; come , come .
+
+If you were born to honour , show it now ;
+If put upon you , make the judgment good
+That thought you worthy of it .
+
+How's this ? how's this ? Some more ; be sage .
+
+For me ,
+That am a maid , though most ungentle fortune
+Hath plac'd me in this sty , where , since I came ,
+Diseases have been sold dearer than physic ,
+O ! that the gods
+Would set me free from this unhallow'd place ,
+Though they did change me to the meanest bird
+That flies i' the purer air !
+
+I did not think
+Thou couldst have spoke so well ; ne'er dream'd thou couldst .
+Had I brought hither a corrupted mind ,
+Thy speech had alter'd it . Hold , here's gold for thee ;
+Persever in that clear way thou goest ,
+And the gods strengthen thee !
+
+The good gods preserve you !
+
+For me , be you thoughten
+That I came with no ill intent , for to me
+The very doors and windows savour vilely .
+Farewell . Thou art a piece of virtue , and
+I doubt not but thy training hath been noble .
+Hold , here's more gold for thee .
+A curse upon him , die he like a thief ,
+That robs thee of thy goodness ! If thou dost
+Hear from me , it shall be for thy good .
+
+
+I beseech your honour , one piece for me .
+
+Avaunt ! thou damned door-keeper . Your house ,
+But for this virgin that doth prop it , would
+Sink and overwhelm you . Away !
+
+
+How's this ? We must take another course with you . If your peevish chastity , which is not worth a breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope , shall undo a whole household , let me be gelded like a spaniel . Come your ways .
+
+Whither would you have me ?
+
+I must have your maidenhead taken off , or the common hangman shall execute it . Come your ways . We'll have no more gentlemen driven away . Come your ways , I say .
+
+
+How now ! what's the matter ?
+
+Worse and worse , mistress ; she has here spoken holy words to the Lord Lysimachus .
+
+O ! abominable .
+
+She makes our profession as it were to stink afore the face of the gods .
+
+Marry , hang her up for ever !
+
+The nobleman would have dealt with her like a nobleman , and she sent him away as cold as a snowball ; saying his prayers too .
+
+Boult , take her away ; use her at thy pleasure ; crack the glass of her virginity , and make the rest malleable .
+
+An if she were a thornier piece of ground than she is , she shall be ploughed .
+
+Hark , hark , you gods !
+
+She conjures ; away with her ! Would she had never come within my doors ! Marry , hang you ! She's born to undo us . Will you not go the way of women-kind ? Marry , come up , my dish of chastity with rosemary and bays !
+
+
+Come , mistress ; come your ways with me .
+
+Whither wilt thou have me ?
+
+To take from you the jewel you hold so dear .
+
+Prithee , tell me one thing first .
+
+Come now , your one thing .
+
+What canst thou wish thine enemy to be ?
+
+Why , I could wish him to be my master , or rather , my mistress .
+
+Neither of these are so bad as thou art ,
+Since they do better thee in their command .
+Thou hold'st a place , for which the pained'st fiend
+Of hell would not in reputation change ;
+Thou art the damned door-keeper to every
+Coystril that comes inquiring for his Tib ,
+To the choleric fisting of every rogue
+Thy ear is liable , thy food is such
+As hath been belch'd on by infected lungs .
+
+What would you have me do ? go to the wars , would you ? where a man may serve seven years for the loss of a leg , and have not money enough in the end to buy him a wooden one ?
+
+Do any thing but this thou doest . Empty .
+Old receptacles , or common sewers , of filth ;
+Serve by indenture to the common hangman :
+Any of these ways are yet better than this ;
+For what thou professest , a baboon , could he speak ,
+Would own a name too dear . O ! that the gods
+Would safely deliver me from this place .
+Here , here's gold for thee .
+If that thy master would gain by me ,
+Proclaim that I can sing , weave , sew , and dance ,
+With other virtues , which I'll keep from boast ;
+And I will undertake all these to teach .
+I doubt not but this populous city will
+Yield many scholars .
+
+But can you teach all this you speak of ?
+
+Prove that I cannot , take me home again ,
+And prostitute me to the basest groom
+That doth frequent your house .
+
+Well , I will see what I can do for thee ; if I can place thee , I will .
+
+But , amongst honest women .
+
+Faith , my acquaintance lies little amongst them . But since my master and mistress have bought you , there's no going but by their consent ; therefore I will make them acquainted with your purpose , and I doubt not but I shall find them tractable enough . Come ; I'll do for thee what I can ; come your ways .
+
+
+Marina thus the brothel 'scapes , and chances
+Into an honest house , our story says .
+She sings like one immortal , and she dances
+As goddess-like to her admired lays ;
+Deep clerks she dumbs ; and with her neeld composes
+Nature's own shape , of bud , bird , branch , or berry ,
+That even her art sisters the natural roses ;
+Her inkle , silk , twin with the rubied cherry ;
+That pupils lacks she none of noble race ,
+Who pour their bounty on her ; and her gain
+She gives the cursed bawd . Here we her place ;
+And to her father turn our thoughts again ,
+Where we left him , on the sea . We there him lost ,
+Whence , driven before the winds , he is arriv'd
+Here where his daughter dwells : and on this coast
+Suppose him now at anchor . The city striv'd
+God Neptune's annual feast to keep ; from whence
+Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies ,
+His banners sable , trimm'd with rich expense ;
+And to him in his barge with fervour hies .
+In your supposing once more put your sight
+Of heavy Pericles ; think this his bark :
+Where what is done in action , more , if might ,
+Shall be discover'd ; please you , sit and hark .
+
+Where's the Lord Helicanus ? he can resolve you .
+O ! here he is .
+Sir , there's a barge put off from Mitylene ,
+And in it is Lysimachus , the governor ,
+Who craves to come aboard . What is your will ?
+
+That he have his . Call up some gentlemen .
+
+Ho , gentlemen ! my lord calls .
+
+
+Doth your lordship call ?
+
+Gentlemen , there's some of worth would come aboard ;
+I pray ye , greet them fairly .
+
+Sir ,
+This is the man that can , in aught you would ,
+Resolve you .
+
+Hail , reverend sir ! The gods preserve you !
+
+And you , sir , to outlive the age I am ,
+And die as I would do .
+
+You wish me well .
+Being on shore , honouring of Neptune's triumphs ,
+Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us ,
+I made to it to know of whence you are .
+
+First , what is your place ?
+
+I am the governor of this place you lie before .
+
+Sir ,
+Our vessel is of Tyre , in it the king ;
+A man who for this three months hath not spoken
+To any one , nor taken sustenance
+But to prorogue his grief .
+
+Upon what ground is his distemperature ?
+
+'Twould be too tedious to repeat ;
+But the main grief springs from the loss
+Of a beloved daughter and a wife .
+
+May we not see him ?
+
+You may ;
+But bootless is your sight : he will not speak
+To any .
+
+Yet let me obtain my wish .
+
+Behold him .
+
+This was a goodly person ,
+Till the disaster that , one mortal night ,
+Drove him to this .
+
+Sir king , all hail ! the gods preserve you !
+Hall , royal sir !
+
+It is in vain ; he will not speak to you .
+
+Sir ,
+We have a maid in Mitylene , I durst wager ,
+Would win some words of him .
+
+'Tis well bethought .
+She questionless with her sweet harmony
+And other chosen attractions , would allure ,
+And make a battery through his deafen'd ports
+Which now are midway stopp'd :
+She is all happy as the fair'st of all ,
+And with her fellow maids is now upon
+The leafy shelter that abuts against
+The island's side .
+
+
+Sure , all's effectless ; yet nothing we'll omit ,
+That bears recovery's name . But , since your kindness
+We have stretch'd thus far , let us beseech you ,
+That for our gold we may provision have ,
+Wherein we are not destitute for want ,
+But weary for the staleness .
+
+O ! sir , a courtesy ,
+Which if we should deny , the most just gods
+For every graff would send a caterpillar ,
+And so afflict our province . Yet once more
+Let me entreat to know at large the cause
+Of your king's sorrow .
+
+Sit , sir , I will recount it to you ;
+But see , I am prevented .
+
+
+O ! here is
+The lady that I sent for . Welcome , fair one !
+Is't not a goodly presence ?
+
+She's a gallant lady .
+
+She's such a one , that were I well assur'd
+Came of a gentle kind and noble stock ,
+I'd wish no better choice , and think me rarely wed .
+Fair one , all goodness that consists in bounty
+Expect even here , where is a kingly patient :
+If that thy prosperous and artificial feat
+Can draw him but to answer thee in aught ,
+Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay
+As thy desires can wish .
+
+Sir , I will use
+My utmost skill in his recovery ,
+Provided
+That none but I and my companion maid
+Be suffer'd to come near him .
+
+Come , let us leave her ;
+And the gods make her prosperous !
+
+
+Mark'd he your music ?
+
+No , nor look'd on us .
+
+See , she will speak to him .
+
+Hail , sir ! my lord , lend ear .
+
+Hum ! ha !
+
+I am a maid ,
+My lord , that ne'er before invited eyes ,
+But have been gaz'd on like a comet ; she speaks ,
+My lord , that , may be , hath endur'd a grief
+Might equal yours , if both were justly weigh'd .
+Though wayward Fortune did malign my state ,
+My derivation was from ancestors
+Who stood equivalent with mighty kings ;
+But time hath rooted out my parentage ,
+And to the world and awkward casualties
+Bound me in servitude .
+
+I will desist ;
+But there is something glows upon my cheek ,
+And whispers in mine ear , 'Go not till he speak .'
+
+My fortunes parentage good parentage
+To equal mine !was it not thus ? what say you ?
+
+I said , my lord , if you did know my parentage ,
+You would not do me violence .
+
+I do think so . Pray you , turn your eyes upon me .
+You are like something that What country-woman ?
+Here of these shores ?
+
+No , nor of any shores ;
+Yet I was mortally brought forth , and am
+No other than I appear .
+
+I am great with woe , and shall deliver weeping .
+My dearest wife was like this maid , and such a one
+My daughter might have been : my queen's square brows ;
+Her stature to an inch ; as wand-like straight ;
+As silver-voic'd ; her eyes as jewel-like ,
+And cas'd as richly ; in pace another Juno ;
+Who starves the ears she feeds , and makes them hungry ,
+The more she gives them speech . Where do you live ?
+
+Where I am but a stranger ; from the deck
+You may discern the place .
+
+Where were you bred ?
+And how achiev'd you these endowments , which
+You make more rich to owe ?
+
+Should I tell my history , it would seem
+Like lies , disdain'd in the reporting .
+
+Prithee , speak ;
+Falseness cannot come from thee , for thou look'st
+Modest as justice , and thou seem'st a palace
+For the crown'd truth to dwell in . I believe thee ,
+And make my senses credit thy relation
+To points that seem impossible ; for thou lookest
+Like one I lov'd indeed . What were thy friends ?
+Didst thou not say when I did push thee back ,
+Which was when I perceiv'd thee ,that thou cam'st
+From good descending ?
+
+So indeed I did .
+
+Report thy parentage . I think thou saidst
+Thou hadst been toss'd from wrong to injury ,
+And that thou thought'st thy griefs might equal mine ,
+If both were open'd .
+
+Some such thing
+I said , and said no more but what my thoughts
+Did warrant me was likely .
+
+Tell thy story ;
+If thine consider'd prove the thousandth part
+Of my endurance , thou art a man , and I
+Have suffer'd like a girl ; yet thou dost look
+Like Patience gazing on kings' graves , and smiling
+Extremity out of act . What were thy friends ?
+How lost thou them ? Thy name , my most kind virgin ?
+Recount , I do beseech thee . Come , sit by me .
+
+My name is Marina .
+
+O ! I am mock'd ,
+And thou by some incensed god sent hither
+To make the world to laugh at me .
+
+Patience , good sir ,
+Or here I'll cease .
+
+Nay , I'll be patient .
+Thou little know'st how thou dost startle me ,
+To call thyself Marina .
+
+The name
+Was given me by one that had some power ;
+My father , and a king .
+
+How ! a king's daughter ?
+And call'd Marina ?
+
+You said you would believe me ;
+But , not to be a troubler of your peace ,
+I will end here .
+
+But are you flesh and blood ?
+Have you a working pulse ? and are no fairy ?
+Motion !Well ; speak on . Where were you born ?
+And wherefore call'd Marina ?
+
+Call'd Marina
+For I was born at sea .
+
+At sea ! what mother ?
+
+My mother was the daughter of a king ;
+Who died the minute I was born ,
+As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
+Deliver'd weeping .
+
+O ! stop there a little .
+This is the rarest dream that e'er dull sleep
+Did mock sad fools withal ; this cannot be .
+My daughter's buried . Well ; where were you bred ?
+I'll hear you more , to the bottom of your story ,
+And never interrupt you .
+
+You'll scorn to believe me ; 'twere best I did give o'er .
+
+I will believe you by the syllable
+Of what you shall deliver . Yet , give me leave :
+How came you in these parts ? where were you bred ?
+
+The king my father did in Tarsus leave me ,
+Till cruel Cleon , with his wicked wife ,
+Did seek to murder me ; and having woo'd
+A villain to attempt it , who having drawn to do 't ,
+A crew of pirates came and rescu'd me ;
+Brought me to Mitylene . But , good sir ,
+Whither will you have me ? Why do you weep ? It may be
+You think me an impostor ; no , good faith ;
+I am the daughter to King Pericles ,
+If good King Pericles be .
+
+Ho , Helicanus !
+
+Calls my lord ?
+
+Thou art a grave and noble counsellor ,
+Most wise in general ; tell me , if thou canst ,
+What this maid is , or what is like to be ,
+That thus hath made me weep ?
+
+I know not ; but
+Here is the regent , sir , of Mitylene ,
+Speaks nobly of her .
+
+She never would tell
+Her parentage ; being demanded that ,
+She would sit still and weep .
+
+O Helicanus ! strike me , honour'd sir ;
+Give me a gash , put me to present pain ,
+Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me
+O'erbear the shores of my mortality ,
+And drown me with their sweetness . O ! come hither ,
+Thou that begett'st him that did thee beget ;
+Thou that wast born at sea , buried at Tarsus ,
+And found at sea again . O Helicanus !
+Down on thy knees , thank the holy gods as loud
+As thunder threatens us ; this is Marina .
+What was thy mother's name ? tell me but that ,
+For truth can never be confirm'd enough ,
+Though doubts did ever sleep .
+
+First , sir , I pray ,
+What is your title ?
+
+I am Pericles of Tyre : but tell me now
+My drown'd queen's name , as in the rest you said
+Thou hast been god-like perfect ;
+Thou'rt heir of kingdoms , and another life
+To Pericles thy father .
+
+Is it no more to be your daughter than
+To say my mother's name was Thaisa ?
+Thaisa was my mother , who did end
+The minute I began .
+
+Now , blessing on thee ! rise ; thou art my child ,
+Give me fresh garments . Mine own , Helicanus ;
+She is not dead at Tarsus , as she should have been ,
+By savage Cleon ; she shall tell thee all ;
+When thou shalt kneel , and justify in knowledge
+She is thy very princess . Who is this ?
+
+Sir , 'tis the governor of Mitylene ,
+Who , hearing of your melancholy state ,
+Did come to see you .
+
+I embrace you .
+Give me my robes . I am wild in my beholding .
+O heavens ! bless my girl . But , hark ! what music ?
+Tell Helicanus , my Marina , tell him
+O'er , point by point , for yet he seems to doubt ,
+How sure you are my daughter . But , what music ?
+
+My lord , I hear none .
+
+None !
+The music of the spheres ! List , my Marina .
+
+It is not good to cross him ; give him way .
+
+Rarest sounds ! Do ye not hear ?
+
+My lord , I hear .
+
+
+Most heavenly music :
+It nips me unto list'ning , and thick slumber
+Hangs upon mine eyes ; let me rest .
+
+
+A pillow for his head .
+So , leave him all . Well , my companion friends ,
+If this but answer to my just belief ,
+I'll well remember you .
+
+My temple stands in Ephesus ; hie thee thither ,
+And do upon mine altar sacrifice .
+There , when my maiden priests are met together ,
+Before the people all ,
+Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife ;
+To mourn thy crosses , with thy daughter's , call
+And give them repetition to the life .
+Perform my bidding , or thou liv'st in woe ;
+Do it , and happy ; by my silver bow !
+Awake , and tell thy dream !
+
+
+Celestial Dian , goddess argentine ,
+I will obey thee ! Helicanus !
+
+
+Sir ?
+
+My purpose was for Tarsus , there to strike
+The inhospitable Cleon : but I am
+For other service first : toward Ephesus
+Turn our blown sails ; eftsoons I'll tell thee why .
+
+
+Shall we refresh us , sir , upon your shore ,
+And give you gold for such provision
+As our intents will need ?
+
+Sir ,
+With all my heart ; and when you come ashore ,
+I have another suit .
+
+You shall prevail ,
+Were it to woo my daughter ; for it seems
+You have been noble towards her .
+
+Sir , lend me your arm .
+
+Come , my Marina .
+
+
+Now our sands are almost run ;
+More a little , and then dumb .
+This , my last boon , give me ,
+For such kindness must relieve me ,
+That you aptly will suppose
+What pageantry , what feats , what shows ,
+What minstrelsy , and pretty din ,
+The regent made in Mitylen
+To greet the king . So he thriv'd ,
+That he is promis'd to be wiv'd
+To fair Marina ; but in no wise
+Till he had done his sacrifice ,
+As Dian bade : whereto being bound ,
+The interim , pray you , all confound .
+In feather'd briefness sails are fill'd ,
+And wishes fall out as they're will'd .
+At Ephesus , the temple see ,
+Our king and all his company .
+That he can hither come so soon ,
+Is by your fancy's thankful doom .
+
+Hail , Dian ! to perform thy just command ,
+I here confess myself the King of Tyre ;
+Who , frighted from my country , did wed
+At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa .
+At sea in childbed died she , but brought forth
+A maid-child call'd Marina ; who , O goddess !
+Wears yet thy silver livery . She at Tarsus
+Was nurs'd with Cleon , whom at fourteen years
+He sought to murder ; but her better stars
+Brought her to Mitylene , 'gainst whose shore
+Riding , her fortunes brought the maid aboard us ,
+Where , by her own most clear remembrance , she
+Made known herself my daughter .
+
+Voice and favour !
+You are , you are O royal Pericles !
+
+
+What means the nun ? she dies ! help , gentlemen !
+
+Noble sir ,
+If you have told Diana's altar true ,
+This is your wife .
+
+Reverend appearer , no ;
+I threw her o'erboard with these very arms .
+
+Upon this coast , I warrant you .
+
+'Tis most certain .
+
+Look to the lady . O ! she's but o'erjoy'd .
+Early in blustering morn this lady was
+Thrown upon this shore . I op'd the coffin ,
+Found there rich jewels ; recover'd her , and plac'd her
+Here in Diana's temple .
+
+May we see them ?
+
+Great sir , they shall be brought you to my house ,
+Whither I invite you . Look ! Thaisa is
+Recovered .
+
+O ! let me look !
+If he be none of mine , my sanctity
+Will to my sense bend no licentious ear ,
+But curb it , spite of seeing . O ! my lord ,
+Are you not Pericles ? Like him you speak ,
+Like him you are . Did you not name a tempest ,
+A birth , and death ?
+
+The voice of dead Thaisa !
+
+That Thaisa am I , supposed dead
+And drown'd .
+
+Immortal Dian !
+
+Now I know you better .
+When we with tears parted Pentapolis ,
+The king my father gave you such a ring .
+
+
+This , this : no more , you gods ! your present kindness
+Makes my past miseries sport : you shall do well ,
+That on the touching of her lips I may
+Melt and no more be seen . O ! come , be buried
+A second time within these arms .
+
+My heart
+Leaps to be gone into my mother's bosom .
+
+
+Look , who kneels here ! Flesh of thy flesh , Thaisa ;
+Thy burden at the sea , and call'd Marina ,
+For she was yielded there .
+
+Bless'd , and mine own !
+
+Hail , madam , and my queen !
+
+I know you not .
+
+You have heard me say , when I did fly from Tyre ,
+I left behind an ancient substitute ;
+Can you remember what I call'd the man ?
+I have nam'd him oft .
+
+'Twas Helicanus then .
+
+Still confirmation !
+Embrace him , dear Thaisa ; this is he .
+Now do I long to hear how you were found ,
+How possibly preserv'd , and whom to thank ,
+Besides the gods , for this great miracle .
+
+Lord Cerimon , my lord ; this man ,
+Through whom the gods have shown their power ; that can
+From first to last resolve you .
+
+Reverend sir ,
+The gods can have no mortal officer
+More like a god than you . Will you deliver
+How this dead queen re-lives ?
+
+I will , my lord .
+Beseech you , first go with me to my house .
+Where shall be shown you all was found with her ;
+How she came placed here in the temple ;
+No needful thing omitted .
+
+Pure Dian ! bless thee for thy vision ; I
+Will offer night-oblations to thee . Thaisa ,
+This prince , the fair-betrothed of your daughter ,
+Shall marry her at Pentapolis . And now
+This ornament
+Makes me look dismal will I clip to form ;
+And what this fourteen years no rasor touch'd ,
+To grace thy marriage-day I'll beautify .
+
+Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit , sir ,
+My father's dead .
+
+Heavens make a star of him ! Yet there , my queen ,
+We'll celebrate their nuptials , and ourselves
+Will in that kingdom spend our following days ;
+Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign .
+Lord Cerimon , we do our longing stay
+To hear the rest untold . Sir , lead's the way .
+
+In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard
+Of monstrous lust the due and just reward :
+In Pericles , his queen , and daughter , seen
+Although assail'd with fortune fierce and keen
+Virtue preserv'd from fell destruction's blast ,
+Led on by heaven , and crown'd with joy at last .
+In Helicanus may you well descry
+A figure of truth , of faith , of loyalty .
+In reverend Cerimon there well appears
+The worth that learned charity aye wears .
+For wicked Cleon and his wife , when fame
+Had spread their cursed deed , and honour'd name
+Of Pericles , to rage the city turn ,
+That him and his they in his palace burn :
+The gods for murder seemed so content
+To punish them ; although not done , but meant .
+So on your patience evermore attending ,
+New joy wait on you ! Here our play hath ending .
+
+THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
+
+Proceed , Solinus , to procure my fall ,
+And by the doom of death end woes and all .
+
+Merchant of Syracusa , plead no more .
+I am not partial to infringe our laws :
+The enmity and discord which of late
+Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke
+To merchants , our well-dealing countrymen ,
+Who , wanting guilders to redeem their lives ,
+Have seal'd his rigorous statutes with their bloods ,
+Excludes all pity from our threat'ning looks .
+For , since the mortal and intestine jars
+'Twixt thy seditious countrymen and us ,
+It hath in solemn synods been decreed ,
+Both by the Syracusians and ourselves ,
+T' admit no traffic to our adverse towns :
+Nay , more , if any , born at Ephesus
+Be seen at Syracusian marts and fairs ;
+Again , if any Syracusian born
+Come to the bay of Ephesus , he dies ,
+His goods confiscate to the duke's dispose ;
+Unless a thousand marks be levied ,
+To quit the penalty and to ransom him .
+Thy substance , valu'd at the highest rate ,
+Cannot amount unto a hundred marks ;
+Therefore , by law thou art condemn'd to die .
+
+Yet this my comfort : when your words are done ,
+My woes end likewise with the evening sun .
+
+Well , Syracusian ; say , in brief the cause
+Why thou departedst from thy native home ,
+And for what cause thou cam'st to Ephesus .
+
+A heavier task could not have been impos'd
+Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable ;
+Yet , that the world may witness that my end
+Was wrought by nature , not by vile offence ,
+I'll utter what my sorrow gives me leave .
+In Syracusa was I born , and wed
+Unto a woman , happy but for me ,
+And by me too , had not our hap been bad .
+With her I liv'd in joy : our wealth increas'd
+By prosperous voyages I often made
+To Epidamnum ; till my factor's death ,
+And the great care of goods at random left ,
+Drew me from kind embracements of my spouse :
+From whom my absence was not six months old ,
+Before herself ,almost at fainting under
+The pleasing punishment that women bear ,
+Had made provision for her following me ,
+And soon and safe arrived where I was .
+There had she not been long but she became
+A joyful mother of two goodly sons ;
+And , which was strange , the one so like the other ,
+As could not be distinguish'd but by names .
+That very hour , and in the self-same inn ,
+A meaner woman was delivered
+Of such a burden , male twins , both alike .
+Those ,for their parents were exceeding poor ,
+I bought , and brought up to attend my sons .
+My wife , not meanly proud of two such boys ,
+Made daily motions for our home return :
+Unwilling I agreed ; alas ! too soon
+We came aboard .
+A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd ,
+Before the always-wind-obeying deep
+Gave any tragic instance of our harm :
+But longer did we not retain much hope ;
+For what obscured light the heavens did grant
+Did but convey unto our fearful minds
+A doubtful warrant of immediate death ;
+Which , though myself would gladly have embrac'd ,
+Yet the incessant weepings of my wife ,
+Weeping before for what she saw must come ,
+And piteous plainings of the pretty babes ,
+That mourn'd for fashion , ignorant what to fear ,
+Forc'd me to seek delays for them and me .
+And this it was , for other means was none :
+The sailors sought for safety by our boat ,
+And left the ship , then sinking-ripe , to us :
+My wife , more careful for the latter-born ,
+Had fasten'd him unto a small spare mast ,
+Such as seafaring men provide for storms ;
+To him one of the other twins was bound ,
+Whilst I had been like heedful of the other .
+The children thus dispos'd , my wife and I ,
+Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fix'd ,
+Fasten'd ourselves at either end the mast ;
+And floating straight , obedient to the stream ,
+Were carried towards Corinth , as we thought .
+At length the sun , gazing upon the earth ,
+Dispers'd those vapours that offended us ,
+And , by the benefit of his wished light
+The seas wax'd calm , and we discovered
+Two ships from far making amain to us ;
+Of Corinth that , of Epidaurus this :
+But ere they came ,O ! let me say no more ;
+Gather the sequel by that went before .
+
+Nay , forward , old man ; do not break off so ;
+For we may pity , though not pardon thee .
+
+O ! had the gods done so , I had not now
+Worthily term'd them merciless to us !
+For , ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues ,
+We were encounter'd by a mighty rock ;
+Which being violently borne upon ,
+Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst ;
+So that , in this unjust divorce of us
+Fortune had left to both of us alike
+What to delight in , what to sorrow for .
+Her part , poor soul ! seeming as burdened
+With lesser weight , but not with lesser woe ,
+Was carried with more speed before the wind ,
+And in our sight they three were taken up
+By fishermen of Corinth , as we thought .
+At length , another ship had seiz'd on us ;
+And , knowing whom it was their hap to save ,
+Gave healthful welcome to their ship-wrack'd guests ;
+And would have reft the fishers of their prey ,
+Had not their bark been very slow of sail ;
+And therefore homeward did they bend their course .
+Thus have you heard me sever'd from my bliss ,
+That by misfortune was my life prolong'd ,
+To tell sad stories of my own mishaps .
+
+And , for the sake of them thou sorrowest for ,
+Do me the favour to dilate at full
+What hath befall'n of them and thee till now .
+
+My youngest boy , and yet my eldest care ,
+At eighteen years became inquisitive
+After his brother ; and importun'd me
+That his attendant for his case was like ,
+Reft of his brother , but retain'd his name
+Might bear him company in the quest of him ;
+Whom whilst I labour'd of a love to see ,
+I hazarded the loss of whom I lov'd .
+Five summers have I spent in furthest Greece ,
+Roaming clean through the bounds of Asia ,
+And , coasting homeward , came to Ephesus ,
+Hopeless to find , yet loath to leave unsought
+Or that or any place that harbours men .
+But here must end the story of my life ;
+And happy were I in my timely death ,
+Could all my travels warrant me they live .
+
+Hapless geon , whom the fates have mark'd
+To bear the extremity of dire mishap !
+Now , trust me , were it not against our laws ,
+Against my crown , my oath , my dignity ,
+Which princes , would they , may not disannul ,
+My soul should sue as advocate for thee .
+But though thou art adjudged to the death
+And passed sentence may not be recall'd
+But to our honour's great disparagement ,
+Yet will I favour thee in what I can :
+Therefore , merchant , I'll limit thee this day
+To seek thy life by beneficial help .
+Try all the friends thou hast in Ephesus ;
+Beg thou , or borrow , to make up the sum ,
+And live ; if no , then thou art doom'd to die .
+Gaoler , take him to thy custody .
+
+I will , my lord .
+
+Hopeless and helpless doth geon wend ,
+But to procrastinate his lifeless end .
+
+
+Therefore , give out you are of Epidamnum ,
+Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate .
+This very day , a Syracusian merchant
+Is apprehended for arrival here ;
+And , not being able to buy out his life ,
+According to the statute of the town
+Dies ere the weary sun set in the west .
+There is your money that I had to keep .
+
+Go bear it to the Centaur , where we host ,
+And stay there , Dromio , till I come to thee .
+Within this hour it will be dinner-time :
+Till that , I'll view the manners of the town ,
+Peruse the traders , gaze upon the buildings ,
+And then return and sleep within mine inn ,
+For with long travel I am stiff and weary .
+Get thee away .
+
+Many a man would take you at your word ,
+And go indeed , having so good a mean .
+
+
+A trusty villain , sir , that very oft ,
+When I am dull with care and melancholy ,
+Lightens my humour with his merry jests .
+What , will you walk with me about the town ,
+And then go to my inn and dine with me ?
+
+I am invited , sir , to certain merchants ,
+Of whom I hope to make much benefit ;
+I crave your pardon . Soon at five o'clock ,
+Please you , I'll meet with you upon the mart ,
+And afterward consort you till bed-time :
+My present business calls me from you now .
+
+Farewell till then : I will go lose myself ,
+And wander up and down to view the city .
+
+Sir , I commend you to your own content .
+
+
+He that commends me to mine own content ,
+Commends me to the thing I cannot get .
+I to the world am like a drop of water
+That in the ocean seeks another drop ;
+Who , falling there to find his fellow forth ,
+Unseen , inquisitive , confounds himself :
+So I , to find a mother and a brother ,
+In quest of them , unhappy , lose myself .
+
+
+Here comes the almanack of my true date .
+
+What now ? How chance thou art return'd so soon ?
+
+Return'd so soon ! rather approach'd too late :
+The capon burns , the pig falls from the spit ,
+The clock hath strucken twelve upon the bell ;
+My mistress made it one upon my cheek :
+She is so hot because the meat is cold ;
+The meat is cold because you come not home ;
+You come not home because you have no stomach ;
+You have no stomach , having broke your fast ;
+But we , that know what 'tis to fast and pray ,
+Are penitent for your default to-day .
+
+Stop in your wind , sir : tell me this , I pray :
+Where have you left the money that I gave you ?
+
+O !sixpence , that I had o' Wednesday last
+To pay the saddler for my mistress' crupper ;
+The saddler had it , sir ; I kept it not .
+
+I am not in a sportive humour now .
+Tell me , and dally not , where is the money ?
+We being strangers here , how dar'st thou trust
+So great a charge from thine own custody ?
+
+I pray you , jest , sir , as you sit at dinner .
+I from my mistress come to you in post ;
+If I return , I shall be post indeed ,
+For she will score your fault upon my pate .
+Methinks your maw , like mine , should be your clock
+And strike you home without a messenger .
+
+Come , Dromio , come ; these jests are out of season ;
+Reserve them till a merrier hour than this .
+Where is the gold I gave in charge to thee ?
+
+To me , sir ? why , you gave no gold to me .
+
+Come on , sir knave , have done your foolishness ,
+And tell me how thou hast dispos'd thy charge .
+
+My charge was but to fetch you from the mart
+Home to your house , the Ph nix , sir , to dinner :
+My mistress and her sister stays for you .
+
+Now , as I am a Christian , answer me ,
+In what safe place you have bestow'd my money ;
+Or I shall break that merry sconce of yours
+That stands on tricks when I am undispos'd .
+Where is the thousand marks thou hadst of me ?
+
+I have some marks of yours upon my pate ,
+Some of my mistress' marks upon my shoulders ,
+But not a thousand marks between you both .
+If I should pay your worship those again ,
+Perchance you will not bear them patiently .
+
+Thy mistress' marks ! what mistress , slave , hast thou ?
+
+Your worship's wife , my mistress at the Ph nix ;
+She that doth fast till you come home to dinner ,
+And prays that you will hie you home to dinner .
+
+What ! wilt thou flout me thus unto my face ,
+Being forbid ? There , take you that , sir knave .
+
+
+What mean you , sir ? for God's sake , hold your hands !
+Nay , an you will not , sir , I'll take my heels .
+
+
+Upon my life , by some device or other
+The villain is o'er-raught of all my money .
+They say this town is full of cozenage ;
+As , nimble jugglers that deceive the eye ,
+Dark-working sorcerers that change the mind ,
+Soul-killing witches that deform the body ,
+Disguised cheaters , prating mountebanks ,
+And many such-like liberties of sin :
+If it prove so , I will be gone the sooner .
+I'll to the Centaur , to go seek this slave :
+I greatly fear my money is not safe .
+
+Neither my husband , nor the slave return'd ,
+That in such haste I sent to seek his master !
+Sure , Luciana , it is two o'clock .
+
+Perhaps some merchant hath invited him ,
+And from the mart he's somewhere gone to dinner .
+Good sister , let us dine and never fret :
+A man is master of his liberty :
+Time is their master , and , when they see time ,
+They'll go or come : if so , be patient , sister .
+
+Why should their liberty than ours be more ?
+
+Because their business still lies out o' door .
+
+Look , when I serve him so , he takes it ill .
+
+O ! know he is the bridle of your will .
+
+There's none but asses will be bridled so .
+
+Why , headstrong liberty is lash'd with woe .
+There's nothing situate under heaven's eye
+But hath his bound , in earth , in sea , in sky :
+The beasts , the fishes , and the winged fowls ,
+Are their males' subjects and at their controls .
+Men , more divine , the masters of all these ,
+Lords of the wide world , and wild wat'ry seas ,
+Indu'd with intellectual sense and souls ,
+Of more pre-eminence than fish and fowls ,
+Are masters to their females and their lords :
+Then , let your will attend on their accords .
+
+This servitude makes you to keep unwed .
+
+Not this , but troubles of the marriage-bed .
+
+But , were you wedded , you would bear some sway .
+
+Ere I learn love , I'll practise to obey .
+
+How if your husband start some other where ?
+
+Till he come home again , I would forbear .
+
+Patience unmov'd ! no marvel though she pause ;
+They can be meek that have no other cause .
+A wretched soul , bruis'd with adversity ,
+We bid be quiet when we hear it cry ;
+But were we burden'd with like weight of pain ,
+As much , or more we should ourselves complain :
+So thou , that hast no unkind mate to grieve thee ,
+With urging helpless patience wouldst relieve me :
+But if thou live to see like right bereft .
+This fool-begg'd patience in thee will be left .
+
+Well , I will marry one day , but to try .
+Here comes your man : now is your husband nigh .
+
+
+Say , is your tardy master now at hand ?
+
+Nay , he's at two hands with me , and that my two ears can witness .
+
+Say , didst thou speak with him ? Know'st thou his mind ?
+
+Ay , ay , he told his mind upon mine ear .
+Beshrew his hand , I scarce could understand it .
+
+Spake he so doubtfully , thou couldst not feel his meaning ?
+
+Nay , he struck so plainly , I could too well feel his blows ; and withal so doubtfully , that I could scarce understand them .
+
+But say , I prithee , is he coming home ?
+It seems he hath great care to please his wife .
+
+Why , mistress , sure my master is horn-mad .
+
+Horn-mad , thou villain !
+
+I mean not cuckold-mad ; but , sure , he is stark mad .
+When I desir'd him to come home to dinner ,
+He ask'd me for a thousand marks in gold :
+''Tis dinner time ,' quoth I ; 'my gold !' quoth he :
+'Your meat doth burn ,' quoth I ; 'my gold !' quoth he :
+'Will you come home ?' quoth I : 'my gold !' quoth he :
+'Where is the thousand marks I gave thee , villain ?'
+'The pig ,' quoth I , 'is burn'd ;' 'my gold !' quoth he :
+'My mistress , sir ,' quoth I : 'hang up thy mistress !
+I know not thy mistress : out on thy mistress !'
+
+Quoth who ?
+
+Quoth my master :
+'I know ,' quoth he , 'no house , no wife , no mistress .'
+So that my errand , due unto my tongue ,
+I thank him , I bear home upon my shoulders ;
+For , in conclusion , he did beat me there .
+
+Go back again , thou slave , and fetch him home .
+
+Go back again , and be new beaten home ?
+For God's sake , send some other messenger .
+
+Back , slave , or I will break thy pate across .
+
+And he will bless that cross with other beating :
+Between you , I shall have a holy head .
+
+Hence , prating peasant ! fetch thy master home .
+
+Am I so round with you as you with me ,
+That like a football you do spurn me thus ?
+You spurn me hence , and he will spurn me hither :
+If I last in this service , you must case me in leather .
+
+
+Fie , how impatience loureth in your face !
+
+His company must do his minions grace ,
+Whilst I at home starve for a merry look .
+Hath homely age the alluring beauty took
+From my poor cheek ? then , he hath wasted it :
+Are my discourses dull ? barren my wit ?
+If voluble and sharp discourse be marr'd ,
+Unkindness blunts it more than marble hard :
+Do their gay vestments his affections bait ?
+That's not my fault ; he's master of my state :
+What ruins are in me that can be found
+By him not ruin'd ? then is he the ground
+Of my defeatures . My decayed fair
+A sunny look of his would soon repair ;
+But , too unruly deer , he breaks the pale
+And feeds from home : poor I am but his stale .
+
+Self-harming jealousy ! fie ! beat it hence .
+
+Unfeeling fools can with such wrengs dispense .
+I know his eye doth homage otherwhere ,
+Or else what lets it but he would be here ?
+Sister , you know he promis'd me a chain :
+Would that alone , alone he would detain ,
+So he would keep fair quarter with his bed !
+I see , the jewel best enamelled
+Will lose his beauty ; and though gold bides still
+That others touch , yet often touching will
+Wear gold ; and no man that hath a name ,
+By falsehood and corruption doth it shame .
+Since that my beauty cannot please his eye ,
+I'll weep what's left away , and weeping die .
+
+How many fond fools serve mad jealousy !
+
+
+The gold I gave to Dromio is laid up
+Safe at the Centaur ; and the heedful slave
+Is wander'd forth , in care to seek me out .
+By computation , and mine host's report ,
+I could not speak with Dromio since at first
+I sent him from the mart . See , here he comes .
+
+
+How now , sir ! is your merry humour alter'd ?
+As you love strokes , so jest with me again .
+You know no Centaur ? You receiv'd no gold ?
+Your mistress sent to have me home to dinner ?
+My house was at the Ph nix ? Wast thou mad ,
+
+That thus so madly thou didst answer me ?
+
+What answer , sir ? when spake I such a word ?
+
+Even now , even here , not half-an-hour since .
+
+I did not see you since you sent me hence ,
+Home to the Centaur , with the gold you gave me .
+
+Villain , thou didst deny the gold's receipt ,
+And told'st me of a mistress and a dinner ;
+For which , I hope , thou felt'st I was displeas'd .
+
+I am glad to see you in this merry vein :
+What means this jest ? I pray you , master , tell me .
+
+Yea , dost thou jeer , and flout me in the teeth ?
+Think'st thou I jest ? Hold , take thou that , and that .
+
+
+Hold , sir , for God's sake ! now your jest is earnest .
+Upon what bargain do you give it me ?
+
+Because that I familiarly sometimes
+Do use you for my fool , and chat with you ,
+Your sauciness will jest upon my love ,
+And make a common of my serious hours .
+When the sun shines let foolish gnats make sport ,
+But creep in crannies when he hides his beams .
+If you will jest with me , know my aspect ,
+And fashion your demeanour to my looks ,
+Or I will beat this method in your sconce .
+
+Sconce , call you it ? so you would leave battering , I had rather have it a head : an you use these blows long , I must get a sconce for my head and insconce it too ; or else I shall seek my wit in my shoulders . But , I pray , sir , why am I beaten ?
+
+Dost thou not know ?
+
+Nothing , sir , but that I am beaten .
+
+Shall I tell you why ?
+
+Ay , sir , and wherefore ; for they say every why hath a wherefore .
+
+Why , first ,for flouting me ; and then , wherefore ,
+For urging it the second time to me .
+
+Was there ever any man thus beaten out of season ,
+When , in the why and the wherefore is neither rime nor reason ?
+Well , sir , I thank you .
+
+Thank me , sir ! for what ?
+
+Marry , sir , for this something that you gave me for nothing .
+
+I'll make you amends next , to give you nothing for something . But say , sir , is it dinner-time ?
+
+No , sir : I think the meat wants that I have
+
+In good time , sir ; what's that ?
+
+Basting .
+
+Well , sir , then 'twill be dry .
+
+If it be , sir , I pray you eat none of it .
+
+Your reason ?
+
+Lest it make you choleric , and purchase me another dry basting .
+
+Well , sir , learn to jest in good time : there's a time for all things .
+
+I durst have denied that , before you were so choleric .
+
+By what rule , sir ?
+
+Marry , sir , by a rule as plain as the plain bald pate of Father Time himself .
+
+Let's hear it .
+
+There's no time for a man to recover his hair that grows bald by nature .
+
+May he not do it by fine and recovery ?
+
+Yes , to pay a fine for a periwig and recover the lost hair of another man .
+
+Why is Time such a niggard of hair , being , as it is , so plentiful an excrement ?
+
+Because it is a blessing that he bestows on beasts : and what he hath scanted men in hair , he hath given them in wit .
+
+Why , but there's many a man hath more hair than wit .
+
+Not a man of those but he hath the wit to lose his hair .
+
+Why , thou didst conclude hairy men plain dealers without wit .
+
+The plainer dealer , the sooner lost : yet be loseth it in a kind of jollity .
+
+For what reason ?
+
+For two ; and sound ones too .
+
+Nay , not sound , I pray you .
+
+Sure ones then .
+
+Nay , not sure , in a thing falsing .
+
+Certain ones , then .
+
+Name them .
+
+The one , to save the money that he spends in tiring ; the other , that at dinner they should not drop in his porridge .
+
+You would all this time have proved there is no time for all things .
+
+Marry , and did , sir ; namely , no time to recover hair lost by nature .
+
+But your reason was not substantial , why there is not time to recover .
+
+Thus I mend it : Time himself is bald , and therefore to the world's end will have bald followers .
+
+I knew 'twould be a bald conclusion .
+But soft ! who wafts us yonder ?
+
+
+Ay , ay , Antipholus , look strange , and frown :
+Some other mistress hath thy sweet aspects ,
+I am not Adriana , nor thy wife .
+The time was once when thou unurg'd wouldst vow
+That never words were music to thine ear ,
+That never object pleasing in thine eye ,
+That never touch well welcome to thy hand ,
+That never meat sweet-savour'd in thy taste ,
+Unless I spake , or look'd , or touch'd , or carv'd to thee .
+How comes it now , my husband , O ! how comes it ,
+That thou art thus estranged from thyself ?
+Thyself I call it , being strange to me ,
+That , undividable , incorporate ,
+Am better than thy dear self's better part .
+Ah ! do not tear away thyself from me ,
+For know , my love , as easy mayst thou fall
+A drop of water in the breaking gulf ,
+And take unmingled thence that drop again ,
+Without addition or diminishing ,
+As take from me thyself and not me too .
+How dearly would it touch thee to the quick ,
+Shouldst thou but hear I were licentious ,
+And that this body , consecrate to thee ,
+By ruffian lust should be contaminate !
+Wouldst thou not spit at me and spurn at me ,
+And hurl the name of husband in my face ,
+And tear the stain'd skin off my harlot-brow ,
+And from my false hand cut the wedding-ring
+And break it with a deep-divorcing vow ?
+I know thou canst ; and therefore , see thou do it .
+I am possess'd with an adulterate blot ;
+My blood is mingled with the crime of lust :
+For if we two be one and thou play false ,
+I do digest the poison of thy flesh ,
+Being strumpeted by thy contagion .
+Keep then fair league and truce with thy true bed ;
+I live unstain'd , thou undishonoured .
+
+Plead you to me , fair dame ? I know you not :
+In Ephesus I am but two hours old ,
+As strange unto your town as to your talk ;
+Who , every word by all my wit being scann'd ,
+Want wit in all one word to understand .
+
+Fie , brother : how the world is chang'd with you !
+When were you wont to use my sister thus ?
+She sent for you by Dromio home to dinner .
+
+By Dromio ?
+
+By me ?
+
+By thee ; and this thou didst return from him ,
+That he did buffet thee , and in his blows ,
+Denied my house for his , me for his wife .
+
+Did you converse , sir , with this gentle-woman ?
+What is the course and drift of your compact ?
+
+I , sir ? I never saw her till this time .
+
+Villain , thou liest ; for even her very words
+Didst thou deliver to me on the mart .
+
+I never spake with her in all my life .
+
+How can she thus then , call us by our names ,
+Unless it be by inspiration ?
+
+How ill agrees it with your gravity
+To counterfeit thus grossly with your slave ,
+A betting him to thwart me in my mood !
+Be it my wrong you are from me exempt ,
+But wrong not that wrong with a more contempt .
+Come , I will fasten on this sleeve of thine ;
+Thou art an elm , my husband , I a vine ,
+Whose weakness , married to thy stronger state ,
+Makes me with thy strength to communicate :
+If aught possess thee from me , it is dross ,
+Usurping ivy , brier , or idle moss ;
+Who , all for want of pruning , with intrusion
+Infect thy sap and live on thy confusion .
+
+To me she speaks ; she moves me for her theme !
+What ! was I married to her in my dream ?
+Or sleep I now and think I hear all this ?
+What error drives our eyes and ears amiss ?
+Until I know this sure uncertainty ,
+I'll entertain the offer'd fallacy .
+
+Dromio , go bid the servants spread for dinner
+
+O , for my beads ! I cross me for a sinner .
+This is the fairy land : O ! spite of spites .
+We talk with goblins , owls , and elvish sprites :
+If we obey them not , this will ensue ,
+They'll suck our breath , or pinch us black and blue .
+
+Why prat'st thou to thyself and answer'st not ?
+Dromio , thou drone , thou snail , thou slug , thou sot !
+
+I am transformed , master , am not I ?
+
+I think thou art , in mind , and so am I .
+
+Nay , master , both in mind and in my shape .
+
+Thou hast thine own form .
+
+No , I am an ape .
+
+If thou art chang'd to aught , 'tis to an ass .
+
+'Tis true ; she rides me and I long for grass .
+'Tis so , I am an ass ; else it could never be
+But I should know her as well as she knows me .
+
+Come , come ; no longer will I be a fool ,
+To put the finger in the eye and weep ,
+Whilst man and master laugh my woes to scorn .
+Come , sir , to dinner . Dromio , keep the gate .
+Husband , I'll dine above with you to-day ,
+And shrive you of a thousand idle pranks .
+Sirrah , if any ask you for your master ,
+Say he dines forth , and let no creature enter .
+Come , sister . Dromio , play the porter well .
+
+Am I in earth , in heaven , or in hell ?
+Sleeping or waking ? mad or well-advis'd ?
+Known unto these , and to myself disguis'd !
+I'll say as they say , and persever so ,
+And in this mist at all adventures go .
+
+Master , shall I be porter at the gate ?
+
+Ay ; and let none enter , lest I break your pate .
+
+Come , come , Antipholus ; we dine too late .
+
+Good Signior Angelo , you must excuse us all ;
+My wife is shrewish when I keep not hours ;
+Say that I linger'd with you at your shop
+To see the making of her carkanet ,
+And that to-morrow you will bring it home .
+But here's a villain , that would face me down
+He met me on the mart , and that I beat him ,
+And charg'd him with a thousand marks in gold ,
+And that I did deny my wife and house .
+Thou drunkard , thou , what didst thou mean by this ?
+
+Say what you will , sir , but I know what I know ;
+That you beat me at the mart , I have your hand to show :
+If the skin were parchment and the blows you gave were ink ,
+Your own handwriting would tell you what I think .
+
+I think thou art an ass .
+
+Marry , so it doth appear
+By the wrongs I suffer and the blows I bear .
+I should kick , being kick'd ; and , being at that pass ,
+You would keep from my heels and beware of an ass .
+
+You are sad , Signior Balthazar : pray God , our cheer
+May answer my good will and your good welcome here .
+
+I hold your dainties cheap , sir , and your welcome dear .
+
+O , Signior Balthazar , either at flesh or fish ,
+A table-full of welcome makes scarce one dainty dish .
+
+Good meat , sir , is common ; that every churl affords .
+
+And welcome more common , for that's nothing but words .
+
+Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast .
+
+Ay , to a niggardly host and more sparing guest :
+But though my cates be mean , take them in good part ;
+Better cheer may you have , but not with better heart .
+But soft ! my door is lock'd . Go bid them let us in .
+
+Maud , Bridget , Marian , Cicely , Gillian , Ginn !
+
+Mome , malt-horse , capon , coxcomb , idiot , patch !
+Either get thee from the door or sit down at the hatch .
+Dost thou conjure for wenches , that thou call'st for such store ,
+When one is one too many ? Go , get thee from the door .
+
+What patch is made our porter ?My master stays in the street .
+
+Let him walk from whence he came , lest he catch cold on's feet .
+
+Who talks within there ? ho ! open the door .
+
+Right , sir ; I'll tell you when , an you'll tell me wherefore .
+
+Wherefore ? for my dinner : I have not din'd to-day .
+
+Nor to-day here you must not ; come again when you may .
+
+What art thou that keep'st me out from the house I owe ?
+
+The porter for this time , sir , and my name is Dromio .
+
+O villain ! thou hast stolen both mine office and my name :
+The one ne'er got me credit , the other mickle blame .
+If thou hadst been Dromio to-day in my place ,
+Thou wouldst have chang'd thy face for a name , or thy name for an ass .
+
+What a coil is there , Dromio ! who are those at the gate ?
+
+Let my master in , Luce .
+
+Faith , no ; he comes too late ;
+And so tell your master .
+
+O Lord ! I must laugh .
+Have at you with a proverb : Shall I set in my staff ?
+
+Have at you with another : that's when ? can you tell ?
+
+If thy name be call'd Luce ,Luce , thou hast answer'd him well .
+
+Do you hear , you minion ? you'll let us in , I trow ?
+
+I thought to have ask'd you .
+
+And you said , no .
+
+So come , help : well struck ! there was blow for blow .
+
+Thou baggage , let me in .
+
+Can you tell for whose sake ?
+
+Master , knock the door hard .
+
+Let him knock till it ache .
+
+You'll cry for this , minion , if I beat the door down .
+
+What needs all that , and a pair of stocks in the town ?
+
+Who is that at the door that keeps all this noise ?
+
+By my troth your town is troubled with unruly boys .
+
+Are you there , wife ? you might have come before .
+
+Your wife , sir knave ! go , get you from the door .
+
+If you went in pain , master , this 'knave' would go sore .
+
+Here is neither cheer , sir , nor welcome : we would fain have either .
+
+In debating which was best , we shall part with neither .
+
+They stand at the door , master : bid them welcome hither .
+
+There is something in the wind , that we cannot get in .
+
+You would say so , master , if your garments were thin .
+Your cake here is warm within ; you stand here in the cold :
+It would make a man mad as a buck to be so bought and sold .
+
+Go fetch me something : I'll break ope the gate .
+
+Break any breaking here , and I'll break your knave's pate .
+
+A man may break a word with you , sir , and words are but wind :
+Ay , and break it in your face , so he break it not behind .
+
+It seems thou wantest breaking : out upon thee , hind !
+
+Here's too much 'out upon thee !' I pray thee , let me in .
+
+Ay , when fowls have no feathers , and fish have no fin .
+
+Well , I'll break in . Go borrow me a crow .
+
+A crow without feather ? Master , mean you so ?
+For a fish without a fin , there's a fowl without a feather :
+If a crow help us in , sirrah , we'll pluck a crow together .
+
+Go get thee gone : fetch me an iron crow .
+
+Have patience , sir ; O ! let it not be so ;
+Herein you war against your reputation ,
+And draw within the compass of suspect
+The unviolated honour of your wife .
+Once this ,your long experience of her wisdom ,
+Her sober virtue , years , and modesty ,
+Plead on her part some cause to you unknown ;
+And doubt not , sir , but she will well excuse
+Why at this time the doors are made against you .
+Be rul'd by me : depart in patience ,
+And let us to the Tiger all to dinner ;
+And about evening come yourself alone ,
+To know the reason of this strange restraint .
+If by strong hand you offer to break in
+Now in the stirring passage of the day ,
+A vulgar comment will be made of it ,
+And that supposed by the common rout
+Against your yet ungalled estimation ,
+That may with foul intrusion enter in
+And dwell upon your grave when you are dead ;
+For slander lives upon succession ,
+For ever housed where it gets possession .
+
+You have prevail'd : I will depart in quiet ,
+And , in despite of mirth , mean to be merry .
+I know a wench of excellent discourse ,
+Pretty and witty , wild and yet , too , gentle :
+There will we dine : this woman that I mean ,
+My wife ,but , I protest , without desert ,
+Hath oftentimes upbraided me withal :
+To her will we to dinner .
+
+Get you home ,
+And fetch the chain ; by this I know 'tis made :
+Bring it , I pray you , to the Porpentine ;
+For there's the house : that chain will I bestow ,
+Be it for nothing but to spite my wife ,
+Upon mine hostess there . Good sir , make haste .
+Since mine own doors refuse to entertain me ,
+I'll knock elsewhere , to see if they'll disdain me .
+
+I'll meet you at that place some hour hence .
+
+Do so . This jest shall cost me some expense .
+
+
+And may it be that you have quite forgot A husband's office ? Shall , Antipholus ,
+Even in the spring of love , thy love-springs rot ?
+Shall love , in building , grow so ruinous ?
+If you did wed my sister for her wealth ,
+Then , for her wealth's sake use her with more kindness :
+Or , if you like elsewhere , do it by stealth ;
+Muffle your false love with some show of blindness ;
+Let not my sister read it in your eye ;
+Be not thy tongue thy own shame's orator ;
+Look sweet , speak fair , become disloyalty ;
+Apparel vice like virtue's harbinger ;
+Bear a fair presence , though your heart be tainted ;
+Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint ;
+Be secret-false : what need she be acquainted ?
+What simple thief brags of his own attaint ?
+'Tis double wrong to truant with your bed ,
+And let her read it in thy looks at board :
+Shame hath a bastard fame , well managed ;
+Ill deeds are doubled with an evil word .
+Alas ! poor women , make us but believe ,
+Being compact of credit , that you love us ;
+Though others have the arm , show us the sleeve ;
+We in your motion turn , and you may move us .
+Then , gentle brother , get you in again ;
+Comfort my sister , cheer her , call her wife :
+'Tis holy sport to be a little vain ,
+When the sweet breath of flattery conquers strife .
+
+Sweet mistress ,what your name is else , I know not ,
+Nor by what wonder you do hit of mine ,
+Less in your knowledge and your grace you show not
+Than our earth's wonder ; more than earth divine .
+Teach me , dear creature , how to think and speak :
+Lay open to my earthy-gross conceit ,
+Smother'd in errors , feeble , shallow , weak ,
+The folded meaning of your words' deceit .
+Against my soul's pure truth why labour you
+To make it wander in an unknown field ?
+Are you a god ? would you create me new ?
+Transform me then , and to your power I'll yield .
+But if that I am I , then well I know
+Your weeping sister is no wife of mine ,
+Nor to her bed no homage do I owe :
+Far more , far more , to you do I decline .
+O ! train me not , sweet mermaid , with thy note ,
+To drown me in thy sister flood of tears :
+Sing , siren , for thyself , and I will dote :
+Spread o'er the silver waves thy golden hairs ,
+And as a bed I'll take them and there lie ;
+And , in that glorious supposition think
+He gains by death that hath such means to die :
+Let Love , being light , be drowned if she sink !
+
+What ! are you mad , that you do reason so ?
+
+Not mad , but mated ; how , I do not know .
+
+It is a fault that springeth from your eye .
+
+For gazing on your beams ; fair sun , being by .
+
+Gaze where you should , and that will clear your sight .
+
+As good to wink , sweet love , as look on night .
+
+Why call you me love ? call my sister so .
+
+Thy sister's sister .
+
+That's my sister .
+
+No ;
+It is thyself , mine own self's better part ;
+Mine eye's clear eye , my dear heart's dearer heart ;
+My food , my fortune , and my sweet hope's aim ,
+My sole earth's heaven , and my heaven's claim .
+
+All this my sister is , or else should be .
+
+Call thyself sister , sweet , for I aim thee .
+Thee will I love and with thee lead my life :
+Thou hast no husband yet nor I no wife .
+Give me thy hand .
+
+O ! soft , sir ; hold you still :
+I'll fetch my sister , to get her good will .
+
+Why , how now , Dromio ! where run'st thou so fast ?
+
+Do you know me , sir ? am I Dromio ? am I your man ? am I myself ?
+
+Thou art Dromio , thou art my man , thou art thyself .
+
+I am an ass , I am a woman's man and besides myself .
+
+What woman's man ? and how besides thyself ?
+
+Marry , sir , besides myself , I am due to a woman ; one that claims me , one that haunts me , one that will have me .
+
+What claim lays she to thee ?
+
+Marry , sir , such claim as you would lay to your horse ; and she would have me as a beast : not that , I being a beast , she would have me ; but that she , being a very beastly creature , lays claim to me .
+
+What is she ?
+
+A very reverent body ; aye , such a one as a man may not speak of , without he say , 'Sir-reverence .' I have but lean luck in the match , and yet is she a wondrous fat marriage .
+
+How dost thou mean a fat marriage ?
+
+Marry , sir , she's the kitchen-wench , and all grease ; and I know not what use to put her to but to make a lamp of her and run from her by her own light . I warrant her rags and the tallow in them will burn a Poland winter ; if she lives till doomsday , she'll burn a week longer than the whole world .
+
+What complexion is she of ?
+
+Swart , like my shoe , but her face nothing like so clean kept : for why she sweats ; a man may go over shoes in the grime of it .
+
+That's a fault that water will mend .
+
+No , sir , 'tis in grain ; Noah's flood could not do it .
+
+What's her name ?
+
+Nell , sir ; but her name and three quarters ,that is , an ell and three quarters ,will not measure her from hip to hip .
+
+Then she bears some breadth ?
+
+No longer from head to foot than from hip to hip : she is spherical , like a globe ; I could find out countries in her .
+
+In what part of her body stands Ireland ?
+
+Marry , sir , in her buttocks : I found it out by the bogs .
+
+Where Scotland ?
+
+I found it by the barrenness ; hard in the palm of the hand .
+
+Where France ?
+
+In her forehead ; armed and reverted , making war against her heir .
+
+Where England ?
+
+I looked for the chalky cliffs , but I could find no whiteness in them : but I guess it stood in her chin , by the salt rheum that ran between France and it .
+
+Where Spain ?
+
+Faith , I saw not ; but I felt it hot in her breath .
+
+Where America , the Indies ?
+
+O , sir ! upon her nose , all o'er embellished with rubies , carbuncles , sapphires , declining their rich aspect to the hot breath of Spain , who sent whole armadoes of caracks to be ballast at her nose .
+
+Where stood Belgia , the Netherlands ?
+
+O , sir ! I did not look so low . To conclude , this drudge , or diviner , laid claim to me ; call'd me Dromio ; swore I was assured to her ; told me what privy marks I had about me , as the mark of my shoulder , the mole in my neck , the great wart on my left arm , that I , amazed , ran from her as a witch .
+And , I think , if my breast had not been made of faith and my heart of steel ,
+She had transform'd me to a curtal dog and made me turn i' the wheel .
+
+Go hie thee presently post to the road :
+An if the wind blow any way from shore ,
+I will not harbour in this town to-night :
+If any bark put forth , come to the mart ,
+Where I will walk till thou return to me .
+If every one knows us and we know none ,
+'Tis time , I think , to trudge , pack , and be gone .
+
+As from a bear a man would run for life ,
+So fly I from her that would be my wife .
+
+
+There's none but witches do inhabit here ,
+And therefore 'tis high time that I were hence .
+She that doth call me husband , even my soul
+Doth for a wife abhor ; but her fair sister ,
+Possess'd with such a gentle sovereign grace ,
+Of such enchanting presence and discourse ,
+Hath almost made me traitor to myself :
+But , lest myself be guilty to self-wrong ,
+I'll stop mine ears against the mermaid's song .
+
+
+Master Antipholus !
+
+Ay , that's my name .
+
+I know it well , sir : lo , here is the chain .
+I thought to have ta'en you at the Porpentine ;
+The chain unfinish'd made me stay thus long .
+
+What is your will that I shall do with this ?
+
+What please yourself , sir : I have made it for you .
+
+Made it for me , sir ! I bespoke it not
+
+Not once , nor twice , but twenty times you have .
+Go home with it and please your wife withal ;
+And soon at supper-time I'll visit you ,
+And then receive my money for the chain .
+
+I pray you , sir , receive the money now ,
+For fear you ne'er see chain nor money more .
+
+You are a merry man , sir : fare you well .
+
+
+What I should think of this , I cannot tell :
+But this I think , there's no man is so vain
+That would refuse so fair an offer'd chain .
+I see , a man here needs not live by shifts ,
+When in the streets he meets such golden gifts .
+I'll to the mart , and there for Dromio stay :
+If any ship put out , then straight away .
+
+You know since Pentecost the sum is due ,
+And since I have not much importun'd you ;
+Nor now I had not , but that I am bound
+To Persia , and want guilders for my voyage :
+Therefore make present satisfaction ,
+Or I'll attach you by this officer .
+
+Even just the sum that I do owe to you
+Is growing to me by Antipholus ;
+And in the instant that I met with you
+He had of me a chain : at five o'clock
+I shall receive the money for the same .
+Pleaseth you walk with me down to his house ,
+I will discharge my bond , and thank you too .
+
+
+That labour may you save : see where he comes .
+
+While I go to the goldsmith's house , go thou
+And buy a rope's end , that I will bestow
+Among my wife and her confederates ,
+For locking me out of my doors by day .
+But soft ! I see the goldsmith . Get thee gone ;
+Buy thou a rope , and bring it home to me .
+
+I buy a thousand pound a year : I buy a rope !
+
+
+A man is well holp up that trusts to you :
+I promised your presence and the chain ;
+But neither chain nor goldsmith came to me .
+Belike you thought our love would last too long ,
+If it were chain'd together , and therefore came not .
+
+Saving your merry humour , here's the note
+How much your chain weighs to the utmost carat .
+The fineness of the gold , and chargeful fashion ,
+Which doth amount to three odd ducats more
+Than I stand debted to this gentleman :
+I pray you see him presently discharg'd ,
+For he is bound to sea and stays but for it .
+
+I am not furnish'd with the present money ;
+Besides , I have some business in the town .
+Good signior , take the stranger to my house ,
+And with you take the chain , and bid my wife
+Disburse the sum on the receipt thereof :
+Perchance I will be there as soon as you .
+
+Then , you will bring the chain to her yourself ?
+
+No ; bear it with you , lest I come not time enough .
+
+Well , sir , I will . Have you the chain about you ?
+
+An if I have not , sir , I hope you have ,
+Or else you may return without your money .
+
+Nay , come , I pray you , sir , give me the chain :
+Both wind and tide stays for this gentleman ,
+And I , to blame , have held him here too long .
+
+Good Lord ! you use this dalliance to excuse
+Your breach of promise to the Porpentine .
+I should have child you for not bringing it ,
+But , like a shrew , you first begin to brawl .
+
+The hour steals on ; I pray you , sir , dispatch .
+
+You hear how he importunes me : the chain !
+
+Why , give it to my wife and fetch your money .
+
+Come , come ; you know I gave it you even now .
+Either send the chain or send by me some token .
+
+Fie ! now you run this humour out of breath .
+Come , where's the chain ? I pray you , let me see it .
+
+My business cannot brook this dalliance .
+Good sir , say whe'r you'll answer me or no :
+If not , I'll leave him to the officer .
+
+I answer you ! what should I answer you ?
+
+The money that you owe me for the chain .
+
+I owe you none till I receive the chain .
+
+You know I gave it you half an hour since .
+
+You gave me none : you wrong me much to say so .
+
+You wrong me more , sir , in denying it :
+Consider how it stands upon my credit .
+
+Well , officer , arrest him at my suit .
+
+I do ;
+And charge you in the duke's name to obey me .
+
+This touches me in reputation .
+Either consent to pay this sum for me ,
+Or I attach you by this officer .
+
+Consent to pay thee that I never had !
+Arrest me , foolish fellow , if thou dar'st .
+
+Here is thy fee : arrest him , officer .
+I would not spare my brother in this case ,
+If he should scorn me so apparently .
+
+I do arrest you , sir : you hear the suit .
+
+I do obey thee till I give thee bail .
+But , sirrah , you shall buy this sport as dear
+As all the metal in your shop will answer .
+
+Sir , sir , I shall have law in Ephesus ,
+To your notorious shame , I doubt it not .
+
+
+Master , there is a bark of Epidamnum
+That stays but till her owner comes aboard ,
+And then she bears away . Our fraughtage , sir ,
+I have convey'd aboard , and I have bought
+The oil , the balsamum , and aqua-vit .
+The ship is in her trim ; the merry wind
+Blows fair from land ; they stay for nought at all
+But for their owner , master , and yourself .
+
+How now ! a madman ! Why , thou peevish sheep ,
+What ship of Epidamnum stays for me ?
+
+A ship you sent me to , to hire waftage .
+
+Thou drunken slave , I sent thee for a rope ;
+And told thee to what purpose , and what end .
+
+You sent me for a rope's end as soon :
+You sent me to the bay , sir , for a bark .
+
+I will debate this matter at more leisure ,
+And teach your ears to list me with more heed .
+To Adriana , villain , hie thee straight ;
+Give her this key , and tell her , in the desk
+That's cover'd o'er with Turkish tapestry ,
+There is a purse of ducats : let her send it .
+Tell her I am arrested in the street ,
+And that shall bail me . Hie thee , slave , be gone !
+On , officer , to prison till it come .
+
+
+To Adriana ! that is where we din'd ,
+Where Dowsabel did claim me for her husband :
+She is too big , I hope , for me to compass .
+Thither I must , although against my will ,
+For servants must their masters' minds fulfil .
+
+
+Ah ! Luciana , did he tempt thee so ?
+Mights thou perceive austerely in his eye
+That he did plead in earnest ? yea or no ?
+Look'd he or red or pale ? or sad or merrily ?
+What observation mad'st thou in this case
+Of his heart's meteors tilting in his face ?
+
+First he denied you had in him no right .
+
+He meant he did me none ; the more my spite .
+
+Then swore he that he was a stranger here .
+
+And true he swore , though yet forsworn he were .
+
+Then pleaded I for you .
+
+And what said he ?
+
+That love I begg'd for you he begg'd of me .
+
+With what persuasion did he tempt thy love ?
+
+With words that in an honest suit might move .
+First , he did praise my beauty , then my speech .
+
+Didst speak him fair ?
+
+Have patience , I beseech .
+
+I cannot , nor I will not hold me still :
+My tongue , though not my heart , shall have his will .
+He is deformed , crooked , old and sere ,
+Ill-fac'd , worse bodied , shapeless every where :
+Vicious , ungentle , foolish , blunt , unkind ,
+Stigmatical in making , worse in mind .
+
+Who would be jealous then , of such a one ?
+No evil lost is wail'd when it is gone .
+
+Ah ! but I think him better than I say ,
+And yet would herein others' eyes were worse .
+Far from her nest the lapwing cries away :
+My heart prays for him , though my tongue do curse .
+
+
+Here , go : the desk ! the purse ! sweet , now , make haste .
+
+How hast thou lost thy breath ?
+
+By running fast .
+
+Where is thy master , Dromio ? is he well ?
+
+No , he's in Tartar limbo , worse than hell .
+A devil in an everlasting garment hath him ,
+One whose hard heart is button'd up with steel ;
+A fiend , a fairy , pitiless and rough ;
+A wolf , nay , worse , a fellow all in buff ;
+A back-friend , a shoulder-clapper , one that countermands
+The passages of alleys , creeks and narrow lands ;
+A hound that runs counter and yet draws dryfoot well ;
+One that , before the judgment , carries poor souls to hell .
+
+Why , man , what is the matter ?
+
+I do not know the matter : he is 'rested on the case .
+
+What , is he arrested ? tell me at whose suit .
+
+I know not at whose suit he is arrested well ;
+But he's in a suit of buff which 'rested him , that can I tell .
+Will you send him , mistress , redemption , the money in his desk ?
+
+Go fetch it , sister .
+
+This I wonder at :
+That he , unknown to me , should be in debt :
+Tell me , was he arrested on a band ?
+
+Not on a band , but on a stronger thing ;
+A chain , a chain . Do you not hear it ring ?
+
+What , the chain ?
+
+No , no , the bell : 'tis time that I were gone :
+It was two ere I left him , and now the clock strikes one .
+
+The hours come back ! that did I never hear .
+
+O yes ; if any hour meet a sergeant , a' turns back for very fear .
+
+As if Time were in debt ! how fondly dost thou reason !
+
+Time is a very bankrupt , and owes more than he's worth to season .
+Nay , he's a thief too : have you not heard men say ,
+That Time comes stealing on by night and day ?
+If Time be in debt and theft , and a sergeant in the way ,
+Hath he not reason to turn back an hour in a day ?
+
+
+Go , Dromio : there's the money , bear it straight ,
+And bring thy master home immediately .
+Come , sister ; I am press'd down with conceit ; Conceit , my comfort and my injury .
+
+
+There's not a man I meet but doth salute me ,
+As if I were their well acquainted friend ;
+And every one doth call me by my name .
+Some tender money to me ; some invite me ;
+Some other give me thanks for kindnesses ;
+Some offer me commodities to buy :
+Even now a tailor call'd me in his shop
+And show'd me silks that he had bought for me ,
+And therewithal , took measure of my body .
+Sure these are but imaginary wiles ,
+And Lapland sorcerers inhabit here .
+
+
+Master , here's the gold you sent me for .
+What ! have you got the picture of old Adam new apparelled ?
+
+What gold is this ? What Adam dost thou mean ?
+
+Not that Adam that kept the Paradise , but that Adam that keeps the prison : he that goes in the calf's skin that was killed for the Prodigal : he that came behind you , sir , like an evil angel , and bid you forsake your liberty .
+
+I understand thee not .
+
+No ? why , 'tis a plain case : he that went , like a base-viol , in a case of leather ; the man , sir , that , when gentlemen are tired , gives them a fob , and 'rests them ; he , sir , that takes pity on decayed men and gives them suits of durance ; he that sets up his rest to do more exploits with his mace than a morris-pike .
+
+What , thou meanest an officer ?
+
+Ay , sir , the sergeant of the band ; he that brings any man to answer it that breaks his band ; one that thinks a man always going to bed , and says , 'God give you good rest !'
+
+Well , sir , there rest in your foolery . Is there any ship puts forth to-night ? may we be gone ?
+
+Why , sir , I brought you word an hour since that the bark Expedition put forth to-night ; and then were you hindered by the sergeant to tarry for the hoy Delay . Here are the angels that you sent for to deliver you .
+
+The fellow is distract , and so am I ;
+And here we wander in illusions :
+Some blessed power deliver us from hence !
+
+
+Well met , well met , Master Antipholus .
+I see , sir , you have found the goldsmith now :
+Is that the chain you promis'd me to-day ?
+
+Satan , avoid ! I charge thee tempt me not !
+
+Master , is this Mistress Satan ?
+
+It is the devil .
+
+Nay , she is worse , she is the devil's dam , and here she comes in the habit of a light wench : and thereof comes that the wenches say , 'God damn me ;' that's as much as to say , 'God make me a light wench .' It is written , they appear to men like angels of light : light is an effect of fire , and fire will burn ; ergo , light wenches will burn . Come not near her .
+
+Your man and you are marvellous merry , sir . Will you go with me ? we'll mend our dinner here .
+
+Master , if you do , expect spoon-meat , so bespeak a long spoon .
+
+Why , Dromio ?
+
+Marry , he must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil .
+
+Avoid thee , fiend ! what tell'st thou me of supping ?
+Thou art , as you are all , a sorceress :
+I conjure thee to leave me and be gone .
+
+Give me the ring of mine you had at dinner ,
+Or , for my diamond , the chain you promis'd ,
+And I'll be gone , sir , and not trouble you .
+
+Some devils ask but the parings of one's nail ,
+A rush , a hair , a drop of blood , a pin ,
+A nut , a cherry-stone ;
+But she , more covetous , would have a chain .
+Master , be wise : an if you give it her ,
+The devil will shake her chain and fright us with it .
+
+I pray you , sir , my ring , or else the chain :
+I hope you do not mean to cheat me so .
+
+Avaunt , thou witch ! Come , Dromio , let us go .
+
+'Fly pride ,' says the peacock : mistress , that you know .
+
+
+Now , out of doubt , Antipholus is mad ,
+Else would he never so demean himself .
+A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats ,
+And for the same he promis'd me a chain :
+Both one and other he denies me now .
+The reason that I gather he is mad ,
+Besides this present instance of his rage ,
+Is a mad tale he told to-day at dinner ,
+Of his own doors being shut against his entrance
+Belike his wife , acquainted with his fits ,
+On purpose shut the doors against his way .
+My way is now to hie home to his house ,
+And tell his wife , that , being lunatic ,
+He rush'd into my house , and took perforce
+My ring away . This course I fittest choose ,
+For forty ducats is too much to lose .
+
+
+Fear me not , man ; I will not break away :
+I'll give thee , ere I leave thee , so much money ,
+To warrant thee , as I am 'rested for .
+My wife is in a wayward mood to-day ,
+And will not lightly trust the messenger .
+That I should be attach'd in Ephesus ,
+I tell you , 'twill sound harshly in her ears .
+
+
+Here comes my man : I think he brings the money .
+
+How now , sir ! have you that I sent you for ?
+
+Here's that , I warrant you , will pay them all .
+
+But where's the money ?
+
+Why , sir , I gave the money for the rope .
+
+Five hundred ducats , villain , for a rope ?
+
+I'll serve you , sir , five hundred at the rate .
+
+To what end did I bid thee hie thee home ?
+
+To a rope's end , sir ; and to that end am I return'd .
+
+And to that end , sir , I will welcome you .
+
+
+Good sir , be patient .
+
+Nay , 'tis for me to be patient ; I am in adversity .
+
+Good now , hold thy tongue .
+
+Nay , rather persuade him to hold his hands .
+
+Thou whoreson , senseless villain !
+
+I would I were senseless , sir , that I might not feel your blows .
+
+Thou art sensible in nothing but blows , and so is an ass .
+
+I am an ass indeed ; you may prove it by my long ears . I have served him from the hour of my nativity to this instant , and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows . When I am cold , he heats me with beating ; when I am warm , he cools me with beating ; I am waked with it when I sleep ; raised with it when I sit ; driven out of doors with it when I go from home ; welcomed home with it when I return ; nay , I bear it on my shoulders , as a beggar wont her brat ; and , I think , when he hath lamed me , I shall beg with it from door to door .
+
+Come , go along ; my wife is coming yonder .
+
+
+Mistress , respice finem , respect your end ; or rather , to prophesy like the parrot , 'Beware the rope's end .'
+
+Wilt thou still talk ?
+
+
+How say you now ? is not your husband mad ?
+
+His incivility confirms no less .
+Good Doctor Pinch , you are a conjurer ;
+Establish him in his true sense again ,
+And I will please you what you will demand .
+
+Alas ! how fiery and how sharp he looks .
+
+Mark how he trembles in his ecstasy !
+
+Give me your hand and let me feel your pulse .
+
+There is my hand , and let it feel your ear .
+
+
+I charge thee , Satan , hous'd within this man ,
+To yield possession to my holy prayers ,
+And to thy state of darkness hie thee straight :
+I conjure thee by all the saints in heaven .
+
+Peace , doting wizard , peace ! I am not mad .
+
+O ! that thou wert not , poor distressed soul !
+
+You minion , you , are these your customers ?
+Did this companion with the saffron face
+Revel and feast it at my house to-day ,
+Whilst upon me the guilty doors were shut
+And I denied to enter in my house ?
+
+O husband , God doth know you din'd at home ;
+Where would you had remain'd until this time .
+Free from these slanders and this open shame !
+
+Din'd at home ! Thou villain , what say'st thou ?
+
+Sir , sooth to say , you did not dine at home .
+
+Were not my doors lock'd up and I shut out ?
+
+Perdy , your doors were lock'd and you shut out .
+
+And did not she herself revile me there ?
+
+Sans fable , she herself revil'd you there .
+
+Did not her kitchen-maid rail , taunt , and scorn me ?
+
+Certes , she did ; the kitchen-vestal scorn'd you .
+
+And did not I in rage depart from thence ?
+
+In verity you did : my bones bear witness ,
+That since have felt the vigour of his rage .
+
+Is't good to soothe him in these contraries ?
+
+It is no shame : the fellow finds his vein ,
+And , yielding to him humours well his frenzy .
+
+Thou hast suborn'd the goldsmith to arrest me .
+
+Alas ! I sent you money to redeem you ,
+By Dromio here , who came in haste for it .
+
+Money by me ! heart and good will you might ;
+But surely , master , not a rag of money .
+
+Went'st not thou to her for a purse of ducats ?
+
+He came to me , and I deliver'd it .
+
+And I am witness with her that she did .
+
+God and the rope-maker bear me witness
+That I was sent for nothing but a rope !
+
+Mistress , both man and master is possess'd :
+I know it by their pale and deadly looks .
+They must be bound and laid in some dark room .
+
+Say , wherefore didst thou lock me forth to-day ?
+And why dost thou deny the bag of gold ?
+
+I did not , gentle husband , lock thee forth .
+
+And , gentle master , I receiv'd no gold ;
+But I confess , sir , that we were lock'd out .
+
+Dissembling villain ! thou speak'st false in both .
+
+Dissembling harlot ! thou art false in all ;
+And art confederate with a damned pack
+To make a loathsome abject scorn of me ;
+But with these nails I'll pluck out those false eyes
+That would behold in me this shameful sport .
+
+O ! bind him , bind him , let him not come near me .
+
+More company ! the fiend is strong within him .
+
+Ay me ! poor man , how pale and wan he looks !
+
+
+What , will you murder me ? Thou gaoler , thou ,
+I am thy prisoner : wilt thou suffer them
+To make a rescue ?
+
+Masters , let him go :
+He is my prisoner , and you shall not have him .
+
+Go bind this man , for he is frantic too .
+
+
+What wilt thou do , thou peevish officer ?
+Hast thou delight to see a wretched man
+Do outrage and displeasure to himself ?
+
+He is my prisoner : if I let him go ,
+The debt he owes will be requir'd of me .
+
+I will discharge thee ere I go from thee :
+Bear me forthwith unto his creditor ,
+And , knowing how the debt grows , I will pay it .
+Good Master doctor , see him safe convey'd
+Home to my house . O most unhappy day !
+
+O most unhappy strumpet !
+
+Master , I am here enter'd in bond for you .
+
+Out on thee , villain ! wherefore dost thou mad me ?
+
+Will you be bound for nothing ? be mad , good master ; cry , 'the devil !'
+
+God help , poor souls ! how idly do they talk .
+
+Go bear him hence . Sister , go you with me .
+
+Say now , whose suit is he arrested at ?
+
+One Angelo , a goldsmith ; do you know him ?
+
+I know the man . What is the sum he owes ?
+
+Two hundred ducats .
+
+Say , how grows it due ?
+
+Due for a chain your husband had of him .
+
+He did bespeak a chain for me , but had it not .
+
+When as your husband all in rage , to-day
+Came to my house , and took away my ring ,
+The ring I saw upon his finger now ,
+Straight after did I meet him with a chain .
+
+It may be so , but I did never see it .
+Come , gaoler , bring me where the goldsmith is :
+I long to know the truth hereof at large .
+
+
+God , for thy mercy ! they are loose again .
+
+And come with naked swords . Let's call more help
+To have them bound again .
+
+Away ! they'll kill us .
+
+
+I see , these witches are afraid of swords .
+
+She that would be your wife now ran from you .
+
+Come to the Centaur ; fetch our stuff from thence :
+I long that we were safe and sound aboard .
+
+Faith , stay here this night , they will surely do us no harm ; you saw they speak us fair , give us gold : methinks they are such a gentle nation , that , but for the mountain of mad flesh that claims marriage of me , I could find in my heart to stay here still , and turn witch .
+
+I will not stay to-night for all the town ;
+Therefore away , to get our stuff aboard .
+
+I am sorry , sir , that I have hinder'd you ;
+But , I protest , he had the chain of me ,
+Though most dishonestly he doth deny it .
+
+How is the man esteem'd here in the city ?
+
+Of very reverend reputation , sir ,
+Of credit infinite , highly belov'd ,
+Second to none that lives here in the city :
+His word might bear my wealth at any time .
+
+Speak softly : yonder , as I think , he walks .
+
+
+'Tis so ; and that self chain about his neck
+Which he forswore most monstrously to have .
+Good sir , draw near to me , I'll speak to him .
+Signior Antipholus , I wonder much
+That you would put me to this shame and trouble ;
+And not without some scandal to yourself ,
+With circumstance and oaths so to deny
+This chain which now you wear so openly :
+Beside the charge , the shame , imprisonment ,
+You have done wrong to this my honest friend ,
+Who , but for staying on our controversy ,
+Had hoisted sail and put to sea to-day .
+This chain you had of me ; can you deny it ?
+
+I think I had : I never did deny it .
+
+Yes , that you did , sir , and forswore it too .
+
+Who heard me to deny it or forswear it ?
+
+These ears of mine , thou know'st , did hear thee .
+Fie on thee , wretch ! 'tis pity that thou liv'st
+To walk where any honest men resort .
+
+Thou art a villain to impeach me thus :
+I'll prove mine honour and mine honesty
+Against thee presently , if thou dar'st stand .
+
+I dare , and do defy thee for a villain .
+
+Hold ! hurt him not , for God's sake ! he is mad .
+Some get within him , take his sword away .
+Bind Dromio too , and bear them to my house .
+
+Run , master , run ; for God's sake , take a house !
+This is some priory : in , or we are spoil'd .
+
+Be quiet , people . Wherefore throng you hither ?
+
+To fetch my poor distracted husband hence .
+Let us come in , that we may bind him fast ,
+And bear him home for his recovery .
+
+I knew he was not in his perfect wits .
+
+I am sorry now that I did draw on him .
+
+How long hath this possession held the man ?
+
+This week he hath been heavy , sour , sad ,
+And much different from the man he was ;
+But , till this afternoon his passion
+Ne'er brake into extremity of rage .
+
+Hath he not lost much wealth by wrack of sea ?
+Buried some dear friend ? Hath not else his eye
+Stray'd his affection in unlawful love ?
+A sin prevailing much in youthful men ,
+Who give their eyes the liberty of gazing .
+Which of these sorrows is he subject to ?
+
+To none of these , except it be the last ;
+Namely , some love that drew him oft from home .
+
+You should for that have reprehended him .
+
+Why , so I did .
+
+Ay , but not rough enough .
+
+As roughly as my modesty would let me .
+
+Haply , in private .
+
+And in assemblies too .
+
+Ay , but not enough .
+
+It was the copy of our conference :
+In bed , he slept not for my urging it ;
+At board , he fed not for my urging it ;
+Alone , it was the subject of my theme ;
+In company I often glanced it :
+Still did I tell him it was vile and bad .
+
+And thereof came it that the man was mad :
+The venom clamours of a jealous woman
+Poison more deadly than a mad dog's tooth .
+It seems , his sleeps were hinder'd by thy railing ,
+And thereof comes it that his head is light .
+Thou say'st his meat was sauc'd with thy upbraidings :
+Unquiet meals make ill digestions ;
+Thereof the raging fire of fever bred :
+And what's a fever but a fit of madness ?
+Thou say'st his sports were hinder'd by thy brawls :
+Sweet recreation barr'd , what doth ensue
+But moody moping , and dull melancholy ,
+Kinsman to grim and comfortless despair ,
+And at her heels a huge infectious troop
+Of pale distemperatures and foes to life ?
+In food , in sport , and life-preserving rest
+To be disturb'd , would mad or man or beast :
+The consequence is then , thy jealous fits
+Have scar'd thy husband from the use of wits .
+
+She never reprehended him but mildly
+When he demean'd himself rough , rude , and wildly .
+Why bear you these rebukes and answer not ?
+
+She did betray me to my own reproof .
+Good people , enter , and lay hold on him .
+
+No ; not a creature enters in my house .
+
+Then , let your servants bring my husband forth .
+
+Neither : he took this place for sanctuary ,
+And it shall privilege him from your hands
+Till I have brought him to his wits again ,
+Or lose my labour in assaying it .
+
+I will attend my husband , be his nurse ,
+Diet his sickness , for it is my office ,
+And will have no attorney but myself ;
+And therefore let me have him home with me .
+
+Be patient ; for I will not let him stir
+Till I have us'd the approved means I have ,
+With wholesome syrups , drugs , and holy prayers ,
+To make of him a formal man again .
+It is a branch and parcel of mine oath ,
+A charitable duty of my order ;
+Therefore depart and leave him here with me .
+
+I will not hence and leave my husband here ;
+And ill it doth beseem your holiness
+To separate the husband and the wife .
+
+Be quiet , and depart : thou shalt not have him .
+
+
+Complain unto the duke of this indignity .
+
+Come , go : I will fall prostrate at his feet ,
+And never rise until my tears and prayers
+Have won his Grace to come in person hither ,
+And take perforce my husband from the abbess .
+
+By this , I think , the dial points at five :
+Anon , I'm sure , the duke himself in person
+Comes this way to the melancholy vale ,
+The place of death and sorry execution ,
+Behind the ditches of the abbey here .
+
+Upon what cause ?
+
+To see a reverend Syracusian merchant ,
+Who put unluckily into this bay
+Against the laws and statutes of this town ,
+Beheaded publicly for his offence .
+
+See where they come : we will behold his death .
+
+Kneel to the duke before he pass the abbey .
+
+
+Yet once again proclaim it publicly ,
+If any friend will pay the sum for him ,
+He shall not die ; so much we tender him .
+
+Justice , most sacred duke , against the abbess !
+
+She is a virtuous and a reverend lady :
+It cannot be that she hath done thee wrong .
+
+May it please your Grace , Antipholus , my husband ,
+Whom I made lord of me and all I had ,
+At your important letters , this ill day
+A most outrageous fit of madness took him ,
+That desperately he hurried through the street ,
+With him his bondman , all as mad as he ,
+Doing displeasure to the citizens
+By rushing in their houses , bearing thence
+Rings , jewels , anything his rage did like .
+Once did I get him bound and sent him home ,
+Whilst to take order for the wrongs I went
+That here and there his fury had committed .
+Anon , I wot not by what strong escape ,
+He broke from those that had the guard of him ,
+And with his mad attendant and himself ,
+Each one with ireful passion , with drawn swords
+Met us again , and , madly bent on us
+Chas'd us away , till , raising of more aid
+We came again to bind them . Then they fled
+Into this abbey , whither we pursu'd them ;
+And here the abbess shuts the gates on us ,
+And will not suffer us to fetch him out ,
+Nor send him forth that we may bear him hence .
+Therefore , most gracious duke , with thy command
+Let him be brought forth , and borne hence for help .
+
+Long since thy husband serv'd me in my wars ,
+And I to thee engag'd a prince's word ,
+When thou didst make him master of thy bed ,
+To do him all the grace and good I could .
+Go , some of you , knock at the abbey gate
+And bid the lady abbess come to me .
+I will determine this before I stir .
+
+
+O mistress , mistress ! shift and save yourself !
+My master and his man are both broke loose ,
+Beaten the maids a-row and bound the doctor ,
+Whose beard they have sing'd off with brands of fire ;
+And ever as it blaz'd they threw on him
+Great pails of puddled mire to quench the hair .
+My master preaches patience to him , and the while
+His man with scissors nicks him like a fool ;
+And sure , unless you send some present help ,
+Between them they will kill the conjurer .
+
+Peace , fool ! thy master and his man are here ,
+And that is false thou dost report to us .
+
+Mistress , upon my life , I tell you true ;
+I have not breath'd almost , since I did see it .
+He cries for you and vows , if he can take you ,
+To scotch your face , and to disfigure you .
+
+Hark , hark ! I hear him , mistress : fly , be gone !
+
+Come , stand by me ; fear nothing . Guard with halberds !
+
+Ay me , it is my husband ! Witness you ,
+That he is borne about invisible :
+Even now we hous'd him in the abbey here ,
+And now he's here , past thought of human reason .
+
+
+Justice , most gracious duke ! O ! grant me justice ,
+Even for the service that long since I did thee ,
+When I bestrid thee in the wars and took
+Deep scars to save thy life ; even for the blood
+That then I lost for thee , now grant me justice .
+
+Unless the fear of death doth make me dote ,
+I see my son Antipholus and Dromio !
+
+Justice , sweet prince , against that woman there !
+She whom thou gav'st to me to be my wife ,
+That hath abused and dishonour'd me ,
+Even in the strength and height of injury !
+Beyond imagination is the wrong
+That she this day hath shameless thrown on me .
+
+Discover how , and thou shalt find me just .
+
+This day , great duke , she shut the doors upon me ,
+While she with harlots feasted in my house .
+
+A grievous fault ! Say , woman , didst thou so ?
+
+No , my good lord : myself , he , and my sister
+To-day did dine together . So befall my soul
+As this is false he burdens me withal !
+
+Ne'er may I look on day , nor sleep on night ,
+But she tells to your highness simple truth !
+
+O perjur'd woman ! They are both forsworn :
+In this the madman justly chargeth them !
+
+My liege , I am advised what I say :
+Neither disturb'd with the effect of wine ,
+Nor heady-rash , provok'd with raging ire ,
+Albeit my wrongs might make one wiser mad .
+This woman lock'd me out this day from dinner :
+That goldsmith there , were he not pack'd with her ,
+Could witness it , for he was with me then ;
+Who parted with me to go fetch a chain ,
+Promising to bring it to the Porpentine ,
+Where Balthazar and I did dine together .
+Our dinner done , and he not coming thither ,
+I went to seek him : in the street I met him ,
+And in his company that gentleman .
+There did this perjur'd goldsmith swear me down
+That I this day of him receiv'd the chain ,
+Which , God he knows , I saw not ; for the which
+He did arrest me with an officer .
+I did obey , and sent my peasant home
+For certain ducats : he with none return'd .
+Then fairly I bespoke the officer
+To go in person with me to my house .
+By the way we met
+My wife , her sister , and a rabble more
+Of vile confederates : along with them
+They brought one Pinch , a hungry lean-fac'd villain ,
+A mere anatomy , a mountebank ,
+A threadbare juggler , and a fortune-teller ,
+A needy , hollow-ey'd , sharp-looking wretch ,
+A living-dead man . This pernicious slave ,
+Forsooth , took on him as a conjurer ,
+And , gazing in mine eyes , feeling my pulse ,
+And with no face , as 'twere , out-facing me ,
+Cries out , I was possess'd . Then , altogether
+They fell upon me , bound me , bore me thence ,
+And in a dark and dankish vault at home
+There left me and my man , both bound together ;
+Till , gnawing with my teeth my bonds in sunder ,
+I gain'd my freedom , and immediately
+Ran hither to your Grace ; whom I beseech
+To give me ample satisfaction
+For these deep shames and great indignities .
+
+My lord , in truth , thus far I witness with him ,
+That he din'd not at home , but was lock'd out .
+
+But had he such a chain of thee , or no ?
+
+He had , my lord ; and when he ran in here ,
+These people saw the chain about his neck .
+
+Besides , I will be sworn these ears of mine
+Heard you confess you had the chain of him
+After you first forswore it on the mart ;
+And thereupon I drew my sword on you ;
+And then you fled into this abbey here ,
+From whence , I think , you are come by miracle .
+
+I never came within these abbey walls ;
+Nor ever didst thou draw thy sword on me ;
+I never saw the chain , so help me heaven !
+And this is false you burden me withal .
+
+Why , what an intricate impeach is this !
+I think you all have drunk of Circe's cup .
+If here you hous'd him , here he would have been ;
+If he were mad , he would not plead so coldly ;
+You say he din'd at home ; the goldsmith here
+Denies that saying . Sirrah , what say you ?
+
+Sir , he din'd with her there , at the Porpentine .
+
+He did , and from my finger snatch'd that ring .
+
+'Tis true , my liege ; this ring I had of her .
+
+Saw'st thou him enter at the abbey here ?
+
+As sure , my liege , as I do see your Grace .
+
+Why , this is strange . Go call the abbess hither .
+
+I think you are all mated or stark mad .
+
+Most mighty duke , vouchsafe me speak a word :
+Haply I see a friend will save my life ,
+And pay the sum that may deliver me .
+
+Speak freely , Syracusian , what thou wilt .
+
+Is not your name , sir , called Antipholus ?
+And is not that your bondman Dromio ?
+
+Within this hour I was his bondman , sir ;
+But he , I thank him , gnaw'd in two my cords :
+Now am I Dromio and his man , unbound .
+
+I am sure you both of you remember me .
+
+Ourselves we do remember , sir , by you ;
+For lately we were bound , as you are now .
+You are not Pinch's patient , are you , sir ?
+
+Why look you strange on me ? you know me well .
+
+I never saw you in my life till now .
+
+O ! grief hath chang'd me since you saw me last ,
+And careful hours , with Time's deformed hand ,
+Have written strange defeatures in my face :
+But tell me yet , dost thou not know my voice ?
+
+Neither .
+
+Dromio , nor thou ?
+
+No , trust me , sir , not I .
+
+I am sure thou dost .
+
+Ay , sir ; but I am sure I do not ; and whatsoever a man denies , you are now bound to believe him .
+
+Not know my voice ! O , time's extremity ,
+Hast thou so crack'd and splitted my poor tongue
+In seven short years , that here my only son
+Knows not my feeble key of untun'd cares ?
+Though now this grained face of mine be hid
+In sap-consuming winter's drizzled snow ,
+And all the conduits of my blood froze up ,
+Yet hath my night of life some memory ,
+My wasting lamps some fading glimmer left ,
+My dull deaf ears a little use to hear :
+All these old witnesses , I cannot err ,
+Tell me thou art my son Antipholus .
+
+I never saw my father in my life .
+
+But seven years since , in Syracusa , boy ,
+Thou know'st we parted : but perhaps , my son ,
+Thou sham'st to acknowledge me in misery .
+
+The duke and all that know me in the city
+Can witness with me that it is not so :
+I ne'er saw Syracusa in my life .
+
+I tell thee , Syracusian , twenty years
+Have I been patron to Antipholus ,
+During which time he ne'er saw Syracusa .
+I see thy age and dangers make thee dote .
+
+
+Most mighty duke , behold a man much wrong'd .
+
+
+I see two husbands , or mine eyes deceive me !
+
+One of these men is Genius to the other ;
+And so of these : which is the natural man ,
+And which the spirit ? Who deciphers them ?
+
+I , sir , am Dromio : command him away .
+
+I , sir , am Dromio : pray let me stay .
+
+geon art thou not ? or else his ghost ?
+
+O ! my old master ; who hath bound him here ?
+
+Whoever bound him , I will loose his bonds ,
+And gain a husband by his liberty .
+Speak , old geon , if thou be'st the man
+That hadst a wife once call'd milia ,
+That bore thee at a burden two fair sons .
+O ! if thou be'st the same geon , speak ,
+And speak unto the same milia !
+
+If I dream not , thou art milia :
+If thou art she , tell me where is that son
+That floated with thee on the fatal raft ?
+
+By men of Epidamnum , he and I ,
+And the twin Dromio , all were taken up :
+But by and by rude fishermen of Corinth
+By force took Dromio and my son from them ,
+And me they left with those of Epidamnum .
+What then became of them , I cannot tell ;
+I to this fortune that you see me in .
+
+Why , here begins his morning story right :
+These two Antipholus' , these two so like ,
+And these two Dromios , one in semblance ,
+Besides her urging of her wrack at sea ;
+These are the parents to these children ,
+Which accidentally are met together .
+Antipholus , thou cam'st from Corinth first ?
+
+No , sir , not I ; I came from Syracuse .
+
+Stay , stand apart ; I know not which is which .
+
+I came from Corinth , my most gracious lord ,
+
+And I with him .
+
+Brought to this town by that most famous warrior ,
+Duke Menaphon , your most renowned uncle .
+
+Which of you two did dine with me to-day ?
+
+I , gentle mistress .
+
+And are not you my husband ?
+
+No ; I say nay to that .
+
+And so do I ; yet did she call me so ;
+And this fair gentlewoman , her sister here ,
+Did call me brother .
+
+What I told you then ,
+I hope I shall have leisure to make good ,
+If this be not a dream I see and hear .
+
+That is the chain , sir , which you had of me .
+
+I think it be , sir ; I deny it not .
+
+And you , sir , for this chain arrested me .
+
+I think I did , sir ; I deny it not .
+
+I sent you money , sir , to be your bail ,
+By Dromio ; but I think he brought it not .
+
+No , none by me .
+
+This purse of ducats I receiv'd from you ,
+And Dromio , my man , did bring them me .
+I see we still did meet each other's man ,
+And I was ta'en for him , and he for me ,
+And thereupon these errors are arose .
+
+These ducats pawn I for my father here .
+
+It shall not need : thy father hath his life .
+
+Sir , I must have that diamond from you .
+
+There , take it ; and much thanks for my good cheer .
+
+Renowned duke , vouchsafe to take the pains
+To go with us into the abbey here ,
+And hear at large discoursed all our fortunes ;
+And all that are assembled in this place ,
+That by this sympathized one day's error
+Have suffer'd wrong , go keep us company ,
+And we shall make full satisfaction .
+Thirty-three years have I but gone in travail
+Of you , my sons ; and , till this present hour
+My heavy burdens ne'er delivered .
+The duke , my husband , and my children both ,
+And you the calendars of their nativity ,
+Go to a gossip's feast , and joy with me :
+After so long grief such festivity !
+
+With all my heart I'll gossip at this feast .
+
+
+Master , shall I fetch your stuff from shipboard ?
+
+Dromio , what stuff of mine hast thou embark'd ?
+
+Your goods that lay at host , sir , in the Centaur .
+
+He speaks to me . I am your master , Dromio :
+Come , go with us ; we'll look to that anon :
+Embrace thy brother there ; rejoice with him .
+
+
+There is a fat friend at your master's house ,
+That kitchen'd me for you to-day at dinner :
+She now shall be my sister , not my wife .
+
+Methinks you are my glass , and not my brother :
+I see by you I am a sweet-fac'd youth .
+Will you walk in to see their gossiping ?
+
+Not I , sir ; you are my elder .
+
+That's a question : how shall we try it ?
+
+We'll draw cuts for the senior : till then lead thou first .
+
+Nay , then , thus :
+We came into the world like brother and brother ;
+And now let's go hand in hand , not one before another .
+
+THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
+
+
+In sooth , I know not why I am so sad :
+It wearies me ; you say it wearies you ;
+But how I caught it , found it , or came by it ,
+What stuff 'tis made of , whereof it is born ,
+I am to learn ;
+And such a want-wit sadness makes of me ,
+That I have much ado to know myself .
+
+Your mind is tossing on the ocean ;
+There , where your argosies with portly sail ,
+Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood ,
+Or , as it were , the pageants of the sea ,
+Do overpeer the petty traffickers ,
+That curtsy to them , do them reverence ,
+As they fly by them with their woven wings .
+
+Believe me , sir , had I such venture forth ,
+The better part of my affections would
+Be with my hopes abroad . I should be still
+Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind ;
+Peering in maps for ports , and piers , and roads ;
+And every object that might make me fear
+Misfortune to my ventures , out of doubt
+Would make me sad .
+
+My wind , cooling my broth ,
+Would blow me to an ague , when I thought
+What harm a wind too great might do at sea .
+I should not see the sandy hour-glass run
+But I should think of shallows and of flats ,
+And see my wealthy Andrew dock'd in sand
+Vailing her high-top lower than her ribs
+To kiss her burial . Should I go to church
+And see the holy edifice of stone ,
+And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks ,
+Which touching but my gentle vessel's side
+Would scatter all her spices on the stream ,
+Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks ;
+And , in a word , but even now worth this ,
+And now worth nothing ? Shall I have the thought
+To think on this , and shall I lack the thought
+That such a thing bechanc'd would make me sad ?
+But tell not me : I know Antonio
+Is sad to think upon his merchandise .
+
+Believe me , no : I thank my fortune for it ,
+My ventures are not in one bottom trusted ,
+Nor to one place ; nor is my whole estate
+Upon the fortune of this present year :
+Therefore , my merchandise makes me not sad .
+
+Why , then you are in love .
+
+Fie , fie !
+
+Not in love neither ? Then let's say you are sad ,
+Because you are not merry : and 'twere as easy
+For you to laugh and leap , and say you are merry ,
+Because you are not sad . Now , by two-headed Janus ,
+Nature hath fram'd strange fellows in her time :
+Some that will evermore peep through their eyes
+And laugh like parrots at a bag-piper ,
+And other of such vinegar aspect
+That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile ,
+Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable .
+
+
+Here comes Bassanio , your most noble kinsman ,
+Gratiano , and Lorenzo . Fare ye well :
+We leave you now with better company .
+
+I would have stay'd till I had made you merry ,
+If worthier friends had not prevented me .
+
+Your worth is very dear in my regard .
+I take it , your own business calls on you ,
+And you embrace the occasion to depart .
+
+Good morrow , my good lords .
+
+Good signiors both , when shall we laugh ? say when ?
+You grow exceeding strange : must it be so ?
+
+We'll make our leisures to attend on yours .
+
+
+My Lord Bassanio , since you have found Antonio ,
+We too will leave you ; but , at dinner-time ,
+I pray you , have in mind where we must meet .
+
+I will not fail you .
+
+You look not well , Signior Antonio ;
+You have too much respect upon the world :
+They lose it that do buy it with much care :
+Believe me , you are marvellously chang'd .
+
+I hold the world but as the world , Gratiano ;
+A stage where every man must play a part ,
+And mine a sad one .
+
+Let me play the fool :
+With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come ,
+And let my liver rather heat with wine
+Than my heart cool with mortifying groans .
+Why should a man , whose blood is warm within ,
+Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster ?
+Sleep when he wakes , and creep into the jaundice
+By being peevish ? I tell thee what , Antonio
+I love thee , and it is my love that speaks
+There are a sort of men whose visages
+Do cream and mantle like a standing pond ,
+And do a wilful stillness entertain ,
+With purpose to be dress'd in an opinion
+Of wisdom , gravity , profound conceit ;
+As who should say , 'I am Sir Oracle ,
+And when I ope my lips let no dog bark !'
+O , my Antonio , I do know of these ,
+That therefore only are reputed wise
+For saying nothing ; when , I am very sure ,
+If they should speak , would almost damn those ears
+Which , hearing them , would call their brothers fools .
+I'll tell thee more of this another time :
+But fish not , with this melancholy bait ,
+For this fool-gudgeon , this opinion .
+Come , good Lorenzo . Fare ye well awhile :
+I'll end my exhortation after dinner .
+
+Well , we will leave you then till dinner-time .
+I must be one of these same dumb-wise men ,
+For Gratiano never lets me speak .
+
+Well , keep me company but two years moe ,
+Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue .
+
+Farewell : I'll grow a talker for this gear .
+
+Thanks , i' faith ; for silence is only commendable
+In a neat's tongue dried and a maid not vendible .
+
+
+Is that anything now ?
+
+Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing , more than any man in all Venice . His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff : you shall seek all day ere you find them , and , when you have them , they are not worth the search .
+
+Well , tell me now , what lady is the same
+To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage ,
+That you to-day promis'd to tell me of ?
+
+'Tis not unknown to you , Antonio ,
+How much I have disabled mine estate ,
+By something showing a more swelling port
+Than my faint means would grant continuance :
+Nor do I now make moan to be abridg'd
+From such a noble rate ; but my chief care
+Is , to come fairly off from the great debts
+Wherein my time , something too prodigal ,
+Hath left me gag'd . To you , Antonio ,
+I owe the most , in money and in love ;
+And from your love I have a warranty
+To unburthen all my plots and purposes
+How to get clear of all the debts I owe .
+
+I pray you , good Bassanio , let me know it ;
+And if it stand , as you yourself still do ,
+Within the eye of honour , be assur'd ,
+My purse , my person , my extremest means ,
+Lie all unlock'd to your occasions .
+
+In my school-days , when I had lost one shaft ,
+I shot his fellow of the self-same flight
+The self-same way with more advised watch ,
+To find the other forth , and by adventuring both ,
+I oft found both . I urge this childhood proof ,
+Because what follows is pure innocence .
+I owe you much , and , like a wilful youth ,
+That which I owe is lost ; but if you please
+To shoot another arrow that self way
+Which you did shoot the first , I do not doubt ,
+As I will watch the aim , or to find both ,
+Or bring your latter hazard back again ,
+And thankfully rest debtor for the first .
+
+You know me well , and herein spend but time
+To wind about my love with circumstance ;
+And out of doubt you do me now more wrong
+In making question of my uttermost
+Than if you had made waste of all I have :
+Then do but say to me what I should do
+That in your knowledge may by me be done ,
+And I am prest unto it : therefore speak .
+
+In Belmont is a lady richly left ,
+And she is fair , and , fairer than that word ,
+Of wondrous virtues : sometimes from her eyes
+I did receive fair speechless messages :
+Her name is Portia ; nothing undervalu'd
+To Cato's daughter , Brutus' Portia :
+Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth ,
+For the four winds blow in from every coast
+Renowned suitors ; and her sunny locks
+Hang on her temples like a golden fleece ;
+Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos' strond ,
+And many Jasons come in quest of her .
+O my Antonio ! had I but the means
+To hold a rival place with one of them ,
+I have a mind presages me such thrift ,
+That I should questionless be fortunate .
+
+Thou knowest that all my fortunes are at sea ;
+Neither have I money , nor commodity
+To raise a present sum : therefore go forth ;
+Try what my credit can in Venice do :
+That shall be rack'd , even to the uttermost ,
+To furnish thee to Belmont , to fair Portia .
+Go , presently inquire , and so will I ,
+Where money is , and I no question make
+To have it of my trust or for my sake .
+
+
+By my troth , Nerissa , my little body is aweary of this great world .
+
+You would be , sweet madam , if your miseries were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are : and yet , for aught I see , they are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing . It is no mean happiness therefore , to be seated in the mean : superfluity comes sooner by white hairs , but competency lives longer .
+
+Good sentences and well pronounced .
+
+They would be better if well followed .
+
+If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do , chapels had been churches , and poor men's cottages princes' palaces . It is a good divine that follows his own instructions : I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done , than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching . The brain may devise laws for the blood , but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree : such a hare is madness the youth , to skip o'er the meshes of good counsel the cripple . But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband . O me , the word 'choose !' I may neither choose whom I would nor refuse whom I dislike ; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father . Is it not hard , Nerissa , that I cannot choose one nor refuse none ?
+
+Your father was ever virtuous , and holy men at their death have good inspirations ; therefore , the lottery that he hath devised in these three chests of gold , silver , and lead , whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you , will , no doubt , never be chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly love . But what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princely suitors that are already come ?
+
+I pray thee , over-name them , and as thou namest them , I will describe them ; and , according to my description , level at my affection .
+
+First , there is the Neapolitan prince .
+
+Ay , that's a colt indeed , for he doth nothing but talk of his horse ; and he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts that he can shoe him himself . I am much afeard my lady his mother played false with a smith .
+
+Then is there the County Palatine .
+
+He doth nothing but frown , as who should say , 'An you will not have me , choose .' He hears merry tales , and smiles not : I fear he will prove the weeping philosopher when he grows old , being so full of unmannerly sadness in his youth . I had rather be married to a death's-head with a bone in his mouth than to either of these . God defend me from these two !
+
+How say you by the French lord , Monsieur Le Bon ?
+
+God made him , and therefore let him pass for a man . In truth , I know it is a sin to be a mocker ; but , he ! why , he hath a horse better than the Neapolitan's , a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine ; he is every man in no man ; if a throstle sing , he falls straight a-capering ; he will fence with his own shadow : if I should marry him , I should marry twenty husbands . If he would despise me , I would forgive him , for if he love me to madness , I shall never requite him .
+
+What say you , then , to Falconbridge , the young baron of England ?
+
+You know I say nothing to him , for he understands not me , nor I him : he hath neither Latin , French , nor Italian ; and you will come into the court and swear that I have a poor pennyworth in the English . He is a proper man's picture , but , alas ! who can converse with a dumb-show ? How oddly he is suited ! I think he bought his doublet in Italy , his round hose in France , his bonnet in Germany , and his behaviour every where .
+
+What think you of the Scottish lord , his neighbour ?
+
+That he hath a neighbourly charity in him , for he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman , and swore he would pay him again when he was able : I think the Frenchman became his surety and sealed under for another .
+
+How like you the young German , the Duke of Saxony's nephew ?
+
+Very vilely in the morning , when he is sober , and most vilely in the afternoon , when he is drunk : when he is best , he is a little worse than a man , and when he is worst , he is little better than a beast . An the worst fall that ever fell , I hope I shall make shift to go without him .
+
+If he should offer to choose , and choose the right casket , you should refuse to perform your father's will , if you should refuse to accept him .
+
+Therefore , for fear of the worst , I pray thee , set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket , for , if the devil be within and that temptation without , I know he will choose it . I will do anything , Nerissa , ere I will be married to a sponge .
+
+You need not fear , lady , the having any of these lords : they have acquainted me with their determinations ; which is , indeed , to return to their home and to trouble you with no more suit , unless you may be won by some other sort than your father's imposition depending on the caskets .
+
+If I live to be as old as Sibylla , I will die as chaste as Diana , unless I be obtained by the manner of my father's will . I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable , for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence , and I pray God grant them a fair departure .
+
+Do you not remember , lady , in your father's time , a Venetian , a scholar and a soldier , that came hither in the company of the Marquis of Montferrat ?
+
+Yes , yes : it was Bassanio ; as I think , he was so called .
+
+True , madam : he , of all the men that ever my foolish eyes looked upon , was the best deserving a fair lady .
+
+I remember him well , and I remember him worthy of thy praise .
+
+How now ! what news ?
+
+The four strangers seek for you , madam , to take their leave ; and there is a forerunner come from a fifth , the Prince of Morocco , who brings word the prince his master will be here to-night .
+
+If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell , I should be glad of his approach : if he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil , I had rather he should shrive me than wive me . Come , Nerissa . Sirrah , go before .
+Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer , another knocks at the door .
+
+
+Three thousand ducats ; well ?
+
+Ay , sir , for three months .
+
+For three months ; well ?
+
+For the which , as I told you , Antonio shall be bound .
+
+Antonio shall become bound ; well ?
+
+May you stead me ? Will you pleasure me ? Shall I know your answer ?
+
+Three thousand ducats , for three months , and Antonio bound .
+
+Your answer to that .
+
+Antonio is a good man .
+
+Have you heard any imputation to the contrary ?
+
+Ho , no , no , no , no : my meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient . Yet his means are in supposition : he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis , another to the Indies ; I understand moreover upon the Rialto , he hath a third at Mexico , a fourth for England , and other ventures he hath , squandered abroad . But ships are but boards , sailors but men : there be land-rats and water-rats , land-thieves , and water-thieves ,I mean pirates ,and then there is the peril of waters , winds , and rocks . The man is , notwithstanding , sufficient . Three thousand ducats ; I think , I may take his bond .
+
+Be assured you may .
+
+I will be assured I may ; and , that I may be assured , I will bethink me . May I speak with Antonio ?
+
+If it please you to dine with us .
+
+Yes , to smell pork : to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into . I will buy with you , sell with you , talk with you , walk with you , and so following ; but I will not eat with you , drink with you , nor pray with you . What news on the Rialto ? Who is he comes here ?
+
+
+This is Signior Antonio .
+
+How like a fawning publican he looks !
+I hate him for he is a Christian ;
+But more for that in low simplicity
+He lends out money gratis , and brings down
+The rate of usance here with us in Venice .
+If I can catch him once upon the hip ,
+I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him .
+He hates our sacred nation , and he rails ,
+Even there where merchants most do congregate ,
+On me , my bargains , and my well-won thrift ,
+Which he calls interest . Cursed be my tribe ,
+If I forgive him !
+
+Shylock , do you hear ?
+
+I am debating of my present store ,
+And , by the near guess of my memory ,
+I cannot instantly raise up the gross
+Of full three thousand ducats . What of that ?
+Tubal , a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe ,
+Will furnish me . But soft ! how many months
+Do you desire ?
+
+Rest you fair , good signior ;
+Your worship was the last man in our mouths .
+
+Shylock , albeit I neither lend nor borrow
+By taking nor by giving of excess ,
+Yet , to supply the ripe wants of my friend ,
+I'll break a custom .
+
+Is he yet possess'd
+How much ye would ?
+
+Ay , ay , three thousand ducats .
+
+And for three months .
+
+I had forgot ; three months ; you told me so .
+Well then , your bond ; and let me see . But hear you ;
+Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow
+Upon advantage .
+
+I do never use it .
+
+When Jacob graz'd his uncle Laban's sheep ,
+This Jacob from our holy Abram was ,
+As his wise mother wrought in his behalf ,
+The third possessor : ay , he was the third ,
+
+And what of him ? did he take interest ?
+
+No ; not take interest ; not , as you would say ,
+Directly interest : mark what Jacob did .
+When Laban and himself were compromis'd ,
+That all the eanlings that were streak'd and pied
+Should fall as Jacob's hire , the ewes , being rank ,
+In end of autumn turned to the rams ;
+And , when the work of generation was
+Between these woolly breeders in the act ,
+The skilful shepherd peel'd me certain wands ,
+And , in the doing of the deed of kind ,
+He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes ,
+Who , then conceiving , did in eaning time
+Fall parti-colour'd lambs , and those were Jacob's .
+This was a way to thrive , and he was blest :
+And thrift is blessing , if men steal it not .
+
+This was a venture , sir , that Jacob serv'd for ;
+A thing not in his power to bring to pass ,
+But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heaven .
+Was this inserted to make interest good ?
+Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams ?
+
+I cannot tell ; I make it breed as fast : But note me , signior .
+
+Mark you this , Bassanio ,
+The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose .
+An evil soul , producing holy witness ,
+Is like a villain with a smiling cheek ,
+A goodly apple rotten at the heart .
+O , what a goodly outside falsehood hath !
+
+Three thousand ducats ; 'tis a good round sum .
+Three months from twelve , then let me see the rate .
+
+Well , Shylock , shall we be beholding to you ?
+
+Signior Antonio , many a time and oft
+In the Rialto you have rated me
+About my moneys and my usances :
+Still have I borne it with a patient shrug ,
+For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe .
+You call me misbeliever , cut-throat dog ,
+And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine ,
+And all for use of that which is mine own .
+Well then , it now appears you need my help :
+Go to then ; you come to me , and you say ,
+'Shylock , we would have moneys :' you say so ;
+You , that did void your rheum upon my beard ,
+And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur
+Over your threshold : moneys is your suit .
+What should I say to you ? Should I not say ,
+'Hath a dog money ? Is it possible
+A cur can lend three thousand ducats ?' or
+Shall I bend low , and in a bondman's key ,
+With bated breath , and whispering humbleness ,
+Say this :
+'Fair sir , you spet on me on Wednesday last ;
+You spurn'd me such a day ; another time
+You call'd me dog ; and for these courtesies
+I'll lend you thus much moneys ?'
+
+I am as like to call thee so again ,
+To spet on thee again , to spurn thee too .
+If thou wilt lend this money , lend it not
+As to thy friends ,for when did friendship take
+A breed for barren metal of his friend ?
+But lend it rather to thine enemy ;
+Who if he break , thou mayst with better face
+Exact the penalty .
+
+Why , look you , how you storm !
+I would be friends with you , and have your love ,
+Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with ,
+Supply your present wants , and take no doit
+Of usance for my moneys , and you'll not hear me :
+This is kind I offer .
+
+This were kindness .
+
+This kindness will I show .
+Go with me to a notary , seal me there
+Your single bond ; and , in a merry sport ,
+If you repay me not on such a day ,
+In such a place , such sum or sums as are
+Express'd in the condition , let the forfeit
+Be nominated for an equal pound
+Of your fair flesh , to be cut off and taken
+In what part of your body pleaseth me .
+
+Content , i' faith : I'll seal to such a bond ,
+And say there is much kindness in the Jew .
+
+You shall not seal to such a bond for me :
+I'll rather dwell in my necessity .
+
+Why , fear not , man ; I will not forfeit it :
+Within these two months , that's a month before
+This bond expires , I do expect return
+Of thrice three times the value of this bond .
+
+O father Abram ! what these Christians are ,
+Whose own hard dealing teaches them suspect
+The thoughts of others . Pray you , tell me this ;
+If he should break his day , what should I gain
+By the exaction of the forfeiture ?
+A pound of man's flesh , taken from a man ,
+Is not so estimable , profitable neither ,
+As flesh of muttons , beefs , or goats . I say ,
+To buy his favour , I extend this friendship :
+If he will take it , so ; if not , adieu ;
+And , for my love , I pray you wrong me not .
+
+Yes , Shylock , I will seal unto this bond .
+
+Then meet me forthwith at the notary's ;
+Give him direction for this merry bond ,
+And I will go and purse the ducats straight ,
+See to my house , left in the fearful guard
+Of an unthrifty knave , and presently
+I will be with you .
+
+Hie thee , gentle Jew .
+
+This Hebrew will turn Christian : he grows kind .
+
+I like not fair terms and a villain's mind .
+
+Come on : in this there can be no dismay ;
+My ships come home a month before the day .
+
+
+Mislike me not for my complexion ,
+The shadow'd livery of the burnish'd sun ,
+To whom I am a neighbour and near bred .
+Bring me the fairest creature northward born ,
+Where Ph bus' fire scarce thaws the icicles ,
+And let us make incision for your love ,
+To prove whose blood is reddest , his or mine .
+I tell thee , lady , this aspect of mine
+Hath fear'd the valiant : by my love , I swear
+The best regarded virgins of our clime
+Have lov'd it too : I would not change this hue ,
+Except to steal your thoughts , my gentle queen .
+
+In terms of choice I am not solely led
+By nice direction of a maiden's eyes ;
+Besides , the lottery of my destiny
+Bars me the right of voluntary choosing :
+But if my father had not scanted me
+And hedg'd me by his wit , to yield myself
+His wife who wins me by that means I told you ,
+Yourself , renowned prince , then stood as fair
+As any comer I have look'd on yet
+For my affection .
+
+Even for that I thank you :
+Therefore , I pray you , lead me to the caskets
+To try my fortune . By this scimitar ,
+That slew the Sophy , and a Persian prince
+That won three fields of Sultan Solyman ,
+I would outstare the sternest eyes that look ,
+Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth ,
+Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear ,
+Yea , mock the lion when he roars for prey ,
+To win thee , lady . But , alas the while !
+If Hercules and Lichas play at dice
+Which is the better man , the greater throw
+May turn by fortune from the weaker hand :
+So is Alcides beaten by his page ;
+And so may I , blind fortune leading me ,
+Miss that which one unworthier may attain ,
+And die with grieving .
+
+You must take your chance ;
+And either not attempt to choose at all ,
+Or swear before you choose , if you choose wrong ,
+Never to speak to lady afterward
+In way of marriage : therefore be advis'd .
+
+Nor will not : come , bring me unto my chance .
+
+First , forward to the temple : after dinner
+Your hazard shall be made .
+
+Good fortune then !
+To make me blest or cursed'st among men !
+
+
+Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master . The fiend is at mine elbow , and tempts me , saying to me , 'Gobbo , Launcelot Gobbo , good Launcelot ,' or 'good Gobbo ,' or 'good Launcelot Gobbo , use your legs , take the start , run away .' My conscience says , 'No ; take heed , honest Launcelot ; take heed , honest Gobbo ;' or , as aforesaid , 'honest Launcelot Gobbo ; do not run ; scorn running with thy heels .' Well , the most courageous fiend bids me pack : 'Via !' says the fiend ; 'away !' says the fiend ; 'for the heavens , rouse up a brave mind ,' says the fiend , 'and run .' Well , my conscience , hanging about the neck of my heart , says very wisely to me , 'My honest friend Launcelot , being an honest man's son ,' or rather an honest woman's son ;for , indeed , my father did something smack , something grow to , he had a kind of taste ;well , my conscience says , 'Launcelot , budge not .' 'Budge ,' says the fiend . 'Budge not ,' says my conscience . 'Conscience ,' say I , 'you counsel well ;' 'fiend ,' say I , 'you counsel well :' to be ruled by my conscience , I should stay with the Jew my master , who , God bless the mark ! is a kind of devil ; and , to run away from the Jew , I should be ruled by the fiend , who , saving your reverence , is the devil himself . Certainly , the Jew is the very devil incarnal ; and , in my conscience , my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience , to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew . The fiend gives the more friendly counsel : I will run , fiend ; my heels are at your commandment ; I will run .
+
+
+Master young man , you ; I pray you , which is the way to Master Jew's ?
+
+O heavens ! this is my truebegotten father , who , being more than sandblind , high-gravel blind , knows me not : I will try confusions with him .
+
+Master young gentleman , I pray you , which is the way to Master Jew's ?
+
+Turn up on your right hand at the next turning , but , at the next turning of all , on your left ; marry , at the very next turning , turn of no hand , but turn down indirectly to the Jew's house .
+
+By God's sonties , 'twill be a hard way to hit . Can you tell me whether one Launcelot , that dwells with him , dwell with him or no ?
+
+Talk you of young Master Launcelot ?
+
+Mark me now ; now will I raise the waters . Talk you of young Master Launcelot ?
+
+No master , sir , but a poor man's son : his father , though I say it , is an honest , exceeding poor man , and , God be thanked , well to live .
+
+Well , let his father be what a' will , we talk of young Master Launcelot .
+
+Your worship's friend , and Launcelot , sir .
+
+But I pray you , ergo , old man , ergo , I beseech you , talk you of young Master Launcelot ?
+
+Of Launcelot , an't please your mastership .
+
+Ergo , Master Launcelot . Talk not of Master Launcelot , father ; for the young gentleman ,according to Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings , the Sisters Three and such branches of learning ,is , indeed , deceased ; or , as you would say in plain terms , gone to heaven .
+
+Marry , God forbid ! the boy was the very staff of my age , my very prop .
+
+Do I look like a cudgel or a hovel-post , a staff or a prop ? Do you know me , father ?
+
+Alack the day ! I know you not , young gentleman : but I pray you , tell me , is my boy ,God rest his soul !alive or dead ?
+
+Do you not know me , father ?
+
+Alack , sir , I am sand-blind ; I know you not .
+
+Nay , indeed , if you had your eyes , you might fail of the knowing me : it is a wise father that knows his own child . Well , old man , I will tell you news of your son . Give me your blessing ; truth will come to light ; murder cannot be hid long ; a man's son may , but , in the end , truth will out .
+
+Pray you , sir , stand up . I am sure you are not Launcelot , my boy .
+
+Pray you , let's have no more fooling about it , but give me your blessing : I am Launcelot , your boy that was , your son that is , your child that shall be .
+
+I cannot think you are my son .
+
+I know not what I shall think of that ; but I am Launcelot , the Jew's man , and I am sure Margery your wife is my mother .
+
+Her name is Margery , indeed : I'll be sworn , if thou be Launcelot , thou art mine own flesh and blood . Lord worshipped might he be ! what a beard hast thou got ! thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my thill-horse has on his tail .
+
+It should seem then that Dobbin's tail grows backward : I am sure he had more hair on his tail than I have on my face , when I last saw him .
+
+Lord ! how art thou changed . How dost thou and thy master agree ? I have brought him a present . How 'gree you now ?
+
+Well , well : but , for mine own part , as I have set up my rest to run away , so I will not rest till I have run some ground . My master's a very Jew : give him a present ! give him a halter : I am farnished in his service ; you may tell every finger I have with my ribs . Father , I am glad you are come : give me your present to one Master Bassanio , who , indeed , gives rare new liveries . If I serve not him , I will run as far as God has any ground . O rare fortune ! here comes the man : to him , father ; for I am a Jew , if I serve the Jew any longer .
+
+
+You may do so ; but let it be so hasted that supper be ready at the very furthest by five of the clock . See these letters delivered ; put the liveries to making ; and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging .
+
+
+To him , father .
+
+God bless your worship !
+
+Gramercy ! wouldst thou aught with me ?
+
+Here's my son , sir , a poor boy ,
+
+Not a poor boy , sir , but the rich Jew's man ; that would , sir ,as my father shall specify ,
+
+He hath a great infection , sir , as one would say , to serve
+
+Indeed , the short and the long is , I serve the Jew , and have a desire , as my father shall specify ,
+
+His master and he , saving your worship's reverence , are scarce cater-cousins ,
+
+To be brief , the very truth is that the Jew having done me wrong , doth cause me ,as my father , being , I hope , an old man , shall frutify unto you ,
+
+I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon your worship , and my suit is ,
+
+In very brief , the suit is impertinent to myself , as your worship shall know by this honest old man ; and , though I say it , though old man , yet poor man , my father .
+
+One speak for both . What would you ?
+
+Serve you , sir .
+
+That is the very defect of the matter , sir .
+
+I know thee well ; thou hast obtain'd thy suit :
+Shylock thy master spoke with me this day ,
+And hath preferr'd thee , if it be preferment
+To leave a rich Jew's service , to become
+The follower of so poor a gentleman .
+
+The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you , sir : you have the grace of God , sir , and he hath enough .
+
+Thou speak'st it well . Go , father , with thy son .
+Take leave of thy old master , and inquire
+My lodging out .
+
+Give him a livery
+More guarded than his fellows' : see it done .
+
+Father , in . I cannot get a service , no ; I have ne'er a tongue in my head . Well ,
+
+if any man in Italy have a fairer table which doth offer to swear upon a book , I shall have good fortune . Go to ; here's a simple line of life : here's a small trifle of wives : alas ! fifteen wives is nothing : a 'leven widows and nine maids is a simple coming-in for one man ; and then to 'scape drowning thrice , and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a feather-bed ; here are simple 'scapes . Well , if Fortune be a woman , she's a good wench for this gear . Father , come ; I'll take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling of an eye .
+
+
+I pray thee , good Leonardo , think on this :
+These things being bought , and orderly bestow'd ,
+Return in haste , for I do feast to-night
+My best-esteem'd acquaintance : hie thee , go .
+
+My best endeavours shall be done herein .
+
+
+Where is your master ?
+
+Yonder , sir , he walks .
+
+
+Signior Bassanio !
+
+Gratiano !
+
+I have a suit to you .
+
+You have obtain'd it .
+
+You must not deny me : I must go with you to Belmont .
+
+Why , then you must . But hear thee , Gratiano ;
+Thou art too wild , too rude and bold of voice ;
+Parts that become thee happily enough ,
+And in such eyes as ours appear not faults ;
+But where thou art not known , why , there they show
+Something too liberal . Pray thee , take pain
+To allay with some cold drops of modesty
+Thy skipping spirit , lest , through thy wild behaviour ,
+I be misconstru'd in the place I go to ,
+And lose my hopes .
+
+Signior Bassanio , hear me :
+If I do not put on a sober habit ,
+Talk with respect , and swear but now and then ,
+Wear prayer-books in my pocket , look demurely ,
+Nay more , while grace is saying , hood mine eyes
+Thus with my hat , and sigh , and say 'amen ;'
+Use all the observance of civility ,
+Like one well studied in a sad ostent
+To please his grandam , never trust me more .
+
+Well , we shall see your bearing .
+
+Nay , but I bar to-night ; you shall not gauge me
+By what we do to-night .
+
+No , that were pity :
+I would entreat you rather to put on
+Your boldest suit of mirth , for we have friends
+That purpose merriment . But fare you well :
+I have some business .
+
+And I must to Lorenzo and the rest ;
+But we will visit you at supper-time .
+
+
+I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so :
+Our house is hell , and thou , a merry devil ,
+Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness .
+But fare thee well ; there is a ducat for thee :
+And , Launcelot , soon at supper shalt thou see
+Lorenzo , who is thy new master's guest :
+Give him this letter ; do it secretly ;
+And so farewell : I would not have my father
+See me in talk with thee .
+
+Adieu ! tears exhibit my tongue . Most beautiful pagan , most sweet Jew ! If a Christian did not play the knave and get thee , I am much deceived . But , adieu ! these foolish drops do somewhat drown my manly spirit : adieu !
+
+Farewell , good Launcelot .
+
+Alack , what heinous sin is it in me
+To be asham'd to be my father's child !
+But though I am a daughter to his blood ,
+I am not to his manners . O Lorenzo !
+If thou keep promise , I shall end this strife ,
+Become a Christian , and thy loving wife .
+
+
+Nay , we will slink away in supper-time ,
+Disguise us at my lodging , and return
+All in an hour .
+
+We have not made good preparation .
+
+We have not spoke us yet of torch-bearers .
+
+'Tis vile , unless it may be quaintly order'd ,
+And better , in my mind , not undertook .
+
+'Tis now but four o'clock : we have two hours
+To furnish us .
+
+Friend Launcelot , what's the news ?
+
+An it shall please you to break up this , it shall seem to signify .
+
+I know the hand : in faith , 'tis a fair hand ;
+And whiter than the paper it writ on
+Is the fair hand that writ .
+
+Love news , in faith .
+
+By your leave , sir .
+
+Whither goest thou ?
+
+Marry , sir , to bid my old master , the Jew , to sup to-night with my new master , the Christian .
+
+Hold here , take this : tell gentle Jessica
+I will not fail her ; speak it privately .
+Go , gentlemen ,
+
+Will you prepare you for this masque to-night ?
+I am provided of a torch-bearer .
+
+Ay , marry , I'll be gone about it straight .
+
+And so will I .
+
+Meet me and Gratiano
+At Gratiano's lodging some hour hence .
+
+'Tis good we do so .
+
+
+Was not that letter from fair Jessica ?
+
+I must needs tell thee all . She hath directed
+How I shall take her from her father's house ;
+What gold and jewels she is furnish'd with ;
+What page's suit she hath in readiness .
+If e'er the Jew her father come to heaven ,
+It will be for his gentle daughter's sake ;
+And never dare misfortune cross her foot ,
+Unless she do it under this excuse ,
+That she is issue to a faithless Jew .
+Come , go with me : peruse this as thou goest .
+Fair Jessica shall be my torch-bearer .
+
+
+Well , thou shalt see , thy eyes shall be thy judge ,
+The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio :
+What , Jessical thou shalt not gormandize ,
+As thou hast done with me ;What , Jessical
+And sleep and snore , and rend apparel out
+Why , Jessica , I say !
+
+Why , Jessica !
+
+Who bids thee call ? I do not bid thee call .
+
+Your worship was wont to tell me that
+I could do nothing without bidding .
+
+
+Call you ? What is your will ?
+
+I am bid forth to supper , Jessica :
+There are my keys . But wherefore should I go ?
+I am not bid for love ; they flatter me :
+But yet I'll go in hate , to feed upon
+The prodigal Christian . Jessica , my girl ,
+Look to my house . I am right loath to go :
+There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest ,
+For I did dream of money-bags to-night .
+
+I beseech you , sir , go : my young master doth expect your reproach .
+
+So do I his .
+
+And they have conspired together : I will not say you shall see a masque ; but if you do , then it was not for nothing that my nose fell a-bleeding on Black-Monday last , at six o'clock i' the morning , falling out that year on Ash-Wednesday was four year in the afternoon .
+
+What ! are there masques ? Hear you me , Jessica :
+Lock up my doors ; and when you hear the drum ,
+And the vile squealing of the wry-neck'd fife ,
+Clamber not you up to the casements then ,
+Nor thrust your head into the public street
+To gaze on Christian fools with varnish'd faces ,
+But stop my house's ears , I mean my casements ;
+Let not the sound of shallow foppery enter
+My sober house . By Jacob's staff I swear
+I have no mind of feasting forth to-night ;
+But I will go . Go you before me , sirrah ;
+Say I will come .
+
+I will go before , air . Mistress , look out at window , for all this ;
+
+There will come a Christian by ,
+Will be worth a Jewess' eye .
+
+What says that fool of Hagar's offspring , ha ?
+
+His words were , 'Farewell , mistress ;' nothing else .
+
+The patch is kind enough , but a huge feeder ;
+Snail-slow in profit , and he sleeps by day
+More than the wild cat : drones hive not with me ;
+Therefore I part with him , and part with him
+To one that I would have him help to waste
+His borrow'd purse . Well , Jessica , go in :
+Perhaps I will return immediately :
+Do as I bid you ; shut doors after you :
+'Fast bind , fast find ,'
+A proverb never stale in thrifty mind .
+
+
+Farewell ; and if my fortune be not crost ,
+I have a father , you a daughter , lost .
+
+
+This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo
+Desir'd us to make stand .
+
+His hour is almost past .
+
+And it is marvel he out-dwells his hour ,
+For lovers ever run before the clock .
+
+O ! ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly
+To seal love's bonds new-made , than they are wont
+To keep obliged faith unforfeited !
+
+That ever holds : who riseth from a feast
+With that keen appetite that he sits down ?
+Where is the horse that doth untread again
+His tedious measures with the unbated fire
+That he did pace them first ? All things that are ,
+Are with more spirit chased than enjoy'd .
+How like a younker or a prodigal
+The scarfed bark puts from her native bay ,
+Hugg'd and embraced by the strumpet wind !
+How like the prodigal doth she return ,
+With over-weather'd ribs and ragged sails ,
+Lean , rent , and beggar'd by the strumpet wind !
+
+Here comes Lorenzo : more of this hereafter .
+
+
+Sweet friends , your patience for my long abode ;
+Not I , but my affairs , have made you wait :
+When you shall please to play the thieves for wives ,
+I'll watch as long for you then . Approach ;
+Here dwells my father Jew . Ho ! who's within ?
+
+
+Who are you ? Tell me , for more certainty ,
+Albeit I'll swear that I do know your tongue .
+
+Lorenzo , and thy love .
+
+Lorenzo , certain ; and my love indeed ,
+For whom love I so much ? And now who knows
+But you , Lorenzo , whether I am yours ?
+
+Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art .
+
+Here , catch this casket ; it is worth the pains .
+I am glad 'tis night , you do not look on me ,
+For I am much asham'd of my exchange ;
+But love is blind , and lovers cannot see
+The pretty follies that themselves commit ;
+For if they could , Cupid himself would blush
+To see me thus transformed to a boy .
+
+Descend , for you must be my torch-bearer .
+
+What ! must I hold a candle to my shames ?
+They in themselves , good sooth , are too-too light .
+Why , 'tis an office of discovery , love ,
+And I should be obscur'd .
+
+So are you , sweet ,
+Even in the lovely garnish of a boy .
+But come at once ;
+For the close night doth play the runaway ,
+And we are stay'd for at Bassanio's feast .
+
+I will make fast the doors , and gild myself
+With some more ducats , and be with you straight .
+
+
+Now , by my hood , a Gentile , and no Jew .
+
+Beshrew me , but I love her heartily ;
+For she is wise , if I can judge of her ,
+And fair she is , if that mine eyes be true ,
+And true she is , as she hath prov'd herself ;
+And therefore , like herself , wise , fair , and true ,
+Shall she be placed in my constant soul .
+
+
+What , art thou come ? On , gentlemen ; away !
+Our masquing mates by this time for us stay .
+
+
+Who's there ?
+
+Signior Antonio !
+
+Fie , fie , Gratiano ! where are all the rest ?
+'Tis nine o'clock ; our friends all stay for you .
+No masque to-night : the wind is come about ;
+Bassanio presently will go aboard :
+I have sent twenty out to seek for you .
+
+I am glad on't : I desire no more delight
+Than to be under sail and gone to-night .
+
+
+Go , draw aside the curtains , and discover
+The several caskets to this noble prince .
+Now make your choice .
+
+The first , of gold , which this inscription bears :
+Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire .
+The second , silver , which this promise carries :
+Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves .
+This third , dull lead , with warning all as blunt :
+Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath .
+How shall I know if I do choose the right ?
+
+The one of them contains my picture , prince :
+If you choose that , then I am yours withal .
+
+Some god direct my judgment ! Let me see :
+I will survey the inscriptions back again :
+What says this leaden casket ?
+Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath .
+Must give : For what ? for lead ? hazard for lead ?
+This casket threatens . Men that hazard all
+Do it in hope of fair advantages :
+A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross ;
+I'll then nor give nor hazard aught for lead .
+What says the silver with her virgin hue ?
+Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves .
+As much as he deserves ! Pause there , Morocco ,
+And weigh thy value with an even hand .
+If thou be'st rated by thy estimation ,
+Thou dost deserve enough ; and yet enough
+May not extend so far as to the lady :
+And yet to be afeard of my deserving
+Were but a weak disabling of myself .
+As much as I deserve ! Why , that's the lady :
+I do in birth deserve her , and in fortunes ,
+In graces , and in qualities of breeding ;
+But more than these , in love I do deserve .
+What if I stray'd no further , but chose here ?
+Let's see once more this saying grav'd in gold :
+Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire .
+Why , that's the lady : all the world desires her ;
+From the four corners of the earth they come ,
+To kiss this shrine , this mortal-breathing saint :
+The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds
+Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now
+For princes to come view fair Portia :
+The watery kingdom , whose ambitious head
+Spits in the face of heaven , is no bar
+To stop the foreign spirits , but they come ,
+As o'er a brook , to see fair Portia .
+One of these three contains her heavenly picture .
+Is't like that lead contains her ? 'Twere damnation
+To think so base a thought : it were too gross
+To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave .
+Or shall I think in silver she's immur'd ,
+Being ten times undervalu'd to tried gold ?
+O sinful thought ! Never so rich a gem
+Was set in worse than gold . They have in England
+A coin that bears the figure of an angel
+Stamped in gold , but that's insculp'd upon ;
+But here an angel in a golden bed
+Lies all within . Deliver me the key :
+Here do I choose , and thrive I as I may !
+
+There , take it , prince ; and if my form lie there ,
+Then I am yours .
+
+
+O hell ! what have we here ?
+A carrion Death , within whose empty eye
+There is a written scroll . I'll read the writing .
+
+All that glisters is not gold ;
+Often have you heard that told :
+Many a man his life hath sold
+But my outside to behold :
+Gilded tombs do worms infold .
+Had you been as wise as bold ,
+Young in limbs , in judgment old ,
+Your answer had not been inscroll'd :
+Fare you well ; your suit is cold .
+
+Cold , indeed ; and labour lost :
+Then , farewell , heat , and welcome , frost !
+Portia , adieu . I have too griev'd a heart
+To take a tedious leave : thus losers part .
+
+
+A gentle riddance . Draw the curtains : go .
+Let all of his complexion choose me so .
+
+
+Why , man , I saw Bassanio under sail :
+With him is Gratiano gone along ;
+And in their ship I'm sure Lorenzo is not .
+
+The villain Jew with outcries rais'd the duke ,
+Who went with him to search Bassanio's ship .
+
+He came too late , the ship was under sail :
+But there the duke was given to understand
+That in a gondola were seen together
+Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica .
+Besides , Antonio certified the duke
+They were not with Bassanio in his ship .
+
+I never heard a passion so confus'd ,
+So strange , outrageous , and so variable ,
+As the dog Jew did utter in the streets :
+'My daughter ! O my ducats ! O my daughter !
+Fled with a Christian ! O my Christian ducats !
+Justice ! the law ! my ducats , and my daughter !
+A sealed bag , two sealed bags of ducats ,
+Of double ducats , stol'n from me by my daughter !
+And jewels ! two stones , two rich and precious stones ,
+Stol'n by my daughter ! Justice ! find the girl !
+She hath the stones upon her , and the ducats .'
+
+Why , all the boys in Venice follow him ,
+Crying , his stones , his daughter , and his ducats .
+
+Let good Antonio look he keep his day ,
+Or he shall pay for this .
+
+Marry , well remember'd .
+I reason'd with a Frenchman yesterday ,
+Who told me ,in the narrow seas that part
+The French and English ,there miscarried
+A vessel of our country richly fraught .
+I thought upon Antonio when he told me ,
+And wish'd in silence that it were not his .
+
+You were best to tell Antonio what you hear ;
+Yet do not suddenly , for it may grieve him .
+
+A kinder gentleman treads not the earth .
+I saw Bassanio and Antonio part :
+Bassanio told him he would make some speed
+Of his return : he answer'd 'Do not so ;
+Slubber not business for my sake , Bassanio ,
+But stay the very riping of the time ;
+And for the Jew's bond which he hath of me ,
+Let it not enter in your mind of love :
+Be merry , and employ your chiefest thoughts
+To courtship and such fair ostents of love
+As shall conveniently become you there :'
+And even there , his eye being big with tears ,
+Turning his face , he put his hand behind him ,
+And with affection wondrous sensible
+He wrung Bassanio's hand ; and so they parted .
+
+I think he only loves the world for him .
+I pray thee , let us go and find him out ,
+And quicken his embraced heaviness
+With some delight or other .
+
+Do we so .
+
+
+Quick , quick , I pray thee ; draw the curtain straight :
+The Prince of Arragon hath ta'en his oath ,
+And comes to his election presently .
+
+
+Behold , there stands the caskets , noble prince :
+If you choose that wherein I am contain'd ,
+Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemniz'd ;
+But if you fail , without more speech , my lord ,
+You must be gone from hence immediately .
+
+I am enjoin'd by oath to observe three things :
+First , never to unfold to any one
+Which casket 'twas I chose ; next , if I fail
+Of the right casket , never in my life
+To woo a maid in way of marriage ;
+Lastly ,
+If I do fail in fortune of my choice ,
+Immediately to leave you and be gone .
+
+To these injunctions every one doth swear
+That comes to hazard for my worthless self .
+
+And so have I address'd me . Fortune now
+To my heart's hope ! Gold , silver , and base lead .
+Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath :
+You shall look fairer , ere I give or hazard .
+What says the golden chest ? ha ! let me see :
+Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire .
+What many men desire ! that 'many' may be meant
+By the fool multitude , that choose by show ,
+Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach ;
+Which pries not to the interior , but , like the martlet ,
+Builds in the weather on the outward wall ,
+Even in the force and road of casualty .
+I will not choose what many men desire ,
+Because I will not jump with common spirits
+And rank me with the barbarous multitude .
+Why , then to thee , thou silver treasure-house ;
+Tell me once more what title thou dost bear :
+Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves .
+And well said too ; for who shall go about
+To cozen fortune and be honourable
+Without the stamp of merit ? Let none presume
+To wear an undeserved dignity .
+O ! that estates , degrees , and offices
+Were not deriv'd corruptly , and that clear honour
+Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer .
+How many then should cover that stand bare ;
+How many be commanded that command ;
+How much low peasantry would then be glean'd
+From the true seed of honour ; and how much honour
+Pick'd from the chaff and ruin of the times
+To be new varnish'd ! Well , but to my choice :
+Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves .
+I will assume desert . Give me a key for this ,
+And instantly unlock my fortunes here .
+
+
+Too long a pause for that which you find there .
+
+What's here ? the portrait of a blinking idiot ,
+Presenting me a schedule ! I will read it .
+How much unlike art thou to Portia !
+How much unlike my hopes and my deservings !
+Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves .
+Did I deserve no more than a fool's head ?
+Is that my prize ? are my deserts no better ?
+
+To offend , and judge , are distinct offices ,
+And of opposed natures .
+
+What is here ?
+
+The fire seven times tried this :
+Seven times tried that judgment is
+That did never choose amiss .
+Some there be that shadows kiss ;
+Such have but a shadow's bliss :
+There be fools alive , I wis ,
+Silver'd o'er ; and so was this .
+Take what wife you will to bed ,
+I will ever be your head :
+So be gone , sir : you are sped .
+
+
+Still more fool I shall appear
+By the time I linger here :
+With one fool's head I came to woo ,
+But I go away with two .
+Sweet , adieu . I'll keep my oath ,
+Patiently to bear my wroth .
+
+Thus hath the candle sing'd the moth .
+O , these deliberate fools ! when they do choose ,
+They have the wisdom by their wit to lose .
+
+The ancient saying is no heresy :
+'Hanging and wiving goes by destiny .'
+
+Come , draw the curtain , Nerissa .
+
+
+Where is my lady ?
+
+Here ; what would my lord ?
+
+Madam , there is alighted at your gate
+A young Venetian , one that comes before
+To signify the approaching of his lord ;
+From whom he bringeth sensible regreets ,
+To wit , besides commends and courteous breath ,
+Gifts of rich value . Yet I have not seen
+So likely an embassador of love .
+A day in April never came so sweet ,
+To show how costly summer was at hand ,
+As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord .
+
+No more , I pray thee : I am half afeard
+Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee ,
+Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him .
+Come , come , Nerissa ; for I long to see
+Quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly .
+
+Bassanio , lord Love , if thy will it be !
+
+Now , what news on the Rialto ?
+
+Why , yet it lives there unchecked that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wracked on the narrow seas ; the Goodwins , I think they call the place ; a very dangerous flat , and fatal , where the carcasses of many a tall ship lie buried , as they say , if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her word .
+
+I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever knapped ginger , or made her neighbours believe she wept for the death of a third husband . But it is true ,without any slips of prolixity or crossing the plain highway of talk ,that the good Antonio , the honest Antonio ,O , that I had a title good enough to keep his name company !
+
+Come , the full stop .
+
+Ha ! what sayst thou ? Why , the end is , he hath lost a ship .
+
+I would it might prove the end of his losses .
+
+Let me say 'amen' betimes , lest the devil cross my prayer , for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew .
+
+How now , Shylock ! what news among the merchants ?
+
+You knew , none so well , none so well as you , of my daughter's flight .
+
+That's certain : I , for my part , knew the tailor that made the wings she flew withal .
+
+And Shylock , for his own part , knew the bird was fledged ; and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam .
+
+She is damned for it .
+
+That's certain , if the devil may be her judge .
+
+My own flesh and blood to rebel !
+
+Out upon it , old carrion ! rebels it at these years ?
+
+I say my daughter is my flesh and blood .
+
+There is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory ; more between your bloods than there is between red wine and Rhenish . But tell us , do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no ?
+
+There I have another bad match : a bankrupt , a prodigal , who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto ; a beggar , that used to come so smug upon the mart ; let him look to his bond : he was wont to call me usurer ; let him look to his bond : he was wont to lend money for a Christian courtesy ; let him look to his bond .
+
+Why , I am sure , if he forfeit thou wilt not take his flesh : what's that good for ?
+
+To bait fish withal : if it will feed nothing else , it will feed my revenge . He hath disgraced me , and hindered me half a million , laughed at my losses , mocked at my gains , scorned my nation , thwarted my bargains , cooled my friends , heated mine enemies ; and what's his reason ? I am a Jew . Hath not a Jew eyes ? hath not a Jew hands , organs , dimensions , senses , affections , passions ? fed with the same food , hurt with the same weapons , subject to the same diseases , healed by the same means , warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer , as a Christian is ? If you prick us , do we not bleed ? if you tickle us , do we not laugh ? if you poison us , do we not die ? and if you wrong us , shall we not revenge ? If we are like you in the rest , we will resemble you in that . If a Jew wrong a Christian , what is his humility ? Revenge . If a Christian wrong a Jew , what should his sufferance be by Christian example ? Why , revenge . The villany you teach me I will execute , and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction .
+
+
+Gentlemen , my master Antonio is at his house , and desires to speak with you both .
+
+We have been up and down to seek him .
+
+
+Here comes another of the tribe : a third cannot be matched , unless the devil himself turn Jew .
+
+
+How now , Tubal ! what news from Genoa ? Hast thou found my daughter ?
+
+I often came where I did hear of her , but cannot find her .
+
+Why there , there , there ! a diamond gone , cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfort ! The curse never fell upon our nation till now ; I never felt it till now : two thousand ducats in that ; and other precious , precious jewels . I would my daughter were dead at my foot , and the jewels in her ear ! would she were hearsed at my foot , and the ducats in her coffin ! No news of them ? Why , so : and I know not what's spent in the search : Why thou loss upon loss ! the thief gone with so much , and so much to find the thief ; and no satisfaction , no revenge : nor no ill luck stirring but what lights on my shoulders ; no sighs but of my breathing ; no tears but of my shedding .
+
+Yes , other men have ill luck too . Antonio , as I heard in Genoa ,
+
+What , what , what ? ill luck , ill luck ?
+
+hath an argosy cast away , coming from Tripolis .
+
+I thank God ! I thank God ! Is it true ? is it true ?
+
+I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wrack .
+
+I thank thee , good Tubal . Good news , good news ! ha , ha ! Where ? in Genoa ?
+
+Your daughter spent in Genoa , as I heard , one night , fourscore ducats .
+
+Thou stick'st a dagger in me : I shall never see my gold again : fourscore ducats at a sitting ! fourscore ducats !
+
+There came divers of Antonio's creditors in my company to Venice , that swear he cannot choose but break .
+
+I am very glad of it : I'll plague him ; I'll torture him : I am glad of it .
+
+One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey .
+
+Out upon her ! Thou torturest me , Tubal : it was my turquoise ; I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor : I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys .
+
+But Antonio is certainly undone .
+
+Nay , that's true , that's very true . Go , Tubal , fee me an officer ; bespeak him a fortnight before . I will have the heart of him , if he forfeit ; for , were he out of Venice , I can make what merchandise I will . Go , go , Tubal , and meet me at our synagogue ; go , good Tubal ; at our synagogue , Tubal .
+
+
+I pray you , tarry : pause a day or two
+Before you hazard ; for , in choosing wrong .
+I lose your company : therefore , forbear awhile .
+There's something tells me , but it is not love ,
+I would not lose you ; and you know yourself ,
+Hate counsels not in such a quality .
+But lest you should not understand me well ,
+And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought ,
+I would detain you here some month or two
+Before you venture for me . I could teach you
+How to choose right , but then I am forsworn ;
+So will I never be : so may you miss me ;
+But if you do , you'll make me wish a sin ,
+That I had been forsworn . Beshrew your eyes ,
+They have o'erlook'd me and divided me :
+One half of me is yours , the other half yours ,
+Mine own , I would say ; but if mine , then yours ,
+And so all yours . O ! these naughty times
+Put bars between the owners and their rights ;
+And so , though yours , not yours . Prove it so ,
+Let fortune go to hell for it , not I .
+I speak too long ; but 'tis to peise the time ,
+To eke it and to draw it out in length ,
+To stay you from election .
+
+Let me choose ;
+For as I am , I live upon the rack .
+
+Upon the rack , Bassanio ! then confess
+What treason there is mingled with your love .
+
+None but that ugly treason of mistrust ,
+Which makes me fear th' enjoying of my love :
+There may as well be amity and life
+'Tween snow and fire , as treason and my love .
+
+Ay , but I fear you speak upon the rack ,
+Where men enforced do speak anything .
+
+Promise me life , and I'll confess the truth .
+
+Well then , confess , and live .
+
+'Confess' and 'love'
+Had been the very sum of my confession :
+O happy torment , when my torturer
+Doth teach me answers for deliverance !
+But let me to my fortune and the caskets .
+
+Away then ! I am lock'd in one of them :
+If you do love me , you will find me out .
+Nerissa and the rest , stand all aloof .
+Let music sound while he doth make his choice ;
+Then , if he lose , he makes a swan-like end ,
+Fading in music : that the comparison
+May stand more proper , my eye shall be the stream
+And watery death-bed for him . He may win ;
+And what is music then ? then music is
+Even as the flourish when true subjects bow
+To a new-crowned monarch : such it is
+As are those dulcet sounds in break of day
+That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear ,
+And summon him to marriage . Now he goes ,
+With no less presence , but with much more love ,
+Than young Alcides , when he did redeem
+The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy
+To the sea-monster : I stand for sacrifice ;
+The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives ,
+With bleared visages , come forth to view
+The issue of the exploit . Go , Hercules !
+Live thou , I live : with much , much more dismay
+I view the fight than thou that mak'st the fray .
+
+
+Tell me where is fancy bred ,
+Or in the heart or in the head ?
+How begot , how nourished ?
+Reply , reply .
+It is engender'd in the eyes ,
+With gazing fed ; and fancy dies
+In the cradle where it lies
+Let us all ring fancy's knell ;
+I'll begin it ,Ding , dong , bell .
+
+
+Ding , dong , bell .
+
+So may the outward shows be least themselves :
+The world is still deceiv'd with ornament .
+In law , what plea so tainted and corrupt
+But , being season'd with a gracious voice ,
+Obscures the show of evil ? In religion ,
+What damned error , but some sober brow
+Will bless it and approve it with a text ,
+Hiding the grossness with fair ornament ?
+There is no vice so simple but assumes
+Some mark of virtue on his outward parts .
+How many cowards , whose hearts are all as false
+As stairs of sand , wear yet upon their chins
+The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars ,
+Who , inward search'd , have livers white as milk ;
+And these assume but valour's excrement
+To render them redoubted ! Look on beauty ,
+And you shall see 'tis purchas'd by the weight ;
+Which therein works a miracle in nature ,
+Making them lightest that wear most of it :
+So are those crisped snaky golden locks
+Which make such wanton gambols with the wind ,
+Upon supposed fairness , often known
+To be the dowry of a second head ,
+The skull that bred them , in the sepulchre .
+Thus ornament is but the guiled shore
+To a most dangerous sea ; the beauteous scarf
+Veiling an Indian beauty ; in a word ,
+The seeming truth which cunning times put on
+To entrap the wisest . Therefore , thou gaudy gold ,
+Hard food for Midas , I will none of thee ;
+Nor none of thee , thou pale and common drudge
+'Tween man and man : but thou , thou meagre lead ,
+Which rather threat'nest than dost promise aught ,
+Thy plainness moves me more than eloquence ,
+And here choose I : joy be the consequence !
+
+How all the other passions fleet to air ,
+As doubtful thoughts , and rash-embrac'd despair ,
+And shuddering fear , and green-ey'd jealousy .
+O love ! be moderate ; allay thy ecstasy ;
+In measure rain thy joy ; scant this excess ;
+I feel too much thy blessing ; make it less ,
+For fear I surfeit !
+
+What find I here ?
+
+Fair Portia's counterfeit ! What demi-god
+Hath come so near creation ? Move these eyes ?
+Or whether , riding on the balls of mine ,
+Seem they in motion ? Here are sever'd lips ,
+Parted with sugar breath ; so sweet a bar
+Should sunder such sweet friends . Here , in her hairs
+The painter plays the spider , and hath woven
+A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men
+Faster than gnats in cobwebs : but her eyes !
+How could he see to do them ? having made one ,
+Methinks it should have power to steal both his
+And leave itself unfurnish'd : yet look , how far
+The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow
+In underprizing it , so far this shadow
+Doth limp behind the substance . Here's the scroll ,
+The continent and summary of my fortune .
+
+You that choose not by the view ,
+Chance as fair and choose as true !
+Since this fortune falls to you ,
+Be content and seek no new .
+If you be well pleas'd with this
+And hold your fortune for your bliss ,
+Turn you where your lady is
+And claim her with a loving kiss .
+
+A gentle scroll . Fair lady , by your leave ;
+
+I come by note , to give and to receive .
+Like one of two contending in a prize ,
+That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes ,
+Hearing applause and universal shout ,
+Giddy in spirit , still gazing in a doubt
+Whether those peals of praise be his or no ;
+So , thrice-fair lady , stand I , even so ,
+As doubtful whether what I see be true ,
+Until confirm'd , sign'd , ratified by you .
+
+You see me , Lord Bassanio , where I stand ,
+Such as I am : though for myself alone
+I would not be ambitious in my wish ,
+To wish myself much better ; yet , for you
+I would be trebled twenty times myself ;
+A thousand times more fair , ten thousand times
+More rich ;
+That only to stand high in your account ,
+I might in virtues , beauties , livings , friends ,
+Exceed account : but the full sum of me
+Is sum of nothing ; which , to term in gross ,
+Is an unlesson'd girl , unschool'd , unpractis'd ;
+Happy in this , she is not yet so old
+But she may learn ; happier than this ,
+She is not bred so dull but she can learn ;
+Happiest of all is that her gentle spirit
+Commits itself to yours to be directed ,
+As from her lord , her governor , her king .
+Myself and what is mine to you and yours
+Is now converted : but now I was the lord
+Of this fair mansion , master of my servants ,
+Queen o'er myself ; and even now , but now ,
+This house , these servants , and this same myself
+Are yours , my lord . I give them with this ring ;
+Which when you part from , lose , or give away ,
+Let it presage the ruin of your love ,
+And be my vantage to exclaim on you .
+
+Madam , you have bereft me of all words ,
+Only my blood speaks to you in my veins ;
+And there is such confusion in my powers ,
+As , after some oration fairly spoke
+By a beloved prince , there doth appear
+Among the buzzing pleased multitude ;
+Where every something , being blent together ,
+Turns to a wild of nothing , save of joy ,
+Express'd and not express'd . But when this ring
+Parts from this finger , then parts life from hence :
+O ! then be bold to say Bassanio's dead .
+
+My lord and lady , it is now our time ,
+That have stood by and seen our wishes prosper ,
+To cry , good joy . Good joy , my lord and lady !
+
+My Lord Bassanio and my gentle lady ,
+I wish you all the joy that you can wish ;
+For I am sure you can wish none from me :
+And when your honours mean to solemnize
+The bargain of your faith , I do beseech you ,
+Even at that time I may be married too .
+
+With all my heart , so thou canst get a wife .
+
+I thank your lordship , you have got me one .
+My eyes , my lord , can look as swift as yours :
+You saw the mistress , I beheld the maid ;
+You lov'd , I lov'd for intermission .
+No more pertains to me , my lord , than you .
+Your fortune stood upon the caskets there ,
+And so did mine too , as the matter falls ;
+For wooing here until I sweat again ,
+And swearing till my very roof was dry
+With oaths of love , at last , if promise last ,
+I got a promise of this fair one here
+To have her love , provided that your fortune
+Achiev'd her mistress .
+
+Is this true , Nerissa ?
+
+Madam , it is , so you stand pleas'd withal .
+
+And do you , Gratiano , mean good faith ?
+
+Yes , faith , my lord .
+
+Our feast shall be much honour'd in your marriage .
+
+We'll play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats .
+
+What ! and stake down ?
+
+No ; we shall ne'er win at that sport , and stake down .
+But who comes here ? Lorenzo and his infidel ?
+What ! and my old Venetian friend , Salanio ?
+
+
+Lorenzo , and Salanio , welcome hither ,
+If that the youth of my new interest here
+Have power to bid you welcome . By your leave ,
+I bid my very friends and countrymen ,
+Sweet Portia , welcome .
+
+So do I , my lord :
+They are entirely welcome .
+
+I thank your honour . For my part , my lord ,
+My purpose was not to have seen you here ;
+But meeting with Salanio by the way ,
+He did entreat me , past all saying nay ,
+To come with him along .
+
+I did , my lord ,
+And I have reason for it . Signior Antonio
+Commends him to you .
+
+
+Ere I ope his letter ,
+I pray you , tell me how my good friend doth .
+
+Not sick , my lord , unless it be in mind ;
+Nor well , unless in mind : his letter there
+Will show you his estate .
+
+Nerissa , cheer yon stranger ; bid her welcome .
+Your hand , Salanio . What's the news from Venice ?
+How doth that royal merchant , good Antonio ?
+I know he will be glad of our success ;
+We are the Jasons , we have won the fleece .
+
+I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost .
+
+There are some shrewd contents in yon same paper ,
+That steal the colour from Bassanio's cheek :
+Some dear friend dead , else nothing in the world
+Could turn so much the constitution
+Of any constant man . What , worse and worse !
+With leave , Bassanio ; I am half yourself ,
+And I must freely have the half of anything
+That this same paper brings you .
+
+O sweet Portia !
+Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words
+That ever blotted paper . Gentle lady ,
+When I did first impart my love to you ,
+I freely told you all the wealth I had
+Ran in my veins , I was a gentleman :
+And then I told you true ; and yet , dear lady ,
+Rating myself at nothing , you shall see
+How much I was a braggart . When I told you
+My state was nothing , I should then have told you
+That I was worse than nothing ; for , indeed ,
+I have engag'd myself to a dear friend ,
+Engag'd my friend to his mere enemy ,
+To feed my means . Here is a letter , lady ;
+The paper as the body of my friend ,
+And every word in it a gaping wound ,
+Issuing life-blood . But is it true , Salanio ?
+Hath all his ventures fail'd ? What , not one hit ?
+From Tripolis , from Mexico , and England ,
+From Lisbon , Barbary , and India ?
+And not one vessel 'scape the dreadful touch
+Of merchant-marring rocks ?
+
+Not one , my lord .
+Besides , it should appear , that if he had
+The present money to discharge the Jew ,
+He would not take it . Never did I know
+A creature , that did bear the shape of man ,
+So keen and greedy to confound a man .
+He plies the duke at morning and at night ,
+And doth impeach the freedom of the state ,
+If they deny him justice : twenty merchants ,
+The duke himself , and the magnificoes
+Of greatest port , have all persuaded with him ;
+But none can drive him from the envious plea
+Of forfeiture , of justice , and his bond .
+
+When I was with him , I have heard him swear
+To Tubal and to Chus , his countrymen ,
+That he would rather have Antonio's flesh
+Than twenty times the value of the sum
+That he did owe him ; and I know , my lord ,
+If law , authority , and power deny not ,
+It will go hard with poor Antonio .
+
+Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble ?
+
+The dearest friend to me , the kindest man ,
+The best-condition'd and unwearied spirit
+In doing courtesies , and one in whom
+The ancient Roman honour more appears
+Than any that draws breath in Italy .
+
+What sum owes he the Jew ?
+
+For me , three thousand ducats .
+
+What , no more ?
+Pay him six thousand , and deface the bond ;
+Double six thousand , and then treble that ,
+Before a friend of this description
+Shall lose a hair thorough Bassanio's fault .
+First go with me to church and call me wife ,
+And then away to Venice to your friend ;
+For never shall you lie by Portia's side
+With an unquiet soul . You shall have gold
+To pay the petty debt twenty times over :
+When it is paid , bring your true friend along .
+My maid Nerissa and myself meantime ,
+Will live as maids and widows . Come , away !
+For you shall hence upon your wedding-day .
+Bid your friends welcome , show a merry cheer ;
+Since you are dear bought , I will love you dear .
+But let me hear the letter of your friend .
+
+Sweet Bassanio , my ships have all miscarried , my creditors grow cruel , my estate is very low , my bond to the Jew is forfeit ; and since , in paying it , it is impossible I should live , all debts are cleared between you and I , if I might but see you at my death . Notwithstanding , use your pleasure : if your love do not persuade you to come , let not my letter .
+
+O love , dispatch all business , and be gone !
+
+Since I have your good leave to go away ,
+I will make haste ; but , till I come again ,
+No bed shall e'er be guilty of my stay ,
+Nor rest be interposer 'twixt us twain .
+
+
+Gaoler , look to him : tell not me of mercy ;
+This is the fool that lent out money gratis :
+Gaoler , look to him .
+
+Hear me yet , good Shylock .
+
+I'll have my bond ; speak not against my bond :
+I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond .
+Thou call'dst me dog before thou hadst a cause ,
+But , since I am a dog , beware my fangs :
+The duke shall grant me justice . I do wonder ,
+Thou naughty gaoler , that thou art so fond
+To come abroad with him at his request .
+
+I pray thee , hear me speak .
+
+I'll have my bond ; I will not hear thee speak :
+I'll have my bond , and therefore speak no more .
+I'll not be made a soft and dull-eyed fool ,
+To shake the head , relent , and sigh , and yield
+To Christian intercessors . Follow not ;
+I'll have no speaking ; I will have my bond .
+
+
+It is the most impenetrable cur
+That ever kept with men .
+
+Let him alone :
+I'll follow him no more with bootless prayers .
+He seeks my life ; his reason well I know .
+I oft deliver'd from his forfeitures
+Many that have at times made moan to me ;
+Therefore he hates me .
+
+I am sure the duke
+Will never grant this forfeiture to hold .
+
+The duke cannot deny the course of law :
+For the commodity that strangers have
+With us in Venice , if it be denied ,
+'Twill much impeach the justice of the state ;
+Since that the trade and profit of the city
+Consisteth of all nations . Therefore , go :
+These griefs and losses have so bated me ,
+That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
+To-morrow to my bloody creditor .
+Well , gaoler , on . Pray God , Bassanio come
+To see me pay his debt , and then I care not !
+
+
+Madam , although I speak it in your presence ,
+You have a noble and a true conceit
+Of god-like amity ; which appears most strongly
+In bearing thus the absence of your lord .
+But if you knew to whom you show this honour ,
+How true a gentleman you send relief ,
+How dear a lover of my lord your husband ,
+I know you would be prouder of the work
+Than customary bounty can enforce you .
+
+I never did repent for doing good ,
+Nor shall not now : for in companions
+That do converse and waste the time together ,
+Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love ,
+There must be needs a like proportion
+Of lineaments , of manners , and of spirit ;
+Which makes me think that this Antonio ,
+Being the bosom lover of my lord ,
+Must needs be like my lord . If it be so ,
+How little is the cost I have bestow'd
+In purchasing the semblance of my soul
+From out the state of hellish cruelty !
+This comes too near the praising of myself ;
+Therefore , no more of it : hear other things .
+Lorenzo , I commit into your hands
+The husbandry and manage of my house
+Until my lord's return : for mine own part ,
+I have toward heaven breath'd a secret vow
+To live in prayer and contemplation ,
+Only attended by Nerissa here ,
+Until her husband and my lord's return .
+There is a monastery two miles off ,
+And there will we abide . I do desire you
+Not to deny this imposition ,
+The which my love and some necessity
+Now lays upon you .
+
+Madam , with all my heart :
+I shall obey you in all fair commands .
+
+My people do already know my mind ,
+And will acknowledge you and Jessica
+In place of Lord Bassanio and myself .
+So fare you well till we shall meet again .
+
+Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you !
+
+I wish your ladyship all heart's content .
+
+I thank you for your wish , and am well pleas'd
+To wish it back on you : fare you well , Jessica .
+
+Now , Balthazar ,
+As I have ever found thee honest-true ,
+So let me find thee still . Take this same letter ,
+And use thou all the endeavour of a man
+In speed to Padua : see thou render this
+Into my cousin's hand , Doctor Bellario ;
+And , look , what notes and garments he doth give thee ,
+Bring them , I pray thee , with imagin'd speed
+Unto the traject , to the common ferry
+Which trades to Venice . Waste no time in words ,
+But get thee gone : I shall be there before thee .
+
+Madam , I go with all convenient speed .
+
+
+Come on , Nerissa : I have work in hand
+That you yet know not of : we'll see our husbands
+Before they think of us .
+
+Shall they see us ?
+
+They shall , Nerissa ; but in such a habit
+That they shall think we are accomplished
+With that we lack . I'll hold thee any wager ,
+When we are both accoutred like young men ,
+I'll prove the prettier fellow of the two ,
+And wear my dagger with the braver grace ,
+And speak between the change of man and boy
+With a reed voice , and turn two mincing steps
+Into a manly stride , and speak of frays
+Like a fine bragging youth , and tell quaint lies ,
+How honourable ladies sought my love ,
+Which I denying , they fell sick and died :
+I could not do withal ; then I'll repent ,
+And wish , for all that , that I had not kill'd them :
+And twenty of these puny lies I'll tell ,
+That men shall swear I have discontinu'd school
+Above a twelvemonth . I have within my mind
+A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks ,
+Which I will practise .
+
+Why , shall we turn to men ?
+
+Fie , what a question's that ,
+If thou wert near a lewd interpreter !
+But come : I'll tell thee all my whole device
+When I am in my coach , which stays for us
+At the park gate ; and therefore haste away ,
+For we must measure twenty miles to-day .
+
+
+Yes , truly ; for , look you , the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children ; therefore , I promise you , I fear you . I was always plain with you , and so now I speak my agitation of the matter : therefore be of good cheer ; for , truly , I think you are damned . There is but one hope in it that can do you any good , and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither .
+
+And what hope is that , I pray thee ?
+
+Marry , you may partly hope that your father got you not , that you are not the Jew's daughter .
+
+That were a kind of bastard hope , indeed : so the sins of my mother should be visited upon me .
+
+Truly then I fear you are damned both by father and mother : thus when I shun Scylla , your father , I fall into Charybdis , your mother : well , you are gone both ways .
+
+I shall be saved by my husband ; he hath made me a Christian .
+
+Truly the more to blame he : we were Christians enow before ; e'en as many as could well live one by another . This making of Christians will raise the price of hogs : if we grow all to be pork-eaters , we shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money .
+
+I'll tell my husband , Launcelot , what you say : here he comes .
+
+
+I shall grow jealous of you shortly , Launcelot , if you thus get my wife into corners .
+
+Nay , you need not fear us , Lorenzo : Launcelot and I are out . He tells me flatly , there is no mercy for me in heaven , because I am a Jew's daughter : and he says you are no good member of the commonwealth , for , in converting Jews to Christians , you raise the price of pork .
+
+I shall answer that better to the commonwealth than you can the getting up of the negro's belly : the Moor is with child by you , Launcelot .
+
+It is much that the Moor should be more than reason ; but if she be less than an honest woman , she is indeed more than I took her for .
+
+How every fool can play upon the word ! I think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence , and discourse grow commendable in none only but parrots . Go in , sirrah : bid them prepare for dinner .
+
+That is done , sir ; they have all stomachs .
+
+Goodly Lord , what a wit-snapper are you ! then bid them prepare dinner .
+
+That is done too , sir ; only , 'cover' is the word .
+
+Will you cover , then , sir ?
+
+Not so , sir , neither ; I know my duty .
+
+Yet more quarrelling with occasion ! Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant ? I pray thee , understand a plain man in his plain meaning : go to thy fellows ; bid them cover the table , serve in the meat , and we will come in to dinner .
+
+For the table , sir , it shall be served in ; for the meat , sir , it shall be covered ; for your coming in to dinner , sir , why , let it be as humours and conceits shall govern .
+
+
+O dear discretion , how his words are suited !
+The fool hath planted in his memory
+An army of good words : and I do know
+A many fools , that stand in better place ,
+Garnish'd like him , that for a tricksy word
+Defy the matter . How cheer'st thou , Jessica ?
+And now , good sweet , say thy opinion ;
+How dost thou like the Lord Bassanio's wife ?
+
+Past all expressing . It is very meet ,
+The Lord Bassanio live an upright life ,
+For , having such a blessing in his lady ,
+He finds the joys of heaven here on earth ;
+And if on earth he do not mean it , then
+In reason he should never come to heaven .
+Why , if two gods should play some heavenly match ,
+And on the wager lay two earthly women ,
+And Portia one , there must be something else
+Pawn'd with the other , for the poor rude world
+Hath not her fellow .
+
+Even such a husband
+Hast thou of me as she is for a wife .
+
+Nay , but ask my opinion too of that .
+
+I will anon ; first , let us go to dinner .
+
+Nay , let me praise you while I have a stomach .
+
+No , pray thee , let it serve for table-talk ; Then howsoe'er thou speak'st , 'mong other things I shall digest it .
+
+Well , I'll set you forth .
+
+What , is Antonio here ?
+
+Ready , so please your Grace .
+
+I am sorry for thee : thou art come to answer
+A stony adversary , an inhuman wretch
+Uncapable of pity , void and empty
+From any dram of mercy .
+
+I have heard
+Your Grace hath ta'en great pains to qualify
+His rigorous course ; but since he stands obdurate ,
+And that no lawful means can carry me
+Out of his envy's reach , I do oppose
+My patience to his fury , and am arm'd
+To suffer with a quietness of spirit
+The very tyranny and rage of his .
+
+Go one , and call the Jew into the court .
+
+He's ready at the door : he comes , my lord .
+
+
+Make room , and let him stand before our face .
+Shylock , the world thinks , and I think so too ,
+That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice
+To the last hour of act ; and then 'tis thought
+Thou'lt show thy mercy and remorse more strange
+Than is thy strange-apparent cruelty ;
+And where thou now exact'st the penalty ,
+Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh ,
+Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture ,
+But , touch'd with human gentleness and love ,
+Forgive a moiety of the principal ;
+Glancing an eye of pity on his losses ,
+That have of late so huddled on his back ,
+Enow to press a royal merchant down ,
+And pluck commiseration of his state
+From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint ,
+From stubborn Turks and Tartars , never train'd
+To offices of tender courtesy .
+We all expect a gentle answer , Jew .
+
+I have possess'd your Grace of what I purpose ;
+And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn
+To have the due and forfeit of my bond :
+If you deny it , let the danger light
+Upon your charter and your city's freedom .
+You'll ask me , why I rather choose to have
+A weight of carrion flesh than to receive
+Three thousand ducats : I'll not answer that :
+But say it is my humour : is it answer'd ?
+What if my house be troubled with a rat ,
+And I be pleas'd to give ten thousand ducats
+To have it ban'd ? What , are you answer'd yet ?
+Some men there are love not a gaping pig ;
+Some , that are mad if they behold a cat ;
+And others , when the bagpipe sings i' the nose ,
+Cannot contain their urine : for affection ,
+Mistress of passion , sways it to the mood
+Of what it likes , or loathes . Now , for your answer :
+As there is no firm reason to be render'd ,
+Why he cannot abide a gaping pig ;
+Why he , a harmless necessary cat ;
+Why he , a wauling bagpipe ; but of force
+Must yield to such inevitable shame
+As to offend , himself being offended ;
+So can I give no reason , nor I will not ,
+More than a lodg'd hate and a certain loathing
+I bear Antonio , that I follow thus
+A losing suit against him . Are you answer'd ?
+
+This is no answer , thou unfeeling man ,
+To excuse the current of thy cruelty .
+
+I am not bound to please thee with my answer .
+
+Do all men kill the things they do not love ?
+
+Hates any man the thing he would not kill ?
+
+Every offence is not a hate at first .
+
+What ! wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice ?
+
+I pray you , think you question with the Jew :
+You may as well go stand upon the beach ,
+And bid the main flood bate his usual height ;
+You may as well use question with the wolf ,
+Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb ;
+You may as well forbid the mountain pines
+To wag their high tops , and to make no noise
+When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven ;
+You may as well do anything most hard ,
+As seek to soften that than which what's harder ?
+His Jewish heart : therefore , I do beseech you ,
+Make no more offers , use no further means ;
+But with all brief and plain conveniency ,
+Let me have judgment , and the Jew his will .
+
+For thy three thousand ducats here is six .
+
+If every ducat in six thousand ducats
+Were in six parts and every part a ducat ,
+I would not draw them ; I would have my bond .
+
+How shalt thou hope for mercy , rendering none ?
+
+What judgment shall I dread , doing no wrong ?
+You have among you many a purchas'd slave ,
+Which , like your asses and your dogs and mules ,
+You use in abject and in slavish parts ,
+Because you bought them : shall I say to you ,
+Let them be free , marry them to your heirs ?
+Why sweat they under burdens ? let their beds
+Be made as soft as yours , and let their palates
+Be season'd with such viands ? You will answer :
+'The slaves are ours :' so do I answer you :
+The pound of flesh which I demand of him ,
+Is dearly bought ; 'tis mine and I will have it .
+If you deny me , fie upon your law !
+There is no force in the decrees of Venice .
+I stand for judgment : answer ; shall I have it ?
+
+Upon my power I may dismiss this court ,
+Unless Bellario , a learned doctor ,
+Whom I have sent for to determine this ,
+Come here to-day .
+
+My lord , here stays without
+A messenger with letters from the doctor ,
+New come from Padua .
+
+Bring us the letters : call the messenger .
+
+Good cheer , Antonio ! What , man , courage yet !
+The Jew shall have my flesh , blood , bones , and all ,
+Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood .
+
+I am a tainted wether of the flock ,
+Meetest for death : the weakest kind of fruit
+Drops earliest to the ground ; and so let me :
+You cannot better be employ'd , Bassanio ,
+Than to live still , and write mine epitaph .
+
+
+Came you from Padua , from Bellario ?
+
+From both , my lord . Bellario greets your Grace .
+
+
+Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly ?
+
+To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there .
+
+Not on thy sole , but on thy soul , harsh Jew ,
+Thou mak'st thy knife keen ; but no metal can ,
+No , not the hangman's axe , bear half the keenness
+Of thy sharp envy . Can no prayers pierce thee ?
+
+No , none that thou hast wit enough to make .
+
+O , be thou damn'd , inexecrable dog !
+And for thy life let justice be accus'd .
+Thou almost mak'st me waver in my faith
+To hold opinion with Pythagoras ,
+That souls of animals infuse themselves
+Into the trunks of men : thy currish spirit
+Govern'd a wolf , who , hang'd for human slaughter ,
+Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet ,
+And whilst thou lay'st in thy unhallow'd dam ,
+Infus'd itself in thee ; for thy desires
+Are wolfish , bloody , starv'd , and ravenous .
+
+Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond ,
+Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud :
+Repair thy wit , good youth , or it will fall
+To cureless ruin . I stand here for law .
+
+This letter from Bellario doth commend
+A young and learned doctor to our court .
+Where is he ?
+
+He attendeth here hard by ,
+To know your answer , whether you'll admit him .
+
+With all my heart : some three or four of you
+Go give him courteous conduct to this place .
+Meantime , the court shall hear Bellario's letter .
+
+Your Grace shall understand that at the receipt of your letter I am very sick ; but in the instant that your messenger came , in loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome ; his name is Balthazar . I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant : we turned o'er many books together : he is furnished with my opinion ; which , bettered with his own learning ,the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend ,comes with him , at my importunity , to fill up your Grace's request in my stead I beseech you , let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation , for I never knew so young a body with so old a head . I leave him to your gracious acceptance , whose trial shall better publish his commendation .
+
+You hear the learn'd Bellario , what he writes :
+And here , I take it , is the doctor come .
+
+Give me your hand . Came you from old Bellario ?
+
+I did , my lord .
+
+You are welcome : take your place .
+Are you acquainted with the difference
+That holds this present question in the court ?
+
+I am informed throughly of the cause .
+Which is the merchant here , and which the Jew ?
+
+Antonio and old Shylock , both stand forth .
+
+Is your name Shylock ?
+
+Shylock is my name .
+
+Of a strange nature is the suit you follow ;
+Yet in such rule that the Venetian law
+Cannot impugn you as you do proceed .
+
+
+You stand within his danger , do you not ?
+
+Ay , so he says .
+
+Do you confess the bond ?
+
+I do .
+
+Then must the Jew be merciful .
+
+On what compulsion must I ? tell me that .
+
+The quality of mercy is not strain'd ,
+It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
+Upon the place beneath : it is twice bless'd ;
+It blesseth him that gives and him that takes :
+'Tis mightiest in the mightiest ; it becomes
+The throned monarch better than his crown ;
+His sceptre shows the force of temporal power ,
+The attribute to awe and majesty ,
+Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings ;
+But mercy is above this sceptred sway ,
+It is enthroned in the hearts of kings ,
+It is an attribute to God himself ,
+And earthly power doth then show likest God's
+When mercy seasons justice . Therefore , Jew ,
+Though justice be thy plea , consider this ,
+That in the course of justice none of us
+Should see salvation : we do pray for mercy ,
+And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
+The deeds of mercy . I have spoke thus much
+To mitigate the justice of thy plea ,
+Which if thou follow , this strict court of Venice
+Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there .
+
+My deeds upon my head ! I crave the law ,
+The penalty and forfeit of my bond .
+
+Is he not able to discharge the money ?
+
+Yes , here I tender it for him in the court ;
+Yea , twice the sum : if that will not suffice ,
+I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er ,
+On forfeit of my hands , my head , my heart .
+If this will not suffice , it must appear
+That malice bears down truth . And , I beseech you ,
+Wrest once the law to your authority :
+To do a great right , do a little wrong ,
+And curb this cruel devil of his will .
+
+It must not be . There is no power in Venice
+Can alter a decree established :
+'Twill be recorded for a precedent ,
+And many an error by the same example
+Will rush into the state . It cannot be .
+
+A Daniel come to judgment ! yea , a Daniel !
+O wise young judge , how I do honour thee !
+
+I pray you , let me look upon the bond .
+
+Here 'tis , most reverend doctor ; here it is .
+
+Shylock , there's thrice thy money offer'd thee .
+
+An oath , an oath , I have an oath in heaven :
+Shall I lay perjury upon my soul ?
+No , not for Venice .
+
+Why , this bond is forfeit ;
+And lawfully by this the Jew may claim
+A pound of flesh , to be by him cut off
+Nearest the merchant's heart . Be merciful :
+Take thrice thy money ; bid me tear the bond .
+
+When it is paid according to the tenour .
+It doth appear you are a worthy judge ;
+You know the law , your exposition
+Hath been most sound : I charge you by the law ,
+Whereof you are a well-deserving pillar ,
+Proceed to judgment : by my soul I swear
+There is no power in the tongue of man
+To alter me . I stay here on my bond .
+
+Most heartily I do beseech the court
+To give the judgment .
+
+Why then , thus it is :
+You must prepare your bosom for his knife .
+
+O noble judge ! O excellent young man !
+
+For , the intent and purpose of the law
+Hath full relation to the penalty ,
+Which here appeareth due upon the bond .
+
+'Tis very true ! O wise and upright judge !
+How much more elder art thou than thy looks !
+
+Therefore lay bare your bosom .
+
+Ay , 'his breast :'
+So says the bond :doth it not , noble judge ?
+'Nearest his heart :' those are the very words .
+
+It is so . Are there balance here to weigh
+The flesh ?
+
+I have them ready .
+
+Have by some surgeon , Shylock , on your charge ,
+To stop his wounds , lest he do bleed to death .
+
+Is it so nominated in the bond ?
+
+It is not so express'd ; but what of that ?
+'Twere good you do so much for charity .
+
+I cannot find it : 'tis not in the bond .
+
+You , merchant , have you anything to say ?
+
+But little : I am arm'd and well prepar'd .
+Give me your hand , Bassanio : fare you well !
+Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you ;
+For herein Fortune shows herself more kind
+Than is her custom : it is still her use
+To let the wretched man outlive his wealth ,
+To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow
+An age of poverty ; from which lingering penance
+Of such a misery doth she cut me off .
+Commend me to your honourable wife :
+Tell her the process of Antonio's end ;
+Say how I lov'd you , speak me fair in death ;
+And , when the tale is told , bid her be judge
+Whether Bassanio had not once a love .
+Repent not you that you shall lose your friend ,
+And he repents not that he pays your debt ;
+For if the Jew do cut but deep enough ,
+I'll pay it instantly with all my heart .
+
+Antonio , I am married to a wife
+Which is as dear to me as life itself ;
+But life itself , my wife , and all the world ,
+Are not with me esteem'd above thy life :
+I would lose all , ay , sacrifice them all ,
+Here to this devil , to deliver you .
+
+Your wife would give you little thanks for that ,
+If she were by to hear you make the offer .
+
+I have a wife , whom , I protest , I love :
+I would she were in heaven , so she could
+Entreat some power to change this currish Jew .
+
+'Tis well you offer it behind her back ;
+The wish would make else an unquiet house .
+
+These be the Christian husbands ! I have a daughter ;
+Would any of the stock of Barabbas
+Had been her husband rather than a Christian !
+We trifle time ; I pray thee , pursue sentence .
+
+A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine :
+The court awards it , and the law doth give it .
+
+Most rightful judge !
+
+And you must cut this flesh from off his breast :
+The law allows it , and the court awards it .
+
+Most learned judge ! A sentence ! come , prepare !
+
+Tarry a little : there is something else .
+This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood ;
+The words expressly are 'a pound of flesh :'
+Then take thy bond , take thou thy pound of flesh ;
+But , in the cutting it , if thou dost shed
+One drop of Christian blood , thy lands and goods
+Are , by the laws of Venice , confiscate
+Unto the state of Venice .
+
+O upright judge ! Mark , Jew : O learned judge !
+
+Is that the law ?
+
+Thyself shalt see the act ;
+For , as thou urgest justice , be assur'd
+Thou shalt have justice , more than thou desir'st .
+
+O learned judge ! Mark , Jew : a learned judge !
+
+I take this offer then : pay the bond thrice ,
+And let the Christian go .
+
+Here is the money .
+
+Soft !
+The Jew shall have all justice ; soft ! no haste :
+He shall have nothing but the penalty .
+
+O Jew ! an upright judge , a learned judge !
+
+Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh .
+Shed thou no blood ; nor cut thou less , nor more ,
+But just a pound of flesh : if thou tak'st more ,
+Or less , than a just pound , be it but so much
+As makes it light or heavy in the substance ,
+Or the division of the twentieth part
+Of one poor scruple , nay , if the scale do turn
+But in the estimation of a hair ,
+Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate .
+
+A second Daniel , a Daniel , Jew !
+Now , infidel , I have thee on the hip .
+
+Why doth the Jew pause ? take thy forfeiture .
+
+Give me my principal , and let me go .
+
+I have it ready for thee ; here it is .
+
+He hath refus'd it in the open court :
+He shall have merely justice , and his bond .
+
+A Daniel , still say I ; a second Daniel !
+I thank thee , Jew , for teaching me that word .
+
+Shall I not have barely my principal ?
+
+Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture ,
+To be so taken at thy peril , Jew .
+
+Why , then the devil give him good of it !
+I'll stay no longer question .
+
+Tarry , Jew :
+The law hath yet another hold on you .
+It is enacted in the laws of Venice ,
+If it be prov'd against an alien
+That by direct or indirect attempts
+He seek the life of any citizen ,
+The party 'gainst the which he doth contrive
+Shall seize one half his goods ; the other half
+Comes to the privy coffer of the state ;
+And the offender's life lies in the mercy
+Of the duke only , 'gainst all other voice .
+In which predicament , I say , thou stand'st ;
+For it appears by manifest proceeding ,
+That indirectly and directly too
+Thou hast contriv'd against the very life
+Of the defendant ; and thou hast incurr'd
+The danger formerly by me rehears'd .
+Down therefore and beg mercy of the duke .
+
+Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself :
+And yet , thy wealth being forfeit to the state ,
+Thou hast not left the value of a cord ;
+Therefore thou must be hang'd at the state's charge .
+
+That thou shalt see the difference of our spirits ,
+I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it .
+For half thy wealth , it is Antonio's ;
+The other half comes to the general state ,
+Which humbleness may drive into a fine .
+
+Ay , for the state ; not for Antonio .
+
+Nay , take my life and all ; pardon not that :
+You take my house when you do take the prop
+That doth sustain my house ; you take my life
+When you do take the means whereby I live .
+
+What mercy can you render him , Antonio ?
+
+A halter gratis ; nothing else , for God's sake !
+
+So please my lord the duke , and all the court ,
+To quit the fine for one half of his goods ,
+I am content ; so he will let me have
+The other half in use , to render it ,
+Upon his death , unto the gentleman
+That lately stole his daughter :
+Two things provided more , that , for this favour ,
+He presently become a Christian ;
+The other , that he do record a gift ,
+Here in the court , of all he dies possess'd ,
+Unto his son Lorenzo , and his daughter .
+
+He shall do this , or else I do recant
+The pardon that I late pronounced here .
+
+Art thou contented , Jew ? what dost thou say ?
+
+I am content .
+
+Clerk , draw a deed of gift .
+
+I pray you give me leave to go from hence :
+I am not well . Send the deed after me ,
+And I will sign it .
+
+Get thee gone , but do it .
+
+In christening thou shalt have two godfathers ;
+Had I been judge , thou shouldst have had ten more ,
+To bring thee to the gallows , not the font .
+
+
+Sir , I entreat you home with me to dinner .
+
+I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon :
+I must away this night toward Padua ,
+And it is meet I presently set forth .
+
+I am sorry that your leisure serves you not .
+Antonio , gratify this gentleman ,
+For , in my mind , you are much bound to him .
+
+
+Most worthy gentleman , I and my friend
+Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted
+Of grievous penalties ; in lieu whereof ,
+Three thousand ducats , due unto the Jew ,
+We freely cope your courteous pains withal .
+
+And stand indebted , over and above ,
+In love and service to you evermore .
+
+He is well paid that is well satisfied ;
+And I , delivering you , am satisfied ,
+And therein do account myself well paid :
+My mind was never yet more mercenary .
+I pray you , know me when we meet again :
+I wish you well , and so I take my leave .
+
+Dear sir , of force I must attempt you further :
+Take some remembrance of us , as a tribute ,
+Not as a fee . Grant me two things , I pray you ,
+Not to deny me , and to pardon me .
+
+You press me far , and therefore I will yield .
+
+
+Give me your gloves , I'll wear them for your sake ;
+
+
+And , for your love , I'll take this ring from you .
+Do not draw back your hand ; I'll take no more ;
+And you in love shall not deny me this .
+
+This ring , good sir ? alas ! it is a trifle ;
+I will not shame myself to give you this .
+
+I will have nothing else but only this ;
+And now methinks I have a mind to it .
+
+There's more depends on this than on the value .
+The dearest ring in Venice will I give you ,
+And find it out by proclamation :
+Only for this , I pray you , pardon me .
+
+I see , sir , you are liberal in offers :
+You taught me first to beg , and now methinks
+You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd .
+
+Good sir , this ring was given me by my wife ;
+And , when she put it on , she made me vow
+That I should never sell nor give nor lose it .
+
+That 'scuse serves many men to save their gifts .
+An if your wife be not a mad-woman ,
+And know how well I have deserv'd the ring ,
+She would not hold out enemy for ever ,
+For giving it to me . Well , peace be with you .
+
+
+My Lord Bassanio , let him have the ring :
+Let his deservings and my love withal
+Be valu'd 'gainst your wife's commandment .
+
+Go , Gratiano ; run and overtake him ;
+Give him the ring , and bring him , if thou canst ,
+Unto Antonio's house . Away ! make haste .
+
+Come , you and I will thither presently ,
+And in the morning early will we both
+Fly toward Belmont . Come , Antonio .
+
+
+Inquire the Jew's house out , give him this deed ,
+And let him sign it . We'll away to-night ,
+And be a day before our husbands home :
+This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo .
+
+
+Fair sir , you are well o'erta'en .
+My Lord Bassanio upon more advice
+Hath sent you here this ring , and doth entreat
+Your company at dinner .
+
+That cannot be :
+His ring I do accept most thankfully ;
+And so , I pray you , tell him : furthermore ,
+I pray you , show my youth old Shylock's house .
+
+That will I do .
+
+Sir , I would speak with you .
+
+
+I'll see if I can get my husband's ring ,
+Which I did make him swear to keep for ever .
+
+Thou mayst , I warrant . We shall have old swearing
+That they did give the rings away to men ;
+But we'll outface them , and outswear them too .
+Away ! make haste : thou know'st where I will tarry .
+
+Come , good sir , will you show me to this house ?
+
+The moon shines bright : in such a night as this ,
+When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees
+And they did make no noise , in such a night
+Troilus methinks mounted the Troyan walls ,
+And sigh'd his soul toward the Grecian tents ,
+Where Cressid lay that night .
+
+In such a night
+Did Thisbe fearfully o'ertrip the dew ,
+And saw the lion's shadow ere himself ,
+And ran dismay'd away .
+
+In such a night
+Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
+Upon the wild sea-banks , and waft her love
+To come again to Carthage .
+
+In such a night
+Medea gather'd the enchanted herbs
+That did renew old son .
+
+In such a night
+Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew ,
+And with an unthrift love did run from Venice ,
+As far as Belmont .
+
+In such a night
+Did young Lorenzo swear he lov'd her well ,
+Stealing her soul with many vows of faith ,
+And ne'er a true one .
+
+In such a night
+Did pretty Jessica , like a little shrew ,
+Slander her love , and he forgave it her .
+
+I would out-night you , did no body come ;
+But , hark ! I hear the footing of a man .
+
+
+Who comes so fast in silence of the night ?
+
+A friend .
+
+A friend ! what friend ? your name , I pray you , friend .
+
+Stephano is my name ; and I bring word
+My mistress will before the break of day
+Be here at Belmont : she doth stray about
+By holy crosses , where she kneels and prays
+For happy wedlock hours .
+
+Who comes with her ?
+
+None , but a holy hermit and her maid .
+I pray you , is my master yet return'd ?
+
+He is not , nor we have not heard from him .
+But go we in , I pray thee , Jessica ,
+And ceremoniously let us prepare
+Some welcome for the mistress of the house .
+
+
+Sola , sola ! wo ha , ho ! sola , sola !
+
+Who calls ?
+
+Sola ! did you see Master Lorenzo ?
+Master Lorenzo ! sola , sola !
+
+Leave hollaing , man ; here .
+
+Sola ! where ? where ?
+
+Here .
+
+Tell him there's a post come from my master , with his horn full of good news : my master will be here ere morning .
+
+
+Sweet soul , let's in , and there expect their coming .
+And yet no matter ; why should we go in ?
+My friend Stephano , signify , I pray you ,
+Within the house , your mistress is at hand ;
+And bring your music forth into the air .
+
+How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank !
+Here will we sit , and let the sounds of music
+Creep in our ears : soft stillness and the night
+Become the touches of sweet harmony .
+Sit , Jessica : look , how the floor of heaven
+Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold :
+There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st
+But in his motion like an angel sings ,
+Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins ;
+Such harmony is in immortal souls ;
+But , whilst this muddy vesture of decay
+Doth grossly close it in , we cannot hear it .
+
+Come , ho ! and wake Diana with a hymn :
+With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear ,
+And draw her home with music .
+
+
+I am never merry when I hear sweet music .
+
+The reason is , your spirits are attentive :
+For do but note a wild and wanton herd ,
+Or race of youthful and unhandled colts ,
+Fetching mad bounds , bellowing and neighing loud ,
+Which is the hot condition of their blood ;
+If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound ,
+Or any air of music touch their ears ,
+You shall perceive them make a mutual stand ,
+Their savage eyes turn'd to a modest gaze
+By the sweet power of music : therefore the poet
+Did feign that Orpheus drew trees , stones , and floods ;
+Since nought so stockish , hard , and full of rage ,
+But music for the time doth change his nature .
+The man that hath no music in himself ,
+Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds ,
+Is fit for treasons , stratagems , and spoils ;
+The motions of his spirit are dull as night ,
+And his affections dark as Erebus :
+Let no such man be trusted . Mark the music .
+
+
+That light we see is burning in my hall .
+How far that little candle throws his beams !
+So shines a good deed in a naughty world .
+
+When the moon shone , we did not see the candle .
+
+So doth the greater glory dim the less :
+A substitute shines brightly as a king
+Until a king be by , and then his state
+Empties itself , as doth an inland brook
+Into the main of waters . Music ! hark !
+
+It is your music , madam , of the house .
+
+Nothing is good , I see , without respect :
+Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day .
+
+Silence bestows that virtue on it , madam .
+
+The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark
+When neither is attended , and I think
+The nightingale , if she should sing by day ,
+When every goose is cackling , would be thought
+No better a musician than the wren .
+How many things by season season'd are
+To their right praise and true perfection !
+Peace , ho ! the moon sleeps with Endymion ,
+And would not be awak'd !
+
+
+That is the voice ,
+Or I am much deceiv'd , of Portia .
+
+He knows me , as the blind man knows the cuckoo ,
+By the bad voice .
+
+Dear lady , welcome home .
+
+We have been praying for our husbands' welfare ,
+Which speed , we hope , the better for our words .
+Are they return'd ?
+
+Madam , they are not yet ;
+But there is come a messenger before ,
+To signify their coming .
+
+Go in , Nerissa :
+Give order to my servants that they take
+No note at all of our being absent hence ;
+Nor you , Lorenzo ; Jessica , nor you .
+
+
+Your husband is at hand ; I hear his trumpet :
+We are no tell-tales , madam ; fear you not .
+
+This night methinks is but the daylight sick ;
+It looks a little paler : 'tis a day ,
+Such as the day is when the sun is hid .
+
+
+We should hold day with the Antipodes ,
+If you would walk in absence of the sun .
+
+Let me give light , but let me not be light ;
+For a light wife doth make a heavy husband ,
+And never be Bassanio so for me :
+But God sort all ! You are welcome home , my lord .
+
+I thank you , madam . Give welcome to my friend :
+This is the man , this is Antonio ,
+To whom I am so infinitely bound .
+
+You should in all sense be much bound to him ,
+For , as I hear , he was much bound for you .
+
+No more than I am well acquitted of .
+
+Sir , you are very welcome to our house :
+It must appear in other ways than words ,
+Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy .
+
+By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong ;
+In faith , I gave it to the judge's clerk :
+Would he were gelt that had it , for my part ,
+Since you do take it , love , so much at heart .
+
+A quarrel , ho , already ! what's the matter ?
+
+About a hoop of gold , a paltry ring
+That she did give me , whose poesy was
+For all the world like cutlers' poetry
+Upon a knife , 'Love me , and leave me not .'
+
+What talk you of the posy , or the value ?
+You swore to me , when I did give it you ,
+That you would wear it till your hour of death ,
+And that it should lie with you in your grave :
+Though not for me , yet for your vehement oaths ,
+You should have been respective and have kept it .
+Gave it a judge's clerk ! no , God's my judge ,
+The clerk will ne'er wear hair on's face that had it .
+
+He will , an if he live to be a man .
+
+Ay , if a woman live to be a man .
+
+Now , by this hand , I gave it to a youth ,
+A kind of boy , a little scrubbed boy ,
+No higher than thyself , the judge's clerk .
+A prating boy , that begg'd it as a fee :
+I could not for my heart deny it him .
+
+You were to blame ,I must be plain with you ,
+To part so slightly with your wife's first gift ;
+A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger ,
+And riveted so with faith unto your flesh .
+I gave my love a ring and made him swear
+Never to part with it ; and here he stands ,
+I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it
+Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth
+That the world masters . Now , in faith , Gratiano ,
+You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief :
+An 'twere to me , I should be mad at it .
+
+Why , I were best to cut my left hand off ,
+And swear I lost the ring defending it .
+
+My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away
+Unto the judge that begg'd it , and indeed
+Deserv'd it too ; and then the boy , his clerk ,
+That took some pains in writing , he begg'd mine ;
+And neither man nor master would take aught
+But the two rings .
+
+What ring gave you , my lord ?
+Not that , I hope , that you receiv'd of me .
+
+If I could add a lie unto a fault ,
+I would deny it ; but you see my finger
+Hath not the ring upon it ; it is gone .
+
+Even so void is your false heart of truth .
+By heaven , I will ne'er come in your bed
+Until I see the ring .
+
+Nor I in yours ,
+Till I again see mine .
+
+Sweet Portia ,
+If you did know to whom I gave the ring ,
+If you did know for whom I gave the ring ,
+And would conceive for what I gave the ring ,
+And how unwillingly I left the ring ,
+When naught would be accepted but the ring ,
+You would abate the strength of your displeasure .
+
+If you had known the virtue of the ring ,
+Or half her worthiness that gave the ring ,
+Or your own honour to contain the ring ,
+You would not then have parted with the ring .
+What man is there so much unreasonable ,
+If you had pleas'd to have defended it
+With any terms of zeal , wanted the modesty
+To urge the thing held as a ceremony ?
+Nerissa teaches me what to believe :
+I'll die for't but some woman had the ring .
+
+No , by my honour , madam , by my soul ,
+No woman had it ; but a civil doctor ,
+Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me ,
+And begg'd the ring , the which I did deny him ,
+And suffer'd him to go displeas'd away ;
+Even he that did uphold the very life
+Of my dear friend . What should I say , sweet lady ?
+I was enforc'd to send it after him ;
+I was beset with shame and courtesy ;
+My honour would not let ingratitude
+So much besmear it . Pardon me , good lady ,
+For , by these blessed candles of the night ,
+Had you been there , I think you would have begg'd
+The ring of me to give the worthy doctor .
+
+Let not that doctor e'er come near my house .
+Since he hath got the jewel that I lov'd ,
+And that which you did swear to keep for me ,
+I will become as liberal as you ;
+I'll not deny him anything I have ;
+No , not my body , nor my husband's bed .
+Know him I shall , I am well sure of it :
+Lie not a night from home ; watch me like Argus :
+If you do not , if I be left alone ,
+Now by mine honour , which is yet mine own ,
+I'll have that doctor for my bedfellow .
+
+And I his clerk ; therefore be well advis'd
+How you do leave me to mine own protection .
+
+Well , do you so : let me not take him , then ;
+For if I do , I'll mar the young clerk's pen .
+
+I am the unhappy subject of these quarrels .
+
+Sir , grieve not you ; you are welcome notwithstanding .
+
+Portia , forgive me this enforced wrong ;
+And in the hearing of these many friends ,
+I swear to thee , even by thine own fair eyes ,
+Wherein I see myself ,
+
+Mark you but that !
+In both my eyes he doubly sees himself ;
+In each eye , one : swear by your double self ,
+And there's an oath of credit .
+
+Nay , but hear me :
+Pardon this fault , and by my soul I swear
+I never more will break an oath with thee .
+
+I once did lend my body for his wealth ,
+Which , but for him that had your husband's ring ,
+Had quite miscarried : I dare be bound again ,
+My soul upon the forfeit , that your lord
+Will never more break faith advisedly .
+
+Then you shall be his surety . Give him this ,
+And bid him keep it better than the other .
+
+Here , Lord Bassanio ; swear to keep this ring .
+
+By heaven ! it is the same I gave the doctor !
+
+I had it of him : pardon me , Bassanio ,
+For , by this ring , the doctor lay with me .
+
+And pardon me , my gentle Gratiano ;
+For that same scrubbed boy , the doctor's clerk ,
+In lieu of this last night did lie with me .
+
+Why , this is like the mending of highways
+In summer , where the ways are fair enough .
+What ! are we cuckolds ere we have deserv'd it ?
+
+Speak not so grossly . You are all amaz'd :
+Here is a letter ; read it at your leisure ;
+It comes from Padus , from Bellario :
+There you shall find that Portia was the doctor ,
+Nerissa , there , her clerk : Lorenzo here
+Shall witness I set forth as soon as you
+And even but now return'd ; I have not yet
+Enter'd my house . Antonio , you are welcome ;
+And I have better news in store for you
+Than you expect : unseal this letter soon ;
+There you shall find three of your argosies
+Are richly come to harbour suddenly .
+You shall not know by what strange accident
+I chanced on this letter .
+
+I am dumb .
+
+Were you the doctor and I knew you not ?
+
+Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold ?
+
+Ay ; but the clerk that never means to do it ,
+Unless he live until he be a man .
+
+Sweet doctor , you shall be my bedfellow :
+When I am absent , then , lie with my wife .
+
+Sweet lady , you have given me life and living ;
+For here I read for certain that my ships
+Are safely come to road .
+
+How now , Lorenzo !
+My clerk hath some good comforts too for you .
+
+Ay , and I'll give them him without a fee .
+There do I give to you and Jessica ,
+From the rich Jew , a special deed of gift ,
+After his death , of all he dies possess'd of .
+
+Fair ladies , you drop manna in the way
+Of starved people .
+
+It is almost morning ,
+And yet I am sure you are not satisfied
+Of these events at full . Let us go in ;
+And charge us there upon inter'gatories ,
+And we will answer all things faithfully .
+
+Let it be so : the first inter'gatory
+That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is ,
+Whe'r till the next night she had rather stay ,
+Or go to bed now , being two hours to day :
+But were the day come , I should wish it dark ,
+That I were couching with the doctor's clerk .
+Well , while I live I'll fear no other thing
+So sore as keeping safe Nerissa's ring .
+
+THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
+
+Sir Hugh , persuade me not ; I will make a Star-chamber matter of it ; if he were twenty Sir John Falstaffs he shall not abuse Robert Shallow , esquire .
+
+In the county of Gloster , justice of peace , and coram .
+
+Ay , cousin Slender , and cust-alorum .
+
+Ay , and rato-lorum too ; and a gentleman born , Master Parson ; who writes himself armigero , in any bill , warrant , quittance , or obligation ,armigero .
+
+Ay , that I do ; and have done any time these three hundred years .
+
+All his successors gone before him hath done't ; and all his ancestors that come after him may : they may give the dozen white luces in their coat .
+
+It is an old coat .
+
+The dozen white louses do become an old coat well ; it agrees well , passant ; it is a familiar beast to man , and signifies love .
+
+The luce is the fresh fish ; the salt fish is an old coat .
+
+I may quarter , coz ?
+
+You may , by marrying .
+
+It is marring indeed , if he quarter it .
+
+Not a whit .
+
+Yes , py'r lady ; if he has a quarter of your coat , there is but three skirts for yourself , in my simple conjectures : but that is all one . If Sir John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you , I am of the Church , and will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and compremises between you .
+
+The Council shall hear it ; it is a riot .
+
+It is not meet the Council hear a riot ; there is no fear of Got in a riot . The Council , look you , shall desire to hear the fear of Got , and not to hear a riot ; take your vizaments in that .
+
+Ha ! o' my life , if I were young again , the sword should end it .
+
+It is petter that friends is the sword , and end it ; and there is also another device in my prain , which , peradventure , prings goot discretions with it . There is Anne Page , which is daughter to Master Thomas Page , which is pretty virginity .
+
+Mistress Anne Page ? She has brown hair , and speaks small like a woman .
+
+It is that fery person for all the orld , as just as you will desire ; and seven hundred pounds of moneys , and gold and silver , is her grandsire , upon his death's-bed ,Got deliver to a joyful resurrections !give , when she is able to overtake seventeen years old . It were a goot motion if we leave our pribbles and prabbles , and desire a marriage between Master Abraham and Mistress Anne Page .
+
+Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound ?
+
+Ay , and her father is make her a petter penny .
+
+I know the young gentlewoman ; she has good gifts .
+
+Seven hundred pounds and possibilities is goot gifts .
+
+Well , let us see honest Master Page . Is Falstaff there ?
+
+Shall I tell you a lie ? I do despise a har as I do despise one that is false ; or as I despise one that is not true . The knight , Sir John , is there ; and , I beseech you , be ruled by your well-willers . I will peat the door for Master Page .
+
+What , hoa ! Got pless your house here !
+
+Who's there ?
+
+Here is Got's plessing , and your friend . and Justice Shallow ; and here young Master Slender , that peradventures shall tell you another tale , if matters grow to your likings .
+
+
+I am glad to see your worships well . I thank you for my venison , Master Shallow .
+
+Master Page , I am glad to see you : much good do it your good heart ! I wished your venison better ; it was ill killed . How doth good Mistress Page ?and I thank you always with my heart , la ! with my heart .
+
+Sir , I thank you .
+
+Sir , I thank you ; by yea and no , I do .
+
+I am glad to see you , good Master Slender .
+
+How does your fallow greyhound , sir ? I heard say he was outrun on Cotsall .
+
+It could not be judged , sir .
+
+You'll not confess , you'll not confess .
+
+That he will not : 'tis your fault , 'tis your fault . 'Tis a good dog .
+
+A cur , sir .
+
+Sir , he's a good dog , and a fair dog ; can there be more said ? he is good and fair . Is Sir John Falstaff here ?
+
+Sir , he is within ; and I would I could do a good office between you .
+
+It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak .
+
+He hath wronged me , Master Page .
+
+Sir , he doth in some sort confess it .
+
+If it be confessed , it is not redressed : is not that so , Master Page ? He hath wronged me ; indeed , he hath ;at a word , he hath ,believe me : Robert Shallow , esquire , saith , he is wronged .
+
+Here comes Sir John .
+
+
+Now , Master Shallow , you'll complain of me to the king ?
+
+Knight , you have beaten my men , killed my deer , and broke open my lodge .
+
+But not kissed your keeper's daughter ?
+
+Tut , a pin ! this shall be answered .
+
+I will answer it straight : I have done all this . That is now answered .
+
+The Council shall know this .
+
+'Twere better for you if it were known in counsel : you'll be laughed at .
+
+Pauca verba , Sir John ; goot worts .
+
+Good worts ! good cabbage . Slender , I broke your head : what matter have you against me ?
+
+Marry , sir , I have matter in my head against you ; and against your cony-catching rascals , Bardolph , Nym , and Pistol . They carried me to the tavern , and made me drunk , and afterwards picked my pocket .
+
+You Banbury cheese !
+
+Ay , it is no matter .
+
+How now , Mephistophilus !
+
+Ay , it is no matter .
+
+Slice , I say ! pauca , pauca ; slice ! that's my humour .
+
+Where's Simple , my man ? can you tell , cousin ?
+
+Peace , I pray you . Now let us understand : there is three umpires in this matter , as I understand ; that is Master Page , fidelicet , Master Page ; and there is myself , fidelicet , myself ; and the three party is , lastly and finally , mine host of the Garter .
+
+We three , to hear it and end it between them .
+
+Fery goot : I will make a prief of it in my note-book ; and we will afterwards ork upon the cause with as great discreetly as we can .
+
+Pistol !
+
+He hears with ears .
+
+The tevil and his tam ! what phrase is this , 'He hears with ear ?' Why , it is affectations .
+
+Pistol , did you pick Master Slender's purse ?
+
+Ay , by these gloves , did he ,or I would I might never come in mine own great chamber again else ,of seven groats in mill-sixpences , and two Edward shovel-boards , that cost me two shilling and two pence a-piece of Yead Miller , by these gloves .
+
+Is this true , Pistol ?
+
+No ; it is false , if it is a pick-purse .
+
+Ha , thou mountain foreigner !Sir John and master mine ,
+I combat challenge of this latten bilbo .
+Word of denial in thy labras here !
+Word of denial : froth and scum , thou liest .
+
+By these gloves , then , 'twas he .
+
+Be avised , sir , and pass good humours . I will say , 'marry trap ,' with you , if you run the nuthook's humour on me : that is the very note of it .
+
+By this hat , then , he in the red face had it ; for though I cannot remember what I did when you made me drunk , yet I am not altogether an ass .
+
+What say you , Scarlet and John ?
+
+Why , sir , for my part , I say , the gentleman had drunk himself out of his five sentences .
+
+It is his 'five senses ;' fie , what the ignorance is !
+
+And being fap , sir , was , as they say , cashier'd ; and so conclusions pass'd the careires .
+
+Ay , you spake in Latin then too ; but 'tis no matter . I'll ne'er be drunk whilst I live again , but in honest , civil , godly company , for this trick : if I be drunk , I'll be drunk with those that have the fear of God , and not with drunken knaves .
+
+So Got udge me , that is a virtuous mind .
+
+You hear all these matters denied , gentlemen ; you hear it .
+
+
+Nay , daughter , carry the wine in ; we'll drink within .
+
+
+O heaven ! this is Mistress Anne Page .
+
+How now , Mistress Ford !
+
+Mistress Ford , by my troth , you are very well met : by your leave , good mistress .
+
+
+Wife , bid these gentlemen welcome . Come , we have a hot venison pasty to dinner : come , gentlemen , I hope we shall drink down all unkindness .
+
+
+I had rather than forty shillings I had my Book of Songs and Sonnets here .
+
+How now , Simple ! Where have you been ? I must wait on myself , must I ? You have not the Book of Riddles about you , have you ?
+
+Book of Riddles ! why , did you not lend it to Alice Shortcake upon All-Hallowmas last , a fortnight afore Michaelmas ?
+
+Come , coz ; come , coz ; we stay for you . A word with you , coz ; marry , this , coz : there is , as 'twere a tender , a kind of tender , made afar off by Sir Hugh here : do you understand me ?
+
+Ay , sir , you shall find me reasonable : if it be so , I shall do that that is reason .
+
+Nay , but understand me .
+
+So I do , sir .
+
+Give ear to his motions , Master Slender : I will description the matter to you , if you pe capacity of it .
+
+Nay , I will do as my cousin Shallow says . I pray you pardon me ; he's a justice of peace in his country , simple though I stand here .
+
+But that is not the question ; the question is concerning your marriage .
+
+Ay , there's the point , sir .
+
+Marry , is it , the very point of it ; to Mistress Anne Page .
+
+Why , if it be so , I will marry her upon any reasonable demands .
+
+But can you affection the 'oman ? Let us command to know that of your mouth or of your lips ; for divers philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth : therefore , precisely , can you carry your good will to the maid ?
+
+Cousin Abraham Slender , can you love her ?
+
+I hope , sir , I will do as it shall become one that would do reason .
+
+Nay , Got's lords and his ladies ! you must speak possitable , if you can carry her your desires towards her .
+
+That you must . Will you , upon good dowry , marry her ?
+
+I will do a greater thing than that , upon your request , cousin , in any reason .
+
+Nay , conceive me , conceive me , sweet coz : what I do , is to pleasure you , coz . Can you love the maid ?
+
+I will marry her , sir , at your request ; but if there be no great love in the beginning , yet heaven may decrease it upon better acquaintance , when we are married and have more occasion to know one another : I hope , upon familiarity will grow more contempt : but if you say , 'Marry her ,' I will marry her ; that I am freely dissolved , and dissolutely .
+
+It is a fery discretion answer ; save , the faul is in the ort 'dissolutely :' the ort is , according to our meaning , 'resolutely .' His meaning is goot .
+
+Ay , I think my cousin meant well .
+
+Ay , or else I would I might be hanged , la !
+
+Here comes fair Mistress Anne .
+
+Would I were young for your sake , Mistress Anne .
+
+The dinner is on the table ; my father desires your worships' company .
+
+I will wait on him , fair Mistress Anne .
+
+Od's plessed will ! I will not be absence at the grace .
+
+
+Will't please your worship to come in , sir ?
+
+No , I thank you , forsooth , heartily ; I am very well .
+
+The dinner attends you , sir .
+
+I am not a-hungry , I thank you forsooth . Go , sirrah , for all you are my man , go wait upon my cousin Shallow .
+
+A justice of peace sometime may be beholding to his friend for a man . I keep but three men and a boy yet , till my mother be dead ; but what though ? yet I live like a poor gentleman born .
+
+I may not go in without your worship : they will not sit till you come .
+
+I' faith , I'll eat nothing ; I thank you as much as though I did .
+
+I pray you , sir , walk in .
+
+I had rather walk here , I thank you . I bruised my shin th' other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence ; three veneys for a dish of stewed prunes ;and , by my troth , I cannot abide the smell of hot meat since . Why do your dogs bark so ? be there bears i' the town ?
+
+I think there are , sir ; I heard them talked of .
+
+I love the sport well ; but I shall as soon quarrel at it as any man in England . You are afraid , if you see the bear loose , are you not ?
+
+Ay , indeed , sir .
+
+That's meat and drink to me , now : I have seen Sackerson loose twenty times , and have taken him by the chain ; but , I warrant you , the women have so cried and shrieked at it , that it passed : but women , indeed , cannot abide 'em ; they are very ill-favoured rough things .
+
+
+Come , gentle Master Slender , come ; we stay for you .
+
+I'll eat nothing , I thank you , sir .
+
+By cock and pie , you shall not choose , sir ! come , come .
+
+Nay , pray you , lead the way .
+
+Come on , sir .
+
+Mistress Anne , yourself shall go first .
+
+Not I , sir ; pray you , keep on .
+
+Truly , I will not go first : truly , la ! I will not do you that wrong .
+
+I pray you , sir .
+
+I'll rather be unmannerly than troublesome . You do yourself wrong , indeed , la !
+
+
+Go your ways , and ask of Doctor Caius' house , which is the way : and there dwells one Mistress Quickly , which is in the manner of his nurse , or his try nurse , or his cook , or his laundry , his washer , and his wringer .
+
+Well , sir .
+
+Nay , it is petter yet . Give her this letter ; for it is a 'oman that altogether's acquaintance with Mistress Anne Page : and the letter is , to desire and require her to solicit your master's desires to Mistress Anne Page . I pray you , be gone : I will make an end of my dinner ; there's pippins and seese to come .
+
+
+Mine host of the Garter !
+
+What says my bully-rook ? Speak scholarly and wisely .
+
+Truly , mine host , I must turn away some of my followers .
+
+Discard , bully Hercules ; cashier : let them wag ; trot , trot .
+
+I sit at ten pounds a week .
+
+Thou'rt an emperor , C sar , Keisar , and Pheezar . I will entertain Bardolph ; he shall draw , he shall tap : said I well , bully Hector ?
+
+Do so , good mine host .
+
+I have spoke ; let him follow .
+
+Let me see thee forth and lime : I am at a word ; follow .
+
+
+Bardolph , follow him . A tapster is a good trade : an old cloak makes a new jerkin ; a withered serving-man , a fresh tapster . Go ; adieu .
+
+It is a life that I have desired . I will thrive .
+
+O base Hungarian wight ! wilt thou the spigot wield ?
+
+
+He was gotten in drink ; is not the humour conceited ?
+
+I am glad I am so acquit of this tinderbox ; his thefts were too open ; his filching was like an unskilful singer ; he kept not time .
+
+The good humour is to steal at a minim's rest .
+
+'Convey ,' the wise it call . 'Steal !' foh ! a fico for the phrase !
+
+Well , sirs , I am almost out at heels .
+
+Why , then , let kibes ensue .
+
+There is no remedy ; I must conycatch , I must shift .
+
+Young ravens must have food .
+
+Which of you know Ford of this town ?
+
+I ken the wight : he is of substance good .
+
+My honest lads , I will tell you what I am about .
+
+Two yards , and more .
+
+No quips now , Pistol ! Indeed , I am in the waist two yards about ; but I am now about no waste ; I am about thrift . Briefly , I do mean to make love to Ford's wife : I spy entertainment in her ; she discourses , she carves , she gives the leer of invitation : I can construe the action of her familiar style ; and the hardest voice of her behaviour , to be Englished rightly , is , 'I am Sir John Falstaff's .'
+
+He hath studied her well , and translated her well , out of honesty into English .
+
+The anchor is deep : will that humour pass ?
+
+Now , the report goes she has all the rule of her husband's purse ; he hath a legion of angels .
+
+As many devils entertain , and 'To her , boy ,' say I .
+
+The humour rises ; it is good : humour me the angels .
+
+I have writ me here a letter to her ; and here another to Page's wife , who even now gave me good eyes too , examined my parts with most judicious illiades : sometimes the beam of her view gilded my foot , sometimes my portly belly .
+
+Then did the sun on dunghill shine .
+
+I thank thee for that humour .
+
+O ! she did so course o'er my exteriors with such a greedy intention , that the appetite of her eye did seem to scorch me up like a burning-glass . Here's another letter to her : she bears the purse too ; she is a region in Guiana , all gold and bounty . I will be 'cheator to them both , and they shall be exchequers to me : they shall be my East and West Indies , and I will trade to them both . Go bear thou this letter to Mistress Page ; and thou this to Mistress Ford . We will thrive , lads , we will thrive .
+
+Shall I Sir Pandarus of Troy become ,
+And by my side wear steel ? then , Lucifer take all !
+
+I will run no base humour : here , take the humour-letter . I will keep the haviour of reputation .
+
+Hold , sirrah , bear you these letters tightly :
+Sail like my pinnace to these golden shores .
+Rogues , hence ! avaunt ! vanish like hailstones , go ;
+Trudge , plod away o'the hoof ; seek shelter , pack !
+Falstaff will learn the humour of this age ,
+French thrift , you rogues : myself and skirted page .
+
+
+Let vultures gripe thy guts ! for gourd and fullam holds ,
+And high and low beguile the rich and poor .
+Tester I'll have in pouch when thou shalt lack ,
+Base Phrygian Turk !
+
+I have operations in my head , which be humours of revenge .
+
+Wilt thou revenge ?
+
+By welkin and her star !
+
+With wit or steel ?
+
+With both the humours , I :
+I will discuss the humour of this love to Page .
+
+
+And I to Ford shall eke unfold
+How Falstaff , varlet vile ,
+His dove will prove , his gold will hold ,
+And his soft couch defile .
+
+
+My humour shall not cool : I will incense Page to deal with poison ; I will possess him with yellowness , for the revolt of mine is dangerous : that is my true humour .
+
+Thou art the Mars of malcontents : I second thee ; troop on .
+
+
+What , John Rugby !
+
+I pray thee , go to the casement , and see if you can see my master , Master Doctor Caius , coming : if he do , i' faith , and find anybody in the house , here will be an old abusing of God's patience and the king's English .
+
+I'll go watch .
+
+Go ; and we'll have a posset for't soon at night , in faith , at the latter end of a sea-coal fire .
+
+An honest , willing , kind fellow , as ever servant shall come in house withal ; and , I warrant you , no tell-tale , nor no breed-bate : his worst fault is , that he is given to prayer ; he is something peevish that way , but nobody but has his fault ; but let that pass . Peter Simple you say your name is ?
+
+Ay , for fault of a better .
+
+And Master Slender's your master ?
+
+Ay , forsooth .
+
+Does he not wear a great round beard like a glover's paring-knife ?
+
+No , forsooth : he hath but a little wheyface , with a little yellow beard a cane-coloured beard .
+
+A softly-sprighted man , is he not ?
+
+Ay , forsooth ; but he is as tall a man of his hands as any is between this and his head : he hath fought with a warrener .
+
+How say you ?O ! I should remember him : does he not hold up his head , as it were , and strut in his gait ?
+
+Yes , indeed , does he .
+
+Well , heaven send Anne Page no worse fortune ! Tell Master Parson Evans I will do what I can for your master : Anne is a good girl , and I wish
+
+
+Out , alas ! here comes my master .
+
+We shall all be shent . Run in here , good young man ; go into this closet .
+
+
+'And down , down , adown-a ,' &c .
+
+Vat is you sing ? I do not like dese toys . Pray you , go and vetch me in my closet une boitine verde ; a box , a green-a box : do intend vat I speak ? a green-a box .
+
+Ay , forsooth ; I'll fetch it you .
+
+I am glad he went not in himself : if he had found the young man , he would have been horn-mad .
+
+Fe , fe , fe , fe ! ma foi , il fait fort chaud . Je m'en vais la cour ,la grande affaire .
+
+Is it this , sir ?
+
+Oui ; mettez le au mon pocket ; d p chez , quickly .Vere is dat knave Rugby ?
+
+What , John Rugby ! John !
+
+
+Here , sir .
+
+You are John Rugby , and you are Jack Rugby : come , take-a your rapier , and come after my heel to de court .
+
+'Tis ready , sir , here in the porch .
+
+By my trot , I tarry too long .Od's me ! Qu'ay j'oubli ? dere is some simples in my closet , dat I vill not for de varld I shall leave behind .
+
+Ay me ! he'll find the young man there , and be mad .
+
+O diable ! diable ! vat is in my closet ?Villain ! larron !
+
+Rugby , my rapier !
+
+Good master , be content .
+
+Verefore shall I be content-a ?
+
+The young man is an honest man .
+
+Vat shall de honest man do in my closet ? dere is no honest man dat shall come in my closet .
+
+I beseech you , be not so phlegmatic . Hear the truth of it : he came of an errand to me from Parson Hugh .
+
+Vell .
+
+Ay , forsooth , to desire her to
+
+Peace , I pray you .
+
+Peace-a your tongue !Speak-a your tale .
+
+To desire this honest gentlewoman , your maid , to speak a good word to Mistress Anne Page for my master in the way of marriage .
+
+This is all , indeed , la ! but I'll ne'er put my finger in the fire , and need not .
+
+Sir Hugh send-a you ?Rugby , baillez me some paper : tarry you a little-a while .
+
+
+I am glad he is so quiet : if he had been throughly moved , you should have heard him so loud , and so melancholy . But , notwithstanding , man , I'll do your master what good I can ; and the very yea and the no is , the French doctor , my master ,I may call him my master , look you , for I keep his house ; and I wash , wring , brew , bake , scour , dress meat and drink , make the beds , and do all myself ,
+
+'Tis a great charge to come under one body's hand .
+
+Are you avis'd o' that ? you shall find it a great charge : and to be up early and down late ; but notwithstanding ,to tell you in your ear ,I would have no words of it ,my master himself is in love with Mistress Anne Page : but notwithstanding that , I know Anne's mind , that's neither here nor there .
+
+You jack'nape , give-a dis letter to Sir Hugh ; by gar , it is a challenge : I vill cut his troat in de Park ; and I vill teach a scurvy jack-a-nape priest to meddle or make . You may be gone ; it is not good you tarry here : by gar , I vill cut all his two stones ; by gar , he shall not have a stone to trow at his dog .
+
+
+Alas ! he speaks but for his friend .
+
+It is no matter-a for dat :do not you tell-a me dat I shall have Anne Page for myself ? By gar , I vill kill de Jack priest ; and I have appointed mine host of de Jartiere to measure our weapon . By gar , I vill myself have Anne Page .
+
+Sir , the maid loves you , and all shall be well . We must give folks leave to prate : what , the good-jer !
+
+Rugby , come to the court vit me . By gar , if I have not Anne Page , I shall turn your head out of my door . Follow my heels , Rugby .
+
+
+You shall have An fool's-head of your own . No , I know Anne's mind for that : never a woman in Windsor knows more of Anne's mind than I do ; nor can do more than I do with her , I thank heaven .
+
+Who's within there ? ho !
+
+Who's there , I trow ? Come near the house , I pray you .
+
+
+How now , good woman ! how dost thou ?
+
+The better , that it pleases your good worship to ask .
+
+What news ? how does pretty Mistress Anne ?
+
+In truth , sir , and she is pretty , and honest , and gentle ; and one that is your friend , I can tell you that by the way ; I praise heaven for it .
+
+Shall I do any good , thinkest thou ? Shall I not lose my suit ?
+
+Troth , sir , all is in his hands above ; but notwithstanding , Master Fenton , I'll be sworn on a book , she loves you . Have not your worship a wart above your eye ?
+
+Yes , marry have I ; what of that ?
+
+Well , thereby hangs a tale . Good faith , it is such another Nan ; but , I detest , an honest maid as ever broke bread : we had an hour's talk of that wart . I shall never laugh but in that maid's company ;but , indeed , she is given too much to allicholy and musing . But for you well , go to .
+
+Well , I shall see her to-day . Hold , there's money for thee ; let me have thy voice in my behalf : if thou seest her before me , commend me .
+
+Will I ? i' faith , that we will : and I will tell your worship more of the wart the next time we have confidence ; and of other wooers .
+
+Well , farewell ; I am in great haste now .
+
+Farewell to your worship .
+
+Truly , an honest gentleman : but Anne loves him not ; for I know Anne's mind as well as another does . Out upon't ! what have I forgot ?
+
+What ! have I 'scaped love-letters in the holiday-time of my beauty , and am I now a subject for them ? Let me see .
+
+Ask me no reason why I love you ; for though Love use Reason for his physician , he admits him not for his counsellor . You are not young , no more am I ; go to then , there's sympathy ; you are merry , so am I , ha ! ha ! then , there's more sympathy , you love sack , and so do I , would you desire better sympathy ? Let it suffice thee , Mistress Page , at the least , if the love of a soldier can suffice , that I love thee I will not say , pity me ,'tis not a soldier-like phrase ; but I say , love me . By me ,
+
+Thine own true knight ,
+By day or night ,
+Or any kind of light ,
+With all his might
+For thee to fight ,
+
+What a Herod of Jewry is this ! O wicked , wicked world ! one that is well-nigh worn to pieces with age , to show himself a young gallant ! What an unweighed behaviour hath this Flemish drunkard picked , with the devil's name ! out of my conversation , that he dares in this manner assay me ? Why , he hath not been thrice in my company ! What should I say to him ? I was then frugal of my mirth :heaven forgive me ! Why , I'll exhibit a bill in the parliament for the putting down of men . How shall I be revenged on him ? for revenged I will be , as sure as his guts are made of puddings .
+
+
+Mistress Page ! trust me , I was going to your house .
+
+And , trust me , I was coming to you . You look very ill .
+
+Nay , I'll ne'er believe that : I have to show to the contrary .
+
+Faith , but you do , in my mind .
+
+Well , I do then ; yet , I say I could show you to the contrary . O , Mistress Page ! give me some counsel .
+
+What's the matter , woman ?
+
+O woman , if it were not for one trifling respect , I could come to such honour !
+
+Hang the trifle , woman ; take the honour . What is it ?dispense with trifles ;what is it ?
+
+If I would but go to hell for an eternal moment or so , I could be knighted .
+
+What ? thou liest . Sir Alice Ford ! These knights will hack ; and so thou shouldst not alter the article of thy gentry .
+
+We burn daylight : here , read , read ; perceive how I might be knighted . I shall think the worse of fat men as long as I have an eye to make difference of men's liking : and yet he would not swear ; praised women's modesty ; and gave such orderly and well-behaved reproof to all uncomeliness , that I would have sworn his disposition would have gone to the truth of his words ; but they do no more adhere and keep place together than the Hundredth Psalm to the tune of 'Green Sleeves .' What tempest , I trow , threw this whale , with so many tuns of oil in his belly , ashore at Windsor ? How shall I be revenged on him ? I think , the best way were to entertain him with hope , till the wicked fire of lust have melted him in his own grease . Did you ever hear the like ?
+
+Letter for letter , but that the name of Page and Ford differs ! To thy great comfort in this mystery of ill opinions , here's the twin brother of thy letter : but let thine inherit first ; for , I protest , mine never shall . I warrant , he hath a thousand of these letters , writ with blank space for different names , sure more , and these are of the second edition . He will print them , out of doubt ; for he cares not what he puts into the press , when he would put us two : I had rather be a grantess , and lie under Mount Pelion . Well , I will find you twenty lascivious turtles ere one chaste man .
+
+Why , this is the very same ; the very hand , the very words . What doth he think of us ?
+
+Nay , I know not : it makes me almost ready to wrangle with mine own honesty . I'll entertain myself like one that I am not acquainted withal ; for , sure , unless he know some strain in me , that I know not myself , he would never have boarded me in this fury .
+
+Boarding call you it ? I'll be sure to keep him above deck .
+
+So will I : if he come under my hatches , I'll never to sea again . Let's be revenged on him : let's appoint him a meeting ; give him a show of comfort in his suit , and lead him on with a fine-baited delay , till he hath pawned his horses to mine host of the Garter .
+
+Nay , I will consent to act any villany against him , that may not sully the chariness of our honesty . O , that my husband saw this letter ! it would give eternal food to his jealousy .
+
+Why , look , where he comes ; and my good man too : he's as far from jealousy , as I am from giving him cause ; and that , I hope , is an unmeasurable distance .
+
+You are the happier woman .
+
+Let's consult together against this greasy knight . Come hither .
+
+Well , I hope it be not so .
+
+Hope is a curtal dog in some affairs :
+Sir John affects thy wife .
+
+Why , sir , my wife is not young .
+
+He woos both high and low , both rich and poor ,
+Both young and old , one with another , Ford .
+He loves the galimaufry : Ford , perpend .
+
+Love my wife !
+
+With liver burning hot : prevent , or go thou ,
+Like Sir Act on he , with Ringwood at thy heels .
+O ! odious is the name !
+
+What name , sir ?
+
+The horn , I say . Farewell :
+Take heed ; have open eye , for thieves do foot by night :
+Take heed , ere summer comes or cuckoo-birds do sing .
+Away , sir Corporal Nym !
+Believe it , Page ; he speaks sense .
+
+
+I will be patient : I will find out this .
+
+And this is true ; I like not the humour of lying . He hath wronged me in some humours : I should have borne the humoured letter to her , but I have a sword and it shall bite upon my necessity . He loves your wife ; there's the short and the long . My name is Corporal Nym ; I speak , and I avouch 'tis true : my name is Nym , and Falstaff loves your wife . Adieu . I love not the humour of bread and cheese ; and there's the humour of it . Adieu .
+
+
+'The humour of it ,' quoth'a ! here's a fellow frights humour out of his wits .
+
+I will seek out Falstaff .
+
+I never heard such a drawling , affecting rogue .
+
+If I do find it : well .
+
+I will not believe such a Cataian , though the priest o' the town commended him for a true man .
+
+'Twas a good sensible fellow : well .
+
+How now , Meg !
+
+Whither go you , George ?Hark you .
+
+How now , sweet Frank ! why art thou melancholy ?
+
+I melancholy ! I am not melancholy . Get you home , go .
+
+Faith , thou hast some crotchets in thy head now . Will you go , Mistress Page ?
+
+Have with you . You'll come to dinner , George ?
+
+Look , who comes yonder : she shall be our messenger to this paltry knight .
+
+Trust me , I thought on her : she'll fit it .
+
+
+You are come to see my daughter Anne ?
+
+Ay , forsooth ; and , I pray , how does good Mistress Anne ?
+
+Go in with us , and see : we'd have an hour's talk with you .
+
+
+How now , Master Ford !
+
+You heard what this knave told me , did you not ?
+
+Yes ; and you heard what the other told me ?
+
+Do you think there is truth in them ?
+
+Hang 'em , slaves ! I do not think the knight would offer it : but these that accuse him in his intent towards our wives , are a yoke of his discarded men ; very rogues , now they be out of service .
+
+Were they his men ?
+
+Marry , were they .
+
+I like it never the better for that . Does he lie at the Garter ?
+
+Ay , marry , does he . If he should intend this voyage towards my wife , I would turn her loose to him ; and what he gets more of her than sharp words , let it lie on my head .
+
+I do not misdoubt my wife , but I would be loth to turn them together . A man may be too confident : I would have nothing 'lie on my head :' I cannot be thus satisfied .
+
+Look , where my ranting host of the Garter comes . There is either liquor in his pate or money in his purse when he looks so merrily .
+
+How now , mine host !
+
+How now , bully-rook ! thou'rt a gentleman . Cavaliero-justice , I say !
+
+I follow , mine host , I follow . Good even and twenty , good Master Page ! Master Page , will you go with us ? we have sport in hand .
+
+Tell him , cavaliero-justice ; tell him , bully-rook .
+
+Sir , there is a fray to be fought between Sir Hugh the Welsh priest and Caius the French doctor .
+
+Good mine host o' the Garter , a word with you .
+
+What sayest thou , my bully-rook ?
+
+
+Will you go with us to behold it ? My merry host hath had the measuring of their weapons , and , I think , hath appointed them contrary places ; for , believe me , I hear the parson is no jester . Hark , I will tell you what our sport shall be .
+
+
+Hast thou no suit against my knight , my guest-cavalier ?
+
+None , I protest : but I'll give you a pottle of burnt sack to give me recourse to him and tell him my name is Brook , only for a jest .
+
+My hand , bully : thou shalt have egress and regress ; said I well ? and thy name shall be Brook . It is a merry knight . Will you go , mynheers ?
+
+Have with you , mine host .
+
+I have heard , the Frenchman hath good skill in his rapier .
+
+Tut , sir ! I could have told you more . In these times you stand on distance , your passes , stoccadoes , and I know not what : 'tis the heart , Master Page ; 'tis here , 'tis here . I have seen the time with my long sword I would have made you four tall fellows skip like rats .
+
+Here , boys , here , here ! shall we wag ?
+
+Have with you . I had rather hear them scold than fight .
+
+
+Though Page be a secure fool , and stands so firmly on his wife's frailty , yet I cannot put off my opinion so easily . She was in his company at Page's house , and what they made there , I know not . Well , I will look further into't ; and I have a disguise to sound Falstaff . If I find her honest , I lose not my labour ; if she be otherwise , 'tis labour well bestowed .
+
+
+I will not lend thee a penny .
+
+Why , then the world's mine oyster ,
+Which I with sword will open .
+I will retort the sum in equipage .
+
+Not a penny . I have been content , sir , you should lay my countenance to pawn : I have grated upon my good friends for three reprieves for you and your coach-fellow Nym ; or else you had looked through the grate , like a geminy of baboons . I am damned in hell for swearing to gentlemen my friends , you were good soldiers and tall fellows ; and when Mistress Bridget lost the handle of her fan , I took't upon mine honour thou hadst it not .
+
+Didst thou not share ? hadst thou not fifteen pence ?
+
+Reason , you rogue , reason : thinkest thou , I'll endanger my soul gratis ? At a word , hang no more about me ; I am no gibbet for you : go : a short knife and a throng !to your manor of Picht-hatch ! go . You'll not bear a letter for me , you rogue !you stand upon your honour !Why , thou unconfinable baseness , it is as much as I can do to keep the terms of mine honour precise . I , I , I , myself sometimes , leaving the fear of God on the left hand and hiding mine honour in my necessity , am fain to shuffle , to hedge and to lurch ; and yet you , rogue , will ensconce your rags , your cat-a-mountain looks , your red-lattice phrases , and your bold-beating oaths , under the shelter of your honour ! You will not do it , you !
+
+I do relent : what wouldst thou more of man ?
+
+
+Sir , here's a woman would speak with you .
+
+Let her approach .
+
+
+Give your worship good morrow .
+
+Good morrow , good wife .
+
+Not so , an't please your worship .
+
+Good maid , then .
+
+I'll be sworn
+As my mother was , the first hour I was born .
+
+I do believe the swearer . What with me ?
+
+Shall I vouchsafe your worship a word or two ?
+
+Two thousand , fair woman ; and I'll vouchsafe thee the hearing .
+
+There is one Mistress Ford , sir ,I pray , come a little nearer this ways :I myself dwell with Master Doctor Caius .
+
+Well , on : Mistress Ford , you say ,
+
+Your worship says very true :I pray your worship , come a little nearer this ways .
+
+I warrant thee , nobody hears ; mine own people , mine own people .
+
+Are they so ? God bless them , and make them his servants !
+
+Well : Mistress Ford ; what of her ?
+
+Why , sir , she's a good creature . Lord , Lord ! your worship's a wanton ! Well , heaven forgive you , and all of us , I pray !
+
+Mistress Ford ; come , Mistress Ford ,
+
+Marry , this is the short and the long of it . You have brought her into such a canaries as 'tis wonderful : the best courtier of them all , when the court lay at Windsor , could never have brought her to such a canary ; yet there has been knights , and lords , and gentlemen , with their coaches , I warrant you , coach after coach , letter after letter , gift after gift ; smelling so sweetly all musk , and so rushling , I warrant you , in silk and gold ; and in such alligant terms ; and in such wine and sugar of the best and the fairest , that would have won any woman's heart ; and , I warrant you , they could never get an eye-wink of her . I had myself twenty angels given me this morning ; but I defy all angels , in any such sort , as they say , but in the way of honesty : and , I warrant you , they could never get her so much as sip on a cup with the proudest of them all ; and yet there has been earls , nay , which is more , pensioners ; but , I warrant you , all is one with her .
+
+But what says she to me ? be brief , my good she Mercury .
+
+Marry , she hath received your letter ; for the which she thanks you a thousand times ; and she gives you to notify that her husband will be absence from his house between ten and eleven .
+
+Ten and eleven ?
+
+Ay , forsooth ; and then you may come and see the picture , she says , that you wot of : Master Ford , her husband , will be from home . Alas ! the sweet woman leads an ill life with him ; he's a very jealousy man ; she leads a very frampold life with him , good heart .
+
+Ten and eleven . Woman , commend me to her ; I will not fail her .
+
+Why , you say well . But I have another messenger to your worship : Mistress Page hath her hearty commendations to you too : and let me tell you in your ear , she's as fartuous a civil modest wife , and one , I tell you , that will not miss you morning nor evening prayer , as any is in Windsor , whoe'er be the other : and she bade me tell your worship that her husband is seldom from home ; but , she hopes there will come a time . I never knew a woman so dote upon a man : surely , I think you have charms , la ; yes , in truth .
+
+Not I , I assure thee : setting the attraction of my good parts aside , I have no other charms .
+
+Blessing on your heart for't !
+
+But , I pray thee , tell me this : has Ford's wife and Page's wife acquainted each other how they love me ?
+
+That were a jest indeed ! they have not so little grace , I hope : that were a trick , indeed ! But Mistress Page would desire you to send her your little page , of all loves : her husband has a marvellous infection to the little page ; and , truly , Master Page is an honest man . Never a wife in Windsor leads a better life than she does : do what she will , say what she will , take all , pay all , go to bed when she list , rise when she list , all is as she will : and , truly she deserves it ; for if there be a kind woman in Windsor , she is one . You must send her your page ; no remedy .
+
+Why , I will .
+
+Nay , but do so , then : and , look you , he may come and go between you both ; and in any case have a nay-word , that you may know one another's mind , and the boy never need to understand any thing ; for 'tis not good that children should know any wickedness : old folks , you know , have discretion , as they say , and know the world .
+
+Fare thee well : commend me to them both . There's my purse ; I am yet thy debtor .Boy , go along with this woman .
+
+This news distracts me .
+
+This punk is one of Cupid's carriers .
+Clap on more sails ; pursue ; up with your fights ;
+Give fire ! she is my prize , or ocean whelm them all !
+
+
+Sayest thou so , old Jack ? go thy ways ; I'll make more of thy old body than I have done . Will they yet look after thee ? Wilt thou , after the expense of so much money , be now a gainer ? Good body , I thank thee . Let them say 'tis grossly done ; so it be fairly done , no matter .
+
+
+Sir John , there's one Master Brook below would fain speak with you , and be acquainted with you : and hath sent your worship a morning's draught of sack .
+
+Brook is his name ?
+
+Ay , sir .
+
+Call him in .
+
+Such Brooks are welcome to me , that o'erflow such liquor . Ah , ha ! Mistress Ford and Mistress Page , have I encompassed you ? go to ; via !
+
+
+Bless your , sir !
+
+And you , sir ; would you speak with me ?
+
+I make bold to press with so little preparation upon you .
+
+You're welcome . What's your will ?Give us leave , drawer .
+
+
+Sir , I am a gentleman that have spent much : my name is Brook .
+
+Good Master Brook , I desire more acquaintance of you .
+
+Good Sir John , I sue for yours : not to charge you ; for I must let you understand I think myself in better plight for a lender than you are : the which hath something emboldened me to this unseasoned intrusion ; for , they say , if money go before , all ways do lie open .
+
+Money is a good soldier , sir , and will on .
+
+Troth , and I have a bag of money here troubles me : if you will help to bear it , Sir John , take all , or half , for easing me of the carriage .
+
+Sir , I know not how I may deserve to be your porter .
+
+I will tell you , sir , if you will give me the hearing .
+
+Speak , good Master Brook ; I shall be glad to be your servant .
+
+Sir , I hear you are a scholar ,I will be brief with you , and you have been a man long known to me , though I had never so good means , as desire , to make myself acquainted with you . I shall discover a thing to you , wherein I must very much lay open mine own imperfection ; but , good Sir John , as you have one eye upon my follies , as you hear them unfolded , turn another into the register of your own , that I may pass with a reproof the easier , sith you yourself know how easy it is to be such an offender .
+
+Very well , sir ; proceed .
+
+There is a gentlewoman in this town , her husband's name is Ford .
+
+Well , sir .
+
+I have long loved her , and , I protest to you , bestowed much on her ; followed her with a doting observance ; engrossed opportunities to meet her ; fee'd every slight occasion that could but niggardly give me sight of her ; not only bought many presents to give her , but have given largely to many to know what she would have given . Briefly , I have pursued her as love hath pursued me ; which hath been on the wing of all occasions . But whatsoever I have merited , either in my mind or in my means , meed , I am sure , I have received none ; unless experience be a jewel that I have purchased at an infinite rate ; and that hath taught me to say this ,
+
+Love like a shadow flies when substance love pursues ;
+Pursuing that that flies , and flying what pursues
+
+
+Have you received no promise of satisfaction at her hands ?
+
+Never .
+
+Have you importuned her to such a purpose ?
+
+Never .
+
+Of what quality was your love , then ?
+
+Like a fair house built upon another man's ground ; so that I have lost my edifice by mistaking the place where I erected it .
+
+To what purpose have you unfolded this to me ?
+
+When I have told you that , I have told you all . Some say , that though she appear honest to me , yet in other places she enlargeth her mirth so far that there is shrewd construction made of her . Now , Sir John , here is the heart of my purpose : you are a gentleman of excellent breeding , admirable discourse , of great admittance , authentic in your place and person , generally allowed for your many war-like , court-like , and learned preparations .
+
+O , sir !
+
+Believe it , for you know it . There is money ; spend it , spend it ; spend more ; spend all I have ; only give me so much of your time in exchange of it , as to lay an amiable siege to the honesty of this Ford's wife : use your art of wooing , win her to consent to you ; if any man may , you may as soon as any .
+
+Would it apply well to the vehemency of your affection , that I should win what you would enjoy ? Methinks you prescribe to yourself very preposterously .
+
+O , understand my drift . She dwells so securely on the excellency of her honour , that the folly of my soul dares not present itself : she is too bright to be looked against . Now , could I come to her with any detection in my hand , my desires had instance and argument to commend themselves : I could drive her then from the ward of her purity , her reputation , her marriage vow , and a thousand other her defences , which now are too-too strongly embattled against me . What say you to't , Sir John ?
+
+Master Brook , I will first make bold with your money ; next , give me your hand ; and last , as I am a gentleman , you shall , if you will , enjoy Ford's wife .
+
+O good sir !
+
+I say you shall .
+
+Want no money , Sir John ; you shall want none .
+
+Want no Mistress Ford , Master Brook ; you shall want none . I shall be with her , I may tell you , by her own appointment ; even as you came in to me , her assistant or go-between parted from me : I say I shall be with her between ten and eleven ; for at that time the jealous rascally knave her husband will be forth . Come you to me at night ; you shall know how I speed .
+
+I am blest in your acquaintance . Do you know Ford , sir ?
+
+Hang him , poor cuckoldly knave ! I know him not . Yet I wrong him , to call him poor : they say the jealous wittolly knave hath masses of money ; for the which his wife seems to me well-favoured . I will use her as the key of the cuckoldly rogue's coffer ; and there's my harvest-home .
+
+I would you knew Ford , sir , that you might avoid him , if you saw him .
+
+Hang him , mechanical salt-butter rogue ! I will stare him out of his wits ; I will awe him with my cudgel : it shall hang like a meteor o'er the cuckold's horns . Master Brook , thou shalt know I will predominate over the peasant , and thou shalt he with his wife . Come to me soon at night . Ford's a knave , and I will aggravate his style ; thou , Master Brook , shalt know him for knave and cuckold . Come to me soon at night .
+
+
+What a damned Epicurean rascal is this ! My heart is ready to crack with impatience . Who says this is improvident jealousy ? my wife hath sent to him , the hour is fixed , the match is made . Would any man have thought this ? See the hell of having a false woman ! My bed shall be abused , my coffers ransacked , my reputation gnawn at ; and I shall not only receive this villanous wrong , but stand under the adoption of abominable terms , and by him that does me this wrong . Terms ! names ! Amaimon sounds well ; Lucifer , well ; Barbason , well ; yet they are devils' additions , the names of fiends : but Cuckold ! Wittol !Cuckold ! the devil himself hath not such a name . Page is an ass , a secure ass : he will trust his wife ; he will not be jealous . I will rather trust a Fleming with my butter , Parson Hugh the Welshman with my cheese , an Irishman with my aqua-vit bottle , or a thief to walk my ambling gelding , than my wife with herself : then she plots , then she ruminates , then she devises ; and what they think in their hearts they may effect , they will break their hearts but they will effect . God be praised for my jealousy ! Eleven o'clock the hour : I will prevent this , detect my wife , be revenged on Falstaff , and laugh at Page . I will about it ; better three hours too soon than a minute too late . Fie , fie , fie ! cuckold ! cuckold ! cuckold !
+
+
+Jack Rugby !
+
+Sir ?
+
+Vat is de clock , Jack ?
+
+'Tis past the hour , sir , that Sir Hugh promised to meet .
+
+By gar , he has save his soul , dat he is no come : he has pray his Pible vell , dat he is no come . By gar , Jack Rugby , he is dead already , if he be come .
+
+He is wise , sir ; he knew your worship would kill him , if he came .
+
+By gar , de herring is no dead so as I vill kill him . Take your rapier , Jack ; I vill tell you how I vill kill him .
+
+Alas , sir ! I cannot fence .
+
+Villany , take your rapier .
+
+Forbear ; here's company .
+
+
+Bless thee , bully doctor !
+
+Save you , Master Doctor Caius !
+
+Now , good Master doctor !
+
+Give you good morrow , sir .
+
+Vat be all you , one , two , tree , four , come for ?
+
+To see thee fight , to see thee foin , to see thee traverse ; to see thee here , to see thee there ; to see thee pass thy punto , thy stock , thy reverse , thy distance , thy montant . Is he dead , my Ethiopian ? is he dead , my Francisco ? ha , bully ! What says my sculapius ? my Galen ? my heart of elder ? ha ! is he dead , bully stale ? is he dead ?
+
+By gar , he is de coward Jack priest of de vorld ; he is not show his face .
+
+Thou art a Castilian King Urinal ! Hector of Greece , my boy !
+
+I pray you , bear vitness that me have stay six or seven , two , tree hours for him , and he is no come .
+
+He is the wiser man , Master doctor : he is a curer of souls , and you a curer of bodies ; if you should fight , you go against the hair of your professions . Is it not true , Master Page ?
+
+Master Shallow , you have yourself been a great fighter , though now a man of peace .
+
+Bodykins , Master Page , though I now be old and of the peace , if I see a sword out , my finger itches to make one . Though we are justices and doctors and churchmen , Master Page , we have some salt of our youth in us ; we are the sons of women , Master Page .
+
+'Tis true , Master Shallow .
+
+It will be found so , Master Page . Master Doctor Caius , I am come to fetch you home . I am sworn of the peace : you have showed yourself a wise physician , and Sir Hugh hath shown himself a wise and patient churchman . You must go with me , Master doctor .
+
+Pardon , guest-justice .A word , Monsieur Mockwater .
+
+Mock-vater ! vat is dat ?
+
+Mock-water , in our English tongue , is valour , bully .
+
+By gar , den , I have as mush mock-vater as de Englishman . Scurvy jack-dog priest ! by gar , me vill cut his ears .
+
+He will clapper-claw thee tightly , bully .
+
+Clapper-de-claw ! vat is dat ?
+
+That is , he will make thee amends .
+
+By gar , me do look , he shall clapper-de-claw me ; for , by gar , me vill have it .
+
+And I will provoke him to't , or let him wag .
+
+Me tank you for dat .
+
+And moreover , bully ,But first , Master guest , and Master Page , and eke Cavaliero Slender , go you through the town to Frogmore .
+
+
+Sir Hugh is there , is he ?
+
+He is there : see what humour he is in ; and I will bring the doctor about by the fields . Will it do well ?
+
+We will do it .
+
+Adieu , good Master doctor .
+
+
+By gar , me vill kill de priest ; for he speak for a jack-an-ape to Anne Page .
+
+Let him die . Sheathe thy impatience ; throw cold water on thy choler : go about the fields with me through Frogmore : I will bring thee where Mistress Anne Page is , at a farmhouse a-feasting ; and thou shalt woo her . Cried I aim ? said I well ?
+
+By gar , me tank you for dat : by gar , I love you ; and I shall procure-a you de good guest , de earl , de knight , de lords , de gentlemen , my patients .
+
+For the which I will be thy adversary toward Anne Page : said I well ?
+
+By gar , 'tis good ; vell said .
+
+Let us wag , then .
+
+Come at my heels , Jack Rugby .
+
+I pray you now , good Master Slender's serving-man , and friend Simple by your name , which way have you looked for Master Caius , that calls himself doctor of physic ?
+
+Marry , sir , the pittie-ward , the parkward , every way ; old Windsor way , and every way but the town way .
+
+I most fehemently desire you you will also look that way .
+
+I will , sir .
+
+
+Pless my soul ! how full of chollors I am , and trempling of mind ! I shall be glad if he have deceived me . How melancholies I am ! I will knog his urinals about his knave's costard when I have goot opportunities for the 'ork : pless my soul !
+
+
+To shallow rivers , to whose falls
+Melodious birds sing madrigals ;
+There will we make our peds of roses ,
+And a thousand fragrant pasies .
+To shallow
+
+Mercy on me ! I have a great dispositions to cry .
+
+
+Melodious birds sing madrigals ,
+When as I sat in Pabylon ,
+And a thousand vagram posies .
+To shallow ,
+
+Yonder he is coming , this way , Sir Hugh .
+
+He's welcome .
+
+
+To shallow rivers , to whose falls
+
+Heaven prosper the right !what weapons is he ?
+
+No weapons , sir . There comes my master , Master Shallow , and another gentleman , from Frogmore , over the stile , this way .
+
+Pray you , give me my gown ; or else keep it in your arms .
+
+How now , Master Parson ! Good morrow , good Sir Hugh . Keep a gamester from the dice , and a good student from his book , and it is wonderful .
+
+Ah , sweet Anne Page !
+
+Save you , good Sir Hugh !
+
+Pless you from His mercy sake , all of you !
+
+What , the sword and the word ! do you study them both , Master Parson ?
+
+And youthful still in your doublet and hose ! this raw rheumatic day ?
+
+There is reasons and causes for it .
+
+We are come to you to do a good office , Master parson .
+
+Fery well : what is it ?
+
+Yonder is a most reverend gentleman , who , belike having received wrong by some person , is at most odds with his own gravity and patience that ever you saw .
+
+I have lived fourscore years and upward ; I never heard a man of his place , gravity , and learning , so wide of his own respect .
+
+What is he ?
+
+I think you know him ; Master Doctor Caius , the renowned French physician .
+
+Got's will , and his passion of my heart ! I had as lief you would tell me of a mess of porridge .
+
+Why ?
+
+He has no more knowledge in Hibbocrates and Galen ,and he is a knave besides ; a cowardly knave as you would desires to be acquainted withal .
+
+I warrant you , he's the man should fight with him .
+
+O , sweet Anne Page !
+
+It appears so , by his weapons . Keep them asunder : here comes Doctor Caius .
+
+
+Nay , good Master parson , keep in your weapon .
+
+So do you , good Master doctor .
+
+Disarm them , and let them question : let them keep their limbs whole and hack our English .
+
+I pray you , let-a me speak a word vit your ear : verefore vill you not meet-a me ?
+
+Pray you , use your patience : in good time .
+
+By gar , you are de coward , de Jack dog , John ape .
+
+Pray you , let us not be laughing-stogs to other men's humours ; I desire you in friendship , and I will one way or other make you amends : [Aloud .] I will knog your urinals about your knave's cogscomb for missing your meetings and appointments .
+
+Diable !Jack Rugby ,mine host de Jarretierre ,have I not stay for him to kill him ? have I not , at de place I did appoint ?
+
+As I am a Christians soul , now , look you , this is the place appointed : I'll be judgment by mine host of the Garter .
+
+Peace , I say , Gallia and Guallia ; French and Welsh , soul-curer and body-curer !
+
+Ay , dat is very good ; excellent .
+
+Peace , I say ! hear mine host of the Garter . Am I politic ? am I subtle ? am I a Machiavel ? Shall I lose my doctor ? no ; he gives me the potions and the motions . Shall I lose my parson , my priest , my Sir Hugh ? no ; he gives me the proverbs and the no-verbs . Give me thy hand , terrestrial ; so ;give me thy hand celestial ; so . Boys of art , I have deceived you both ; I have directed you to wrong places : your hearts are mighty , your skins are whole , and let burnt sack be the issue . Come , lay their swords to pawn . Follow me , lads of peace ; follow , follow , follow .
+
+Trust me , a mad host !Follow , gentlemen , follow .
+
+O , sweet Anne Page !
+
+
+Ha ! do I perceive dat ? have you make-a de sot of us , ha , ha ?
+
+This is well ; he has made us his vlouting-stog . I desire you that we may be friends and let us knog our prains together to be revenge on this same scall , scurvy , cogging companion , the host of the Garter .
+
+By gar , vit all my heart . He promise to bring me vere is Anne Page : by gar , he deceive me too .
+
+Well , I will smite his noddles . Pray you , follow .
+
+
+Nay , keep your way , little gallant : you were wont to be a follower , but now you are a leader . Whether had you rather lead mine eyes , or eye your master's heels ?
+
+I had rather , forsooth , go before you like a man than follow him like a dwarf .
+
+O ! you are a flattering boy : now I see you'll be a courtier .
+
+
+Well met , Mistress Page . Whither go you ?
+
+Truly , sir , to see your wife : is she at home ?
+
+Ay ; and as idle as she may hang together , for want of company . I think , if your husbands were dead , you two would marry .
+
+Be sure of that ,two other husbands .
+
+Where had you this pretty weathercock ?
+
+I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of . What do you call your knight's name , sirrah ?
+
+Sir John Falstaff .
+
+Sir John Falstaff !
+
+He , he ; I can never hit on's name . There is such a league between my good man and he ! Is your wife at home indeed ?
+
+Indeed she is .
+
+By your leave , sir : I am sick till I see her .
+
+
+Has Page any brains ? hath he any eyes ? hath he any thinking ? Sure , they sleep ; he hath no use of them . Why , this boy will carry a letter twenty mile , as easy as a cannon will shoot point-blank twelve score . He pieces out his wife's inclination ; he gives her folly motion and advantage : and now she's going to my wife , and Falstaff's boy with her . A man may hear this shower sing in the wind : and Falstaff's boy with her ! Good plots ! they are laid ; and our revolted wives share damnation together . Well ; I will take him , then torture my wife , pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming Mistress Page , divulge Page himself for a secure and wilful Act on ; and to these violent proceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim .
+
+The clock gives me my cue , and my assurance bids me search ; there I shall find Falstaff . I shall be rather praised for this than mocked ; for it is as positive as the earth is firm , that Falstaff is there : I will go .
+
+
+Well met , Master Ford .
+
+Trust me , a good knot . I have good cheer at home ; and I pray you all go with me .
+
+I must excuse myself , Master Ford .
+
+And so must I , sir : we have appointed to dine with Mistress Anne , and I would not break with her for more money than I'll speak of .
+
+We have lingered about a match between Anne Page and my cousin Slender , and this day we shall have our answer .
+
+I hope I have your good will , father Page .
+
+You have , Master Slender ; I stand wholly for you : but my wife , Master doctor , is for you altogether .
+
+Ay , by gar ; and de maid is love-a me : my nursh-a Quickly tell me so mush .
+
+What say you to young Master Fenton ? he capers , he dances , he has eyes of youth , he writes verses , he speaks holiday , he smells April and May : he will carry't , he will carry't ; 'tis in his buttons ; he will carry't .
+
+Not by my consent , I promise you . The gentleman is of no having : he kept company with the wild prince and Pointz ; he is of too high a region ; he knows too much . No , he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes with the finger of my substance : if he take her , let him take her simply ; the wealth I have waits on my consent , and my consent goes not that way .
+
+I beseech you heartily , some of you go home with me to dinner : besides your cheer , you shall have sport ; I will show you a monster . Master doctor , you shall go ; so shall you , Master Page ; and you , Sir Hugh .
+
+Well , fare you well : we shall have the freer wooing at Master Page's .
+
+
+Go home , John Rugby ; I come anon .
+
+
+Farewell , my hearts : I will to my honest knight Falstaff , and drink canary with him .
+
+
+I think I shall drink in pipewine first with him ; I'll make him dance . Will you go , gentles ?
+
+Have with you to see this monster .
+
+
+What , John ! what , Robert !
+
+Quickly , quickly :Is the buckbasket
+
+I warrant . What , Robin , I say !
+
+
+Come , come , come .
+
+Here , set it down .
+
+Give your men the charge ; we must be brief .
+
+Marry , as I told you before , John , and Robert , be ready here hard by in the brewhouse ; and when I suddenly call you , come forth , and without any pause or staggering , take this basket on your shoulders : that done , trudge with it in all haste , and carry it among the whitsters in Datchet-mead , and there empty it in the muddy ditch , close by the Thames side .
+
+You will do it ?
+
+I have told them over and over ; they lack no direction . Be gone , and come when you are called .
+
+
+Here comes little Robin .
+
+
+How now , my eyas-musket ! what news with you ?
+
+My master , Sir John , is come in at your back-door , Mistress Ford , and requests your company .
+
+You little Jack-a-Lent , have you been true to us ?
+
+Ay , I'll be sworn . My master knows not of your being here , and hath threatened to put me into everlasting liberty if I tell you of it ; for he swears he'll turn me away .
+
+Thou'rt a good boy ; this secrecy of thine shall be a tailor to thee and shall make thee a new doublet and hose . I'll go hide me .
+
+Do so . Go tell thy master I am alone .
+
+Mistress Page , remember you your cue .
+
+I warrant thee ; if I do not act it , hiss me .
+
+
+Go to , then : we'll use this unwholesome humidity , this gross watery pumpion ; we'll teach him to know turtles from jays .
+
+
+'Have I caught my heavenly jewel ?' Why , now let me die , for I have lived long enough : this is the period of my ambition : O this blessed hour !
+
+O , sweet Sir John !
+
+Mistress Ford , I cannot cog , I cannot prate , Mistress Ford . Now shall I sin in my wish : I would thy husband were dead . I'll speak it before the best lord , I would make thee my lady .
+
+I your lady , Sir John ! alas , I should be a pitiful lady .
+
+Let the court of France show me such another . I see how thine eye would emulate the diamond : thou hast the right arched beauty of the brow that becomes the ship-tire , the tire-valiant , or any tire of Venetian admittance .
+
+A plain kerchief , Sir John : my brows become nothing else ; nor that well neither .
+
+By the Lord , thou art a traitor to say so : thou wouldst make an absolute courtier ; and the firm fixture of thy foot would give an excellent motion to thy gait in a semi-circled farthingale . I see what thou wert , if Fortune thy foe were not , Nature thy friend . Come , thou canst not hide it .
+
+Believe me , there's no such thing in me .
+
+What made me love thee ? let that persuade thee there's something extraordinary in thee . Come , I cannot cog and say thou art this and that , like a many of these lisping hawthornbuds , that come like women in men s apparel , and smell like Bucklersbury in simple-time ; I cannot ; but I love thee ; none but thee ; and thou deservest it .
+
+Do not betray me , sir . I fear you love Mistress Page .
+
+Thou mightst as well say , I love to walk by the Counter-gate , which is as hateful to me as the reek of a lime-kiln .
+
+Well , heaven knows how I love you ; and you shall one day find it .
+
+Keep in that mind ; I'll deserve it .
+
+Nay , I must tell you , so you do , or else I could not be in that mind .
+
+Mistress Ford ! Mistress Ford ! here's Mistress Page at the door , sweating and blowing and looking wildly , and would needs speak with you presently .
+
+She shall not see me : I will ensconce me behind the arras .
+
+Pray you , do so : she's a very tattling woman .
+
+
+What's the matter ? how now !
+
+O Mistress Ford ! what have you done ? You're shamed , you are overthrown , you're undone for ever !
+
+What's the matter , good Mistress Page ?
+
+O well-a-day , Mistress Ford ! having an honest man to your husband , to give him such cause of suspicion !
+
+What cause of suspicion ?
+
+What cause of suspicion ! Out upon you ! how am I mistook in you !
+
+Why , alas , what's the matter ?
+
+Your husband's coming hither , woman , with all the officers of Windsor , to search for a gentleman that he says is here now in the house by your consent , to take an ill advantage of his absence : you are undone .
+
+Speak louder .'Tis not so , I hope .
+
+Pray heaven it be not so , that you have such a man here ! but 'tis most certain your husband's coming with half Windsor at his heels , to search for such a one . I come before to tell you . If you know yourself clear , why , I am glad of it ; but if you have a friend here , convey , convey him out . Be not amazed ; call all your senses to you : defend your reputation , or bid farewell to your good life for ever .
+
+What shall I do ?There is a gentleman , my dear friend ; and I fear not mine own shame so much as his peril : I had rather than a thousand pound he were out of the house .
+
+For shame ! never stand 'you had rather' and 'you had rather :' your husband's here at hand ; bethink you of some conveyance : in the house you cannot hide him . O , how have you deceived me ! Look , here is a basket : if he be of any reasonable stature , he may creep in here ; and throw foul linen upon him , as if it were going to bucking : or it is whiting-time send him by your two men to Datchet-mead .
+
+He's too big to go in there . What shall I do ?
+
+Let me see't , let me see't , O , let me see't ! I'll in , I'll in . Follow your friend's counsel . I'll in .
+
+What , Sir John Falstaff ! Are these your letters , knight ?
+
+I love thee , and none but thee ; help me away : let me creep in here . I'll never
+
+
+Help to cover your master , boy . Call your men , Mistress Ford . You dissembling knight !
+
+What , John ! Robert ! John !
+
+Go take up these clothes here quickly ; where's the cowl-staff ? look , how you drumble ! carry them to the laundress in Datchet-mead ; quickly , come .
+
+Pray you , come near : if I suspect without cause , why then make sport at me ; then let me be your jest ; I deserve it . How now ! what goes here ? whither bear you this ?
+
+To the laundress , forsooth .
+
+Why , what have you to do whither they bear it ? You were best meddle with buck-washing .
+
+Buck ! I would I could wash myself of the buck ! Buck , buck , buck ! Ay , buck ; I warrant you , buck ; and of the season too , it shall appear .
+
+Gentlemen , I have dreamed to-night ; I'll tell you my dream . Here , here , here be my keys : ascend my chambers ; search , seek , find out : I'll warrant we'll unkennel the fox . Let me stop this way first . [Locking the door .] So , now uncape .
+
+Good Master Ford , be contented : you wrong yourself too much .
+
+True , Master Page . Up , gentlemen ; you shall see sport anon : follow me , gentlemen .
+
+
+This is fery fantastical humours and jealousies .
+
+By gar , 'tis no de fashion of France ; it is not jealous in France .
+
+Nay , follow him , gentlemen ; see the issue of his search .
+
+
+Is there not a double excellency in this ?
+
+I know not which pleases me better ; that my husband is deceived , or Sir John .
+
+What a taking was he in when your husband asked who was in the basket !
+
+I am half afraid he will have need of washing ; so throwing him into the water will do him a benefit .
+
+Hang him , dishonest rascal ! I would all of the same strain were in the same distress .
+
+I think my husband hath some special suspicion of Falstaff's being here ; for I never saw him so gross in his jealousy till now .
+
+I will lay a plot to try that ; and we will yet have more tricks with Falstaff : his dissolute disease will scarce obey this medicine .
+
+Shall we send that foolish carrion Mistress Quickly to him , and excuse his throwing into the water ; and give him another hope , to betray him to another punishment ?
+
+We will do it : let him be sent for to-morrow , eight o'clock , to have amends .
+
+
+I cannot find him : may be the knave bragged of that he could not compass .
+
+Heard you that ?
+
+Ay , ay , peace .You use me well , Master Ford , do you ?
+
+Ay , I do so .
+
+Heaven make you better than your thoughts !
+
+Amen !
+
+You do yourself mighty wrong , Master Ford .
+
+Ay , ay ; I must bear it .
+
+If there pe any pody in the house , and in the chambers , and in the coffers , and in the presses , heaven forgive my sins at the day of judgment !
+
+By gar , nor I too , dere is no bodies .
+
+Fie , fie , Master Ford ! are you not ashamed ? What spirit , what devil suggests this imagination ? I would not ha' your distemper in this kind for the wealth of Windsor Castle .
+
+'Tis my fault , Master Page : I suffer for it .
+
+You suffer for a pad conscience : your wife is as honest a 'omans as I will desires among five thousand , and five hundred too .
+
+By gar , I see 'tis an honest woman .
+
+Well ; I promised you a dinner . Come , come , walk in the Park : I pray you , pardon me ; I will hereafter make known to you why I have done this . Come , wife ; come , Mistress Page . I pray you , pardon me ; pray heartily , pardon me .
+
+Let's go in , gentlemen ; but , trust me , we'll mock him . I do invite you to-morrow morning to my house to breakfast ; after , we'll a-birding together : I have a fine hawk for the bush . Shall it be so ?
+
+Any thing .
+
+If there is one , I shall make two in the company .
+
+If dere be one or two , I shall make-a de turd .
+
+Pray you go , Master Page .
+
+I pray you now , remembrance to-morrow on the lousy knave , mine host .
+
+Dat is good ; by gar , vit all my heart .
+
+A lousy knave ! to have his gibes and his mockeries !
+
+
+I see I cannot get thy father's love ;
+Therefore no more turn me to him , sweet Nan .
+
+Alas ! how then ?
+
+Why , thou must be thyself .
+He doth object , I am too great of birth ,
+And that my state being gall'd with my expense ,
+I seek to heal it only by his wealth .
+Besides these , other bars he lays before me ,
+My riots past , my wild societies ;
+And tells me 'tis a thing impossible
+I should love thee but as a property .
+
+May be he tells you true .
+
+No , heaven so speed me in my time to come !
+Albeit I will confess thy father's wealth
+Was the first motive that I woo'd thee , Anne :
+Yet , wooing thee , I found thee of more value
+Than stamps in gold or sums in sealed bags ;
+And 'tis the very riches of thyself
+That now I aim at .
+
+Gentle Master Fenton ,
+Yet seek my father's love ; still seek it , sir :
+If opportunity and humblest suit
+Cannot attain it , why , then ,hark you hither .
+
+Break their talk , Mistress Quickly : my kinsman shall speak for himself .
+
+I'll make a shaft or a bolt on't . 'Slid , 'tis but venturing .
+
+Be not dismayed .
+
+No , she shall not dismay me : I care not for that , but that I am afeard .
+
+Hark ye ; Master Slender would speak a word with you .
+
+I come to him .
+
+This is my father's choice .
+O , what a world of vile ill-favour'd faults
+Looks handsome in three hundred pounds a year !
+
+And how does good Master Fenton ? Pray you , a word with you .
+
+She's coming ; to her , coz . O boy , thou hadst a father !
+
+I had a father , Mistress Anne ; my uncle can tell you good jests of him . Pray you , uncle , tell Mistress Anne the jest , how my father stole two geese out of a pen , good uncle .
+
+Mistress Anne , my cousin loves you .
+
+Ay , that I do ; as well as I love any woman in Glostershire .
+
+He will maintain you like a gentlewoman .
+
+Ay , that I will , come cut and long-tail , under the degree of a squire .
+
+He will make you a hundred and fifty pounds jointure .
+
+Good Master Shallow , let him woo for himself .
+
+Marry , I thank you for it ; I thank you for that good comfort . She calls you , coz : I'll leave you .
+
+Now , Master Slender .
+
+Now , good Mistress Anne .
+
+What is your will ?
+
+My will ? od's heartlings ! that's a pretty jest , indeed ! I ne'er made my will yet , I thank heaven ; I am not such a sickly creature , I give heaven praise .
+
+I mean , Master Slender , what would you with me ?
+
+Truly , for mine own part , I would little or nothing with you . Your father and my uncle have made motions : if it be my luck , so ; if not , happy man be his dole ! They can tell you how things go better than I can : you may ask your father ; here he comes .
+
+
+Now , Master Slender : love him , daughter Anne .
+Why , how now ! what does Master Fenton here ?
+You wrong me , sir , thus still to haunt my house :
+I told you , sir , my daughter is dispos'd of .
+
+Nay , Master Page , be not impatient .
+
+Good Master Fenton , come not to my child .
+
+She is no match for you .
+
+Sir , will you hear me ?
+
+No , good Master Fenton .
+Come , Master Shallow ; come , son Slender , in .
+Knowing my mind , you wrong me , Master Fenton .
+
+
+Speak to Mistress Page .
+
+Good Mistress Page , for that I love your daughter
+In such a righteous fashion as I do ,
+Perforce , against all checks , rebukes and manners ,
+I must advance the colours of my love
+And not retire : let me have your good will .
+
+Good mother , do not marry me to yond fool .
+
+I mean it not ; I seek you a better husband .
+
+That's my master , Master doctor .
+
+Alas ! I had rather be set quick i' the earth ,
+And bowl'd to death with turnips .
+
+Come , trouble not yourself . Good Master Fenton ,
+I will not be your friend nor enemy :
+My daughter will I question how she loves you ,
+And as I find her , so am I affected .
+'Till then , farewell , sir : she must needs go in ;
+Her father will be angry .
+
+Farewell , gentle mistress . Farewell , Nan .
+
+
+This is my doing , now : 'Nay ,' said I , 'will you cast away your child on a fool , and a physician ? Look on Master Fenton .' This is my doing .
+
+I thank thee : and I pray thee , once to-night
+Give my sweet Nan this ring . There's for thy pains .
+
+Now heaven send thee good fortune !
+
+A kind heart he hath : a woman would run through fire and water for such a kind heart . But yet I would my master had Mistress Anne ; or I would Master Slender had her ; or , in sooth , I would Master Fenton had her . I will do what I can for them all three , for so I have promised , and I'll be as good as my word ; but speciously for Master Fenton . Well , I must of another errand to Sir John Falstaff from my two mistresses : what a beast am I to slack it !
+
+
+Bardolph , I say ,
+
+Here , sir .
+
+Go fetch me a quart of sack ; put a toast in't .
+
+Have I lived to be carried in a basket , and to be thrown in the Thames like a barrow of butcher's offal ? Well , if I be served such another trick , I'll have my brains ta'en out , and buttered , and give them to a dog for a new year's gift . The rogues slighted me into the river with as little remorse as they would have drowned a blind bitch's puppies , fifteen i' the litter ; and you may know by my size that I have a kind of alacrity in sinking : if the bottom were as deep as hell , I should down . I had been drowned but that the shore was shelvy and shallow ; a death that I abhor , for the water swells a man , and what a thing should I have been when I had been swelled ! I should have been a mountain of mummy .
+
+
+Here's Mistress Quickly , sir , to speak with you .
+
+Come , let me pour in some sack to the Thames water , for my belly's as cold as if I had swallowed snowballs for pills to cool the reins . Call her in .
+
+Come in , woman .
+
+
+By your leave . I cry you mercy : give your worship good morrow .
+
+Take away these chalices . Go brew me a pottle of sack finely .
+
+With eggs , sir ?
+
+Simple of itself ; I'll no pullet-sperm in my brewage .
+
+How now !
+
+Marry , sir , I come to your worship from Mistress Ford .
+
+Mistress Ford ! I have had ford enough ; I was thrown into the ford ; I have my belly full of ford .
+
+Alas the day ! good heart , that was not her fault : she does so take on with her men ; they mistook their erection .
+
+So did I mine , to build upon a foolish woman's promise .
+
+Well , she laments , sir , for it , that it would yearn your heart to see it . Her husband goes this morning a-birding : she desires you once more to come to her between eight and nine . I must carry her word quickly : she'll make you amends , I warrant you .
+
+Well , I will visit her : tell her so ; and bid her think what a man is : let her consider his frailty , and then judge of my merit .
+
+I will tell her .
+
+Do so . Between nine and ten , sayest thou ?
+
+Eight and nine , sir .
+
+Well , be gone : I will not miss her .
+
+Peace be with you , sir .
+
+
+I marvel I hear not of Master Brook ; he sent me word to stay within . I like his money well . O ! here he comes .
+
+
+Bless you , sir !
+
+Now , Master Brook , you come to know what hath passed between me and Ford's wife ?
+
+That , indeed , Sir John , is my business .
+
+Master Brook , I will not lie to you : I was at her house the hour she appointed me .
+
+And how sped you , sir ?
+
+Very ill-favouredly , Master Brook .
+
+How so , sir ? did she change her determination ?
+
+No , Master Brook ; but the peaking cornuto her husband , Master Brook , dwelling in a continual 'larum of jealousy , comes me in the instant of our encounter , after we had embraced , kissed , protested , and , as it were , spoke the prologue of our comedy ; and at his heels a rabble of his companions , thither provoked and instigated by his distemper , and , forsooth , to search his house for his wife's love .
+
+What ! while you were there ?
+
+While I was there .
+
+And did he search for you , and could not find you ?
+
+You shall hear . As good luck would have it , comes in one Mistress Page ; gives intelligence of Ford's approach ; and in her invention , and Ford's wife's distraction , they conveyed me into a buck-basket .
+
+A buck-basket !
+
+By the Lord , a buck-basket ! rammed me in with foul shirts and smocks , socks , foul stockings , greasy napkins ; that , Master Brook , there was the rankest compound of villanous smell that ever offended nostril .
+
+And how long lay you there ?
+
+Nay , you shall hear , Master Brook , what I have suffered to bring this woman to evil for your good . Being thus crammed in the basket , a couple of Ford's knaves , his hinds , were called forth by their mistress to carry me in the name of foul clothes to Datchet-lane : they took me on their shoulders ; met the jealous knave their master in the door , who asked them once or twice what they had in their basket . I quaked for fear lest the lunatic knave would have searched it ; but Fate , ordaining he should be a cuckold , held his hand . Well ; on went he for a search , and away went I for foul clothes . But mark the sequel , Master Brook : I suffered the pangs of three several deaths : first , an intolerable-fright , to be detected with a jealous rotten bell-wether ; next , to be compassed , like a good bilbo , in the circumference of a peck , hilt to point , heel to head ; and then , to be stopped in , like a strong distillation , with stinking clothes that fretted in their own grease : think of that , a man of my kidney , think of that , that am as subject to heat as butter ; a man of continual dissolution and thaw : it was a miracle to 'scape suffocation . And in the height of this bath , when I was more than half stewed in grease , like a Dutch dish , to be thrown into the Thames , and cooled , glowing hot , in that surge , like a horse-shoe ; think of that , hissing hot , think of that , Master Brook !
+
+In good sadness , sir , I am sorry that for my sake you have suffered all this . My suit then is desperate ; you'll undertake her no more ?
+
+Master Brook , I will be thrown into Etna , as I have been into Thames , ere I will leave her thus . Her husband is this morning gone a-birding : I have received from her another embassy of meeting ; 'twixt eight and nine is the hour , Master Brook .
+
+'Tis past eight already , sir .
+
+Is it ? I will then address me to my appointment . Come to me at your convenient leisure , and you shall know how I speed , and the conclusion shall be crowned with your enjoying her : adieu . You shall have her , Master Brook ; Master Brook , you shall cuckold Ford .
+
+
+Hum ! ha ! is this a vision ? is this a dream ? do I sleep ? Master Ford , awake ! awake , Master Ford ! there's a hole made in your best coat , Master Ford . This 'tis to be married : this 'tis to have linen and buck-baskets ! Well , I will proclaim myself what I am : I will now take the lecher ; he is at my house ; he cannot 'scape me ; 'tis impossible he should ; he cannot creep into a half-penny purse , nor into a pepper-box ; but , lest the devil that guides him should aid him , I will search impossible places . Though what I am I cannot avoid , yet to be what I would not , shall not make me tame : if I have horns to make me mad , let the proverb go with me ; I'll be horn-mad .
+
+Is he at Master Ford's already , thinkest thou ?
+
+Sure he is by this , or will be presently ; but truly , he is very courageous mad about his throwing into the water . Mistress Ford desires you to come suddenly .
+
+I'll be with her by and by : I'll but bring my young man here to school . Look , where his master comes ; 'tis a playing-day , I see .
+
+How now , Sir Hugh ! no school to-day ?
+
+No ; Master Slender is get the boys leave to play .
+
+Blessing of his heart !
+
+Sir Hugh , my husband says my son profits nothing in the world at his book : I pray you , ask him some questions in his accidence .
+
+Come hither , William ; hold up your head ; come .
+
+Come on , sirrah ; hold up your head ; answer your master , be not afraid .
+
+William , how many numbers is in nouns ?
+
+Two .
+
+Truly , I thought there had been one number more , because they say , 'Od's nouns .'
+
+Peace your tattlings ! What is fair , William ?
+
+Pulcher .
+
+Polecats ! there are fairer things than polecats , sure .
+
+You are a very simplicity 'oman : I pray you peace . What is lapis , William ?
+
+A stone .
+
+And what is a stone , William ?
+
+A pebble .
+
+No , it is lapis : I pray you remember in your prain .
+
+Lapis .
+
+That is a good William . What is he , William , that does lend articles ?
+
+Articles are borrowed of the pronoun , and be thus declined , Singulariter , nominativo , hic , h c , hoc .
+
+Nominativo , hig , hag , hog ; pray you , mark : genitivo , hujus . Well , what is your accusative case ?
+
+Accusativo , hinc .
+
+I pray you , have your remembrance , child ; accusativo , hung , hang , hog .
+
+Hang hog is Latin for bacon , I warrant you .
+
+Leave your prabbles , 'oman . What is the focative case , William ?
+
+O vocativo , O .
+
+Remember , William ; focative is caret .
+
+And that's a good root .
+
+'Oman , forbear .
+
+Peace !
+
+What is your genitive case plural , William ?
+
+Genitive case ?
+
+Ay .
+
+Genitive , horum , harum , horum .
+
+Vengeance of Jenny's case ! fie on her ! Never name her , child , if she be a whore .
+
+For shame , 'oman !
+
+You do ill to teach the child such words . He teaches him to hick and to hack , which they'll do fast enough of themselves , and to call 'horum ?' fie upon you !
+
+'Oman , art thou lunatics ? hast thou no understandings for thy cases and the numbers and the genders ? Thou art as foolish Christian creatures as I would desires .
+
+Prithee , hold thy peace .
+
+Show me now , William , some declensions of your pronouns .
+
+Forsooth , I have forgot .
+
+It is qui , qu , quod ; if you forget your quis , your qu s , and your quods , you must be preeches . Go your ways and play ; go .
+
+He is a better scholar than I thought he was .
+
+He is a good sprag memory . Farewell , Mistress Page .
+
+Adieu , good Sir Hugh .
+
+Get you home , boy . Come , we stay too long .
+
+
+Mistress Ford , your sorrow hath eaten up my sufferance . I see you are obsequious in your love , and I profess requital to a hair's breadth ; not only , Mistress Ford , in the simple office of love , but in all the accoutrement , complement and ceremony of it . But are you sure of your husband now ?
+
+He's a-birding , sweet Sir John .
+
+What ho ! gossip Ford ! what ho !
+
+Step into the chamber , Sir John .
+
+How now , sweetheart ! who's at home besides yourself ?
+
+Why , none but mine own people .
+
+Indeed !
+
+No , certainly .
+
+Speak louder .
+
+Truly , I am so glad you have nobody here .
+
+Why ?
+
+Why , woman , your husband is in his old lunes again : he so takes on yonder with my husband ; so rails against all married mankind ; so curses all Eve's daughters , of what complexion soever ; and so buffets himself on the forehead , crying , 'Peer out , peer out !' that any madness I ever yet beheld seemed but tameness , civility and patience , to this his distemper he is in now . I am glad the fat knight is not here .
+
+Why , does he talk of him ?
+
+Of none but him ; and swears he was carried out , the last time he searched for him , in a basket : protests to my husband he is now here , and hath drawn him and the rest of their company from their sport , to make another experiment of his suspicion . But I am glad the knight is not here ; now he shall see his own foolery .
+
+How near is he , Mistress Page ?
+
+Hard by ; at street end ; he will be here anon .
+
+I am undone ! the knight is here .
+
+Why then you are utterly shamed , and he's but a dead man . What a woman are you ! Away with him , away with him ! better shame than murder .
+
+Which way should he go ? how should I bestow him ? Shall I put him into the basket again ?
+
+
+No , I'll come no more i' the basket . May I not go out ere he come ?
+
+Alas ! three of Master Ford's brothers watch the door with pistols , that none shall issue out ; otherwise you might slip away ere he came . But what make you here ?
+
+What shall I do ? I'll creep up into the chimney .
+
+There they always use to discharge their birding-pieces .
+
+Creep into the kiln-hole .
+
+Where is it ?
+
+He will seek there , on my word . Neither press , coffer , chest , trunk , well , vault , but he hath an abstract for the remembrance of such places , and goes to them by his note : there is no hiding you in the house .
+
+I'll go out , then .
+
+If you go out in your own semblance , you die , Sir John . Unless you go out disguised ,
+
+How might we disguise him ?
+
+Alas the day ! I know not . There is no woman's gown big enough for him ; otherwise , he might put on a hat , a muffler , and a kerchief , and so escape .
+
+Good hearts , devise something : any extremity rather than a mischief .
+
+My maid's aunt , the fat woman of Brainford , has a gown above .
+
+On my word , it will serve him ; she's as big as he is : and there's her thrummed hat and her muffler too . Run up , Sir John .
+
+Go , go , sweet Sir John : Mistress Page and I will look some linen for your head .
+
+Quick , quick ! we'll come dress you straight ; put on the gown the while .
+
+
+I would my husband would meet him in this shape : he cannot abide the old woman of Brainford ; he swears she's a witch ; forbade her my house , and hath threatened to beat her .
+
+Heaven guide him to thy husband's cudgel , and the devil guide his cudgel afterwards !
+
+But is my husband coming ?
+
+Ay , in good sadness , is he ; and talks of the basket too , howsoever he hath had intelligence .
+
+We'll try that ; for I'll appoint my men to carry the basket again , to meet him at the door with it , as they did last time .
+
+Nay , but he'll be here presently : let's go dress him like the witch of Brainford .
+
+I'll first direct my men what they shall do with the basket . Go up ; I'll bring linen for him straight .
+
+
+Hang him , dishonest varlet ! we cannot misuse him enough .
+We'll leave a proof , by that which we will do ,
+Wives may be merry , and yet honest too :
+We do not act that often jest and laugh ;
+'Tis old , but true , 'Still swine eats all the draff .'
+
+Go , sirs , take the basket again on your shoulders : your master is hard at door ; if he bid you set it down , obey him . Quickly ; dispatch .
+
+
+Come , come , take it up .
+
+Pray heaven , it be not full of knight again .
+
+I hope not ; I had as lief bear so much lead .
+
+
+Ay , but if it prove true , Master Page , have you any way then to unfool me again ? Set down the basket , villains . Somebody call my wife . Youth in a basket ! O you panderly rascals ! there's a knot , a ging , a pack , a conspiracy against me : now shall the devil be shamed . What , wife , I say ! Come , come forth ! Behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching !
+
+Why , this passes ! Master Ford , you are not to go loose any longer ; you must be pinioned .
+
+Why , this is lunatics ! this is mad as a mad dog !
+
+Indeed , Master Ford , this is not well , indeed .
+
+So say I too , sir .
+
+Come hither , Mistress Ford , the honest woman , the modest wife , the virtuous creature , that hath the jealous fool to her husband ! I suspect without cause , mistress , do I ?
+
+Heaven by my witness , you do , if you suspect me in any dishonesty .
+
+Well said , brazen-face ! hold it out . Come forth , sirrah !
+
+
+This passes !
+
+Are you not ashamed ? let the clothes alone .
+
+I shall find you anon .
+
+'Tis unreasonable . Will you take up your wife's clothes ? Come away .
+
+Empty the basket , I say !
+
+Why , man , why ?
+
+Master Page , as I am an honest man , there was one conveyed out of my house yesterday in this basket : why may not he be there again ? In my house I am sure he is ; my intelligence is true ; my jealousy is reasonable . Pluck me out all the linen .
+
+If you find a man there he shall die a flea's death .
+
+Here's no man .
+
+By my fidelity , this is not well , Master Ford ; this wrongs you .
+
+Master Ford , you must pray , and not follow the imaginations of your own heart : this is jealousies .
+
+Well , he's not here I seek for .
+
+No , nor nowhere else but in your brain .
+
+
+Help to search my house this one time : if I find not what I seek , show no colour for my extremity ; let me for ever be your table-sport ; let them say of me , 'As jealous as Ford , that searched a hollow walnut for his wife's leman .' Satisfy me once more ; once more search with me .
+
+What ho , Mistress Page ! come you and the old woman down ; my husband will come into the chamber .
+
+Old woman ! What old woman's that ?
+
+Why , it is my maid's aunt of Brainford .
+
+A witch , a quean , an old cozening quean ! Have I not forbid her my house ? She comes of errands , does she ? We are simple men ; we do not know what's brought to pass under the profession of fortune-telling . She works by charms , by spells , by the figure , and such daubery as this is , beyond our element : we know nothing . Come down , you witch , you hag , you ; come down , I say !
+
+Nay , good , sweet husband ! good gentlemen , let him not strike the old woman .
+
+
+Come , Mother Prat ; come , give me your hand .
+
+I'll 'prat' her .
+
+Out of my door , you witch , you rag , you baggage , you polecat , you ronyon ! out , out ! I'll conjure you , I'll fortune-tell you .
+
+
+Are you not ashamed ? I think you have killed the poor woman .
+
+Nay , he will do it . 'Tis a goodly credit for you .
+
+Hang her , witch !
+
+By yea and no , I think the 'oman is a witch indeed : I like not when a 'oman has a great peard ; I spy a great peard under her muffler .
+
+Will you follow , gentlemen ? I beseech you , follow : see but the issue of my jealousy . If I cry out thus upon no trail , never trust me when I open again .
+
+Let's obey his humour a little further . Come , gentlemen .
+
+
+Trust me , he beat him most pitifully .
+
+Nay , by the mass , that he did not ; he beat him most unpitifully methought .
+
+I'll have the cudgel hallowed and hung o'er the altar : it hath done meritorious service .
+
+What think you ? May we , with the warrant of womanhood and the witness of a good conscience , pursue him with any further revenge ?
+
+The spirit of wantonness is , sure , scared out of him : if the devil have him not in fee-simple , with fine and recovery , he will never , I think , in the way of waste , attempt us again .
+
+Shall we tell our husbands how we have served him ?
+
+Yes , by all means ; if it be but to scrape the figures out of your husband's brains . If they can find in their hearts the poor unvirtuous fat knight shall be any further afflicted , we two will still be the ministers .
+
+I'll warrant they'll have him publicly shamed , and methinks there would be no period to the jest , should he not be publicly shamed .
+
+Come , to the forge with it then ; shape it : I would not have things cool .
+
+
+Sir , the Germans desire to have three of your horses : the duke himself will be to-morrow at court , and they are going to meet him .
+
+What duke should that be comes so secretly ? I hear not of him in the court . Let me speak with the gentlemen ; they speak English ?
+
+Ay , sir ; I'll call them to you .
+
+They shall have my horses , but I'll make them pay ; I'll sauce them : they have had my house a week at command ; I have turned away my other guests : they must come off ; I'll sauce them . Come .
+
+
+'Tis one of the pest discretions of a 'oman as ever I did look upon .
+
+And did he send you both these letters at an instant ?
+
+Within a quarter of an hour .
+
+Pardon me , wife . Henceforth do what thou wilt ;
+I rather will suspect the sun with cold
+Than thee with wantonness : now doth thy honour stand ,
+In him that was of late an heretic ,
+As firm as faith .
+
+'Tis well , 'tis well ; no more .
+Be not as extreme in submission
+As in ofrence ;
+But let our plot go forward : let our wives
+Yet once again , to make us public sport ,
+Appoint a meeting with this old fat fellow ,
+Where we may take him and disgrace him for it .
+
+There is no better way than that they spoke of .
+
+How ? to send him word they'll meet him in the Park at midnight ? Fie , fie ! he'll never come .
+
+You say he has been thrown into the rivers , and has been grievously peaten as an old 'oman : methinks there should be terrors in him that he should not come ; methinks his flesh is punished , he shall have no desires .
+
+So think I too .
+
+Devise but how you'll use him when he comes ,
+And let us two devise to bring him thither .
+
+There is an old tale goes that Herne the hunter ,
+Sometime a keeper here in Windsor forest ,
+Doth all the winter-time , at still midnight ,
+Walk round about an oak , with great ragg'd horns ;
+And there he blasts the tree , and takes the cattle ,
+And makes milch-kine yield blood , and shakes a chain
+In a most hideous and dreadful manner :
+You have heard of such a spirit , and well you know
+The superstitious idle-headed eld
+Receiv'd and did deliver to our age
+This tale of Herne the hunter for a truth .
+
+Why , yet there want not many that do fear
+In deep of night to walk by this Herne's oak .
+But what of this ?
+
+Marry , this is our device ;
+That Falstaff at that oak shall meet with us ,
+Disguis'd like Herne with huge horns on his head .
+
+Well , let it not be doubted but he'll come ,
+And in this shape when you have brought him thither ,
+What shall be done with him ? what is your plot ?
+
+That likewise have we thought upon , and thus :
+Nan Page my daughter , and my little son ,
+And three or four more of their growth , we'll dress
+Like urchins , ouphs and fairies , green and white ,
+With rounds of waxen tapers on their heads ,
+And rattles in their hands . Upon a sudden ,
+As Falstaff , she , and I , are newly met ,
+Let them from forth a sawpit rush at once
+With some diffused song : upon their sight ,
+We two in great amazedness will fly :
+Then let them all encircle him about ,
+And , fairy-like , to-pinch the unclean knight ;
+And ask him why , that hour of fairy revel ,
+In their so sacred paths he dares to tread
+In shape profane .
+
+And till he tell the truth ,
+Let the supposed fairies pinch him sound
+And burn him with their tapers .
+
+The truth being known ,
+We'll all present ourselves , dis-horn the spirit ,
+And mock him home to Windsor .
+
+The children must
+Be practis'd well to this , or they'll ne'er do't .
+
+I will teach the children their behaviours ; and I will be like a jack-an-apes also , to burn the knight with my taber .
+
+That will be excellent . I'll go buy them vizards .
+
+My Nan shall be the queen of all the fairies ,
+Finely attired in a robe of white .
+
+That silk will I go buy :
+
+and in that time
+Shall Master Slender steal my Nan away ,
+And marry her at Eton . Go , send to Falstaff straight .
+
+Nay , I'll to him again in name of Brook ;
+He'll tell me all his purpose . Sure , he'll come .
+
+Fear not you that . Go , get us properties ,
+And tricking for our fairies .
+
+Let us about it : it is admirable pleasures and fery honest knaveries .
+
+
+Go , Mistress Ford ,
+Send Quickly to Sir John , to know his mind .
+
+I'll to the doctor : he hath my good will ,
+And none but he , to marry with Nan Page .
+That Slender , though well landed , is an idiot ;
+And him my husband best of all affects :
+The doctor is well money'd , and his friends
+Potent at court : he , none but he , shall have her ,
+Though twenty thousand worthier come to crave her .
+
+
+What wouldst thou have , boor ? what , thick-skin ? speak , breathe , discuss ; brief , short , quick , snap .
+
+Marry , sir , I come to speak with Sir John Falstaff from Master Slender .
+
+There's his chamber , his house , his castle , his standing-bed and truckle-bed : 'tis painted about with the story of the Prodigal , fresh and new . Go knock and call : he'll speak like an Anthropophaginian unto thee : knock , I say .
+
+There's an old woman , a fat woman , gone up into his chamber : I'll be so bold as stay , sir , till she come down ; I come to speak with her , indeed .
+
+Ha ! a fat woman ! the knight may be robbed : I'll call . Bully knight ! Bully Sir John ! speak from thy lungs military : art thou there ? it is thine host , thine Ephesian , calls .
+
+How now , mine host !
+
+Here's a Bohemian-Tartar tarries the coming down of thy fat woman . Let her descend , bully ; let her descend ; my chambers are honourable : fie ! privacy ? fie !
+
+
+There was , mine host , an old fat woman even now with me , but she's gone .
+
+Pray you , sir , was't not the wise woman of Brainford ?
+
+Ay , marry , was it , muscle-shell : what would you with her ?
+
+My Master , sir , Master Slender , sent to her , seeing her go thorough the streets , to know , sir , whether one Nym , sir , that beguiled him of a chain , had the chain or no .
+
+I spake with the old woman about it .
+
+And what says she , I pray , sir ?
+
+Marry , she says that the very same man that beguiled Master Slender of his chain cozened him of it .
+
+I would I could have spoken with the woman herself : I had other things to have spoken with her too , from him .
+
+What are they ? let us know .
+
+Ay , come ; quick .
+
+I may not conceal them , sir .
+
+Conceal them , or thou diest .
+
+Why , sir , they were nothing but about Mistress Anne Page ; to know if it were my master's fortune to have her or no .
+
+'Tis , 'tis his fortune .
+
+What , sir ?
+
+To have her , or no . Go ; say the woman told me so .
+
+May I be bold to say so , sir ?
+
+Ay , Sir Tike ; who more bold ?
+
+I thank your worship : I shall make my master glad with these tidings .
+
+
+Thou art clerkly , thou art clerkly , Sir John . Was there a wise woman with thee ?
+
+Ay , that there was , mine host ; one that hath taught me more wit than ever I learned before in my life : and I paid nothing for it neither , but was paid for my learning .
+
+
+Out , alas , sir ! cozenage , mere cozenage !
+
+Where be my horses ? speak well of them , varletto .
+
+Run away , with the cozeners ; for so soon as I came beyond Eton , they threw me off , from behind one of them , in a slough of mire ; and set spurs and away , like three German devils , three Doctor Faustuses .
+
+They are gone but to meet the duke , villain . Do not say they be fled : Germans are honest men .
+
+
+Where is mine host ?
+
+What is the matter , sir ?
+
+Have a care of your entertainments : there is a friend of mine come to town , tells me , there is three cozen-germans that has cozened all the hosts of Readins , of Maidenhead , of Colebrook , of horses and money . I tell you for good will , look you : you are wise and full of gibes and vlouting-stogs , and 'tis not convenient you should be cozened . Fare you well .
+
+Vere is mine host de Jarteer ?
+
+Here , Master doctor , in perplexity and doubtful dilemma .
+
+I cannot tell vat is dat ; but it is tell-a me dat you make grand preparation for a duke de Jamany : by my trot , dere is no duke dat de court is know to come . I tell you for good vill : adieu .
+
+
+Hue and cry , villain ! go . Assist me , knight ; I am undone . Fly , run , hue and cry , villain ! I am undone !
+
+
+I would all the world might be cozened , for I have been cozened and beaten too . If it should come to the ear of the court how I have been transformed , and how my transformation hath been washed and cudgelled , they would melt me out of my fat drop by drop , and liquor fishermen's boots with me : I warrant they would whip me with their fine wits till I were as crest-fallen as a dried pear . I never prospered since I forswore myself at primero . Well , if my wind were but long enough to say my prayers , I would repent .
+
+Now , whence come you ?
+
+From the two parties , forsooth .
+
+The devil take one party and his dam the other ! and so they shall be both bestowed . I have suffered more for their sakes , more than the villanous inconstancy of man's disposition is able to bear .
+
+And have not they suffered ? Yes , I warrant ; speciously one of them : Mistress Ford , good heart , is beaten black and blue , that you cannot see a white spot about her .
+
+What tellest thou me of black and blue ? I was beaten myself into all the colours of the rainbow ; and I was like to be apprehended for the witch of Brainford : but that my admirable dexterity of wit , my counterfeiting the action of an old woman , delivered me , the knave constable had set me i' the stocks , i' the common stocks , for a witch .
+
+Sir , let me speak with you in your chamber ; you shall hear how things go , and , I warrant , to your content . Here is a letter will say somewhat . Good hearts ! what ado here is to bring you together ! Sure , one of you does not serve heaven well , that you are so crossed .
+
+Come up into my chamber .
+
+
+Master Fenton , talk not to me : my mind is heavy ; I will give over all .
+
+Yet hear me speak . Assist me in my purpose ,
+And , as I am a gentleman , I'll give thee
+A hundred pound in gold more than your loss .
+
+I will hear you , Master Fenton ; and I will , at the least , keep your counsel .
+
+From time to time I have acquainted you
+With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page ;
+Who , mutually hath answer'd my affection ,
+So far forth as herself might be her chooser ,
+Even to my wish . I have a letter from her
+Of such contents as you will wonder at ;
+The mirth whereof so larded with my matter ,
+That neither singly can be manifested ,
+Without the show of both ; wherein fat Falstaff
+Hath a great scare : the image of the jest
+I'll show you here at large
+
+Hark , good mine host :
+To-night at Herne's oak , just 'twixt twelve and one ,
+Must my sweet Nan present the Fairy Queen ;
+The purpose why , is here : in which disguise ,
+While other jests are something rank on foot ,
+Her father hath commanded her to slip
+Away with Slender , and with him at Eton
+Immediately to marry : she hath consented :
+Now , sir ,
+Her mother , even strong against that match
+And firm for Doctor Caius , hath appointed
+That he shall likewise shuffle her away ,
+While other sports are tasking of their minds ;
+And at the deanery , where a priest attends ,
+Straight marry her : to this her mother's plot
+She , seemingly obedient , likewise hath
+Made promise to the doctor . Now , thus it rests :
+Her father means she shall be all in white ,
+And in that habit , when Slender sees his time
+To take her by the hand and bid her go ,
+She shall go with him : her mother hath intended ,
+The better to denote her to the doctor ,
+For they must all be mask'd and vizarded
+That quaint in green she shall be loose enrob'd ,
+With ribands pendent , flaring 'bout her head ;
+And when the doctor spies his vantage ripe ,
+To pinch her by the hand ; and on that token
+The maid hath given consent to go with him .
+
+Which means she to deceive , father or mother ?
+
+Both , my good host , to go along with me :
+And here it rests , that you'll procure the vicar
+To stay for me at church 'twixt twelve and one ,
+And , in the lawful name of marrying ,
+To give our hearts united ceremony .
+
+Well , husband your device ; I'll to the vicar .
+Bring you the maid , you shall not lack a priest .
+
+So shall I evermore be bound to thee ;
+Besides , I'll make a present recompense .
+
+Prithee , no more prattling ; go : I'll hold . This is the third time ; I hope good luck lies in odd numbers . Away ! go . They say there is divinity in odd numbers , either in nativity , chance or death . Away !
+
+I'll provide you a chain , and I'll do what I can to get you a pair of horns .
+
+Away , I say ; time wears : hold up your head , and mince .
+
+
+How now , Master Brook ! Master Brook , the matter will be known to-night , or never . Be you in the Park about midnight , at Herne's oak , and you shall see wonders .
+
+Went you not to her yesterday , sir , as you told me you had appointed ?
+
+I went to her , Master Brook , as you see , like a poor old man ; but I came from her , Master Brook , like a poor old woman . That same knave Ford , her husband , hath the finest mad devil of jealousy in him , Master Brook , that ever governed frenzy . I will tell you : he beat me grievously , in the shape of a woman ; for in the shape of a man , Master Brook , I fear not Goliath with a weaver's beam , because I know also life is a shuttle . I am in haste : go along with me ; I'll tell you all , Master Brook . Since I plucked geese , played traunt , and whipped top , I knew not what it was to be beaten till lately . Follow me : I'll tell you strange things of this knave Ford , on whom to-night I will be revenged , and I will deliver his wife into your hand . Follow . Strange things in hand , Master Brook ! Follow .
+
+
+Come , come ; we'll couch i' the castle-ditch till we see the light of our fairies . Remember , son Slender , my daughter .
+
+Ay , forsooth ; I have spoke with her and we have a nayword how to know one another . I come to her in white , and cry , 'mum ;' she cries , 'budget ;' and by that we know one another .
+
+That's good too : but what needs either your 'mum ,' or her 'budget ?' the white will decipher her well enough . It hath struck ten o'clock .
+
+The night is dark ; light and spirits will become it well . Heaven prosper our sport ! No man means evil but the devil , and we shall know him by his horns . Let's away ; follow me .
+
+
+Master Doctor , my daughter is in green : when you see your time , take her by the hand , away with her to the deanery , and dispatch it quickly . Go before into the Park : we two must go together .
+
+I know vat I have to do . Adieu .
+
+Fare you well , sir .
+
+My husband will not rejoice so much at the abuse of Falstaff , as he will chafe at the doctor's marrying my daughter : but 'tis no matter ; better a little chiding than a great deal of heart break .
+
+Where is Nan now and her troop of fairies , and the Welsh devil , Hugh ?
+
+They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne's oak , with obscured lights ; which , at the very instant of Falstaff's and our meeting , they will at once display to the night .
+
+That cannot choose but amaze him .
+
+If he be not amazed , he will be mocked ; if he be amazed , he will every way be mocked .
+
+We'll betray him finely .
+
+Against such lewdsters and their lechery ,
+Those that betray them do no treachery .
+
+The hour draws on : to the oak , to the oak !
+
+
+Trib , trib , fairies : come ; and remember your parts . Be pold , I pray you ; follow me into the pit , and when I give the watch-ords , do as I pid you . Come , come ; trib , trib .
+
+
+The Windsor bell hath struck twelve ; the minute draws on . Now , the hot-blooded gods assist me ! Remember , Jove , thou wast a bull for thy Europa ; love set on thy horns . O powerful love ! that , in some respects , makes a beast a man ; in some other , a man a beast . You were also , Jupiter , a swan for the love of Leda ; O omnipotent love ! how near the god drew to the complexion of a goose ! A fault done first in the form of a beast ; O Jove , a beastly fault ! and then another fault in the semblance of a fowl : think on 't , Jove ; a foul fault ! When gods have hot backs , what shall poor men do ? For me , I am here a Windsor stag ; and the fattest , I think , i' the forest : send me a cool rut-time , Jove , or who can blame me to piss my tallow ? Who comes here ? my doe ?
+
+
+Sir John ! art thou there , my deer ? my male deer ?
+
+My doe with the black scut ! Let the sky rain potatoes ; let it thunder to the tune of 'Green Sleeves ;' hail kissing-comfits and snow eringoes ; let there come a tempest of provocation , I will shelter me here .
+
+
+Mistress Page is come with me , sweetheart .
+
+Divide me like a brib'd buck , each a haunch : I will keep my sides to myself , my shoulders for the fellow of this walk , and my horns I bequeath your husbands . Am I a woodman , ha ? Speak I like Herne the hunter ? Why , now is Cupid a child of conscience ; he makes restitution . As I am a true spirit , welcome !
+
+
+Alas ! what noise ?
+
+Heaven forgive our sins !
+
+What should this be ?
+
+Away , away !
+
+Away , away !
+
+
+I think the devil will not have me damned , lest the oil that is in me should set hell on fire ; he would never else cross me thus .
+
+
+Fairies , black , grey , green , and white ,
+You moonshine revellers , and shades of night ,
+You orphan heirs of fixed destiny ,
+Attend your office and your quality .
+Crier Hobgoblin , make the fairy oyes .
+
+Elves , list your names : silence , you airy toys !
+Cricket , to Windsor chimneys shalt thou leap :
+Where fires thou find'st unrak'd and hearths unswept ,
+There pinch the maids as blue as bilberry :
+Our radiant queen hates sluts and sluttery .
+
+They are fairies ; he that speaks to them shall die :
+I'll wink and couch : no man their works must eye .
+
+
+Where's Bede ? Go you , and where you find a maid
+That , ere she sleep , has thrice her prayers said ,
+Rein up the organs of her fantasy ,
+Sleep she as sound as careless infancy ;
+But those that sleep and think not on their sins ,
+Pinch them , arms , legs , backs , shoulders , sides , and shins .
+
+About , about !
+Search Windsor castle , elves , within and out :
+Strew good luck , ouphs , on every sacred room ,
+That it may stand till the perpetual doom ,
+In state as wholesome as in state 'tis fit ,
+Worthy the owner , and the owner it .
+The several chairs of order look you scour
+With juice of balm and every precious flower :
+Each fair instalment , coat , and several crest ,
+With loyal blazon , ever more be blest !
+And nightly , meadow-fairies , look you sing ,
+Like to the Garter's compass , in a ring :
+The expressure that it bears , green let it be ,
+More fertile-fresh than all the field to see ;
+And , Honi soit qui mal y pense write
+In emerald tufts , flowers purple , blue , and white ;
+Like sapphire , pearl , and rich embroidery ,
+Buckled below fair knighthood's bending knee :
+Fairies use flowers for their charactery .
+Away ! disperse ! But , till 'tis one o'clock ,
+Our dance of custom round about the oak
+Of Herne the hunter , let us not forget .
+
+Pray you , lock hand in hand ; yourselves in order set ;
+And twenty glow-worms shall our lanthorns be ,
+To guide our measure round about the tree .
+But , stay ; I smell a man of middle-earth .
+
+Heavens defend me from that Welsh fairy , lest he transform me to a piece of cheese !
+
+Vile worm , thou wast o'erlook'd even in thy birth .
+
+With trial-fire touch me his finger-end :
+If he be chaste , the flame will back descend
+And turn him to no pain ; but if he start ,
+It is the flesh of a corrupted heart .
+
+A trial ! come .
+
+Come , will this wood take fire ?
+
+
+Oh , oh , oh !
+
+Corrupt , corrupt , and tainted in desire !
+About him , fairies , sing a scornful rime ;
+And , as you trip , still pinch him to your time .
+
+Fie on sinful fantasy !
+Fie on lust and luxury !
+Lust is but a bloody fire ,
+Kindled with unchaste desire ,
+Fed in heart , whose flames aspire ,
+As thoughts do blow them higher and higher .
+Pinch him , fairies , mutually ;
+Pinch him for his villany ;
+Pinch him , and burn him , and turn him about ,
+Till candles and star-light and moonshine be out .
+
+
+Nay , do not fly : I think we have watch'd you now :
+Will none but Herne the hunter serve your turn ?
+
+I pray you , come , hold up the jest no higher .
+Now , good Sir John , how like you Windsor wives ?
+See you these , husband ? do not these fair yokes
+Become the forest better than the town ?
+
+Now sir , who's a cuckold now ? Master Brook , Falstaff's a knave , a cuckoldly knave ; here are his horns , Master Brook : and , Master Brook , he hath enjoyed nothing of Ford's but his buck-basket , his cudgel , and twenty pounds of money , which must be paid too , Master Brook ; his horses are arrested for it , Master Brook .
+
+Sir John , we have had ill luck ; we could never meet . I will never take you for my love again , but I will always count you my deer .
+
+I do begin to perceive that I am made an ass .
+
+Ay , and an ox too ; both the proofs are extant .
+
+And these are not fairies ? I was three or four times in the thought they were not fairies ; and yet the guiltiness of my mind , the sudden surprise of my powers , drove the grossness of the foppery into a received belief , in despite of the teeth of all rime and reason , that they were fairies . See now how wit may be made a Jack-a-lent , when 'tis upon ill employment !
+
+Sir John Falstaff , serve Got , and leave your desires , and fairies will not pinse you .
+
+Well said , fairy Hugh .
+
+And leave you your jealousies too , I pray you .
+
+I will never mistrust my wife again , till thou art able to woo her in good English .
+
+Have I laid my brain in the sun and dried it , that it wants matter to prevent so gross o'er-reaching as this ? Am I ridden with a Welsh goat too ? shall I have a coxcomb of frize ? 'Tis time I were choked with a piece of toasted cheese .
+
+Seese is not goot to give putter : your pelly is all putter .
+
+'Seese' and 'putter !' have I lived to stand at the taunt of one that makes fritters of English ? This is enough to be the decay of lust and late-walking through the realm .
+
+Why , Sir John , do you think , though we would have thrust virtue out of our hearts by the head and shoulders , and have given ourselves without scruple to hell , that ever the devil could have made you our delight ?
+
+What , a hodge-pudding ? a bag of flax ?
+
+A puffed man ?
+
+Old , cold , withered , and of intolerable entrails ?
+
+And one that is as slanderous as Satan ?
+
+And as poor as Job ?
+
+And as wicked as his wife ?
+
+And given to fornications , and to taverns , and sack and wine and metheglins , and to drinkings and swearings and starings , pribbles and prabbles ?
+
+Well , I am your theme : you have the start of me ; I am dejected ; I am not able to answer the Welsh flannel . Ignorance itself is a plummet o'er me : use me as you will .
+
+Marry , sir , we'll bring you to Windsor , to one Master Brook , that you have cozened of money , to whom you should have been a pander : over and above that you have suffered , I think , to repay that money will be a biting affliction .
+
+Nay , husband , let that go to make amends ;
+Forgive that sum , and so we'll all be friends .
+
+Well , here's my hand : all is forgiven at last .
+
+Yet be cheerful , knight : thou shalt eat a posset to-night at my house ; where I will desire thee to laugh at my wife , that now laughs at thee . Tell her , Master Slender hath married her daughter .
+
+Doctors doubt that : if Anne Page be my daughter , she is , by this Doctor Caius' wife .
+
+
+Whoa , ho ! ho ! father Page !
+
+Son , how now ! how now , son ! have you dispatched ?
+
+Dispatched ! I'll make the best in Gloster-shire know on 't ; would I were hanged , la , else !
+
+Of what , son ?
+
+I came yonder at Eton to marry Mistress Anne Page , and she's a great lubberly boy : if it had not been i' the church , I would have swinged him , or he should have swinged me . If I did not think it had been Anne Page , would I might never stir ! and 'tis a postmaster's boy .
+
+Upon my life , then , you took the wrong .
+
+What need you tell me that ? I think so , when I took a boy for a girl . If I had been married to him , for all he was in woman's apparel , I would not have had him .
+
+Why , this is your own folly . Did not I tell you how you should know my daughter by her garments ?
+
+I went to her in white , and cried , 'mum ,' and she cried 'budget ,' as Anne and I had appointed ; and yet it was not Anne , but a postmaster's boy .
+
+Jeshu ! Master Slender , cannot you see put marry poys ?
+
+O I am vexed at heart : what shall I do ?
+
+Good George , be not angry : I knew of your purpose ; turned my daughter into green ; and , indeed , she is now with the doctor at the deanery , and there married .
+
+
+Vere is Mistress Page ? By gar , I am cozened : I ha' married un gar on , a boy ; un paysan , by gar , a boy ; it is not Anne Page : by gar , I am cozened .
+
+Why , did you not take her in green ?
+
+Ay , by gar , and 'tis a boy : by gar , I'll raise all Windsor .
+
+
+This is strange . Who hath got the right Anne ?
+
+My heart misgives me : here comes Master Fenton .
+
+How now , Master Fenton !
+
+Pardon , good father ! good my mother , pardon !
+
+Now , mistress , how chance you went not with Master Slender ?
+
+Why went you not with Master Doctor , maid ?
+
+You do amaze her : hear the truth of it .
+You would have married her most shamefully ,
+Where there was no proportion held in love .
+The truth is , she and I , long since contracted ,
+Are now so sure that nothing can dissolve us .
+The offence is holy that she hath committed ,
+And this deceit loses the name of craft ,
+Of disobedience , or unduteous title ,
+Since therein she doth evitate and shun
+A thousand irreligious cursed hours ,
+Which forced marriage would have brought upon her .
+
+Stand not amaz'd : here is no remedy :
+In love the heavens themselves do guide the state :
+Money buys lands , and wives are sold by fate .
+
+I am glad , though you have ta'en a special stand to strike at me , that your arrow hath glanced .
+
+Well , what remedy ?Fenton , heaven give thee joy !
+What cannot be eschew'd must be embrac'd .
+
+When night dogs run all sorts of deer are chas'd .
+
+Well , I will muse no further . Master Fenton ,
+Heaven give you many , many merry days !
+Good husband , let us every one go home ,
+And laugh this sport o'er by a country fire ;
+Sir John and all .
+
+Let it be so . Sir John ,
+To Master Brook you yet shall hold your word ;
+For he to-night shall lie with Mistress Ford .
+
+THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
+
+
+I'll pheeze you , in faith .
+
+A pair of stocks , you rogue !
+
+Y'are a baggage : the Slys are no rogues ; look in the chronicles ; we came in with Richard Conqueror . Therefore , paucas pallabris ; let the world slide . Sessa !
+
+You will not pay for the glasses you have burst ?
+
+No , not a denier . Go by , Jeronimy , go to thy cold bed , and warm thee .
+
+I know my remedy : I must go fetch the third-borough .
+
+
+Third , or fourth , or fifth borough , I'll answer him by law . I'll not budge an inch , boy : let him come , and kindly .
+
+Huntsman , I charge thee , tender well my hounds :
+Brach Merriman , the poor cur is emboss'd ,
+And couple Clowder with the deep-mouth'd brach .
+Saw'st thou not , boy , how Silver made it good
+At the hedge-corner , in the coldest fault ?
+I would not lose the dog for twenty pound .
+
+Why , Bellman is as good as he , my lord ;
+He cried upon it at the merest loss ,
+And twice to-day pick'd out the dullest scent :
+Trust me , I take him for the better dog .
+
+Thou art a fool : if Echo were as fleet ,
+I would esteem him worth a dozen such .
+But sup them well , and look unto them all :
+To-morrow I intend to hunt again .
+
+I will , my lord .
+
+What's here ? one dead , or drunk ? See , doth he breathe ?
+
+He breathes , my lord . Were he not warm'd with ale ,
+This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly .
+
+O monstrous beast ! how like a swine he lies !
+Grim death , how foul and loathsome is thine image !
+Sirs , I will practise on this drunken man .
+What think you , if he were convey'd to bed ,
+Wrapp'd in sweet clothes , rings put upon his fingers ,
+A most delicious banquet by his bed ,
+And brave attendants near him when he wakes ,
+Would not the beggar then forget himself ?
+
+Believe me , lord , I think he cannot choose .
+
+It would seem strange unto him when he wak'd .
+
+Even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy .
+Then take him up and manage well the jest .
+Carry him gently to my fairest chamber ,
+And hang it round with all my wanton pictures ;
+Balm his foul head in warm distilled waters ,
+And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet .
+Procure me music ready when he wakes ,
+To make a dulcet and a heavenly sound ;
+And if he chance to speak , be ready straight ,
+And with a low submissive reverence
+Say , 'What is it your honour will command ?'
+Let one attend him with a silver basin
+Full of rose-water , and bestrew'd with flowers ;
+Another bear the ewer , the third a diaper ,
+And say , 'Will't please your lordship cool your hands ?'
+Some one be ready with a costly suit ,
+And ask him what apparel he will wear ;
+Another tell him of his hounds and horse ,
+And that his lady mourns at his disease .
+Persuade him that he hath been lunatic ;
+And , when he says he is say that he dreams ,
+For he is nothing but a mighty lord .
+This do , and do it kindly , gentle sirs :
+It will be pastime passing excellent ,
+If it be husbanded with modesty .
+
+My lord , I warrant you we will play our part ,
+As he shall think , by our true diligence ,
+He is no less than what we say he is .
+
+Take him up gently , and to bed with him ,
+And each one to his office when he wakes .
+
+Sirrah , go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds :
+
+Belike , some noble gentleman that means ,
+Travelling some journey , to repose him here .
+
+How now ! who is it ?
+
+An it please your honour ,
+Players that offer service to your lordship .
+
+Bid them come near .
+
+Now , fellows , you are welcome .
+
+We thank your honour .
+
+Do you intend to stay with me to-night ?
+
+So please your lordship to accept our duty .
+
+With all my heart . This fellow I remember ,
+Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son :
+'Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well .
+I have forgot your name ; but , sure , that part
+Was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd .
+
+I think 'twas Soto that your honour means .
+
+'Tis very true : thou didst it excellent .
+Well , you are come to me in happy time ,
+The rather for I have some sport in hand
+Wherein your cunning can assist me much .
+There is a lord will hear you play to-night ;
+But I am doubtful of your modesties ,
+Lest , over-eyeing of his odd behaviour ,
+For yet his honour never heard a play ,
+You break into some merry passion
+And so offend him ; for I tell you , sirs ,
+If you should smile he grows impatient .
+
+Fear not , my lord : we can contain ourselves
+Were he the veriest antick in the world .
+
+Go , sirrah , take them to the buttery ,
+And give them friendly welcome every one :
+Let them want nothing that my house affords .
+
+Sirrah , go you to Barthol'mew my page ,
+And see him dress'd in all suits like a lady :
+That done , conduct him to the drunkard's chamber ;
+And call him 'madam ,' do him obeisance .
+Tell him from me ,as he will win my love ,
+He bear himself with honourable action ,
+Such as he hath observ'd in noble ladies
+Unto their lords , by them accomplished :
+Such duty to the drunkard let him do
+With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy ;
+And say , 'What is't your honour will command ,
+Wherein your lady and your humble wife
+May show her duty , and make known her love ?'
+And then , with kind embracements , tempting kisses ,
+And with declining head into his bosom ,
+Bid him shed tears , as being overjoy'd
+To see her noble lord restor'd to health ,
+Who for this seven years hath esteemed him
+No better than a poor and loathsome beggar .
+And if the boy have not a woman's gift
+To rain a shower of commanded tears ,
+An onion will do well for such a shift ,
+Which in a napkin being close convey'd ,
+Shall in despite enforce a watery eye .
+See this dispatch'd with all the haste thou canst :
+Anon I'll give thee more instructions .
+
+I know the boy will well usurp the grace ,
+Voice , gait , and action of a gentlewoman :
+I long to hear him call the drunkard husband ,
+And how my men will stay themselves from laughter
+When they do homage to this simple peasant .
+I'll in to counsel them : haply , my presence
+May well abate the over merry spleen
+Which otherwise would grow into extremes .
+
+
+For God's sake ! a pot of small ale .
+
+Will't please your lordship drink a cup of sack ?
+
+Will't please your honour taste of these conserves ?
+
+What raiment will your honour wear to-day ?
+
+I am Christophero Sly ; call not me honour , nor lordship : I ne'er drank sack in my life ; and if you give me any conserves , give me conserves of beef . Ne'er ask me what raiment I'll wear , for I have no more doublets than backs , no more stockings than legs , nor no more shoes than feet : nay , sometime more feet than shoes , or such shoes as my toes look through the overleather .
+
+Heaven cease this idle humour in your honour !
+O , that a mighty man , of such descent ,
+Of such possessions , and so high esteem ,
+Should be infused with so foul a spirit !
+
+What ! would you make me mad ? Am not I Christopher Sly , old Sly's son , of Burtonheath ; by birth a pedlar , by education a cardmaker , by transmutation a bear-herd , and now by present profession a tinker ? Ask Marian Hacket , the fat ale-wife of Wincot , if she know me not : if she say I am not fourteen pence on the score for sheer ale , score me up for the lyingest knave in Christendom . What ! I am not bestraught : here's
+
+O ! this it is that makes your lady mourn .
+
+O ! this it is that makes your servants droop .
+
+Hence comes it that your kindred shuns your house ,
+As beaten hence by your strange lunacy .
+O noble lord , bethink thee of thy birth ,
+Call home thy ancient thoughts from banishment ,
+And banish hence these abject lowly dreams .
+Look how thy servants do attend on thee ,
+Each in his office ready at thy beck :
+Wilt thou have music ? hark ! Apollo plays ,
+
+And twenty caged nightingales do sing :
+Or wilt thou sleep ? we'll have thee to a couch
+Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed
+On purpose trimm'd up for Semiramis .
+Say thou wilt walk , we will bestrew the ground :
+Or wilt thou ride ? thy horses shall be trapp'd ,
+Their harness studded all with gold and pearl .
+Dost thou love hawking ? thou hast hawks will soar
+Above the morning lark : or wilt thou hunt ?
+Thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them ,
+And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth .
+
+Say thou wilt course ; thy greyhounds are as swift
+As breathed stags , ay , fleeter than the roe .
+
+Dost thou love pictures ? we will fetch thee straight
+Adonis painted by a running brook ,
+And Cytherea all in sedges hid ,
+Which seem to move and wanton with her breath ,
+Even as the waving sedges play with wind .
+
+We'll show thee Io as she was a maid ,
+And how she was beguiled and surpris'd ,
+As lively painted as the deed was done .
+
+Or Daphne roaming through a thorny wood ,
+Scratching her legs that one shall swear she bleeds ;
+And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep ,
+So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn .
+
+Thou art a lord and nothing but a lord :
+Thou hast a lady far more beautiful
+Than any woman in this waning age .
+
+And till the tears that she hath shed for thee
+Like envious floods o'er-run her lovely face ,
+She was the fairest creature in the world ;
+And yet she is inferior to none .
+
+Am I a lord ? and have I such a lady ?
+Or do I dream ? or have I dream'd till now ?
+I do not sleep ; I see , I hear , I speak ;
+I smell sweet savours , and I feel soft things :
+Upon my life , I am a lord indeed ;
+And not a tinker , nor Christophero Sly .
+Well , bring our lady hither to our sight ;
+And once again , a pot o' the smallest ale .
+
+Will't please your mightiness to wash your hands ?
+
+O , how we joy to see your wit restor'd !
+O , that once more you knew but what you are !
+These fifteen years you have been in a dream ,
+Or , when you wak'd , so wak'd as if you slept .
+
+These fifteen years ! by my fay , a goodly nap .
+But did I never speak of all that time ?
+
+O ! yes , my lord , but very idle words ;
+For though you lay here in this goodly chamber ,
+Yet would you say ye were beaten out of door ,
+And rail upon the hostess of the house ,
+And say you would present her at the leet ,
+Because she brought stone jugs and no seal'd quarts .
+Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket .
+
+Ay , the woman's maid of the house .
+
+Why , sir , you know no house , nor no such maid ,
+Nor no such men as you have reckon'd up ,
+As Stephen Sly , and old John Naps of Greece ,
+And Peter Turf , and Henry Pimpernell ,
+And twenty more such names and men as these ,
+Which never were nor no man ever saw .
+
+Now , Lord be thanked for my good amends !
+
+Amen .
+
+I thank thee ; thou shalt not lose by it .
+
+
+How fares my noble lord ?
+
+Marry , I fare well , for here is cheer enough .
+Where is my wife ?
+
+Here , noble lord : what is thy will with her ?
+
+Are you my wife , and will not call me husband ?
+My men should call me lord : I am your goodman .
+
+My husband and my lord , my lord and husband ;
+I am your wife in all obedience .
+
+I know it well . What must I call her ?
+
+Madam .
+
+Al'ce madam , or Joan madam ?
+
+Madam , and nothing else : so lords call ladies .
+
+Madam wife , they say that I have dream'd
+And slept above some fifteen year or more .
+
+Ay , and the time seems thirty unto me ,
+Being all this time abandon'd from your bed .
+
+'Tis much . Servants , leave me and her alone .
+Madam , undress you , and come now to bed .
+
+Thrice noble lord , let me entreat of you
+To pardon me yet for a night or two ,
+Or , if not so , until the sun be set :
+For your physicians have expressly charg'd ,
+In peril to incur your former malady ,
+That I should yet absent me from your bed :
+I hope this reason stands for my excuse .
+
+Ay , it stands so , that I may hardly tarry so long ; but I would be loath to fall into my dreams again : I will therefore tarry , in spite of the flesh and the blood .
+
+
+Your honour's players , hearing your amendment ,
+Are come to play a pleasant comedy ;
+For so your doctors hold it very meet ,
+Seeing too much sadness hath congeal'd your blood ,
+And melancholy is the nurse of frenzy :
+Therefore they thought it good you hear a play ,
+And frame your mind to mirth and merriment ,
+Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life .
+
+Marry , I will ; let them play it . Is not a commonty a Christmas gambold or a tumbling-trick ?
+
+No , my good lord ; it is more pleasing stuff .
+
+What ! household stuff ?
+
+It is a kind of history .
+
+Well , we'll see't . Come , madam wife , sit by my side ,
+And let the world slip : we shall ne'er be younger .
+
+
+Tranio , since for the great desire I had
+To see fair Padua , nursery of arts ,
+I am arriv'd for fruitful Lombardy ,
+The pleasant garden of great Italy ;
+And by my father's love and leave am arm'd
+With his good will and thy good company ,
+My trusty servant well approv'd in all ,
+Here let us breathe , and haply institute
+A course of learning and ingenious studies .
+Pisa , renowned for grave citizens ,
+Gave me my being and my father first ,
+A merchant of great traffic through the world ,
+Vincentio , come of the Bentivolii .
+Vincentio's son , brought up in Florence ,
+It shall become to serve all hopes conceiv'd ,
+To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds :
+And therefore , Tranio , for the time I study ,
+Virtue and that part of philosophy
+Will I apply that treats of happiness
+By virtue specially to be achiev'd .
+Tell me thy mind ; for I have Pisa left
+And am to Padua come , as he that leaves
+A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep ,
+And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst .
+
+Mi perdonate , gentle master mine ,
+I am in all affected as yourself ,
+Glad that you thus continue your resolve
+To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy .
+Only , good master , while we do admire
+This virtue and this moral discipline ,
+Let's be no stoics nor no stocks , I pray ;
+Or so devote to Aristotle's checks
+As Ovid be an outcast quite abjur'd .
+Balk logic with acquaintance that you have ,
+And practise rhetoric in your common talk ;
+Music and poesy use to quicken you ;
+The mathematics and the metaphysics ,
+Fall to them as you find your stomach serves you ;
+No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en ;
+In brief , sir , study what you most affect .
+
+Gramercies , Tranio , well dost thou advise .
+If , Biondello , thou wert come ashore ,
+We could at once put us in readiness ,
+And take a lodging fit to entertain
+Such friends as time in Padua shall beget .
+But stay awhile : what company is this ?
+
+Master , some show to welcome us to town .
+
+
+Gentlemen , importune me no further ,
+For how I firmly am resolv'd you know ;
+That is , not to bestow my youngest daughter
+Before I have a husband for the elder .
+If either of you both love Katharina ,
+Because I know you well and love you well ,
+Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure .
+
+To cart her rather : she's too rough for me .
+There , there , Hortensio , will you any wife ?
+
+I pray you , sir , is it your will
+To make a stale of me amongst these mates ?
+
+Mates , maid ! how mean you that ? no mates for you ,
+Unless you were of gentler , milder mould .
+
+I' faith , sir , you shall never need to fear :
+I wis it is not half way to her heart ;
+But if it were , doubt not her care should be
+To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool ,
+And paint your face , and use you like a fool .
+
+From all such devils , good Lord deliver us !
+
+And me too , good Lord !
+
+Hush , master ! here is some good pastime toward :
+That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward .
+
+But in the other's silence do I see
+Maid's mild behaviour and sobriety .
+Peace , Tranio !
+
+Well said , master ; mum ! and gaze your fill .
+
+Gentlemen , that I may soon make good
+What I have said ,Bianca , get you in :
+And let it not displease thee , good Bianca ,
+For I will love thee ne'er the less , my girl .
+
+A pretty peat ! it is best
+Put finger in the eye , an she knew why .
+
+Sister , content you in my discontent .
+Sir , to your pleasure humbly I subscribe :
+My books and instruments shall be my company ,
+On them to look and practise by myself .
+
+Hark , Tranio ! thou mayst hear Minerva speak .
+
+Signior Baptista , will you be so strange ?
+Sorry am I that our good will effects
+Bianca's grief .
+
+Why will you mew her up ,
+Signior Baptista , for this fiend of hell ,
+And make her bear the penance of her tongue ?
+
+Gentlemen , content ye ; I am resolv'd .
+Go in , Bianca .
+
+And for I know she taketh most delight
+In music , instruments , and poetry ,
+Schoolmasters will I keep within my house ,
+Fit to instruct her youth . If you , Hortensio ,
+Or Signior Gremio , you , know any such ,
+Prefer them hither ; for to cunning men
+I will be very kind , and liberal
+To mine own children in good bringing up ;
+And so , farewell . Katharina , you may stay ;
+For I have more to commune with Bianca .
+
+
+Why , and I trust I may go too ; may I not ?
+What ! shall I be appointed hours , as though , belike ,
+I knew not what to take , and what to leave ? Ha !
+
+
+You may go to the devil's dam : your gifts are so good , here's none will hold you . Their love is not so great , Hortensio , but we may blow our nails together , and fast it fairly out : our cake's dough on both sides . Farewell : yet , for the love I bear my sweet Bianca , if I can by any means light on a fit man to teach her that wherein she delights , I will wish him to her father .
+
+So will I , Signior Gremio : but a word , I pray . Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brooked parle , know now , upon advice , it toucheth us both ,that we may yet again have access to our fair mistress and be happy rivals in Bianca's love ,to labour and effect one thing specially .
+
+What's that , I pray ?
+
+Marry , sir , to get a husband for her sister .
+
+A husband ! a devil .
+
+I say , a husband .
+
+I say , a devil . Thinkest thou , Hortensio , though her father be very rich , any man is so very a fool to be married to hell ?
+
+Tush , Gremio ! though it pass your patience and mine to endure her loud alarums , why , man , there be good fellows in the world , an a man could light on them , would take her with all faults , and money enough .
+
+I cannot tell ; but I had as lief take her dowry with this condition , to be whipped at the high-cross every morning .
+
+Faith , as you say , there's small choice in rotten apples . But , come ; since this bar in law makes us friends , it shall be so far forth friendly maintained , till by helping Baptista's eldest daughter to a husband , we set his youngest free for a husband , and then have to't afresh . Sweet Bianca ! Happy man be his dole ! He that runs fastest gets the ring . How say you , Signior Gremio ?
+
+I am agreed : and would I had given him the best horse in Padua to begin his wooing , that would thoroughly woo her , wed her , and bed her , and rid the house of her . Come on .
+
+
+I pray , sir , tell me , is it possible
+That love should of a sudden take such hold ?
+
+O Tranio ! till I found it to be true ,
+I never thought it possible or likely ;
+But see , while idly I stood looking on ,
+I found the effect of love in idleness ;
+And now in plainness do confess to thee ,
+That art to me as secret and as dear
+As Anna to the Queen of Carthage was ,
+Tranio , I burn , I pine , I perish , Tranio ,
+If I achieve not this young modest girl .
+Counsel me , Tranio , for I know thou canst :
+Assist me , Tranio , for I know thou wilt .
+
+Master , it is no time to chide you now ;
+Affection is not rated from the heart :
+If love have touch'd you , nought remains but so ,
+Redime te captum , quam queas minimo .
+
+Gramercies , lad ; go forward : this contents :
+The rest will comfort , for thy counsel's sound .
+
+Master , you look'd so longly on the maid ,
+Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all .
+
+O yes , I saw sweet beauty in her face ,
+Such as the daughter of Agenor had ,
+That made great Jove to humble him to her hand ,
+When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strand .
+
+Saw you no more ? mark'd you not how her sister
+Began to scold and raise up such a storm
+That mortal ears might hardly endure the din ?
+
+Tranio , I saw her coral lips to move ,
+And with her breath she did perfume the air ;
+Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her .
+
+Nay , then , 'tis time to stir him from his trance .
+I pray , awake , sir : if you love the maid ,
+Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her . Thus it stands :
+Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd ,
+That till the father rid his hands of her ,
+Master , your love must live a maid at home ;
+And therefore has he closely mew'd her up ,
+Because she will not be annoy'd with suitors .
+
+Ah , Tranio , what a cruel father's he !
+But art thou not advis'd he took some care
+To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her ?
+
+Ay , marry , am I , sir ; and now 'tis plotted .
+
+I have it , Tranio .
+
+Master , for my hand ,
+Both our inventions meet and jump in one .
+
+Tell me thine first .
+
+You will be schoolmaster ,
+And undertake the teaching of the maid :
+That's your device .
+
+It is : may it be done ?
+
+Not possible ; for who shall bear your part ,
+And be in Padua here Vincentio's son ?
+Keep house and ply his book , welcome his friends ;
+Visit his countrymen , and banquet them ?
+
+Basta ; content thee ; for I have it full .
+We have not yet been seen in any house ,
+Nor can we be distinguish'd by our faces
+For man , or master : then , it follows thus :
+Thou shalt be master , Tranio , in my stead ,
+Keep house , and port , and servants , as I should :
+I will some other be ; some Florentine ,
+Some Neapolitan , or meaner man of Pisa .
+'Tis hatch'd and shall be so : Tranio , at once
+Uncase thee , take my colour'd hat and cloak :
+When Biondello comes , he waits on thee ;
+But I will charm him first to keep his tongue .
+
+
+So had you need .
+In brief then , sir , sith it your pleasure is ,
+And I am tied to be obedient ;
+For so your father charg'd me at our parting ,
+'Be serviceable to my son ,' quoth he ,
+Although I think 'twas in another sense :
+I am content to be Lucentio ,
+Because so well I love Lucentio .
+
+Tranio , be so , because Lucentio loves ;
+And let me be a slave , to achieve that maid
+Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye .
+Here comes the rogue .
+
+Sirrah , where have you been ?
+
+Where have I been ! Nay , how now ! where are you ?
+Master , has my fellow Tranio stol'n your clothes ,
+Or you stol'n his ? or both ? pray , what's the news ?
+
+Sirrah , come hither : 'tis no time to jest ,
+And therefore frame your manners to the time .
+Your fellow Tranio , here , to save my life ,
+Puts my apparel and my countenance on ,
+And I for my escape have put on his ;
+For in a quarrel since I came ashore
+I kill'd a man , and fear I was descried .
+Wait you on him , I charge you , as becomes ,
+While I make way from hence to save my life :
+You understand me ?
+
+I , sir ! ne'er a whit .
+
+And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth :
+Tranio is changed to Lucentio .
+
+The better for him : would I were so too !
+
+So would I , faith , boy , to have the next wish after ,
+That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest daughter .
+But , sirrah , not for my sake , but your master's , I advise
+You use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies :
+When I am alone , why , then I am Tranio ;
+But in all places else your master , Lucentio .
+
+Tranio , let's go . One thing more rests , that thyself execute , to make one among these wooers : if thou ask me why , sufficeth my reasons are both good and weighty .
+
+My lord , you nod ; you do not mind the play .
+
+Yes , by Saint Anne , I do . A good matter , surely : comes there any more of it ?
+
+My lord , 'tis but begun .
+
+'Tis a very excellent piece of work , madam lady : would 'twere done !
+
+
+Verona , for awhile I take my leave ,
+To see my friends in Padua ; but , of all
+My best beloved and approved friend ,
+Hortensio ; and I trow this is his house .
+Here , sirrah Grumio ; knock , I say .
+
+Knock , sir ! whom should I knock ? is there any man has rebused your worship ?
+
+Villain , I say , knock me here soundly .
+
+Knock you here , sir ! why , sir , what am I , sir , that I should knock you here , sir ?
+
+Villain , I say , knock me at this gate ;
+And rap me well , or I'll knock your knave's pate .
+
+My master is grown quarrelsome . I should knock you first ,
+And then I know after who comes by the worst .
+
+Will it not be ?
+Faith , sirrah , an you'll not knock , I'll ring it ;
+I'll try how you can sol , fa , and sing it .
+
+
+Help , masters , help ! my master is mad .
+
+Now , knock when I bid you , sirrah villain !
+
+
+How now ! what's the matter ? My old friend Grumio ! and my good friend Petruchio ! How do you all at Verona ?
+
+Signior Hortensio , come you to part the fray ?
+Con tutto il cuore ben trovato , may I say .
+
+Alla nostra casa ben venuto ; molto honorato signior mio Petruchio .
+Rise , Grumio , rise : we will compound this quarrel .
+
+Nay , 'tis no matter , sir , what he 'leges in Latin . If this be not a lawful cause for me to leave his service , look you , sir , he bid me knock him and rap him soundly , sir : well , was it fit for a servant to use his master so ; being , perhaps , for aught I see , two-and-thirty , a pip out ?
+Whom would to God , I had well knock'd at first ,
+Then had not Grumio come by the worst .
+
+A senseless villain ! Good Hortensio ,
+I bade the rascal knock upon your gate ,
+And could not get him for my heart to do it .
+
+Knock at the gate ! O heavens ! Spake you not these words plain , 'Sirrah , knock me here , rap me here , knock me well , and knock me soundly ?' And come you now with 'knocking at the gate ?'
+
+Sirrah , be gone , or talk not , I advise you .
+
+Petruchio , patience ; I am Grumio's pledge .
+Why , this's a heavy chance 'twixt him and you ,
+Your ancient , trusty , pleasant servant Grumio .
+And tell me now , sweet friend , what happy gale
+Blows you to Padua here from old Verona ?
+
+Such wind as scatters young men through the world
+To seek their fortunes further than at home ,
+Where small experience grows . But in a few ,
+Signior Hortensio , thus it stands with me :
+Antonio , my father , is deceas'd ,
+And I have thrust myself into this maze ,
+Haply to wive and thrive as best I may .
+Crowns in my purse I have and goods at home ,
+And so am come abroad to see the world .
+
+Petruchio , shall I then come roundly to thee ,
+And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour'd wife ?
+Thou'dst thank me but a little for my counsel ;
+And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich ,
+And very rich : but thou'rt too much my friend ,
+And I'll not wish thee to her .
+
+Signior Hortensio , 'twixt such friends as we ,
+Few words suffice ; and therefore , if thou know
+One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife ,
+As wealth is burden of my wooing dance ,
+Be she as foul as was Florentius' love ,
+As old as Sibyl , and as curst and shrewd
+As Socrates' Xanthippe , or a worse ,
+She moves me not , or not removes , at least ,
+Affection's edge in me , were she as rough
+As are the swelling Adriatic seas :
+I come to wive it wealthily in Padua ;
+If wealthily , then happily in Padua .
+
+Nay , look you , sir , he tells you flatly what his mind is : why , give him gold enough and marry him to a puppet or an aglet-baby ; or an old trot with ne'er a tooth in her head , though she have as many diseases as two-and-fifty horses : why , nothing comes amiss , so money comes withal .
+
+Petruchio , since we are stepp'd thus far in ,
+I will continue that I broach'd in jest .
+I can , Petruchio , help thee to a wife
+With wealth enough , and young and beauteous ,
+Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman :
+Her only fault ,and that is faults enough ,
+Is , that she is intolerable curst
+And shrewd and froward , so beyond all measure ,
+That , were my state far worser than it is ,
+I would not wed her for a mine of gold :
+
+Hortensio , peace ! thou know'st not gold's effect :
+Tell me her father's name , and 'tis enough ;
+For I will board her , though she chide as loud
+As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack .
+
+Her father is Baptista Minola ,
+An affable and courteous gentleman ;
+Her name is Katharina Minola ,
+Renown'd in Padua for her scolding tongue .
+
+I know her father , though I know not her ;
+And he knew my deceased father well .
+I will not sleep , Hortensio , till I see her ;
+And therefore let me be thus bold with you ,
+To give you over at this first encounter ,
+Unless you will accompany me thither .
+
+I pray you , sir , let him go while the humour lasts . O' my word , an she knew him as well as I do , she would think scolding would do little good upon him . She may , perhaps , call him half a score knaves or so : why , that's nothing : an he begin once , he'll rail in his ropetricks . I'll tell you what , sir , an she stand him but a little , he will throw a figure in her face , and so disfigure her with it that she shall have no more eyes to see withal than a cat . You know him not , sir .
+
+Tarry , Petruchio , I must go with thee ,
+For in Baptista's keep my treasure is :
+He hath the jewel of my life in hold ,
+His youngest daughter , beautiful Bianca ,
+And her withholds from me and other more ,
+Suitors to her and rivals in my love ;
+Supposing it a thing impossible ,
+For those defects I have before rehears'd ,
+That ever Katharina will be woo'd :
+Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en ,
+That none shall have access unto Bianca ,
+Till Katharine the curst have got a husband .
+
+Katharine the curst !
+A title for a maid of all titles the worst .
+
+Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace ,
+And offer me , disguis'd in sober robes ,
+To old Baptista as a schoolmaster
+Well seen in music , to instruct Bianca ;
+That so I may , by this device , at least
+Have leave and leisure to make love to her ,
+And unsuspected court her by herself .
+
+Here's no knavery ! See , to beguile the old folks , how the young folks lay their heads together !
+
+Master , master , look about you : who goes there , ha ?
+
+Peace , Grumio ! 'tis the rival of my love .
+Petruchio , stand by awhile .
+
+A proper stripling , and an amorous !
+
+O ! very well ; I have perus'd the note .
+Hark you , sir ; I'll have them very fairly bound :
+All books of love , see that at any hand ,
+And see you read no other lectures to her .
+You understand me . Over and beside
+Signior Baptista's liberality ,
+I'll mend it with a largess . Take your papers too ,
+And let me have them very well perfum'd ;
+For she is sweeter than perfume itself
+To whom they go to . What will you read to her ?
+
+Whate'er I read to her , I'll plead for you ,
+As for my patron , stand you so assur'd ,
+As firmly as yourself were still in place ;
+Yea , and perhaps with more successful words
+Than you , unless you were a scholar , sir .
+
+O ! this learning , what a thing it is .
+
+O ! this woodcock , what an ass it is .
+
+Peace , sirrah !
+
+Grumio , mum ! God save you , Signior Gremio !
+
+And you're well met , Signior Hortensio .
+Trow you whither I am going ? To Baptista Minola .
+I promis'd to inquire carefully
+About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca ;
+And , by good fortune , I have lighted well
+On this young man ; for learning and behaviour
+Fit for her turn ; well read in poetry
+And other books , good ones , I warrant ye .
+
+'Tis well : and I have met a gentleman
+Hath promis'd me to help me to another ,
+A fine musician to instruct our mistress :
+So shall I no whit be behind in duty
+To fair Bianca , so belov'd of me .
+
+Belov'd of me , and that my deeds shall prove .
+
+And that his bags shall prove .
+
+Gremio , 'tis now no time to vent our love :
+Listen to me , and if you speak me fair ,
+I'll tell you news indifferent good for either .
+Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met ,
+Upon agreement from us to his liking ,
+Will undertake to woo curst Katharine ;
+Yea , and to marry her , if her dowry please .
+
+So said , so done , is well .
+Hortensio , have you told him all her faults ?
+
+I know she is an irksome , brawling scold :
+If that be all , masters , I hear no harm .
+
+No , sayst me so , friend ? What countryman ?
+
+Born in Verona , old Antonio's son :
+My father dead , my fortune lives for me ;
+And I do hope good days and long to see .
+
+O , sir , such a life , with such a wife , were strange !
+But if you have a stomach , to't i' God's name :
+You shall have me assisting you in all .
+But will you woo this wild-cat ?
+
+Will I live ?
+
+Will he woo her ? ay , or I'll hang her .
+
+Why came I hither but to that intent ?
+Think you a little din can daunt mine ears ?
+Have I not in my time heard lions roar ?
+Have I not heard the sea , puff'd up with winds ,
+Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat ?
+Have I not heard great ordnance in the field ,
+And heaven's artillery thunder in the skies ?
+Have I not in a pitched battle heard
+Loud 'larums , neighing steeds , and trumpets' clang ?
+And do you tell me of a woman's tongue ,
+That gives not half so great a blow to hear
+As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire ?
+Tush , tush ! fear boys with bugs .
+
+For he fears none .
+
+Hortensio , hark :
+This gentleman is happily arriv'd ,
+My mind presumes , for his own good and ours .
+
+I promis'd we would be contributors ,
+And bear his charge of wooing , whatsoe'er .
+
+And so we will , provided that he win her .
+
+I would I were as sure of a good dinner .
+
+
+Gentlemen , God save you ! If I may be bold ,
+Tell me , I beseech you , which is the readiest way
+To the house of Signior Baptista Minola ?
+
+He that has the two fair daughters : is't he you mean ?
+
+Even he , Biondello !
+
+Hark you , sir ; you mean not her to
+
+Perhaps , him and her , sir : what have you to do ?
+
+Not her that chides , sir , at any hand , I pray .
+
+I love no chiders , sir . Biondello , let's away .
+
+Well begun , Tranio .
+
+Sir , a word ere you go :
+Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of , yea or no ?
+
+And if I be , sir , is it any offence ?
+
+No ; if without more words you will get you hence .
+
+Why , sir , I pray , are not the streets as free
+For me as for you ?
+
+But so is not she .
+
+For what reason , I beseech you ?
+
+For this reason , if you'll know ,
+That she's the choice love of Signior Gremio .
+
+That she's the chosen of Signior Hortensio .
+
+Softly , my masters ! if you be gentlemen ,
+Do me this right ; hear me with patience .
+Baptista is a noble gentleman ,
+To whom my father is not all unknown ;
+And were his daughter fairer than she is ,
+She may more suitors have , and me for one .
+Fair Leda's daughter had a thousand wooers ;
+Then well one more may fair Bianca have ,
+And so she shall ; Lucentio shall make one ,
+Though Paris came in hope to speed alone .
+
+What ! this gentleman will out-talk us all .
+
+Sir , give him head : I know he'll prove a jade .
+
+Hortensio , to what end are all these words ?
+
+Sir , let me be so bold as ask you ,
+Did you yet ever see Baptista's daughter ?
+
+No , sir ; but hear I do that he hath two ,
+The one as famous for a scolding tongue
+As is the other for beauteous modesty .
+
+Sir , sir , the first's for me ; let her go by .
+
+Yea , leave that labour to great Hercules ,
+And let it be more than Alcides' twelve .
+
+Sir , understand you this of me in sooth :
+The youngest daughter , whom you hearken for ,
+Her father keeps from all access of suitors ,
+And will not promise her to any man
+Until the elder sister first be wed ;
+The younger then is free , and not before .
+
+If it be so , sir , that you are the man
+Must stead us all , and me among the rest ;
+And if you break the ice , and do this feat ,
+Achieve the elder , set the younger free
+For our access , whose hap shall be to have her
+Will not so graceless be to be ingrate .
+
+Sir , you say well , and well you do conceive ;
+And since you do profess to be a suitor ,
+You must , as we do , gratify this gentleman ,
+To whom we all rest generally beholding .
+
+Sir , I shall not be slack : in sign whereof ,
+Please ye we may contrive this afternoon ,
+And quaff carouses to our mistress' health ,
+And do as adversaries do in law ,
+Strive mightily , but eat and drink as friends .
+
+O excellent motion ! Fellows , let's be gone .
+
+O excellent motion ! Fellows , let's be gone .
+
+The motion's good indeed , and be it so :
+Petruchio , I shall be your ben venuto .
+
+Good sister , wrong me not , nor wrong yourself ,
+To make a bondmaid and a slave of me ;
+That I disdain : but for these other gawds ,
+Unbind my hands , I'll pull them off myself ,
+Yea , all my raiment , to my petticoat ;
+Or what you will command me will I do ,
+So well I know my duty to my elders .
+
+Of all thy suitors , here I charge thee , tell
+Whom thou lov'st best : see thou dissemble not .
+
+Believe me , sister , of all the men alive
+I never yet beheld that special face
+Which I could fancy more than any other .
+
+Minion , thou liest . Is't not Hortensio ?
+
+If you affect him , sister , here I swear
+I'll plead for you myself , but you shall have him .
+
+O ! then , belike , you fancy riches more :
+You will have Gremio to keep you fair .
+
+Is it for him you do envy me so ?
+Nay , then you jest ; and now I well perceive
+You have but jested with me all this while :
+I prithee , sister Kate , untie my hands .
+
+If that be jest , then all the rest was so .
+
+Why , how now , dame ! whence grows this insolence ?
+Bianca , stand aside . Poor girl ! she weeps .
+Go ply thy needle ; meddle not with her .
+For shame , thou hilding of a devilish spirit ,
+Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee ?
+When did she cross thee with a bitter word ?
+
+Her silence flouts me , and I'll be reveng'd .
+
+
+What ! in my sight ? Bianca , get thee in .
+
+
+What ! will you not suffer me ? Nay , now I see
+She is your treasure , she must have a husband ;
+I must dance bare-foot on her wedding-day ,
+And , for your love to her , lead apes in hell .
+Talk not to me : I will go sit and weep
+Till I can find occasion of revenge .
+
+
+Was ever gentleman thus griev'd as I ?
+But who comes here ?
+
+
+Good morrow , neighbour Baptista .
+
+Good morrow , neighbour Gremio . God save you , gentlemen !
+
+And you , good sir . Pray , have you not a daughter
+Call'd Katharina , fair and virtuous ?
+
+I have a daughter , sir , call'd Katharina .
+
+You are too blunt : go to it orderly .
+
+You wrong me , Signior Gremio : give me leave .
+I am a gentleman of Verona , sir ,
+That , hearing of her beauty and her wit ,
+Her affability and bashful modesty ,
+Her wondrous qualities and mild behaviour ,
+Am bold to show myself a forward guest
+Within your house , to make mine eye the witness
+Of that report which I so oft have heard .
+And , for an entrance to my entertainment ,
+I do present you with a man of mine ,
+
+Cunning in music and the mathematics ,
+To instruct her fully in those sciences ,
+Whereof I know she is not ignorant .
+Accept of him , or else you do me wrong :
+His name is Licio , born in Mantua .
+
+You're welcome , sir ; and he , for your good sake .
+But for my daughter Katharine , this I know ,
+She is not for your turn , the more my grief .
+
+I see you do not mean to part with her ,
+Or else you like not of my company .
+
+Mistake me not ; I speak but as I find .
+Whence are you , sir ? what may I call your name ?
+
+Petruchio is my name ; Antonio's son ;
+A man well known throughout all Italy .
+
+I know him well : you are welcome for his sake .
+
+Saving your tale , Petruchio , I pray ,
+Let us , that are poor petitioners , speak too .
+Backare ! you are marvellous forward .
+
+O , pardon me , Signior Gremio ; I would fain be doing .
+
+I doubt it not , sir ; but you will curse your wooing .
+Neighbour , this is a gift very grateful , I am sure of it . To express the like kindness myself , that have been more kindly beholding to you than any , freely give unto you this young scholar ,
+
+that has been long studying at Rheims ; as cunning in Greek , Latin , and other languages , as the other in music and mathematics . His name is Cambio ; pray accept his service .
+
+A thousand thanks , Signior Gremio ; welcome , good Cambio .
+
+But , gentle sir , methinks you walk like a stranger : may I be so bold to know the cause of your coming ?
+
+Pardon me , sir , the boldness is mine own ,
+That , being a stranger in this city here ,
+Do make myself a suitor to your daughter ,
+Unto Bianca , fair and virtuous .
+Nor is your firm resolve unknown to me ,
+In the preferment of the eldest sister .
+This liberty is all that I request ,
+That , upon knowledge of my parentage ,
+I may have welcome 'mongst the rest that woo ,
+And free access and favour as the rest :
+And , toward the education of your daughters ,
+I here bestow a simple instrument ,
+And this small packet of Greek and Latin books :
+If you accept them , then their worth is great .
+
+Lucentio is your name , of whence , I pray ?
+
+Of Pisa , sir ; son to Vincentio .
+
+A mighty man of Pisa ; by report
+I know him well : you are very welcome , sir .
+
+
+and you the set of books ;
+You shall go see your pupils presently .
+Holla , within !
+
+
+Sirrah , lead these gentlemen
+To my two daughters , and then tell them both
+These are their tutors : bid them use them well .
+
+We will go walk a little in the orchard ,
+And then to dinner . You are passing welcome ,
+
+And so I pray you all to think yourselves .
+
+Signior Baptista , my business asketh haste ,
+And every day I cannot come to woo .
+You knew my father well , and in him me ,
+Left solely heir to all his lands and goods ,
+Which I have better'd rather than decreas'd :
+Then tell me , if I get your daughter's love ,
+What dowry shall I have with her to wife ?
+
+After my death the one half of my lands ,
+And in possession twenty thousand crowns .
+
+And , for that dowry , I'll assure her of
+Her widowhood , be it that she survive me ,
+In all my lands and leases whatsoever .
+Let specialties be therefore drawn between us ,
+That covenants may be kept on either hand .
+
+Ay , when the special thing is well obtain'd ,
+That is , her love ; for that is all in all .
+
+Why , that is nothing ; for I tell you , father ,
+I am as peremptory as she proud-minded ;
+And where two raging fires meet together
+They do consume the thing that feeds their fury :
+Though little fire grows great with little wind ,
+Yet extreme gusts will blow out fire and all ;
+So I to her , and so she yields to me ;
+For I am rough and woo not like a babe .
+
+Well mayst thou woo , and happy be thy speed !
+But be thou arm'd for some unhappy words .
+
+Ay , to the proof ; as mountains are for winds ,
+That shake not , though they blow perpetually .
+
+
+How now , my friend ! why dost thou look so pale ?
+
+For fear , I promise you , if I look pale .
+
+What , will my daughter prove a good musician ?
+
+I think she'll sooner prove a soldier :
+Iron may hold with her , but never lutes .
+
+Why , then thou canst not break her to the lute ?
+
+Why , no ; for she hath broke the lute to me .
+I did but tell her she mistook her frets ,
+And bow'd her hand to teach her fingering ;
+When , with a most impatient devilish spirit ,
+'Frets , call you these ?' quoth she ; 'I'll fume with them ;'
+And , with that word , she struck me on the head ,
+And through the instrument my pate made way ;
+And there I stood amazed for a while ,
+As on a pillory , looking through the lute ;
+While she did call me rascal fiddler ,
+And twangling Jack ; with twenty such vile terms
+As she had studied to misuse me so .
+
+Now , by the world , it is a lusty wench !
+I love her ten times more than e'er I did :
+O ! how I long to have some chat with her !
+
+Well , go with me , and be not so discomfited :
+Proceed in practice with my younger daughter ;
+She's apt to learn , and thankful for good turns .
+Signior Petruchio , will you go with us ,
+Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you ?
+
+I pray you do ; I will attend her here ,
+
+And woo her with some spirit when she comes .
+Say that she rail ; why then I'll tell her plain
+She sings as sweetly as a nightingale :
+Say that she frown ; I'll say she looks as clear
+As morning roses newly wash'd with dew :
+Say she be mute and will not speak a word ;
+Then I'll commend her volubility ,
+And say she uttereth piercing eloquence :
+If she do bid me pack ; I'll give her thanks ,
+As though she bid me stay by her a week :
+If she deny to wed ; I'll crave the day
+When I shall ask the banns , and when be married .
+But here she comes ; and now , Petruchio , speak .
+
+Good morrow , Kate ; for that's your name , I hear .
+
+Well have you heard , but something hard of hearing :
+They call me Katharine that do talk of me .
+
+You lie , in faith ; for you are call'd plain Kate ,
+And bonny Kate , and sometimes Kate the curst ;
+But , Kate , the prettiest Kate in Christendom ;
+Kate of Kate-Hall , my super-dainty Kate ,
+For dainties are all cates : and therefore , Kate ,
+Take this of me , Kate of my consolation ;
+Hearing thy mildness prais'd in every town ,
+Thy virtues spoke of , and thy beauty sounded ,
+Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs ,
+Myself am mov'd to woo thee for my wife .
+
+Mov'd ! in good time : let him that mov'd you hither
+Remove you hence . I knew you at the first ,
+You were a moveable .
+
+Why , what's a moveable ?
+
+A joint-stool .
+
+Thou hast hit it : come , sit on me .
+
+Asses are made to bear , and so are you .
+
+Women are made to bear , and so are you .
+
+No such jade as bear you , if me you mean .
+
+Alas ! good Kate , I will not burden thee ;
+For , knowing thee to be but young and light ,
+
+Too light for such a swain as you to catch ,
+And yet as heavy as my weight should be .
+
+Should be ! should buz !
+
+Well ta'en , and like a buzzard .
+
+O slow-wing'd turtle ! shall a buzzard take thee ?
+
+Ay , for a turtle , as he takes a buzzard .
+
+Come , come , you wasp ; i' faith you are too angry .
+
+If I be waspish , best beware my sting .
+
+My remedy is , then , to pluck it out .
+
+Ay , if the fool could find it where it lies .
+
+Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting ?
+In his tail .
+
+In his tongue .
+
+Whose tongue ?
+
+Yours , if you talk of tails ; and so farewell .
+
+What ! with my tongue in your tail ? nay , come again .
+Good Kate , I am a gentleman .
+
+That I'll try .
+
+
+I swear I'll cuff you if you strike again .
+
+So may you lose your arms :
+If you strike me , you are no gentleman ;
+And if no gentleman , why then no arms .
+
+A herald , Kate ? O ! put me in thy books .
+
+What is your crest ? a coxcomb ?
+
+A combless cock , so Kate will be my hen .
+
+No cock of mine ; you crow too like a craven .
+
+Nay , come , Kate , come ; you must not look so sour .
+
+It is my fashion when I see a crab .
+
+Why , here's no crab , and therefore look not sour .
+
+There is , there is .
+
+Then show it me .
+
+Had I a glass , I would .
+
+What , you mean my face ?
+
+Well aim'd of such a young one .
+
+Now , by Saint George , I am too young for you .
+
+Yet you are wither'd .
+
+'Tis with cares .
+
+I care not .
+
+Nay , hear you , Kate : in sooth , you 'scape not so .
+
+I chafe you , if I tarry : let me go .
+
+No , not a whit : I find you passing gentle .
+'Twas told me you were rough and coy and sullen ,
+And now I find report a very liar ;
+For thou art pleasant , gamesome , passing courteous ,
+But slow in speech , yet sweet as spring-time flowers :
+Thou canst not frown , thou canst not look askance ,
+Nor bite the lip , as angry wenches will ;
+Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk ;
+But thou with mildness entertain'st thy wooers ,
+With gentle conference , soft and affable .
+Why does the world report that Kate doth limp ?
+O slanderous world ! Kate , like the hazel-twig ,
+Is straight and slender , and as brown in hue
+As hazel nuts , and sweeter than the kernels .
+O ! let me see thee walk : thou dost not halt .
+
+Go , fool , and whom thou keep'st command .
+
+Did ever Dian so become a grove
+As Kate this chamber with her princely gait ?
+O ! be thou Dian , and let her be Kate ,
+And then let Kate be chaste , and Dian sportful !
+
+Where did you study all this goodly speech ?
+
+It is extempore , from my mother-wit .
+
+A witty mother ! witless else her son .
+
+Am I not wise ?
+
+Yes ; keep you warm .
+
+Marry , so I mean , sweet Katharine , in thy bed :
+And therefore , setting all this chat aside ,
+Thus in plain terms : your father hath consented
+That you shall be my wife ; your dowry 'greed on ;
+And will you , nill you , I will marry you .
+Now , Kate , I am a husband for your turn ;
+For , by this light , whereby I see thy beauty ,
+Thy beauty that doth make me like thee well ,
+Thou must be married to no man but me :
+For I am he am born to tame you , Kate ;
+And bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate
+Conformable as other household Kates .
+Here comes your father : never make denial ;
+I must and will have Katharine to my wife .
+
+
+Now , Signior Petruchio , how speed you with my daughter ?
+
+How but well , sir ? how but well ?
+It were impossible I should speed amiss .
+
+Why , how now , daughter Katharine ! in your dumps ?
+
+Call you me daughter ? now , I promise you
+You have show'd a tender fatherly regard ,
+To wish me wed to one half lunatic ;
+A mad-cap ruffian and a swearing Jack ,
+That thinks with oaths to face the matter out .
+
+Father , 'tis thus : yourself and all the world ,
+That talk'd of her , have talk'd amiss of her :
+If she be curst , it is for policy ,
+For she's not froward , but modest as the dove ;
+She is not hot , but temperate as the morn ;
+For patience she will prove a second Grissel ,
+And Roman Lucrece for her chastity ;
+And to conclude , we have 'greed so well together ,
+That upon Sunday is the wedding-day .
+
+I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first .
+
+Hark , Petruchio : she says she'll see thee hang'd first .
+
+Is this your speeding ? nay then , good night our part !
+
+Be patient , gentlemen ; I choose her for myself :
+If she and I be pleas'd , what's that to you ?
+'Tis bargain'd 'twixt us twain , being alone ,
+That she shall still be curst in company .
+I tell you , 'tis incredible to believe
+How much she loves me : O ! the kindest Kate .
+She hung about my neck , and kiss on kiss
+She vied so fast , protesting oath on oath ,
+That in a twink she won me to her love .
+O ! you are novices : 'tis a world to see ,
+How tame , when men and women are alone ,
+A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew .
+Give me thy hand , Kate : I will unto Venice
+To buy apparel 'gainst the wedding-day .
+Provide the feast , father , and bid the guests ;
+I will be sure my Katharine shall be fine .
+
+I know not what to say ; but give me your hands .
+God send you joy , Petruchio ! 'tis a match .
+
+Amen , say we : we will be witnesses .
+
+Amen , say we : we will be witnesses .
+
+Father , and wife , and gentlemen , adieu .
+I will to Venice ; Sunday comes apace :
+We will have rings , and things , and fine array ;
+And , kiss me , Kate , we will be married o' Sunday .
+
+
+Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly ?
+
+Faith , gentlemen , now I play a merchant's part ,
+And venture madly on a desperate mart .
+
+'Twas a commodity lay fretting by you :
+'Twill bring you gain , or perish on the seas .
+
+The gain I seek is , quiet in the match .
+
+No doubt but he hath got a quiet catch .
+But now , Baptista , to your younger daughter :
+Now is the day we long have looked for :
+I am your neighbour , and was suitor first .
+
+And I am one that love Bianca more
+Than words can witness , or your thoughts can guess .
+
+Youngling , thou canst not love so dear as I .
+
+Greybeard , thy love doth freeze .
+
+But thine doth fry .
+Skipper , stand back : 'tis age that nourisheth .
+
+But youth in ladies eyes that flourisheth .
+
+Content you , gentlemen ; I'll compound this strife :
+'Tis deeds must win the prize ; and he , of both ,
+That can assure my daughter greatest dower
+Shall have my Bianca's love .
+Say , Signior Gremio , what can you assure her ?
+
+First , as you know , my house within the city
+Is richly furnished with plate and gold :
+Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands ;
+My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry ;
+In ivory coffers I have stuff'd my crowns ;
+In cypress chests my arras counterpoints ,
+Costly apparel , tents , and canopies ,
+Fine linen , Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl ,
+Valance of Venice gold in needle-work ,
+Pewter and brass , and all things that belong
+To house or housekeeping : then , at my farm
+I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail ,
+Six score fat oxen standing in my stalls ,
+And all things answerable to this portion .
+Myself am struck in years , I must confess ;
+And if I die to-morrow , this is hers ,
+If whilst I live she will be only mine .
+
+That 'only' came well in . Sir , list to me :
+I am my father's heir and only son :
+If I may have your daughter to my wife ,
+I'll leave her houses three or four as good ,
+Within rich Pisa walls , as any one
+Old Signior Gremio has in Padua ;
+Besides two thousand ducats by the year
+Of fruitful land , all of which shall be her jointure .
+What , have I pinch'd you , Signior Gremio ?
+
+Two thousand ducats by the year of land !
+My land amounts not to so much in all :
+That she shall have ; besides an argosy
+That now is lying in Marseilles' road .
+What , have I chok'd you with an argosy ?
+
+Gremio , 'tis known my father hath no less
+Than three great argosies , besides two galliasses ,
+And twelve tight galleys ; these I will assure her ,
+And twice as much , whate'er thou offer'st next .
+
+Nay , I have offer'd all , I have no more ;
+And she can have no more than all I have :
+If you like me , she shall have me and mine .
+
+Why , then the maid is mine from all the world ,
+By your firm promise . Gremio is out-vied .
+
+I must confess your offer is the best ;
+And , let your father make her the assurance ,
+She is your own ; else , you must pardon me :
+If you should die before him , where's her dower ?
+
+That's but a cavil : he is old , I young .
+
+And may not young men die as well as old ?
+
+Well , gentlemen ,
+I am thus resolv'd . On Sunday next , you know ,
+My daughter Katharine is to be married :
+Now , on the Sunday following , shall Bianca
+Be bride to you , if you make this assurance ;
+If not , to Signior Gremio :
+And so , I take my leave , and thank you both .
+
+Adieu , good neighbour .
+
+Now I fear thee not :
+Sirrah young gamester , your father were a fool
+To give thee all , and in his waning age
+Set foot under thy table . Tut ! a toy !
+An old Italian fox is not so kind , my boy .
+
+
+A vengeance on your crafty wither'd hide !
+Yet I have fac'd it with a card of ten .
+'Tis in my head to do my master good :
+I see no reason , but suppos'd Lucentio
+Must get a father , called 'suppos'd Vincentio ;'
+And that's a wonder : fathers , commonly
+Do get their children ; but in this case of wooing ,
+A child shall get a sire , if I fail not of my cunning .
+
+Fiddler , forbear ; you grow too forward , sir :
+Have you so soon forgot the entertainment
+Her sister Katharine welcom'd you withal ?
+
+But , wrangling pedant , this is
+The patroness of heavenly harmony :
+Then give me leave to have prerogative ;
+And when in music we have spent an hour ,
+Your lecture shall have leisure for as much .
+
+Preposterous ass , that never read so far
+To know the cause why music was ordain'd !
+Was it not to refresh the mind of man
+After his studies or his usual pain ?
+Then give me leave to read philosophy ,
+And while I pause , serve in your harmony .
+
+Sirrah , I will not bear these braves of thine .
+
+Why , gentlemen , you do me double wrong ,
+To strive for that which resteth in my choice .
+I am no breeching scholar in the schools ;
+I'll not be tied to hours nor 'pointed times ,
+But learn my lessons as I please myself .
+And , to cut off all strife , here sit we down :
+Take you your instrument , play you the whiles ;
+His lecture will be done ere you have tun'd .
+
+You'll leave his lecture when I am in tune ?
+
+
+That will be never : tune vour instrument .
+
+Where left we last ?
+
+Here , madam :
+
+Hac ibat Simois ; hic est Sigeia tellus ;
+Hic steterat Priami regia celsa senis .
+
+
+Construe them .
+
+Hac ibat , as I told you before , Simois , I am Lucentio , hic est , son unto Vincentio of Pisa , Sigeia tellus , disguised thus to get your love ; Hic steterat , and that Lucentio that comes a wooing , Priami , is my man Tranio , regia , bearing my port , celsa senis , that we might beguile the old pantaloon .
+
+Madam , my instrument's in tune .
+
+Let's hear .
+
+O fie ! the treble jars .
+
+Spit in the hole , man , and tune again .
+
+Now let me see if I can construe it : Hac ibat Simois , I know you not , hic est Sigeia tellus , I trust you not ; Hic steterat Priami , take heed he hear us not , regia , presume not ; celsa senis , despair not .
+
+Madam , 'tis now in tune .
+
+All but the base .
+
+The base is right ; 'tis the base knave that jars .
+How fiery and forward our pedant is !
+
+
+Now , for my life , the knave doth court my love :
+Pedascule , I'll watch you better yet .
+
+In time I may believe , yet I mistrust .
+
+Mistrust it not ; for , sure , acides
+Was Ajax , call'd so from his grandfather .
+
+I must believe my master ; else , I promise you ,
+I should be arguing still upon that doubt :
+But let it rest . Now , Licio , to you .
+Good masters , take it not unkindly , pray ,
+That I have been thus pleasant with you both .
+
+You may go walk , and give me leave a while :
+My lessons make no music in three parts .
+
+Are you so formal , sir ?
+
+Well , I must wait ,
+And watch withal ; for , but I be deceiv'd ,
+Our fine musician groweth amorous .
+
+Madam , before you touch the instrument ,
+To learn the order of my fingering ,
+I must begin with rudiments of art ;
+To teach you gamut in a briefer sort ,
+More pleasant , pithy , and effectual ,
+Than hath been taught by any of my trade :
+And there it is in writing , fairly drawn .
+
+Why , I am past my gamut long ago .
+
+Yet read the gamut of Hortensio .
+
+
+'Gamut' I am , the ground of all accord ,
+'A re ,' to plead Hortensio's passion ;
+'B mi ,' Bianca , take him for thy lord ,
+'C fa ut ,' that loves with all affection :
+'D sol re ,' one clef , two notes have I :
+'E la mi ,' show pity , or I die .
+
+Call you this gamut ? tut , I like it not :
+Old fashions please me best ; I am not so nice ,
+To change true rules for odd inventions .
+
+
+Mistress , your father prays you leave your books ,
+And help to dress your sister's chamber up :
+You know to-morrow is the wedding-day .
+
+Farewell , sweet masters both : I must be gone .
+
+
+Faith , mistress , then I have no cause to stay .
+
+
+But I have cause to pry into this pedant :
+Methinks he looks as though he were in love .
+Yet if thy thoughts , Bianca , be so humble
+To cast thy wandering eyes on every stale ,
+Seize thee that list : if once I find thee ranging ,
+Hortensio will be quit with thee by changing .
+
+
+Signior Lucentio , this is the 'pointed day
+That Katharine and Petruchio should be married ,
+And yet we hear not of our son-in-law .
+What will be said ? what mockery will it be
+To want the bridegroom when the priest attends
+To speak the ceremonial rites of marriage !
+What says Lucentio to this shame of ours ?
+
+No shame but mine : I must , forsooth , be forc'd
+To give my hand oppos'd against my heart
+Unto a mad-brain rudesby , full of spleen ;
+Who woo'd in haste and means to wed at leisure .
+I told you , I , he was a frantic fool ,
+Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behaviour ;
+And to be noted for a merry man ,
+He'll woo a thousand , 'point the day of marriage ,
+Make friends invite , and proclaim the banns ;
+Yet never means to wed where he hath woo'd .
+Now must the world point at poor Katharine ,
+And say , 'Lo ! there is mad Petruchio's wife ,
+If it would please him come and marry her .'
+
+Patience , good Katharine , and Baptista too .
+Upon my life , Petruchio means but well ,
+Whatever fortune stays him from his word :
+Though he be blunt , I know him passing wise ;
+Though he be merry , yet withal he's honest .
+
+Would Katharine had never seen him though !
+
+
+Go , girl : I cannot blame thee now to weep ,
+For such an injury would vex a very saint ,
+Much more a shrew of thy impatient humour .
+
+
+Master , master ! news ! old news , and such news as you never heard of !
+
+Is it new and old too ? how may that be ?
+
+Why , is it not news to hear of Petruchio's coming ?
+
+Is he come ?
+
+Why , no , sir .
+
+What then ?
+
+He is coming .
+
+When will he be here ?
+
+When he stands where I am and sees you there .
+
+But , say , what to thine old news ?
+
+Why , Petruchio is coming , in a new hat and an old jerkin ; a pair of old breeches thrice turned ; a pair of boots that have been candle-cases , one buckled , another laced ; an old rusty sword ta'en out of the town-armoury , with a broken hilt , and chapeless ; with two broken points : his horse hipped with an old mothy saddle and stirrups of no kindred ; besides , possessed with the glanders and like to mose in the chine ; troubled with the lampass , infected with the fashions , full of windgalls , sped with spavins , rayed with the yellows , past cure of the fives , stark spoiled with the staggers , begnawn with the bots , swayed in the back , and shoulder-shotten ; near-legged before , and with a half-checked bit , and a head-stall of sheep's leather , which , being restrained to keep him from stumbling , hath been often burst and now repaired with knots ; one girth six times pieced , and a woman's crupper of velure , which hath two letters for her name fairly set down in studs , and here and there pieced with packthread .
+
+Who comes with him ?
+
+O , sir ! his lackey , for all the world caparisoned like the horse ; with a linen stock on one leg and a kersey boot-hose on the other , gartered with a red and blue list ; an old hat , and the 'humour of forty fancies' pricked in't for a feather : a monster , a very monster in apparel , and not like a Christian footboy or a gentleman's lackey .
+
+'Tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion ;
+Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-apparell'd .
+
+I am glad he is come , howsoe'er he comes .
+
+Why , sir , he comes not .
+
+Didst thou not say he comes ?
+
+Who ? that Petruchio came ?
+
+Ay , that Petruchio came .
+
+No , sir ; I say his horse comes , with him on his back .
+
+Why , that's all one .
+
+
+Nay , by Saint Jamy ,
+I hold you a penny ,
+A horse and a man
+Is more than one ,
+And yet not many .
+
+Come , where be these gallants ? who is at home ?
+
+You are welcome , sir .
+
+And yet I come not well .
+
+And yet you halt not .
+
+Not so well apparell'd
+As I wish you were .
+
+Were it better , I should rush in thus .
+But where is Kate ? where is my lovely bride ?
+How does my father ? Gentles , methinks you frown :
+And wherefore gaze this goodly company ,
+As if they saw some wondrous monument ,
+Some comet , or unusual prodigy ?
+
+Why , sir , you know this is your weddingday :
+First were we sad , fearing you would not come ;
+Now sadder , that you come so unprovided .
+Fie ! doff this habit , shame to your estate ,
+An eye-sore to our solemn festival .
+
+And tell us what occasion of import
+Hath all so long detain'd you from your wife ,
+And sent you hither so unlike yourself ?
+
+Tedious it were to tell , and harsh to hear :
+Sufficeth , I am come to keep my word ,
+Though in some part enforced to digress ;
+Which , at more leisure , I will so excuse
+As you shall well be satisfied withal .
+But where is Kate ? I stay too long from her :
+The morning wears , 'tis time we were at church .
+
+See not your bride in these unreverent robes :
+Go to my chamber ; put on clothes of mine .
+
+Not I , believe me : thus I'll visit her .
+
+But thus , I trust , you will not marry her .
+
+Good sooth , even thus ; therefore ha' done with words :
+To me she's married , not unto my clothes .
+Could I repair what she will wear in me
+As I can change these poor accoutrements ,
+'Twere well for Kate and better for myself .
+But what a fool am I to chat with you
+When I should bid good morrow to my bride ,
+And seal the title with a lovely kiss !
+
+
+He hath some meaning in his mad attire .
+We will persuade him , be it possible ,
+To put on better ere he go to church .
+
+I'll after him , and see the event of this .
+
+
+But to her love concerneth us to add
+Her father's liking : which to bring to pass ,
+As I before imparted to your worship ,
+I am to get a man ,whate'er he be
+It skills not much , we'll fit him to our turn ,
+And he shall be Vincentio of Pisa ,
+And make assurance here in Padua ,
+Of greater sums than I have promised .
+So shall you quietly enjoy your hope ,
+And marry sweet Bianca with consent .
+
+Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster
+Doth watch Bianca's steps so narrowly ,
+'Twere good , methinks , to steal our marriage ;
+Which once perform'd , let all the world say no ,
+I'll keep mine own , despite of all the world .
+
+That by degrees we mean to look into ,
+And watch our vantage in this business .
+We'll over-reach the greybeard , Gremio ,
+The narrow-prying father , Minola ,
+The quaint musician , amorous Licio ;
+All for my master's sake , Lucentio .
+
+Signior Gremio , came you from the church ?
+
+As willingly as e'er I came from school .
+
+And is the bride and bridegroom coming home ?
+
+A bridegroom say you ? 'Tis a groom indeed ,
+A grumbling groom , and that the girl shall find .
+
+Curster than she ? why , 'tis impossible .
+
+Why , he's a devil , a devil , a very fiend .
+
+Why , she's a devil , a devil , the devil's dam .
+
+Tut ! she's a lamb , a dove , a fool to him .
+I'll tell you , Sir Lucentio : when the priest
+Should ask , if Katharine should be his wife ,
+'Ay , by gogs-wouns !' quoth he ; and swore so loud ,
+That , all amaz'd , the priest let fall the book ;
+And , as he stoop'd again to take it up ,
+The mad-brain'd bridegroom took him such a cuff
+That down fell priest and book and book and priest :
+'Now take them up ,' quoth he , 'if any list .'
+
+What said the wench when he arose again ?
+
+Trembled and shook ; for why he stampt and swore ,
+As if the vicar meant to cozen him .
+But after many ceremonies done ,
+He calls for wine : 'A health !' quoth he ; as if
+He had been aboard , carousing to his mates
+After a storm ; quaff'd off the muscadel ,
+And threw the sops all in the sexton's face ;
+Having no other reason
+But that his beard grew thin and hungerly ,
+And seem'd to ask him sops as he was drinking .
+This done , he took the bride about the neck ,
+And kiss'd her lips with such a clamorous smack
+That at the parting all the church did echo :
+And I , seeing this , came thence for very shame ;
+And after me , I know , the rout is coming .
+Such a mad marriage never was before .
+Hark , hark ! I hear the minstrels play .
+
+Gentlemen and friends , I thank you for your pains :
+I know you think to dine with me to-day ,
+And have prepar'd great store of wedding cheer ;
+But so it is , my haste doth call me hence ,
+And therefore here I mean to take my leave .
+
+Is't possible you will away to-night ?
+
+I must away to-day , before night come .
+Make it no wonder : if you knew my business ,
+You would entreat me rather go than stay .
+And , honest company , I thank you all ,
+That have beheld me give away myself
+To this most patient , sweet , and virtuous wife .
+Dine with my father , drink a health to me ,
+For I must hence ; and farewell to you all .
+
+Let us entreat you stay till after dinner .
+
+It may not be .
+
+Let me entreat you .
+
+It cannot be .
+
+Let me entreat you .
+
+I am content .
+
+Are you content to stay ?
+
+I am content you shall entreat me stay ,
+But yet not stay , entreat me how you can .
+
+Now , if you love me , stay .
+
+Grumio , my horse !
+
+Ay , sir , they be ready : the oats have eaten the horses .
+
+Nay , then ,
+Do what thou canst , I will not go to-day ;
+No , nor to-morrow , nor till I please myself ,
+The door is open , sir , there lies your way ;
+You may be jogging whiles your boots are green ;
+For me , I'll not be gone till I please myself .
+'Tis like you'll prove a jolly surly groom ,
+That take it on you at the first so roundly .
+
+O Kate ! content thee : prithee , be not angry .
+
+I will be angry : what hast thou to do ?
+Father , be quiet ; he shall stay my leisure .
+
+Ay , marry , sir , now it begins to work .
+
+Gentlemen , forward to the bridal dinner :
+I see a woman may be made a fool ,
+If she had not a spirit to resist .
+
+They shall go forward , Kate , at thy command .
+Obey the bride , you that attend on her ;
+Go to the feast , revel and domineer ,
+Carouse full measure to her maidenhead ,
+Be mad and merry , or go hang yourselves :
+But for my bonny Kate , she must with me .
+Nay , look not big , nor stamp , nor stare , nor fret ;
+I will be master of what is mine own .
+She is my goods , my chattels ; she is my house ,
+My household stuff , my field , my barn ,
+My horse , my ox , my ass , my anything ;
+And here she stands , touch her whoever dare ;
+I'll bring mine action on the proudest he
+That stops my way in Padua . Grumio ,
+Draw forth thy weapon , we're beset with thieves ;
+Rescue thy mistress , if thou be a man .
+Fear not , sweet wench ; they shall not touch thee , Kate :
+I'll buckler thee against a million .
+
+
+Nay , let them go , a couple of quiet ones .
+
+Went they not quickly I should die with laughing .
+
+Of all mad matches never was the like .
+
+Mistress , what's your opinion of your sister ?
+
+That , being mad herself , she's madly mated .
+
+I warrant him , Petruchio is Kated .
+
+Neighbours and friends , though bride and bridegroom wants
+For to supply the places at the table ,
+You know there wants no junkets at the feast .
+Lucentio , you shall supply the bridegroom's place ,
+And let Bianca take her sister's room .
+
+Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it ?
+
+She shall , Lucentio . Come , gentlemen , let's go .
+
+Fie , fie , on all tired jades , on all mad masters , and all foul ways ! Was ever man so beaten ? was ever man so rayed ? was ever man so weary ? I am sent before to make a fire , and they are coming after to warm them . Now , were not I a little pot and soon hot , my very lips might freeze to my teeth , my tongue to the roof of my mouth , my heart in my belly , ere I should come by a fire to thaw me ; but I , with blowing the fire , shall warm myself ; for , considering the weather , a taller man than I will take cold . Holla , ho ! Curtis .
+
+
+Who is that calls so coldly ?
+
+A piece of ice : if thou doubt it , thou mayst slide from my shoulder to my heel with no greater a run but my head and my neck . A fire , good Curtis .
+
+Is my master and his wife coming , Grumio ?
+
+O ! ay , Curtis , ay ; and therefore fire , fire ; cast on no water .
+
+Is she so hot a shrew as she's reported ?
+
+She was , good Curtis , before this frost ; but , thou knowest , winter tames man , woman , and beast ; for it hath tamed my old master , and my new mistress , and myself , fellow Curtis .
+
+Away , you three-inch-fool ! I am no beast .
+
+Am I but three inches ? why , thy horn is a foot ; and so long am I at the least . But wilt thou make a fire , or shall I complain on thee to our mistress , whose hand ,she being now at hand ,thou shalt soon feel , to thy cold comfort , for being slow in thy hot office ?
+
+I prithee , good Grumio , tell me , how goes the world ?
+
+A cold world , Curtis , in every office but thine ; and therefore , fire . Do thy duty , and have thy duty , for my master and mistress are almost frozen to death .
+
+There's fire ready ; and therefore , good Grumio , the news ?
+
+Why , 'Jack , boy ! ho , boy !' and as much news as thou wilt .
+
+Come , you are so full of cony-catching .
+
+Why therefore fire : for I have caught extreme cold . Where's the cook ? is supper ready , the house trimmed , rushes strewed , cobwebs swept ; the serving-men in their new fustian , their white stockings , and every officer his wedding-garment on ? Be the Jacks fair within , the Jills fair without , and carpets laid , and everything in order ?
+
+All ready ; and therefore , I pray thee , news ?
+
+First , know , my horse is tired ; my master and mistress fallen out .
+
+How ?
+
+Out of their saddles into the dirt ; and thereby hangs a tale .
+
+Let's ha't , good Grumio .
+
+Lend thine ear .
+
+Here .
+
+There .
+
+This is to feel a tale , not to hear a tale .
+
+And therefore it is called a sensible tale ; and this cuff was but to knock at your ear and beseech listening . Now I begin : Imprimis , we came down a foul hill , my master riding behind my mistress ,
+
+Both of one horse ?
+
+What's that to thee ?
+
+Why , a horse .
+
+Tell thou the tale : but hadst thou not crossed me thou shouldst have heard how her horse fell , and she under her horse ; thou shouldst have heard in how miry a place , how she was bemoiled : how he left her with the horse upon her ; how he beat me because her horse stumbled ; how she waded through the dirt to pluck him off me : how he swore ; how she prayed , that never prayed before ; how I cried ; how the horses ran away ; how her bridle was burst ; how I lost my crupper ; with many things of worthy memory , which now shall die in oblivion , and thou return unexperienced to thy grave .
+
+By this reckoning he is more shrew than she .
+
+Ay ; and that , thou and the proudest of you all shall find when he comes home . But what talk I of this ? Call forth Nathaniel , Joseph , Nicholas , Philip , Walter , Sugarsop , and the rest : let their heads be sleekly combed , their blue coats brushed , and their garters of an indifferent knit : let them curtsy with their left legs , and not presume to touch a hair of my master's horsetail till they kiss their hands . Are they all ready ?
+
+They are .
+
+Call them forth .
+
+Do you hear ? ho ! you must meet my master to countenance my mistress .
+
+Why , she hath a face of her own .
+
+Who knows not that ?
+
+Thou , it seems , that callest for company to countenance her .
+
+I call them forth to credit her .
+
+Why , she comes to borrow nothing of them .
+
+
+Welcome home , Grumio !
+
+How now , Grumio ?
+
+What , Grumio !
+
+Fellow Grumio !
+
+How now , old lad !
+
+Welcome , you ; how now , you ; what , you ; fellow , you ; and thus much for greeting . Now , my spruce companions , is all ready , and all things neat ?
+
+All things is ready . How near is our master ?
+
+E'en at hand , alighted by this ; and therefore be not ,Cock's passion , silence ! I hear my master .
+
+
+Where be these knaves ? What ! no man at door
+To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse ?
+Where is Nathaniel , Gregory , Philip ?
+
+Here , here , sir ; here , sir .
+
+Here , sir ! here , sir ! here , sir ! here , sir !
+You logger-headed and unpolish'd grooms !
+What , no attendance ? no regard ? no duty ?
+Where is the foolish knave I sent before ?
+
+Here , sir ; as foolish as I was before .
+
+You peasant swain ! you whoreson malt-horse drudge !
+Did I not bid thee meet me in the park ,
+And bring along these rascal knaves with thee ?
+
+Nathaniel's coat , sir , was not fully made ,
+And Gabriel's pumps were all unpink'd i' the heel ,
+There was no link to colour Peter's hat ,
+And Walter's dagger was not come from sheathing ,
+There were none fine but Adam , Ralph , and Gregory ;
+The rest were ragged , old , and beggarly ;
+Yet , as they are , here are they come to meet you .
+
+Go , rascals , go , and fetch my supper in .
+
+Where is the life that late I led ?
+Where are those ? Sit down , Kate , and welcome .
+Soud , soud , soud , soud !
+
+
+Why , when , I say ?Nay , good sweet Kate , be merry .
+Off with my boots , you rogues ! you villains ! When ?
+
+It was the friar of orders grey ,
+As he forth walked on his way :
+
+Out , you rogue ! you pluck my foot awry :
+
+Take that , and mend the plucking off the other .
+Be merry , Kate . Some water , here ; what , ho !
+Where's my spaniel Troilus ? Sirrah , get you hence
+And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither :
+
+One , Kate , that you must kiss , and be acquainted with .
+Where are my slippers ? Shall I have some water ?
+Come , Kate , and wash , and welcome heartily .
+
+
+You whoreson villain ! will you let it fall ?
+
+Patience , I pray you ; 'twas a fault unwilling .
+
+A whoreson , beetle-headed , flap-ear'd knave !
+Come , Kate , sit down ; I know you have a stomach .
+Will you give thanks , sweet Kate , or else shall I ?
+What's this ? mutton ?
+
+Ay .
+
+Who brought it ?
+
+I .
+
+'Tis burnt ; and so is all the meat .
+What dogs are these ! Where is the rascal cook ?
+How durst you , villains , bring it from the dresser ,
+And serve it thus to me that love it not ?
+
+There , take it to you , trenchers , cups , and all .
+You heedless joltheads and unmanner'd slaves !
+What ! do you grumble ? I'll be with you straight .
+
+I pray you , husband , be not so disquiet :
+The meat was well if you were so contented .
+
+I tell thee , Kate , 'twas burnt and dried away ;
+And I expressly am forbid to touch it ,
+For it engenders choler , planteth anger ;
+And better 'twere that both of us did fast ,
+Since , of ourselves , ourselves are choleric ,
+Than feed it with such over-roasted flesh .
+Be patient ; to-morrow't shall be mended ,
+And for this night we'll fast for company :
+Come , I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber .
+
+
+Peter , didst ever see the like ?
+
+He kills her in her own humour .
+
+
+Where is he ?
+
+In her chamber , making a sermon of continency to her ;
+And rails , and swears , and rates , that she , poor soul ,
+Knows not which way to stand , to look , to speak ,
+And sits as one new-risen from a dream .
+Away , away ! for he is coming hither .
+
+Thus have I politicly begun my reign ,
+And 'tis my hope to end successfully .
+My falcon now is sharp and passing empty ,
+And till she stoop she must not be full-gorg'd ,
+For then she never looks upon her lure .
+Another way I have to man my haggard ,
+To make her come and know her keeper's call ;
+That is , to watch her , as we watch these kites
+That bate and beat and will not be obedient .
+She eat no meat to-day , nor none shall eat ;
+Last night she slept not , nor to-night she shall not :
+As with the meat , some undeserved fault
+I'll find about the making of the bed ;
+And here I'll fling the pillow , there the bolster ,
+This way the coverlet , another way the sheets :
+Ay , and amid this hurly I intend
+That all is done in reverend care of her ;
+And in conclusion she shall watch all night :
+And if she chance to nod I'll rail and brawl ,
+And with the clamour keep her still awake .
+This is a way to kill a wife with kindness ;
+And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong humour .
+He that knows better how to tame a shrew ,
+Now let him speak : 'tis charity to show .
+
+
+Is't possible , friend Licio , that Mistress Bianca
+Doth fancy any other but Lucentio ?
+I tell you , sir , she bears me fair in hand .
+
+Sir , to satisfy you in what I have said ,
+Stand by , and mark the manner of his teaching .
+
+Now , mistress , profit you in what you read ?
+
+What , master , read you ? first resolve me that .
+
+I read that I profess , the Art to Love .
+
+And may you prove , sir , master of your art !
+
+While you , sweet dear , prove mistress of my heart .
+
+
+Quick proceeders , marry ! Now , tell me , I pray ,
+You that durst swear that your mistress Bianca
+Lov'd none in the world so well as Lucentio .
+
+O despiteful love ! unconstant womankind !
+I tell thee , Licio , this is wonderful .
+
+Mistake no more : I am not Licio ,
+Nor a musician , as I seem to be ;
+But one that scorns to live in this disguise ,
+For such a one as leaves a gentleman ,
+And makes a god of such a cullion :
+Know , sir , that I am call'd Hortensio .
+
+Signior Hortensio , I have often heard
+Of your entire affection to Bianca ;
+And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness ,
+I will with you , if you be so contented ,
+Forswear Bianca and her love for ever .
+
+See , how they kiss and court ! Signior Lucentio ,
+Here is my hand , and here I firmly vow
+Never to woo her more ; but I do forswear her ,
+As one unworthy all the former favours
+That I have fondly flatter'd her withal .
+
+And here I take the like unfeigned oath ,
+Never to marry with her though she would entreat .
+Fie on her ! see how beastly she doth court him .
+
+Would all the world , but he had quite forsworn !
+For me , that I may surely keep mine oath ,
+I will be married to a wealthy widow
+Ere three days pass , which hath as long lov'd me
+As I have lov'd this proud disdainful haggard .
+And so farewell , Signior Lucentio .
+Kindness in women , not their beauteous looks ,
+Shall win my love : and so I take my leave ,
+In resolution as I swore before .
+
+
+Mistress Bianca , bless you with such grace
+As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case !
+Nay , I have ta'en you napping , gentle love ,
+And have forsworn you with Hortensio .
+
+Tranio , you jest . But have you both forsworn me ?
+
+Mistress , we have .
+
+Then we are rid of Licio .
+
+I' faith , he'll have a lusty widow now , That shall be woo'd and wedded in a day .
+
+God give him joy !
+
+Ay , and he'll tame her .
+
+He says so , Tranio .
+
+Faith , he is gone unto the taming-school .
+
+The taming-school ! what , is there such a place ?
+
+Ay , mistress , and Petruchio is the master ;
+That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long ,
+To tame a shrew , and charm her chattering tongue .
+
+
+O master , master ! I have watch'd so long
+That I'm dog-weary ; but at last I spied
+An ancient angel coming down the hill
+Will serve the turn .
+
+What is he , Biondello ?
+
+Master , a mercatante , or a pedant ,
+I know not what ; but formal in apparel ,
+In gait and countenance surely like a father .
+
+And what of him , Tranio ?
+
+If he be credulous and trust my tale ,
+I'll make him glad to seem Vincentio ,
+And give assurance to Baptista Minola ,
+As if he were the right Vincentio .
+Take in your love , and then let me alone .
+
+God save you , sir !
+
+And you , sir ! you are welcome .
+Travel you far on , or are you at the furthest ?
+
+Sir , at the furthest for a week or two ;
+But then up further , and as far as Rome ;
+And so to Tripoli , if God lend me life .
+
+What countryman , I pray ?
+
+Of Mantua .
+
+Of Mantua , sir ! marry , God forbid !
+And come to Padua , careless of your life ?
+
+My life , sir ! how , I pray ? for that goes hard .
+
+'Tis death for any one in Mantua
+To come to Padua . Know you not the cause ?
+Your ships are stay'd at Venice ; and the duke ,
+For private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him ,
+Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly .
+'Tis marvel , but that you are but newly come ,
+You might have heard it else proclaim'd about .
+
+Alas , sir ! it is worse for me than so ;
+For I have bills for money by exchange
+From Florence , and must here deliver them .
+
+Well , sir , to do you courtesy ,
+This will I do , and this I will advise you :
+First , tell me , have you ever been at Pisa ?
+
+Ay , sir , in Pisa have I often been ;
+Pisa , renowned for grave citizens .
+
+Among them , know you one Vincentio ?
+
+I know him not , but I have heard of him ;
+A merchant of incomparable wealth .
+
+He is my father , sir ; and , sooth to say ,
+In countenance somewhat doth resemble you .
+
+As much as an apple doth an oyster , and all one .
+
+To save your life in this extremity ,
+This favour will I do you for his sake ;
+And think it not the worst of all your fortunes
+That you are like to Sir Vincentio .
+His name and credit shall you undertake ,
+And in my house you shall be friendly lodg'd ,
+Look that you take upon you as you should !
+You understand me , sir ; so shall you stay
+Till you have done your business in the city .
+If this be courtesy , sir , accept of it .
+
+O sir , I do ; and will repute you ever
+The patron of my life and liberty .
+
+Then go with me to make the matter good .
+This , by the way , I let you understand :
+My father is here look'd for every day ,
+To pass assurance of a dower in marriage
+'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here :
+In all these circumstances I'll instruct you .
+Go with me to clothe you as becomes you .
+
+
+No , no , forsooth ; I dare not , for my life .
+
+The more my wrong the more his spite appears .
+What , did he marry me to famish me ?
+Beggars , that come unto my father's door ,
+Upon entreaty have a present alms ;
+If not , elsewhere they meet with charity :
+But I , who never knew how to entreat ,
+Nor never needed that I should entreat ,
+Am starv'd for meat , giddy for lack of sleep ;
+With oaths kept waking , and with brawling fed .
+And that which spites me more than all these wants ,
+He does it under name of perfect love ;
+As who should say , if I should sleep or eat
+'Twere deadly sickness , or else present death .
+I prithee go and get me some repast ;
+I care not what , so it be wholesome food .
+
+What say you to a neat's foot ?
+
+'Tis passing good : I prithee let me have it .
+
+I fear it is too choleric a meat .
+How say you to a fat tripe finely broil'd ?
+
+I like it well : good Grumio , fetch it me .
+
+I cannot tell ; I fear 'tis choleric .
+What say you to a piece of beef and mustard ?
+
+A dish that I do love to feed upon .
+
+Ay , but the mustard is too hot a little .
+
+Why , then the beef , and let the mustard rest .
+
+Nay , then I will not : you shall have the mustard ,
+Or else you get no beef of Grumio .
+
+Then both , or one , or anything thou wilt .
+
+Why then , the mustard without the beef .
+
+Go , get thee gone , thou false deluding slave ,
+
+That feed'st me with the very name of meat .
+Sorrow on thee and all the pack of you ,
+That triumph thus upon my misery !
+Go , get thee gone , I say .
+
+
+How fares my Kate ? What , sweeting , all amort ?
+
+Mistress , what cheer ?
+
+Faith , as cold as can be .
+
+Pluck up thy spirits ; look cheerfully upon me .
+Here , love ; thou seest how diligent I am ,
+To dress thy meat myself and bring it thee :
+
+I am sure , sweet Kate , this kindness merits thanks .
+What ! not a word ? Nay then , thou lov'st it not ,
+And all my pains is sorted to no proof .
+Here , take away this dish .
+
+I pray you , let it stand .
+
+The poorest service is repaid with thanks ,
+And so shall mine , before you touch the meat .
+
+I thank you , sir .
+
+Signior Petruchio , fie ! you are to blame .
+Come , Mistress Kate , I'll bear you company .
+
+Eat it up all , Hortensio , if thou lov'st me .
+Much good do it unto thy gentle heart !
+Kate , eat apace : and now , my honey love ,
+Will we return unto thy father's house ,
+And revel it as bravely as the best ,
+With silken coats and caps and golden rings ,
+With ruffs and cuffs and farthingales and things ;
+With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery ,
+With amber bracelets , beads and all this knavery .
+What ! hast thou din'd ? The tailor stays thy leisure ,
+To deck thy body with his ruffling treasure .
+
+
+Come , tailor , let us see these ornaments ;
+Lay forth the gown .
+
+
+What news with you , sir ?
+
+Here is the cap your worship did bespeak .
+
+Why , this was moulded on a porringer ;
+A velvet dish : fie , fie ! 'tis lewd and filthy :
+Why , 'tis a cockle or a walnut-shell ,
+A knack , a toy , a trick , a baby's cap :
+Away with it ! come , let me have a bigger .
+
+I'll have no bigger : this doth fit the time ,
+And gentlewomen wear such caps as these .
+
+When you are gentle , you shall have one too ;
+And not till then .
+
+That will not be in haste .
+
+Why , sir , I trust I may have leave to speak ,
+And speak I will ; I am no child , no babe :
+Your betters have endur'd me say my mind ,
+And if you cannot , best you stop your ears .
+My tongue will tell the anger of my heart ,
+Or else my heart , concealing it , will break :
+And rather than it shall , I will be free
+Even to the uttermost , as I please , in words .
+
+Why , thou sayst true ; it is a paltry cap ,
+A custard-coffin , a bauble , a silken pie .
+I love thee well in that thou lik'st it not .
+
+Love me or love me not , I like the cap ,
+And it I will have , or I will have none .
+
+
+Thy gown ? why , ay : come , tailor , let us see't .
+O mercy , God ! what masquing stuff is here ?
+What's this ? a sleeve ? 'tis like a demi-cannon :
+What ! up and down , carv'd like an apple-tart ?
+Here's snip and nip and cut and slish and slash ,
+Like to a censer in a barber's shop .
+Why , what , i' devil's name , tailor , call'st thou this ?
+
+I see , she's like to have neither cap nor gown .
+
+You bid me make it orderly and well ,
+According to the fashion and the time .
+
+Marry , and did : but if you be remember'd ,
+I did not bid you mar it to the time .
+Go , hop me over every kennel home ,
+For you shall hop without my custom , sir .
+I'll none of it : hence ! make your best of it .
+
+I never saw a better-fashion'd gown ,
+More quaint , more pleasing , nor more commendable .
+Belike you mean to make a puppet of me .
+
+Why , true ; he means to make a puppet of thee .
+
+She says your worship means to make a puppet of her .
+
+O monstrous arrogance ! Thou liest , thou thread ,
+Thou thimble ,
+Thou yard , three-quarters , half-yard , quarter , nail !
+Thou flea , thou nit , thou winter-cricket thou !
+Brav'd in mine own house with a skein of thread !
+Away ! thou rag , thou quantity , thou remnant ,
+Or I shall so be-mete thee with thy yard
+As thou shalt think on prating whilst thou liv'st !
+I tell thee , I , that thou hast marr'd her gown .
+
+Your worship is deceiv'd : the gown is made
+Just as my master had direction .
+Grumio gave order how it should be done .
+
+I gave him no order ; I gave him the stuff .
+
+But how did you desire it should be made ?
+
+Marry , sir , with needle and thread .
+
+But did you not request to have it cut ?
+
+Thou hast faced many things .
+
+I have .
+
+Face not me : thou hast braved many men ; brave not me : I will neither be faced nor braved . I say unto thee , I bid thy master cut out the gown ; but I did not bid him cut it to pieces : ergo , thou liest .
+
+Why , here is the note of the fashion to testify .
+
+Read it .
+
+The note lies in's throat if he say I said so .
+
+Imprimis . A loose-bodied gown .
+
+Master , if ever I said loose-bodied gown , sew me in the skirts of it , and beat me to death with a bottom of brown thread . I said , a gown .
+
+Proceed .
+
+With a small compassed cape .
+
+I confess the cape .
+
+With a trunk sleeve .
+
+I confess two sleeves .
+
+The sleeves curiously cut .
+
+Ay , there's the villany .
+
+Error i' the bill , sir ; error i' the bill . I commanded the sleeves should be cut out and sewed up again ; and that I'll prove upon thee , though thy little finger be armed in a thimble .
+
+This is true that I say : an I had thee in place where thou shouldst know it .
+
+I am for thee straight : take thou the bill , give me thy mete-yard , and spare not me .
+
+God-a-mercy , Grumio ! then he shall have no odds .
+
+Well , sir , in brief , the gown is not for me .
+
+You are i' the right , sir ; 'tis for my mistress .
+
+Go , take it up unto thy master's use .
+
+Villain , not for thy life ! take up my mistress' gown for thy master's use !
+
+Why , sir , what's your conceit in that ?
+
+O , sir , the conceit is deeper than you think for .
+Take up my mistress' gown to his master's use !
+O , fie , fie , fie !
+
+Hortensio , say thou wilt see the tailor paid .
+
+
+Go take it hence ; be gone , and say no more .
+
+Tailor , I'll pay thee for thy gown to-morrow :
+Take no unkindness of his hasty words .
+Away ! I say ; commend me to thy master .
+
+
+Well , come , my Kate ; we will unto your father's ,
+Even in these honest mean habiliments .
+Our purses shall be proud , our garments poor :
+For 'tis the mind that makes the body rich ;
+And as the sun breaks through the darkest clouds ,
+So honour peereth in the meanest habit .
+What is the jay more precious than the lark
+Because his feathers are more beautiful ?
+Or is the adder better than the eel
+Because his painted skin contents the eye ?
+O , no , good Kate ; neither art thou the worse
+For this poor furniture and mean array .
+If thou account'st it shame , lay it on me ;
+And therefore frolic : we will hence forthwith ,
+To feast and sport us at thy father's house .
+Go , call my men , and let us straight to him ;
+And bring our horses unto Long-lane end ;
+There will we mount , and thither walk on foot .
+Let's see ; I think 'tis now some seven o'clock ,
+And well we may come there by dinner-time .
+
+I dare assure you , sir , 'tis almost two ;
+And 'twill be supper-time ere you come there .
+
+It shall be seven ere I go to horse .
+Look , what I speak , or do , or think to do ,
+You are still crossing it . Sirs , let't alone :
+I will not go to-day ; and ere I do ,
+It shall be what o'clock I say it is .
+
+Why , so this gallant will command the sun .
+
+
+Sir , this is the house : please it you that I call ?
+
+Ay , what else ? and , but I be deceived ,
+Signior Baptista may remember me ,
+Near twenty years ago , in Genoa ,
+Where we were lodgers at the Pegasus .
+
+'Tis well ; and hold your own , in any case ,
+With such austerity as 'longeth to a father .
+
+I warrant you . But , sir , here comes your boy ;
+'Twere good he were school'd .
+
+
+Fear you not him . Sirrah Biondello ,
+Now do your duty throughly , I advise you :
+Imagine 'twere the right Vincentio .
+
+Tut ! fear not me .
+
+But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista ?
+
+I told him that your father was at Venice ,
+And that you look'd for him this day in Padua .
+
+Thou'rt a tall fellow : hold thee that to drink .
+Here comes Baptista . Set your countenance , sir .
+
+
+Signior Baptista , you are happily met .
+
+
+Sir , this is the gentleman I told you of :
+I pray you , stand good father to me now ,
+
+Give me Bianca for my patrimony .
+
+Soft , son !
+Sir , by your leave : having come to Padua
+To gather in some debts , my son Lucentio
+Made me acquainted with a weighty cause
+Of love between your daughter and himself :
+And ,for the good report I hear of you ,
+And for the love he beareth to your daughter ,
+And she to him ,to stay him not too long ,
+I am content , in a good father's care ,
+To have him match'd ; and , if you please to like
+No worse than I , upon some agreement
+Me shall you find ready and willing
+With one consent to have her so bestow'd ;
+For curious I cannot be with you ,
+Signior Baptista , of whom I hear so well .
+
+Sir , pardon me in what I have to say :
+Your plainness and your shortness please me well .
+Right true it is , your son Lucentio here
+Doth love my daughter and she loveth him ,
+Or both dissemble deeply their affections :
+And therefore , if you say no more than this ,
+That like a father you will deal with him
+And pass my daughter a sufficient dower ,
+The match is made , and all is done :
+Your son shall have my daughter with consent .
+
+I thank you , sir . Where , then , do you know best
+We be affied and such assurance ta'en
+As shall with either part's agreement stand ?
+
+Not in my house , Lucentio ; for , you know ,
+Pitchers have ears , and I have many servants .
+Besides , old Gremio is hearkening still ,
+And happily we might be interrupted .
+
+Then at my lodging an it like you :
+There doth my father lie , and there this night
+We'll pass the business privately and well .
+Send for your daughter by your servant here ;
+My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently .
+The worst is this , that , at so slender warning ,
+You're like to have a thin and slender pittance .
+
+It likes me well . Cambio , hie you home ,
+And bid Bianca make her ready straight ;
+And , if you will , tell what hath happened :
+Lucentio's father is arriv'd in Padua ,
+And how she's like to be Lucentio's wife .
+
+I pray the gods she may with all my heart !
+
+Dally not with the gods , but get thee gone .
+Signior Baptista , shall I lead the way ?
+Welcome ! one mess is like to be your cheer .
+Come , sir ; we will better it in Pisa .
+
+I follow you .
+
+
+Cambio !
+
+What sayst thou , Biondello ?
+
+You saw my master wink and laugh upon you ?
+
+Biondello , what of that ?
+
+Faith , nothing ; but he has left me here behind to expound the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens .
+
+I pray thee , moralize them .
+
+Then thus . Baptista is safe , talking with the deceiving father of a deceitful son .
+
+And what of him ?
+
+His daughter is to be brought by you to the supper .
+
+And then ?
+
+The old priest at Saint Luke's church is at your command at all hours .
+
+And what of all this ?
+
+I cannot tell , expect they are busied about a counterfeit assurance : take you assurance of her , cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum . To the church ! take the priest , clerk , and some sufficient honest witnesses .
+If this be not that you look for , I have no more to say ,
+But bid Bianca farewell for ever and a day .
+
+
+Hearest thou , Biondello ?
+
+I cannot tarry : I knew a wench married in an afternoon as she went to the garden for parsley to stuff a rabbit ; and so may you , sir ; and so , adieu , sir . My master hath appointed me to go to Saint Luke's , to bid the priest be ready to come against you come with your appendix .
+
+
+I may , and will , if she be so contented :
+She will be pleas'd ; then wherefore should I doubt ?
+Hap what hap may , I'll roundly go about her :
+It shall go hard if Cambio go without her .
+
+
+Come on , i' God's name ; once more toward our father's .
+Good Lord , how bright and goodly shines the moon !
+
+The moon ! the sun : it is not moonlight now .
+
+I say it is the moon that shines so bright .
+
+I know it is the sun that shines so bright .
+
+Now , by my mother's son , and that's myself ,
+It shall be moon , or star , or what I list ,
+Or ere I journey to your father's house .
+Go one and fetch our horses back again .
+Evermore cross'd and cross'd ; nothing but cross'd !
+
+Say as he says , or we shall never go .
+
+Forward , I pray , since we have come so far ,
+And be it moon , or sun , or what you please .
+An if you please to call it a rush-candle ,
+Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me .
+
+I say it is the moon .
+
+I know it is the moon .
+
+Nay , then you lie ; it is the blessed sun .
+
+Then God be bless'd , it is the blessed sun :
+But sun it is not when you say it is not ,
+And the moon changes even as your mind .
+What you will have it nam'd , even that it is ;
+And so , it shall be so for Katharine .
+
+Petruchio , go thy ways ; the field is won .
+
+Well , forward , forward ! thus the bowl should run ,
+And not unluckily against the bias .
+But soft ! what company is coming here ?
+
+
+Good morrow , gentle mistress : where away ?
+Tell me , sweet Kate , and tell me truly too ,
+Hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman ?
+Such war of white and red within her cheeks !
+What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty ,
+As those two eyes become that heavenly face ?
+Fair lovely maid , once more good day to thee .
+
+Sweet Kate , embrace her for her beauty's sake .
+
+A' will make the man mad , to make a woman of him .
+
+Young budding virgin , fair and fresh and sweet ,
+Whither away , or where is thy abode ?
+Happy the parents of so fair a child ;
+Happier the man , whom favourable stars
+Allot thee for his lovely bed-fellow !
+
+Why , how now , Kate ! I hope thou art not mad :
+This is a man , old , wrinkled , faded , wither'd ,
+And not a maiden , as thou sayst he is .
+
+Pardon , old father , my mistaking eyes ,
+That have been so bedazzled with the sun
+That everything I look on seemeth green :
+Now I perceive thou art a reverend father ;
+Pardon , I pray thee , for my mad mistaking .
+
+Do , good old grandsire ; and withal make known
+Which way thou travellest : if along with us ,
+We shall be joyful of thy company .
+
+Fair sir , and you my merry mistress ,
+That with your strange encounter much amaz'd me ,
+My name is called Vincentio ; my dwelling , Pisa ;
+And bound I am to Padua , there to visit
+A son of mine , which long I have not seen .
+
+What is his name ?
+
+Lucentio , gentle sir .
+
+Happily met ; the happier for thy son .
+And now by law , as well as reverend age ,
+I may entitle thee my loving father :
+The sister to my wife , this gentlewoman ,
+Thy son by this hath married . Wonder not ,
+Nor be not griev'd : she is of good esteem ,
+Her dowry wealthy , and of worthy birth ;
+Beside , so qualified as may beseem
+The spouse of any noble gentleman .
+Let me embrace with old Vincentio ;
+And wander we to see thy honest son ,
+Who will of thy arrival be full joyous .
+
+But is this true ? or is it else your pleasure ,
+Like pleasant travellers , to break a jest
+Upon the company you overtake ?
+
+I do assure thee , father , so it is .
+
+Come , go along , and see the truth hereof ;
+For our first merriment hath made thee jealous .
+
+
+Well , Petruchio , this has put me in heart .
+Have to my widow ! and if she be froward ,
+Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward .
+
+Softly and swiftly , sir , for the priest is ready .
+
+I fly , Biondello : but they may chance to need thee at home ; therefore leave us .
+
+Nay , faith , I'll see the church o' your back ; and then come back to my master as soon as I can .
+
+
+I marvel Cambio comes not all this while .
+
+
+Sir , here's the door , this is Lucentio's house :
+My father's bears more toward the marketplace ;
+Thither must I , and here I leave you , sir .
+
+You shall not choose but drink before you go .
+I think I shall command your welcome here ,
+And , by all likelihood , some cheer is toward .
+
+
+They're busy within ; you were best knock louder .
+
+
+What's he that knocks as he would beat down the gate ?
+
+Is Signior Lucentio within , sir ?
+
+He's within , sir , but not to be spoken withal .
+
+What if a man bring him a hundred pound or two , to make merry withal ?
+
+Keep your hundred pounds to yourself : he shall need none so long as I live .
+
+Nay , I told you your son was well beloved in Padua . Do you hear , sir ? To leave frivolous circumstances , I pray you , tell Signior Lucentio that his father is come from Pisa , and is here at the door to speak with him .
+
+Thou liest : his father is come from Padua , and here looking out at the window .
+
+Art thou his father ?
+
+Ay , sir ; so his mother says , if I may believe her .
+
+Why , how now , gentleman ! why , this is flat knavery , to take upon you another man's name .
+
+Lay hands on the villain : I believe , a' means to cozen somebody in this city under my countenance .
+
+
+I have seen them in the church together : God send 'em good shipping ! But who is here ? mine old master , Vincentio ! now we are undone and brought to nothing .
+
+Come hither , crack-hemp .
+
+I hope I may choose , sir .
+
+Come hither , you rogue . What , have you forgot me ?
+
+Forgot you ! no , sir : I could not forget you , for I never saw you before in all my life .
+
+What , you notorious villain ! didst thou never see thy master's father , Vincentio ?
+
+What , my old , worshipful old master ? yes , marry , sir : see where he looks out of the window .
+
+Is't so , indeed ?
+
+
+Help , help , help ! here's a madman will murder me .
+
+
+Help , son ! help , Signior Baptista !
+
+
+Prithee , Kate , let's stand aside , and see the end of this controversy .
+
+Sir , what are you that offer to beat my servant ?
+
+What am I , sir ! nay , what are you , sir ? O immortal gods ! O fine villain ! A silken doublet ! a velvet hose ! a scarlet cloak ! and a copatain hat ! O , I am undone ! I am undone ! while I play the good husband at home , my son and my servant spend all at the university .
+
+How now ! what's the matter ?
+
+What , is the man lunatic ?
+
+Sir , you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit , but your words show you a madman . Why , sir , what 'cerns it you if I wear pearl and gold ? I thank my good father , I am able to maintain it .
+
+Thy father ! O villain ! he is a sailmaker in Bergamo .
+
+You mistake , sir , you mistake , sir . Pray , what do you think is his name ?
+
+His name ! as if I knew not his name : I have brought him up ever since he was three years old , and his name is Tranio .
+
+Away , away , mad ass ! his name is Lucentio ; and he is mine only son , and heir to the lands of me , Signior Vincentio .
+
+Lucentio ! O ! he hath murdered his master . Lay hold on him , I charge you in the duke's name . O my son , my son ! tell me , thou villain , where is my son Lucentio ?
+
+Call forth an officer .
+
+Carry this mad knave to the gaol . Father Baptista , I charge you see that he be forthcoming .
+
+Carry me to the gaol !
+
+Stay , officer : he shall not go to prison .
+
+Talk not , Signior Gremio : I say he shall go to prison .
+
+Take heed , Signior Baptista , lest you be cony-catched in this business : I dare swear this is the right Vincentio .
+
+Swear , if thou darest .
+
+Nay , I dare not swear it .
+
+Then thou wert best say , that I am not Lucentio .
+
+Yes , I know thee to be Signior Lucentio .
+
+Away with the dotard ! to the gaol with him !
+
+Thus strangers may be haled and abused : O monstrous villain !
+
+
+O ! we are spoiled ; and yonder he is : deny him , forswear him , or else we are all undone .
+
+Pardon , sweet father .
+
+Lives my sweetest son ?
+
+
+Pardon , dear father .
+
+How hast thou offended ?
+Where is Lucentio ?
+
+Here's Lucentio ,
+Right son to the right Vincentio ;
+That have by marriage made thy daughter mine ,
+While counterfeit supposes blear'd thine eyne .
+
+Here's packing , with a witness , to deceive us all !
+
+Where is that damned villain Tranio ,
+That fac'd and brav'd me in this matter so ?
+
+Why , tell me , is not this my Cambio ?
+
+Cambio is chang'd into Lucentio .
+
+Love wrought these miracles . Bianca's love
+Made me exchange my state with Tranio ,
+While he did bear my countenance in the town ;
+And happily I have arriv'd at last
+Unto the wished haven of my bliss .
+What Tranio did , myself enforc'd him to ;
+Then pardon him , sweet father , for my sake .
+
+I'll slit the villain's nose , that would have sent me to the gaol .
+
+But do you hear , sir ?
+Have you married my daughter without asking my good will ?
+
+Fear not , Baptista ; we will content you , go to : but I will in , to be revenged for this villany .
+
+
+And I , to sound the depth of this knavery .
+
+
+Look not pale , Bianca ; thy father will not frown .
+
+
+My cake is dough ; but I'll in among the rest ,
+Out of hope of all , but my share of the feast .
+
+Husband , let's follow , to see the end of this ado .
+
+First kiss me , Kate , and we will .
+
+What ! in the midst of the street ?
+
+What ! art thou ashamed of me ?
+
+No , sir , God forbid ; but ashamed to kiss .
+
+Why , then let's home again . Come , sirrah , let's away .
+
+Nay , I will give thee a kiss : now pray thee , love , stay .
+
+Is not this well ? Come , my sweet Kate :
+Better once than never , for never too late .
+
+
+At last , though long , our jarring notes agree :
+And time it is , when raging war is done ,
+To smile at 'scapes and perils overblown .
+My fair Bianca , bid my father welcome ,
+While I with self-same kindness welcome thine .
+Brother Petruchio , sister Katharina ,
+And thou , Hortensio , with thy loving widow ,
+Feast with the best , and welcome to my house :
+My banquet is to close our stomachs up ,
+After our great good cheer . Pray you , sit down ;
+For now we sit to chat as well as eat .
+
+
+Nothing but sit and sit , and eat and eat !
+
+Padua affords this kindness , son Petruchio .
+
+Padua affords nothing but what is kind .
+
+For both our sakes I would that word were true .
+
+Now , for my life , Hortensio fears his widow .
+
+Then never trust me , if I be afeard .
+
+You are very sensible , and yet you miss my sense :
+I mean , Hortensio is afeard of you .
+
+He that is giddy thinks the world turns round .
+
+Roundly replied .
+
+Mistress , how mean you that ?
+
+Thus I conceive by him .
+
+Conceives by me ! How likes Hortensio that ?
+
+My widow says , thus she conceives her tale .
+
+Very well mended . Kiss him for that , good widow .
+
+'He that is giddy thinks the world turns round :'
+I pray you , tell me what you meant by that .
+
+Your husband , being troubled with a shrew ,
+Measures my husband's sorrow by his woe :
+And now you know my meaning .
+
+A very mean meaning .
+
+Right , I mean you .
+
+And I am mean , indeed , respecting you .
+
+To her , Kate !
+
+To her , widow !
+
+A hundred marks , my Kate does put her down .
+
+That's my office .
+
+Spoke like an officer : ha' to thee , lad .
+
+
+How likes Gremio these quick-witted folks ?
+
+Believe me , sir , they butt together well .
+
+Head and butt ! a hasty-witted body
+Would say your head and butt were head and horn .
+
+Ay , mistress bride , hath that awaken'd you ?
+
+Ay , but not frighted me ; therefore I'll sleep again .
+
+Nay , that you shall not ; since you have begun ,
+Have at you for a bitter jest or two .
+
+Am I your bird ? I mean to shift my bush ;
+And then pursue me as you draw your bow .
+You are welcome all .
+
+
+She hath prevented me . Here , Signior Tranio ;
+This bird you aim'd at , though you hit her not :
+Therefore a health to all that shot and miss'd .
+
+O sir ! Lucentio slipp'd me , like his greyhound ,
+Which runs himself , and catches for his master .
+
+A good swift simile , but something currish .
+
+'Tis well , sir , that you hunted for yourself :
+'Tis thought your deer does hold you at a bay .
+
+O ho , Petruchio ! Tranio hits you now .
+
+I thank thee for that gird , good Tranio .
+
+Confess , confess , hath he not hit you here ?
+
+A' has a little gall'd me , I confess ;
+And , as the jest did glance away from me ,
+'Tis ten to one it maim'd you two outright .
+
+Now , in good sadness , son Petruchio ,
+I think thou hast the veriest shrew of all .
+
+Well , I say no : and therefore , for assurance ,
+Let's each one send unto his wife ;
+And he whose wife is most obedient
+To come at first when he doth send for her ,
+Shall win the wager which we will propose .
+
+Content . What is the wager ?
+
+Twenty crowns .
+
+Twenty crowns !
+I'll venture so much of my hawk or hound ,
+But twenty times so much upon my wife .
+
+A hundred then .
+
+Content .
+
+A match ! 'tis done .
+
+Who shall begin ?
+
+That will I .
+Go , Biondello , bid your mistress come to me .
+
+I go .
+
+
+Son , I will be your half , Bianca comes .
+
+I'll have no halves ; I'll bear it all myself .
+
+How now ! what news ?
+
+Sir , my mistress sends you word
+That she is busy and she cannot come .
+
+How ! she is busy , and she cannot come !
+Is that an answer ?
+
+Ay , and a kind one too :
+Pray God , sir , your wife send you not a worse .
+
+I hope , better .
+
+Sirrah Biondello , go and entreat my wife
+To come to me forthwith .
+
+
+O ho ! entreat her !
+Nay , then she must needs come .
+
+I am afraid , sir ,
+Do what you can , yours will not be entreated .
+
+Now , where's my wife ?
+
+She says you have some goodly jest in hand :
+She will not come : she bids you come to her .
+
+Worse and worse ; she will not come ! O vile ,
+Intolerable , not to be endur'd !
+Sirrah Grumio , go to your mistress ; say ,
+I command her come to me .
+
+
+I know her answer .
+
+What ?
+
+She will not .
+
+The fouler fortune mine , and there an end .
+
+
+Now , by my holidame , here comes Katharina !
+
+What is your will , sir , that you send for me ?
+
+Where is your sister , and Hortensio's wife ?
+
+They sit conferring by the parlour fire .
+
+Go , fetch them hither : if they deny to come ,
+Swinge me them soundly forth unto their husbands .
+Away , I say , and bring them hither straight .
+
+
+Here is a wonder , if you talk of a wonder .
+
+And so it is . I wonder what it bodes .
+
+Marry , peace it bodes , and love , and quiet life ,
+An awful rule and right supremacy ;
+And , to be short , what not that's sweet and happy .
+
+Now fair befall thee , good Petruchio !
+The wager thou hast won ; and I will add
+Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns ;
+Another dowry to another daughter ,
+For she is chang'd , as she had never been .
+
+Nay , I will win my wager better yet ,
+And show more sign of her obedience ,
+Her new-built virtue and obedience .
+See where she comes , and brings your froward wives
+As prisoners to her womanly persuasion .
+
+
+Katharine , that cap of yours becomes you not :
+Off with that bauble , throw it under foot .
+
+Lord ! let me never have a cause to sigh ,
+Till I be brought to such a silly pass !
+
+Fie ! what a foolish duty call you this ?
+
+I would your duty were as foolish too :
+The wisdom of your duty , fair Bianca ,
+Hath cost me an hundred crowns since supper-time .
+
+The more fool you for laying on my duty .
+
+Katharine , I charge thee , tell these headstrong women
+What duty they do owe their lords and husbands .
+
+Come , come , you're mocking : we will have no telling .
+
+Come on , I say ; and first begin with her .
+
+She shall not .
+
+I say she shall : and first begin with her .
+
+Fie , fie ! unknit that threatening unkind brow ,
+And dart not scornful glances from those eyes ,
+To wound thy lord , thy king , thy governor :
+It blots thy beauty as frosts do bite the meads ,
+Confounds thy fame as whirlwinds shake fair buds ,
+And in no sense is meet or amiable .
+A woman mov'd is like a fountain troubled ,
+Muddy , ill-seeming , thick , bereft of beauty ;
+And while it is so , none so dry or thirsty
+Will deign to sip or touch one drop of it .
+Thy husband is thy lord , thy life , thy keeper ,
+Thy head , thy sovereign ; one that cares for thee ,
+And for thy maintenance commits his body
+To painful labour both by sea and land ,
+To watch the night in storms , the day in cold ,
+Whilst thou liest warm at home , secure and safe ;
+And craves no other tribute at thy hands
+But love , fair looks , and true obedience ;
+Too little payment for so great a debt .
+Such duty as the subject owes the prince ,
+Even such a woman oweth to her husband ;
+And when she's froward , peevish , sullen , sour ,
+And not obedient to his honest will ,
+What is she but a foul contending rebel ,
+And graceless traitor to her loving lord ?
+I am asham'd that women are so simple
+To offer war where they should kneel for peace ,
+Or seek for rule , supremacy , and sway ,
+When they are bound to serve , love , and obey .
+Why are our bodies soft , and weak , and smooth ,
+Unapt to toil and trouble in the world ,
+But that our soft conditions and our hearts
+Should well agree with our external parts ?
+Come , come , you froward and unable worms !
+My mind hath been as big as one of yours ,
+My heart as great , my reason haply more ,
+To bandy word for word and frown for frown ;
+But now I see our lances are but straws ,
+Our strength as weak , our weakness past compare ,
+That seeming to be most which we indeed least are .
+Then vail your stomachs , for it is no boot ,
+And place your hands below your husband's foot :
+In token of which duty , if he please ,
+My hand is ready ; may it do him ease .
+
+Why , there's a wench ! Come on , and kiss me , Kate .
+
+Well , go thy ways , old lad , for thou shalt ha't .
+
+'Tis a good hearing when children are toward .
+
+But a harsh hearing when women are froward .
+
+Come , Kate , we'll to bed .
+We three are married , but you two are sped .
+'Twas I won the wager ,
+
+though you hit the white ;
+And , being a winner , God give you good night !
+
+
+Now , go thy ways ; thou hast tam'd a curst shrew .
+
+'Tis a wonder , by your leave , she will be tam'd so .
+
+THE TEMPEST
+
+Boatswain !
+
+Here , master : what cheer ?
+
+Good , speak to the mariners : fall to't yarely , or we run ourselves aground : bestir , bestir .
+
+Heigh , my hearts ! cheerly , cheerly , my hearts ! yare , yare ! Take in the topsail . Tend to the master's whistle .Blow , till thou burst thy wind , if room enough !
+
+
+Good boatswain , have care . Where's the master ? Play the men .
+
+I pray now , keep below .
+
+Where is the master , boson ?
+
+Do you not hear him ? You mar our labour : keep your cabins : you do assist the storm .
+
+Nay , good , be patient .
+
+When the sea is . Hence ! What cares these roarers for the name of king ? To cabin : silence ! trouble us not .
+
+Good , yet remember whom thou hast aboard .
+
+None that I more love than myself . You are a counsellor : if you can command these elements to silence , and work the peace of the present , we will not hand a rope more ; use your authority : if you cannot , give thanks you have lived so long , and make yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of the hour , if it so hap .Cheerly , good hearts !Out of our way , I say .
+
+
+I have great comfort from this fellow : methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him ; his complexion is perfect gallows . Stand fast , good Fate , to his hanging ! make the rope of his destiny our cable , for our own doth little advantage ! If he be not born to be hanged , our case is miserable .
+
+Down with the topmast ! yare ! lower , lower ! Bring her to try with main-course .
+
+A plague upon this howling ! they are louder than the weather , or our office .
+
+Yet again ? what do you here ? Shall we give o'er , and drown ? Have you a mind to sink ?
+
+A pox o' your throat , you bawling , blasphemous , incharitable dog !
+
+Work you , then .
+
+Hang , cur , hang ! you whoreson , insolent noisemaker , we are less afraid to be drowned than thou art .
+
+I'll warrant him for drowning ; though the ship were no stronger than a nutshell , and as leaky as an unstanched wench .
+
+Lay her a-hold , a-hold ! Set her two courses ; off to sea again ; lay her off .
+
+
+All lost ! to prayers , to prayers ! all lost !
+
+
+What , must our mouths be cold ?
+
+The king and prince at prayers ! let us assist them ,
+For our case is as theirs .
+
+I am out of patience .
+
+We are merely cheated of our lives by drunkards .
+This wide-chapp'd rascal ,would thou might'st lie drowning ,
+The washing of ten tides !
+
+He'll be hang'd yet ,
+Though every drop of water swear against it ,
+And gape at wid'st to glut him .
+
+'We split , we split !' 'Farewell , my wife and children !'
+'Farewell , brother !' 'We split , we split , we split !' ]
+
+Let's all sink wi' the king .
+
+
+Let's take leave of him .
+
+
+Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground ; long heath , brown furze , any thing . The wills above be done ! but I would fain die a dry death .
+
+
+If by your art , my dearest father , you have
+Put the wild waters in this roar , allay them .
+The sky , it seems , would pour down stinking pitch ,
+But that the sea , mounting to th' welkin's cheek ,
+Dashes the fire out . O ! I have suffer'd
+With those that I saw suffer : a brave vessel ,
+Who had , no doubt , some noble creatures in her ,
+Dash'd all to pieces . O ! the cry did knock
+Against my very heart . Poor souls , they perish'd .
+Had I been any god of power , I would
+Have sunk the sea within the earth , or e'er
+It should the good ship so have swallow'd and
+The fraughting souls within her .
+
+Be collected :
+No more amazement . Tell your piteous heart
+There's no harm done .
+
+O , woe the day !
+
+No harm .
+I have done nothing but in care of thee ,
+Of thee , my dear one ! thee , my daughter !who
+Art ignorant of what thou art , nought knowing
+Of whence I am : nor that I am more better
+Than Prospero , master of a full poor cell ,
+And thy no greater father .
+
+More to know
+Did never meddle with my thoughts .
+
+'Tis time
+I should inform thee further . Lend thy hand ,
+And pluck my magic garment from me .So :
+
+Lie there , my art .Wipe thou thine eyes ; have comfort .
+The direful spectacle of the wrack , which touch'd
+The very virtue of compassion in thee ,
+I have with such provision in mine art
+So safely order'd , that there is no soul
+No , not so much perdition as an hair ,
+Betid to any creature in the vessel
+Which thou heard'st cry , which thou saw'st sink . Sit down ;
+For thou must now know further .
+
+You have often
+Begun to tell me what I am , but stopp'd ,
+And left me to a bootless inquisition ,
+Concluding , 'Stay ; not yet .'
+
+The hour's now come ,
+The very minute bids thee ope thine ear ;
+Obey and be attentive . Canst thou remember
+A time before we came unto this cell ?
+I do not think thou canst , for then thou wast not
+Out three years old .
+
+Certainly , sir , I can .
+
+By what ? by any other house or person ?
+Of anything the image tell me , that
+Hath kept with thy remembrance .
+
+'Tis far off ;
+And rather like a dream than an assurance
+That my remembrance warrants . Had I not
+Four or five women once that tended me ?
+
+Thou hadst , and more , Miranda . But how is it
+That this lives in thy mind ? What seest thou else
+In the dark backward and abysm of time ?
+If thou remember'st aught ere thou cam'st here ,
+How thou cam'st here , thou may'st .
+
+But that I do not .
+
+Twelve year since , Miranda , twelve year since ,
+Thy father was the Duke of Milan and
+A prince of power .
+
+Sir , are not you my father ?
+
+Thy mother was a piece of virtue , and
+She said thou wast my daughter ; and thy father
+Was Duke of Milan , and his only heir
+A princess ,no worse issued .
+
+O , the heavens !
+What foul play had we that we came from thence ?
+Or blessed was't we did ?
+
+Both , both , my girl :
+By foul play , as thou say'st , were we heav'd thence ;
+But blessedly holp hither .
+
+O ! my heart bleeds
+To think o' the teen that I have turn'd you to ,
+Which is from my remembrance . Please you , further .
+
+My brother and thy uncle , call'd Antonio ,
+I pray thee , mark me ,that a brother should
+Be so perfidious !he whom next thyself ,
+Of all the world I lov'd , and to him put
+The manage of my state ; as at that time ,
+Through all the signiories it was the first ,
+And Prospero the prime duke ; being so reputed
+In dignity , and for the liberal arts ,
+Without a parallel : those being all my study ,
+The government I cast upon my brother ,
+And to my state grew stranger , being transported
+And rapt in secret studies . Thy false uncle
+Dost thou attend me ?
+
+Sir , most heedfully .
+
+Being once perfected how to grant suits ,
+How to deny them , who t'advance , and who
+To trash for over-topping ; new created
+The creatures that were mine , I say , or chang'd 'em ,
+Or else new form'd 'em : having both the key
+Of officer and office , set all hearts i' the state
+To what tune pleas'd his ear ; that now he was
+The ivy which had hid my princely trunk ,
+And suck'd my verdure out on't .Thou attend'st not .
+
+O , good sir ! I do .
+
+I pray thee , mark me .
+I , thus neglecting worldly ends , all dedicated
+To closeness and the bettering of my mind
+With that , which , but by being so retir'd ,
+O'erpriz'd all popular rate , in my false brother
+Awak'd an evil nature ; and my trust ,
+Like a good parent , did beget of him
+A falsehood in its contrary as great
+As my trust was ; which had , indeed no limit ,
+A confidence sans bound . He being thus lorded ,
+Not only with what my revenue yielded ,
+But what my power might else exact ,like one ,
+Who having , into truth , by telling of it ,
+Made such a sinner of his memory ,
+To credit his own lie ,he did believe
+He was indeed the duke ; out o' the substitution ,
+And executing th' outward face of royalty ,
+With all prerogative :Hence his ambition growing ,
+Dost thou hear ?
+
+Your tale , sir , would cure deafness .
+
+To have no screen between this part he play'd
+And him he play'd it for , he needs will be
+Absolute Milan . Me , poor man ,my library
+Was dukedom large enough : of temporal royalties
+He thinks me now incapable ; confederates ,
+So dry he was for sway ,wi' the king of Naples
+To give him annual tribute , do him homage ;
+Subject his coronet to his crown , and bend
+The dukedom , yet unbow'd ,alas , poor Milan !
+To most ignoble stooping .
+
+O the heavens !
+
+Mark his condition and the event ; then tell me
+If this might be a brother .
+
+I should sin
+To think but nobly of my grandmother :
+Good wombs have borne bad sons .
+
+Now the condition .
+This King of Naples , being an enemy
+To me inveterate , hearkens my brother's suit ;
+Which was , that he , in lieu o' the premises
+Of homage and I know not how much tribute ,
+Should presently extirpate me and mine
+Out of the dukedom , and confer fair Milan ,
+With all the honours on my brother : whereon ,
+A treacherous army levied , one midnight
+Fated to the purpose did Antonio open
+The gates of Milan ; and , i' the dead of darkness ,
+The ministers for the purpose hurried thence
+Me and thy crying self .
+
+Alack , for pity !
+I , not rememb'ring how I cried out then ,
+Will cry it o'er again : it is a hint ,
+That wrings mine eyes to 't .
+
+Hear a little further ,
+And then I'll bring thee to the present business
+Which now's upon us ; without the which this story
+Were most impertinent .
+
+Wherefore did they not
+That hour destroy us ?
+
+Well demanded , wench :
+My tale provokes that question . Dear , they durst not ,
+So dear the love my people bore me , nor set
+A mark so bloody on the business ; but
+With colours fairer painted their foul ends .
+In few , they hurried us aboard a bark ,
+Bore us some leagues to sea ; where they prepar'd
+A rotten carcass of a boat , not rigg'd ,
+Nor tackle , sail , nor mast ; the very rats
+Instinctively have quit it : there they hoist us ,
+To cry to the sea that roar'd to us ; to sigh
+To the winds whose pity , sighing back again ,
+Did us but loving wrong .
+
+Alack ! what trouble
+Was I then to you !
+
+O , a cherubin
+Thou wast , that did preserve me ! Thou didst smile ,
+Infused with a fortitude from heaven ,
+When I have deck'd the sea with drops full salt ,
+Under my burden groan'd ; which rais'd in me
+An undergoing stomach , to bear up
+Against what should ensue .
+
+How came we ashore ?
+
+By Providence divine .
+Some food we had and some fresh water that
+A noble Neapolitan , Gonzalo ,
+Out of his charity ,who being then appointed
+Master of this design ,did give us ; with
+Rich garments , linens , stuffs , and necessaries ,
+Which since have steaded much ; so , of his gentleness ,
+Knowing I lov'd my books , he furnish'd me ,
+From mine own library with volumes that
+I prize above my dukedom .
+
+Would I might
+But ever see that man !
+
+Now I arise :
+
+Sit still , and hear the last of our sea-sorrow .
+Here in this island we arriv'd ; and here
+Have I , thy schoolmaster , made thee more profit
+Than other princes can , that have more time
+For vainer hours and tutors not so careful .
+
+Heavens thank you for't ! And now , I pray you , sir ,
+For still 'tis beating in my mind ,your reason
+For raising this sea-storm ?
+
+Know thus far forth .
+By accident most strange , bountiful Fortune ,
+Now my dear lady , hath mine enemies
+Brought to this shore ; and by my prescience
+I find my zenith doth depend upon
+A most auspicious star , whose influence
+If now I court not but omit , my fortunes
+Will ever after droop . Here cease more questions ;
+Thou art inclin'd to sleep ; 'tis a good dulness ,
+And give it way ;I know thou canst not choose .
+
+Come away , servant , come ! I'm ready now .
+Approach , my Ariel ; come !
+
+
+All hail , great master ! grave sir , hail ! I come
+To answer thy best pleasure ; be't to fly ,
+To swim , to dive into the fire , to ride
+On the curl'd clouds : to thy strong bidding task
+Ariel and all his quality .
+
+Hast thou , spirit ,
+Perform'd to point the tempest that I bade thee ?
+
+To every article .
+I boarded the king's ship ; now on the beak ,
+Now in the waist , the deck , in every cabin ,
+I flam'd amazement : sometime I'd divide
+And burn in many places ; on the topmast ,
+The yards , and boresprit , would I flame distinctly ,
+Then meet , and join : Jove's lightnings , the precursors
+O' the dreadful thunder-claps , more momentary
+And sight-outrunning were not : the fire and cracks
+Of sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune
+Seem to besiege and make his bold waves tremble ,
+Yea , his dread trident shake .
+
+My brave spirit !
+Who was so firm , so constant , that this coil
+Would not infect his reason ?
+
+Not a soul
+But felt a fever of the mad and play'd
+Some tricks of desperation . All but mariners ,
+Plunged in the foaming brine and quit the vessel ,
+Then all a-fire with me : the king's son , Ferdinand ,
+With hair up-staring ,then like reeds , not hair ,
+Was the first man that leap'd ; cried , 'Hell is empty ,
+And all the devils are here .'
+
+Why , that's my spirit !
+But was not this nigh shore ?
+
+Close by , my master .
+
+But are they , Ariel , safe ?
+
+Not a hair perish'd ;
+On their sustaining garments not a blemish ,
+But fresher than before : and , as thou bad'st me ,
+In troops I have dispers'd them 'bout the isle .
+The king's son have I landed by himself ;
+Whom I left cooling of the air with sighs
+In an odd angle of the isle and sitting ,
+His arms in this sad knot .
+
+Of the king's ship
+The mariners , say how thou hast dispos'd ,
+And all the rest o' the fleet .
+
+Safely in harbour
+Is the king's ship ; in the deep nook , where once
+Thou call'dst me up at midnight to fetch dew
+From the still-vex'd Bermoothes ; there she's hid :
+The mariners all under hatches stow'd ;
+Who , with a charm join'd to their suffer'd labour ,
+I have left asleep : and for the rest o' the fleet
+Which I dispers'd , they all have met again ,
+And are upon the Mediterranean flote ,
+Bound sadly home for Naples ,
+Supposing that they saw the king's ship wrack'd ,
+And his great person perish .
+
+Ariel , thy charge
+Exactly is perform'd : but there's more work :
+What is the time o' th' day ?
+
+Past the mid season .
+
+At least two glasses . The time 'twixt six and now
+Must by us both be spent most preciously .
+
+Is there more toil ? Since thou dost give me pains ,
+Let me remember thee what thou hast promis'd
+Which is not yet perform'd me .
+
+How now ! moody ?
+What is't thou canst demand ?
+
+My liberty .
+
+Before the time be out ? no more !
+
+I prithee
+Remember , I have done thee worthy service ;
+Told thee no lies , made no mistakings , serv'd
+Without or grudge or grumblings : thou didst promise
+To bate me a full year .
+
+Dost thou forget
+From what a torment I did free thee ?
+
+No .
+
+Thou dost ; and think'st it much to tread the ooze
+Of the salt deep ,
+To run upon the sharp wind of the north ,
+To do me business in the veins o' th' earth
+When it is bak'd with frost .
+
+I do not , sir .
+
+Thou liest , malignant thing ! Hast thou forgot
+The foul witch Sycorax , who with age and envy
+Was grown into a hoop ? hast thou forgot her ?
+
+No , sir .
+
+Thou hast . Where was she born ? speak ; tell me .
+
+Sir , in Argier .
+
+O ! was she so ? I must ,
+Once in a month , recount what thou hast been ,
+Which thou forget'st . This damn'd witch , Sycorax ,
+For mischiefs manifold and sorceries terrible
+To enter human hearing , from Argier ,
+Thou know'st , was banish'd : for one thing she did
+They would not take her life . Is not this true ?
+
+Ay , sir .
+
+This blue-ey'd hag was hither brought with child
+And here was left by the sailors . Thou , my slave ,
+As thou report'st thyself , wast then her servant :
+And , for thou wast a spirit too delicate
+To act her earthy and abhorr'd commands ,
+Refusing her grand hests , she did confine thee ,
+By help of her more potent ministers ,
+And in her most unmitigable rage ,
+Into a cloven pine ; within which rift
+Imprison'd , thou didst painfully remain
+A dozen years ; within which space she died
+And left thee there , where thou didst vent thy groans
+As fast as mill-wheels strike . Then was this island ,
+Save for the son that she did litter here ,
+A freckled whelp hag-born ,not honour'd with
+A human shape .
+
+Yes ; Caliban her son .
+
+Dull thing , I say so ; he that Caliban ,
+Whom now I keep in service . Thou best know'st
+What torment I did find thee in ; thy groans
+Did make wolves howl and penetrate the breasts
+Of ever-angry bears : it was a torment
+To lay upon the damn'd , which Sycorax
+Could not again undo ; it was mine art ,
+When I arriv'd and heard thee , that made gape
+The pine , and let thee out .
+
+I thank thee , master .
+
+If thou more murmur'st , I will rend an oak
+And peg thee in his knotty entrails till
+Thou hast howl'd away twelve winters .
+
+Pardon , master ;
+I will be correspondent to command ,
+And do my spiriting gently .
+
+Do so ; and after two days
+I will discharge thee .
+
+That's my noble master !
+What shall I do ? say what ? what shall I do ?
+
+Go make thyself like a nymph of the sea : be subject
+To no sight but thine and mine ; invisible
+To every eyeball else . Go , take this shape ,
+And hither come in't : go , hence with diligence !
+
+Awake , dear heart , awake ! thou hast slept well ;
+Awake !
+
+The strangeness of your story put
+Heaviness in me .
+
+Shake it off . Come on ;
+We'll visit Caliban my slave , who never
+Yields us kind answer .
+
+'Tis a villain , sir ,
+I do not love to look on .
+
+But , as 'tis ,
+We cannot miss him : he does make our fire ,
+Fetch in our wood ; and serves in offices
+That profit us .What ho ! slave ! Caliban !
+Thou earth , thou ! speak .
+
+There's wood enough within .
+
+Come forth , I say ; there's other business for thee :
+Come , thou tortoise ! when ?
+
+
+Fine apparition ! My quaint Ariel ,
+
+Hark in thine ear .
+
+My lord , it shall be done .
+
+
+Thou poisonous slave , got by the devil himself
+Upon thy wicked dam , come forth !
+
+
+As wicked dew as e'er my mother brush'd
+With raven's feather from unwholesome fen
+Drop on you both ! a south-west blow on ye ,
+And blister you all o'er !
+
+For this , be sure , to-night thou shalt have cramps ,
+Side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up ; urchins
+Shall forth at vast of night , that they may work
+All exercise on thee : thou shalt be pinch'd
+As thick as honeycomb , each pinch more stinging
+Than bees that made them .
+
+I must eat my dinner .
+This island's mine , by Sycorax my mother ,
+Which thou tak'st from me . When thou camest first ,
+Thou strok'dst me , and mad'st much of me ; wouldst give me
+Water with berries in't ; and teach me how
+To name the bigger light , and how the less ,
+That burn by day and night : and then I lov'd thee
+And show'd thee all the qualities o' th' isle ,
+The fresh springs , brine-pits , barren place , and fertile .
+Cursed be I that did so !All the charms
+Of Sycorax , toads , beetles , bats , light on you !
+For I am all the subjects that you have ,
+Which first was mine own king ; and here you sty me
+In this hard rock , whiles you do keep from me
+The rest o' th' island .
+
+Thou most lying slave ,
+Whom stripes may move , not kindness ! I have us'd thee ,
+Filth as thou art , with human care ; and lodg'd thee
+In mine own cell , till thou didst seek to violate
+The honour of my child .
+
+Oh ho ! Oh ho !would it had been done !
+Thou didst prevent me ; I had peopled else
+This isle with Calibans .
+
+Abhorred slave ,
+Which any print of goodness will not take ,
+Being capable of all ill ! I pitied thee ,
+Took pains to make thee speak , taught thee each hour
+One thing or other : when thou didst not , savage ,
+Know thine own meaning , but wouldst gabble like
+A thing most brutish , I endow'd thy purposes
+With words that made them known : but thy vile race ,
+Though thou didst learn , had that in't which good natures
+Could not abide to be with ; therefore wast thou
+Deservedly confin'd into this rock ,
+Who hadst deserv'd more than a prison .
+
+You taught me language : and my profit on't
+Is , I know how to curse : the red plague rid you ,
+For learning me your language !
+
+Hag-seed , hence !
+Fetch us in fuel ; and be quick , thou'rt best ,
+To answer other business . Shrug'st thou , malice ?
+If thou neglect'st , or dost unwillingly
+What I command , I'll rack thee with old cramps ,
+Fill all thy bones with aches ; make thee roar ,
+That beasts shall tremble at thy din .
+
+No , pray thee !
+
+
+I must obey : his art is of such power ,
+It would control my dam's god , Setebos ,
+And make a vassal of him .
+
+So , slave ; hence !
+
+Come unto these yellow sands ,
+And then take hands :
+Curtsied when you have , and kiss'd ,
+The wild waves whist ,
+Foot it featly here and there ;
+And , sweet sprites , the burden bear .
+Hark , hark !
+
+The watch-dogs bark :
+
+Hark , hark ! I hear
+The strain of strutting Chanticleer
+
+Where should this music be ? i' th' air , or th' earth ?
+It sounds no more ;and sure , it waits upon
+Some god o' th' island . Sitting on a bank ,
+Weeping again the king my father's wrack ,
+This music crept by me upon the waters ,
+Allaying both their fury , and my passion ,
+With its sweet air : thence I have follow'd it ,
+Or it hath drawn me rather ,but 'tis gone .
+No , it begins again .
+
+Full fathom five thy father lies ;
+Of his bones are coral made
+Those are pearls that were his eyes :
+Nothing of him that doth fade ,
+But doth suffer a sea-change
+Into something rich and strange .
+Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell :
+
+Hark ! now I hear them ,ding-dong , bell .
+
+
+The ditty does remember my drown'd father .
+This is no mortal business , nor no sound
+That the earth owes :I hear it now above me .
+
+The fringed curtains of thine eye advance ,
+And say what thou seest yond .
+
+What is't ? a spirit ?
+Lord , how it looks about ! Believe me , sir ,
+It carries a brave form :but 'tis a spirit .
+
+No , wench ; it eats and sleeps , and hath such senses
+As we have , such ; this gallant which thou see'st ,
+Was in the wrack ; and , but he's something stain'd
+With grief ,that's beauty's canker ,thou might'st call him
+A goodly person : he hath lost his fellows
+And strays about to find 'em .
+
+I might call him
+A thing divine ; for nothing natural
+I ever saw so noble .
+
+It goes on , I see ,
+As my soul prompts it .Spirit , fine spirit ! I'll free thee
+Within two days for this .
+
+Most sure , the goddess
+On whom these airs attend !Vouchsafe , my prayer
+May know if you remain upon this island ;
+And that you will some good instruction give
+How I may bear me here : my prime request ,
+Which I do last pronounce , is ,O you wonder !
+If you be maid or no ?
+
+No wonder , sir ;
+But certainly a maid .
+
+My language ! heavens !
+I am the best of them that speak this speech ,
+Were I but where 'tis spoken .
+
+How ! the best ?
+What wert thou , if the King of Naples heard thee ?
+
+A single thing , as I am now , that wonders
+To hear thee speak of Naples . He does hear me ;
+And , that he does , I weep : myself am Naples ,
+Who with mine eyes ,ne'er since at ebb ,beheld
+The king , my father wrack'd .
+
+Alack , for mercy !
+
+Yes , faith , and all his lords ; the Duke of Milan ,
+And his brave son being twain .
+
+The Duke of Milan ,
+And his more braver daughter could control thee ,
+If now 'twere fit to do't .At the first sight
+
+They have changed eyes :delicate Ariel ,
+I'll set thee free for this !
+
+A word , good sir ;
+I fear you have done yourself some wrong : a word .
+
+Why speaks my father so ungently ? This
+Is the third man that e'er I saw ; the first
+That e'er I sigh'd for : pity move my father
+To be inclin'd my way !
+
+O ! if a virgin ,
+And your affection not gone forth , I'll make you
+The Queen of Naples .
+
+Soft , sir : one word more
+
+
+They are both in either's powers : but this swift business
+I must uneasy make , lest too light winning
+Make the prize light .
+
+One word more : I charge thee
+That thou attend me . Thou dost here usurp
+The name thou ow'st not ; and hast put thyself
+Upon this island as a spy , to win it
+From me , the lord on't .
+
+No , as I am a man .
+
+There's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple :
+If the ill spirit have so fair a house ,
+Good things will strive to dwell with't .
+
+Follow me .
+
+
+Come ;
+I'll manacle thy neck and feet together :
+Sea-water shalt thou drink ; thy food shall be
+The fresh-brook muscles , wither'd roots and husks
+Wherein the acorn cradled . Follow .
+
+No ;
+I will resist such entertainment till
+Mine enemy has more power .
+
+
+O dear father !
+Make not too rash a trial of him , for
+He's gentle , and not fearful .
+
+What ! I say ,
+My foot my tutor ?Put thy sword up , traitor ;
+Who mak'st a show , but dar'st not strike , thy conscience
+Is so possess'd with guilt : come from thy ward ,
+For I can here disarm thee with this stick
+And make thy weapon drop .
+
+Beseech you , father !
+
+Hence ! hang not on my garments .
+
+Sir , have pity :
+I'll be his surety .
+
+Silence ! one word more
+Shall make me chide thee , if not hate thee . What !
+An advocate for an impostor ? hush !
+Thou think'st there is no more such shapes as he ,
+Having seen but him and Caliban : foolish wench !
+To the most of men this is a Caliban
+And they to him are angels .
+
+My affections
+Are then most humble ; I have no ambition
+To see a goodlier man .
+
+Come on ; obey :
+Thy nerves are in their infancy again ,
+And have no vigour in them .
+
+So they are :
+My spirits , as in a dream , are all bound up .
+My father's loss , the weakness which I feel ,
+The wrack of all my friends , or this man's threats ,
+To whom I am subdued , are but light to me ,
+Might I but through my prison once a day
+Behold this maid : all corners else o' th' earth
+Let liberty make use of ; space enough
+Have I in such a prison .
+
+Come on .
+Thou hast done well , fine Ariel !
+
+Follow me .
+
+
+Hark , what thou else shalt do me .
+
+Be of comfort ;
+My father's of a better nature , sir ,
+Than he appears by speech : this is unwonted ,
+Which now came from him .
+
+Thou shalt be as free
+As mountain winds ; but then exactly do
+All points of my command .
+
+To the syllable .
+
+Come , follow .Speak not for him .
+
+Beseech you , sir , be merry : you have cause ,
+So have we all , of joy ; for our escape
+Is much beyond our loss . Our hint of woe
+Is common : every day some sailor's wife ,
+The masters of some merchant and the merchant ,
+Have just our theme of woe ; but for the miracle ,
+I mean our preservation , few in millions
+Can speak like us : then wisely , good sir , weigh
+Our sorrow with our comfort .
+
+Prithee , peace .
+
+He receives comfort like cold porridge .
+
+The visitor will not give him o'er so .
+
+Look , he's winding up the watch of his wit ; by and by it will strike .
+
+Sir ,
+
+One : tell .
+
+When every grief is entertain'd that's offer'd ,
+Comes to the entertainer
+
+A dollar .
+
+Dolour comes to him , indeed : you have spoken truer than you purposed .
+
+You have taken it wiselier than I meant you should .
+
+Therefore , my lord ,
+
+Fie , what a spendthrift is he of his tongue !
+
+I prithee , spare .
+
+Well , I have done : but yet
+
+He will be talking .
+
+Which , of he or Adrian , for a good wager , first begins to crow ?
+
+The old cock .
+
+The cockerel .
+
+Done . The wager ?
+
+A laughter .
+
+A match !
+
+Though this island seem to be desert ,
+
+Ha , ha , ha ! So you're paid .
+
+Uninhabitable , and almost inaccessible ,
+
+Yet
+
+Yet
+
+He could not miss it .
+
+It must needs be of subtle , tender , and delicate temperance .
+
+Temperance was a delicate wench .
+
+Ay , and a subtle ; as he most learnedly delivered .
+
+The air breathes upon us here most sweetly .
+
+As if it had lungs , and rotten ones .
+
+Or as 'twere perfumed by a fen .
+
+Here is everything advantageous to life .
+
+True ; save means to live .
+
+Of that there's none , or little .
+
+How lush and lusty the grass looks ! how green !
+
+The ground indeed is tawny .
+
+With an eye of green in't .
+
+He misses not much .
+
+No ; he doth but mistake the truth totally .
+
+But the rarity of it is ,which is indeed almost beyond credit ,
+
+As many vouch'd rarities are .
+
+That our garments , being , as they were , drenched in the sea , hold notwithstanding their freshness and glosses ; being rather new-dyed than stain'd with salt water .
+
+If but one of his pockets could speak , would it not say he lies ?
+
+Ay , or very falsely pocket up his report .
+
+Methinks , our garments are now as fresh as when we put them on first in Afric , at the marriage of the king's fair daughter Claribel to the King of Tunis .
+
+'Twas a sweet marriage , and we prosper well in our return .
+
+Tunis was never graced before with such a paragon to their queen .
+
+Not since widow Dido's time .
+
+Widow ! a pox o' that ! How came that widow in ? Widow Dido !
+
+What if he had said , widower neas too ? Good Lord , how you take it !
+
+Widow Dido , said you ? you make me study of that : she was of Carthage , not of Tunis .
+
+This Tunis , sir , was Carthage .
+
+Carthage ?
+
+I assure you , Carthage .
+
+His word is more than the miraculous harp .
+
+He hath rais'd the wall , and houses too .
+
+What impossible matter will he make easy next ?
+
+I think he will carry this island home in his pocket , and give it his son for an apple .
+
+And , sowing the kernels of it in the sea , bring forth more islands .
+
+Ay ?
+
+Why , in good time .
+
+Sir , we were talking that our garments seem now as fresh as when we were at Tunis at the marriage of your daughter , who is now queen .
+
+And the rarest that e'er came there .
+
+Bate , I beseech you , widow Dido .
+
+O ! widow Dido ; ay , widow Dido .
+
+Is not , sir , my doublet as fresh as the first day I wore it ? I mean , in a sort .
+
+That sort was well fish'd for .
+
+When I wore it at your daughter's marriage ?
+
+You cram these words into mine ears , against
+The stomach of my sense . Would I had never
+Married my daughter there ! for , coming thence ,
+My son is lost ; and , in my rate , she too ,
+Who is so far from Italy remov'd ,
+I ne'er again shall see her . O thou , mine heir
+Of Naples and of Milan ! what strange fish
+Hath made his meal on thee ?
+
+Sir , he may live :
+I saw him beat the surges under him ,
+And ride upon their backs : he trod the water ,
+Whose enmity he flung aside , and breasted
+The surge most swoln that met him : his bold head
+'Bove the contentious waves he kept , and oar'd
+Himself with his good arms in lusty stroke
+To the shore , that o'er his wave-worn basis bow'd ,
+As stooping to relieve him . I not doubt
+He came alive to land .
+
+No , no ; he's gone .
+
+Sir , you may thank yourself for this great loss ,
+That would not bless our Europe with your daughter ,
+But rather lose her to an African ;
+Where she at least is banish'd from your eye ,
+Who hath cause to wet the grief on't .
+
+Prithee , peace .
+
+You were kneel'd to and importun'd otherwise
+By all of us ; and the fair soul herself
+Weigh'd between loathness and obedience , at
+Which end o' the beam should bow . We have lost your son ,
+I fear , for ever : Milan and Naples have
+More widows in them of this business' making ,
+Than we bring men to comfort them : the fault's
+Your own .
+
+So is the dearest of the loss .
+
+My lord Sebastian ,
+The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness
+And time to speak it in ; you rub the sore ,
+When you should bring the plaster .
+
+Very well .
+
+And most chirurgeonly .
+
+It is foul weather in us all , good sir ,
+When you are cloudy .
+
+Foul weather ?
+
+Very foul .
+
+Had I plantation of this isle , my lord ,
+
+He'd sow't with nettle-seed .
+
+Or docks , or mallows .
+
+'And were the king on't , what would I do ?
+
+'Scape being drunk for want of wine .
+
+I' the commonwealth I would by contraries
+Execute all things ; for no kind of traffic
+Would I admit ; no name of magistrate ;
+Letters should not be known ; riches , poverty ,
+And use of service , none ; contract , succession ,
+Bourn , bound of land , tilth , vineyard , none ;
+No use of metal , corn , or wine , or oil ;
+No occupation ; all men idle , all ;
+And women too , but innocent and pure ;
+No sovereignty ,
+
+Yet he would be king on't .
+
+The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning .
+
+All things in common nature should produce
+Without sweat or endeavour : treason , felony ,
+Sword , pike , knife , gun , or need of any engine ,
+Would I not have ; but nature should bring forth ,
+Of its own kind , all foison , all abundance ,
+To feed my innocent people .
+
+No marrying 'mong his subjects ?
+
+None , man ; all idle ; whores and knaves .
+
+I would with such perfection govern , sir ,
+To excel the golden age
+
+Save his majesty !
+
+Long live Gonzalo !
+
+And ,do you mark me , sir ?
+
+Prithee , no more : thou dost talk nothing to me .
+
+I do well believe your highness ; and did it to minister occasion to these gentlemen , who are of such sensible and nimble lungs that they always use to laugh at nothing .
+
+'Twas you we laugh'd at .
+
+Who in this kind of merry fooling am nothing to you ; so you may continue and laugh at nothing still .
+
+What a blow was there given !
+
+An it had not fallen flat-long .
+
+You are gentlemen of brave mettle : you would lift the moon out of her sphere , if she would continue in it five weeks without changing .
+
+
+We would so , and then go a-bat-fowling .
+
+Nay , good my lord , be not angry .
+
+No , I warrant you ; I will not adventure my discretion so weakly . Will you laugh me asleep , for I am very heavy ?
+
+Go sleep , and hear us .
+
+
+What ! all so soon asleep ! I wish mine eyes
+Would , with themselves , shut up my thoughts : I find
+They are inclin'd to do so .
+
+Please you , sir ,
+Do not omit the heavy offer of it :
+It seldom visits sorrow ; when it doth
+It is a comforter .
+
+We two , my lord ,
+Will guard your person while you take your rest ,
+And watch your safety .
+
+Thank you . Wondrous heavy .
+
+
+What a strange drowsiness possesses them !
+
+It is the quality o' the climate .
+
+Why
+Doth it not then our eyelids sink ? I find not
+Myself dispos'd to sleep .
+
+Nor I : my spirits are nimble .
+They fell together all , as by consent ;
+They dropp'd , as by a thunder-stroke . What might ,
+Worthy Sebastian ? O ! what might ?No more :
+And yet methinks I see it in thy face ,
+What thou should'st be . The occasion speaks thee ; and
+My strong imagination sees a crown
+Dropping upon thy head .
+
+What ! art thou waking ?
+
+Do you not hear me speak ?
+
+I do ; and surely ,
+It is a sleepy language , and thou speak'st
+Out of thy sleep . What is it thou didst say ?
+This is a strange repose , to be asleep
+With eyes wide open ; standing , speaking , moving ,
+And yet so fast asleep .
+
+Noble Sebastian ,
+Thou let'st thy fortune sleep die rather ; wink'st
+Whiles thou art waking .
+
+Thou dost snore distinctly :
+There's meaning in thy snores .
+
+I am more serious than my custom : you
+Must be so too , if heed me ; which to do
+Trebles thee o'er .
+
+Well ; I am standing water .
+
+I'll teach you how to flow .
+
+Do so : to ebb ,
+Hereditary sloth instructs me .
+
+O !
+If you but knew how you the purpose cherish
+Whiles thus you mock it ! how , in stripping it ,
+You more invest it ! Ebbing men , indeed ,
+Most often do so near the bottom run
+By their own fear or sloth .
+
+Prithee , say on :
+The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim
+A matter from thee , and a birth indeed
+Which throes thee much to yield .
+
+Thus , sir :
+Although this lord of weak remembrance , this
+Who shall be of as little memory
+When he is earth'd , hath here almost persuaded ,
+For he's a spirit of persuasion , only
+Professes to persuade ,the king , his son's alive ,
+'Tis as impossible that he's undrown'd
+As he that sleeps here swims .
+
+I have no hope
+That he's undrown'd .
+
+O ! out of that 'no hope
+What great hope have you ! no hope that way is
+Another way so high a hope that even
+Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond ,
+But doubts discovery there . Will you grant with me
+That Ferdinand is drown'd ?
+
+He's gone .
+
+Then tell me
+Who's the next heir of Naples ?
+
+Claribel .
+
+She that is Queen of Tums ; she that dwells
+Ten leagues beyond man's life ; she that from Naples
+Can have no note , unless the sun were post
+The man i' th' moon's too slow till new-born chins
+Be rough and razorable : she that , from whom ?
+We all were sea-swallow'd , though some cast again ,
+And by that destiny to perform an act
+Whereof what's past is prologue , what to come
+In yours and my discharge .
+
+What stuff is this !How say you ?
+'Tis true my brother's daughter's Queen of Tunis ;
+So is she heir of Naples ; 'twixt which regions
+There is some space .
+
+A space whose every cubit
+Seems to cry out , 'How shall that Claribel
+Measure us back to Naples ?Keep in Tunis ,
+And let Sebastian wake !' Say , this were death
+That now hath seiz'd them ; why , they were no worse
+Than now they are . There be that can rule Naples
+As well as he that sleeps ; lords that can prate
+As amply and unnecessarily
+As this Gonzalo ; I myself could make
+A chough of as deep chat . O , that you bore
+The mind that I do ! what a sleep were this
+For your advancement ! Do you understand me ?
+
+Methinks I do .
+
+And how does your content
+Tender your own good fortune ?
+
+I remember
+You did supplant your brother Prospero .
+
+True :
+And look how well my garments sit upon me ;
+Much feater than before ; my brother's servants
+Were then my fellows ; now they are my men .
+
+But , for your conscience ,
+
+Ay , sir ; where lies that ? if it were a kibe ,
+'Twould put me to my slipper ; but I feel not
+This deity in my bosom : twenty consciences ,
+That stand 'twixt me and Milan , candied be they ,
+And melt ere they molest ! Here lies your brother ,
+No better than the earth he lies upon ,
+If he were that which now he's like , that's dead ;
+Whom I , with this obedient steel ,three inches of it ,
+Can lay to bed for ever ; whiles you , doing thus ,
+To the perpetual wink for aye might put
+This ancient morsel , this Sir Prudence , who
+Should not upbraid our course . For all the rest ,
+They'll take suggestion as a cat laps milk ;
+They'll tell the clock to any business that
+We say befits the hour .
+
+Thy case , dear friend ,
+Shall be my precedent : as thou got'st Milan ,
+I'll come by Naples . Draw thy sword : one stroke
+Shall free thee from the tribute which thou pay'st ,
+And I the king shall love thee .
+
+Draw together ;
+And when I rear my hand , do you the like ,
+To fall it on Gonzalo .
+
+O ! but one word .
+
+My master through his art foresees the danger
+That you , his friend , are in ; and sends me forth
+For else his project dies to keep thee living .
+
+
+While you here do snoring lie ,
+Open-ey'd Conspiracy
+His time doth take .
+If of life you keep a care ,
+Shake off slumber , and beware
+Awake ! awake !
+
+
+Then let us both be sudden .
+
+Now , good angels
+Preserve the king !
+
+
+Why , how now ! ho , awake ! Why are you drawn ?
+Wherefore this ghastly looking ?
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+Whiles we stood here securing your repose ,
+Even now , we heard a hollow burst of bellowing
+Like bulls , or rather hons ; did't not wake you ?
+It struck mine ear most terribly .
+
+I heard nothing .
+
+O ! 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear ,
+To make an earthquake : sure it was the roar
+Of a whole herd of lions .
+
+Heard you this , Gonzalo ?
+
+Upon mine honour , sir , I heard a humming ,
+And that a strange one too , which did awake me .
+I shak'd you , sir , and cry'd ; as mine eyes open'd ,
+I saw their weapons drawn :there was a noise ,
+That's verily . 'Tis best we stand upon our guard ,
+Or that we quit this place : let's draw our weapons .
+
+Lead off this ground , and let's make further search
+For my poor son .
+
+Heavens keep him from these beasts !
+For he is , sure , i' the island .
+
+Lead away .
+
+
+Prospero my lord shall know what I have done :
+So , king , go safely on to seek thy son .
+
+
+All the infections that the sun sucks up
+From bogs , fens , flats , on Prosper fall , and make him
+By inch-meal a disease ! His spirits hear me ,
+And yet I needs must curse . But they'll nor pinch ,
+Fright me with urchin-shows , pitch me i' the mire ,
+Nor lead me , like a firebrand , in the dark
+Out of my way , unless he bid 'em ; but
+For every trifle are they set upon me :
+Sometime like apes , that mow and chatter at me
+And after bite me ; then like hedge-hogs , which
+Lie tumbling in my bare-foot way and mount
+Their pricks at my foot-fall ; sometime am I
+All wound with adders , who with cloven tongues
+Do hiss me into madness .
+
+
+Lo now ! lo !
+Here comes a spirit of his , and to torment me
+For bringing wood in slowly : I'll fall flat ;
+
+Perchance he will not mind me .
+
+Here's neither bush nor shrub to bear off any weather at all , and another storm brewing ; I hear it sing i' the wind : yond same black cloud , yond huge one , looks like a foul bombard that would shed his liquor . If it should thunder as it did before , I know not where to hide my head : yond same cloud cannot choose but fall by pailfuls .What have we here ? a man or a fish ? Dead or alive ? A fish : he smells like a fish ; a very ancient and fish-like smell ; a kind of not of the newest Poor-John . A strange fish ! Were I in England now ,as once I was ,and had but this fish painted , not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver : there would this monster make a man ; any strange beast there makes a man . When they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar , they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian . Legg'd like a man ! and his fins like arms ! Warm , o' my troth ! I do now let loose my opinion , hold it no longer ; this is no fish , but an islander , that hath lately suffered by a thunderbolt .
+
+Alas ! the storm is come again : my best way is to creep under his gaberdine ; there is no other shelter hereabout : misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows . I will here shroud till the dregs of the storm be past .
+
+I shall no more to sea , to sea ,
+Here shall I die a-shore :
+
+This is a very scurvy tune to sing at a man's funeral :
+Well , here's my comfort .
+
+
+The master , the swabber , the boatswain and I ,
+The gunner and his mate ,
+Lov'd Mall , Meg , and Marian and Margery ,
+But none of us car'd for Kate ;
+For she had a tongue with a tang ,
+Would cry to a sailor , 'Go hang !'
+She lov'd not the savour of tar nor of pitch ,
+Yet a tailor might scratch her where-e'er she did itch :
+Then to sea , boys , and let her go hang .
+
+This is a scurvy tune too : but here's my comfort .
+
+
+Do not torment me : O !
+
+What's the matter ? Have we devils here ? Do you put tricks upon us with savages and men of Ind ? Ha ! I have not 'scaped drowning , to be afeard now of your four legs ; for it hath been said , As proper a man as ever went on four legs cannot make him give ground : and it shall be said so again while Stephano breathes at's nostrils .
+
+The spirit torments me : O !
+
+This is some monster of the isle with four legs , who hath got , as I take it , an ague . Where the devil should he learn our language ? I will give him some relief , if it be but for that : if I can recover him and keep him tame and get to Naples with him , he's a present for any emperor that ever trod on neat's-leather .
+
+Do not torment me , prithee : I'll bring my wood home faster .
+
+He's in his fit now and does not talk after the wisest . He shall taste of my bottle : if he have never drunk wine afore it will go near to remove his fit . If I can recover him , and keep him tame , I will not take too much for him : he shall pay for him that hath him , and that soundly .
+
+Thou dost me yet but little hurt ; thou wilt anon , I know it by thy trembling : now Prosper works upon thee .
+
+Come on your ways : open your mouth ; here is that which will give language to you , cat . Open your mouth : this will shake your shaking , I can tell you , and that soundly
+
+: you cannot tell who's your friend ; open your chaps again .
+
+I should know that voice : it should be but he is drowned , and these are devils . O ! defend me .
+
+Four legs and two voices ; a most delicate monster ! His forward voice now is to speak well of his friend ; his backward voice is to utter foul speeches , and to detract . If all the wine in my bottle will recover him , I will help his ague . Come . Amen ! I will pour some in thy other mouth .
+
+Stephano !
+
+Doth thy other mouth call me ? Mercy ! mercy ! This is a devil , and no monster : I will leave him ; I have no long spoon .
+
+Stephano !if thou beest Stephano , touch me , and speak to me ; for I am Trinculo :be not afeard thy good friend Trinculo .
+
+If thou beest Trinculo , come forth . I'll pull thee by the lesser legs : if any be Trinculo's legs , these are they . Thou art very Trinculo indeed ! How cam'st thou to be the siege of this moon-calf ? Can he vent Trinculos ?
+
+I took him to be killed with a thunderstroke . But art thou not drowned , Stephano ? I hope now thou art not drowned . Is the storm overblown ? I hid me under the dead mooncalf's gaberdine for fear of the storm . And art thou living , Stephano ? O Stephano ! two Neapolitans 'scaped !
+
+Prithee , do not turn me about : my stomach is not constant .
+
+These be fine things an if they be not sprites .
+That's a brave god and bears celestial liquor :
+I will kneel to him .
+
+How didst thou 'scape ? How cam'st thou hither ? swear by this bottle , how thou cam'st hither . I escaped upon a butt of sack , which the sailors heaved overboard , by this bottle ! which I made of the bark of a tree with mine own hands , since I was cast ashore .
+
+I'll swear upon that bottle , to be thy true subject ; for the liquor is not earthly .
+
+Here : swear then , how thou escapedst .
+
+Swam ashore , man , like a duck : I can swim like a duck , I'll be sworn .
+
+Here , kiss the book
+
+. Though thou canst swim like a duck , thou art made like a goose .
+
+O Stephano ! hast any more of this ?
+
+The whole butt , man : my cellar is in a rock by the seaside , where my wine is hid . How now , moon-calf ! how does thine ague ?
+
+Hast thou not dropped from heaven ?
+
+Out o the moon , I do assure thee : I was the man in the moon , when time was .
+
+I have seen thee in her , and I do adore thee ; my mistress showed me thee , and thy dog , and thy bush .
+
+Come , swear to that ; kiss the book ; I will furnish it anon with new contents ; swear .
+
+By this good light , this is a very shallow monster .I afeard of him !a very weak monster .The man i' the moon ! a most poor credulous monster !Well drawn , monster , in good sooth .
+
+I'll show thee every fertile inch o' the island ;
+And I will kiss thy foot . I prithee , be my god .
+
+By this light , a most perfidious and drunken monster : when his god's asleep , he'll rob his bottle .
+
+I'll kiss thy foot : I'll swear myself thy subject .
+
+Come on then ; down , and swear .
+
+I shall laugh myself to death at this puppy-headed monster . A most scurvy monster ! I could find in my heart to beat him ,
+
+Come , kiss .
+
+But that the poor monster's in drink : an abominable monster !
+
+I'll shew thee the best springs ; I'll pluck thee berries ;
+I'll fish for thee , and get thee wood enough .
+A plague upon the tyrant that I serve !
+I'll bear him no more sticks , but follow thee ,
+Thou wondrous man .
+
+A most ridiculous monster , to make a wonder of a poor drunkard !
+
+I prithee , let me bring thee where crabs grow ;
+And I with my long nails will dig thee pig-nuts ;
+Show thee a jay's nest and instruct thee how
+To snare the nimble marmozet ; I'll bring thee
+To clust'ring filberts , and sometimes I'll get thee
+Young scamels from the rock . Wilt thou go with me ?
+
+I prithee now , lead the way , without any more talking .Trinculo , the king and all our company else being drowned , we will inherit here .Here ; bear my bottle .Fellow Trinculo , we'll fill him by and by again .
+
+Farewell , master ; farewell , farewell
+
+
+A howling monster , a drunken monster .
+
+
+No more dams I'll make for fish ,
+Nor fetch in firing
+At requiring ,
+Nor scrape trenchering , nor wash dish ,
+'Ban , 'Ban , Ca Caliban ,
+Has a new master Get a new man .
+
+Freedom , high-day ! high-day , freedom ! freedom ! high-day , freedom !
+
+O brave monster ! lead the way .
+
+There be some sports are painful , and their labour
+Delight in them sets off : some kinds of baseness
+Are nobly undergone , and most poor matters
+Point to rich ends . This my mean task
+Would be as heavy to me as odious ; but
+The mistress which I serve quickens what's dead
+And makes my labours pleasures : O ! she is
+Ten times more gentle than her father's crabbed ,
+And he's compos'd of harshness . I must remove
+Some thousands of these logs and pile them up ,
+Upon a sore injunction : my sweet mistress
+Weeps when she sees me work , and says such baseness
+Had never like executor . I forget :
+But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours ,
+Most busiest when I do it .
+
+
+Alas ! now , pray you ,
+Work not so hard : I would the lightning had
+Burnt up those logs that you are enjoin'd to pile !
+Pray , set it down and rest you : when this burns ,
+'Twill weep for having wearied you . My father
+Is hard at study ; pray now , rest yourself :
+He's safe for these three hours .
+
+O most dear mistress ,
+The sun will set , before I shall discharge
+What I must strive to do .
+
+If you'll sit down ,
+I'll bear your logs the while . Pray , give me that ;
+I'll carry it to the pile .
+
+No , precious creature :
+I had rather crack my sinews , break my back ,
+Than you should such dishonour undergo ,
+While I sit lazy by .
+
+It would become me
+As well as it does you : and I should do it
+With much more ease ; for my good will is to it ,
+And yours it is against .
+
+Poor worm ! thou art infected :
+This visitation shows it .
+
+You look wearily .
+
+No , noble mistress ; 'tis fresh morning with me
+When you are by at night . I do beseech you
+Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers
+What is your name ?
+
+Miranda .O my father !
+I have broke your hest to say so .
+
+Admir'd Miranda !
+Indeed , the top of admiration ; worth
+What's dearest to the world ! Full many a lady
+I have ey'd with best regard , and many a time
+The harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
+Brought my too diligent ear : for several virtues
+Have I lik'd several women ; never any
+With so full soul but some defect in her
+Did quarrel with the noblest grace she ow'd ,
+And put it to the foil : but you , O you !
+So perfect and so peerless , are created
+Of every creature's best .
+
+I do not know
+One of my sex ; no woman's face remember ,
+Save , from my glass , mine own ; nor have I seen
+More that I may call men than you , good friend ,
+And my dear father : how features are abroad ,
+I am skill-less of ; but , by my modesty ,
+The jewel in my dower ,I would not wish
+Any companion in the world but you ;
+Nor can imagination form a shape ,
+Besides yourself , to like of . But I prattle
+Something too wildly and my father's precepts
+I therein do forget .
+
+I am in my condition
+A prince , Miranda ; I do think , a king ;
+I would not so !and would no more endure
+This wooden slavery than to suffer
+The flesh-fly blow my mouth .Hear my soul speak :
+The very instant that I saw you did
+My heart fly to your service ; there resides ,
+To make me slave to it ; and for your sake
+Am I this patient log-man .
+
+Do you love me ?
+
+O heaven ! O earth ! bear witness to this sound ,
+And crown what I profess with kind event
+If I speak true : if hollowly , invert
+What best is boded me to mischief ! I ,
+Beyond all limit of what else i' the world ,
+Do love , prize , honour you .
+
+I am a fool
+To weep at what I am glad of .
+
+Fair encounter
+Of two most rare affections ! Heavens rain grace
+On that which breeds between them !
+
+Wherefore weep you ?
+
+At mine unworthiness , that dare not offer
+What I desire to give ; and much less take
+What I shall die to want . But this is trifling ;
+And all the more it seeks to hide itself
+The bigger bulk it shows . Hence , bashful cunning !
+And prompt me , plain and holy innocence !
+I am your wife , if you will marry me ;
+If not , I'll die your maid : to be your fellow
+You may deny me ; but I'll be your servant
+Whether you will or no .
+
+My mistress , dearest ;
+And I thus humble ever .
+
+My husband then ?
+
+Ay , with a heart as willing
+As bondage e'er of freedom : here's my hand .
+
+And mine , with my heart in't : and now farewell
+Till half an hour hence .
+
+A thousand thousand !
+
+
+So glad of this as they , I cannot be ,
+Who are surpris'd withal ; but my rejoicing
+At nothing can be more . I'll to my book ;
+For yet , ere supper time , must I perform
+Much business appertaining .
+
+
+Tell not me :when the butt is out , we will drink water ; not a drop before : therefore bear up , and board 'em .Servant-monster , drink to me .
+
+Servant-monster ! the folly of this island ! They say there's but five upon this isle : we are three of them ; if th' other two be brained like us , the state totters .
+
+Drink , servant-monster , when I bid thee : thy eyes are almost set in thy head .
+
+Where should they be set else ? he were a brave monster indeed , if they were set in his tail .
+
+My man-monster hath drowned his tongue in sack : for my part , the sea cannot drown me ; I swam , ere I could recover the shore , five-and-thirty leagues , off and on , by this light . Thou shalt be my lieutenant , monster , or my standard .
+
+Your lieutenant , if you list ; he's no standard .
+
+We'll not run , Monsieur monster .
+
+Nor go neither : but you'll lie , like dogs ; and yet say nothing neither .
+
+Moon-calf , speak once in thy life , if thou beest a good moon-calf .
+
+How does thy honour ? Let me lick thy shoe . I'll not serve him , he is not valiant .
+
+Thou hest , most ignorant monster : I am in case to justle a constable . Why , thou deboshed fish thou , was there ever a man a coward that hath drunk so much sack as I to-day ? Wilt thou tell a monstrous lie , being but half a fish and half a monster ?
+
+Lo , how he mocks me ! wilt thou let him , my lord ?
+
+'Lord' quoth he !that a monster should be such a natural !
+
+Lo , lo , again ! bite him to death , I prithee .
+
+Trinculo , keep a good tongue in your head : if you prove a mutineer , the next tree ! The poor monster's my subject , and he shall not suffer indignity .
+
+I thank my noble lord . Wilt thou be pleas'd
+To hearken once again the suit I made thee ?
+
+Marry , will I ; kneel , and repeat it : I will stand , and so shall Trinculo .
+
+
+As I told thee before , I am subject to a tyrant , a sorcerer , that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island .
+
+Thou liest .
+
+Thou liest , thou jesting monkey thou ;
+I would my valiant master would destroy thee ;
+I do not lie .
+
+Trinculo , if you trouble him any more in his tale , by this hand , I will supplant some of your teeth .
+
+Why , I said nothing .
+
+Mum then and no more .
+
+Proceed .
+
+I say , by sorcery he got this isle ;
+From me he got it : if thy greatness will ,
+Revenge it on him ,for , I know , thou dar'st ;
+But this thing dare not ,
+
+That's most certain .
+
+Thou shalt be lord of it and I'll serve thee .
+
+How now shall this be compassed ? Canst thou bring me to the party ?
+
+Yea , yea , my lord : I'll yield him thee asleep ,
+Where thou may'st knock a nail into his head .
+
+Thou liest ; thou canst not .
+
+What a pied ninny's this ! Thou scurvy patch !
+I do beseech thy greatness , give him blows ,
+And take his bottle from him : when that's gone
+He shall drink nought but brine ; for I'll not show him
+Where the quick freshes are .
+
+Trinculo , run into no further danger : interrupt the monster one word further , and , by this hand , I'll turn my mercy out o' doors and make a stock-fish of thee .
+
+Why , what did I ? I did nothing . I'll go further off .
+
+Didst thou not say he hed ?
+
+Thou liest .
+
+Do I so ? take thou that .
+
+
+As you like this , give me the lie another time .
+
+I did not give thee the he :Out o' your wits and hearing too ?A pox o' your bottle ! this can sack and drinking do .A murrain on your monster , and the devil take your fingers !
+
+Ha , ha , ha !
+
+Now , forward with your tale .Prithee stand further off .
+
+Beat him enough : after a little time
+I'll beat him too .
+
+Stand further .Come , proceed .
+
+Why , as I told thee , 'tis a custom with him
+I' the afternoon to sleep : there thou may'st brain him ,
+Having first seiz'd his books ; or with a log
+Batter his skull , or paunch him with a stake ,
+Or cut his wezand with thy knife . Remember
+First to possess his books ; for without them
+He's but a sot , as I am , nor hath not
+One spirit to command : they all do hate him
+As rootedly as I . Burn but his books ;
+He has brave utensils ,for so he calls them ,
+Which , when he has a house , he'll deck withal :
+And that most deeply to consider is
+The beauty of his daughter ; he himself
+Calls her a nonpareil : I never saw a woman ,
+But only Sycorax my dam and she ;
+But she as far surpasseth Sycorax
+As great'st does least .
+
+Is it so brave a lass ?
+
+Ay , lord ; she will become thy bed , I warrant ,
+And bring thee forth brave brood .
+
+Monster , I will kill this man : his daughter and I will be king and queen ,save our graces ! and Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys . Dost thou like the plot , Trinculo ?
+
+Excellent .
+
+Give me thy hand : I am sorry I beat thee ; but , while thou livest , keep a good tongue in thy head .
+
+Within this half hour will he be asleep ;
+Wilt thou destroy him then ?
+
+Ay , on mine honour .
+
+This will I tell my master .
+
+Thou mak'st me merry : I am full of pleasure .
+Let us be jocund : will you troll the catch
+You taught me but while-ere ?
+
+At thy request , monster , I will do reason , any reason : Come on , Trinculo , let us sing .
+
+
+Flout 'em , and scout 'em ; and scout 'em , and flout 'em ;
+Thought is free .
+
+
+That's not the tune .
+
+
+What is this same ?
+
+This is the tune of our catch , played by the picture of Nobody .
+
+If thou beest a man , show thyself in thy likeness : if thou beest a devil , take't as thou list .
+
+O , forgive me my sins !
+
+He that dies pays all debts : I defy thee .Mercy upon us !
+
+Art thou afeard ?
+
+No , monster , not I .
+
+Be not afeard : the isle is full of noises ,
+Sounds and sweet airs , that give delight , and hurt not .
+Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
+Will hum about mine ears ; and sometime voices ,
+That , if I then had wak'd after long sleep ,
+Will make mesleep again : and then , in dreaming ,
+The clouds methought would open and show riches
+Ready to drop upon me ; that , when I wak'd
+I cried to dream again .
+
+This will prove a brave kingdom to me , where I shall have my music for nothing .
+
+When Prospero is destroyed .
+
+That shall be by and by : I remember the story .
+
+The sound is going away : let's follow it , and after do our work .
+
+Lead , monster ; we'll follow .I would I could see this taborer ! he lays it on . Wilt come ?
+
+I'll follow , Stephano .
+
+
+By'r lakin , I can go no further , sir ;
+My old bones ache : here's a maze trod indeed ,
+Through forth-rights , and meanders ! by your patience ,
+I needs must rest me .
+
+Old lord , I cannot blame thee ,
+Who am myself attach'd with weariness ,
+To the dulling of my spirits : sit down , and rest .
+Even here I will put off my hope , and keep it
+No longer for my flatterer : he is drown'd
+Whom thus we stray to find ; and the sea mocks
+Our frustrate search on land . Well , let him go .
+
+I am right glad that he's so out of hope .
+Do not , for one repulse , forego the purpose
+That you resolv'd to effect .
+
+The next advantage
+Will we take throughly .
+
+Let it be to-night ;
+For , now they are oppress'd with travel , they
+Will not , nor cannot , use such vigilance
+As when they are fresh .
+
+I say to-night : no more .
+
+What harmony is this ? my good friends , hark !
+
+Marvellous sweet music !
+
+Give us kind keepers , heavens ! What were these ?
+
+A living drollery . Now I will believe
+That there are unicorns ; that in Arabia
+There is one tree , the ph nix' throne ; one ph nix
+At this hour reigning there .
+
+I'll believe both ;
+And what does else want credit , come to me ,
+And I'll be sworn 'tis true : travellers ne'er did lie ,
+Though fools at home condemn them .
+
+If in Naples
+I should report this now , would they believe me ?
+If I should say I saw such islanders ,
+For , certes , these are people of the island ,
+Who , though they are of monstrous shape , yet , note ,
+Their manners are more gentle-kind than of
+Our human generation you shall find
+Many , nay , almost any .
+
+Honest lord ,
+Thou hast said well ; for some of you there present
+Are worse than devils .
+
+I cannot too much muse ,
+Such shapes , such gesture , and such sound , expressing ,
+Although they want the use of tongue ,a kind
+Of excellent dumb discourse .
+
+Praise in departing .
+
+They vanish'd strangely .
+
+No matter , since
+They have left their viands behind ; for we have stomachs .
+Will't please you to taste of what is here ?
+
+Not I .
+
+Faith , sir , you need not fear . When we were boys ,
+Who would believe that there were mountaineers
+Dew-lapp'd like bulls , whose throats had hanging at them
+Wallets of flesh ? or that there were such men
+Whose heads stood in their breasts ? which now we find
+Each putter-out of five for one will bring us
+Good warrant of .
+
+I will stand to and feed ,
+Although my last ; no matter , since I feel
+The best is past .Brother , my lord the duke ,
+Stand to and do as we .
+
+You are three men of sin , whom Destiny
+That hath to instrument this lower world
+And what is in't ,the never-surfeited sea
+Hath caused to belch up you ; and on this island
+Where man doth not inhabit ; you 'mongst men
+Being most unfit to live . I have made you mad ;
+
+
+And even with such-like valour men hang and drown
+Their proper selves . You fools ! I and my fellows
+Are ministers of fate : the elements
+Of whom your swords are temper'd , may as well
+Wound the loud winds , or with bemock'd-at stabs
+Kill the still-closing waters , as diminish
+One dowle that's in my plume ; my fellow-ministers
+Are like invulnerable . If you could hurt ,
+Your swords are now too massy for your strengths ,
+And will not be uplifted . But , remember ,
+For that's my business to you ,that you three
+From Milan did supplant good Prospero ;
+Expos'd unto the sea , which hath requit it ,
+Him and his innocent child : for which foul deed
+The powers , delaying , not forgetting , have
+Incens'd the seas and shores , yea , all the creatures ,
+Against your peace . Thee of thy son , Alonso ,
+They have bereft ; and do pronounce , by me ,
+Lingering perdition ,worse than any death
+Can be at once ,shall step by step attend
+You and your ways ; whose wraths to guard you from
+Which here in this most desolate isle , else falls
+Upon your heads ,is nothing but heart-sorrow
+And a clear life ensuing .
+
+
+Bravely the figure of this harpy hast thou
+Perform'd , my Ariel ; a grace it had , devouring :
+Of my instruction hast thou nothing bated
+In what thou hadst to say : so , with good life
+And observation strange , my meaner ministers
+Their several kinds have done . My high charms work ,
+And these mine enemies are all knit up
+In their distractions : they now are in my power ;
+And in these fits I leave them , while I visit
+Young Ferdinand ,whom they suppose is drown'd ,
+And his and mine lov'd darling .
+
+
+I the name of something holy , sir , why stand you
+In this strange stare ?
+
+O , it is monstrous ! monstrous !
+Methought the billows spoke and told me of it ;
+The winds did sing it to me ; and the thunder ,
+That deep and dreadful organ-pipe , pronounc'd
+The name of Prosper : it did bass my trespass .
+Therefore my son i' th' ooze is bedded ; and
+I'll seek him deeper than e'er plummet sounded ,
+And with him there lie mudded .
+
+
+But one fiend at a time ,
+I'll fight their legions o'er .
+
+I'll be thy second .
+
+
+All three of them are desperate ; their great guilt ,
+Like poison given to work a great time after ,
+Now 'gins to bite the spirits .I do beseech you
+That are of suppler joints , follow them swiftly
+And hinder them from what this ecstasy
+May now provoke them to .
+
+Follow , I pray you .
+
+If I have too austerely punish'd you ,
+Your compensation makes amends ; for I
+Have given you here a third of mine own life ,
+Or that for which I live ; whom once again
+I tender to thy hand : all thy vexations
+Were but my trials of thy love , and thou
+Hast strangely stood the test : here , afore Heaven ,
+I ratify this my rich gift . O Ferdinand !
+Do not smile at me that I boast her off ,
+For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise ,
+And make it halt behind her .
+
+I do believe it
+Against an oracle .
+
+Then , as my gift and thine own acquisition
+Worthily purchas'd , take my daughter : but
+If thou dost break her virgin knot before
+All sanctimonious ceremonies may
+With full and holy rite be minister'd ,
+No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall
+To make this contract grow ; but barren hate ,
+Sour-ey'd disdain and discord shall bestrew
+The union of your bed with weeds so loathly
+That you shall hate it both : therefore take heed ,
+As Hymen's lamps shall light you .
+
+As I hope
+For quiet days , fair issue and long life ,
+With such love as 'tis now , the murkiest den ,
+The most opportune place , the strong'st sug gestion
+Our worser genius can , shall never melt
+Mine honour into lust , to take away
+The edge of that day's celebration
+When I shall think , or Ph bus' steeds are founder'd ,
+Or Night kept chain'd below .
+
+Fairly spoke :
+Sit then , and talk with her , she is thine own .
+What , Ariell my industrious servant Ariell
+
+
+What would my potent master ? here I am .
+
+Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service
+Did worthily perform ; and I must use you
+In such another trick . Go bring the rabble ,
+O'er whom I give thee power , here to this place :
+Incite them to quick motion ; for I must
+Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple
+Some vanity of mine art : it is my promise ,
+And they expect it from me .
+
+Presently ?
+
+Ay , with a twink .
+
+Before you can say , 'Come ,' and 'Go ,'
+And breathe twice ; and cry , 'so , so ,'
+Each one , tripping on his toe ,
+Will be here with mop and mow .
+Do you love me , master ? no ?
+
+Dearly my delicate Ariel . Do not approach
+Till thou dost hear me call .
+
+Well , I conceive .
+
+
+Look , thou be true ; do not give dalliance
+Too much the rein : the strongest oaths are straw
+To the fire i' the blood : be more abstemious ,
+Or else good night your vow !
+
+I warrant you , sir ;
+The white-cold virgin snow upon my heart
+Abates the ardour of my liver .
+
+Well .
+Now come , my Ariel ! bring a corollary ,
+Rather than want a spirit : appear , and pertly .
+No tongue ! all eyes ! be silent .
+
+Ceres , most bounteous lady , thy rich leas
+Of wheat , rye , barley , vetches , oats , and peas ;
+Thy turfy mountains , where live nibbling sheep ,
+And flat meads thatch'd with stover , them to keep ;
+Thy banks with pioned and twilled brims ,
+Which spongy April at thy hest betrims ,
+To make cold nymphs chaste crowns ; and thy broom groves ,
+Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves ,
+Being lass-lorn ; thy pole-clipt vineyard ;
+And thy sea-marge , sterile and rocky-hard ,
+Where thou thyself dost air : the queen o' the sky ,
+Whose watery arch and messenger am I ,
+Bids thee leave these ; and with her sovereign grace ,
+Here on this grass-plot , in this very place ,
+To come and sport ; her peacocks fly amain :
+Approach , rich Ceres , her to entertain .
+
+
+Hail , many-colour'd messenger , that ne'er
+Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter ;
+Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers
+Diffusest honey-drops , refreshing showers :
+And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown
+My bosky acres , and my unshrubb'd down ,
+Rich scarf to my proud earth ; why hath thy queen
+Summon'd me hither , to this short-grass'd green ?
+
+A contract of true love to celebrate ,
+And some donation freely to estate
+On the bless'd lovers .
+
+Tell me , heavenly bow ,
+If Venus or her son , as thou dost know ,
+Do now attend the queen ? since they did plot
+The means that dusky Dis my daughter got ,
+Her and her blind boy's scandal'd company
+I have forsworn .
+
+Of her society
+Be not afraid ; I met her deity
+Cutting the clouds towards Paphos and her son
+Dove-drawn with her . Here thought they to have done
+Some wanton charm upon this man and maid ,
+Whose vows are , that no bed-rite shall be paid
+Till Hymen's torch be lighted ; but in vain :
+Mars's hot minion is return'd again ;
+Her waspish-headed son has broke his arrows ,
+Swears he will shoot no more , but play with sparrows ,
+And be a boy right out .
+
+Highest queen of state ,
+Great Juno comes ; I know her by her gait .
+
+
+How does my bounteous sister ? Go with me
+To bless this twain , that they may prosperous be ,
+And honour'd in their issue .
+
+Honour , riches , marriage-blessing ,
+Long continuance , and increasing ,
+Hourly joys be still upon you !
+Juno sings her blessings on you .
+
+Earth's increase , foison plenty ,
+Barns and garners never empty :
+Vines , with clust'ring bunches growing ;
+Plants with goodly burden bowing ;
+Spring come to you at the farthest
+In the very end of harvest !
+Scarcity and want shall shun you ;
+Ceres' blessing so is on you .
+
+This is a most majestic vision , and
+Harmonious charmingly : May I be bold
+To think these spirits ?
+
+Spirits , which by mine art
+I have from their confines call'd to enact
+My present fancies .
+
+Let me live here ever :
+So rare a wonder'd father and a wise ,
+Makes this place Paradise .
+
+
+Sweet , now , silence !
+Juno and Ceres whisper seriously ,
+There's something else to do : hush , and be mute ,
+Or else our spell is marr'd .
+
+You nymphs , call'd Naiades , of the windring brooks ,
+With your sedg'd crowns , and ever-harmless looks ,
+Leave your crisp channels , and on this green land
+Answer your summons : Juno does command .
+Come , temperate nymphs , and help to celebrate
+A contract of true love : be not too late .
+
+
+You sun-burn'd sicklemen , of August weary ,
+Come hither from the furrow , and be merry :
+Make holiday : your rye-straw hats put on ,
+And these fresh nymphs encounter every one
+In country footing .
+
+
+I had forgot that foul conspiracy
+Of the beast Caliban , and his confederates
+Against my life : the minute of their plot
+Is almost come .
+
+Well done ! avoid ; no more !
+
+This is strange : your father's in some passion
+That works him strongly .
+
+Never till this day
+Saw I him touch'd with anger so distemper'd .
+
+You do look , my son , in a mov'd sort ,
+As if you were dismay'd : be cheerful , sir :
+Our revels now are ended . These our actors ,
+As I foretold you , were all spirits and
+Are melted into air , into thin air :
+And , like the baseless fabric of this vision ,
+The cloud-capp'd towers , the gorgeous palaces ,
+The solemn temples , the great globe itself ,
+Yea , all which it inherit , shall dissolve
+And , like this insubstantial pageant faded ,
+Leave not a rack behind . We are such stuff
+As dreams are made on , and our little life
+Is rounded with a sleep .Sir , I am vex'd :
+Bear with my weakness ; my old brain is troubled .
+Be not disturb'd with my infirmity .
+If you be pleas'd , retire into my cell
+And there repose : a turn or two I'll walk ,
+To still my beating mind .
+
+We wish your peace .
+
+
+Come with a thought !
+
+I thank thee : Ariel , come !
+
+
+Thy thoughts I cleave to . What's thy pleasure ?
+
+Spirit ,
+We must prepare to meet with Caliban .
+
+Ay , my commander ; when I presented Ceres ,
+I thought to have told thee of it ; but I fear'd
+Lest I might anger thee .
+
+Say again , where didst thou leave these varlets ?
+
+I told you , sir , they were red-hot with drinking ;
+So full of valour that they smote the air
+For breathing in their faces ; beat the ground
+For kissing of their feet ; yet always bending
+Towards their project . Then I beat my tabor ;
+At which , like unback'd colts , they prick'd their ears ,
+Advanc'd their eyelids , lifted up their noses
+As they smelt music : so I charm'd their ears
+That , calf-like , they my lowing follow'd through
+Tooth'd briers , sharp furzes , pricking goss and thorns ,
+Which enter'd their frail shins : at last I left them
+I' the filthy-mantled pool beyond your cell ,
+There dancing up to the chins , that the foul lake
+O'erstunk their feet .
+
+This was well done , my bird .
+Thy shape invisible retain thou still :
+The trumpery in my house , go bring it hither ,
+For stale to catch these thieves .
+
+I go , I go .
+
+
+A devil , a born devil , on whose nature
+Nurture can never stick ; on whom my pains ,
+Humanely taken , are all lost , quite lost ;
+And as with age his body uglier grows ,
+So his mind cankers . I will plague them all ,
+Even to roaring .
+
+
+Come , hang them on this line .
+
+Pray you , tread softly , that the blind mole may not
+Hear a foot fall : we now are near his cell .
+
+Monster , your fairy , which you say is a harmless fairy , has done little better than played the Jack with us .
+
+Monster , I do smell all horse-piss ; at which my nose is in great indignation .
+
+So is mine .Do you hear , monster ? If I should take a displeasure against you , look you ,
+
+Thou wert but a lost monster .
+
+Good my lord , give me thy favour still :
+Be patient , for the prize I'll bring thee to
+Shall hoodwink this mischance : therefore speak softly ;
+All's hush'd as midnight yet .
+
+Ay , but to lose our bottles in the pool ,
+
+There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that , monster , but an infinite loss .
+
+That's more to me than my wetting : yet this is your harmless fairy , monster .
+
+I will fetch off my bottle , though I be o'er ears for my labour .
+
+Prithee , my king , be quiet . Seest thou here ,
+This is the mouth o' the cell : no noise , and enter .
+Do that good mischief , which may make this island
+Thine own for ever , and I , thy Caliban ,
+For aye thy foot-licker .
+
+Give me thy hand : I do begin to have bloody thoughts .
+
+O king Stephano ! O peer ! O worthy Stephano ! look , what a wardrobe here is for thee !
+
+Let it alone , thou fool ; it is but trash .
+
+O , ho , monster ! we know what belongs to a frippery .O king Stephano !
+
+Put off that gown , Trinculo ; by this hand , I'll have that gown .
+
+Thy grace shall have it .
+
+The dropsy drown this fooll what do you mean
+To dote thus on such luggage ? Let's along ,
+And do the murder first : if he awake ,
+From toe to crown he'll fill our skins with pinches ;
+Make us strange stuff .
+
+Be you quiet , monster .Mistress line , is not this my jerkin ? Now is the jerkin under the line : now , jerkin , you are like to lose your hair and prove a bald jerkin .
+
+Do , do : we steal by line and level , an't like your grace .
+
+I thank thee for that jest ; here's a garment for't : wit shall not go unrewarded while I am king of this country : 'Steal by line and level ,' is an excellent pass of pate ; there's another garment for't .
+
+Monster , come , put some lime upon your fingers , and away with the rest .
+
+I will have none on't : we shall lose our time ,
+And all be turn'd to barnacles , or to apes
+With foreheads villanous low .
+
+Monster , lay-to your fingers : help to bear this away where my hogshead of wine is , or I'll turn you out of my kingdom . Go to ; carry this .
+
+And this .
+
+Ay , and this .
+
+Hey , Mountain , hey !
+
+Silver ! there it goes , Silver !
+
+Fury , Fury ! there , Tyrant , there ! hark , hark !
+
+Go , charge my goblins that they grind their joints
+With dry convulsions ; shorten up their sinews
+With aged cramps , and more pinch-spotted make them
+Than pard , or cat o' mountain .
+
+Hark ! they roar .
+
+Let them be hunted soundly . At this hour
+Lie at my mercy all mine enemies :
+Shortly shall all my labours end , and thou
+Shalt have the air at freedom : for a little ,
+Follow , and do me service .
+
+Now does my project gather to a head :
+My charms crack not ; my spirits obey , and time
+Goes upright with his carriage . How's the day ?
+
+On the sixth hour ; at which time , my lord ,
+You said our work should cease .
+
+I did say so ,
+When first I rais'd the tempest . Say , my spirit ,
+How fares the king and's followers ?
+
+Confin'd together
+In the same fashion as you gave in charge ,
+Just as you left them : all prisoners , sir ,
+In the line-grove which weather-fends your cell ;
+They cannot budge till your release . The king ,
+His brother , and yours , abide all three distracted ,
+And the remainder mourning over them ,
+Brimful of sorrow and dismay ; but chiefly
+Him , that you term'd , sir , 'The good old lord Gonzalo :'
+His tears run down his beard , like winter's drops
+From eaves of reeds ; your charm so strongly works them ,
+That if you now beheld them , your affections
+Would become tender .
+
+Dost thou think so , spirit ?
+
+Mine would , sir , were I human .
+
+And mine shall .
+Hast thou , which art but air , a touch , a feeling
+Of their afflictions , and shall not myself ,
+One of their kind , that relish all as sharply ,
+Passion as they , be kindlier mov'd than thou art ?
+Though with their high wrongs I am struck to the quick ,
+Yet with my nobler reason 'gainst my fury
+Do I take part : the rarer action is
+In virtue than in vengeance : they being penitent ,
+The sole drift of my purpose doth extend
+Not a frown further . Go , release them , Ariel .
+My charms I'll break , their senses I'll restore ,
+And they shall be themselves .
+
+I'll fetch them , sir
+
+
+Ye elves of hills , brooks , standing lakes , and groves ;
+And ye , that on the sands with printless foot
+Do chase the ebbing Neptune and do fly him
+When he comes back ; you demi-puppets , that
+By moonshine do the green sour ringlets make
+Whereof the ewe not bites ; and you , whose pastime
+Is to make midnight mushrooms ; that rejoice
+To hear the solemn curfew ; by whose aid ,
+Weak masters though ye be I have bedimm'd
+The noontide sun , call'd forth the mutinous winds ,
+And 'twixt the green sea and the azur'd vault
+Set roaring war : to the dread-rattling thunder
+Have I given fire and rifted Jove's stout oak
+With his own bolt : the strong-bas'd promontory
+Have I made shake ; and by the spurs pluck'd up
+The pine and cedar : graves at my command
+Have wak'd their sleepers , op'd , and let them forth
+By my so potent art . But this rough magic
+I here abjure ; and , when I have requir'd
+Some heavenly music ,which even now I do ,
+To work mine end upon their senses that
+This airy charm is for , I'll break my staff ,
+Bury it certain fathoms in the earth ,
+And , deeper than did ever plummet sound ,
+I'll drown my book .
+
+A solemn air and the best comforter
+To an unsettled fancy , cure thy brains ,
+Now useless , boil'd within thy skull ! There stand ,
+For you are spell-stopp'd .
+Holy Gonzalo , honourable man ,
+Mine eyes , even sociable to the show of thine ,
+Fall fellowly drops . The charm dissolves apace ;
+And as the morning steals upon the night ,
+Melting the darkness , so their rising senses
+Begin to chase the ignorant fumes that mantle
+Their clearer reason .O good Gonzalo !
+My true preserver , and a loyal sir
+To him thou follow'st , I will pay thy graces
+Home , both in word and deed .Most cruelly
+Didst thou , Alonso , use me and my daughter :
+Thy brother was a furtherer in the act ;
+Thou'rt pinch'd for't now , Sebastian .Flesh and blood ,
+You , brother mine , that entertain'd ambition ,
+Expell'd remorse and nature ; who , with Sebastian ,
+Whose inward pinches therefore are most strong ,
+Would here have kill'd your king ; I do forgive thee ,
+Unnatural though thou art !Their understanding
+Begins to swell , and the approaching tide
+Will shortly fill the reasonable shores
+That now lie foul and muddy . Not one of them
+That yet looks on me , or would know me .Ariel ,
+Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell :
+
+I will discase me , and myself present ,
+As I was sometime Milan .Quickly , spirit ;
+Thou shalt ere long be free .
+
+
+Where the bee sucks , there suck I
+In a cowslip's bell I he :
+There I couch when owls do cry .
+On the bat's back I do fly
+After summer merrily
+Merrily , merrily shall I live now
+Under the blossom that hangs on the bough
+
+
+Why , that's my dainty Ariel ! I shall miss thee ;
+But yet thou shalt have freedom ;so , so , so .
+To the king's ship , invisible as thou art :
+There shalt thou find the mariners asleep
+Under the hatches ; the master and the boatswain
+Being awake , enforce them to this place ,
+And presently , I prithee .
+
+I drink the air before me , and return
+Or e'er your pulse twice beat .
+
+
+All torment , trouble , wonder , and amazement
+Inhabits here : some heavenly power guide us
+Out of this fearful country !
+
+Behold , sir king ,
+The wronged Duke of Milan , Prospero .
+For more assurance that a living prince
+Does now speak to thee , I embrace thy body ;
+And to thee and thy company I bid
+A hearty welcome .
+
+Whe'r thou beest he or no ,
+Or some enchanted trifle to abuse me ,
+As late I have been , I not know : thy pulse
+Beats , as of flesh and blood ; and , since I saw thee ,
+Th' affliction of my mind amends , with which ,
+I fear , a madness held me : this must crave ,
+An if this be at all a most strange story .
+Thy dukedom I resign , and do entreat
+Thou pardon me my wrongs .But how should Prospero
+Be living , and be here ?
+
+First , noble friend ,
+Let me embrace thine age ; whose honour cannot
+Be measur'd , or confin'd .
+
+Whether this be ,
+Or be not , I'll not swear .
+
+You do yet taste
+Some subtilties o' the isle , that will not let you
+Believe things certain .Welcome ! my friends all :
+
+
+But you , my brace of lords , were I so minded ,
+I here could pluck his highness' frown upon you ,
+And justify you traitors : at this time
+I will tell no tales .
+
+The devil speaks in him .
+
+No .
+For you , most wicked sir , whom to call brother
+Would even infect my mouth , I do forgive
+Thy rankest fault ; all of them ; and require
+My dukedom of thee , which , perforce , I know ,
+Thou must restore .
+
+If thou beest Prospero ,
+Give us particulars of thy preservation ;
+How thou hast met us here , who three hours since
+Were wrack'd upon this shore ; where I have lost ,
+How sharp the point of this remembrance is !
+My dear son Ferdinand .
+
+I am woe for't , sir .
+
+Irreparable is the loss , and patience
+Says it is past her cure .
+
+I rather think
+You have not sought her help ; of whose soft grace ,
+For the like loss I have her sovereign aid ,
+And rest myself content .
+
+You the like loss !
+
+As great to me , as late ; and , supportable
+To make the dear loss , have I means much weaker
+Than you may call to comfort you , for I
+Have lost my daughter .
+
+A daughter ?
+O heavens ! that they were living both in Naples ,
+The king and queen there ! that they were , I wish
+Myself were mudded in that oozy bed
+Where my son lies . When did you lose your daughter ?
+
+In this last tempest . I perceive , these lords
+At this encounter do so much admire
+That they devour their reason , and scarce think
+Their eyes do offices of truth , their words
+Are natural breath : but , howsoe'er you have
+Been justled from your senses , know for certain
+That I am Prospero and that very duke
+Which was thrust forth of Milan ; who most strangely
+Upon this shore , where you were wrack'd , was landed ,
+To be the lord on't . No more yet of this ;
+For 'tis a chronicle of day by day ,
+Not a relation for a breakfast nor
+Befitting this first meeting . Welcome , sir ;
+This cell's my court : here have I few attendants
+And subjects none abroad : pray you , look in .
+My dukedom since you have given me again ,
+I will requite you with as good a thing ;
+At least bring forth a wonder , to content ye
+As much as me my dukedom .
+
+
+Sweet lord , you play me false .
+
+No , my dearest love ,
+I would not for the world .
+
+Yes , for a score of kingdoms you should wrangle ,
+And I would call it fair play .
+
+If this prove
+A vision of the island , one dear son
+Shall I twice lose .
+
+A most high miracle !
+
+Though the seas threaten , they are merciful :
+I have curs'd them without cause .
+
+
+Now , all the blessings
+Of a glad father compass thee about !
+Arise , and say how thou cam'st here .
+
+O , wonder !
+How many goodly creatures are there here !
+How beauteous mankind is ! O brave new world ,
+That has such people in't !
+
+'Tis new to thee .
+
+What is this maid , with whom thou wast at play ?
+Your eld'st acquaintance cannot be three hours :
+Is she the goddess that hath sever'd us ,
+And brought us thus together ?
+
+Sir , she is mortal ;
+But by immortal Providence she's mine ;
+I chose her when I could not ask my father
+For his advice , nor thought I had one . She
+Is daughter to this famous Duke of Milan ,
+Of whom so often I have heard renown ,
+But never saw before ; of whom I have
+Receiv'd a second life ; and second father
+This lady makes him to me .
+
+I am hers :
+But O ! how oddly will it sound that I
+Must ask my child forgiveness !
+
+There , sir , stop :
+Let us not burden our remembrances
+With a heaviness that's gone .
+
+I have inly wept ,
+Or should have spoke ere this . Look down , you gods ,
+And on this couple drop a blessed crown ;
+For it is you that have chalk'd forth the way
+Which brought us hither !
+
+I say , Amen , Gonzalo !
+
+Was Milan thrust from Milan , that his issue
+Should become kings of Naples ? O , rejoice
+Beyond a common joy , and set it down
+With gold on lasting pillars . In one voyage
+Did Claribel her husband find at Tunis ,
+And Ferdinand , her brother , found a wife
+Where he himself was lost ; Prospero his dukedom
+In a poor isle ; and all of us ourselves ,
+When no man was his own .
+
+Give me your hands :
+Let grief and sorrow still embrace his heart
+That doth not wish you joy !
+
+Be it so : Amen !
+
+
+O look , sir ! look , sir ! here are more of us .
+I prophesied , if a gallows were on land ,
+This fellow could not drown .Now , blasphemy ,
+That swear'st grace o'erboard , not an oath on shore ?
+
+Hast thou no mouth by land ? What is the news ?
+
+The best news is that we have safely found
+Our king and company : the next , our ship ,
+Which but three glasses since we gave out split ,
+Is tight and yare and bravely rigg'd as when
+We first put out to sea .
+
+Sir , all this service
+Have I done since I went .
+
+My tricksy spirit !
+
+These are not natural events ; they strengthen
+From strange to stranger .Say , how came you hither ?
+
+If I did think , sir , I were well awake ,
+I'd strive to tell you . We were dead of sleep ,
+And ,how we know not ,all clapp'd under hatches ,
+Where , but even now , with strange and several noises
+Of roaring , shrieking , howling , jingling chains ,
+And mo diversity of sounds , all horrible ,
+We were awak'd ; straightway , at liberty :
+Where we , in all her trim , freshly beheld
+Our royal , good , and gallant ship ; our master
+Capering to eye her : on a trice , so please you ,
+Even in a dream , were we divided from them ,
+And were brought moping hither .
+
+Was't well done ?
+
+Bravely , my diligence ! Thou shalt be free .
+
+This is as strange a maze as e'er men trod ;
+And there is in this business more than nature
+Was ever conduct of : some oracle
+Must rectify our knowledge .
+
+Sir , my liege ,
+Do not infest your mind with beating on
+The strangeness of this business : at pick'd leisure
+Which shall be shortly , single I'll resolve you ,
+Which to you shall seem probable ,of every
+These happen'd accidents ; till when , be cheerful ,
+And think of each thing well .
+
+Come hither , spirit ;
+Set Caliban and his companions free ;
+Untie the spell .
+
+How fares my gracious sir ?
+There are yet missing of your company
+Some few odd lads that you remember not .
+
+
+Every man shift for all the rest , and let no man take care for himself , for all is but fortune .Coragio ! bully-monster , Coragio !
+
+If these be true spies which I wear in my head , here's a goodly sight .
+
+O Setebos ! these be brave spirits , indeed .
+How fine my master is ! I am afraid
+He will chastise me .
+
+Ha , ha !
+What things are these , my lord Antonio ?
+Will money buy them ?
+
+Very like ; one of them
+Is a plain fish , and , no doubt , marketable .
+
+Mark but the badges of these men , my lords ,
+Then say , if they be true .This mis-shapen knave ,
+His mother was a witch ; and one so strong
+That could control the moon , make flows and ebbs ,
+And deal in her command without her power .
+These three have robb'd me ; and this demidevil ,
+For he's a bastard one ,had plotted with them
+To take my life : two of these fellows you
+Must know and own ; this thing of darkness I
+Acknowledge mine .
+
+I shall be pinch'd to death
+
+Is not this Stephano , my drunken butler ?
+
+He is drunk now : where had he wine ?
+
+And Trinculo is reeling-ripe : where should they
+Find this grand liquor that hath gilded them ?
+How cam'st thou in this pickle ?
+
+I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last that , I fear me , will never out of my bones : I shall not fear fly-blowing .
+
+Why , how now , Stephano !
+
+O ! touch me not : I am not Stephano , but a cramp .
+
+You'd be king of the isle , sirrah ?
+
+I should have been a sore one then .
+
+This is a strange thing as e'er I look'd on .
+
+
+He is as disproportion'd in his manners As in his shape .Go , sirrah , to my cell ;
+Take with you your companions : as you look
+To have my pardon , trim it handsomely .
+
+Ay , that I will ; and I'll be wise hereafter ,
+And seek for grace . What a thrice-double ass
+Was I , to take this drunkard for a god ,
+And worship this dull fool !
+
+Go to ; away !
+
+Hence , and bestow your luggage where you found it .
+
+Or stole it , rather .
+
+
+Sir , I invite your highness and your train
+To my poor cell , where you shall take your rest
+For this one night ; which part of it I'll waste
+With such discourse as , I not doubt , shall make it
+Go quick away ; the story of my life
+And the particular accidents gone by
+Since I came to this isle : and in the morn
+I'll bring you to your ship , and so to Naples ,
+Where I have hope to see the nuptial
+Of these our dear-beloved solemniz'd ;
+And thence retire me to my Milan , where
+Every third thought shall be my grave .
+
+I long
+To hear the story of your life , which must
+Take the ear strangely .
+
+I'll deliver all ;
+And promise you calm seas , auspicious gales
+And sail so expeditious that shall catch
+Your royal fleet far off .
+
+My Ariel , chick ,
+That is thy charge : then to the elements
+Be free , and fare thou well !Please you , draw near .
+
+Now my charms are all o'erthrown ,
+And what strength I have's mine own ;
+Which is most faint : now , 'tis true ,
+I must be here confin'd by you ,
+Or sent to Naples Let me not ,
+Since I have my dukedom got
+And pardon'd the deceiver , dwell
+In this bare island by your spell ;
+But release me from my bands
+With the help of your good hands .
+Gentle breath of yours my sails
+Must fill , or else my project fails ,
+Which was to please . Now I want
+Spirits to enforce , art to enchant ;
+And my ending is despair ,
+Unless I be reliev'd by prayer ,
+Which pierces so that it assaults
+Mercy itself and frees all faults .
+As you from crimes would pardon'd be ,
+Let your indulgence set me free .
+
+THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
+
+Cease to persuade , my loving Proteus :
+Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits .
+Were't not affection chains thy tender days
+To the sweet glances of thy honour'd love ,
+I rather would entreat thy company
+To see the wonders of the world abroad
+Than , living dully sluggardiz'd at home ,
+Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness .
+But since thou lov'st , love still , and thrive therein ,
+Even as I would when I to love begin .
+
+Wilt thou be gone ? Sweet Valentine , adieu !
+Think on thy Proteus , when thou haply seest
+Some rare note-worthy object in thy travel :
+Wish me partaker in thy happiness
+When thou dost meet good hap ; and in thy danger ,
+If ever danger do environ thee ,
+Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers ,
+For I will be thy beadsman , Valentine .
+
+And on a love-book pray for my success ?
+
+Upon some book I love I'll pray for thee .
+
+That's on some shallow story of deep love ,
+How young Leander cross'd the Hellespont .
+
+That's a deep story of a deeper love ;
+For he was more than over shoes in love .
+
+'Tis true ; for you are over boots in love ,
+And yet you never swum the Hellespont .
+
+Over the boots ? nay , give me not the boots .
+
+No , I will not , for it boots thee not .
+
+What ?
+
+To be in love , where scorn is bought with groans ;
+Coy looks with heart-sore sighs ; one fading moment's mirth
+With twenty watchful , weary , tedious nights :
+If haply won , perhaps a hapless gain ;
+If lost , why then a grievous labour won :
+However , but a folly bought with wit ,
+Or else a wit by folly vanquished .
+
+So , by your circumstance , you call me fool .
+
+So , by your circumstance , I fear you'll prove .
+
+'Tis love you cavil at : I am not Love .
+
+Love is your master , for he masters you ;
+And he that is so yoked by a fool ,
+Methinks , should not be chronicled for wise .
+
+Yet writers say , as in the sweetest bud
+The eating canker dwells , so eating love
+Inhabits in the finest wits of all .
+
+And writers say , as the most forward bud
+Is eaten by the canker ere it blow ,
+Even so by love the young and tender wit
+Is turned to folly ; blasting in the bud ,
+Losing his verdure even in the prime ,
+And all the fair effects of future hopes .
+But wherefore waste I time to counsel thee
+That art a votary to fond desire ?
+Once more adieu ! my father at the road
+Expects my coming , there to see me shipp'd .
+
+And thither will I bring thee , Valentine .
+
+Sweet Proteus , no ; now let us take our leave .
+To Milan let me hear from thee by letters
+Of thy success in love , and what news else
+Betideth here in absence of thy friend ;
+And I likewise will visit thee with mine .
+
+All happiness bechance to thee in Milan !
+
+As much to you at home ! and so , farewell .
+
+
+He after honour hunts , I after love :
+He leaves his friends to dignify them more ;
+I leave myself , my friends and all , for love .
+Thou , Julia , thou hast metamorphos'd me ;
+Made me neglect my studies , lose my time ,
+War with good counsel , set the world at nought ;
+Made wit with musing weak , heart sick with thought .
+
+
+Sir Proteus , save you ! Saw you my master ?
+
+But now he parted hence , to embark for Milan .
+
+Twenty to one , then , he is shipp'd already ,
+And I have play'd the sheep , in losing him .
+
+Indeed , a sheep doth very often stray ,
+An if the shepherd be a while away .
+
+You conclude that my master is a shepherd , then , and I a sheep ?
+
+I do .
+
+Why then my horns are his horns , whether I wake or sleep .
+
+A silly answer , and fitting well a sheep .
+
+This proves me still a sheep .
+
+True , and thy master a shepherd .
+
+Nay , that I can deny by a circumstance .
+
+It shall go hard but I'll prove it by another .
+
+The shepherd seeks the sheep , and not the sheep the shepherd ; but I seek my master , and my master seeks not me : therefore I am no sheep .
+
+The sheep for fodder follow the shepherd , the shepherd for food follows not the sheep ; thou for wages followest thy master , thy master for wages follows not thee : therefore thou art a sheep .
+
+Such another proof will make me cry 'baa .'
+
+But , dost thou hear ? gavest thou my letter to Julia ?
+
+Ay , sir : I , a lost mutton , gave your letter to her , a laced mutton ; and she , a laced mutton , gave me , a lost mutton , nothing for my labour .
+
+Here's too small a pasture for such store of muttons .
+
+If the ground be overcharged , you were best stick her .
+
+Nay , in that you are astray ; 'twere best pound you .
+
+Nay , sir , less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter .
+
+You mistake : I mean the pound ,a pinfold .
+
+From a pound to a pin ? fold it over and over ,
+'Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover .
+
+But what said she ?
+
+Did she nod ?
+
+Ay .
+
+Nod , ay ? why , that's noddy .
+
+You mistook , sir : I say she did nod ; and you ask me if she did nod ; and I say , Ay .
+
+And that set together is noddy .
+
+Now you have taken the pains to set it together , take it for your pains .
+
+No , no ; you shall have it for bearing the letter .
+
+Well , I perceive I must be fain to bear with you .
+
+Why , sir , how do you bear with me ?
+
+Marry , sir , the letter very orderly ; having nothing but the word 'noddy' for my pains .
+
+Beshrew me , but you have a quick wit .
+
+And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse .
+
+Come , come ; open the matter in brief : what said she ?
+
+Open your purse , that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered .
+
+Well , sir , here is for your pains
+
+What said she ?
+
+Truly , sir , I think you'll hardly win her .
+
+Why ? couldst thou perceive so much from her ?
+
+Sir , I could perceive nothing at all from her ; no , not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter . And being so hard to me that brought your mind , I fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling your mind . Give her no token but stones , for she's as hard as steel .
+
+What ! said she nothing ?
+
+No , not so much as 'Take this for thy pains .' To testify your bounty , I thank you , you have testerned me ; in requital whereof , henceforth carry your letters yourself . And so , sir , I'll commend you to my master .
+
+Go , go , be gone , to save your ship from wrack ;
+Which cannot perish , having thee aboard ,
+Being destin'd to a drier death on shore .
+
+I must go send some better messenger :
+I fear my Julia would not deign my lines ,
+Receiving them from such a worthless post .
+
+
+But say , Lucetta , now we are alone ,
+Wouldst thou then counsel me to fall in love ?
+
+Ay , madam , so you stumble not unheedfully .
+
+Of all the fair resort of gentlemen
+That every day with parle encounter me ,
+In thy opinion which is worthiest love ?
+
+Please you repeat their names , I'll show my mind
+According to my shallow simple skill .
+
+What think'st thou of the fair Sir Eglamour ?
+
+As of a knight well-spoken , neat and fine ;
+But , were I you , he never should be mine .
+
+What think'st thou of the rich Mercatio ?
+
+Well of his wealth ; but of himself , so so .
+
+What think'st thou of the gentle Proteus ?
+
+Lord , Lord ! to see what folly reigns in us !
+
+How now ! what means this passion at his name ?
+
+Pardon , dear madam ; 'tis a passing shame
+That I , unworthy body as I am ,
+Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen .
+
+Why not on Proteus , as of all the rest ?
+
+Then thus ,of many good I think him best .
+
+Your reason ?
+
+I have no other but a woman's reason :
+I think him so because I think him so .
+
+And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him ?
+
+Ay , if you thought your love not cast away .
+
+Why , he , of all the rest hath never mov'd me .
+
+Yet he of all the rest , I think , best loves ye .
+
+His little speaking shows his love but small .
+
+Fire that's closest kept burns most of all .
+
+They do not love that do not show their love .
+
+O ! they love least that let men know their love .
+
+I would I knew his mind .
+
+Peruse this paper , madam .
+
+
+'To Julia .' Say from whom ?
+
+That the contents will show .
+
+Say , say , who gave it thee ?
+
+Sir Valentine's page , and sent , I think , from Proteus .
+He would have given it you , but I , being in the way ,
+Did in your name receive it ; pardon the fault , I pray .
+
+Now , by my modesty , a goodly broker !
+Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines ?
+To whisper and conspire against my youth ?
+Now , trust me , 'tis an office of great worth
+And you an officer fit for the place .
+There , take the paper : see it be return'd ;
+Or else return no more into my sight .
+
+To plead for love deserves more fee than hate .
+
+Will ye be gone ?
+
+That you may ruminate .
+
+
+And yet I would I had o'erlook'd the letter .
+It were a shame to call her back again
+And pray her to a fault for which I chid her .
+What fool is she , that knows I am a maid ,
+And would not force the letter to my view !
+Since maids , in modesty , say 'No' to that
+Which they would have the profferer construe 'Ay .'
+Fie , fie ! how wayward is this foolish love
+That , like a testy babe , will scratch the nurse
+And presently all humbled kiss the rod !
+How churlishly I child Lucetta hence ,
+When willingly I would have had her here :
+How angerly I taught my brow to frown ,
+When inward joy enforc'd my heart to smile .
+My penance is , to call Lucetta back
+And ask remission for my folly past .
+What ho ! Lucetta !
+
+
+What would your ladyship ?
+
+Is it near dinner-time ?
+
+I would it were ;
+That you might kill your stomach on your meat
+And not upon your maid .
+
+What is't that you took up so gingerly ?
+
+Nothing .
+
+Why didst thou stoop , then ?
+
+To take a paper up
+That I let fall .
+
+And is that paper nothing ?
+
+Nothing concerning me .
+
+Then let it lie for those that it concerns .
+
+Madam , it will not lie where it concerns ,
+Unless it have a false interpreter .
+
+Some love of yours hath writ to you in rime .
+
+That I might sing it , madam , to a tune :
+Give me a note : your ladyship can set .
+
+As little by such toys as may be possible ;
+Best sing it to the tune of 'Light o' Love .'
+
+It is too heavy for so light a tune .
+
+Heavy ! belike it hath some burden , then ?
+
+Ay ; and melodious were it , would you sing it .
+
+And why not you ?
+
+I cannot reach so high .
+
+Let's see your song .
+
+How now , minion !
+
+Keep tune there still , so you will sing it out :
+And yet methinks , I do not like this tune .
+
+You do not ?
+
+No , madam ; it is too sharp .
+
+You , minion , are too saucy .
+
+Nay , now you are too flat
+And mar the concord with too harsh a descant :
+There wanteth but a mean to fill your song .
+
+The mean is drown'd with your unruly bass .
+
+Indeed , I bid the base for Proteus .
+
+This babble shall not henceforth trouble me .
+Here is a coil with protestation !
+
+Go , get you gone , and let the papers lie :
+You would be fingering them , to anger me .
+
+She makes it strange ; but she would be best pleas'd
+To be so anger'd with another letter .
+
+
+Nay , would I were so anger'd with the same !
+O hateful hands , to tear such loving words !
+Injurious wasps , to feed on such sweet honey
+And kill the bees that yield it with your stings !
+I'll kiss each several paper for amends .
+Look , here is writ 'kind Julia :' unkind Julia !
+As in revenge of thy ingratitude ,
+I throw thy name against the bruising stones ,
+Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain .
+And here is writ 'love-wounded Proteus :'
+Poor wounded name ! my bosom , as a bed
+Shall lodge thee till thy wound be throughly heal'd ;
+And thus I search it with a sovereign kiss .
+But twice or thrice was 'Proteus' written down :
+Be calm , good wind , blow not a word away
+Till I have found each letter in the letter ,
+Except mine own name ; that some whirlwind bear
+Unto a ragged , fearful hanging rock ,
+And throw it thence into the raging sea !
+Lo ! here in one line is his name twice writ ,
+'Poor forlorn Proteus , passionate Proteus ,
+To the sweet Julia' :that I'll tear away ;
+And yet I will not , sith so prettily
+He couples it to his complaining names :
+Thus will I fold them one upon another :
+Now kiss , embrace , contend , do what you will .
+
+
+Madam ,
+Dinner is ready , and your father stays .
+
+Well , let us go .
+
+What ! shall these papers he like tell-tales here ?
+
+If you respect them , best to take them up .
+
+Nay , I was taken up for laying them down ;
+Yet here they shall not lie , for catching cold .
+
+I see you have a month's mind to them .
+
+Ay , madam , you may say what sights you see ;
+I see things too , although you judge I wink .
+
+Come , come ; will't please you go ?
+
+
+Tell me , Panthino , what sad talk was that
+Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister ?
+
+'Twas of his nephew Proteus , your son .
+
+Why , what of him ?
+
+He wonder'd that your lordship
+Would suffer him to spend his youth at home ,
+While other men , of slender reputation ,
+Put forth their sons to seek preferment out :
+Some to the wars , to try their fortune there ;
+Some to discover islands far away ;
+Some to the studious universities .
+For any or for all these exercises
+He said that Proteus your son was meet ,
+And did request me to importune you
+To let him spend his time no more at home ,
+Which would be great impeachment to his age ,
+In having known to travel in his youth .
+
+Nor need'st thou much importune me to that
+Whereon this month I have been hammering .
+I have consider'd well his loss of time ,
+And how he cannot be a perfect man ,
+Not being tried and tutor'd in the world :
+Experience is by industry achiev'd
+And perfected by the swift course of time .
+Then tell me , whither were I best to send him ?
+
+I think your lordship is not ignorant
+How his companion , youthful Valentine ,
+Attends the emperor in his royal court .
+
+I know it well .
+
+'Twere good , I think , your lordship sent him thither :
+There shall be practise tilts and tournaments ,
+Hear sweet discourse , converse with noblemen ,
+And be in eye of every exercise
+Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth .
+
+I like thy counsel , well hast thou advis'd :
+And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it
+The execution of it shall make known .
+Even with the speediest expedition
+I will dispatch him to the emperor's court .
+
+To-morrow , may it please you , Don Alphonso
+With other gentlemen of good esteem ,
+Are journeying to salute the emperor
+And to commend their service to his will .
+
+Good company ; with them shall Proteus go :
+And in good time :now will we break with him .
+
+
+Sweet love ! sweet lines ! sweet life !
+Here is her hand , the agent of her heart ;
+Here is her oath for love , her honour's pawn .
+O ! that our fathers would applaud our loves ,
+To seal our happiness with their consents !
+O heavenly Julia !
+
+How now ! what letter are you reading there ?
+
+May't please your lordship , 'tis a word or two
+Of commendations sent from Valentine ,
+Deliver'd by a friend that came from him .
+
+Lend me the letter ; let me see what news .
+
+There is no news , my lord ; but that he writes
+How happily he lives , how well belov'd
+And daily graced by the emperor ;
+Wishing me with him , partner of his fortune .
+
+And how stand you affected to his wish ?
+
+As one relying on your lordship's will
+And not depending on his friendly wish .
+
+My will is something sorted with his wish .
+Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed ;
+For what I will , I will , and there an end .
+I am resolv'd that thou shalt spend some time
+With Valentinus in the emperor's court :
+What maintenance he from his friends receives ,
+Like exhibition thou shalt have from me .
+To-morrow be in readiness to go :
+Excuse it not , for I am peremptory .
+
+My lord , I cannot be so soon provided :
+Please you , deliberate a day or two .
+
+Look , what thou want'st shall be sent after thee :
+No more of stay ; to-morrow thou must go .
+Come on , Panthino : you shall be employ'd
+To hasten on his expedition .
+
+
+Thus have I shunn'd the fire for fear of burning ,
+And drench'd me in the sea , where I am drown'd .
+I fear'd to show my father Julia's letter ,
+Lest he should take exceptions to my love ;
+And with the vantage of mine own excuse
+Hath he excepted most against my love .
+O ! how this spring of love resembleth
+The uncertain glory of an April day ,
+Which now shows all the beauty of the sun ,
+And by and by a cloud takes all away !
+
+
+Sir Proteus , your father calls for you :
+He is in haste ; therefore , I pray you , go .
+
+Why , this it is : my heart accords thereto ,
+And yet a thousand times it answers , 'no .'
+
+Sir , your glove .
+
+
+Not mine ; my gloves are on .
+
+Why , then this may be yours , for this is but one .
+
+Ha ! let me see : ay , give it me , it's mine ;
+Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine !
+Ah Silvia ! Silvia !
+
+Madam Silvia ! Madam Silvia !
+
+How now , sirrah ?
+
+She is not within hearing , sir .
+
+Why , sir , who bade you call her ?
+
+Your worship , sir ; or else I mistook .
+
+Well , you'll still be too forward .
+
+And yet I was last chidden for being too slow .
+
+Go to , sir . Tell me , do you know Madam Silvia ?
+
+She that your worship loves ?
+
+Why , how know you that I am in love ?
+
+Marry , by these special marks : first , you have learned , like Sir Proteus , to wreathe your arms , like a malecontent ; to relish a love-song , like a robin-redbreast ; to walk alone , like one that had the pestilence ; to sigh , like a schoolboy that had lost his A B C ; to weep , like a young wench that had buried her grandam ; to fast , like one that takes diet ; to watch , like one that fears robbing ; to speak puling , like a beggar at Hallowmas . You were wont , when you laughed , to crow like a cock ; when you walked , to walk like one of the lions ; when you fasted , it was presently after dinner ; when you looked sadly , it was for want of money : and now you are metamorphosed with a mistress , that , when I look on you , I can hardly think you my master .
+
+Are all these things perceived in me ?
+
+They are all perceived without ye .
+
+Without me ? they cannot .
+
+Without you ? nay , that's certain ; for , without you were so simple , none else would : but you are so without these follies , that these follies are within you and shine through you like the water in an urinal , that not an eye that sees you but is a physician to comment on your malady .
+
+But tell me , dost thou know my lady Silvia ?
+
+She that you gaze on so as she sits at supper ?
+
+Hast thou observed that ? even she , I mean .
+
+Why , sir , I know her not .
+
+Dost thou know her by my gazing on her , and yet knowest her not ?
+
+Is she not hard-favoured , sir ?
+
+Not so fair , boy , as well-favoured .
+
+Sir , I know that well enough .
+
+What dost thou know ?
+
+That she is not so fair , as , of you , well-favoured .
+
+I mean that her beauty is exquisite , but her favour infinite .
+
+That's because the one is painted and the other out of all count .
+
+How painted ? and how out of count ?
+
+Marry , sir , so painted to make her fair , that no man counts of her beauty .
+
+How esteemest thou me ? I account of her beauty .
+
+You never saw her since she was deformed .
+
+How long hath she been deformed ?
+
+Ever since you loved her .
+
+I have loved her ever since I saw her , and still I see her beautiful .
+
+If you love her you cannot see her .
+
+Why ?
+
+Because Love is blind . O ! that you had mine eyes ; or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to have when you chid at Sir Proteus for going ungartered !
+
+What should I see then ?
+
+Your own present folly and her passing deformity : for he , being in love , could not see to garter his hose ; and you , being in love , cannot see to put on your hose .
+
+Belike , boy , then , you are in love ; for last morning you could not see to wipe my shoes .
+
+True , sir ; I was in love with my bed . I thank you , you swinged me for my love , which makes me the bolder to chide you for yours .
+
+In conclusion , I stand affected to her .
+
+I would you were set , so your affection would cease .
+
+Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves .
+
+And have you ?
+
+I have .
+
+Are they not lamely writ ?
+
+No , boy , but as well as I can do them .
+Peace ! here she comes .
+
+
+O excellent motion ! O exceeding puppet ! now will he interpret to her .
+
+Madam and mistress , a thousand good morrows .
+
+O ! give ye good even : here's a million of manners .
+
+Sir Valentine and servant , to you two thousand .
+
+He should give her interest , and she gives it him .
+
+As you enjoin'd me , I have writ your letter
+Unto the secret nameless friend of yours ;
+Which I was much unwilling to proceed in
+But for my duty to your ladyship .
+
+
+I thank you , gentle servant . 'Tis very clerkly done .
+
+Now , trust me , madam , it came hardly off ;
+For , being ignorant to whom it goes
+I writ at random , very doubtfully .
+
+Perchance you think too much of so much pains ?
+
+No , madam ; so it stead you , I will write ,
+Please you command , a thousand times as much .
+And yet
+
+A pretty period ! Well , I guess the sequel ;
+And yet I will not name it ; and yet I care not ;
+And yet take this again ; and yet I thank you ,
+Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more .
+
+And yet you will ; and yet another yet .
+
+What means your ladyship ? do you not like it ?
+
+Yes , yes : the lines are very quaintly writ ,
+But since unwillingly , take them again :
+Nay , take them .
+
+
+Madam , they are for you .
+
+Ay , ay ; you writ them , sir , at my request ,
+But I will none of them ; they are for you .
+I would have had them writ more movingly .
+
+Please you , I'll write your ladyship another .
+
+And when it's writ , for my sake read it over :
+And if it please you , so ; if not , why , so .
+
+If it please me , madam , what then ?
+
+Why , if it please you , take it for your labour :
+And so , good morrow , servant .
+
+
+O jest unseen , inscrutable , invisible ,
+As a nose on a man's face , or a weathercock on a steeple !
+My master sues to her , and she hath taught her suitor ,
+He being her pupil , to become her tutor .
+O excellent device ! was there ever heard a better ,
+That my master , being scribe , to himself should write the letter ?
+
+How now , sir ! what are you reasoning with yourself ?
+
+Nay , I was riming : 'tis you that have the reason .
+
+To do what ?
+
+To be a spokesman from Madam Silvia .
+
+To whom ?
+
+To yourself . Why , she wooes you by a figure .
+
+What figure ?
+
+By a letter , I should say .
+
+Why , she hath not writ to me ?
+
+What need she , when she hath made you write to yourself ? Why , do you not perceive the jest ?
+
+No , believe me .
+
+No believing you , indeed , sir . But did you perceive her earnest ?
+
+She gave me none , except an angry word .
+
+Why , she hath given you a letter .
+
+That's the letter I writ to her friend .
+
+And that letter hath she delivered , and there an end .
+
+I would it were no worse .
+
+I'll warrant you , 'tis as well :
+'For often have you writ to her , and she , in modesty ,
+Or else for want of idle time , could not again reply ;
+Or fearing else some messenger that might her mind discover ,
+Herself hath taught her love himself to write unto her lover .'
+All this I speak in print , for in print I found it .
+Why muse you , sir ? 'tis dinner-time .
+
+I have dined .
+
+Ay , but hearken , sir : though the chameleon Love can feed on the air , I am one that am nourished by my victuals and would fain have meat . O ! be not like your mistress : be moved , be moved .
+
+
+Have patience , gentle Julia .
+
+I must , where is no remedy .
+
+When possibly I can , I will return .
+
+If you turn not , you will return the sooner .
+Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake .
+
+
+Why , then , we'll make exchange : here , take you this .
+
+
+And seal the bargain with a holy kiss .
+
+Here is my hand for my true constancy ;
+And when that hour o'erslips me in the day
+Wherein I sigh not , Julia , for thy sake ,
+The next ensuing hour some foul mischance
+Torment me for my love's forgetfulness !
+My father stays my coming ; answer not .
+The tide is now : nay , not thy tide of tears ;
+That tide will stay me longer than I should .
+Julia , farewell .
+
+What ! gone without a word ?
+Ay , so true love should do : it cannot speak ;
+For truth hath better deeds than words to grace it .
+
+
+Sir Proteus , you are stay'd for .
+
+Go ; I come , I come .
+Alas ! this parting strikes poor lovers dumb .
+
+
+Nay , 'twill be this hour ere I have done weeping : all the kind of the Launces have this very fault . I have received my proportion , like the prodigious son , and am going with Sir Proteus to the imperial's court . I think Crab my dog be the sourest-natured dog that lives : my mother weeping , my father wailing , my sister crying , our maid howling , our cat wringing her hands , and all our house in a great perplexity , yet did not this cruel-hearted cur shed one tear . He is a stone , a very pebble stone , and has no more pity in him than a dog ; a Jew would have wept to have seen our parting : why , my grandam , having no eyes , look you , wept herself blind at my parting . Nay , I'll show you the manner of it . This shoe is my father ; no , this left shoe is my father : no , no , this left shoe is my mother ; nay , that cannot be so neither :yes , it is so ; it is so ; it hath the worser sole . This shoe , with the hole in , is my mother , and this my father . A vengeance on't ! there 'tis : now , sir , this staff is my sister ; for , look you , she is as white as a lily and as small as a wand : this hat is Nan , our maid : I am the dog ; no , the dog is himself , and I am the dog ,O ! the dog is me , and I am myself : ay , so , so . Now come I to my father ; 'Father , your blessing ;' now should not the shoe speak a word for weeping : now should I kiss my father ; well , he weeps on . Now come I to my mother ;O , that she could speak now like a wood woman ! Well , I kiss her ; why , there 'tis ; here's my mother's breath up and down . Now come I to my sister ; mark the moan she makes : Now the dog all this while sheds not a tear nor speaks a word ; but see how I lay the dust with my tears .
+
+
+Launce , away , away , aboard ! thy master is shipped , and thou art to post after with oars . What's the matter ? why weepest thou , man ? Away , ass ! you'll lose the tide if you tarry any longer .
+
+It is no matter if the tied were lost ; for it is the unkindest tied that ever any man tied .
+
+What's the unkindest tide ?
+
+Why , he that's tied here , Crab , my dog .
+
+Tut , man , I mean thou'lt lose the flood ; and , in losing the flood , lose thy voyage , and , in losing thy voyage , lose thy master ; and , in losing thy master , lose thy service ; and , in losing thy service ,Why dost thou stop my mouth ?
+
+For fear thou shouldst lose thy tongue .
+
+Where should I lose my tongue ?
+
+In thy tale .
+
+In thy tail !
+
+Lose the tide , and the voyage , and the master , and the service , and the tied ! Why , man , if the river were dry , I am able to fill it with my tears ; if the wind were down , I could drive the boat with my sighs .
+
+Come , come away , man ; I was sent to call thee .
+
+Sir , call me what thou darest .
+
+Wilt thou go ?
+
+Well , I will go .
+
+
+Servant !
+
+Mistress ?
+
+Master , Sir Thurio frowns on you .
+
+Ay , boy , it's for love .
+
+Not of you .
+
+Of my mistress , then .
+
+'Twere good you knock'd him .
+
+Servant , you are sad .
+
+Indeed , madam , I seem so .
+
+Seem you that you are not ?
+
+Haply I do .
+
+So do counterfeits .
+
+So do you .
+
+What seem I that I am not ?
+
+Wise .
+
+What instance of the contrary ?
+
+Your folly .
+
+And how quote you my folly ?
+
+I quote it in your jerkin .
+
+My jerkin is a doublet .
+
+Well , then , I'll double your folly .
+
+How ?
+
+What , angry , Sir Thurio ! do you change colour ?
+
+Give him leave , madam ; he is a kind of chameleon .
+
+That hath more mind to feed on your blood than live in your air .
+
+You have said , sir .
+
+Ay , sir , and done too , for this time .
+
+I know it well , sir : you always end ere you begin .
+
+A fine volley of words , gentlemen , and quickly shot off .
+
+'Tis indeed , madam ; we thank the giver .
+
+Who is that , servant ?
+
+Yourself , sweet lady ; for you gave the fire . Sir Thurio borrows his wit from your ladyship's looks , and spends what he borrows kindly in your company .
+
+Sir , if you spend word for word with me , I shall make your wit bankrupt .
+
+I know it well , sir : you have an exchequer of words , and , I think , no other treasure to give your followers ; for it appears by their bare liveries that they live by your bare words .
+
+No more , gentlemen , no more . Here comes my father .
+
+
+Now , daughter Silvia , you are hard beset .
+Sir Valentine , your father's in good health :
+What say you to a letter from your friends
+Of much good news ?
+
+My lord , I will be thankful
+To any happy messenger from thence .
+
+Know ye Don Antonio , your countryman ?
+
+Ay , my good lord ; I know the gentleman
+To be of worth and worthy estimation ,
+And not without desert so well reputed .
+
+Hath he not a son ?
+
+Ay , my good lord ; a son that well deserves
+The honour and regard of such a father .
+
+You know him well ?
+
+I know him as myself ; for from our infancy
+We have convers'd and spent our hours together :
+And though myself have been an idle truant ,
+Omitting the sweet benefit of time
+To clothe mine age with angel-like perfection ,
+Yet hath Sir Proteus ,for that's his name ,
+Made use and fair advantage of his days :
+His years but young , but his experience old ;
+His head unmellow'd , but his judgment ripe ;
+And , in a word ,for far behind his worth
+Come all the praises that I now bestow ,
+He is complete in feature and in mind
+With all good grace to grace a gentleman .
+
+Beshrew me , sir , but if he make this good ,
+He is as worthy for an empress' love
+As meet to be an emperor's counsellor .
+Well , sir , this gentleman is come to me
+With commendation from great potentates ;
+And here he means to spend his time awhile :
+I think , 'tis no unwelcome news to you .
+
+Should I have wish'd a thing , it had been he .
+
+Welcome him then according to his worth .
+Silvia , I speak to you ; and you , Sir Thurio :
+For Valentine , I need not cite him to it .
+I'll send him hither to you presently .
+
+
+This is the gentleman I told your ladyship
+Had come along with me , but that his mistress
+Did hold his eyes lock'd in her crystal looks .
+
+Belike that now she hath enfranchis'd them
+Upon some other pawn for fealty .
+
+Nay , sure , I think she holds them prisoners still .
+
+Nay , then he should be blind ; and , being blind ,
+How could he see his way to seek out you ?
+
+Why , lady , Love hath twenty pairs of eyes .
+
+They say that Love hath not an eye at all .
+
+To see such lovers , Thurio , as yourself :
+Upon a homely object Love can wink .
+
+Have done , have done . Here comes the gentleman .
+
+
+Welcome , dear Proteus ! Mistress , I beseech you ,
+Confirm his welcome with some special favour .
+
+His worth is warrant for his welcome hither ,
+If this be he you oft have wish'd to hear from .
+
+Mistress , it is : sweet lady , entertain him
+To be my fellow-servant to your ladyship .
+
+Too low a mistress for so high a servant .
+
+Not so , sweet lady ; but too mean a servant
+To have a look of such a worthy mistress .
+
+Leave off discourse of disability :
+Sweet lady , entertain him for your servant .
+
+My duty will I boast of , nothing else .
+
+And duty never yet did want his meed .
+Servant , you are welcome to a worthless mistress .
+
+I'll die on him that says so but yourself .
+
+That you are welcome ?
+
+That you are worthless .
+
+
+Madam , my lord your father would speak with you .
+
+I wait upon his pleasure .
+
+Come , Sir Thurio ,
+Go with me . Once more , new servant , welcome :
+I'll leave you to confer of home-affairs ;
+When you have done , we look to hear from you .
+
+We'll both attend upon your ladyship .
+
+
+Now , tell me , how do all from whence you came ?
+
+Your friends are well and have them much commended .
+
+And how do yours ?
+
+I left them all in health .
+
+How does your lady and how thrives your love ?
+
+My tales of love were wont to weary you ;
+I know you joy not in a love-discourse .
+
+Ay , Proteus , but that life is alter'd now :
+I have done penance for contemning love ;
+Whose high imperious thoughts have punish'd me
+With bitter fasts , with penitential groans ,
+With nightly tears and daily heart-sore sighs ;
+For , in revenge of my contempt of love ,
+Love hath chas'd sleep from my enthralled eyes ,
+And made them watchers of mine own heart's sorrow .
+O , gentle Proteus ! Love's a mighty lord ,
+And hath so humbled me as I confess ,
+There is no woe to his correction ,
+Nor to his service no such joy on earth .
+Now no discourse , except it be of love ;
+Now can I break my fast , dine , sup and sleep ,
+Upon the very naked name of love .
+
+Enough ; I read your fortune in your eye .
+Was this the idol that you worship so ?
+
+Even she ; and is she not a heavenly saint ?
+
+No ; but she is an earthly paragon .
+
+Call her divine .
+
+I will not flatter her .
+
+O ! flatter me , for love delights in praises .
+
+When I was sick you gave me bitter pills ,
+And I must minister the like to you .
+
+Then speak the truth by her ; if not divine ,
+Yet let her be a principality ,
+Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth .
+
+Except my mistress .
+
+Sweet , except not any ,
+Except thou wilt except against my love .
+
+Have I not reason to prefer mine own ?
+
+And I will help thee to prefer her too :
+She shall be dignified with this high honour ,
+To bear my lady's train , lest the base earth
+Should from her vesture chance to steal a kiss ,
+And , of so great a favour growing proud ,
+Disdain to root the summer-swelling flower ,
+And make rough winter everlastingly .
+
+Why , Valentine , what braggardism is this ?
+
+Pardon me , Proteus : all I can is nothing
+To her whose worth makes other worthies nothing .
+She is alone .
+
+Then , let her alone .
+
+Not for the world : why , man , she is mine own ,
+And I as rich in having such a jewel
+As twenty seas , if all their sand were pearl ,
+The water nectar , and the rocks pure gold .
+Forgive me that I do not dream on thee ,
+Because thou see'st me dote upon my love .
+My foolish rival , that her father likes
+Only for his possessions are so huge ,
+Is gone with her along , and I must after ,
+For love , thou know'st , is full of jealousy .
+
+But she loves you ?
+
+Ay , and we are betroth'd : nay , more , our marriage-hour ,
+With all the cunning manner of our flight ,
+Determin'd of : how I must climb her window ,
+The ladder made of cords , and all the means
+Plotted and 'greed on for my happiness .
+Good Proteus , go with me to my chamber ,
+In these affairs to aid me with thy counsel .
+
+Go on before , I shall inquire you forth :
+I must unto the road , to disembark
+Some necessaries that I needs must use ,
+And then I'll presently attend you .
+
+Will you make haste ?
+
+I will .
+
+Even as one heat another heat expels ,
+Or as one nail by strength drives out another ,
+So the remembrance of my former love
+Is by a newer object quite forgotten .
+Is it mine eye , or Valentinus' praise ,
+Her true perfection , or my false transgression ,
+That makes me reasonless to reason thus ?
+She's fair ; and so is Julia that I love ,
+That I did love , for now my love is thaw'd ,
+Which , like a waxen image 'gainst a fire ,
+Bears no impression of the thing it was .
+Methinks my zeal to Valentine is cold ,
+And that I love him not as I was wont :
+O ! but I love his lady too-too much ;
+And that's the reason I love him so little .
+How shall I dote on her with more advice ,
+That thus without advice begin to love her ?
+'Tis but her picture I have yet beheld ,
+And that hath dazzled my reason's light ;
+But when I look on her perfections ,
+There is no reason but I shall be blind .
+If I can check my erring love , I will ;
+If not , to compass her I'll use my skill .
+
+
+Launce ! by mine honesty , welcome to Milan !
+
+Forswear not thyself , sweet youth , for I am not welcome . I reckon this always that a man is never undone till he be hanged ; nor never welcome to a place till some certain shot be paid and the hostess say , 'Welcome !'
+
+Come on , you madcap , I'll to the alehouse with you presently ; where , for one shot of five pence , thou shalt have five thousand welcomes . But , sirrah , how did thy master part with Madam Julia ?
+
+Marry , after they closed in earnest , they parted very fairly in jest .
+
+But shall she marry him ?
+
+No .
+
+How then ? Shall he marry her ?
+
+No , neither .
+
+What , are they broken ?
+
+No , they are both as whole as a fish .
+
+Why then , how stands the matter with them ?
+
+Marry , thus ; when it stands well with him , it stands well with her .
+
+What an ass art thou ! I understand thee not .
+
+What a block art thou , that thou canst not ! My staff understands me .
+
+What thou sayest ?
+
+Ay , and what I do too : look thee , I'll but lean , and my staff understands me .
+
+It stands under thee , indeed .
+
+Why , stand-under and under-stand is all one .
+
+But tell me true , will't be a match ?
+
+Ask my dog : if he say ay , it will ; if he say no , it will ; if he shake his tail and say nothing , it will .
+
+The conclusion is , then , that it will .
+
+Thou shalt never get such a secret from me but by a parable .
+
+'Tis well that I get it so . But , Launce , how sayest thou , that my master is become a notable lover ?
+
+I never knew him otherwise .
+
+Than how ?
+
+A notable lubber , as thou reportest him to be .
+
+Why , thou whoreson ass , thou mistakest me .
+
+Why , fool , I meant not thee ; I meant thy master .
+
+I tell thee , my master is become a hot lover .
+
+Why , I tell thee , I care not though he burn himself in love . If thou wilt go with me to the alehouse so ; if not , thou art a Hebrew , a Jew , and not worth the name of a Christian .
+
+Why ?
+
+Because thou hast not so much charity in thee as to go to the ale with a Christian . Wilt thou go ?
+
+At thy service .
+
+
+To leave my Julia , shall I be forsworn ;
+To love fair Silvia , shall I be forsworn ;
+To wrong my friend , I shall be much forsworn ;
+And even that power which gave me first my oath
+Provokes me to this threefold perjury :
+Love bade me swear , and Love bids me forswear .
+O sweet-suggesting Love ! if thou hast sinn'd ,
+Teach me , thy tempted subject , to excuse it .
+At first I did adore a twinkling star ,
+But now I worship a celestial sun .
+Unheedful vows may heedfully be broken ;
+And he wants wit that wants resolved will
+To learn his wit to exchange the bad for better .
+Fie , fie , unreverend tongue ! to call her bad ,
+Whose sovereignty so oft thou hast preferr'd
+With twenty thousand soul-confirming oaths .
+I cannot leave to love , and yet I do ;
+But there I leave to love where I should love .
+Julia I lose and Valentine I lose :
+If I keep them , I needs must lose myself ;
+If I lose them , thus find I by their loss ,
+For Valentine , myself ; for Julia , Silvia .
+I to myself am dearer than a friend ,
+For love is still most precious in itself ;
+And Silvia witness heaven that made her fair !
+Shows Julia but a swarthy Ethiope .
+I will forget that Julia is alive ,
+Remembering that my love to her is dead ;
+And Valentine I'll hold an enemy ,
+Aiming at Silvia as a sweeter friend .
+I cannot now prove constant to myself
+Without some treachery us'd to Valentine :
+This night he meaneth with a corded ladder
+To climb celestial Silvia's chamber-window ,
+Myself in counsel , his competitor .
+Now presently , I'll give her father notice
+Of their disguising and pretended flight ;
+Who , all enrag'd , will banish Valentine ;
+For Thurio , he intends , shall wed his daughter ;
+But , Valentine being gone , I'll quickly cross ,
+By some sly trick blunt Thurio's dull proceeding .
+Love , lend me wings to make my purpose swift ,
+As thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift !
+
+
+Counsel , Lucetta ; gentle girl , assist me :
+And e'en in kind love I do conjure thee ,
+Who art the table wherein all my thoughts
+Are visibly character'd and engrav'd ,
+To lesson me and tell me some good mean
+How , with my honour , I may undertake
+A journey to my loving Proteus .
+
+Alas ! the way is wearisome and long .
+
+A true-devoted pilgrim is not weary
+To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps ;
+Much less shall she that hath Love's wings to fly ,
+And when the flight is made to one so dear ,
+Of such divine perfection , as Sir Proteus .
+
+Better forbear till Proteus make return .
+
+O ! know'st thou not his looks are my soul's food ?
+Pity the dearth that I have pined in ,
+By longing for that food so long a time .
+Didst thou but know the inly touch of love ,
+Thou wouldst as soon go kindle fire with snow
+As seek to quench the fire of love with words .
+
+I do not seek to quench your love's hot fire ,
+But qualify the fire's extreme rage ,
+Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason .
+
+The more thou damm'st it up , the more it burns .
+The current that with gentle murmur glides ,
+Thou know'st , being stopp'd , impatiently doth rage ;
+But when his fair course is not hindered ,
+He makes sweet music with th' enamell'd stones ,
+Giving a gentle kiss to every sedge
+He overtaketh in his pilgrimage ;
+And so by many winding nooks he strays
+With willing sport , to the wild ocean .
+Then let me go and hinder not my course :
+I'll be as patient as a gentle stream
+And make a pastime of each weary step ,
+Till the last step have brought me to my love ;
+And there I'll rest , as after much turmoil
+A blessed soul doth in Elysium .
+
+But in what habit will you go along ?
+
+Not like a woman ; for I would prevent
+The loose encounters of lascivious men .
+Gentle Lucetta , fit me with such weeds
+As may beseem some well-reputed page .
+
+Why , then , your ladyship must cut your hair .
+
+No , girl ; I'll knit it up in silken strings
+With twenty odd-conceited true-love knots :
+To be fantastic may become a youth
+Of greater time than I shall show to be .
+
+What fashion , madam , shall I make your breeches ?
+
+That fits as well as 'Tell me , good my lord ,
+What compass will you wear your farthingale ?'
+Why , even what fashion thou best lik'st , Lucetta .
+
+You must needs have them with a cod-piece , madam .
+
+Out , out , Lucetta ! that will be ill-favour'd .
+
+A round hose , madam , now's not worth a pin ,
+Unless you have a cod-piece to stick pins on .
+
+Lucetta , as thou lov'st me , let me have
+What thou think'st meet and is most mannerly .
+But tell me , wench , how will the world repute me
+For undertaking so unstaid a journey ?
+I fear me , it will make me scandaliz'd .
+
+If you think so , then stay at home and go not .
+
+Nay , that I will not .
+
+Then never dream on infamy , but go .
+If Proteus like your journey when you come ,
+No matter who's displeas'd when you are gone .
+I fear me , he will scarce be pleas'd withal .
+
+That is the least , Lucetta , of my fear :
+A thousand oaths , an ocean of his tears ,
+And instances of infinite of love
+Warrant me welcome to my Proteus .
+
+All these are servants to deceitful men .
+
+Base men , that use them to so base effect ;
+But truer stars did govern Proteus' birth :
+His words are bonds , his oaths are oracles ,
+His love sincere , his thoughts immaculate ,
+His tears pure messengers sent from his heart ,
+His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth .
+
+Pray heaven he prove so when you come to him !
+
+Now , as thou lov'st me , do him not that wrong
+To bear a hard opinion of his truth :
+Only deserve my love by loving him ,
+And presently go with me to my chamber ,
+To take a note of what I stand in need of
+To furnish me upon my longing journey .
+All that is mine I leave at thy dispose ,
+My goods , my lands , my reputation ;
+Only , in lieu thereof , dispatch me hence .
+Come , answer not , but to it presently !
+I am impatient of my tarriance .
+
+Sir Thurio , give us leave , I pray , awhile ;
+We have some secrets to confer about .
+
+Now tell me , Proteus , what's your will with me ?
+
+My gracious lord , that which I would discover
+The law of friendship bids me to conceal ;
+But when I call to mind your gracious favours
+Done to me , undeserving as I am ,
+My duty pricks me on to utter that
+Which else no worldly good should draw from me .
+Know , worthy prince , Sir Valentine , my friend ,
+This night intends to steal away your daughter :
+Myself am one made privy to the plot .
+I know you have determin'd to bestow her
+On Thurio , whom your gentle daughter hates ;
+And should she thus be stol'n away from you
+It would be much vexation to your age .
+Thus , for my duty's sake , I rather chose
+To cross my friend in his intended drift ,
+Than , by concealing it , heap on your head
+A pack of sorrows which would press you down ,
+Being unprevented , to your timeless grave .
+
+Proteus , I thank thee for thine honest care ,
+Which to requite , command me while I live .
+This love of theirs myself have often seen ,
+Haply , when they have judg'd me fast asleep ,
+And oftentimes have purpos'd to forbid
+Sir Valentine her company and my court ;
+But fearing lest my jealous aim might err
+And so unworthily disgrace the man ,
+A rashness that I ever yet have shunn'd ,
+I gave him gentle looks , thereby to find
+That which thyself hast now disclos'd to me .
+And , that thou mayst perceive my fear of this ,
+Knowing that tender youth is soon suggested ,
+I nightly lodge her in an upper tower ,
+The key whereof myself have ever kept ;
+And thence she cannot be convey'd away .
+
+Know , noble lord , they have devis'd a mean
+How he her chamber-window will ascend
+And with a corded ladder fetch her down ;
+For which the youthful lover now is gone
+And this way comes he with it presently ;
+Where , if it please you , you may intercept him .
+But , good my lord , do it so cunningly
+That my discovery be not aimed at ;
+For love of you , not hate unto my friend ,
+Hath made me publisher of this pretence .
+
+Upon mine honour , he shall never know
+That I had any light from thee of this .
+
+Adieu , my lord : Sir Valentine is coming .
+
+Sir Valentine , whither away so fast ?
+
+Please it your Grace , there is a messenger
+That stays to bear my letters to my friends ,
+And I am going to deliver them .
+
+Be they of much import ?
+
+The tenour of them doth but signify
+My health and happy being at your court .
+
+Nay then , no matter : stay with me awhile ;
+I am to break with thee of some affairs
+That touch me near , wherein thou must be secret .
+'Tis not unknown to thee that I have sought
+To match my friend Sir Thurio to my daughter .
+
+I know it well , my lord ; and sure , the match
+Were rich and honourable ; besides , the gentleman
+Is full of virtue , bounty , worth , and qualities
+Beseeming such a wife as your fair daughter .
+Cannot your Grace win her to fancy him ?
+
+No , trust me : she is peevish , sullen , froward ,
+Proud , disobedient , stubborn , lacking duty ;
+Neither regarding that she is my child ,
+Nor fearing me as if I were her father :
+And , may I say to thee this pride of hers ,
+Upon advice , hath drawn my love from her ;
+And , where I thought the remnant of mine age
+Should have been cherish'd by her child-like duty ,
+I now am full resolv'd to take a wife
+And turn her out to who will take her in :
+Then let her beauty be her wedding-dower ;
+For me and my possessions she esteems not .
+
+What would your Grace have me to do in this ?
+
+There is a lady of Verona here ,
+Whom I affect ; but she is nice and coy
+And nought esteems my aged eloquence :
+Now therefore , would I have thee to my tutor ,
+For long agone I have forgot to court ;
+Besides , the fashion of the time is chang'd ,
+How and which way I may bestow myself
+To be regarded in her sun-bright eye .
+
+Win her with gifts , if she respect not words :
+Dumb jewels often in their silent kind
+More than quick words do move a woman's mind .
+
+But she did scorn a present that I sent her .
+
+A woman sometime scorns what best contents her .
+Send her another ; never give her o'er ,
+For scorn at first makes after-love the more .
+If she do frown , 'tis not in hate of you ,
+But rather to beget more love in you ;
+If she do chide , 'tis not to have you gone ;
+For why the fools are mad if left alone .
+Take no repulse , whatever she doth say ;
+For , 'get you gone ,' she doth not mean , 'away !'
+Flatter and praise , commend , extol their graces ;
+Though ne'er so black , say they have angels' faces .
+That man that hath a tongue , I say , is no man ,
+If with his tongue he cannot win a woman .
+
+But she I mean is promis'd by her friends
+Unto a youthful gentleman of worth ,
+And kept severely from resort of men ,
+That no man hath access by day to her .
+
+Why then , I would resort to her by night .
+
+Ay , but the doors be lock'd and keys kept safe ,
+That no man hath recourse to her by night .
+
+What lets but one may enter at her window ?
+
+Her chamber is aloft , far from the ground ,
+And built so shelving that one cannot climb it
+Without apparent hazard of his life .
+
+Why then , a ladder quaintly made of cords ,
+To cast up , with a pair of anchoring hooks ,
+Would serve to scale another Hero's tower ,
+So bold Leander would adventure it .
+
+Now , as thou art a gentleman of blood ,
+Advise me where I may have such a ladder .
+
+When would you use it ? pray , sir , tell me that .
+
+This very night ; for Love is like a child ,
+That longs for every thing that he can come by .
+
+By seven o'clock I'll get you such a ladder .
+
+But hark thee ; I will go to her alone :
+How shall I best convey the ladder thither ?
+
+It will be light , my lord , that you may bear it
+Under a cloak that is of any length .
+
+A cloak as long as thine will serve the turn ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+Then let me see thy cloak :
+I'll get me one of such another length .
+
+Why , any cloak will serve the turn , my lord .
+
+How shall I fashion me to wear a cloak ?
+I pray thee , let me feel thy cloak upon me .
+
+What letter is this same ? What's here ?To Silvia !
+And here an engine fit for my proceeding !
+I'll be so bold to break the seal for once .
+
+My thoughts do harbour with my Silvia nightly ;
+And slaves they are to me that send them flying
+O ! could their master come and go as lightly ,
+Himself would lodge where senseless they are lying !
+My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them ;
+While I , their king , that thither them importune ,
+Do curse the grace that with such grace hath bless'd them ,
+Because myself do want my servants' fortune :
+I curse myself , for they are sent by me ,
+That they should harbour where their lord would be .
+
+What's here ?
+
+Silvia , this night I will enfranchise thee
+
+'Tis so ; and here's the ladder for the purpose .
+Why , Phaethon ,for thou art Merops' son ,
+Wilt thou aspire to guide the heavenly car
+And with thy daring folly burn the world ?
+Wilt thou reach stars , because they shine on thee ?
+Go , basc intruder ! overweening slave !
+Bestow thy fawning smiles on equal mates ,
+And think my patience , more than thy desert ,
+Is privilege for thy departure hence .
+Thank me for this more than for all the favours
+Which all too much I have bestow'd on thee .
+But if thou linger in my territories
+Longer than swiftest expedition
+Will give thee time to leave our royal court ,
+By heaven ! my wrath shall far exceed the love
+I ever borc my daughter or thyself .
+Be gone ! I will not hear thy vain excuse ;
+But , as thou lov'st thy life , make speed from hence .
+
+
+And why not death rather than living torment ?
+To die is to be banish'd from myself ;
+And Silvia is myself : banish'd from her
+Is self from self ,a deadly banishment !
+What light is light , if Silvia be not seen ?
+What joy is joy , if Silvia be not by ?
+Unless it be to think that she is by
+And feed upon the shadow of perfection .
+Except I be by Silvia in the night ,
+There is no music in the nightingale ;
+Unless I look on Silvia in the day ,
+There is no day for me to look upon .
+She is my essence ; and I leave to be ,
+If I be not by her fair influence
+Foster'd , illumin'd , cherish'd , kept alive .
+I fly not death , to fly his deadly doom :
+Tarry I here , I but attend on death ;
+But , fly I hence , I fly away from life .
+
+
+Run , boy ; run , run , and seek him out .
+
+Soho ! soho !
+
+What seest thou ?
+
+Him we go to find : there's not a hair on's head but 'tis a Valentine .
+
+Valentine ?
+
+No .
+
+Who then ? his spirit ?
+
+Neither .
+
+What then ?
+
+Nothing .
+
+Can nothing speak ? Master , shall I strike ?
+
+Who would'st thou strike ?
+
+Nothing .
+
+Villain , forbear .
+
+Why , sir , I'll strike nothing : I pray you ,
+
+Sirrah , I say , forbear .Friend Valentine , a word .
+
+My ears are stopp'd and cannot hear good news ,
+So much of bad already hath possess'd them .
+
+Then in dumb silence will I bury mine ,
+For they are harsh , untuneable and bad .
+
+Is Silvia dead ?
+
+No , Valentine .
+
+No Valentine , indeed , for sacred Silvia !
+Hath she forsworn me ?
+
+No , Valentine .
+
+No Valentine , if Silvia have forsworn me !
+What is your news ?
+
+Sir , there is a proclamation that you are vanished .
+
+That thou art banished , O , that's the news ,
+From hence , from Silvia , and from me thy friend .
+
+O , I have fed upon this woe already ,
+And now excess of it will make me surfeit .
+Doth Silvia know that I am banished ?
+
+Ay , ay ; and she hath offer'd to the doom
+Which , unrevers'd , stands in effectual force
+A sea of melting pearl , which some call tears :
+Those at her father's churlish feet she tender'd ;
+With them , upon her knees , her humble self ;
+Wringing her hands , whose whiteness so became them
+As if but now they waxed pale for woe :
+But neither bended knees , pure hands held up ,
+Sad sighs , deep groans , nor silver-shedding tears ,
+Could penetrate her uncompassionate sire ;
+But Valentine , if he be ta'en , must die .
+Besides , her intercession chaf'd him so ,
+When she for thy repeal was suppliant ,
+That to close prison he commanded her ,
+With many bitter threats of biding there .
+
+No more ; unless the next word that thou speak'st
+Have some malignant power upon my life :
+If so , I pray thee , breathe it in mine ear ,
+As ending anthem of my endless dolour .
+
+Cease to lament for that thou canst not help ,
+And study help for that which thou lament'st .
+Time is the nurse and breeder of all good .
+Here if thou stay , thou canst not see thy love ;
+Besides , thy staying will abridge thy life .
+Hope is a lover's staff ; walk hence with that
+And manage it against despairing thoughts .
+Thy letters may be here , though thou art hence ;
+Which , being writ to me , shall be deliver'd
+Even in the milk-white bosom of thy love .
+The time now serves not to expostulate :
+Come , I'll convey thee through the city-gate ,
+And , ere I part with thee , confer at large
+Of all that may concern thy love-affairs .
+As thou lov'st Silvia , though not for thyself ,
+Regard thy danger , and along with me !
+
+I pray thee , Launce , and if thou seest my boy ,
+Bid him make haste and meet me at the North-gate .
+
+Go , sirrah , find him out . Come , Valentine .
+
+O my dear Silvia ! hapless Valentine !
+
+
+I am but a fool , look you ; and yet I have the wit to think my master is a kind of a knave : but that's all one , if he be but one knave . He lives not now that knows me to be in love : yet I am in love ; but a team of horse shall not pluck that from me , nor who 'tis I love ; and yet 'tis a woman ; but what woman , I will not tell myself ; and yet 'tis a milkmaid ; yet 'tis not a maid , for she hath had gossips ; yet 'tis a maid , for she is her master's maid , and serves for wages . She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel ,which is much in a bare Christian .
+
+Here is the catelog of her condition . Imprimis , She can fetch and carry . Why , a horse can do no more : nay , a horse cannot fetch , but only carry ; therefore , is she better than a jade . Item , She can milk ; look you , a sweet virtue in a maid with clean hands .
+
+
+How now , Signior Launce ! what news with your mastership ?
+
+With my master's ship ? why , it is at sea .
+
+Well , your old vice still ; mistake the word . What news , then , in your paper ?
+
+The blackest news that ever thou heardest .
+
+Why , man , how black ?
+
+Why , as black as ink .
+
+Let me read them .
+
+Fie on thee , jolthead ! thou canst not read .
+
+Thou liest ; I can .
+
+I will try thee . Tell me this : who begot thee ?
+
+Marry , the son of my grandfather .
+
+O , illiterate loiterer ! it was the son of thy grandmother . This proves that thou canst not read .
+
+Come , fool , come : try me in thy paper .
+
+There ; and Saint Nicholas be thy speed !
+
+Imprimis , She can milk .
+
+Ay , that she can .
+
+Item , She brews good ale .
+
+And thereof comes the proverb , 'Blessing of your heart , you brew good ale .'
+
+Item , She can sew .
+
+That's as much as to say , Can she so ?
+
+Item , She can knit .
+
+What need a man care for a stock with a wench , when she can knit him a stock ?
+
+Item , She can wash and scour .
+
+A special virtue ; for then she need not be washed and scoured .
+
+Item , She can spin .
+
+Then may I set the world on wheels , when she can spin for her living .
+
+Item , She hath many nameless virtues .
+
+That's as much as to say , bastard virtues ; that , indeed , know not their fathers , and therefore have no names .
+
+Here follow her vices .
+
+Close at the heels of her virtues .
+
+Item , She is not to be kissed fasting , in respect of her breath .
+
+Well , that fault may be mended with a breakfast . Read on .
+
+Item , She hath a sweet mouth .
+
+That makes amends for her sour breath .
+
+Item , She doth talk in her sleep .
+
+It's no matter for that , so she sleep not in her talk .
+
+Item , She is slow in words .
+
+O villain , that set this down among her vices ! To be slow in words is a woman's only virtue : I pray thee , out with't , and place it for her chief virtue .
+
+Item , She is proud .
+
+Out with that too : it was Eve's legacy , and cannot be ta'en from her .
+
+Item , She hath no teeth .
+
+I care not for that neither , because I love crusts .
+
+Item , She is curst .
+
+Well ; the best is , she hath no teeth to bite .
+
+Item , She will often praise her liquor .
+
+If her liquor be good , she shall : if she will not , I will ; for good things should be praised .
+
+Item , She is too liberal .
+
+Of her tongue she cannot , for that's writ down she is slow of : of her purse she shall not , for that I'll keep shut : now , of another thing she may , and that cannot I help . Well , proceed .
+
+Item , She hath more hair than wit , and more faults than hairs , and more wealth than faults .
+
+Stop there ; I'll have her : she was mine , and not mine , twice or thrice in that last article . Rehearse that once more .
+
+Item , She hath more hair than wit .
+
+More hair than wit it may be ; I'll prove it : the cover of the salt hides the salt , and therefore it is more than the salt ; the hair , that covers the wit is more than the wit , for the greater hides the less . What's next ?
+
+And more faults than hairs .
+
+That's monstrous ! O , that that were out !
+
+And more wealth than faults .
+
+Why , that word makes the faults gracious . Well , I'll have her ; and if it be a match , as nothing is impossible ,
+
+What then ?
+
+Why , then will I tell thee ,that thy master stays for thee at the North-gate .
+
+For me ?
+
+For thee ! ay ; who art thou ? he hath stayed for a better man than thee .
+
+And must I go to him ?
+
+Thou must run to him , for thou hast stayed so long that going will scarce serve the turn .
+
+Why didst not tell me sooner ? pox of your love-letters !
+
+
+Now will he be swing'd for reading my letter . An unmannerly slave , that will thrust himself into secrets . I'll after , to rejoice in the boy's correction .
+
+
+Sir Thurio , fear not but that she will love you ,
+Now Valentine is banish'd from her sight .
+
+Since his exile she hath despis'd me most ,
+Forsworn my company and rail'd at me ,
+That I am desperate of obtaining her .
+
+This weak impress of love is as a figure
+Trenched in ice , which with an hour's heat
+Dissolves to water and doth lose his form .
+A little time will melt her frozen thoughts ,
+And worthless Valentine shall be forgot .
+
+
+How now , Sir Proteus ! Is your countryman
+
+According to our proclamation gone ?
+
+Gone , my good lord .
+
+My daughter takes his going grievously .
+
+A little time , my lord , will kill that grief .
+
+So I believe ; but Thurio thinks not so .
+Proteus , the good conceit I hold of thee ,
+For thou hast shown some sign of good desert ,
+Makes me the better to confer with thee .
+
+Longer than I prove loyal to your Grace
+Let me not live to look upon your Grace .
+
+Thou know'st how willingly I would effect
+The match between Sir Thurio and my daughter .
+
+I do , my lord .
+
+And also , I think , thou art not ignorant
+How she opposes her against my will .
+
+She did , my lord , when Valentine was here .
+
+Ay , and perversely she persevers so .
+What might we do to make the girl forget
+The love of Valentine , and love Sir Thurio ?
+
+The best way is to slander Valentine
+With falsehood , cowardice , and poor descent ,
+Three things that women highly hold in hate .
+
+Ay , but she'll think that it is spoke in hate .
+
+Ay , if his enemy deliver it :
+Therefore it must with circumstance be spoken
+By one whom she esteemeth as his friend .
+
+Then you must undertake to slander him .
+
+And that , my lord , I shall be loath to do :
+'Tis an ill office for a gentleman ,
+Especially against his very friend .
+
+Where your good word cannot advantage him ,
+Your slander never can endamage him :
+Therefore the office is indifferent ,
+Being entreated to it by your friend .
+
+You have prevail'd , my lord . If I can do it ,
+By aught that I can speak in his dispraise ,
+She shall not long continue love to him .
+But say this weed her love from Valentine ,
+It follows not that she will love Sir Thurio .
+
+Therefore , as you unwind her love from him ,
+Lest it should ravel and be good to none ,
+You must provide to bottom it on me ;
+Which must be done by praising me as much
+As you in worth dispraise Sir Valentine .
+
+And , Proteus , we dare trust you in this kind ,
+Because we know , on Valentine's report ,
+You are already Love's firm votary
+And cannot soon revolt and change your mind .
+Upon this warrant shall you have access
+Where you with Silvia may confer at large ;
+For she is lumpish , heavy , melancholy ,
+And , for your friend's sake , will be glad of you ;
+Where you may temper her , by your persuasion
+To hate young Valentine and love my friend .
+
+As much as I can do I will effect .
+But you , Sir Thurio , are not sharp enough ;
+You must lay lime to tangle her desires
+By wailful sonnets , whose composed rimes
+Should be full-fraught with serviceable vows .
+
+Ay ,
+Much is the force of heaven-bred poesy .
+
+Say that upon the altar of her beauty
+You sacrifice your tears , your sighs , your heart .
+Write till your ink be dry , and with your tears
+Moist it again , and frame some feeling line
+That may discover such integrity :
+For Orpheus' lute was strung with poets' sinews ,
+Whose golden touch could soften steel and stones ,
+Make tigers tame and huge leviathans
+Forsake unsounded deeps to dance on sands .
+After your dire-lamenting elegies ,
+Visit by night your lady's chamber-window
+With some sweet consort : to their instruments
+Tune a deploring dump ; the night's dead silence
+Will well become such sweet-complaining grievance .
+This , or else nothing , will inherit her .
+
+This discipline shows thou hast been in love .
+
+And thy advice this night I'll put in practice .
+Therefore , sweet Proteus , my direction-giver ,
+Let us into the city presently
+To sort some gentlemen well skill'd in music .
+I have a sonnet that will serve the turn
+To give the onset to thy good advice .
+
+About it , gentlemen !
+
+We'll wait upon your grace till aftersupper ,
+And afterward determine our proceedings .
+
+Even now about it ! I will pardon you .
+
+Fellows , stand fast ; I see a passenger .
+
+If there be ten , shrink not , but down with 'em .
+
+
+Stand , sir , and throw us that you have about ye ;
+If not , we'll make you sit and rifle you .
+
+Sir , we are undone : these are the villains
+That all the travellers do fear so much .
+
+My friends ,
+
+That's not so , sir ; we are your enemies .
+
+Peace ! we'll hear him .
+
+Ay , by my beard , will we , for he is a proper man .
+
+Then know , that I have little wealth to lose .
+A man I am cross'd with adversity :
+My riches are these poor habiliments ,
+Of which if you should here disfurnish me ,
+You take the sum and substance that I have .
+
+Whither travel you ?
+
+To Verona .
+
+Whence came you ?
+
+From Milan .
+
+Have you long sojourn'd there ?
+
+Some sixteen months ; and longer might have stay'd
+If crooked fortune had not thwarted me .
+
+What ! were you banish'd thence ?
+
+I was .
+
+For what offence ?
+
+For that which now torments me to rehearse .
+I kill'd a man , whose death I much repent ;
+But yet I slew him manfully , in fight ,
+Without false vantage or base treachery .
+
+Why , ne'er repent it , if it were done so .
+But were you banish'd for so small a fault ?
+
+I was , and held me glad of such a doom .
+
+Have you the tongues ?
+
+My youthful travel therein made me happy ,
+Or else I often had been miserable .
+
+By the bare scalp of Robin Hood's fat friar ,
+This fellow were a king for our wild faction !
+
+We'll have him : Sirs , a word .
+
+Master , be one of them ;
+It is an honourable kind of thievery .
+
+Peace , villain !
+
+Tell us this : have you anything to take to ?
+
+Nothing , but my fortune .
+
+Know then , that some of us are gentlemen ,
+Such as the fury of ungovern'd youth
+Thrust from the company of awful men :
+Myself was from Verona banished
+For practising to steal away a lady ,
+An heir , and near allied unto the duke .
+
+And I from Mantua , for a gentleman ,
+Who , in my mood , I stabb'd unto the heart .
+
+And I for such like petty crimes as these .
+But to the purpose ; for we cite our faults ,
+That they may hold excus'd our lawless lives ;
+And , partly , seeing you are beautified
+With goodly shape , and by your own report
+A linguist , and a man of such perfection
+As we do in our quality much want
+
+Indeed , because you are a banish'd man ,
+Therefore , above the rest , we parley to you .
+Are you content to be our general ?
+To make a virtue of necessity
+And live , as we do , in this wilderness ?
+
+What say'st thou ? wilt thou be of our consort ?
+Say 'ay ,' and be the captain of us all :
+We'll do thee homage and be rul'd by thee ,
+Love thee as our commander and our king .
+
+But if thou scorn our courtesy , thou diest .
+
+Thou shalt not live to brag what we have offer'd .
+
+I take your offer and will live with you ,
+Provided that you do no outrages
+On silly women , or poor passengers .
+
+No ; we detest such vile , base practices .
+Come , go with us ; we'll bring thee to our crews ,
+And show thee all the treasure we have got ,
+Which , with ourselves , all rest at thy dispose .
+
+
+Already have I been false to Valentine ,
+And now I must be as unjust to Thurio .
+Under the colour of commending him ,
+I have access my own love to prefer :
+But Silvia is too fair , too true , too holy ,
+To be corrupted with my worthless gifts .
+When I protest true loyalty to her ,
+She twits me with my falsehood to my friend ;
+When to her beauty I commend my vows ,
+She bids me think how I have been forsworn
+In breaking faith with Julia whom I lov'd :
+And notwithstanding all her sudden quips ,
+The least whereof would quell a lover's hope ,
+Yet , spaniel-like , the more she spurns my love ,
+The more it grows , and fawneth on her still .
+But here comes Thurio : now must we to her window ,
+And give some evening music to her ear .
+
+
+How now , Sir Proteus ! are you crept before us ?
+
+Ay , gentle Thurio ; for you know that love
+Will creep in service where it cannot go .
+
+Ay ; but I hope , sir , that you love not here .
+
+Sir , but I do ; or else I would be hence .
+
+Who ? Silvia ?
+
+Ay , Silvia , for your sake .
+
+I thank you for your own . Now , gentlemen ,
+Let's tune , and to it lustily a while .
+
+
+Now , my young guest , methinks you're allycholly : I pray you , why is it ?
+
+Marry , mine host , because I cannot be merry .
+
+Come , we'll have you merry . I'll bring you where you shall hear music and see the gentleman that you asked for .
+
+But shall I hear him speak ?
+
+Ay , that you shall .
+
+That will be music .
+
+
+Hark ! hark !
+
+Is he among these ?
+
+Ay ; but peace ! let's hear 'em .
+
+
+Who is Silvia ? what is she ?
+That all our swains commend her ?
+Holy , fair , and wise is she ;
+The heaven such grace did lend her ,
+That she might admired be .
+Is she kind as she is fair ?
+For beauty lives with kindness :
+Love doth to her eyes repair ,
+To help him of his blindness ;
+And , being help'd , inhabits there .
+Then to Silvia let us sing ,
+That Silvia is excelling ;
+She excels each mortal thing
+Upon the dull earth dwelling ;
+To her let us garlands bring .
+
+How now ! are you sadder than you were before ? How do you , man ? the music likes you not .
+
+You mistake ; the musician likes me not .
+
+Why , my pretty youth ?
+
+He plays false , father .
+
+How ? out of tune on the strings ?
+
+Not so ; but yet so false that he grieves my very heart-strings .
+
+You have a quick ear .
+
+Ay ; I would I were deaf ; it makes me have a slow heart .
+
+I perceive you delight not in music .
+
+Not a whit ,when it jars so .
+
+Hark ! what fine change is in the music !
+
+Ay , that change is the spite .
+
+You would have them always play but one thing ?
+
+I would always have one play but one thing .
+But , host , doth this Sir Proteus that we talk on
+Often resort unto this gentlewoman ?
+
+I will tell you what Launce , his man , told me : he lov'd her out of all nick .
+
+Where is Launce ?
+
+Gone to seek his dog ; which , to-morrow , by his master's command , he must carry for a present to his lady .
+
+Peace ! stand aside : the company parts .
+
+Sir Thurio , fear not you : I will so plead
+That you shall say my cunning drift excels .
+
+Where meet we ?
+
+At Saint Gregory's well .
+
+Farewell .
+
+Madam , good even to your ladyship .
+
+I thank you for your music , gentlemen .
+Who is that that spake ?
+
+One , lady , if you knew his pure heart's truth ,
+You would quickly learn to know him by his voice .
+
+Sir Proteus , as I take it .
+
+Sir Proteus , gentle lady , and your servant .
+
+What is your will ?
+
+That I may compass yours .
+
+You have your wish ; my will is even this :
+That presently you hie you home to bed .
+Thou subtle , perjur'd , false , disloyal man !
+Think'st thou I am so shallow , so conceitless ,
+To be seduced by thy flattery ,
+That hast deceiv'd so many with thy vows ?
+Return , return , and make thy love amends .
+For me , by this pale queen of night I swear ,
+I am so far from granting thy request
+That I despise thee for thy wrongful suit ,
+And by and by intend to chide myself
+Even for this time I spend in talking to thee .
+
+I grant , sweet love , that I did love a lady ;
+But she is dead .
+
+'Tware false , if I should speak it ;
+For I am sure she is not buried .
+
+Say that she be ; yet Valentine thy friend
+Survives ; to whom , thyself art witness
+I am betroth'd : and art thou not asham'd
+To wrong him with thy importunacy ?
+
+I likewise hear that Valentine is dead .
+
+And so suppose am I ; for in his grave , Assure thyself my love is buried .
+
+Sweet lady , let me rake it from the earth .
+
+Go to thy lady's grave and call hers thence ;
+Or , at the least , in hers sepulchre thine .
+
+He heard not that .
+
+Madam , if your heart be so obdurate ,
+Vouchsafe me yet your picture for my love ,
+The picture that is hanging in your chamber :
+To that I'll speak , to that I'll sigh and weep ;
+For since the substance of your perfect self
+Is else devoted , I am but a shadow ,
+And to your shadow will I make true love .
+
+If 'twere a substance , you would , sure , deceive it ,
+And make it but a shadow , as I am .
+
+I am very loath to be your idol , sir ;
+But , since your falsehood shall become you well
+To worship shadows and adore false shapes ,
+Send to me in the morning and I'll send it .
+And so , good rest .
+
+As wretches have o'er night
+That wait for execution in the morn .
+
+
+Host , will you go ?
+
+By my halidom , I was fast asleep .
+
+Pray you , where lies Sir Proteus ?
+
+Marry , at my house . Trust me , I think 'tis almost day .
+
+Not so ; but it hath been the longest night
+That e'er I watch'd and the most heaviest .
+
+
+This is the hour that Madam Silvia
+Entreated me to call , and know her mind :
+There's some great matter she'd employ me in .
+Madam , Madam !
+
+
+Who calls ?
+
+Your servant , and your friend ;
+One that attends your ladyship's command .
+
+Sir Eglamour , a thousand times good morrow .
+
+As many , worthy lady , to yourself .
+According to your ladyship's impose ,
+I am thus early come to know what service
+It is your pleasure to command me in .
+
+O Eglamour , thou art a gentleman
+Think not I flatter , for I swear I do not
+Valiant , wise , remorseful , well-accomplish'd .
+Thou art not ignorant what dear good will
+I bear unto the banish'd Valentine ,
+Nor how my father would enforce me marry
+Vain Thurio , whom my very soul abhors .
+Thyself hast lov'd ; and I have heard thee say
+No grief did ever come so near thy heart
+As when thy lady and thy true love died ,
+Upon whose grave thou vow'dst pure chastity .
+Sir Eglamour , I would to Valentine ,
+To Mantua , where , I hear he makes abode ;
+And , for the ways are dangerous to pass ,
+I do desire thy worthy company ,
+Upon whose faith and honour I repose .
+Urge not my father's anger , Eglamour ,
+But think upon my grief , a lady's grief ,
+And on the justice of my flying hence ,
+To keep me from a most unholy match ,
+Which heaven and fortune still rewards with plagues .
+I do desire thee , even from a heart
+As full of sorrows as the sea of sands ,
+To bear me company and go with me :
+If not , to hide what I have said to thee ,
+That I may venture to depart alone .
+
+Madam , I pity much your grievances ;
+Which since I know they virtuously are plac'd ,
+I give consent to go along with you ,
+Recking as little what betideth me
+As much I wish all good befortune you .
+When will you go ?
+
+This evening coming .
+
+Where shall I meet you ?
+
+At Friar Patrick's cell ,
+Where I intend holy confession .
+
+I will not fail your ladyship .
+Good morrow , gentle lady .
+
+Good morrow , kind Sir Eglamour .
+
+
+When a man's servant shall play the cur with him , look you , it goes hard ; one that I brought up of a puppy ; one that I saved from drowning , when three or four of his blind brothers and sisters went to it . I have taught him , even as one would say precisely , 'Thus would I teach a dog .' I was sent to deliver him as a present to Mistress Silvia from my master , and I came no sooner into the dining-chamber but he steps me to her trencher and steals her capon's leg . O ! 'tis a foul thing when a cur cannot keep himself in all companies . I would have , as one should say , one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed , to be , as it were , a dog at all things . If I had not had more wit than he , to take a fault upon me that he did , I think verily he had been hanged for't : sure as I live , he had suffered for't : you shall judge . He thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentleman-like dogs under the duke's table : he had not been there bless the mark a pissing-while , but all the chamber smelt him . 'Out with the dog !' says one ; 'What cur is that ?' says another ; 'Whip him out ,' says the third ; 'Hang him up ,' says the duke . I , having been acquainted with the smell before , knew it was Crab , and goes me to the fellow that whips the dogs : 'Friend ,' quoth I , 'you mean to whip the dog ?' 'Ay , marry , do I ,' quoth he . 'You do him the more wrong ,' quoth I ; ''twas I did the thing you wot of .' He makes me no more ado , but whips me out of the chamber . How many masters would do this for his servant ? Nay , I'll be sworn , I have sat in the stocks for puddings he hath stolen , otherwise he had been executed ; I have stood on the pillory for geese he hath killed , otherwise he had suffered for't ; thou thinkest not of this now . Nay , I remember the trick you served me when I took my leave of Madam Silvia : did not I bid thee still mark me and do as I do ? When didst thou see me heave up my leg and make water against a gentlewoman's farthingale ? Didst thou ever see me do such a trick ?
+
+
+Sebastian is thy name ? I like thee well
+And will employ thee in some service presently .
+
+In what you please : I will do what I can .
+
+I hope thou wilt .
+
+How now , you whoreson peasant !
+Where have you been these two days loitering ?
+
+Marry , sir , I carried Mistress Silvia the dog you bade me .
+
+And what says she to my little jewel ?
+
+Marry , she says , your dog was a cur , and tells you , currish thanks is good enough for such a present .
+
+But she received my dog ?
+
+No , indeed , did she not : here have I brought him back again .
+
+What ! didst thou offer her this from me ?
+
+Ay , sir : the other squirrel was stolen from me by the hangman boys in the marketplace ; and then I offered her mine own , who is a dog as big as ten of yours , and therefore the gift the greater .
+
+Go , get thee hence , and find my dog again ,
+Or ne'er return again into my sight .
+Away , I say ! Stay'st thou to vex me here ?
+A slave that still an end turns me to shame .
+
+Sebastian , I have entertained thee
+Partly , that I have need of such a youth ,
+That can with some discretion do my business ,
+For't is no trusting to yond foolish lout ;
+But chiefly for thy face and thy behaviour ,
+Which , if my augury deceive me not ,
+Witness good bringing up , fortune , and truth :
+Therefore , know thou , for this I entertain thee .
+Go presently , and take this ring with thee .
+Deliver it to Madam Silvia :
+She lov'd me well deliver'd it to me .
+
+It seems , you lov'd not her , to leave her token .
+She's dead , belike ?
+
+Not so : I think , she lives .
+
+Alas !
+
+Why dost thou cry 'alas ?'
+
+I cannot choose
+But pity her .
+
+Wherefore should'st thou pity her ?
+
+Because methinks that she lov'd you as well
+As you do love your lady Silvia .
+She dreams on him that has forgot her love ;
+You dote on her , that cares not for your love .
+'Tis pity , love should be so contrary ;
+And thinking on it makes me cry , 'alas !'
+
+Well , well , give her that ring and therewithal
+This letter : that's her chamber . Tell my lady
+I claim the promise for her heavenly picture .
+Your message done , hie home unto my chamber ,
+Where thou shalt find me sad and solitary .
+
+
+How many women would do such a message ?
+Alas , poor Proteus ! thou hast entertain'd
+A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs .
+Alas , poor fool ! why do I pity him
+That with his very heart despiseth me ?
+Because he loves her , he despiseth me ;
+Because I love him , I must pity him .
+This ring I gave him when he parted from me ,
+To bind him to remember my good will ;
+And now am I unhappy messenger
+To plead for that which I would not obtain ,
+To carry that which I would have refus'd ,
+To praise his faith which I would have disprais'd .
+I am my master's true-confirmed love ,
+But cannot be true servant to my master ,
+Unless I prove false traitor to myself .
+Yet will I woo for him ; but yet so coldly
+As heaven it knows , I would not have him speed .
+
+
+Gentlewoman , good day ! I pray you , be my mean
+
+To bring me where to speak with Madam Silvia .
+
+What would you with her , if that I be she ?
+
+If you be she , I do entreat your patience To hear me speak the message I am sent on .
+
+From whom ?
+
+From my master , Sir Proteus , madam .
+
+O ! he sends you for a picture ?
+
+Ay , madam .
+
+Ursula , bring my picture there .
+
+Go , give your master this : tell him from me ,
+One Julia , that his changing thoughts forget ,
+Would better fit his chamber than this shadow .
+
+Madam , please you peruse this letter .
+Pardon me , madam , I have unadvis'd
+Deliver'd you a paper that I should not :
+This is the letter to your ladyship .
+
+I pray thee , let me look on that again .
+
+It may not be : good madam , pardon me .
+
+There , hold .
+I will not look upon your master's lines :
+I know , they are stuff'd with protestations
+And full of new-found oaths , which he will break
+As easily as I do tear his paper .
+
+Madam , he sends your ladyship this ring .
+
+The more shame for him that he sends it me ;
+For , I have heard him say a thousand times ,
+His Julia gave it him at his departure .
+Though his false finger have profan'd the ring ,
+Mine shall not do his Julia so much wrong .
+
+She thanks you .
+
+What say'st thou ?
+
+I thank you , madam , that you tender her .
+Poor gentlewoman ! my master wrongs her much .
+
+Dost thou know her ?
+
+Almost as well as I do know myself :
+To think upon her woes , I do protest
+That I have wept a hundred several times .
+
+Belike , she thinks , that Proteus hath forsook her .
+
+I think she doth , and that's her cause of sorrow .
+
+Is she not passing fair ?
+
+She hath been fairer , madam , than she is .
+When she did think my master lov'd her well ,
+She , in my judgment , was as fair as you ;
+But since she did neglect her looking-glass
+And threw her sun-expelling mask away ,
+The air hath starv'd the roses in her cheeks
+And pinch'd the lily-tincture of her face ,
+That now she is become as black as I .
+
+How tall was she ?
+
+About my stature ; for , at Pentecost ,
+When all our pageants of delight were play'd ,
+Our youth got me to play the woman's part ,
+And I was trimm'd in Madam Julia's gown ,
+Which served me as fit , by all men's judgments ,
+As if the garment had been made for me :
+Therefore I know she is about my height .
+And at that time I made her weep agood ;
+For I did play a lamentable part .
+Madam , 'twas Ariadne passioning
+For Theseus' perjury and unjust flight ;
+Which I so lively acted with my tears
+That my poor mistress , moved therewithal ,
+Wept bitterly , and would I might be dead
+If I in thought felt not her very sorrow !
+
+She is beholding to thee , gentle youth .
+Alas , poor lady , desolate and left !
+I weep myself to think upon thy words .
+Here , youth , there is my purse : I give thee this
+For thy sweet mistress' sake , because thou lov'st her .
+Farewell .
+
+And she shall thank you for't , if e'er you know her .
+
+A virtuous gentlewoman , mild and beautiful .
+I hope my master's suit will be but cold ,
+Since she respects my mistress' love so much .
+Alas , how love can trifle with itself !
+Here is her picture : let me see ; I think ,
+If I had such a tire , this face of mine
+Were full as lovely as is this of hers ;
+And yet the painter flatter'd her a little ,
+Unless I flatter with myself too much .
+Her hair is auburn , mine is perfect yellow :
+If that be all the difference in his love
+I'll get me such a colour'd periwig .
+Her eyes are grey as glass , and so are mine :
+Ay , but her forehead's low , and mine's as high .
+What should it be that he respects in her
+But I can make respective in myself ,
+If this fond Love were not a blinded god ?
+Come , shadow , come , and take this shadow up ,
+For 'tis thy rival . O thou senseless form !
+Thou shalt be worshipp'd , kiss'd , lov'd , and ador'd ,
+And , were there sense in his idolatry ,
+My substance should be statue in thy stead .
+I'll use thee kindly for thy mistress' sake ,
+That us'd me so ; or else , by Jove I vow ,
+I should have scratch'd out your unseeing eyes ,
+To make my master out of love with thee .
+
+The sun begins to gild the western sky ,
+And now it is about the very hour
+That Silvia at Friar Patrick's cell should meet me .
+She will not fail ; for lovers break not hours ,
+Unless it be to come before their time ,
+So much they spur their expedition .
+See , where she comes .
+
+Lady , a happy evening !
+
+Amen , amen ! go on , good Eglamour ,
+Out at the postern by the abbey-wall .
+I fear I am attended by some spies .
+
+Fear not : the forest is not three leagues off ;
+If we recover that , we're sure enough .
+
+
+Sir Proteus , what says Silvia to my suit ?
+
+O , sir , I find her milder than she was ;
+And yet she takes exceptions at your person .
+
+What ! that my leg is too long ?
+
+No , that it is too little .
+
+I'll wear a boot to make it somewhat rounder .
+
+But love will not be spurr'd to what it loathes .
+
+What says she to my face ?
+
+She says it is a fair one .
+
+Nay then , the wanton lies ; my face is black .
+
+But pearls are fair , and the old saying is ,
+'Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies' eyes .'
+
+'Tis true , such pearls as put out ladies' eyes ;
+For I had rather wink than look on them .
+
+How likes she my discourse ?
+
+Ill , when you talk of war .
+
+But well , when I discourse of love and peace ?
+
+But better , indeed , when you hold your peace .
+
+What says she to my valour ?
+
+O , sir , she makes no doubt of that .
+
+She needs not , when she knows it cowardice .
+
+What says she to my birth ?
+
+That you are well deriv'd .
+
+True ; from a gentleman to a fool .
+
+Considers she my possessions ?
+
+O , ay ; and pities them .
+
+Wherefore ?
+
+That such an ass should owe them .
+
+That they are out by lease .
+
+Here comes the duke .
+
+
+How now , Sir Proteus ! how now , Thurio !
+Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late ?
+
+Not I .
+
+Nor I .
+
+Saw you my daughter ?
+
+Neither .
+
+Why then ,
+She's fled unto that peasant Valentine ,
+And Eglamour is in her company .
+'Tis true ; for Friar Laurence met them both ,
+As he in penance wander'd through the forest ;
+Him he knew well , and guess'd that it was she ,
+But , being mask'd , he was not sure of it ;
+Besides , she did intend confession
+At Patrick's cell this even , and there she was not .
+These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence .
+Therefore , I pray you , stand not to discourse ,
+But mount you presently and meet with me
+Upon the rising of the mountain-foot ,
+That leads towards Mantua , whither they are fled .
+Dispatch , sweet gentlemen , and follow me .
+
+
+Why , this it is to be a peevish girl ,
+That flies her fortune when it follows her .
+I'll after , more to be reveng'd on Eglamour
+Than for the love of reckless Silvia .
+
+
+And I will follow , more for Silvia's love
+Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her .
+
+
+And I will follow , more to cross that love
+Than hate for Silvia that is gone for love .
+
+
+Come , come ,
+Be patient ; we must bring you to our captain .
+
+A thousand more mischances than this one
+Have learn'd me how to brook this patiently .
+
+Come , bring her away .
+
+Where is the gentleman that was with her ?
+
+Being nimble-footed , he hath outrun us ;
+But Moyses and Valerius follow him .
+Go thou with her to the west end of the wood ;
+There is our captain . We'll follow him that's fled :
+The thicket is beset ; he cannot 'scape .
+
+
+Come , I must bring you to our captain's cave .
+Fear not ; he bears an honourable mind ,
+And will not use a woman lawlessly .
+
+O Valentine ! this I endure for thee .
+
+
+How use doth breed a habit in a man !
+This shadowy desart , unfrequented woods ,
+I better brook than flourishing peopled towns .
+Here can I sit alone , unseen of any ,
+And to the nightingale's complaining notes
+Tune my distresses and record my woes .
+O thou that dost inhabit in my breast ,
+Leave not the mansion so long tenantless ,
+Lest , growing ruinous , the building fall
+And leave no memory of what it was !
+Repair me with thy presence , Silvia !
+Thou gentle nymph , cherish thy forlorn swain !
+
+What halloing and what stir is this to-day ?
+These are my mates , that make their wills their law ,
+Have some unhappy passenger in chase .
+They love me well ; yet I have much to do
+To keep them from uncivil outrages .
+Withdraw thee , Valentine : who's this comes here ?
+
+Madam , this service I have done for you
+Though you respect not aught your servant doth
+To hazard life and rescue you from him
+That would have forc'd your honour and your love .
+Vouchsafe me , for my meed , but one fair look ;
+A smaller boon than this I cannot beg ,
+And less than this , I am sure , you cannot give .
+
+How like a dream is this I see and hear !
+Love , lend me patience to forbear awhile .
+
+O , miserable , unhappy that I am !
+
+Unhappy were you , madam , ere I came ;
+But by my coming I have made you happy .
+
+By thy approach thou mak'st me most unhappy .
+
+And me , when he approacheth to your presence .
+
+Had I been seized by a hungry lion ,
+I would have been a breakfast to the beast ,
+Rather than have false Proteus rescue me .
+O ! heaven be judge how I love Valentine ,
+Whose life's as tender to me as my soul ,
+And full as much for more there cannot be
+I do detest false perjur'd Proteus .
+Therefore be gone , solicit me no more .
+
+What dangerous action , stood it next to death ,
+Would I not undergo for one calm look !
+O , 'tis the curse in love , and still approv'd ,
+When women cannot love where they're belov'd !
+
+When Proteus cannot love where he's belov'd .
+Read over Julia's heart , thy first best love ,
+For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith
+Into a thousand oaths ; and all those oaths
+Descended into perjury to love me .
+Thou hast no faith left now , unless thou'dst two ,
+And that's far worse than none : better have none
+Than plural faith which is too much by one .
+Thou counterfeit to thy true friend !
+
+In love
+Who respects friend ?
+
+All men but Proteus .
+
+Nay , if the gentle spirit of moving words
+Can no way change you to a milder form ,
+I'll woo you like a soldier , at arms' end ,
+And love you 'gainst the nature of love ,force ye .
+
+O heaven !
+
+I'll force thee yield to my desire .
+
+Ruffian , let go that rude uncivil touch ;
+Thou friend of an ill fashion !
+
+Valentine !
+
+Thou common friend , that's without faith or love
+For such is a friend now treach'rous man !
+Thou hast beguil'd my hopes : naught but mine eye
+Could have persuaded me . Now I dare not say
+I have one friend alive : thou wouldst disprove me .
+Who should be trusted now , when one's right hand
+Is perjur'd to the bosom ? Proteus ,
+I am sorry I must never trust thee more ,
+But count the world a stranger for thy sake .
+The private wound is deep'st . O time most curst !
+'Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst !
+
+My shame and guilt confound me .
+Forgive me , Valentine . If hearty sorrow
+Be a sufficient ransom for offence ,
+I tender't here : I do as truly suffer
+As e'er I did commit .
+
+Then , I am paid ;
+And once again I do receive thee honest .
+Who by repentance is not satisfied
+Is nor of heaven , nor earth ; for these are pleas'd .
+By penitence the Eternal's wrath's appeas'd :
+And , that my love may appear plain and free ,
+All that was mine in Silvia I give thee .
+
+O me unhappy !
+
+
+Look to the boy .
+
+Why , boy ! why , wag ! how now ! what's the matter ?
+Look up ; speak .
+
+O good sir , my master charg'd me
+To deliver a ring to Madam Silvia ,
+Which out of my neglect was never done .
+
+Where is that ring , boy ?
+
+Here 'tis this is it .
+
+
+How ! let me see .
+Why this is the ring I gave to Julia .
+
+O , cry you mercy , sir ; I have mistook :
+This is the ring you sent to Silvia .
+
+
+But how cam'st thou by this ring ?
+At my depart I gave this unto Julia .
+
+And Julia herself did give it me ;
+And Julia herself hath brought it hither .
+
+How ! Julia !
+
+Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths ,
+And entertain'd them deeply in her heart :
+How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root !
+O Proteus ! let this habit make thee blush .
+Be thou asham'd that I have took upon me
+Such an immodest raiment ; if shame live
+In a disguise of love .
+It is the lesser blot , modesty finds ,
+Women to change their shapes than men their minds .
+
+Than men their minds ! 'tis true . O heaven ! were man
+But constant , he were perfect : that one error
+Fills him with faults ; makes him run through all the sins :
+Inconstancy falls off ere it begins .
+What is in Silvia's face , but I may spy
+More fresh in Julia's with a constant eye ?
+
+Come , come , a hand from either .
+Let me be blest to make this happy close :
+'Twere pity two such friends should be long foes .
+
+Bear witness , heaven , I have my wish , for ever .
+
+And I mine .
+
+
+A prize ! a prize ! a prize !
+
+Forbear , forbear , I say ; it is my lord the duke .
+Your Grace is welcome to a man disgrac'd ,
+Banished Valentine .
+
+Sir Valentine !
+
+Yonder is Silvia ; and Silvia's mine .
+
+Thurio , give back , or else embrace thy death ;
+Come not within the measure of my wrath ;
+Do not name Silvia thine ; if once again ,
+Verona shall not hold thee . Here she stands ;
+Take but possession of her with a touch ;
+I dare thee but to breathe upon my love .
+
+Sir Valentine , I care not for her , I .
+I hold him but a fool that will endanger
+His body for a girl that loves him not :
+I claim her not , and therefore she is thine .
+
+The more degenerate and base art thou ,
+To make such means for her as thou hast done ,
+And leave her on such slight conditions .
+Now , by the honour of my ancestry ,
+I do applaud thy spirit , Valentine ,
+And think thee worthy of an empress' love .
+Know then , I here forget all former griefs ,
+Cancel all grudge , repeal thee home again ,
+Plead a new state in thy unrivall'd merit ,
+To which I thus subscribe : Sir Valentine ,
+Thou art a gentleman and well deriv'd ;
+Take thou thy Silvia , for thou hast deserv'd her .
+
+I thank your Grace ; the gift hath made me happy .
+I now beseech you , for your daughter's sake ,
+To grant one boon that I shall ask of you .
+
+I grant it , for thine own , whate'er it be .
+
+These banish'd men , that I have kept withal
+Are men endu'd with worthy qualities :
+Forgive them what they have committed here ,
+And let them be recall'd from their exile .
+They are reformed , civil , full of good ,
+And fit for great employment , worthy lord .
+
+Thou hast prevail'd ; I pardon them , and thee :
+Dispose of them as thou know'st their deserts .
+Come , let us go : we will include all jars
+With triumphs , mirth , and rare solemnity .
+
+And as we walk along , I dare be bold
+With our discourse to make your Grace to smile .
+What think you of this page , my lord ?
+
+I think the boy hath grace in him : he blushes .
+
+I warrant you , my lord , more grace than boy .
+
+What mean you by that saying ?
+
+Please you , I'll tell you as we pass along ,
+That you will wonder what hath fortuned .
+Come , Proteus ; 'tis your penance , but to hear
+The story of your loves discovered :
+That done , our day of marriage shall be yours ;
+One feast , one house , one mutual happiness .
+
+THE WINTERS TALE
+
+If you shall chance , Camillo , to visit Bohemia , on the like occasion whereon my services are now on foot , you shall see , as I have said , great difference betwixt our Bohemia and your Sicilia .
+
+I think , this coming summer , the King of Sicilia means to pay Bohemia the visitation which he justly owes him .
+
+Wherein our entertainment shall shame us we will be justified in our loves : for , indeed ,
+
+Beseech you ,
+
+Verily , I speak it in the freedom of my knowledge : we cannot with such magnificence in so rare I know not what to say . We will give you sleepy drinks , that your senses , unintelligent of our insufficience , may , though they cannot praise us , as little accuse us .
+
+You pay a great deal too dear for what's given freely .
+
+Believe me , I speak as my understanding instructs me , and as mine honesty puts it to utterance .
+
+Sicilia cannot show himself over-kind to Bohemia . They were trained together in their childhoods ; and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection which cannot choose but branch now . Since their more mature dignities and royal necessities made separation of their society , their encounters , though not personal , have been royally attorneyed with interchange of gifts , letters , loving embassies ; that they have seemed to be together , though absent , shook hands , as over a vast , and embraced , as it were , from the ends of opposed winds . The heavens continue their loves !
+
+I think there is not in the world either malice or matter to alter it . You have an unspeakable comfort of your young Prince Mamilhus : it is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note .
+
+I very well agree with you in the hopes of him . It is a gallant child ; one that indeed physics the subject , makes old hearts fresh ; they that went on crutches ere he was born desire yet their life to see him a man .
+
+Would they else be content to die ?
+
+Yes ; if there were no other excuse why they should desire to live .
+
+If the king had no son , they would desire to live on crutches till he had one .
+
+
+Nine changes of the watery star have been
+The shepherd's note since we have left our throne
+Without a burden : time as long again
+Would be fill'd up , my brother , with our thanks ;
+And yet we should for perpetuity
+Go hence in debt : and therefore , like a cipher ,
+Yet standing in rich place , I multiply
+With one 'We thank you' many thousands moe
+That go before it .
+
+Stay your thanks awhile ,
+And pay them when you part .
+
+Sir , that's to-morrow .
+I am question'd by my fears , of what may chance
+Or breed upon our absence ; that may blow
+No sneaping winds at home , to make us say ,
+'This is put forth too truly !' Besides , I have stay'd
+To tire your royalty .
+
+We are tougher , brother ,
+Than you can put us to't .
+
+No longer stay .
+
+One seven-night longer .
+
+Very sooth , to-morrow .
+
+We'll part the time between's then ; and in that
+I'll no gainsaying .
+
+Press me not , beseech you , so .
+There is no tongue that moves , none , none i' the world ,
+So soon as yours could win me : so it should now ,
+Were there necessity in your request , although
+'Twere needful I denied it . My affairs
+Do even drag me homeward ; which to hinder
+Were in your love a whip to me ; my stay
+To you a charge and trouble : to save both ,
+Farewell , our brother .
+
+Tongue-tied , our queen ? speak you .
+
+I had thought , sir , to have held my peace until
+You had drawn oaths from him not to stay .
+You , sir ,
+Charge him too coldly : tell him , you are sure
+All in Bohemia's well : this satisfaction
+The by-gone day proclaim'd : say this to him ,
+He's beat from his best ward .
+
+Well said , Hermione .
+
+To tell he longs to see his son were strong :
+But let him say so then , and let him go ;
+But let him swear so , and he shall not stay ,
+We'll thwack him hence with distaffs .
+
+
+Yet of your royal presence I'll adventure
+The borrow of a week . When at Bohemia
+You take my lord , I'll give him my commission
+To let him there a month behind the gest
+Prefix'd for's parting : yet , good deed , Leontes ,
+I love thee not a jar o' the clock behind
+What lady she her lord . You'll stay ?
+
+No , madam .
+
+Nay , but you will ?
+
+I may not , verily .
+
+Verily !
+You put me off with limber vows ; but I ,
+Though you would seek to unsphere the stars with oaths ,
+Should yet say , 'Sir , no going .' Verily ,
+You shall not go : a lady's 'verily' 's
+As potent as a lord's . Will you go yet ?
+Force me to keep you as a prisoner ,
+Not like a guest ; so you shall pay your fees
+When you depart , and save your thanks . How say you ?
+My prisoner , or my guest ? by your dread 'verily ,'
+One of them you shall be .
+
+Your guest , then , madam :
+To be your prisoner should import offending ;
+Which is for me less easy to commit
+Than you to punish .
+
+Not your gaoler then ,
+But your kind hostess . Come , I'll question you
+Of my lord's tricks and yours when you were boys :
+You were pretty lordings then .
+
+We were , fair queen ,
+Two lads that thought there was no more behind
+But such a day to-morrow as to-day ,
+And to be boy eternal .
+
+Was not my lord the verier wag o' the two ?
+
+We were as twinn'd lambs that did frisk i' the sun ,
+And bleat the one at the other : what we chang'd
+Was innocence for innocence ; we knew not
+The doctrine of ill-doing , no nor dream'd
+That any did . Had we pursu'd that life ,
+And our weak spirits ne'er been higher rear'd
+With stronger blood , we should have answer'd heaven
+Boldly , 'not guilty ;' the imposition clear'd
+Hereditary ours .
+
+By this we gather
+You have tripp'd since .
+
+O ! my most sacred lady ,
+Temptations have since then been born to's ; for
+In those unfledg'd days was my wife a girl ;
+Your precious self had then not cross'd the eyes
+Of my young playfellow .
+
+Grace to boot !
+Of this make no conclusion , lest you say
+Your queen and I are devils ; yet , go on :
+The offences we have made you do we'll answer ;
+If you first sinn'd with us , and that with us
+You did continue fault , and that you slipp'd not
+With any but with us .
+
+Is he won yet ?
+
+He'll stay , my lord .
+
+At my request he would not .
+Hermione , my dearest , thou never spok'st
+To better purpose .
+
+Never ?
+
+Never , but once .
+
+What ! have I twice said well ? when was't before ?
+I prithee tell me ; cram's with praise , and make's
+As fat as tame things : one good deed , dying tongueless ,
+Slaughters a thousand waiting upon that .
+Our praises are our wages : you may ride's
+With one soft kiss a thousand furlongs ere
+With spur we heat an acre . But to the goal :
+My last good deed was to entreat his stay :
+What was my first ? it has an elder sister ,
+Or I mistake you : O ! would her name were Grace .
+But once before I spoke to the purpose : when ?
+Nay , let me have't ; I long .
+
+Why , that was when
+Three crabbed months had sour'd themselves to death ,
+Ere I could make thee open thy white hand
+And clap thyself my love : then didst thou utter ,
+'I am yours for ever .'
+
+'Tis grace indeed .
+Why , lo you now , I have spoke to the purpose twice :
+The one for ever earn'd a royal husband ,
+The other for some while a friend .
+
+
+Too hot , too hot !
+To mingle friendship far is mingling bloods .
+I have tremor cordis on me : my heart dances ;
+But not for joy ; not joy . This entertainment
+May a free face put on , derive a liberty
+From heartiness , from bounty , fertile bosom ,
+And well become the agent :'t may I grant :
+But to be paddling palms and pinching fingers ,
+As now they are , and making practis'd smiles ,
+As in a looking-glass ; and then to sigh , as 'twere
+The mort o' the deer ; O ! that is entertainment
+My bosom likes not , nor my brows . Mamillius ,
+Art thou my boy ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+I' fecks ?
+Why , that's my bawcock . What ! hast smutch'd thy nose ?
+They say it is a copy out of mine . Come , captain ,
+We must be neat ; not neat , but cleanly , captain :
+And yet the steer , the heifer , and the calf ,
+Are all call'd neat . Still virginalling
+Upon his palm ! How now , you wanton calf !
+Art thou my calf ?
+
+Yes , if you will , my lord .
+
+Thou want'st a rough pash and the shoots that I have ,
+To be full like me : yet they say we are
+Almost as like as eggs ; women say so ,
+That will say anything : but were they false
+As o'er-dy'd blacks , as wind , as waters , false
+As dice are to be wish'd by one that fixes
+No bourn 'twixt his and mine , yet were it true
+To say this boy were like me . Come , sir page ,
+Look on me with your wolkin eye : sweet villain !
+Most dear'st ! my collop ! Can thy dam ?may't be ?
+Affection ! thy intention stabs the centre :
+Thou dost make possible things not so held ,
+Communicat'st with dreams ;how can this be ?
+With what's unreal thou co-active art ,
+And fellow'st nothing : then , 'tis very credent
+Thou mayst co-join with something ; and thou dost ,
+And that beyond commission , and I find it ,
+And that to the infection of my brains
+And hardening of my brows .
+
+What means Sicilia ?
+
+He something seems unsettled .
+
+How , my lord !
+What cheer ? how is't with you , best brother ?
+
+You look
+As if you held a brow of much distraction :
+Are you mov'd , my lord ?
+
+No , in good earnest .
+How sometimes nature will betray its folly ,
+Its tenderness , and make itself a pastime
+To harder bosoms ! Looking on the lines
+Of my boy's face , methoughts I did recoil
+Twenty-three years , and saw myself unbreech'd ,
+In my green velvet coat , my dagger muzzled ,
+Lest it should bite its master , and so prove ,
+As ornaments oft do , too dangerous :
+How like , methought , I then was to this kernel ,
+This squash , this gentleman . Mine honest friend ,
+Will you take eggs for money ?
+
+No , my lord , I'll fight .
+
+You will ? why , happy man be his dole ! My brother ,
+Are you so fond of your young prince as we
+Do seem to be of ours ?
+
+If at home , sir ,
+He's all my exercise , my mirth , my matter ,
+Now my sworn friend and then mine enemy ;
+My parasite , my soldier , statesman , all :
+He makes a July's day short as December ,
+And with his varying childness cures in me
+Thoughts that would thick my blood .
+
+So stands this squire
+Offic'd with me . We two will walk , my lord ,
+And leave you to your graver steps . Hermione ,
+How thou lov'st us , show in our brother's welcome :
+Let what is dear in Sicily be cheap :
+Next to thyself and my young rover , he's
+Apparent to my heart .
+
+If you would seek us ,
+We are yours i' the garden : shall's attend you there ?
+
+To your own bents dispose you : you'll be found ,
+Be you beneath the sky .
+
+I am angling now ,
+Though you perceive me not how I give line .
+Go to , go to !
+How she holds up the neb , the bill to him !
+And arms her with the boldness of a wife
+To her allowing husband !
+
+Gone already !
+Inch-thick , knee-deep , o'er head and ears a fork'd one !
+Go play , boy , play ; thy mother plays , and I
+Play too , but so disgrac'd a part , whose issue
+Will hiss me to my grave : contempt and clamour
+Will be my knell . Go play , boy , play . There have been ,
+Or I am much deceiv'd , cuckolds ere now ;
+And many a man there is even at this present ,
+Now , while I speak this , holds his wife by the arm ,
+That little thinks she has been sluic'd in's absence ,
+And his pond fish'd by his next neighbour , by
+Sir Smile , his neighbour : nay , there's comfort in't ,
+Whiles other men have gates , and those gates open'd ,
+As mine , against their will . Should all despair
+That have revolted wives the tenth of mankind
+Would hang themselves . Physic for't there is none ;
+It is a bawdy planet , that will strike
+Where 'tis predominant ; and 'tis powerful , think it ,
+From east , west , north , and south : be it concluded ,
+No barricado for a belly : know't ;
+It will let in and out the enemy
+With bag and baggage . Many a thousand on's
+Have the disease , and feel't not . How now , boy !
+
+I am like you , they say .
+
+Why , that's some comfort .
+What ! Camillo there ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+Go play , Mamillius ; thou'rt an honest man .
+
+Camillo , this great sir will yet stay longer .
+
+You had much ado to make his anchor hold :
+When you cast out , it still came home .
+
+Didst note it ?
+
+He would not stay at your petitions ; made
+His business more material .
+
+Didst perceive it ?
+
+
+They're here with me already , whispering , rounding
+'Sicilia is a so-forth .' 'Tis far gone ,
+When I shall gust it last . How came't , Camillo ,
+That he did stay ?
+
+At the good queen's entreaty .
+
+At the queen's , be't : 'good' should be pertinent ;
+But so it is , it is not . Was this taken
+By any understanding pate but thine ?
+For thy conceit is soaking ; will draw in
+More than the common blocks : not noted , is't ,
+But of the finer natures ? by some severals
+Of head-piece extraordinary ? lower messes
+Perchance are to this business purblind ? say .
+
+Business , my lord ! I think most understand
+Bohemia stays here longer .
+
+Ha !
+
+Stays here longer .
+
+Ay , but why ?
+
+To satisfy your highness and the entreaties
+Of our most gracious mistress .
+
+Satisfy !
+The entreaties of your mistress ! satisfy !
+Let that suffice . I have trusted thee , Camillo ,
+With all the nearest things to my heart , as well
+My chamber-councils , wherein , priest-like , thou
+Hast cleans'd my bosom : I from thee departed
+Thy penitent reform'd ; but we have been
+Deceiv'd in thy integrity , deceiv'd
+In that which seems so .
+
+Be it forbid , my lord !
+
+To bide upon 't , thou art not honest ; or ,
+If thou inclin'st that way , thou art a coward ,
+Which hoxes honesty behind , restraining
+From course requir'd ; or else thou must be counted
+A servant grafted in my serious trust ,
+And therein negligent ; or else a fool
+That seest a game play'd home , the rich stake drawn ,
+And tak'st it all for jest .
+
+My gracious lord ,
+I may be negligent , foolish , and fearful ;
+In every one of these no man is free ,
+But that his negligence , his folly , fear ,
+Among the infinite doings of the world ,
+Sometime puts forth . In your affairs , my lord ,
+If ever I were wilful-negligent ,
+It was my folly ; if industriously
+I play'd the fool , it was my negligence ,
+Not weighing well the end ; if ever fearful
+To do a thing , where I the issue doubted ,
+Whereof the execution did cry out
+Against the non-performance , 'twas a fear
+Which oft infects the wisest : these , my lord ,
+Are such allow'd infirmities that honesty
+Is never free of : but , beseech your Grace ,
+Be plainer with me ; let me know my trespass
+By its own visage ; if I then deny it ,
+'Tis none of mine .
+
+Ha' not you seen , Camillo ,
+But that's past doubt ; you have , or your eyeglass
+Is thicker than a cuckold's horn ,or heard ,
+For to a vision so apparent rumour
+Cannot be mute ,or thought ,for cogitation
+Resides not in that man that does not think ,
+My wife is slippery ? If thou wilt confess ,
+Or else be impudently negative ,
+To have nor eyes , nor ears , nor thought ,then say
+My wife's a hobby-horse ; deserves a name
+As rank as any flax-wench that puts to
+Before her troth-plight : say't and justify't .
+
+I would not be a stander-by , to hear
+My sovereign mistress clouded so , without
+My present vengeance taken : 'shrew my heart ,
+You never spoke what did become you less
+Than this ; which to reiterate were sin
+As deep as that , though true .
+
+Is whispering nothing ?
+Is leaning cheek to cheek ? is meeting noses ?
+Kissing with inside lip ? stopping the career
+Of laughter with a sigh ?a note infallible
+Of breaking honesty ,horsing foot on foot ?
+Skulking in corners ? wishing clocks more swift ?
+Hours , minutes ? noon , midnight ? and all eyes
+Blind with the pin and web but theirs , theirs only ,
+That would unseen be wicked ? is this nothing ?
+Why , then the world and all that's in't is nothing ;
+The covering sky is nothing ; Bohemia nothing ;
+My wife is nothing ; nor nothing have these nothings ,
+If this be nothing .
+
+Good my lord , be cur'd
+Of this diseas'd opinion , and betimes ;
+For 'tis most dangerous .
+
+Say it be , 'tis true .
+
+No , no , my lord .
+
+It is ; you lie , you lie :
+I say thou liest , Camillo , and I hate thee ;
+Pronounce thee a gross lout , a mindless slave ,
+Or else a hovering temporizer , that
+Canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil ,
+Inclining to them both : were my wife's liver
+Infected as her life , she would not live
+The running of one glass .
+
+Who does infect her ?
+
+Why , he that wears her like her medal , hanging
+About his neck , Bohemia : who , if I
+Had servants true about me , that bare eyes
+To see alike mine honour as their profits ,
+Their own particular thrifts , they would do that
+Which should undo more doing : ay , and thou ,
+His cup-bearer ,whom I from meaner form
+Have bench'd and rear'd to worship , who mayst see
+Plainly , as heaven sees earth , and earth sees heaven ,
+How I am galled ,mightst bespice a cup ,
+To give mine enemy a lasting wink ;
+Which draught to me were cordial .
+
+Sir , my lord ,
+I could do this , and that with no rash potion ,
+But with a lingering dram that should not work
+Maliciously like poison : but I cannot
+Believe this crack to be in my dread mistress ,
+So sovereingly being honourable :
+I have lov'd thee ,
+
+Make that thy question , and go rot !
+Dost think I am so muddy , so unsettled ,
+To appoint myself in this vexation ; sully
+The purity and whiteness of my sheets ,
+Which to preserve is sleep ; which being spotted
+Is goads , thorns , nettles , tails of wasps ?
+Give scandal to the blood o' the prince my son ,
+Who I do think is mine , and love as mine ,
+Without ripe moving to't ? Would I do this ?
+Could man so blench ?
+
+I must believe you , sir :
+I do ; and will fetch off Bohemia for't ;
+Provided that when he's remov'd , your highness
+Will take again your queen as yours at first ,
+Even for your son's sake ; and thereby for sealing
+The injury of tongues in courts and kingdoms
+Known and allied to yours .
+
+Thou dost advise me
+Even so as I mine own course have set down :
+I'll give no blemish to her honour , none .
+
+My lord ,
+Go then ; and with a countenance as clear
+As friendship wears at feasts , keep with Bohemia ,
+And with your queen . I am his cupbearer ;
+If from me he have wholesome beverage ,
+Account me not your servant .
+
+This is all :
+Do't , and thou hast the one half of my heart ;
+Do't not , thou split'st thine own .
+
+I'll do't , my lord .
+
+I will seem friendly , as thou hast advis'd me .
+
+
+O miserable lady ! But , for me ,
+What case stand I in ? I must be the poisoner
+Of good Polixenes ; and my ground to do't
+Is the obedience to a master ; one
+Who , in rebellion with himself will have
+All that are his so too . To do this deed
+Promotion follows . If I could find example
+Of thousands that had struck anointed kings ,
+And flourish'd after , I'd not do't ; but since
+Nor brass nor stone nor parchment bears not one ,
+Let villany itself forswear't . I must
+Forsake the court : to do't , or no , is certain
+To me a break-neck . Happy star reign now !
+Here comes Bohemia .
+
+
+This is strange : methinks
+My favour here begins to warp . Not speak ?
+Good day , Camillo .
+
+Hail , most royal sir !
+
+What is the news i' the court ?
+
+None rare , my lord .
+
+The king hath on him such a countenance
+As he had lost some province and a region
+Lov'd as he loves himself : even now I met him
+With customary compliment , when he ,
+Wafting his eyes , to the contrary , and falling
+A lip of much contempt , speeds from me and
+So leaves me to consider what is breeding
+That changes thus his manners .
+
+I dare not know , my lord .
+
+How ! dare not ! do not ! Do you know , and dare not
+Be intelligent to me ? 'Tis thereabouts :
+For , to yourself , what you do know , you must ,
+And cannot say you dare not . Good Camillo ,
+Your chang'd complexions are to me a mirror
+Which shows me mine chang'd too ; for I must be
+A party in this alteration , finding
+Myself thus alter'd with't .
+
+There is a sickness
+Which puts some of us in distemper ; but
+I cannot name the disease , and it is caught
+Of you that yet are well .
+
+How ! caught of me ?
+Make me not sighted like the basilisk :
+I have look'd on thousands , who have sped the better
+By my regard , but kill'd none so . Camillo ,
+As you are certainly a gentleman , thereto
+Clerk-like experienc'd , which no less adorns
+Our gentry than our parents' noble names ,
+In whose success we are gentle ,I beseech you ,
+If you know aught which does behove my knowledge
+Thereof to be inform'd , imprison it not
+In ignorant concealment .
+
+I may not answer .
+
+A sickness caught of me , and yet I well !
+I must be answer'd . Dost thou hear , Camillo ;
+I conjure thee , by all the parts of man
+Which honour does acknowledge ,whereof the least
+Is not this suit of mine ,that thou declare
+What incidency thou dost guess of harm
+Is creeping toward me ; how far off , how near ;
+Which way to be prevented if to be ;
+If not , how best to bear it .
+
+Sir , I will tell you ;
+Since I am charg'd in honour and by him
+That I think honourable . Therefore mark my counsel ,
+Which must be even as swiftly follow'd as
+I mean to utter it , or both yourself and me
+Cry 'lost ,' and so good night !
+
+On , good Camillo .
+
+I am appointed him to murder you .
+
+By whom , Camillo ?
+
+By the king .
+
+For what ?
+
+He thinks , nay , with all confidence he swears ,
+As he had seen't or been an instrument
+To vice you to't , that you have touch'd his queen
+Forbiddenly .
+
+O , then my best blood turn
+To an infected jelly , and my name
+Be yok'd with his that did betray the Best !
+Turn then my freshest reputation to
+A savour , that may strike the dullest nostril
+Where I arrive ; and my approach be shunn'd ,
+Nay , hated too , worse than the great'st infection
+That e'er was heard or read !
+
+Swear his thought over
+By each particular star in heaven and
+By all their influences , you may as well
+Forbid the sea for to obey the moon
+As or by oath remove or counsel shake
+The fabric of his folly , whose foundation
+Is pil'd upon his faith , and will continue
+The standing of his body .
+
+How should this grow ?
+
+I know not : but I am sure 'tis safer to
+Avoid what's grown than question how 'tis born .
+If therefore you dare trust my honesty ,
+That lies enclosed in this trunk , which you
+Shall bear along impawn'd , away to-night !
+Your followers I will whisper to the business ,
+And will by twos and threes at several posterns
+Clear them o'the city . For myself , I'll put
+My fortunes to your service , which are here
+By this discovery lost . Be not uncertain ;
+For , by the honour of my parents , I
+Have utter'd truth , which , if you seek to prove ,
+I dare not stand by ; nor shall you be safer
+Than one condemn'd by the king's own mouth , thereon
+His execution sworn .
+
+I do believe thee :
+I saw his heart in's face . Give me thy hand :
+Be pilot to me and thy places shall
+Still neighbour mine . My ships are ready and
+My people did expect my hence departure
+Two days ago . This jealousy
+Is for a precious creature : as she's rare
+Must it be great , and , as his person's mighty
+Must it be violent , and , as he does conceive
+He is dishonour'd by a man which ever
+Profess'd to him , why , his revenges must
+In that be made more bitter . Fear o'ershades me :
+Good expedition be my friend , and comfort
+The gracious queen , part of his theme , but nothing
+Of his ill-ta'en suspicion ! Come . Camillo ;
+I will respect thee as a father if
+Thou bear'st my life off hence : let us avoid .
+
+It is in mine authority to command
+The keys of all the posterns : please your highness
+To take the urgent hour . Come , sir , away !
+
+Take the boy to you : he so troubles me , 'Tis past enduring .
+
+Come , my gracious lord , Shall I be your playfellow ?
+
+No , I'll none of you .
+
+Why , my sweet lord ?
+
+You'll kiss me hard and speak to me as if
+I were a baby still . I love you better .
+
+And why so , my lord ?
+
+Not for because
+Your brows are blacker ; yet black brows , they say ,
+Become some women best , so that there be not
+Too much hair there , but in a semicircle ,
+Or a half-moon made with a pen .
+
+Who taught you this ?
+
+I learn'd it out of women's faces . Pray now ,
+What colour are your eyebrows ?
+
+Blue , my lord .
+
+Nay , that's a mock : I have seen a lady's nose
+That has been blue , but not her eyebrows .
+
+Hark ye ;
+The queen your mother rounds apace : we shall
+Present our services to a fine new prince
+One of these days ; and then you'd wanton with us ,
+If we would have you .
+
+She is spread of late
+Into a goodly bulk : good time encounter her !
+
+What wisdom stirs amongst you ? Come sir , now
+I am for you again : pray you , sit by us ,
+And tell's a tale .
+
+Merry or sad shall't be ?
+
+As merry as you will .
+
+A sad tale's best for winter .
+I have one of sprites and goblins .
+
+Let's have that , good sir .
+Come on , sit down : come on , and do your best
+To fright me with your sprites ; you're powerful at it .
+
+There was a man ,
+
+Nay , come , sit down ; then on .
+
+Dwelt by a churchyard . I will tell it softly ;
+Yond crickets shall not hear it .
+
+Come on then ,
+And give't me in mine ear .
+
+
+Was he met there ? his train ? Camillo with him ?
+
+Behind the tuft of pines I met them : never
+Saw I men scour so on their way : I ey'd them
+Even to their ships
+
+How blest am I
+In my just censure , in my true opinion !
+Alack , for lesser knowledge ! How accurs'd
+In being so blest ! There may be in the cup
+A spider steep'd , and one may drink , depart ,
+And yet partake no venom , for his knowledge
+Is not infected ; but if one present
+The abhorr'd ingredient to his eye , make known
+How he hath drunk , he cracks his gorge , his sides ,
+With violent hefts . I have drunk , and seen the spider .
+Camillo was his help in this , his pandar :
+There is a plot against my life , my crown ;
+All's true that is mistrusted : that false villain
+Whom I employ'd was pre-employ'd by him :
+He has discover'd my design , and I
+Remain a pinch'd thing ; yea , a very trick
+For them to play at will . How came the posterns
+So easily open ?
+
+By his great authority ;
+Which often hath no less prevail'd than so
+On your command .
+
+I know't too well .
+
+
+Give me the boy : I am glad you did not nurse him :
+Though he does bear some signs of me , yet you
+Have too much blood in him .
+
+What is this ? sport ?
+
+Bear the boy hence ; he shall not come about her ;
+Away with him !
+
+and let her sport herself
+With that she's big with ; for 'tis Polixenes
+Has made thee swell thus .
+
+But I'd say he had not ,
+And I'll be sworn you would believe my saying ,
+Howe'er you lean to the nayward .
+
+You , my lords ,
+Look on her , mark her well ; be but about
+To say , 'she is a goodly lady ,' and
+The justice of your hearts will thereto add
+''Tis pity she's not honest , honourable :'
+Praise her but for this her without-door form ,
+Which , on my faith deserves high speech ,and straight
+The shrug , the hum or ha , these petty brands
+That calumny doth use ,O , I am out !
+That mercy does , for calumny will sear
+Virtue itself : these shrugs , these hums and ha's ,
+When you have said 'she's goodly ,' come between ,
+Ere you can say 'she's honest .' But be't known ,
+From him that has most cause to grieve it should be ,
+She's an adulteress .
+
+Should a villain say so ,
+The most replenish'd villain in the world ,
+He were as much more villain : you , my lord ,
+Do but mistake .
+
+You have mistook , my lady ,
+Polixenes for Leontes . O thou thing !
+Which I'll not call a creature of thy place ,
+Lest barbarism , making me the precedent ,
+Should a like language use to all degrees ,
+And mannerly distinguishment leave out
+Betwixt the prince and beggar : I have said
+She's an adulteress ; I have said with whom :
+More , she's a traitor , and Camillo is
+A federary with her , and one that knows
+What she should shame to know herself
+But with her most vile principal , that she's
+A bed-swerver , even as bad as those
+That vulgars give bold'st titles ; ay , and privy
+To this their late escape .
+
+No , by my life ,
+Privy to none of this . How will this grieve you
+When you shall come to clearer knowledge that
+You thus have publish'd me ! Gentle my lord ,
+You scarce can right me throughly then to say
+You did mistake .
+
+No ; if I mistake
+In those foundations which I build upon ,
+The centre is not big enough to bear
+A schoolboy's top . Away with her to prison !
+He who shall speak for her is afar off guilty
+But that he speaks .
+
+There's some ill planet reigns :
+I must be patient till the heavens look
+With an aspect more favourable . Good my lords ,
+I am not prone to weeping , as our sex
+Commonly are ; the want of which vain dew
+Perchance shall dry your pities ; but I have
+That honourable grief lodg'd here which burns
+Worse than tears drown . Beseech you all , my lords ,
+With thoughts so qualified as your charities
+Shall best instruct you , measure me ; and so
+The king's will be perform'd !
+
+Shall I be heard ?
+
+Who is't that goes with me ? Beseech your highness ,
+My women may be with me ; for you see
+My plight requires it . Do not weep , good fools ;
+There is no cause : when you shall know your mistress
+Has deserv'd prison , then abound in tears
+As I come out : this action I now go on
+Is for my better grace . Adieu , my lord :
+I never wish'd to see you sorry ; now
+I trust I shall . My women , come ; you have leave .
+
+Go , do our bidding : hence !
+
+
+Beseech your highness call the queen again .
+
+Be certain what you do , sir , lest your justice
+Prove violence : in the which three great ones suffer ,
+Yourself , your queen , your son .
+
+For her , my lord ,
+I dare my life lay down , and will do't , sir ,
+Please you to accept it ,that the queen is spotless
+I' the eyes of heaven and to you : I mean ,
+In this which you accuse her .
+
+If it prove
+She's otherwise , I'll keep my stables where
+I lodge my wife ; I'll go in couples with her ;
+Than when I feel and see her no further trust her ;
+For every inch of woman in the world ,
+Ay , every dram of woman's flesh is false ,
+If she be .
+
+Hold your peaces !
+
+Good my lord ,
+
+It is for you we speak , not for ourselves .
+You are abus'd , and by some putter-on
+That will be damn'd for't ; would I knew the villain ,
+I would land-damn him . Be she honour-flaw'd ,
+I have three daughters ; the eldest is eleven ,
+The second and the third , nine and some five ;
+If this prove true , they'll pay for't : by mine honour ,
+I'll geld them all ; fourteen they shall not see ,
+To bring false generations : they are co-heirs ;
+And I had rather glib myself than they
+Should not produce fair issue .
+
+Cease ! no more .
+You smell this business with a sense as cold
+As is a dead man's nose ; but I do see't and feel't ,
+As you feel doing thus , and see withal
+The instruments that feel .
+
+If it be so ,
+We need no grave to bury honesty :
+There's not a grain of it the face to sweeten
+Of the whole dungy earth .
+
+What ! lack I credit ?
+
+I had rather you did lack than I , my lord ,
+Upon this ground ; and more it would content me
+To have her honour true than your suspicion ,
+Be blam'd for't how you might .
+
+Why , what need we
+Commune with you of this , but rather follow
+Our forceful instigation ? Our prerogative
+Calls not your counsels , but our natural goodness
+Imparts this ; which if you ,or stupified
+Or seeming so in skill ,cannot or will not
+Relish a truth like us , inform yourselves
+We need no more of your advice : the matter ,
+The loss , the gain , the ordering on't , is all
+Properly ours .
+
+And I wish , my liege ,
+You had only in your silent judgment tried it ,
+Without more overture .
+
+How could that be ?
+Either thou art most ignorant by age ,
+Or thou wert born a fool . Camillo's flight ,
+Added to their familiarity ,
+Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture ,
+That lack'd sight only , nought for approbation
+But only seeing , all other circumstances
+Made up to the deed , doth push on this proceeding :
+Yet , for a greater confirmation ,
+For in an act of this importance 'twere
+Most piteous to be wild ,I have dispatch'd in post
+To sacred Delphos , to Apollo's temple ,
+Cleomenes and Dion , whom you know
+Of stuff'd sufficiency . Now , from the oracle
+They will bring all ; whose spiritual counsel had ,
+Shall stop or spur me . Have I done well ?
+
+Well done , my lord .
+
+Though I am satisfied and need no more
+Than what I know , yet shall the oracle
+Give rest to the minds of others , such as he
+Whose ignorant credulity will not
+Come up to the truth . So have we thought it good
+From our free person she should be confin'd ,
+Lest that the treachery of the two fled hence
+Be left her to perform . Come , follow us :
+We are to speak in public ; for this business
+Will raise us all .
+
+To laughter , as I take it ,
+If the good truth were known .
+
+
+The keeper of the prison , call to him ;
+Let him have knowledge who I am .
+
+Good lady ,
+No court in Europe is too good for thee ;
+What dost thou then in prison ?
+
+
+Now , good sir ,
+
+You know me , do you not ?
+
+For a worthy lady
+And one whom much I honour .
+
+Pray you then ,
+Conduct me to the queen .
+
+I may not , madam : to the contrary
+I have express commandment .
+
+Here's ado ,
+To lock up honesty and honour from
+The access of gentle visitors ! Is't lawful , pray you ,
+To see her women ? any of them ? Emilia ?
+
+So please you , madam ,
+To put apart these your attendants , I
+Shall bring Emilia forth .
+
+I pray now , call her .
+Withdraw yourselves .
+
+
+And , madam ,
+I must be present at your conference .
+
+Well , be't so , prithee .
+
+Here's such ado to make no stain a stain ,
+As passes colouring .
+
+
+Dear gentlewoman ,
+
+How fares our gracious lady ?
+
+As well as one so great and so forlorn
+May hold together . On her frights and griefs ,
+Which never tender lady hath borne greater ,
+She is something before her time deliver'd .
+
+A boy ?
+
+A daughter ; and a goodly babe ,
+Lusty and like to live : the queen receives
+Much comfort in't ; says , 'My poor prisoner ,
+I am innocent as you .'
+
+I dare be sworn :
+These dangerous unsafe lunes i' the king , beshrew them !
+He must be told on't , and he shall : the office
+Becomes a woman best ; I'll take't upon me .
+If I prove honey-mouth'd , let my tongue blister ,
+And never to my red-look'd anger be
+The trumpet any more . Pray you , Emilia ,
+Commend my best obedience to the queen :
+If she dares trust me with her little babe ,
+I'll show it to the king and undertake to be
+Her advocate to the loud'st . We do not know
+How he may soften at the sight of the child :
+The silence often of pure innocence
+Persuades when speaking fails .
+
+Most worthy madam ,
+Your honour and your goodness is so evident
+That your free undertaking cannot miss
+A thriving issue : there is no lady living
+So meet for this great errand . Please your ladyship
+To visit the next room , I'll presently
+Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer ,
+Who but to-day hammer'd of this design ,
+But durst not tempt a minister of honour ,
+Lest she should be denied .
+
+Tell her , Emilia ,
+I'll use that tongue I have : if wit flow from't
+As boldness from my bosom , let it not be doubted
+I shall do good .
+
+Now be you blest for it !
+I'll to the queen . Please you , come something nearer .
+
+Madam , if't please the queen to send the babe ,
+I know not what I shall incur to pass it ,
+Having no warrant .
+
+You need not fear it , sir :
+The child was prisoner to the womb , and is
+By law and process of great nature thence
+Freed and enfranchis'd ; not a party to
+The anger of the king , nor guilty of ,
+If any be , the trespass of the queen .
+
+I do believe it .
+
+Do not you fear : upon mine honour , I
+Will stand betwixt you and danger .
+
+
+Nor night , nor day , no rest ; it is but weakness
+To bear the matter thus ; mere weakness . If
+The cause were not in being ,part o' the cause ,
+She the adultress ; for the harlot king
+Is quite beyond mine arm , out of the blank
+And level of my brain , plot-proof ; but she
+I can hook to me : say , that she were gone ,
+Given to the fire , a moiety of my rest
+Might come to me again . Who's there ?
+
+My lord ?
+
+How does the boy ?
+
+He took good rest to-night ;
+'Tis hop'd his sickness is discharg'd .
+
+To see his nobleness !
+Conceiving the dishonour of his mother ,
+He straight declin'd , droop'd , took it deeply ,
+Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himself ,
+Threw off his spirit , his appetite , his sleep ,
+And downright languish'd . Leave me solely : go ,
+See how he fares .
+
+Fie , fie ! no thought of him ;
+The very thought of my revenges that way
+Recoil upon me : in himself too mighty ,
+And in his parties , his alliance ; let him be
+Until a time may serve : for present vengeance ,
+Take it on her . Camillo and Polixenes
+Laugh at me ; make their pastime at my sorrow :
+They should not laugh , if I could reach them , nor
+Shall she within my power .
+
+
+You must not enter .
+
+Nay , rather , good my lords , be second to me :
+Fear you his tyrannous passion more , alas ,
+Than the queen's life ? a gracious innocent soul ,
+More free than he is jealous .
+
+That's enough .
+
+Madam , he hath not slept to-night ; commanded
+None should come at him .
+
+Not so hot , good sir ;
+I come to bring him sleep . 'Tis such as you ,
+That creep like shadows by him and do sigh
+At each his needless heavings , such as you
+Nourish the cause of his awaking : I
+Do come with words as med'cinal as true ,
+Honest as either , to purge him of that humour
+That presses him from sleep .
+
+What noise there , ho ?
+
+No noise , my lord ; but needful conference
+About some gossips for your highness .
+
+How !
+Away with that audacious lady ! Antigonus ,
+I charg'd thee that she should not come about me :
+I knew she would .
+
+I told her so , my lord ,
+On your displeasure's peril , and on mine ,
+She should not visit you .
+
+What ! canst not rule her ?
+
+From all dishonesty he can : in this ,
+Unless he take the course that you have done ,
+Commit me for committing honour , trust it ,
+He shall not rule me .
+
+La you now ! you hear ;
+When she will take the rein I let her run ;
+But she'll not stumble .
+
+Good my liege , I come ,
+And I beseech you , hear me , who professes
+Myself your loyal servant , your physician ,
+Your most obedient counsellor , yet that dares
+Less appear so in comforting your evils
+Than such as most seem yours : I say , I come
+From your good queen .
+
+Good queen !
+
+Good queen , my lord , good queen ; I say , good queen ;
+And would by combat make her good , so were I
+A man , the worst about you .
+
+Force her hence .
+
+Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes
+First hand me : on mine own accord I'll off ;
+But first I'll do my errand . The good queen ,
+For she is good , hath brought you forth a daughter :
+Here 'tis ; commends it to your blessing .
+
+
+Out !
+A mankind witch ! Hence with her , out o' door :
+A most intelligencing bawd !
+
+Not so ;
+I am as ignorant in that as you
+In so entitling me , and no less honest
+Than you are mad ; which is enough , I'll warrant ,
+As this world goes , to pass for honest .
+
+Traitors !
+Will you not push her out ? Give her the bastard .
+
+
+Thou dotard ! thou art woman-tir'd , unroosted
+By thy dame Partlet here . Take up the bastard ;
+Take't up , I say ; give't to thy crone .
+
+For ever
+Unvenerable be thy hands , if thou
+Tak'st up the princess by that forced baseness
+Which he has put upon't !
+
+He dreads his wife .
+
+So I would you did ; then , 'twere past all doubt ,
+You'd call your children yours .
+
+A nest of traitors !
+
+I am none , by this good light .
+
+Nor I ; nor any
+But one that's here , and that's himself ; for he
+The sacred honour of himself , his queen's ,
+His hopeful son's , his babe's , betrays to slander ,
+Whose sting is sharper than the sword's ; and will not ,
+For , as the case now stands , it is a curse
+He cannot be compell'd to't ,once remove
+The root of his opinion , which is rotten
+As ever oak or stone was sound .
+
+A callat
+Of boundless tongue , who late hath beat her husband
+And now baits me ! This brat is none of mine ;
+It is the issue of Polixenes :
+Hence with it ; and , together with the dam
+Commit them to the fire !
+
+It is yours ;
+And , might we lay the old proverb to your charge ,
+'So like you , 'tis the worse .' Behold , my lords ,
+Although the print be little , the whole matter
+And copy of the father ; eye , nose , lip ,
+The trick of's frown , his forehead , nay , the valley ,
+The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek , his smiles ,
+The very mould and frame of hand , nail , finger :
+And thou , good goddess Nature , which hast made it
+So like to him that got it , if thou hast
+The ordering of the mind too , 'mongst all colours
+No yellow in't ; lest she suspect , as he does ,
+Her children not her husband's .
+
+A gross hag !
+And , lozel , thou art worthy to be hang'd ,
+That wilt not stay her tongue .
+
+Hang all the husbands
+That cannot do that feat , you'll leave yourself
+Hardly one subject .
+
+Once more , take her hence .
+
+A most unworthy and unnatural lord
+Can do no more .
+
+I'll ha' thee burn'd .
+
+I care not :
+It is a heretic that makes the fire ,
+Not she which burns in't . I'll not call you tyrant ;
+But this most cruel usage of your queen ,
+Not able to produce more accusation
+Than your own weak-hing'd fancy ,something savours
+Of tyranny , and will ignoble make you ,
+Yea , scandalous to the world .
+
+On your allegiance ,
+Out of the chamber with her ! Were I a tyrant ,
+Where were her life ? she durst not call me so
+If she did know me one . Away with her !
+
+I pray you do not push me ; I'll be gone .
+Look to your babe , my lord ; 'tis yours : Jove send her
+A better guiding spirit ! What need these hands ?
+You , that are thus so tender o'er his follies ,
+Will never do him good , not one of you .
+So , so : farewell ; we are gone .
+
+
+Thou , traitor , hast set on thy wife to this .
+My child ! away with't !even thou , that hast
+A heart so tender o'er it , take it hence
+And see it instantly consum'd with fire :
+Even thou and none but thou . Take it up straight :
+Within this hour bring me word 'tis done ,
+And by good testimony ,or I'll seize thy life ,
+With what thou else call'st thine . If thou refuse
+And wilt encounter with my wrath , say so ;
+The bastard brains with these my proper hands
+Shall I dash out . Go , take it to the fire ;
+For thou sett'st on thy wife .
+
+I did not , sir :
+These lords , my noble fellows , if they please ,
+Can clear me in't .
+
+We can , my royal liege ,
+He is not guilty of her coming hither .
+
+You are liars all .
+
+Beseech your highness , give us better credit :
+We have always truly serv'd you , and beseech you
+So to esteem of us ; and on our knees we beg ,
+As recompense of our dear services
+Past and to come , that you do change this purpose ,
+Which being so horrible , so bloody , must
+Lead on to some foul issue . We all kneel .
+
+I am a feather for each wind that blows .
+Shall I live on to see this bastard kneel
+And call me father ? Better burn it now
+Than curse it then . But , be it ; let it live :
+It shall not neither .
+
+You , sir , come you hither ;
+You that have been so tenderly officious
+With Lady Margery , your midwife there ,
+To save this bastard's life ,for 'tis a bastard ,
+So sure as thy beard's grey ,what will you adventure
+To save this brat's life ?
+
+Any thing , my lord ,
+That my ability may undergo ,
+And nobleness impose : at least , thus much :
+I'll pawn the little blood which I have left ,
+To save the innocent : any thing possible .
+
+It shall be possible . Swear by this sword
+Thou wilt perform my bidding .
+
+I will , my lord .
+
+Mark and perform it ,seest thou !for the fail
+Of any point in't shall not only be
+Death to thyself , but to thy lewd-tongu'd wife ,
+Whom for this time we pardon . We enjoin thee ,
+As thou art liegeman to us , that thou carry
+This female bastard hence ; and that thou bear it
+To some remote and desart place quite out
+Of our dominions ; and that there thou leave it ,
+Without more mercy , to its own protection ,
+And favour of the climate . As by strange fortune
+It came to us , I do in justice charge thee ,
+On thy soul's peril and thy body's torture ,
+That thou commend it strangely to some place ,
+Where chance may nurse or end it . Take it up .
+
+I swear to do this , though a present death
+Had been more merciful . Come on , poor babe :
+Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens
+To be thy nurses ! Wolves and bears , they say ,
+Casting their savageness aside have done
+Like offices of pity . Sir , be prosperous
+In more than this deed doth require ! And blessing
+Against this cruelty fight on thy side ,
+Poor thing , condemn'd to loss !
+
+
+No ; I'll not rear
+Another's issue .
+
+
+Please your highness , posts
+From those you sent to the oracle are come
+An hour since : Cleomenes and Dion ,
+Being well arriv'd from Delphos , are both landed ,
+Hasting to the court .
+
+So please you , sir , their speed
+Hath been beyond account .
+
+Twenty-three days
+They have been absent : 'tis good speed ; foretells
+The great Apollo suddenly will have
+The truth of this appear . Prepare you , lords ;
+Summon a session , that we may arraign
+Our most disloyal lady ; for , as she hath
+Been publicly accus'd , so shall she have
+A just and open trial . While she lives
+My heart will be a burden to me . Leave me ,
+And think upon my bidding .
+
+The climate's delicate , the air most sweet ,
+Fertile the isle , the temple much surpassing
+The common praise it bears .
+
+I shall report ,
+For most it caught me , the celestial habits ,
+Methinks I so should term them ,and the reverence
+Of the grave wearers . O , the sacrifice !
+How ceremonious , solemn , and unearthly
+It was i' the offering !
+
+But of all , the burst
+And the ear-deafening voice o' the oracle ,
+Kin to Jove's thunder , so surpris'd my sense ,
+That I was nothing .
+
+If the event o' the journey
+Prove as successful to the queen ,O , be't so !
+As it hath been to us rare , pleasant , speedy ,
+The time is worth the use on't .
+
+Great Apollo
+Turn all to the best ! These proclamations ,
+So forcing faults upon Hermione ,
+I little like .
+
+The violent carriage of it
+Will clear or end the business : when the oracle ,
+Thus by Apollo's great divine seal'd up ,
+Shall the contents discover , something rare
+Even then will rush to knowledge .Go :fresh horses !
+And gracious be the issue !
+
+
+This sessions , to our great grief we pronounce ,
+Even pushes 'gainst our heart : the party tried
+The daughter of a king , our wife , and one
+Of us too much belov'd . Let us be clear'd
+Of being tyrannous , since we so openly
+Proceed in justice , which shall have due course ,
+Even to the guilt or the purgation .
+Produce the prisoner .
+
+It is his highness' pleasure that the queen
+Appear in person here in court . Silence !
+
+
+Read the indictment .
+
+Hermione , queen to the worthy Leontes , King of Sicilia , thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason , in committing adultery with Polixenes , King of Bohemia , and conspiring with Camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king , thy royal husband : the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly laid open , thou , Hermione , contrary to the faith and allegiance of a true subject , didst counsel and aid them , for their better safety , to fly away by night .
+
+Since what I am to say must be but that
+Which contradicts my accusation , and
+The testimony on my part no other
+But what comes from myself , it shall scarce boot me
+To say 'Not guilty :' mine integrity
+Being counted falsehood , shall , as I express it ,
+Be so receiv'd . But thus : if powers divine
+Behold our human actions , as they do ,
+I doubt not then but innocence shall make
+False accusation blush , and tyranny
+Tremble at patience . You , my lord , best know ,
+Who least will seem to do so ,my past life
+Hath been as continent , as chaste , as true ,
+As I am now unhappy ; which is more
+Than history can pattern , though devis'd
+And play'd to take spectators . For behold me ,
+A fellow of the royal bed , which owe
+A moiety of the throne , a great king's daughter ,
+The mother to a hopeful prince , here standing
+To prate and talk for life and honour 'fore
+Who please to come and hear . For life , I prize it .
+As I weigh grief , which I would spare : for honour ,
+'Tis a derivative from me to mine ,
+And only that I stand for . I appeal
+To your own conscience , sir , before Polixenes
+Came to your court , how I was in your grace ,
+How merited to be so ; since he came ,
+With what encounter so uncurrent I
+Have strain'd , to appear thus : if one jot beyond
+The bound of honour , or in act or will
+That way inclining , harden'd be the hearts
+Of all that hear me , and my near'st of kin
+Cry fie upon my grave !
+
+I ne'er heard yet
+That any of these bolder vices wanted
+Less impudence to gainsay what they did
+Than to perform it first .
+
+That's true enough ;
+Though 'tis a saying , sir , not due to me .
+
+You will not own it .
+
+More than mistress of
+Which comes to me in name of fault , I must not
+At all acknowledge . For Polixenes ,
+With whom I am accus'd ,I do confess
+I lov'd him as in honour he requir'd ,
+With such a kind of love as might become
+A lady like me ; with a love even such ,
+So and no other , as yourself commanded :
+Which not to have done I think had been in me
+Both disobedience and ingratitude
+To you and toward your friend , whose love had spoke ,
+Even since it could speak , from an infant , freely
+That it was yours . Now , for conspiracy ,
+I know not how it tastes , though it be dish'd
+For me to try how : all I know of it
+Is that Camillo was an honest man ;
+And why he left your court , the gods themselves ,
+Wotting no more than I , are ignorant .
+
+You knew of his departure , as you know
+What you have underta'en to do in's absence .
+
+Sir ,
+You speak a language that I understand not :
+My life stands in the level of your dreams ,
+Which I'll lay down .
+
+Your actions are my dreams :
+You had a bastard by Polixenes ,
+And I but dream'd it . As you were past all shame ,
+Those of your fact are so ,so past all truth :
+Which to deny concerns more than avails ; for as
+Thy brat hath been cast out , like to itself ,
+No father owning it ,which is , indeed ,
+More criminal in thee than it ,so thou
+Shalt feel our justice , in whose easiest passage
+Look for no less than death .
+
+Sir , spare your threats :
+The bug which you would fright me with I seek .
+To me can life be no commodity :
+The crown and comfort of my life , your favour ,
+I do give lost ; for I do feel it gone ,
+But know not how it went . My second joy ,
+And first-fruits of my body , from his presence
+I am barr'd , like one infectious . My third comfort ,
+Starr'd most unluckily , is from my breast ,
+The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth ,
+Hal'd out to murder : myself on every post
+Proclaim'd a strumpet : with immodest hatred
+The child-bed privilege denied , which 'longs
+To women of all fashion : lastly , hurried
+Here to this place , i'the open air , before
+I have got strength of limit . Now , my liege ,
+Tell me what blessings I have here alive ,
+That I should fear to die ? Therefore proceed .
+But yet hear this ; mistake me not ; no life ,
+I prize it not a straw :but for mine honour ,
+Which I would free , if I shall be condemn'd
+Upon surmises , all proofs sleeping else
+But what your jealousies awake , I tell you
+'Tis rigour and not law . Your honours all ,
+I do refer me to the oracle :
+Apollo be my judge !
+
+This your request
+Is altogether just : therefore , bring forth ,
+And in Apollo's name , his oracle .
+
+
+The Emperor of Russia was my father :
+O ! that he were alive , and here beholding
+His daughter's trial ; that he did but see
+The flatness of my misery ; yet with eyes
+Of pity , not revenge !
+
+
+You here shall swear upon this sword of justice ,
+That you , Cleomenes and Dion , have
+Been both at Delphos , and from thence have brought
+This seal'd-up oracle , by the hand deliver'd
+Of great Apollo's priest , and that since then
+You have not dar'd to break the holy seal ,
+Nor read the secrets in't .
+
+All this we swear .
+
+All this we swear .
+
+Break up the seals , and read .
+
+Hermione is chaste ; Polixenes blameless ; Camillo a true subject ; Leontes a jealous tyrant ; his innocent babe truly begotten ; and the king shall live without an heir if that which is lost be not found !
+
+Now blessed be the great Apollo !
+
+Praised !
+
+Hast thou read truth ?
+
+Ay , my lord ; even so
+As it is here set down .
+
+There is no truth at all i' the oracle :
+The sessions shall proceed : this is mere falsehood .
+
+
+My lord the king , the king !
+
+What is the business ?
+
+O sir ! I shall be hated to report it :
+The prince your son , with mere conceit and fear
+Of the queen's speed , is gone .
+
+How ! gone !
+
+Is dead .
+
+Apollo's angry ; and the heavens themselves
+Do strike at my injustice .
+
+How now , there !
+
+This news is mortal to the queen : look down ,
+And see what death is doing .
+
+Take her hence :
+Her heart is but o'ercharg'd ; she will recover :
+I have too much believ'd mine own suspicion :
+Beseech you , tenderly apply to her
+Some remedies for life .
+
+Apollo , pardon
+My great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle !
+I'll reconcile me to Polixenes ,
+New woo my queen , recall the good Camillo ,
+Whom I proclaim a man of truth , of mercy ;
+For , being transported by my jealousies
+To bloody thoughts and to revenge , I chose
+Camillo for the minister to poison
+My friend Polixenes : which had been done ,
+But that the good mind of Camillo tardied
+My swift command ; though I with death and with
+Reward did threaten and encourage him ,
+Not doing it , and being done : he , most humane
+And fill'd with honour , to my kingly guest
+Unclasp'd my practice , quit his fortunes here ,
+Which you knew great , and to the certain hazard
+Of all incertainties himself commended ,
+No richer than his honour : how he glisters
+Thorough my rust ! and how his piety
+Does my deeds make the blacker !
+
+
+Woe the while !
+O , cut my lace , lest my heart , cracking it ,
+Break too !
+
+What fit is this , good lady ?
+
+What studied torments , tyrant , hast for me ?
+What wheels ? racks ? fires ? What flaying ? or what boiling
+In leads , or oils ? what old or newer torture
+Must I receive , whose every word deserves
+To taste of thy most worst ? Thy tyranny ,
+Together working with thy jealousies ,
+Fancies too weak for boys , too green and idle
+For girls of nine , O ! think what they have done ,
+And then run mad indeed , stark mad ; for all
+Thy by-gone fooleries were but spices of it .
+That thou betray'dst Polixenes , 'twas nothing ;
+That did but show thee of a fool , inconstant
+And damnable ingrateful ; nor was't much
+Thou wouldst have poison'd good Camillo's honour
+To have him kill a king ; poor trespasses ,
+More monstrous standing by : whereof I reckon
+The casting forth to crows thy baby daughter
+To be or none or little ; though a devil
+Would have shed water out of fire ere done't :
+Nor is't directly laid to thee , the death
+Of the young prince , whose honourable thoughts ,
+Thoughts high for one so tender ,cleft the heart
+That could conceive a gross and foolish sire
+Blemish'd his gracious dam : this is not , no ,
+Laid to thy answer : but the last ,O lords !
+When I have said , cry , 'woe !' the queen , the queen ,
+The sweetest , dearest creature's dead , and vengeance for't
+Not dropp'd down yet .
+
+The higher powers forbid !
+
+I say she's dead ; I'll swear't : if word nor oath
+Prevail not , go and see : if you can bring
+Tincture or lustre in her lip , her eye ,
+Heat outwardly , or breath within , I'll serve you
+As I would do the gods . But , O thou tyrant !
+Do not repent these things , for they are heavier
+Than all thy woes can stir ; therefore betake thee
+To nothing but despair . A thousand knees
+Ten thousand years together , naked , fasting ,
+Upon a barren mountain , and still winter
+In storm perpetual , could not move the gods
+To look that way thou wert .
+
+Go on , go on ;
+Thou canst not speak too much : I have deserv'd
+All tongues to talk their bitterest .
+
+Say no more :
+Howe'er the business goes , you have made fault
+I' the boldness of your speech .
+
+I am sorry for't :
+All faults I make , when I shall come to know them ,
+I do repent . Alas ! I have show'd too much
+The rashness of a woman : he is touch'd
+To the noble heart . What's gone and what's past help
+Should be past grief : do not receive affliction
+At my petition ; I beseech you , rather
+Let me be punish'd , that have minded you
+Of what you should forget . Now , good my liege ,
+Sir , royal sir , forgive a foolish woman :
+The love I bore your queen ,lo , fool again !
+I'll speak of her no more , nor of your children ;
+I'll not remember you of my own lord ,
+Who is lost too : take your patience to you ,
+And I'll say nothing .
+
+Thou didst speak but well ,
+When most the truth , which I receive much better
+Than to be pitied of thee . Prithee , bring me
+To the dead bodies of my queen and son :
+One grave shall be for both : upon them shall
+The causes of their death appear , unto
+Our shame perpetual . Once a day I'll visit
+The chapel where they lie , and tears shed there
+Shall be my recreation : so long as nature
+Will bear up with this exercise , so long
+I daily vow to use it . Come and lead me
+Unto these sorrows .
+
+
+Thou art perfect , then , our ship hath touch'd upon
+The desarts of Bohemia ?
+
+Ay , my lord ; and fear
+We have landed in ill time : the skies look grimly
+And threaten present blusters . In my conscience ,
+The heavens with that we have in hand are angry ,
+And frown upon's .
+
+Their sacred wills be done ! Go , get aboard ;
+Look to thy bark : I'll not be long before
+I call upon thee .
+
+Make your best haste , and go not
+Too far i' the land : 'tis like to be loud weather ;
+Besides , this place is famous for the creatures
+Of prey that keep upon't .
+
+Go thou away :
+I'll follow instantly .
+
+I am glad at heart
+To be so rid of the business .
+
+
+Come , poor babe :
+I have heard , but not believ'd , the spirits o' the dead
+May walk again : if such thing be , thy mother
+Appear'd to me last night , for ne'er was dream
+So like a waking . To me comes a creature ,
+Sometimes her head on one side , some another ;
+I never saw a vessel of like sorrow ,
+So fill'd , and so becoming : in pure white robes ,
+Like very sanctity , she did approach
+My cabin where I lay ; thrice bow'd before me ,
+And , gasping to begin some speech , her eyes
+Became two spouts : the fury spent , anon
+Did this break from her : 'Good Antigonus ,
+Since fate , against thy better disposition ,
+Hath made thy person for the thrower-out
+Of my poor babe , according to thine oath ,
+Places remote enough are in Bohemia ,
+There weep and leave it crying ; and , for the babe
+Is counted lost for ever , Perdita ,
+I prithee , call't : for this ungentle business ,
+Put on thee by my lord , thou ne'er shalt see
+Thy wife Paulina more :' and so , with shrieks ,
+She melted into air . Affrighted much ,
+I did in time collect myself , and thought
+This was so and no slumber . Dreams are toys ;
+Yet for this once , yea , superstitiously ,
+I will be squar'd by this . I do believe
+Hermione hath suffer'd death ; and that
+Apollo would , this being indeed the issue
+Of King Polixenes , it should here be laid ,
+Either for life or death , upon the earth
+Of its right father . Blossom , speed thee well !
+
+There lie ; and there thy character : there these ;
+
+Which may , if fortune please , both breed thee , pretty ,
+And still rest thine . The storm begins : poor wretch !
+That for thy mother's fault art thus expos'd
+To loss and what may follow . Weep I cannot ,
+But my heart bleeds , and most accurs'd am I
+To be by oath enjoin'd to this . Farewell !
+The day frowns more and more : thou art like to have
+A lullaby too rough . I never saw
+The heavens so dim by day . A savage clamour !
+Well may I get aboard ! This is the chase :
+I am gone for ever .
+
+I would there were no age between sixteen and three-and-twenty , or that youth would sleep out the rest ; for there is nothing in the between but getting wenches with child , wronging the ancientry , stealing , fighting . Hark you now ! Would any but these boiled brains of nineteen and two-and-twenty hunt this weather ? They have scared away two of my best sheep ; which I fear the wolf will sooner find than the master : if anywhere I have them , 'tis by the sea-side , browsing of ivy . Good luck , an't be thy will ! what have we here ?
+
+Mercy on's , a barne ; a very pretty barne ! A boy or a child , I wonder ? A pretty one ; a very pretty one ; sure some scape : though I am not bookish , yet I can read waiting-gentlewoman in the scape . This has been some stair-work , some trunk-work , some behind-door-work ; they were warmer that got this than the poor thing is here . I'll take it up for pity ; yet I'll tarry till my son come ; he hollaed but even now . Whoa , ho , hoa !
+
+
+Hilloa , loa !
+
+What ! art so near ? If thou'lt see a thing to talk on when thou art dead and rotten , come hither . What ailest thou , man ?
+
+I have seen two such sights by sea and by land ! but I am not to say it is a see , for it is now the sky : betwixt the firmament and it you cannot thrust a bodkin's point .
+
+Why , boy , how is it ?
+
+I would you did but see how it chafes , how it rages , how it takes up the shore ! but that's not to the point . O ! the most piteous cry of the poor souls ; sometimes to see 'em , and not to see 'em ; now the ship boring the moon with her mainmast , and anon swallowed with yest and froth , as you'd thrust a cork into a hogshead . And then for the land-service : to see how the bear tore out his shoulderbone ; how he cried to me for help and said his name was Antigonus , a nobleman . But to make an end of the ship : to see how the sea flap-dragoned it : but , first , how the poor souls roared , and the sea mocked them ; and how the poor gentleman roared , and the bear mocked him , both roaring louder than the sea or weather .
+
+Name of mercy ! when was this , boy ?
+
+Now , now ; I have not winked since I saw these sights : the men are not yet cold under water , nor the bear half dined on the gentleman : he's at it now .
+
+Would I had been by , to have helped the old man !
+
+I would you had been by the ship's side , to have helped her : there your charity would have lacked footing .
+
+Heavy matters ! heavy matters ! but look thee here , boy . Now bless thyself : thou mettest with things dying , I with things new born . Here's a sight for thee ; look thee , a bearing-cloth for a squire's child ! Look thee here : take up , take up , boy ; open't . So , let's see : it was told me , I should be rich by the fairies : this is some changeling .Open't . What's within , boy ?
+
+You're a made old man : if the sins of your youth are forgiven you , you're well to live . Gold ! all gold !
+
+This is fairy gold , boy , and 'twill prove so : up with't , keep it close : home , home , the next way . We are lucky , boy ; and to be so still , requires nothing but secrecy . Let my sheep go . Come , good boy , the next way home .
+
+Go you the next way with your findings . I'll go see if the bear be gone from the gentleman , and how much he hath eaten : they are never curst but when they are hungry . If there be any of him left , I'll bury it .
+
+That's a good deed . If thou mayst discern by that which is left of him what he is , fetch me to the sight of him .
+
+Marry , will I ; and you shall help to put him i' the ground .
+
+'Tis a lucky day , boy , and we'll do good deeds on't .
+
+I , that please some , try all , both joy and terror
+Of good and bad , that make and unfold error ,
+Now take upon me , in the name of Time ,
+To use my wings . Impute it not a crime
+To me or my swift passage , that I slide
+O'er sixteen years , and leave the growth untried
+Of that wide gap ; since it is in my power
+To o'erthrow law , and in one self-born hour
+To plant and o'erwhelm custom . Let me pass
+The same I am , ere ancient'st order was
+Or what is now receiv'd : I witness to
+The times that brought them in ; so shall I do
+To the freshest things now reigning , and make stale
+The glistering of this present , as my tale
+Now seems to it . Your patience this allowing ,
+I turn my glass and give my scene such growing
+As you had slept between . Leontes leaving ,
+The effects of his fond jealousies so grieving ,
+That he shuts up himself ,imagine me ,
+Gentle spectators , that I now may be
+In fair Bohemia ; and remember well ,
+I mention'd a son o' the king's , which Florizel
+I now name to you ; and with speed so pace
+To speak of Perdita , now grown in grace
+Equal with wondering : what of her ensues
+I list not prophesy ; but let Time's news
+Be known when 'tis brought forth . A shepherd's daughter ,
+And what to her adheres , which follows after ,
+Is th' argument of Time . Of this allow ,
+If ever you have spent time worse ere now :
+If never , yet that Time himself doth say
+He wishes earnestly you never may .
+
+I pray thee , good Camillo , be no more importunate : 'tis a sickness denying thee anything ; a death to grant this .
+
+It is fifteen years since I saw my country : though I have for the most part been aired abroad , I desire to lay my bones there . Besides , the penitent king , my master , hath sent for me ; to whose feeling sorrows I might be some allay , or I o'erween to think so , which is another spur to my departure .
+
+As thou lovest me , Camillo , wipe not out the rest of thy services by leaving me now . The need I have of thee thine own goodness hath made : better not to have had thee than thus to want thee . Thou , having made me businesses which none without thee can sufficiently manage , must either stay to execute them thyself or take away with thee the very services thou hast done ; which if I have not enough considered ,as too much I cannot ,to be more thankful to thee shall be my study , and my profit therein , the heaping friendships . Of that fatal country , Sicilia , prithee speak no more , whose very naming punishes me with the remembrance of that penitent , as thou callest him , and reconciled king , my brother ; whose loss of his most precious queen and children are even now to be afresh lamented . Say to me , when sawest thou the Prince Florizel , my son ? Kings are no less unhappy , their issue not being gracious , than they are in losing them when they have approved their virtues .
+
+Sir , it is three days since I saw the prince . What his happier affairs may be , are to me unknown ; but I have missingly noted he is of late much retired from court , and is less frequent to his princely exercises than formerly he hath appeared .
+
+I have considered so much , Camillo , and with some care ; so far , that I have eyes under my service which look upon his removedness ; from whom I have this intelligence , that he is seldom from the house of a most homely shepherd ; a man , they say , that from very nothing , and beyond the imagination of his neighbours , is grown into an unspeakable estate .
+
+I have heard , sir , of such a man , who hath a daughter of most rare note : the report of her is extended more than can be thought to begin from such a cottage .
+
+That's likewise part of my intelligence ; but I fear , the angle that plucks our son thither . Thou shalt accompany us to the place ; where we will , not appearing what we are , have some question with the shepherd ; from whose simplicity I think it not uneasy to get the cause of my son's resort thither . Prithee , be my present partner in this business , and lay aside the thoughts of Sicilia .
+
+I willingly obey your command .
+
+My best Camillo !We must disguise ourselves .
+
+When daffodils begin to peer ,
+With heigh ! the doxy , over the dale ,
+Why , then comes in the sweet o' the year ;
+For the red blood reigns in the winter's pale .
+
+
+The white sheet bleaching on the hedge ,
+With heigh ! the sweet birds , O , how they sing !
+Doth set my pugging tooth on edge ;
+For a quart of ale is a dish for a king
+
+
+The lark , that tirra-lirra chants ,
+With , heigh ! with , heigh ! the thrush and the jay ,
+Are summer songs for me and my aunts ,
+While we lie tumbling in the hay .
+
+
+I have served Prince Florizel , and in my time wore three-pile ; but now I am out of service :
+
+But shall I go mourn for that , my dear ?
+The pale moon shines by night ;
+And when I wander here and there ,
+I then do most go right .
+If tinkers may have leave to live ,
+And bear the sow-skin bowget ,
+Then my account I well may give ,
+And in the stocks avouch it
+
+My traffic is sheets ; when the kite builds , look to lesser linen . My father named me Autolycus ; who being , as I am , littered under Mercury , was likewise a snapper-up of unconsidered trifles . With die and drab I purchased this caparison , and my revenue is the silly cheat . Gallows and knock are too powerful on the highway : beating and hanging are terrors to me : for the life to come , I sleep out the thought of it . A prize ! a prize !
+
+
+Let me see : Every 'leven wether tods ; every tod yields pound and odd shilling : fifteen hundred shorn , what comes the wool to ?
+
+If the springe hold , the cock's mine .
+
+I cannot do't without compters . Let me see ; what am I to buy for our sheep-shearing feast ? 'Three pound of sugar ; five pound of currants ; rice ,' what will this sister of mine do with rice ? But my father hath made her mistress of the feast , and she lays it on . She hath made me four-and-twenty nosegays for the shearers , three-man song-men all , and very good ones ; but they are most of them means and bases : but one puritan amongst them , and he sings psalms to hornpipes . I must have saffron , to colour the warden pies ; mace , dates ,none ; that's out of my note :nutmegs seven ; a race or two of ginger ,but that I may beg ;four pound of prunes , and as many of raisins o' the sun .
+
+O ! that ever I was born !
+
+
+I' the name of me !
+
+O ! help me , help me ! pluck but off these rags , and then death , death !
+
+Alack , poor soul ! thou hast need of more rags to lay on thee , rather than have these off .
+
+O , sir ! the loathsomeness of them offends me more than the stripes I have received , which are mighty ones and millions .
+
+Alas , poor man ! a million of beating may come to a great matter .
+
+I am robbed , sir , and beaten ; my money and apparel ta'en from me , and these detestable things put upon me .
+
+What , by a horseman or a footman ?
+
+A footman , sweet sir , a footman .
+
+Indeed , he should be a footman , by the garments he hath left with thee : if this be a horseman's coat , it hath seen very hot service . Lend me thy hand , I'll help thee : come , lend me thy hand .
+
+
+O ! good sir , tenderly , O !
+
+Alas , poor soul !
+
+O ! good sir ; softly , good sir ! I fear , sir , my shoulder-blade is out .
+
+How now ! canst stand ?
+
+Softly , dear sir ;
+
+good sir , softly . You ha' done me a charitable office .
+
+Dost lack any money ? I have a little money for thee .
+
+No , good sweet sir : no , I beseech you , sir . I have a kinsman not past three-quarters of a mile hence , unto whom I was going : I shall there have money , or anything I want : offer me no money , I pray you ! that kills my heart .
+
+What manner of fellow was he that robbed you ?
+
+A fellow , sir , that I have known to go about with trol-my-dames : I knew him once a servant of the prince . I cannot tell , good sir , for which of his virtues it was , but he was certainly whipped out of the court .
+
+His vices , you would say : there's no virtue whipped out of the court : they cherish it , to make it stay there , and yet it will no more but abide .
+
+Vices , I would say , sir . I know this man well : he hath been since an ape-bearer ; then a process-server , a bailiff ; then he compassed a motion of the Prodigal Son , and married a tinker's wife within a mile where my land and living lies ; and having flown over many knavish professions , he settled only in rogue : some call him Autolycus .
+
+Out upon him ! Prig , for my life , prig : he haunts wakes , fairs , and bear-baitings .
+
+Very true , sir ; he , sir , he : that's the rogue that put me into this apparel .
+
+Not a more cowardly rogue in all Bohemia : if you had but looked big and spit at him , he'd have run .
+
+I must confess to you , sir , I am no fighter : I am false of heart that way , and that he knew , I warrant him .
+
+How do you now ?
+
+Sweet sir , much better than I was : I can stand and walk . I will even take my leave of you , and pace softly towards my kinsman's .
+
+Shall I bring thee on the way ?
+
+No , good-faced sir ; no , sweet sir .
+
+Then fare thee well : I must go buy spices for our sheep-shearing .
+
+Prosper you , sweet sir !
+
+Your purse is not hot enough to purchase your spice . I'll be with you at your sheep-shearing too . If I make not this cheat bring out another , and the shearers prove sheep , let me be unrolled , and my name put in the book of virtue .
+
+Jog on , jog on , the footpath way ,
+And merrily hent the stile-a :
+A merry heart goes all the day ,
+Your sad tares in a mile-a .
+
+These your unusual weeds to each part of you
+Do give a life : no shepherdess , but Flora
+Peering in April's front . This your sheep-shearing
+Is as a meeting of the petty gods ,
+And you the queen on't .
+
+Sir , my gracious lord ,
+To chide at your extremes it not becomes me :
+O ! pardon , that I name them . Your high self ,
+The gracious mark o' the land , you have obscur'd
+With a swain's wearing , and me , poor lowly maid ,
+Most goddess-like prank'd up . But that our feasts
+In every mess have folly , and the feeders
+Digest it with a custom , I should blush
+To see you so attired ,swoon , I think ,
+To show myself a glass .
+
+I bless the time
+When my good falcon made her flight across
+Thy father's ground .
+
+Now , Jove afford you cause !
+To me the difference forges dread ; your greatness
+Hath not been us'd to fear . Even now I tremble
+To think , your father , by some accident ,
+Should pass this way as you did . O , the Fates !
+How would he look , to see his work , so noble ,
+Vilely bound up ? What would he say ? Or how
+Should I , in these my borrow'd flaunts , behold
+The sternness of his presence ?
+
+Apprehend
+Nothing but jollity . The gods themselves ,
+Humbling their deities to love , have taken
+The shapes of beasts upon them : Jupiter
+Became a bull , and bellow'd ; the green Neptune
+A ram , and bleated ; and the fire-rob'd god ,
+Golden Apollo , a poor humble swain ,
+As I seem now . Their transformations
+Were never for a piece of beauty rarer ,
+Nor in a way so chaste , since my desires
+Run not before mine honour , nor my lusts
+Burn hotter than my faith .
+
+O ! but , sir ,
+Your resolution cannot hold , when 'tis
+Oppos'd , as it must be , by the power of the king .
+One of these two must be necessities ,
+Which then will speak , that you must change this purpose ,
+Or I my life .
+
+Thou dearest Perdita ,
+With these forc'd thoughts , I prithee , darken not
+The mirth o' the feast : or I'll be thine , my fair ,
+Or not my father's ; for I cannot be
+Mine own , nor anything to any , if
+I be not thine : to this I am most constant ,
+Though destiny say no . Be merry , gentle ;
+Strangle such thoughts as these with any thing
+That you behold the while . Your guests are coming :
+Lift up your countenance , as it were the day
+Of celebration of that nuptial which
+We two have sworn shall come .
+
+O lady Fortune ,
+Stand you auspicious !
+
+See , your guests approach :
+Address yourself to entertain them sprightly ,
+And let's be red with mirth .
+
+
+Fie , daughter ! when my old wife liv'd , upon
+This day she was both pantler , butler , cook ;
+Both dame and servant ; welcom'd all , serv'd all ,
+Would sing her song and dance her turn ; now here ,
+At upper end o' the table , now i' the middle ;
+On his shoulder , and his ; her face o' fire
+With labour and the thing she took to quench it ,
+She would to each one sip . You are retir'd ,
+As if you were a feasted one and not
+The hostess of the meeting : pray you , bid
+These unknown friends to's welcome ; for it is
+A way to make us better friends , more known .
+Come , quench your blushes and present yourself
+That which you are , mistress o' the feast : come on ,
+And bid us welcome to your sheep-shearing ,
+As your good flock shall prosper .
+
+Sir , welcome :
+It is my father's will I should take on me
+The hostess-ship o' the day :
+
+You're welcome , sir .
+Give me those flowers there , Dorcas . Reverend sirs ,
+For you there's rosemary and rue ; these keep
+Seeming and savour all the winter long :
+Grace and remembrance be to you both ,
+And welcome to our shearing !
+
+Shepherdess ,
+A fair one are you ,well you fit our ages
+With flowers of winter .
+
+Sir , the year growing ancient ,
+Not yet on summer's death , nor on the birth
+Of trembling winter , the fairest flowers o' the season
+Are our carnations , and streak'd gillyvors ,
+Which some call nature's bastards : of that kind
+Our rustic garden's barren , and I care not
+To get slips of them .
+
+Wherefore , gentle maiden ,
+Do you neglect them ?
+
+For I have heard it said
+There is an art which in their piedness shares
+With great creating nature .
+
+Say there be ;
+Yet nature is made better by no mean
+But nature makes that mean : so , over that art ,
+Which you say adds to nature , is an art
+That nature makes . You see , sweet maid , we marry
+A gentler scion to the wildest stock ,
+And make conceive a bark of baser kind
+By bud of nobler race : this is an art
+Which does mend nature , change it rather , but
+The art itself is nature .
+
+So it is .
+
+Then make your garden rich in gillyvors ,
+And do not call them bastards .
+
+I'll not put
+The dibble in earth to set one slip of them ;
+No more than , were I painted , I would wish
+This youth should say , 'twere well , and only therefore
+Desire to breed by me . Here's flowers for you ;
+Hot lavender , mints , savory , marjoram ;
+The marigold , that goes to bed wi' the sun ,
+And with him rises weeping : these are flowers
+Of middle summer , and I think they are given
+To men of middle age . You're very welcome .
+
+I should leave grazing , were I of your flock ,
+And only live by gazing .
+
+Out , alas !
+You'd be so lean , that blasts of January
+Would blow you through and through . Now , my fair'st friend ,
+I would I had some flowers o' the spring that might
+Become your time of day ; and yours , and yours ,
+That wear upon your virgin branches yet
+Your maidenheads growing : O Proserpina !
+For the flowers now that frighted thou let'st fall
+From Dis's waggon ! daffodils ,
+That come before the swallow dares , and take
+The winds of March with beauty ; violets dim ,
+But sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyes
+Or Cytherea's breath ; pale prime-roses ,
+That die unmarried , ere they can behold
+Bright Ph bus in his strength , a malady
+Most incident to maids ; bold oxlips and
+The crown imperial ; lilies of all kinds ,
+The flower-de-luce being one . O ! these I lack
+To make you garlands of , and my sweet friend ,
+To strew him o'er and o'er !
+
+What ! like a corse ?
+
+No , like a bank for love to lie and play on ;
+Not like a corse ; or if ,not to be buried ,
+But quick and in mine arms . Come , take your flowers :
+Methinks I play as I have seen them do
+In Whitsun pastorals : sure this robe of mine
+Does change my disposition .
+
+What you do
+Still betters what is done . When you speak , sweet ,
+I'd have you do it ever : when you sing ,
+I'd have you buy and sell so ; so give alms ;
+Pray so ; and , for the ordering your affairs ,
+To sing them too : when you do dance , I wish you
+A wave o' the sea , that you might ever do
+Nothing but that ; move still , still so ,
+And own no other function : each your doing ,
+So singular in each particular ,
+Crowns what you are doing in the present deed ,
+That all your acts are queens .
+
+O Doricles !
+Your praises are too large : but that your youth ,
+And the true blood which fairly peeps through it ,
+Do plainly give you out an unstain'd shepherd ,
+With wisdom I might fear , my Doricles ,
+You woo'd me the false way .
+
+I think you have
+As little skill to fear as I have purpose
+To put you to't . But , come ; our dance , I pray .
+Your hand , my Perdita : so turtles pair
+That never mean to part .
+
+I'll swear for 'em .
+
+This is the prettiest low-born lass that ever
+Ran on the green-sord : nothing she does or seems
+But smacks of something greater than herself ;
+Too noble for this place .
+
+He tells her something
+That makes her blood look out . Good sooth , she is
+The queen of curds and cream .
+
+Come on , strike up .
+
+Mopsa must be your mistress : marry , garlic ,
+To mend her kissing with .
+
+Now , in good time !
+
+Not a word , a word : we stand upon our manners .
+Come , strike up .
+
+
+Pray , good shepherd , what fair swain is this
+Which dances with your daughter ?
+
+They call him Doricles , and boasts himself
+To have a worthy feeding ; but I have it
+Upon his own report and I believe it :
+He looks like sooth . He says he loves my daughter :
+I think so too ; for never gaz'd the moon
+Upon the water as he'll stand and read
+As 'twere my daughter's eyes ; and , to be plain ,
+I think there is not half a kiss to choose
+Who loves another best .
+
+She dances featly .
+
+So she does any thing , though I report it
+That should be silent . If young Doricles
+Do light upon her , she shall bring him that
+Which he not dreams of .
+
+
+O master ! if you did but hear the pedlar at the door , you would never dance again after a tabor and pipe ; no , the bagpipe could not move you . He sings several tunes faster than you'll tell money ; he utters them as he had eaten ballads and all men's ears grew to his tunes .
+
+He could never come better : he shall come in : I love a ballad but even too well , if it be doleful matter merrily set down , or a very pleasant thing indeed and sung lamentably .
+
+He hath songs for man or woman , of all sizes ; no milliner can so fit his customers with gloves : he has the prettiest love-songs for maids ; so without bawdry , which is strange ; with such delicate burthens of dildos and fadings , 'jump her and thump her ;' and where some stretchmouthed rascal would , as it were , mean mischief and break a foul gap into the matter , he makes the maid to answer , 'Whoop , do me no harm , good man ;' puts him off , slights him with 'Whoop , do me no harm , good man .'
+
+This is a brave fellow .
+
+Believe me , thou talkest of an admirable conceited fellow . Has he any unbraided wares ?
+
+He hath ribands of all the colours i' the rainbow ; points more than all the lawyers in Bohemia can learnedly handle , though they come to him by the gross ; inkles , caddisses , cambrics , lawns : why , he sings 'em over , as they were gods or goddesses . You would think a smock were a she-angel , he so chants to the sleeve-hand and the work about the square on't .
+
+Prithee , bring him in , and let him approach singing .
+
+Forewarn him that he use no scurrilous words in's tunes .
+
+
+You have of these pedlars , that have more in them than you'd think , sister .
+
+Ay , good brother , or go about to think .
+
+Lawn as white as driven snow ;
+Cyprus black as e'er was crow ;
+Gloves as sweet as damask roses ;
+Masks for faces and for noses ;
+Bugle-bracelet , necklace-amber ,
+Perfume for a lady's chamber ;
+Golden quoifs and stomachers ,
+For my lads to give their dears ;
+Pins and poking-sticks of steel ;
+What maids lack from head to heel :
+Come buy of me , come ; come buy , come buy ;
+Buy , lads , or else your lasses cry :
+Come buy .
+
+If I were not in love with Mopsa , thou shouldst take no money of me ; but being enthralled as I am , it will also be the bondage of certain ribands and gloves .
+
+I was promised them against the feast ; but they come not too late now .
+
+He hath promised you more than that , or there be liars .
+
+He hath paid you all he promised you : may be he has paid you more , which will shame you to give him again .
+
+Is there no manners left among maids ? will they wear their plackets where they should bear their faces ? Is there not milking-time , when you are going to bed , or kiln-hole , to whistle off these secrets , but you must be tittle-tattling before all our guests ? 'Tis well they are whispering : clamour your tongues , and not a word more .
+
+I have done . Come , you promised me a tawdry lace and a pair of sweet gloves .
+
+Have I not told thee how I was cozened by the way , and lost all my money ?
+
+And indeed , sir , there are cozeners abroad ; therefore it behoves men to be wary .
+
+Fear not thou , man , thou shalt lose nothing here .
+
+I hope so , sir ; for I have about me many parcels of charge .
+
+What hast here ? ballads ?
+
+Pray now , buy some : I love a ballad in print , a-life , for then we are sure they are true .
+
+Here's one to a very doleful tune , how a usurer's wife was brought to bed of twenty money-bags at a burden ; and how she longed to eat adders' heads and toads carbonadoed .
+
+Is it true , think you ?
+
+Very true , and but a month old .
+
+Bless me from marrying a usurer !
+
+Here's the midwife's name to't , one Mistress Taleporter , and five or six honest wives' that were present . Why should I carry lies abroad ?
+
+Pray you now , buy it .
+
+Come on , lay it by : and let's first see moe ballads ; we'll buy the other things anon .
+
+Here's another ballad of a fish that appeared upon the coast on Wednesday the fourscore of April , forty thousand fathom above water , and sung this ballad against the hard hearts of maids : it was thought she was a woman and was turned into a cold fish for she would not exchange flesh with one that loved her . The ballad is very pitiful and as true .
+
+Is it true too , think you ?
+
+Five justices' hands at it , and witnesses more than my pack will hold .
+
+Lay it by too : another .
+
+This is a merry ballad , but a very pretty one .
+
+Let's have some merry ones .
+
+Why , this is a passing merry one , and goes to the tune of 'Two maids wooing a man :' there's scarce a maid westward but she sings it : 'tis in request , I can tell you .
+
+We can both sing it : if thou'lt bear a part thou shalt hear ; 'tis in three parts .
+
+We had the tune on't a month ago .
+
+I can bear my part ; you must know 'tis my occupation : have at it with you .
+
+
+Get you hence , for I must go ,
+Where it fits not you to know .
+
+Whither ?
+
+O ! whither ?
+
+Whither ?
+
+It becomes thy oath full woll ,
+Thou to me thy secrets tell .
+
+Me too : let me go thither .
+
+Or thou go'st to the grange or mill .
+
+If to either , thou dost ill .
+
+Neither .
+
+What , neither ?
+
+Neither .
+
+Thou hast sworn my love to be
+
+Thou hast sworn it more to me :
+Then whither go'st ? say whither ?
+
+
+We'll have this song out anon by ourselves : my father and the gentlemen are in sad talk , and we'll not trouble them : come , bring away thy pack after me . Wenches , I'll buy for you both . Pedlar , let's have the first choice . Follow me , girls .
+
+
+And you shall pay well for 'em .
+
+Will you buy any tape ,
+Or lace for your cape ,
+My dainty duck , my dear-a ?
+Any silk , any thread ,
+Any toys for your head ,
+Of the new'st and fin'st , fin'st wear-a ?
+Come to the pedlar ;
+Money's a meddler ,
+That doth utter all men's ware-a .
+
+
+Master , there is three carters , three shepherds , three neat-herds , three swine-herds , that have made themselves all men of hair ; they call themselves Saltiers ; and they have a dance which the wenches say is a gallimaufry of gambols , because they are not in't ; but they themselves are o' the mind ,if it be not too rough for some that know little but bowling ,it will please plentifully .
+
+Away ! we'll none on't : here has been too much homely foolery already . I know , sir , we weary you .
+
+You weary those that refresh us : pray , let's see these four threes of herdsmen .
+
+One three of them , by their own report , sir , hath danced before the king ; and not the worst of the three but jumps twelve foot and a half by the squier .
+
+Leave your prating : since these good men are pleased let them come in : but quickly now .
+
+Why , they stay at door , sir .
+
+O , father ! you'll know more of that hereafter .
+
+
+Is it not too far gone ? 'Tis time to part them .
+He's simple and tells much .
+
+How now , fair shepherd !
+Your heart is full of something that does take
+Your mind from feasting . Sooth , when I was young ,
+And handed love as you do , I was wont
+To load my she with knacks : I would have ransack'd
+The pedlar's silken treasury and have pour'd it
+To her acceptance ; you have let him go
+And nothing marted with him . If your lass
+Interpretation should abuse and call this
+Your lack of love or bounty , you were straited
+For a reply , at least if you make a care
+Of happy holding her .
+
+Old sir , I know
+She prizes not such trifles as these are .
+The gifts she looks from me are pack'd and lock'd
+Up in my heart , which I have given already ,
+But not deliver'd . O ! hear me breathe my life
+Before this ancient sir , who , it should seem ,
+Hath sometime lov'd : I take thy hand ; this hand ,
+As soft as dove's down , and as white as it ,
+Or Ethiopian's tooth , or the fann'd snow
+That's bolted by the northern blasts twice o'er .
+
+What follows this ?
+How prettily the young swain seems to wash
+The hand was fair before ! I have put you out :
+But to your protestation : let me hear
+What you profess .
+
+Do , and be witness to't .
+
+And this my neighbour too ?
+
+And he , and more
+Than he , and men , the earth , the heavens , and all ;
+That , were I crown'd the most imperial monarch ,
+Thereof most worthy , were I the fairest youth
+That ever made eye swerve , had force and knowledge
+More than was ever man's , I would not prize them
+Without her love : for her employ them all ;
+Commend them and condemn them to her service
+Or to their own perdition .
+
+Fairly offer'd .
+
+This shows a sound affection .
+
+But , my daughter ,
+Say you the like to him ?
+
+I cannot speak
+So well , nothing so well ; no , nor mean better :
+By the pattern of mine own thoughts I cut out
+The purity of his .
+
+Take hands ; a bargain ;
+And , friends unknown , you shall bear witness to't :
+I give my daughter to him , and will make
+Her portion equal his .
+
+O ! that must be
+I' the virtue of your daughter : one being dead ,
+I shall have more than you can dream of yet ;
+Enough then for your wonder . But , come on ;
+Contract us 'fore these witnesses .
+
+Come , your hand ;
+And , daughter , yours .
+
+Soft , swain , awhile , beseech you .
+Have you a father ?
+
+I have ; but what of him ?
+
+Knows he of this ?
+
+He neither does nor shall .
+
+Methinks a father
+Is , at the nuptial of his son , a guest
+That best becomes the table . Pray you , once more ,
+Is not your father grown incapable
+Of reasonable affairs ? is he not stupid
+With age and altering rheums ? can he speak ? hear ?
+Know man from man ? dispute his own estate ?
+Lies he not bed-rid ? and again does nothing
+But what he did being childish ?
+
+No , good sir :
+He has his health and ampler strength indeed
+Than most have of his age .
+
+By my white beard ,
+You offer him , if this be so , a wrong
+Something unfilial . Reason my son
+Should choose himself a wife , but as good reason
+The father ,all whose joy is nothing else
+But fair posterity ,should hold some counsel
+In such a business .
+
+I yield all this ;
+But for some other reasons , my grave sir ,
+Which 'tis not fit you know , I not acquaint
+My father of this business .
+
+Let him know't .
+
+He shall not .
+
+Prithee , let him .
+
+No , he must not .
+
+Let him , my son : he shall not need to grieve
+At knowing of thy choice .
+
+Come , come , he must not .
+Mark our contract .
+
+Mark your divorce , young sir ,
+
+Whom son I dare not call : thou art too base
+To be acknowledg'd : thou a sceptre's heir ,
+That thus affect'st a sheep-hook ! Thou old traitor ,
+I am sorry that by hanging thee I can
+But shorten thy life one week . And thou , fresh piece
+Of excellent witchcraft , who of force must know
+The royal fool thou cop'st with ,
+
+O , my heart !
+
+I'll have thy beauty scratch'd with briers , and made
+More homely than thy state . For thee , fond boy ,
+If I may ever know thou dost but sigh
+That thou no more shalt see this knack ,as never
+I mean thou shalt ,we'll bar thee from succession ;
+Not hold thee of our blood , no , not our kin ,
+Far than Deucalion off : mark thou my words :
+Follow us to the court . Thou , churl , for this time ,
+Though full of our displeasure , yet we free thee
+From the dead blow of it . And you , enchantment ,
+Worthy enough a herdsman ; yea , him too ,
+That makes himself , but for our honour therein ,
+Unworthy thee ,if ever henceforth thou
+These rural latches to his entrance open ,
+Or hoop his body more with thy embraces ,
+I will devise a death as cruel for thee
+As thou art tender to't .
+
+
+Even here undone !
+I was not much afeard ; for once or twice
+I was about to speak and tell him plainly ,
+The self-same sun that shines upon his court
+Hides not his visage from our cottage , but
+Looks on alike . Will't please you , sir , be gone ?
+I told you what would come of this : beseech you ,
+Of your own state take care : this dream of mine
+Being now awake , I'll queen it no inch further ,
+But milk my ewes and weep .
+
+Why , how now , father !
+Speak , ere thou diest .
+
+I cannot speak , nor think ,
+Nor dare to know that which I know . O sir !
+You have undone a man of fourscore three ,
+That thought to fill his grave in quiet , yea ,
+To die upon the bed my father died ,
+To lie close by his honest bones : but now
+Some hangman must put on my shroud and lay me
+Where no priest shovels in dust . O cursed wretch !
+That knew'st this was the prince , and wouldst adventure
+To mingle faith with him . Undone ! undone !
+If I might die within this hour , I have liv'd
+To die when I desire .
+
+
+Why look you so upon me ?
+I am but sorry , not afeard ; delay'd ,
+But nothing alter'd . What I was , I am :
+More straining on for plucking back ; not following
+My leash unwillingly .
+
+Gracious my lord ,
+You know your father's temper : at this time
+He will allow no speech , which I do guess
+You do not purpose to him ; and as hardly
+Will he endure your sight as yet , I fear :
+Then , till the fury of his highness settle ,
+Come not before him .
+
+I not purpose it .
+I think , Camillo ?
+
+Even he , my lord .
+
+How often have I told you 'twould be thus !
+How often said my dignity would last
+But till 'twere known !
+
+It cannot fail but by
+The violation of my faith ; and then
+Let nature crush the sides o' the earth together
+And mar the seeds within ! Lift up thy looks :
+From my succession wipe me , father ; I
+Am heir to my affection .
+
+Be advis'd .
+
+I am ; and by my fancy : if my reason
+Will thereto be obedient , I have reason ;
+If not , my senses , better pleas'd with madness ,
+Do bid it welcome .
+
+This is desperate , sir .
+
+So call it ; but it does fulfil my vow ,
+I needs must think it honesty . Camillo ,
+Not for Bohemia , nor the pomp that may
+Be thereat glean'd , for all the sun sees or
+The close earth wombs or the profound sea hides
+In unknown fathoms , will I break my oath
+To this my fair belov'd . Therefore , I pray you ,
+As you have ever been my father's honour'd friend ,
+When he shall miss me ,as , in faith , I mean not
+To see him any more ,cast your good counsels
+Upon his passion : let myself and fortune
+Tug for the time to come . This you may know
+And so deliver , I am put to sea
+With her whom here I cannot hold on shore ;
+And most opportune to our need , I have
+A vessel rides fast by , but not prepar'd
+For this design . What course I mean to hold
+Shall nothing benefit your knowledge , nor
+Concern me the reporting .
+
+O my lord !
+I would your spirit were easier for advice ,
+Or stronger for your need .
+
+Hark , Perdita .
+
+
+I'll hear you by and by .
+
+He's irremovable ,
+Resolv'd for flight . Now were I happy if
+His going I could frame to serve my turn ,
+Save him from danger , do him love and honour ,
+Purchase the sight again of dear Sicilia
+And that unhappy king , my master , whom
+I so much thirst to see .
+
+Now , good Camillo ,
+I am so fraught with curious business that
+I leave out ceremony .
+
+Sir , I think
+You have heard of my poor services , i' the love
+That I have borne your father ?
+
+Very nobly
+Have you deserv'd : it is my father's music
+To speak your deeds , not little of his care
+To have them recompens'd as thought on .
+
+Well , my lord ,
+If you may please to think I love the king
+And through him what's nearest to him , which is
+Your gracious self , embrace but my direction ,
+If your more ponderous and settled project
+May suffer alteration , on mine honour
+I'll point you where you shall have such receiving
+As shall become your highness ; where you may
+Enjoy your mistress ,from the whom , I see ,
+There's no disjunction to be made , but by ,
+As , heavens forfend ! your ruin ,marry her ;
+And with my best endeavours in your absence
+Your discontenting father strive to qualify ,
+And bring him up to liking .
+
+How , Camillo ,
+May this , almost a miracle , be done ?
+That I may call thee something more than man ,
+And , after that trust to thee .
+
+Have you thought on
+A place whereto you'll go ?
+
+Not any yet ;
+But as the unthought-on accident is guilty
+To what we wildly do , so we profess
+Ourselves to be the slaves of chance and flies
+Of every wind that blows .
+
+Then list to me :
+This follows ; if you will not change your purpose
+But undergo this flight , make for Sicilia ,
+And there present yourself and your fair princess ,
+For so , I see , she must be ,'fore Leontes ;
+She shall be habited as it becomes
+The partner of your bed . Methinks I see
+Leontes opening his free arms and weeping
+His welcomes forth ; asks thee , the son , forgiveness
+As 'twere i' the father's person ; kisses the hands
+Of your fresh princess ; o'er and o'er divides him
+'Twixt his unkindness and his kindness : the one
+He chides to hell , and bids the other grow
+Faster than thought or time .
+
+Worthy Camillo ,
+What colour for my visitation shall I
+Hold up before him ?
+
+Sent by the king your father
+To greet him and to give him comforts . Sir ,
+The manner of your bearing towards him , with
+What you as from your father shall deliver ,
+Things known betwixt us three , I'll write you down :
+The which shall point you forth at every sitting
+What you must say ; that he shall not perceive
+But that you have your father's bosom there
+And speak his very heart .
+
+I am bound to you .
+There is some sap in this .
+
+A course more promising
+Than a wild dedication of yourselves
+To unpath'd waters , undream'd shores , most certain
+To miseries enough : no hope to help you ,
+But as you shake off one to take another ;
+Nothing so certain as your anchors , who
+Do their best office , if they can but stay you
+Where you'll be loath to be . Besides , you know
+Prosperity's the very bond of love ,
+Whose fresh complexion and whose heart together
+Affliction alters .
+
+One of these is true :
+I think affliction may subdue the cheek ,
+But not take in the mind .
+
+Yea , say you so ?
+There shall not at your father's house these seven years
+Be born another such .
+
+My good Camillo ,
+She is as forward of her breeding as
+She is i' the rear o' her birth .
+
+I cannot say 'tis pity
+She lacks instructions , for she seems a mistress
+To most that teach .
+
+Your pardon , sir ; for this
+I'll blush you thanks .
+
+My prettiest Perdita !
+But O ! the thorns we stand upon . Camillo ,
+Preserver of my father , now of me ,
+The med'cine of our house , how shall we do ?
+We are not furnish'd like Bohemia's son ,
+Nor shall appear in Sicilia .
+
+My lord ,
+Fear none of this : I think you know my fortunes
+Do all lie there : it shall be so my care
+To have you royally appointed as if
+The scene you play were mine . For instance , sir ,
+That you may know you shall not want , one word .
+
+Ha , ha ! what a fool Honesty is ! and Trust , his sworn brother , a very simple gentleman ! I have sold all my trumpery : not a counterfeit stone , not a riband , glass , pomander , brooch , table-book , ballad , knife , tape , glove , shoe-tie , bracelet , horn-ring , to keep my pack from fasting : they throng who should buy first , as if my trinkets had been hallowed and brought a benediction to the buyer : by which means I saw whose purse was best in picture ; and what I saw , to my good use I remembered . My clown ,who wants but something to be a reasonable man ,grew so in love with the wenches' song that he would not stir his pettitoes till he had both tune and words ; which so drew the rest of the herd to me that all their other senses stuck in ears : you might have pinched a placket , it was senseless ; 'twas nothing to geld a codpiece of a purse ; I would have filed keys off that hung in chains : no hearing , no feeling , but my sir's song , and admiring the nothing of it ; so that , in this time of lethargy I picked and cut most of their festival purses ; and had not the old man come in with a whoo-bub against his daughter and the king's son , and scared my choughs from the chaff , I had not left a purse alive in the whole army .
+
+
+Nay , but my letters , by this means being there
+So soon as you arrive , shall clear that doubt .
+
+And those that you'll procure from King Leontes
+
+Shall satisfy your father .
+
+Happy be you !
+All that you speak shows fair .
+
+Whom have we here ?
+We'll make an instrument of this : omit
+Nothing may give us aid .
+
+If they have overheard me now , why , hanging .
+
+How now , good fellow ! Why shakest thou so ? Fear not , man ; here's no harm intended to thee .
+
+I am a poor fellow , sir .
+
+Why , be so still ; here's nobody will steal that from thee ; yet , for the outside of thy poverty we must make an exchange ; therefore , discase thee instantly ,thou must think , there's a necessity in't ,and change garments with this gentleman : though the pennyworth on his side be the worst , yet hold thee , there's some boot .
+
+I am a poor fellow , sir .
+
+I know ye well enough .
+
+Nay , prithee , dispatch : the gentleman is half flayed already .
+
+Are you in earnest , sir ?
+
+I smell the trick on't .
+
+Dispatch , I prithee .
+
+Indeed , I have had earnest ; but I cannot with conscience take it .
+
+Unbuckle , unbuckle .
+
+Fortunate mistress ,let my prophecy
+Come home to ye !you must retire yourself
+Into some covert : take your sweetheart's hat
+And pluck it o'er your brows ; muffle your face ;
+Dismantle you , and , as you can , disliken
+The truth of your own seeming ; that you may ,
+For I do fear eyes over you ,to shipboard
+Get undescried .
+
+I see the play so lies
+That I must bear a part .
+
+No remedy .
+Have you done there ?
+
+Should I now meet my father
+He would not call me son .
+
+Nay , you shall have no hat .
+
+Come , lady , come . Farewell , my friend .
+
+Adieu , sir .
+
+O Perdita , what have we twain forgot !
+Pray you , a word .
+
+
+What I do next shall be to tell the king
+Of this escape , and whither they are bound ;
+Wherein my hope is I shall so prevail
+To force him after : in whose company
+I shall review Sicilia , for whose sight
+I have a woman's longing .
+
+Fortune speed us !
+Thus we set on , Camillo , to the sea-side .
+
+The swifter speed the better .
+
+
+I understand the business ; I hear it . To have an open ear , a quick eye , and a nimble hand , is necessary for a cut-purse : a good nose is requisite also , to smell out work for the other senses . I see this is the time that the unjust man doth thrive . What an exchange had this been without boot ! what a boot is here with this exchange ! Sure , the gods do this year connive at us , and we may do anything extempore . The prince himself is about a piece of iniquity ; stealing away from his father with his clog at his heels . If I thought it were a piece of honesty to acquaint the king withal , I would not do't : I hold it the more knavery to conceal it , and therein am I constant to my profession . Aside , aside : here is more matter for a hot brain . Every lane's end , every shop , church , session , hanging , yields a careful man work .
+
+
+See , see , what a man you are now ! There is no other way but to tell the king she's a changeling and none of your flesh and blood .
+
+Nay , but hear me .
+
+Nay , but hear me .
+
+Go to , then .
+
+She being none of your flesh and blood , your flesh and blood has not offended the king ; and so your flesh and blood is not to be punished by him . Show those things you found about her ; those secret things , all but what she has with her : this being done , let the law go whistle : I warrant you .
+
+I will tell the king all , every word , yea , and his son's pranks too ; who , I may say , is no honest man neither to his father nor to me , to go about to make me the king's brother-in-law .
+
+Indeed , brother-in-law was the furthest off you could have been to him , and then your blood had been the dearer by I know not how much an ounce .
+
+Very wisely , puppies !
+
+Well , let us to the king : there is that in this fardel will make him scratch his beard .
+
+I know not what impediment this complaint may be to the flight of my master .
+
+Pray heartily he be at palace .
+
+Though I am not naturally honest , I am so sometimes by chance : let me pocket up my pedlar's excrement . [Takes off his false beard .] How now , rustics ! whither are you bound ?
+
+To the palace , an it like your worship .
+
+Your affairs there , what , with whom , the condition of that fardel , the place of your dwelling , your names , your ages , of what having , breeding , and anything that is fitting to be known , discover .
+
+We are but plain fellows , sir .
+
+A lie ; you are rough and hairy . Let me have no lying ; it becomes none but tradesmen , and they often give us soldiers the lie ; but we pay them for it with stamped coin , not stabbing steel ; therefore they do not give us the lie .
+
+Your worship had like to have given us one , if you had not taken yourself with the manner .
+
+Are you a courtier , an't like you , sir ?
+
+Whether it like me or no , I am a courtier . Seest thou not the air of the court in these enfoldings ? hath not my gait in it the measure of the court ? receives not thy nose court-odour from me ? reflect I not on thy baseness court-contempt ? Think'st thou , for that I insinuate , or toaze from thee thy business , I am therefore no courtier ? I am courtier , cap-a-pe , and one that will either push on or pluck back thy business there : whereupon I command thee to open thy affair .
+
+My business , sir , is to the king .
+
+What advocate hast thou to him ?
+
+I know not , an't like you .
+
+Advocate's the court-word for a pheasant : say you have none .
+
+None , sir ; I have no pheasant , cock nor hen .
+
+How bless'd are we that are not simple men !
+Yet nature might have made me as these are ,
+Therefore I'll not disdain .
+
+This cannot be but a great courtier .
+
+His garments are rich , but he wears them not handsomely .
+
+He seems to be the more noble in being fantastical : a great man , I'll warrant ; I know by the picking on's teeth .
+
+The fardel there ? what's i' the fardel ?
+Wherefore that box ?
+
+Sir , there lies such secrets in this fardel and box which none must know but the king ; and which he shall know within this hour if I may come to the speech of him .
+
+Age , thou hast lost thy labour .
+
+Why , sir ?
+
+The king is not at the palace ; he is gone aboard a new ship to purge melancholy and air himself : for , if thou be'st capable of things serious , thou must know the king is full of grief .
+
+So 'tis said , sir , about his son , that should have married a shepherd's daughter .
+
+If that shepherd be not now in hand-fast , let him fly : the curses he shall have , the torture he shall feel , will break the back of man , the heart of monster .
+
+Think you so , sir ?
+
+Not he alone shall suffer what wit can make heavy and vengeance bitter ; but those that are germane to him , though removed fifty times , shall all come under the hangman : which though it be great pity , yet it is necessary . An old sheep-whistling rogue , a ram-tender , to offer to have his daughter come into grace ! Some say he shall be stoned ; but that death is too soft for him , say I : draw our throne into a sheep cote ! all deaths are too few , the sharpest too easy .
+
+Has the old man e'er a son , sir , do you hear , an't like you , sir ?
+
+He has a son , who shall be flayed alive ; then 'nointed over with honey , set on the head of a wasp's nest ; then stand till he be three quarters and a dram dead ; then recovered again with aqua-vit or some other hot infusion ; then , raw as he is , and in the hottest day prognostication proclaims , shall he be set against a brick-wall , the sun looking with a southward eye upon him , where he is to behold him with flies blown to death . But what talk we of these traitorly rascals , whose miseries are to be smiled at , their offences being so capital ? Tell me ,for you seem to be honest plain men ,what you have to the king : being something gently considered , I'll bring you where he is aboard , tender your persons to his presence , whisper him in your behalfs ; and if it be in man besides the king to effect your suits , here is a man shall do it .
+
+He seems to be of great authority : close with him , give him gold ; and though authority be a stubborn bear , yet he is oft led by the nose with gold . Show the inside of your purse to the outside of his hand , and no more ado . Remember , 'stoned ,' and 'flayed alive !'
+
+An't please you , sir , to undertake the business for us , here is that gold I have : I'll make it as much more and leave this young man in pawn till I bring it you .
+
+After I have done what I promised ?
+
+Ay , sir .
+
+Well , give me the moiety . Are you a party in this business ?
+
+In some sort , sir : but though my case be a pitiful one , I hope I shall not be flayed out of it .
+
+O ! that's the case of the shepherd's son : hang him , he'll be made an example .
+
+Comfort , good comfort ! we must to the king and show our strange sights : he must know 'tis none of your daughter nor my sister ; we are gone else . Sir , I will give you as much as this old man does when the business is performed ; and remain , as he says , your pawn till it be brought you .
+
+I will trust you . Walk before toward the sea-side ; go on the right hand , I will but look upon the hedge and follow you .
+
+We are blessed in this man , as I may say , even blessed .
+
+Let's before as he bids us . He was provided to do us good .
+
+
+If I had a mind to be honest I see Fortune would not suffer me : she drops booties in my mouth . I am courted now with a double occasion , gold , and a means to do the prince my master good ; which who knows how that may turn back to my advancement ? I will bring these two moles , these blind ones , aboard him : if he think it fit to shore them again , and that the complaint they have to the king concerns him nothing , let him call me rogue for being so far officious ; for I am proof against that title and what shame else belongs to't . To him will I present them : there may be matter in it .
+
+Sir , you have done enough , and have perform'd
+A saint-like sorrow : no fault could you make
+Which you have not redeem'd ; indeed , paid down
+More penitence than done trespass . At the last ,
+Do as the heavens have done , forget your evil ;
+With them forgive yourself .
+
+Whilst I remember
+Her and her virtues , I cannot forget
+My blemishes in them , and so still think of
+The wrong I did myself ; which was so much ,
+That heirless it hath made my kingdom , and
+Destroy'd the sweet'st companion that e'er man
+Bred his hopes out of .
+
+True , too true , my lord ;
+If one by one you wedded all the world ,
+Or from the all that are took something good ,
+To make a perfect woman , she you kill'd
+Would be unparallel'd .
+
+I think so . Kill'd !
+She I kill'd ! I did so ; but thou strik'st me
+Sorely to say I did : it is as bitter
+Upon thy tongue as in my thought . Now , good now
+Say so but seldom .
+
+Not at all , good lady :
+You might have spoken a thousand things that would
+Have done the time more benefit , and grac'd
+Your kindness better .
+
+You are one of those
+Would have him wed again .
+
+If you would not so ,
+You pity not the state , nor the remembrance
+Of his most sovereign name ; consider little
+What dangers , by his highness' fail of issue ,
+May drop upon his kingdom and devour
+Incertain lookers-on . What were more holy
+Than to rejoice the former queen is well ?
+What holier than for royalty's repair ,
+For present comfort , and for future good ,
+To bless the bed of majesty again
+With a sweet fellow to't ?
+
+There is none worthy ,
+Respecting her that's gone . Besides , the gods
+Will have fulfill'd their secret purposes ;
+For has not the divine Apollo said ,
+Is't not the tenour of his oracle ,
+That King Leontes shall not have an heir
+Till his lost child be found ? which that it shall ,
+Is all as monstrous to our human reason
+As my Antigonus to break his grave
+And come again to me ; who , on my life ,
+Did perish with the infant . 'Tis your counsel
+My lord should to the heavens be contrary ,
+Oppose against their wills .
+
+Care not for issue ;
+The crown will find an heir : great Alexander
+Left his to the worthiest , so his successor
+Was like to be the best .
+
+Good Paulina ,
+Who hast the memory of Hermione ,
+I know , in honour ; O ! that ever I
+Had squar'd me to thy counsel ! then , even now ,
+I might have look'd upon my queen's full eyes ,
+Have taken treasure from her lips ,
+
+And left them
+More rich , for what they yielded .
+
+Thou speak'st truth .
+No more such wives ; therefore , no wife : one worse ,
+And better us'd , would make her sainted spirit
+Again possess her corpse and on this stage ,
+Where we're offenders now ,appear soul-vex'd ,
+And begin , 'Why to me ?'
+
+Had she such power ,
+She had just cause .
+
+She had ; and would incense me
+To murder her I married .
+
+I should so :
+Were I the ghost that walk'd , I'd bid you mark
+Her eye , and tell me for what dull part in't
+You chose her ; then I'd shriek , that even your ears
+Should rift to hear me ; and the words that follow'd
+Should be 'Remember mine .'
+
+Stars , stars !
+And all eyes else dead coals . Fear thou no wife ;
+I'll have no wife , Paulina .
+
+Will you swear
+Never to marry but by my free leave ?
+
+Never , Paulina : so be bless'd my spirit !
+
+Then , good my lords , bear witness to his oath .
+
+You tempt him over much .
+
+Unless another ,
+As like Hermione as is her picture ,
+Affront his eye .
+
+Good madam ,
+
+I have done .
+Yet , if my lord will marry ,if you will , sir ,
+No remedy , but you will ,give me the office
+To choose you a queen , she shall not be so young
+As was your former ; but she shall be such
+As , walk'd your first queen's ghost , it should take joy
+To see her in your arms .
+
+My true Paulina ,
+We shall not marry till thou bidd'st us .
+
+That
+Shall be when your first queen's again in breath ;
+Never till then .
+
+
+One that gives out himself Prince Florizel ,
+Son of Polixenes , with his princess ,she
+The fairest I have yet beheld ,desires access
+To your high presence .
+
+What with him ? he comes not
+Like to his father's greatness ; his approach ,
+So out of circumstance and sudden , tells us
+'Tis not a visitation fram'd , but forc'd
+By need and accident . What train ?
+
+But few ,
+And those but mean .
+
+His princess , say you , with him ?
+
+Ay , the most peerless piece of earth , I think ,
+That e'er the sun shone bright on .
+
+O Hermione !
+As every present time doth boast itself
+Above a better gone , so must thy grave
+Give way to what's seen now . Sir , you yourself
+Have said and writ so ,but your writing now
+Is colder than that theme ,'She had not been ,
+Nor was not to be equall'd ;' thus your verse
+Flow'd with her beauty once : 'tis shrewdly ebb'd
+To say you have seen a better .
+
+Pardon , madam :
+The one I have almost forgot your pardon
+The other , when she has obtain'd your eye ,
+Will have your tongue too . This is a creature ,
+Would she begin a sect , might quench the zeal
+Of all professors else , make proselytes
+Of who she but bid follow .
+
+How ! not women ?
+
+Women will love her , that she is a woman
+More worth than any man ; men , that she is
+The rarest of all women .
+
+Go , Cleomenes ;
+Yourself , assisted with your honour'd friends ,
+Bring them to our embracement . Still 'tis strange ,
+
+He thus should steal upon us .
+
+Had our prince
+Jewel of children seen this hour , he had pair'd
+Well with this lord : there was not full a month
+Between their births .
+
+Prithee , no more : cease ! thou know'st
+He dies to me again when talk'd of : sure ,
+When I shall see this gentleman , thy speeches
+Will bring me to consider that which may
+Unfurnish me of reason . They are come .
+
+
+Your mother was most true to wedlock , prince ;
+For she did print your royal father off ,
+Conceiving you . Were I but twenty-one ,
+Your father's image is so hit in you ,
+His very air , that I should call you brother ,
+As I did him ; and speak of something wildly
+By us perform'd before . Most dearly welcome !
+And you , fair princess ,goddess ! O , alas !
+I lost a couple , that 'twixt heaven and earth
+Might thus have stood begetting wonder as
+You , gracious couple , do : and then I lost
+All mine own folly the society ,
+Amity too , of your brave father , whom ,
+Though bearing misery , I desire my life
+
+Once more to look on him .
+
+By his command
+Have I here touch'd Sicilia ; and from him
+Give you all greetings that a king , at friend ,
+Can send his brother : and , but infirmity ,
+Which waits upon worn times ,hath something seiz'd
+His wish'd ability , he had himself
+The land and waters 'twixt your throne and his
+Measur'd to look upon you , whom he loves
+He bade me say so more than all the sceptres
+And those that bear them living .
+
+O , my brother !
+Good gentleman ,the wrongs I have done thee stir
+Afresh within me , and these thy offices
+So rarely kind , are as interpreters
+Of my behind-hand slackness ! Welcome hither ,
+As is the spring to the earth . And hath he too
+Expos'd this paragon to the fearful usage
+At least ungentle of the dreadful Neptune ,
+To greet a man not worth her pains , much less
+The adventure of her person ?
+
+Good my lord ,
+She came from Libya .
+
+Where the war-like Smalus ,
+That noble honour'd lord , is fear'd and lov'd ?
+
+Most royal sir , from thence ; from him , whose daughter
+His tears proclaim'd his , parting with her : thence
+A prosperous south-wind friendly we have cross'd ,
+To execute the charge my father gave me
+For visiting your highness : my best train
+I have from your Sicilian shores dismiss'd ;
+Who for Bohemia bend , to signify
+Not only my success in Libya , sir ,
+But my arrival and my wife's , in safety
+Here where we are .
+
+The blessed gods
+Purge all infection from our air whilst you
+Do climate here ! You have a holy father ,
+A graceful gentleman ; against whose person ,
+So sacred as it is , I have done sin :
+For which the heavens , taking angry note ,
+Have left me issueless ; and your father's bless'd
+As he from heaven merits it with you ,
+Worthy his goodness . What might I have been ,
+Might I a son and daughter now have look'd on ,
+Such goodly things as you !
+
+
+Most noble sir ,
+That which I shall report will bear no credit ,
+Were not the proof so nigh . Please you , great sir ,
+Bohemia greets you from himself by me ;
+Desires you to attach his son , who has
+His dignity and duty both cast off
+Fled from his father , from his hopes , and with
+A shepherd's daughter .
+
+Where's Bohemia ? speak .
+
+Here in your city ; I now came from him :
+I speak amazedly , and it becomes
+My marvel and my message . To your court
+Whiles he was hastening ,in the chase it seems
+Of this fair couple ,meets he on the way
+The father of this seeming lady and
+Her brother , having both their country quitted
+With this young prince .
+
+Camillo has betray'd me ;
+Whose honour and whose honesty till now
+Endur'd all weathers .
+
+Lay't so to his charge :
+He's with the king your father .
+
+Who ? Camillo ?
+
+Camillo , sir : I spake with him , who now
+Has these poor men in question . Never saw I
+Wretches so quake : they kneel , they kiss the earth ,
+Forswear themselves as often as they speak :
+Bohemia stops his ears , and threatens them
+With divers deaths in death .
+
+O my poor father !
+The heaven sets spies upon us , will not have
+Our contract celebrated .
+
+You are married ?
+
+We are not , sir , nor are we like to be ;
+The stars , I see , will kiss the valleys first :
+The odds for high and low's alike .
+
+My lord ,
+Is this the daughter of a king ?
+
+She is ,
+When once she is my wife .
+
+That 'once ,' I see , by your good father's speed ,
+Will come on very slowly . I am sorry ,
+Most sorry , you have broken from his liking
+Where you were tied in duty ; and as sorry
+Your choice is not so rich in worth as beauty ,
+That you might well enjoy her .
+
+Dear , look up :
+Though Fortune , visible an enemy ,
+Should chase us with my father , power no jot
+Hath she to change our loves . Beseech you , sir ,
+Remember since you ow'd no more to time
+Than I do now ; with thought of such affections ,
+Step forth mine advocate ; at your request
+My father will grant precious things as trifles
+
+Would he do so , I'd beg your precious mistress ,
+Which he counts but a trifle .
+
+Sir , my liege ,
+Your eye hath too much youth in't : not a month
+'Fore your queen died , she was more worth such gazes
+Than what you look on now .
+
+I thought of her ,
+Even in these looks I made .
+
+But your petition
+Is yet unanswer'd . I will to your father :
+Your honour not o'erthrown by your desires ,
+I am friend to them and you ; upon which errand
+I now go toward him . Therefore follow me ,
+And mark what way I make : come , good my lord .
+
+
+Beseech you , sir , were you present at this relation ?
+
+I was by at the opening of the fardel , heard the old shepherd deliver the manner how he found it : whereupon , after a little amazedness , we were all commanded out of the chamber ; only this methought I heard the shepherd say , he found the child .
+
+I would most gladly know the issue of it .
+
+I make a broken delivery of the business ; but the changes I perceived in the king and Camillo were very notes of admiration : they seemed almost , with staring on one another , to tear the cases of their eyes ; there was speech in their dumbness , language in their very gesture ; they looked as they had heard of a world ransomed , or one destroyed : a notable passion of wonder appeared in them ; but the wisest beholder , that knew no more but seeing , could not say if the importance were joy or sorrow ; but in the extremity of the one it must needs be .
+
+Here comes a gentleman that haply knows more . The news , Rogero ?
+
+Nothing but bonfires : the oracle is fulfilled ; the king's daughter is found : such a deal of wonder is broken out within this hour that ballad-makers cannot be able to express it .
+
+Here comes the lady Paulina's steward : he can deliver you more . How goes it now , sir ? this news which is called true is so like an old tale , that the verity of it is in strong suspicion : has the king found his heir ?
+
+Most true , if ever truth were pregnant by circumstance : that which you hear you'll swear you see , there is such unity in the proofs . The mantle of Queen Hermione , her jewel about the neck of it , the letters of Antigonus found with it , which they know to be his character ; the majesty of the creature in resemblance of the mother , the affection of nobleness which nature shows above her breeding , and many other evidences proclaim her with all certainty to be the king's daughter . Did you see the meeting of the two kings ?
+
+No .
+
+Then have you lost a sight , which was to be seen , cannot be spoken of . There might you have beheld one joy crown another , so , and in such manner that , it seemed , sorrow wept to take leave of them , for their joy waded in tears . There was casting up of eyes , holding up of hands , with countenances of such distraction that they were to be known by garment , not by favour . Our king , being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found daughter , as if that joy were now become a loss , cries , 'O , thy mother , thy mother !' then asks Bohemia forgiveness ; then embraces his son-in-law ; then again worries he his daughter with clipping her ; now he thanks the old shepherd , which stands by like a weather-bitten conduit of many kings' reigns . I never heard of such another encounter , which lames report to follow it and undoes description to do it .
+
+What , pray you , became of Antigonus that carried hence the child ?
+
+Like an old tale still , which will have matter to rehearse , though credit be asleep and not an ear open . He was torn to pieces with a bear : this avouches the shepherd's son , who has not only his innocence which seems much to justify him , but a handkerchief and rings of his that Paulina knows .
+
+What became of his bark and his followers ?
+
+Wracked , the same instant of their master's death , and in the view of the shepherd : so that all the instruments which aided to expose the child were even then lost when it was found . But , O ! the noble combat that 'twixt joy and sorrow was fought in Paulina . She had one eye declined for the loss of her husband , another elevated that the oracle was fulfilled : she lifted the princess from the earth , and so locks her in embracing , as if she would pin her to her heart that she might no more be in danger of losing .
+
+The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings and princes , for by such was it acted .
+
+One of the prettiest touches of all , and that which angled for mine eyes ,caught the water though not the fish ,was when at the relation of the queen's death , with the manner how she came to it ,bravely confessed and lamented by the king ,how attentiveness wounded his daughter ; till , from one sign of dolour to another , she did , with an 'alas !' I would fain say , bleed tears , for I am sure my heart wept blood . Who was most marble there changed colour ; some swounded , all sorrowed : if all the world could have seen't , the woe had been universal .
+
+Are they returned to the court ?
+
+No ; the princess hearing of her mother's statue , which is in the keeping of Paulina a piece many years in doing , and now newly performed by that rare Italian master , Julio Romano ; who , had he himself eternity and could put breath into his work , would beguile Nature of her custom , so perfectly he is her ape : he so near to Hermione hath done Hermione that they say one would speak to her and stand in hope of answer : thither with all greediness of affection are they gone , and there they intend to sup .
+
+I thought she had some great matter there in hand , for she hath privately , twice or thrice a day , ever since the death of Hermione , visited that removed house . Shall we thither and with our company piece the rejoicing ?
+
+Who would be thence that has the benefit of access ? every wink of an eye some new grace will be born : our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge . Let's along .
+
+
+Now , had I not the dash of my former life in me , would preferment drop on my head . I brought the old man and his son aboard the prince ; told him I heard them talk of a fardel and I know not what ; but he at that time , overfond of the shepherd's daughter ,so he then took her to be ,who began to be much sea-sick , and himself little better , extremity of weather continuing , this mystery remained undiscovered . But 'tis all one to me ; for had I been the finder out of this secret , it would not have relished among my other discredits . Here come those I have done good to against my will , and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune .
+
+
+Come , boy ; I am past moe children , but thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born .
+
+You are well met , sir . You denied to fight with me this other day , because I was no gentleman born : see you these clothes ? say , you see them not and think me still no gentleman born : you were best say these robes are not gentleman born . Give me the lie , do , and try whether I am not now gentleman born .
+
+I know you are now , sir , a gentleman born .
+
+Ay , and have been so any time these four hours .
+
+And so have I , boy .
+
+So you have : but I was a gentleman born before my father ; for the king's son took me by the hand and called me brother ; and then the two kings called my father brother ; and then the prince my brother and the princess my sister called my father father ; and so we wept : and there was the first gentleman-like tears that ever we shed .
+
+We may live , son , to shed many more .
+
+Ay ; or else 'twere hard luck , being in so preposterous estate as we are .
+
+I humbly beseech you , sir , to pardon me all the faults I have committed to your worship , and to give me your good report to the prince my master .
+
+Prithee , son , do ; for we must be gentle , now we are gentlemen .
+
+Thou wilt amend thy life ?
+
+Ay , an it like your good worship .
+
+Give me thy hand : I will swear to the prince thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia .
+
+You may say it , but not swear it .
+
+Not swear it , now I am a gentleman ? Let boors and franklins say it , I'll swear it .
+
+How if it be false , son ?
+
+If it be ne'er so false , a true gentleman may swear it in the behalf of his friend : and I'll swear to the prince thou art a tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt not be drunk ; but I know thou art no tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt be drunk : but I'll swear it , and I would thou wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands .
+
+I will prove so , sir , to my power .
+
+Ay , by any means prove a tall fellow : if I do not wonder how thou darest venture to be drunk , not being a tall fellow , trust me not . Hark ! the kings and the princes , our kindred , are going to see the queen's picture . Come , follow us : we'll be thy good masters .
+
+
+O grave and good Paulina , the great comfort
+That I have had of thee !
+
+What , sovereign sir ,
+I did not well , I meant well . All my services
+You have paid home ; but that you have vouchsaf'd ,
+With your crown'd brother and these your contracted
+Heirs of your kingdoms , my poor house to visit ,
+It is a surplus of your grace , which never
+My life may last to answer .
+
+O Paulina !
+We honour you with trouble : but we came
+To see the statue of our queen : your gallery
+Have we pass'd through , not without much content
+In many singularities , but we saw not
+That which my daughter came to look upon ,
+The statue of her mother .
+
+As she liv'd peerless ,
+So her dead likeness , I do well believe ,
+Excels whatever yet you look'd upon
+Or hand of man hath done ; therefore I keep it
+Lonely , apart . But here it is : prepare
+To see the life as lively mock'd as ever
+Still sleep mock'd death : behold ! and say 'tis well .
+
+I like your silence : it the more shows off
+Your wonder ; but yet speak : first you , my liege .
+Comes it not something near ?
+
+Her natural posture !
+Chide me , dear stone , that I may say , indeed
+Thou art Hermione ; or rather , thou art she
+In thy not chiding , for she was as tender
+As infancy and grace . But yet , Paulina ,
+Hermione was not so much wrinkled ; nothing
+So aged as this seems .
+
+O ! not by much .
+
+So much the more our carver's excellence ;
+Which lets go by some sixteen years and makes her
+As she liv'd now .
+
+As now she might have done ,
+So much to my good comfort , as it is
+Now piercing to my soul . O ! thus she stood ,
+Even with such life of majesty ,warm life ,
+As now it coldly stands ,when first I woo'd her .
+I am asham'd : does not the stone rebuke me
+For being more stone than it ? O , royal piece !
+There's magic in thy majesty , which has
+My evils conjur'd to remembrance , and
+From thy admiring daughter took the spirits ,
+Standing like stone with thee .
+
+And give me leave ,
+And do not say 'tis superstition , that
+I kneel and then implore her blessing . Lady ,
+Dear queen , that ended when I but began ,
+Give me that hand of yours to kiss .
+
+O , patience !
+The statue is but newly fix'd , the colour's
+Not dry .
+
+My lord , your sorrow was too sore laid on ,
+Which sixteen winters cannot blow away ,
+So many summers dry : scarce any joy
+Did ever so long live ; no sorrow
+But kill'd itself much sooner .
+
+Dear my brother ,
+Let him that was the cause of this have power
+To take off so much grief from you as he
+Will piece up in himself .
+
+Indeed , my lord ,
+If I had thought the sight of my poor image
+Would thus have wrought you ,for the stone is mine ,
+I'd not have show'd it .
+
+Do not draw the curtain .
+
+No longer shall you gaze on't , lest your fancy
+May think anon it moves .
+
+Let be , let be !
+Would I were dead , but that , methinks , already
+What was he that did make it ? See , my lord ,
+Would you not deem it breath'd , and that those veins
+Did verily bear blood ?
+
+Masterly done :
+The very life seems warm upon her lip .
+
+The fixure of her eye has motion in't ,
+As we are mock'd with art .
+
+I'll draw the curtain ;
+My lord's almost so far transported that
+He'll think anon it lives .
+
+O sweet Paulina !
+Make me to think so twenty years together :
+No settled senses of the world can match
+The pleasure of that madness . Let't alone .
+
+I am sorry , sir , I have thus far stirr'd you : but
+I could afflict you further .
+
+Do , Paulina ;
+For this affliction has a taste as sweet
+As any cordial comfort . Still , methinks ,
+There is an air comes from her : what fine chisel
+Could ever yet cut breath ? Let no man mock me ,
+For I will kiss her .
+
+Good my lord , forbear .
+The ruddiness upon her lip is wet :
+You'll mar it if you kiss it ; stain your own
+With oily painting . Shall I draw the curtain ?
+
+No , not these twenty years .
+
+So long could I
+Stand by , a looker-on .
+
+Either forbear ,
+Quit presently the chapel , or resolve you
+For more amazement . If you can behold it ,
+I'll make the statue move indeed , descend ,
+And take you by the hand ; but then you'll think ,
+Which I protest against ,I am assisted
+By wicked powers .
+
+What you can make her do ,
+I am content to look on : what to speak ,
+I am content to hear ; for 'tis as easy
+To make her speak as move .
+
+It is requir'd
+You do awake your faith . Then , all stand still ;
+Or those that think it is unlawful business
+I am about , let them depart .
+
+Proceed :
+No foot shall stir .
+
+Music , awake her : strike !
+
+'Tis time ; descend ; be stone no more : approach ;
+Strike all that look upon with marvel . Come ;
+I'll fill your grave up : stir ; nay , come away ;
+Bequeath to death your numbness , for from him
+Dear life redeems you . You perceive she stirs :
+
+Start not ; her actions shall be holy as
+You hear my spell is lawful : do not shun her
+Until you see her die again , for then
+You kill her double . Nay , present your hand :
+When she was young you woo'd her ; now in age
+Is she become the suitor !
+
+O ! she's warm .
+If this be magic , let it be an art
+Lawful as eating .
+
+She embraces him .
+
+She hangs about his neck :
+If she pertain to life let her speak too .
+
+Ay ; and make't manifest where she has liv'd ,
+Or how stol'n from the dead .
+
+That she is living ,
+Were it but told you , should be hooted at
+Like an old tale ; but it appears she lives ,
+Though yet she speak not . Mark a little while .
+Please you to interpose , fair madam . kneel
+And pray your mother's blessing . Turn , good lady ;
+Our Perdita is found .
+
+
+You gods , look down ,
+And from your sacred vials pour your graces
+Upon my daughter's head ! Tell me , mine own ,
+Where hast thou been preserv'd ? where liv'd ? how found
+Thy father's court ? for thou shalt hear that I ,
+Knowing by Paulina that the oracle
+Gave hope thou wast in being , have preserv'd
+Myself to see the issue .
+
+There's time enough for that ;
+Lest they desire upon this push to trouble
+Your joys with like relation . Go together ,
+You precious winners all : your exultation
+Partake to every one . I , an old turtle ,
+Will wing me to some wither'd bough , and there
+My mate , that's never to be found again ,
+Lament till I am lost .
+
+O ! peace , Paulina .
+Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent ,
+As I by thine a wife : this is a match ,
+And made between's by vows . Thou hast found mine ;
+But how , is to be question'd ; for I saw her ,
+As I thought dead , and have in vain said many
+A prayer upon her grave . I'll not seek far ,
+For him , I partly know his mind ,to find thee
+An honourable husband . Come , Camillo ,
+And take her by the hand ; whose worth and honesty
+Is richly noted , and here justified
+By us , a pair of kings . Let's from this place .
+What ! look upon my brother : both your pardons ,
+That e'er I put between your holy looks
+My ill suspicion . This' your son-in-law ,
+And son unto the king ,whom heavens directing ,
+Is troth-plight to your daughter . Good Paulina ,
+Lead us from hence , where we may leisurely
+Each one demand and answer to his part
+Perform'd in this wide gap of time since first
+We were dissever'd : hastily lead away .
+
+TROILUS AND CRESSIDA
+
+In Troy there lies the scene . From isles of Greece
+The princes orgulous , their high blood chaf'd ,
+Have to the port of Athens sent their ships ,
+Fraught with the ministers and instruments
+Of cruel war : sixty and nine , that wore
+Their crownets regal , from the Athenian bay
+Put forth toward Phrygia ; and their vow is made
+To ransack Troy , within whose strong immures
+The ravish'd Helen , Menelaus' queen ,
+With wanton Paris sleeps ; and that's the quarrel .
+To Tenedos they come ,
+And the deep-drawing barks do there disgorge
+Their war-like fraughtage : now on Dardan plains
+The fresh and yet unbruised Greeks do pitch
+Their brave pavilions : Priam's six-gated city ,
+Dardan , and Tymbria , Ilias , Chetas , Trojan ,
+And Antenorides , with massy staples
+And corresponsive and fulfilling bolts ,
+Sperr up the sons of Troy .
+Now expectation , tickling skittish spirits ,
+On one and other side , Trojan and Greek ,
+Sets all on hazard . And hither am I come
+A prologue arm'd , but not in confidence
+Of author's pen or actor's voice , but suited
+In like conditions as our argument ,
+To tell you , fair beholders , that our play
+Leaps o'er the vaunt and firstlings of those broils ,
+Beginning in the middle ; starting thence away
+To what may be digested in a play .
+Like or find fault ; do as your pleasures are :
+Now good or bad , 'tis but the chance of war .
+
+Call here my varlet , I'll unarm again :
+Why should I war without the walls of Troy ,
+That find such cruel battle here within ?
+Each Trojan that is master of his heart ,
+Let him to field ; Troilus , alas ! has none .
+
+Will this gear ne'er be mended ?
+
+The Greeks are strong , and skilful to their strength .
+Fierce to their skill , and to their fierceness valiant ;
+But I am weaker than a woman's tear ,
+Tamer than sleep , fonder than ignorance ,
+Less valiant than the virgin in the night ,
+And skilless as unpractis'd infancy .
+
+Well , I have told you enough of this : for my part , I'll not meddle nor make no further . He that will have a cake out of the wheat must tarry the grinding .
+
+Have I not tarried ?
+
+Ay , the grinding ; but you must tarry the bolting .
+
+Have I not tarried ?
+
+Ay , the bolting ; but you must tarry the leavening .
+
+Still have I tarried .
+
+Ay , to the leavening ; but here's yet in the word 'hereafter' the kneading , the making of the cake , the heating of the oven , and the baking ; nay , you must stay the cooling too , or you may chance to burn your lips .
+
+Patience herself , what goddess e'er she be ,
+Doth lesser blench at sufferance than I do .
+At Priam's royal table do I sit ;
+And when fair Cressid comes into my thoughts ,
+So , traitor ! 'when she comes' !When is she thence ?
+
+Well , she looked yesternight fairer than ever I saw her look , or any woman else .
+
+I was about to tell thee : when my heart ,
+As wedged with a sigh , would rive in twain ,
+Lest Hector or my father should perceive me ,
+I have as when the sun doth light a storm
+Buried this sigh in wrinkle of a smile ;
+But sorrow , that is couch'd in seeming gladness ,
+Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness .
+
+An her hair were not somewhat darker than Helen's ,well , go to ,there were no more comparison between the women : but , for my part , she is my kins woman ; I would not , as they term it , praise her , but I would somebody had heard her talk yesterday , as I did : I will not dispraise your sister Cassandra's wit , but
+
+O Pandarus ! I tell thee , Pandarus ,
+When I do tell thee , there my hopes lie drown'd ,
+Reply not in how many fathoms deep
+They lie indrench'd . I tell thee I am mad
+In Cressid's love : thou answer'st , she is fair ;
+Pour'st in the open ulcer of my heart
+Her eyes , her hair , her cheek , her gait , her voice ;
+Handlest in thy discourse , O ! that her hand ,
+In whose comparison all whites are ink ,
+Writing their own reproach ; to whose soft seizure
+The cygnet's down is harsh , and spirit of sense
+Hard as the palm of ploughman : this thou tell'st me ,
+As true thou tell'st me , when I say I love her ;
+But , saying thus , instead of oil and balm ,
+Thou lay'st in every gash that love hath given me
+The knife that made it .
+
+I speak no more than truth .
+
+Thou dost not speak so much .
+
+Faith , I'll not meddle in't . Let her be as she is : if she be fair , 'tis the better for her ; an she be not , she has the mends in her own hands .
+
+Good Pandarus , how now , Pandarus !
+
+I have had my labour for my travail ; ill-thought on of her , and ill-thought on of you : gone between , and between , but small thanks for my labour .
+
+What ! art thou angry , Pandarus ? what ! with me ?
+
+Because she's kin to me , therefore she's not so fair as Helen : an she were not kin to me , she would be as fair on Friday as Helen is on Sunday . But what care I ? I care not an she were a black-a-moor ; 'tis all one to me .
+
+Say I she is not fair ?
+
+I do not care whether you do or no . She's a fool to stay behind her father : let her to the Greeks ; and so I'll tell her the next time I see her . For my part , I'll meddle nor make no more i' the matter .
+
+Pandarus ,
+
+Not I .
+
+Sweet Pandarus ,
+
+Pray you , speak no more to me ! I will leave all as I found it , and there an end .
+
+
+Peace , you ungracious clamours ! peace , rude sounds !
+Fools on both sides ! Helen must needs bo fair ,
+When with your blood you daily paint her thus .
+I cannot fight upon this argument ;
+It is too starv'd a subject for my sword .
+But Pandarus ,O gods ! how do you plague me .
+I cannot come to Cressid but by Pandar ;
+And he's as tetchy to be woo'd to woo
+As she is stubborn-chaste against all suit .
+Tell me , Apollo , for thy Daphne's love ,
+What Cressid is , what Pandar , and what we ?
+Her bed is India ; there she lies , a pearl :
+Between our Ilium and where she resides
+Let it be call'd the wild and wandering flood ;
+Ourself the merchant , and this sailing Pandar
+Our doubtful hope , our convoy and our bark .
+
+
+How now , Prince Troilus ! wherefore not afield ?
+
+Because not there : this woman's answer sorts ,
+For womanish it is to be from thence .
+What news , neas , from the field to-day ?
+
+That Paris is returned home , and hurt .
+
+By whom , neas ?
+
+Troilus , by Menelaus .
+
+Let Paris bleed : 'tis but a scar to scorn ;
+Paris is gor'd with Menelaus' horn .
+
+
+Hark , what good sport is out of town to-day !
+
+Better at home , if 'would I might' were 'may .'
+But to the sport abroad : are you bound thither ?
+
+In all swift haste .
+
+Come , go we then together .
+
+
+Who were those went by ?
+
+Queen Hecuba and Helen .
+
+And whither go they ?
+
+Up to the eastern tower ,
+Whose height commands as subject all the vale ,
+To see the battle . Hector , whose patience
+Is as a virtue fix'd , to-day was mov'd :
+He chid Andromache , and struck his armourer ;
+And , like as there were husbandry in war ,
+Before the sun rose he was harness'd light ,
+And to the field goes he ; where every flower
+Did , as a prophet , weep what it foresaw
+In Hector's wrath .
+
+What was his cause of anger ?
+
+The noise goes , this : there is among the Greeks
+A lord of Trojan blood , nephew to Hector ;
+They call him Ajax .
+
+Good ; and what of him ?
+
+They say he is a very man per se
+And stands alone .
+
+So do all men , unless they are drunk , sick , or have no legs .
+
+This man , lady , hath robbed many beasts of their particular additions : he is as valiant as the lion , churlish as the bear , slow as the elephant : a man into whom nature hath so crowded humours that his valour is crushed into folly , his folly sauced with discretion : there is no man hath a virtue that he hath not a glimpse of , nor any man an attaint but he carries some stain of it . He is melancholy without cause , and merry against the hair ; he hath the joints of every thing , but every thing so out of joint that he is a gouty Briareus , many hands and no use ; or purblind Argus , all eyes and no sight .
+
+But how should this man , that makes me smile , make Hector angry ?
+
+They say he yesterday coped Hector in the battle and struck him down ; the disdain and shame whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting and waking .
+
+Who comes here ?
+
+
+Madam , your uncle Pandarus .
+
+Hector's a gallant man .
+
+As may be in the world , lady .
+
+What's that ? what's that ?
+
+Good morrow , uncle Pandarus .
+
+Good morrow , cousin Cressid . What do you talk of ? Good morrow , Alexander .
+How do you , cousin ? When were you at Ilium ?
+
+This morning , uncle .
+
+What were you talking of when I came ? Was Hector armed and gone ere ye came to Ilium ? Helen was not up , was she ?
+
+Hector was gone , but Helen was not up .
+
+E'en so : Hector was stirring early .
+
+That were we talking of , and of his anger .
+
+Was he angry ?
+
+So he says here .
+
+True , he was so ; I know the cause too : he'll lay about him to-day , I can tell them that : and there's Troilus will not come far behind him ; let them take heed of Troilus , I can tell them that too .
+
+What ! is he angry too ?
+
+Who , Troilus ? Troilus is the better man of the two .
+
+O Jupiter ! there's no comparison .
+
+What ! not between Troilus and Hector ?
+Do you know a man if you see him ?
+
+Ay , if I ever saw him before and knew him .
+
+Well , I say Troilus is Troilus .
+
+Then you say as I say ; for I am sure he is not Hector .
+
+No , nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees .
+
+'Tis just to each of them ; he is himself .
+
+Himself ! Alas , poor Troilus , I would he were .
+
+So he is .
+
+Condition , I had gone bare-foot to India .
+
+He is not Hector .
+
+Himself ! no , he's not himself . Would a' were himself : well , the gods are above ; time must friend or end : well , Troilus , well , I would my heart were in her body . No , Hector is not a better man than Troilus .
+
+Excuse me .
+
+He is elder .
+
+Pardon me , pardon me .
+
+Th' other's not come to't ; you shall tell me another tale when the other's come to't . Hector shall not have his wit this year .
+
+He shall not need it if he have his own .
+
+Nor his qualities .
+
+No matter .
+
+Nor his beauty .
+
+'Twould not become him ; his own's better .
+
+You have no judgment , niece : Helen herself swore th' other day , that Troilus , for a brown favour ,for so 'tis I must confess ,not brown neither ,
+
+No , but brown .
+
+Faith , to say truth , brown and not brown .
+
+To say the truth , true and not true .
+
+She prais'd his complexion above Paris .
+
+Why , Paris hath colour enough .
+
+So he has .
+
+Then Troilus should have too much : if she praised him above , his complexion is higher than his : he having colour enough , and the other higher , is too flaming a praise for a good complexion . I had as lief Helen's golden tongue had commended Troilus for a copper nose .
+
+I swear to you , I think Helen loves him better than Paris .
+
+Then she's a merry Greek indeed .
+
+Nay , I am sure she does . She came to him th' other day into the compassed window , and , you know , he has not past three or four hairs on his chin ,
+
+Indeed , a tapster's arithmetic may soon bring his particulars therein to a total .
+
+Why , he is very young ; and yet will he , within three pound , lift as much as his brother Hector .
+
+Is he so young a man , and so old a lifter ?
+
+But to prove to you that Helen loves him : she came and puts me her white hand to his cloven chin ,
+
+Juno have mercy ! how came it cloven ?
+
+Why , you know , 'tis dimpled . I think his smiling becomes him better than any man in all Phrygia .
+
+O ! he smiles valiantly .
+
+Does he not ?
+
+O ! yes , an 'twere a cloud in autumn .
+
+Why , go to , then . But to prove to you that Helen loves Troilus ,
+
+Troilus will stand to the proof , if you'll prove it so .
+
+Troilus ! why he esteems her no more than I esteem an addle egg .
+
+If you love an addle egg as well as you love an idle head , you would eat chickens i' the shell .
+
+I cannot choose but laugh , to think how she tickled his chin : indeed , she has a marvell's white hand , I must needs confess ,
+
+Without the rack .
+
+And she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin .
+
+Alas ! poor chin ! many a wart is richer .
+
+But there was such laughing : Queen Hecuba laughed that her eyes ran o'er .
+
+With millstones .
+
+And Cassandra laughed .
+
+But there was more temperate fire under the pot of her eyes : did her eyes run o'er too ?
+
+And Hector laughed .
+
+At what was all this laughing ?
+
+Marry , at the white hair that Helen spied on Troilus' chin .
+
+An't had been a green hair , I should have laughed too .
+
+They laughed not so much at the hair as at his pretty answer .
+
+What was his answer ?
+
+Quoth she , 'Here's but one-and-fifty hairs on your chin , and one of them is white .'
+
+This is her question .
+
+That's true ; make no question of that . 'One-and-fifty hairs ,' quoth he , 'and one white : that white hair is my father , and all the rest are his sons .' 'Jupiter !' quoth she , 'which of these hairs is Paris , my husband ?' 'The forked one ,' quoth he ; 'pluck't out , and give it him .' But there was such laughing , and Helen so blushed , and Paris so chafed , and all the rest so laughed , that it passed .
+
+So let it now , for it has been a great while going by .
+
+Well , cousin , I told you a thing yesterday ; think on't .
+
+So I do .
+
+I'll be sworn 'tis true : he will weep you , an 'twere a man born in April .
+
+And I'll spring up in his tears , an 'twere a nettle against May .
+
+
+Hark ! they are coming from the field . Shall we stand up here , and see them as they pass toward Ilium ? good niece , do ; sweet niece , Cressida .
+
+At your pleasure .
+
+Here , here ; here's an excellent place : here we may see most bravely . I'll tell you them all by their names as they pass by , but mark Troilus above the rest .
+
+Speak not so loud .
+
+
+That's neas : is not that a brave man ? he's one of the flowers of Troy , I can tell you : but mark Troilus ; you shall see anon .
+
+
+Who's that ?
+
+That's Antenor : he has a shrewd wit , I can tell you ; and he's a man good enough : he's one o' the soundest judgments in Troy , whosoever , and a proper man of person . When comes Troilus ? I'll show you Troilus anon : if he see me , you shall see him nod at me .
+
+Will he give you the nod ?
+
+You shall see .
+
+If he do , the rich shall have more .
+
+
+That's Hector , that , that , look you , that ; there's a fellow ! Go thy way , Hector ! There's a brave man , niece . O brave Hector ! Look how he looks ! there's a countenance ! Is't not a brave man ?
+
+O ! a brave man .
+
+Is a' not ? It does a man's heart good . Look you what hacks are on his helmet ! look you yonder , do you see ? look you there : there's no jesting ; there's laying on , take't off who will , as they say : there be hacks !
+
+Be those with swords ?
+
+Swords ? any thing , he cares not ; an the devil come to him , it's all one : by God's lid , it does one's heart good . Yonder comes Paris , yonder comes Paris .
+
+Look ye yonder , niece : is't not a gallant man too , is't not ? Why , this is brave now . Who said he came hurt home to-day ? he's not hurt : why , this will do Helen's heart good now , ha ! Would I could see Troilus now ! You shall see Troilus anon .
+
+Who's that ?
+
+
+That's Helenus . I marvel where Troilus is . That's Helenus . I think he went not forth to-day . That's Helenus .
+
+Can Helenus fight , uncle ?
+
+Helenus ? no , yes , he'll fight indifferent well . I marvel where Troilus is . Hark ! do you not hear the people cry , 'Troilus ?' Helenus is a priest .
+
+What sneaking fellow comes yonder ?
+
+
+Where ? yonder ? that's Deiphobus .
+Tis Troilus ! there's a man , niece ! Hem ! Brave
+Troilus ! the prince of chivalry !
+
+Peace ! for shame , peace !
+
+Mark him ; note him : O brave Troilus ! look well upon him , niece : look you how his sword is bloodied , and his helmet more hacked than Hector's ; and how he looks , and how he goes ! O admirable youth ! he ne'er saw three-and-twenty . Go thy way , Troilus , go thy way ! Had I a sister were a grace , or a daughter a goddess , he should take his choice . O admirable man ! Paris ? Paris is dirt to him ; and , I warrant , Helen , to change , would give an eye to boot .
+
+Here come more .
+
+
+Asses , fools , dolts ! chaff and bran , chaff and bran ! porridge after meat ! I could live and die i' the eyes of Troilus . Ne'er look , ne'er look ; the eagles are gone : crows and daws , crows and daws ! I had rather be such a man as Troilus than Agamemnon and all Greece .
+
+There is among the Greeks Achilles , a better man than Troilus .
+
+Achilles ! a drayman , a porter , a very camel .
+
+Well , well .
+
+'Well , well !' Why , have you any discretion ? have you any eyes ? Do you know what a man is ? Is not birth , beauty , good shape , discourse , manhood , learning , gentleness , virtue , youth , liberality , and so forth , the spice and salt that season a man ?
+
+Ay , a minced man : and then to be baked with no date in the pie , for then the man's date's out .
+
+You are such a woman ! one knows not at what ward you lie .
+
+Upon my back , to defend my belly ; upon my wit , to defend my wiles ; upon my secrecy , to defend mine honesty ; my mask , to defend my beauty ; and you , to defend all these : and at all these wards I lie , at a thousand watches .
+
+Say one of your watches .
+
+Nay , I'll watch you for that ; and that's one of the chiefest of them too : if I cannot ward what I would not have hit , I can watch you for telling how I took the blow ; unless it swell past hiding , and then it's past watching .
+
+You are such another !
+
+
+Sir , my lord would instantly speak with you .
+
+Where ?
+
+At your own house ; there he unarms him .
+
+Good boy , tell him I come .
+
+I doubt he be hurt . Fare ye well , good niece .
+
+Adieu , uncle .
+
+I'll be with you , niece , by and by .
+
+To bring , uncle ?
+
+Ay , a token from Troilus .
+
+By the same token , you are a bawd .
+
+Words , vows , gifts , tears , and love's full sacrifice
+He offers in another's enterprise ;
+But more in Troilus thousand-fold I see
+Than in the glass of Pandar's praise may be .
+Yet hold I off . Women are angels , wooing :
+Things won are done ; joy's soul lies in the doing :
+That she belov'd knows nought that knows not this :
+Men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is :
+That she was never yet , that ever knew
+Love got so sweet as when desire did sue .
+Therefore this maxim out of love I teach :
+Achievement is command ; ungain'd , beseech :
+Then though my heart's content firm love doth bear ,
+Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear .
+
+
+Princes ,
+What grief hath set the jaundice on your cheeks ?
+The ample proposition that hope makes
+In all designs begun on earth below
+Fails in the promis'd largeness : checks and disasters
+Grow in the veins of actions highest rear'd ;
+As knots , by the conflux of meeting sap ,
+Infect the sound pine and divert his grain
+Tortive and errant from his course of growth .
+Nor , princes , is it matter new to us
+That we come short of our suppose so far
+That after seven years' siege yet Troy walls stand ;
+Sith every action that hath gone before ,
+Whereof we have record , trial did draw
+Bias and thwart , not answering the aim ,
+And that unbodied figure of the thought
+That gave't surmised shape . Why then , you princes ,
+Do you with cheeks abash'd behold our works ,
+And call them shames ? which are indeed nought else
+But the protractive trials of great Jove ,
+To find persistive constancy in men :
+The fineness of which metal is not found
+In Fortune's love ; for then , the bold and coward ,
+The wise and fool , the artist and unread ,
+The hard and soft , seem all affin'd and kin :
+But , in the wind and tempest of her frown ,
+Distinction , with a broad and powerful fan ,
+Puffing at all , winnows the light away ;
+And what hath mass or matter , by itself
+Lies rich in virtue and unmingled .
+
+With due observance of thy god-like seat ,
+Great Agamemnon , Nestor shall apply
+Thy latest words . In the reproof of chance
+Lies the true proof of men : the sea being smooth ,
+How many shallow bauble boats dare sail
+Upon her patient breast , making their way
+With those of nobler bulk !
+But let the ruffian Boreas once enrage
+The gentle Thetis , and anon behold
+The strong-ribb'd bark through liquid mountains cut ,
+Bounding between the two moist elements ,
+Like Perseus' horse : where's then the saucy boat
+Whose weak untimber'd sides but even now
+Co-rivall'd greatness ? either to harbour fled ,
+Or made a toast for Neptune . Even so
+Doth valour's show and valour's worth divide
+In storms of fortune ; for in her ray and brightness
+The herd hath more annoyance by the breese
+Than by the tiger ; but when the splitting wind
+Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks ,
+And flies fled under shade , why then the thing of courage ,
+As rous'd with rage , with rage doth sympathize ,
+And with an accent tun'd in self-same key ,
+Retorts to chiding fortune .
+
+Agamemnon ,
+Thou great commander , nerve and bone of Greece ,
+Heart of our numbers , soul and only spirit ,
+In whom the tempers and the minds of all
+Should be shut up , hear what Ulysses speaks .
+Besides the applause and approbation
+The which ,
+
+most mighty for thy place and sway ,
+
+
+And thou most reverend for thy stretch'd-out life ,
+I give to both your speeches , which were such
+As Agamemnon and the hand of Greece
+Should hold up high in brass ; and such again
+As venerable Nestor , hatch'd in silver ,
+Should with a bond of air , strong as the axle-tree
+On which heaven rides , knit all the Greekish ears
+To his experienc'd tongue , yet let it please hoth ,
+Thou great , and wise , to hear Ulysses speak .
+
+Speak , Prince of Ithaca ; and be't of less expect
+That matter needless , of importless burden ,
+Divide thy lips , than we are confident ,
+When rank Thersites opes his mastick jaws ,
+We shall hear music , wit , and oracle .
+
+Troy , yet upon his basis , had been down ,
+And the great Hector's sword had lack'd a master ,
+But for these instances .
+The specialty of rule hath been neglected :
+And look , how many Grecian tents do stand
+Hollow upon this plain , so many hollow factions .
+When that the general is not like the hive
+To whom the foragers shall all repair ,
+What honey is expected ? Degree being vizarded ,
+The unworthiest shows as fairly in the mask .
+The heavens themselves , the planets , and this centre
+Observe degree , priority , and place ,
+Insisture , course , proportion , season , form ,
+Office , and custom , in all line of order :
+And therefore is the glorious planet Sol
+In noble eminence enthron'd and spher'd
+Amidst the other ; whose med'cinable eye
+Corrects the ill aspects of planets evil ,
+And posts , like the commandment of a king ,
+Sans check , to good and bad : but when the planets
+In evil mixture to disorder wander ,
+What plagues , and what portents , what mutiny ,
+What raging of the sea , shaking of earth ,
+Commotion in the winds , frights , changes , horrors ,
+Divert and crack , rend and deracinate
+The unity and married calm of states
+Quite from their fixure ! O ! when degree is shak'd ,
+Which is the ladder to all high designs ,
+The enterprise is sick . How could communities ,
+Degrees in schools , and brotherhoods in cities ,
+Peaceful commerce from dividable shores ,
+The primogenitive and due of birth ,
+Prerogative of age , crowns , sceptres , laurels ,
+But by degree , stand in authentic place ?
+Take but degree away , untune that string ,
+And , hark ! what discord follows ; each thing meets
+In mere oppugnancy : the bounded waters
+Should lift their bosoms higher than the shores ,
+And make a sop of all this solid globe :
+Strength should be lord of imbecility ,
+And the rude son should strike his father dead :
+Force should be right ; or rather , right and wrong
+Between whose endless jar justice resides
+Should lose their names , and so should justice too .
+Then every thing includes itself in power ,
+Power into will , will into appetite ;
+And appetite , a universal wolf ,
+So doubly seconded with will and power ,
+Must make perforce a universal prey ,
+And last eat up himself . Great Agamemnon ,
+This chaos , when degree is suffocate ,
+Follows the choking .
+And this neglection of degree it is
+That by a pace goes backward , with a purpose
+It hath to climb . The general's disdain'd
+By him one step below , he by the next ,
+That next by him beneath ; so every step ,
+Exampled by the first pace that is sick
+Of his superior , grows to an envious fever
+Of pale and bloodless emulation :
+And 'tis this fever that keeps Troy on foot ,
+Not her own sinews . To end a tale of length ,
+Troy in our weakness lives , not in her strength .
+
+Most wisely hath Ulysses here discover'd
+The fever whereof all our power is sick .
+
+The nature of the sickness found , Ulysses ,
+What is the remedy ?
+
+The great Achilles , whom opinion crowns
+The sinew and the forehand of our host ,
+Having his ear full of his airy fame ,
+Grows dainty of his worth , and in his tent
+Lies mocking our designs . With him Patroclus
+Upon a lazy bed the livelong day
+Breaks scurril jests ,
+And with ridiculous and awkward action
+Which , slanderer , he imitation calls
+He pageants us . Sometime , great Agamemnon ,
+Thy topless deputation he puts on
+And , like a strutting player , whose conceit
+Lies in his hamstring , and doth think it rich
+To hear the wooden dialogue and sound
+'Twixt his stretch'd footing and the scaffoldage ,
+Such to-be-pitied and o'er-wrested seeming
+He acts thy greatness in :and when he speaks ,
+'Tis like a chime a mending ; with terms unsquar'd ,
+Which , from the tongue of roaring Typhon dropp'd ,
+Would seem hyperboles . At this fusty stuff
+The large Achilles , on his press'd bed lolling ,
+From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause ;
+Cries , 'Excellent ! 'tis Agamemnon just .
+Now play me Nestor ; hem , and stroke thy beard ,
+As he being drest to some oration .'
+That's done ;as near as the extremest ends
+Of parallels , like as Vulcan and his wife :
+Yet good Achilles still cries , 'Excellent !
+'Tis Nestor right . Now play him me , Patroclus ,
+Arming to answer in a night alarm .'
+And then , forsooth , the faint defects of age
+Must be the scene of mirth ; to cough and spit ,
+And with a palsy-fumbling on his gorget ,
+Shake in and out the rivet : and at this sport
+Sir Valour dies ; cries , 'O ! enough , Patroclus ;
+Or give me ribs of steel ; I shall split all
+In pleasure of my spleen .' And in this fashion ,
+All our abilities , gifts , natures , shapes ,
+Severals and generals of grace exact ,
+Achievements , plots , orders , preventions ,
+Excitements to the field , or speech for truce ,
+Success or loss , what is or is not , serves
+As stuff for these two to make paradoxes .
+
+And in the imitation of these twain
+Whom , as Ulysses says , opinion crowns
+With an imperial voice many are infect .
+Ajax is grown self-will'd , and bears his head
+In such a rein , in full as proud a place
+As broad Achilles ; keeps his tent like him ;
+Makes factious feasts ; rails on our state of war ,
+Bold as an oracle , and sets Thersites
+A slave whose gall coins slanders like a mint
+To match us in comparison with dirt ;
+To weaken and discredit our exposure ,
+How rank soever rounded in with danger .
+
+They tax our policy , and call it cowardice ;
+Count wisdom as no member of the war ;
+Forestall prescience , and esteem no act
+But that of hand : the still and mental parts ,
+That do contrive how many hands shall strike ,
+When fitness calls them on , and know by measure
+Of their observant toil the enemies' weight ,
+Why , this hath not a finger's dignity :
+They call this bed-work , mappery , closet-war ;
+So that the ram that batters down the wall ,
+For the great swing and rudeness of his poise ,
+They place before his hand that made the engine ,
+Or those that with the fineness of their souls
+By reason guides his execution .
+
+Let this be granted , and Achilles' horse
+Makes many Thetis' sons .
+
+
+What trumpet ? look , Menelaus .
+
+From Troy .
+
+
+What would you 'fore our tent ?
+
+Is this great Agamemnon's tent , I pray you ?
+
+Even this .
+
+May one , that is a herald and a prince ,
+Do a fair message to his kingly ears ?
+
+With surety stronger than Achilles' arm
+'Fore all the Greekish heads , which with one voice
+Call Agamemnon head and general .
+
+Fair leave and large security . How may
+A stranger to those most imperial looks
+Know them from eyes of other mortals ?
+
+How !
+
+Ay ;
+I ask , that I might waken reverence ,
+And bid the cheek be ready with a blush
+Modest as morning when she coldly eyes
+The youthful Ph bus :
+Which is that god in office , guiding men ?
+Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon ?
+
+This Trojan scorns us ; or the men of Troy
+Are ceremonious courtiers .
+
+Courtiers as free , as debonair , unarm'd ,
+As bending angels ; that's their fame in peace :
+But when they would seem soldiers , they have galls ,
+Good arms , strong joints , true swords ; and , Jove's accord ,
+Nothing so full of heart . But peace , neas !
+Peace , Trojan ! lay thy finger on thy lips !
+The worthiness of praise distains his worth ,
+If that the prais'd himself bring the praise forth ;
+But what the repining enemy commends ,
+That breath fame blows ; that praise , sole pure , transcends .
+
+Sir , you of Troy , call you yourself neas ?
+
+Ay , Greek , that is my name .
+
+What's your affair , I pray you ?
+
+Sir , pardon ; 'tis for Agamemnon's ears .
+
+He hears nought privately that comes from Troy .
+
+Nor I from Troy come not to whisper him :
+I bring a trumpet to awake his ear ,
+To set his sense on the attentive bent ,
+And then to speak .
+
+Speak frankly as the wind :
+It is not Agamemnon's sleeping hour ;
+That thou shalt know , Trojan , he is awake ,
+He tells thee so himself .
+
+Trumpet , blow aloud ,
+Send thy brass voice through all these lazy tents ;
+And every Greek of mettle , let him know ,
+What Troy means fairly shall be spoke aloud .
+
+We have , great Agamemnon , here in Troy .
+A prince called Hector ,Priam is his father ,
+Who in this dull and long-continu'd truce
+Is rusty grown : he bade me take a trumpet ,
+And to this purpose speak : kings , princes , lords !
+If there be one among the fair'st of Greece
+That holds his honour higher than his ease ,
+That seeks his praise more than he fears his peril ,
+That knows his valour , and knows not his fear ,
+That loves his mistress more than in confession ,
+With truant vows to her own lips he loves ,
+And dare avow her beauty and her worth
+In other arms than hers ,to him this challenge .
+Hector , in view of Trojans and of Greeks ,
+Shall make it good , or do his best to do it ,
+He hath a lady wiser , fairer , truer ,
+Than ever Greek did compass in his arms ;
+And will to-morrow with his trumpet call ,
+Mid-way between your tents and walls of Troy ,
+To rouse a Grecian that is true in love :
+If any come , Hector shall honour him ;
+If none , he'll say in Troy when he retires ,
+The Grecian dames are sunburnt , and not worth
+The splinter of a lance . Even so much .
+
+This shall be told our lovers , Lord neas ;
+If none of them have soul in such a kind ,
+We left them all at home : but we are soldiers ;
+And may that soldier a mere recreant prove ,
+That means not , hath not , or is not in love !
+If then one is , or hath , or means to be ,
+That one meets Hector ; if none else , I am he .
+
+Tell him of Nestor , one that was a man
+When Hector's grandsire suck'd : he is old now ;
+But if there be not in our Grecian host
+One noble man that hath one spark of fire
+To answer for his love , tell him from me ,
+I'll hide my silver beard in a gold beaver ,
+And in my vantbrace put this wither'd brawn ;
+And , meeting him , will tell him that my lady
+Was fairer than his grandam , and as chaste
+As may be in the world : his youth in flood ,
+I'll prove this truth with my three drops of blood .
+
+Now heavens forbid such scarcity of youth !
+
+Amen .
+
+Fair Lord neas , let me touch your hand ;
+To our pavilion shall I lead you first .
+Achilles shall have word of this intent ;
+So shall each lord of Greece , from tent to tent :
+Yourself shall feast with us before you go ,
+And find the welcome of a noble foe .
+
+
+Nestor !
+
+What says Ulysses ?
+
+I have a young conception in my brain ;
+Be you my time to bring it to some shape .
+
+What is't ?
+
+This 'tis :
+Blunt wedges rive hard knots : the seeded pride
+That hath to this maturity blown up
+In rank Achilles , must or now be cropp'd ,
+Or , shedding , breed a nursery of like evil ,
+To overbulk us all .
+
+Well , and how ?
+
+This challenge that the gallant Hector sends ,
+However it is spread in general name ,
+Relates in purpose only to Achilles .
+
+The purpose is perspicuous even as substance
+Whose grossness little characters sum up :
+And , in the publication , make no strain ,
+But that Achilles , were his brain as barren
+As banks of Libya ,though , Apollo knows ,
+'Tis dry enough ,will with great speed of judgment ,
+Ay , with celerity , find Hector's purpose
+Pointing on him .
+
+And wake him to the answer , think you ?
+
+Yes , 'tis most meet : whom may you else oppose ,
+That can from Hector bring those honours off ,
+If not Achilles ? Though't be a sportful combat ,
+Yet in the trial much opinion dwells ;
+For here the Trojans taste our dear'st repute
+With their fin'st palate : and trust to me , Ulysses ,
+Our imputation shall be oddly pois'd
+In this wild action ; for the success ,
+Although particular , shall give a scantling
+Of good or bad unto the general ;
+And in such indexes , although small pricks
+To their subsequent volumes , there is seen
+The baby figure of the giant mass
+Of things to come at large . It is suppos'd
+He that meets Hector issues from our choice ;
+And choice , being mutual act of all our souls ,
+Makes merit her election , and doth boil ,
+As 'twere from forth us all , a man distill'd
+Out of our virtues ; who miscarrying ,
+What heart receives from bence the conquering part ,
+To steel a strong opinion to themselves ?
+Which entertain'd , limbs are his instruments ,
+In no less working than are swords and bows
+Directive by the limbs .
+
+Give pardon to my speech :
+Therefore 'tis meet Achilles meet not Hector .
+Let us like merchants show our foulest wares ,
+And think perchance they'll sell ; if not ,
+The lustre of the better yet to show
+Shall show the better . Do not consent
+That ever Hector and Achilles meet ;
+For both our honour and our shame in this
+Are dogg'd with two strange followers .
+
+I see them not with my old eyes : what are they ?
+
+What glory our Achilles shares from Hector ,
+Were he not proud , we all should share with him :
+But he already is too insolent ;
+And we were better parch in Afric sun
+Than in the pride and salt scorn of his eyes ,
+Should he 'scape Hector fair : if he were foil'd ,
+Why then we did our main opinion crush
+In taint of our best man . No ; make a lottery ;
+And by device let blockish Ajax draw
+The sort to fight with Hector : among ourselves
+Give him allowance as the worthier man ,
+For that will physic the great Myrmidon
+Who broils in loud applause ; and make him fall
+His crest that prouder than blue Iris bends .
+If the dull brainless Ajax come safe off ,
+We'll dress him up in voices : if he fail ,
+Yet go we under our opinion still
+That we have better men . But , hit or miss ,
+Our project's life this shape of sense assumes :
+Ajax employ'd plucks down Achilles' plumes .
+
+Ulysses ,
+Now I begin to relish thy advice ;
+And I will give a taste of it forthwith
+To Agamemnon : go we to him straight .
+Two curs shall tame each other : pride alone
+Must tarre the mastiffs on , as 'twere their bone .
+
+
+Thersites !
+
+Agamemnon , how if he had boils ? full , all over , generally ?
+
+Thersites !
+
+And those boils did run ? Say so , did not the general run then ? were not that a botchy core ?
+
+Dog !
+
+Then would come some matter from him : I see none now .
+
+Thou bitch-wolf's son , canst thou not hear ?
+Feel , then .
+
+
+The plague of Greece upon thee , thou mongrel beef-witted lord !
+
+Speak then , thou vinewedst leaven , speak : I will beat thee into handsomeness .
+
+I shall sooner rail thee into wit and holiness : but I think thy horse will sooner con an oration than thou learn a prayer without book . Thou canst strike , canst thou ? a red murrain o' thy jade's tricks !
+
+Toadstool , learn me the proclamation .
+
+Dost thou think I have no sense , thou strikest me thus ?
+
+The proclamation !
+
+Thou art proclaimed a fool , I think .
+
+Do not , porpentine , do not : my fingers itch .
+
+I would thou didst itch from head to foot , and I had the scratching of thee ; I would make thee the loathsomest scab of Greece . When thou art forth in the incursions , thou strikest as slow as another .
+
+I say , the proclamation !
+
+Thou grumblest and railest every hour on Achilles , and thou art as full of envy at his greatness as Cerberus is at Proserpina's beauty , ay that thou barkest at him .
+
+Mistress Thersites !
+
+Thou shouldst strike him .
+
+Cobloaf !
+
+He would pun thee into shivers with his fist , as a sailor breaks a biscuit .
+
+You whoreson cur .
+
+
+Do , do .
+
+Thou stool for a witch !
+
+Ay , do , do ; thou sodden-witted lord ! thou hast no more brain than I have in mine elbows ; an assinego may tutor thee : thou scurvy-valiant ass ! thou art here but to thrash Trojans ; and thou art bought and sold among those of any wit , like a barbarian slave . If thou use to beat me , I will begin at thy heel , and tell what thou art by inches , thou thing of no bowels , thou !
+
+You dog !
+
+You scurvy lord !
+
+You cur !
+
+
+Mars his idiot ! do , rudeness ; do , camel ; do , do .
+
+
+Why , how now , Ajax ! wherefore do you this ?
+How now , Thersites ! what's the matter , man ?
+
+You see him there , do you ?
+
+Ay ; what's the matter ?
+
+Nay , look upon him .
+
+So I do : what's the matter ?
+
+Nay , but regard him well .
+
+'Well !' why , so I do .
+
+But yet you look not well upon him ; for , whosoever you take him to be , he is Ajax .
+
+I know that , fool .
+
+Ay , but that fool knows not himself .
+
+Therefore I beat thee .
+
+Lo , lo , lo , lo , what modicums of wit he utters ! his evasions have ears thus long . I have bobbed his brain more than he has beat my bones : I will buy nine sparrows for a penny , and his pia mater is not worth the ninth part of a sparrow . This lord , Achilles , Ajax , who wears his wit in his belly , and his guts in his head , I'll tell you what I say of him .
+
+What ?
+
+I say , this Ajax ,
+
+
+Nay , good Ajax .
+
+Has not so much wit
+
+Nay , I must hold you .
+
+As will stop the eye of Helen's needle , for whom he comes to fight .
+
+Peace , fool !
+
+I would have peace and quietness , but the fool will not : he there ; that he ; look you there .
+
+O thou damned cur ! I shall
+
+Will you set your wit to a fool's ?
+
+No , I warrant you ; for a fool's will shame it .
+
+Good words , Thersites .
+
+What's the quarrel ?
+
+I bade the vile owl go learn me the tenour of the proclamation , and he rails upon me .
+
+I serve thee not .
+
+Well , go to , go to .
+
+I serve here voluntary .
+
+Your last service was sufferance , 'twas not voluntary ; no man is beaten voluntary : Ajax was here the voluntary , and you as under an impress .
+
+Even so ; a great deal of your wit too lies in your sinews , or else there be liars . Hector shall have a great catch if he knock out either of your brains : a' were as good crack a fusty nut with no kernel .
+
+What , with me too , Thersites ?
+
+There's Ulysses and old Nestor , whose wit was mouldy ere your grandsires had nails on their toes , yoke you like draught-oxen , and make you plough up the wars .
+
+What , what ?
+
+Yes , good sooth : to , Achilles ! to , Ajax ! to !
+
+I shall cut out your tongue .
+
+'Tis no matter ; I shall speak as much as thou afterwards .
+
+No more words , Thersites ; peace !
+
+I will hold my peace when Achilles' brach bids me , shall I ?
+
+There's for you , Patroclus .
+
+I will see you hanged , like clotpoles , ere I come any more to your tents : I will keep where there is wit stirring and leave the faction of fools .
+
+
+A good riddance .
+
+Marry , this , sir , is proclaim'd through all our host :
+That Hector , by the fifth hour of the sun ,
+Will , with a trumpet , 'twixt our tents and Troy
+To morrow morning call some knight to arms
+That hath a stomach ; and such a one that dare
+Maintain I know not what : 'tis trash . Farewell .
+
+Farewell . Who shall answer him ?
+
+I know not : it is put to lottery ; otherwise ,
+He knew his man .
+
+O , meaning you . I will go learn more of it .
+
+
+After so many hours , lives , speeches spent ,
+Thus once again says Nestor from the Greeks :
+'Deliver Helen , and all damage else ,
+As honour , loss of time , travail , expense ,
+Wounds , friends , and what else dear that is consum'd
+In hot digestion of this cormorant war ,
+Shall be struck off .' Hector , what say you to't ?
+
+Though no man lesser fears the Greeks than I ,
+As far as toucheth my particular ,
+Yet , dread Priam ,
+There is no lady of more softer bowels ,
+More spongy to suck in the sense of fear ,
+More ready to cry out 'Who knows what follows ?'
+Than Hector is . The wound of peace is surety ,
+Surety secure ; but modest doubt is call'd
+The beacon of the wise , the tent that searches
+To the bottom of the worst . Let Helen go :
+Since the first sword was drawn about this question ,
+Every tithe soul , 'mongst many thousand dismes ,
+Hath been as dear as Helen ; I mean , of ours :
+If we have lost so many tenths of ours ,
+To guard a thing not ours nor worth to us ,
+Had it our name , the value of one ten ,
+What merit's in that reason which denies
+The yielding of her up ?
+
+Fie , fie ! my brother ,
+Weigh you the worth and honour of a king
+So great as our dread father in a scale
+Of common ounces ? will you with counters sum
+The past proportion of his infinite ?
+And buckle in a waist most fathomless
+With spans and inches so diminutive
+As fears and reasons ? fie , for godly shame !
+
+No marvel , though you bite so sharp at reasons ,
+You are so empty of them . Should not our father
+Bear the great sway of his affairs with reasons ,
+Because your speech hath none that tells him so ?
+
+You are for dreams and slumbers , brother priest ;
+You fur your gloves with reason . Here are your reasons :
+You know an enemy intends you harm ;
+You know a sword employ'd is perilous ,
+And reason flies the object of all harm :
+Who marvels then , when Helenus beholds
+A Grecian and his sword , if he do set
+The very wings of reason to his heels ,
+And fly like chidden Mercury from Jove ,
+Or like a star disorb'd ? Nay , if we talk of reason ,
+Let's shut our gates and sleep : manhood and honour
+Should have hare-hearts , would they but fat their thoughts
+With this cramm'd reason : reason and respect
+Make livers pale , and lustihood deject .
+
+Brother , she is not worth what she doth cost
+The holding .
+
+What is aught but as 'tis valu'd ?
+
+But value dwells not in particular will ;
+It holds his estimate and dignity
+As well wherein 'tis precious of itself
+As in the prizer . 'Tis mad idolatry
+To make the service greater than the god ;
+And the will dotes that is inclinable
+To what infectiously itself affects ,
+Without some image of the affected merit .
+
+I take to-day a wife , and my election
+Is led on in the conduct of my will ;
+My will enkindled by mine eyes and ears ,
+Two traded pilots 'twixt the dangerous shores
+Of will and judgment . How may I avoid ,
+Although my will distaste what it elected ,
+The wife I chose ? there can be no evasion
+To blench from this and to stand firm by honour .
+We turn not back the silks upon the merchant
+When we have soil'd them , nor the remainder viands
+We do not throw in unrespective sink
+Because we now are full . It was thought meet
+Paris should do some vengeance on the Greeks :
+Your breath of full consent bellied his sails ;
+The seas and winds old wranglers took a truce
+And did him service : he touch'd the ports desir'd ,
+And for an old aunt whom the Greeks held captive
+He brought a Grecian queen , whose youth and freshness
+Wrinkles Apollo's , and makes stale the morning .
+Why keep we her ? the Grecians keep our aunt :
+Is she worth keeping ? why , she is a pearl ,
+Whose price hath launch'd above a thousand ships ,
+And turn'd crown'd kings to merchants .
+If you'll avouch 'twas wisdom Paris went ,
+As you must needs , for you all cried 'Go , go ,'
+If you'll confess he brought home noble prize ,
+As you must needs , for you all clapp'd your hands ,
+And cry'd 'Inestimable !' why do you now
+The issue of your proper wisdoms rate ,
+And do a deed that Fortune never did ,
+Beggar the estimation which you priz'd
+Richer than sea and land ? O ! theft most base ,
+That we have stol'n what we do fear to keep !
+But thieves unworthy of a thing so stol'n ,
+That in their country did them that disgrace
+We fear to warrant in our native place .
+
+Cry , Trojans , cry !
+
+What noise ? what shriek ?
+
+'Tis our mad sister , I do know her voice
+
+Cry , Trojans !
+
+It is Cassandra .
+
+
+Cry , Trojans , cry ! lend me ten thousand eyes ,
+And I will fill them with prophetic tears .
+
+Peace , sister , peace !
+
+Virgins and boys , mid-age and wrinkled eld ,
+Soft infancy , that nothing canst but cry ,
+Add to my clamours ! let us pay betimes
+A moiety of that mass of moan to come .
+Cry , Trojans , cry ! practise your eyes with tears !
+Troy must not be , nor goodly Ilion stand ;
+Our firebrand brother , Paris , burns us all .
+Cry , Trojans , cry ! a Helen and a woe !
+Cry , cry ! Troy burns , or else let Helen go .
+
+
+Now , youthful Troilus , do not these high strains
+Of divination in our sister work
+Some touches of remorse ? or is your blood
+So madly hot that no discourse of reason ,
+Nor fear of bad success in a bad cause ,
+Can qualify the same ?
+
+Why , brother Hector ,
+We may not think the justness of each act
+Such and no other than event doth form it ,
+Nor once deject the courage of our minds ,
+Because Cassandra's mad : her brain-sick raptures
+Cannot distaste the goodness of a quarrel
+Which hath our several honours all engag'd
+To make it gracious . For my private part ,
+I am no more touch'd than all Priam's sons ;
+And Jove forbid there should be done amongst us
+Such things as might offend the weakest spleen
+To fight for and maintain .
+
+Else might the world convince of levity
+As well my undertakings as your counsels ;
+But I attest the gods , your full consent
+Gave wings to my propension and cut off
+All fears attending on so dire a project :
+For what , alas ! can these my single arms ?
+What propugnation is in one man's valour ,
+To stand the push and enmity of those
+This quarrel would excite ? Yet , I protest ,
+Were I alone to pass the difficulties ,
+And had as ample power as I have will ,
+Paris should ne'er retract what he hath done ,
+Nor faint in the pursuit .
+
+Paris , you speak
+Like one besotted on your sweet delights :
+You have the honey still , but these the gall ;
+So to be valiant is no praise at all .
+
+Sir , I propose not merely to myself
+The pleasure such a beauty brings with it ;
+But I would have the soil of her fair rape
+Wip'd off , in honourable keeping her .
+What treason were it to the ransack'd queen ,
+Disgrace to your great worths , and shame to me ,
+Now to deliver her possession up ,
+On terms of base compulsion ! Can it be
+That so degenerate a strain as this
+Should once set footing in your generous bosoms ?
+There's not the meanest spirit on our party
+Without a heart to dare or sword to draw
+When Helen is defended , nor none so noble
+Whose life were ill bestow'd or death unfam'd
+Where Helen is the subject : then , I say ,
+Well may we fight for her , whom , we know well ,
+The world's large spaces cannot parallel .
+
+Paris and Troilus , you have both said well ;
+And on the cause and question now in hand
+Have gloz'd , but superficially ; not much
+Unlike young men , whom Aristotle thought
+Unfit to hear moral philosophy .
+The reasons you allege do more conduce
+To the hot passion of distemper'd blood
+Than to make up a free determination
+'Twixt right and wrong ; for pleasure and revenge
+Have ears more deaf than adders to the voice
+Of any true decision . Nature craves
+All dues be render'd to their owners : now ,
+What nearer debt in all humanity
+Than wife is to the husband ? if this law
+Of nature be corrupted through affection ,
+And that great minds , of partial indulgence
+To their benumbed wills , resist the saine ;
+There is a law in each well-order'd nation
+To curb those raging appetites that are
+Most disobedient and refractory .
+If Helen then be wife to Sparta's king ,
+As it is known she is , these moral laws
+Of nature , and of nations , speak aloud
+To have her back return'd : thus to persist
+In doing wrong extenuates not wrong ,
+But makes it much more heavy . Hector's opinion
+Is this , in way of truth ; yet , ne'ertheless ,
+My spritely brethren , I propend to you
+In resolution to keep Helen still ;
+For 'tis a cause that hath no mean dependance
+Upon our joint and several dignities .
+
+Why , there you touch'd the life of our design :
+Were it not glory that we more affected
+Than the performance of our heaving spleens ,
+I would not wish a drop of Trojan blood
+Spent more in her defence . But , worthy Hector ,
+She is a theme of honour and renown ,
+A spur to valiant and magnanimous deeds ,
+Whose present courage may beat down our foes ,
+And fame in time to come canonize us ;
+For , I presume , brave Hector would not lose
+So rich advantage of a promis'd glory
+As smiles upon the forehead of this action
+For the wide world's revenue .
+
+I am yours ,
+You valiant offspring of great Priamus .
+I have a roisting challenge sent amongst
+The dull and factious nobles of the Greeks
+Will strike amazement to their drowsy spirits .
+I was advertis'd their great general slept
+Whilst emulation in the army crept :
+This , I presume , will wake him .
+
+
+How now , Thersites ! what , lost in the labyrinth of thy fury ! Shall the elephant Ajax carry it thus ? he beats me , and I rail at him : O worthy satisfaction ! Would it were otherwise ; that I could beat him , whilst he railed at me . 'Sfoot , I'll learn to conjure and raise devils , but I'll see some issue of my spiteful execrations . Then there's Achilles , a rare enginer . If Troy be not taken till these two undermine it , the walls will stand till they fall of themselves . O ! thou great thunder-darter of Olympus , forget that thou art Jove the king of gods , and , Mercury , lose all the serpentine craft of thy caduceus , if ye take not that little little less than little wit from them that they have ; which short-armed ignorance itself knows is so abundant scarce it will not in circumvention deliver a fly from a spider , without drawing their massy irons and cutting the web . After this , the vengeance on the whole camp ! or , rather , the Neapolitan bone-ache ! for that , methinks , is the curse dependant on those that war for a placket . I have said my prayers , and devil Envy say Amen . What , ho ! my Lord Achilles !
+
+
+Who's there ? Thersites ! Good Thersites , come in and rail .
+
+If I could have remembered a gilt counterfeit , thou wouldst not have slipped out of my contemplation : but it is no matter ; thyself upon thyself ! The common curse of mankind , folly and ignorance , be thine in great revenue ! heaven bless thee from a tutor , and discipline come not near thee ! Let thy blood be thy direction till thy death ! then , if she that lays thee out says thou art a fair corpse , I'll be sworn and sworn upon't she never shrouded any but lazars . Amen . Where's Achilles ?
+
+What ! art thou devout ? wast thou in prayer ?
+
+Ay ; the heavens hear me !
+
+
+Who's there ?
+
+Thersites , my lord .
+
+Where , where ? Art thou come ? Why , my cheese , my digestion , why hast thou not served thyself in to my table so many meals ? Come , what's Agamemnon ?
+
+Thy commander , Achilles . Then tell me , Patroclus , what's Achilles ?
+
+Thy lord , Thersites . Then tell me , I pray thee , what's thyself ?
+
+Thy knower , Patroclus . Then tell me , Patroclus , what art thou ?
+
+Thou mayst tell that knowest .
+
+O ! tell , tell .
+
+I'll decline the whole question . Agamemnon commands Achilles ; Achilles is my lord ; I am Patroclus' knower ; and Patroclus is a fool .
+
+You rascal !
+
+Peace , fool ! I have not done .
+
+He is a privileged man . Proceed , Thersites .
+
+Agamemnon is a fool ; Achilles is a fool ; Thersites is a fool ; and , as aforesaid , Patroclus is a fool .
+
+Derive this ; come .
+
+Agamemnon is a fool to offer to command Achilles ; Achilles is a fool to be commanded of Agamemnon ; Thersites is a fool to serve such a fool ; and Patroclus is a fool positive .
+
+Why am I a fool ?
+
+Make that demand to the Creator . It suffices me thou art . Look you , who comes here ?
+
+Patroclus , I'll speak with nobody . Come in with me , Thersites .
+
+
+Here is such patchery , such juggling , and such knavery ! all the argument is a cuckold and a whore ; a good quarrel to draw emulous factions and bleed to death upon . Now , the dry serpigo on the subject ! and war and lechery confound all !
+
+Where is Achilles ?
+
+Within his tent ; but ill-dispos'd , my lord .
+
+Let it be known to him that we are here .
+He shent our messengers ; and we lay by
+Our appertainments , visiting of him :
+Let him be told so ; lest perchance he think
+We dare not move the question of our place ,
+Or know not what we are .
+
+I shall say so to him .
+
+
+We saw him at the opening of his tent :
+He is not sick .
+
+Yes , lion-sick , sick of proud heart : you may call it melancholy if you will favour the man ; but , by my head , 'tis pride : but why , why ? let him show us a cause . A word , my lord .
+
+
+What moves Ajax thus to bay at him ?
+
+Achilles hath inveigled his fool from him .
+
+Who , Thersites ?
+
+He .
+
+Then will Ajax lack matter , if he have lost his argument .
+
+No ; you see , he is his argument that has his argument , Achilles .
+
+All the better ; their fraction is more our wish than their faction : but it was a strong composure a fool could disunite .
+
+The amity that wisdom knits not folly may easily untie . Here comes Patroclus .
+
+
+No Achilles with him .
+
+The elephant hath joints , but none for courtesy : his legs are legs for necessity , not for flexure .
+
+Achilles bids me say , he is much sorry
+If any thing more than your sport and pleasure
+Did move your greatness and this noble state
+To call upon him ; he hopes it is no other
+But , for your health and your digestion sake ,
+An after-dinner's breath .
+
+Hear you , Patroclus :
+We are too well acquainted with these answers :
+But his evasion , wing'd thus swift with scorn ,
+Cannot outfly our apprehensions .
+Much attribute he hath , and much the reason
+Why we ascribe it to him ; yet all his virtues ,
+Not virtuously on his own part beheld ,
+Do in our eyes begin to lose their gloss ,
+Yea , like fair fruit in an unwholesome dish ,
+Are like to rot untasted . Go and tell him ,
+We come to speak with him ; and you shall not sin
+If you do say we think him over-proud
+And under-honest , in self-assumption greater
+Than in the note of judgment ; and worthier than himself
+Here tend the savage strangeness he puts on ,
+Disguise the holy strength of their command ,
+And underwrite in an observing kind
+His humorous predominance ; yea , watch
+His pettish lunes , his ebbs , his flows , as if
+The passage and whole carriage of this action
+Rode on his tide . Go tell him this , and add ,
+That if he overhold his price so much ,
+We'll none of him ; but let him , like an engine
+Not portable , lie under this report :
+'Bring action hither , this cannot go to war :'
+A stirring dwarf we do allowance give
+Before a sleeping giant : tell him so .
+
+I shall ; and bring his answer presently .
+
+
+In second voice we'll not be satisfied ;
+We come to speak with him . Ulysses , enter you .
+
+
+What is he more than another ?
+
+No more than what he thinks he is .
+
+Is he so much ? Do you not think he thinks himself a better man than I am ?
+
+No question .
+
+Will you subscribe his thought , and say he is ?
+
+No , noble Ajax ; you are as strong , as valiant , as wise , no less noble , much more gentle , and altogether more tractable .
+
+Why should a man be proud ? How doth pride grow ? I know not what pride is .
+
+Your mind is the clearer , Ajax , and your virtues the fairer . He that is proud eats up himself : pride is his own glass , his own trumpet , his own chronicle ; and whatever praises itself but in the deed , devours the deed in the praise .
+
+I do hate a proud man , as I hate the engendering of toads .
+
+Yet he loves himself : is't not strange ?
+
+
+Achilles will not to the field to-morrow .
+
+What's his excuse ?
+
+He doth rely on none ,
+But carries on the stream of his dispose
+Without observance or respect of any ,
+In will peculiar and in self-admission .
+
+Why will he not upon our fair request
+Untent his person and share the air with us ?
+
+Things small as nothing , for request's sake only ,
+He makes important : possess'd he is with greatness ,
+And speaks not to himself but with a pride
+That quarrels at self-breath : imagin'd worth
+Holds in his blood such swoln and hot discourse ,
+That 'twixt his mental and his active parts
+Kingdom'd Achilles in commotion rages
+And batters down himself : what should I say ?
+He is so plaguy proud , that the death-tokens of it
+Cry 'No recovery .'
+
+Let Ajax go to him .
+Dear lord , go you and meet him in his tent :
+'Tis said he holds you well , and will be led
+At your request a little from himself .
+
+O Agamemnon ! let it not be so .
+We'll consecrate the steps that Ajax makes
+When they go from Achilles : shall the proud lord
+That bastes his arrogance with his own seam ,
+And never suffers matter of the world
+Enter his thoughts , save such as do revolve
+And ruminate himself , shall he be worshipp'd
+Of that we hold an idol more than he ?
+No , this thrice-worthy and right valiant lord
+Must not so stale his palm , nobly acquir'd ;
+Nor , by my will , assubjugate his merit ,
+As amply titled as Achilles is ,
+By going to Achilles :
+That were to enlard his fat-already pride ,
+And add more coals to Cancer when he burns
+With entertaining great Hyperion .
+This lord go to him ! Jupiter forbid ,
+And say in thunder , 'Achilles go to him .'
+
+O ! this is well ; he rubs the vein of him .
+
+And how his silence drinks up this applause !
+
+If I go to him , with my armed fist
+I'll pash him o'er the face .
+
+O , no ! you shall not go .
+
+An a' be proud with me , I'll pheeze his pride .
+Let me go to him .
+
+Not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel .
+
+A paltry , insolent fellow !
+
+How he describes himself !
+
+Can he not be sociable ?
+
+The raven chides blackness .
+
+I'll let his humours blood .
+
+He will be the physician that should be the patient .
+
+An all men were o' my mind ,
+
+Wit would be out of fashion .
+
+A' should not bear it so , a' should eat swords first : shall pride carry it ?
+
+An't would , you'd carry half .
+
+A' would have ten shares .
+
+I will knead him ; I will make him supple .
+
+He's not yet through warm : force him with praises : pour in , pour in ; his ambition is dry .
+
+My lord , you feed too much on this dislike .
+
+Our noble general , do not do so .
+
+You must prepare to fight without Achilles .
+
+Why , 'tis this naming of him does him harm .
+Here is a man but 'tis before his face ;
+I will be silent .
+
+Wherefore should you so ?
+He is not emulous , as Achilles is .
+
+Know the whole world , he is as valiant .
+
+A whoreson dog , that shall palter thus with us ! Would he were a Trojan !
+
+What a vice were it in Ajax now ,
+
+If he were proud ,
+
+Or covetous of praise ,
+
+Ay , or surly borne ,
+
+Or strange , or self-affected !
+
+Thank the heavens , lord , thou art of sweet composure ;
+Praise him that got thee , her that gave thee suck :
+Fam'd be thy tutor , and thy parts of nature
+Thrice-fam'd , beyond all erudition :
+But he that disciplin'd thy arms to fight ,
+Let Mars divide eternity in twain ,
+And give him half : and , for thy vigour ,
+Bull-bearing Milo his addition yield
+To sinewy Ajax . I will not praise thy wisdom ,
+Which , like a bourn , a pale , a shore , confines
+Thy spacious and dilated parts : here's Nestor
+Instructed by the antiquary times ,
+He must , he is , he cannot but be wise ;
+But pardon , father Nestor , were your days
+As green as Ajax , and your brain so temper'd ,
+You should not have the eminence of him ,
+But be as Ajax .
+
+Shall I call you father ?
+
+Ay , my good son .
+
+Be rul'd by him , Lord Ajax .
+
+There is no tarrying here ; the hart Achilles
+Keeps thicket . Please it our great general
+To call together all his state of war ;
+Fresh kings are come to Troy : to-morrow ,
+We must with all our main of power stand fast :
+And here's a lord ,come knights from east to west ,
+And cull their flower , Ajax shall cope the best .
+
+Go we to council . Let Achilles sleep :
+Light boats sail swift , though greater hulks draw deep .
+
+
+Friend ! you ! pray you , a word : do not you follow the young Lord Paris ?
+
+Ay , sir , when he goes before me .
+
+You depend upon him , I mean ?
+
+Sir , I do depend upon the Lord .
+
+You depend upon a noble gentleman ;
+I must needs praise him .
+
+The Lord be praised !
+
+You know me , do you not ?
+
+Faith , sir , superficially .
+
+Friend , know me better . I am the
+Lord Pandarus .
+
+I hope I shall know your honour better .
+
+I do desire it .
+
+You are in the state of grace .
+
+Grace ! not so , friend ; honour and lordship are my titles .
+
+What music is this ?
+
+I do but partly know , sir : it is music in parts .
+
+Know you the musicians ?
+
+Wholly , sir .
+
+Who play they to ?
+
+To the hearers , sir .
+
+At whose pleasure , friend ?
+
+At mine , sir , and theirs that love music .
+
+Command , I mean , friend .
+
+Who shall I command , sir ?
+
+Friend , we understand not one another :
+I am too courtly , and thou art too cunning . At whose request do these men play ?
+
+That's to't , indeed , sir . Marry , sir , at the request of Paris my lord , who is there in person ; with him the mortal Venus , the heartblood of beauty , love's invisible soul .
+
+Who , my cousin Cressida ?
+
+No , sir , Helen : could you not find out that by her attributes ?
+
+It should seem , fellow , that thou hast not seen the Lady Cressida . I come to speak with Paris from the Prince Troilus : I will make a complimental assault upon him , for my business seethes .
+
+Sodden business : there's a stewed phrase , indeed .
+
+
+Fair be to you , my lord , and to all this fair company ! fair desires , in all fair measures , fairly guide them ! especially to you , fair queen ! fair thoughts be your fair pillow !
+
+Dear lord , you are full of fair words .
+
+You speak your fair pleasure , sweet queen . Fair prince , here is good broken music .
+
+You have broke it , cousin ; and , by my life , you shall make it whole again : you shall piece it out with a piece of your performance . Nell , he is full of harmony .
+
+Truly , lady , no .
+
+O , sir !
+
+Rude , in sooth ; in good sooth , very rude .
+
+Well said , my lord ! Well , you say so in fits .
+
+I have business to my lord , dear queen .
+My lord , will you vouchsafe me a word ?
+
+Nay , this shall not hedge us out : we'll hear you sing , certainly .
+
+Well , sweet queen , you are pleasant with me . But , marry , thus , my lord . My dear lord and most esteemed friend , your brother Troilus
+
+My Lord Pandarus ; honey-sweet lord ,
+
+Go to , sweet queen , go to : commends himself most affectionately to you .
+
+You shall not bob us out of our melody : if you do , our melancholy upon your head !
+
+Sweet queen , sweet queen ! that's a sweet queen , i' faith .
+
+And to make a sweet lady sad is a sour offence .
+
+Nay , that shall not serve your turn ; that shall it not , in truth , la ! Nay , I care not for such words : no , no . And , my lord , he desires you , that if the king call for him at supper , you will make his excuse .
+
+My Lord Pandarus ,
+
+What says my sweet queen , my very sweet queen ?
+
+What exploit's in hand ? where sups he to-night ?
+
+Nay , but my lord ,
+
+What says my sweet queen ! My cousin will fall out with you . You must know where he sups .
+
+I'll lay my life , with my disposer Cressida .
+
+No , no , no such matter ; you are wide . Come , your disposer is sick .
+
+Well , I'll make excuse .
+
+Ay , good my lord . Why should you say Cressida ? no , your poor disposer's sick .
+
+I spy .
+
+You spy ! what do you spy ? Come , give me an instrument . Now , sweet queen .
+
+Why , this is kindly done .
+
+My niece is horribly in love with a thing you have , sweet queen .
+
+She shall have it , my lord , if it be not my Lord Paris .
+
+He ! no , she'll none of him ; they two are twain .
+
+Falling in , after falling out , may make them three .
+
+Come , come , I'll hear no more of this .
+I'll sing you a song now .
+
+Ay , ay , prithee now . By my troth , sweet lord , thou hast a fine forehead .
+
+Ay , you may , you may .
+
+Let thy song be love : this love will undo us all . O Cupid , Cupid , Cupid !
+
+Love ! ay , that it shall , i' faith .
+
+Ay , good now , love , love , nothing but love .
+
+In good troth , it begins so :
+
+
+Love , love , nothing but love , still more !
+For , oh ! love's bow
+Shoots buck and doe :
+The shaft confounds ,
+Not that it wounds ,
+But tickles still the sore .
+These lovers cry O ! O ! they die !
+Yet that which seems the wound to kill ,
+Doth turn O ! O ! to ha ! ha ! he !
+So dying love lives still :
+O ! O ! a while , but ha ! ha ! ha !
+O ! O ! groans out for ha ! ha ! ha !
+
+Heigh-ho !
+
+In love , i' faith , to the very tip of the nose .
+
+He eats nothing but doves , love ; and that breeds hot blood , and hot blood begets hot thoughts , and hot thoughts beget hot deeds , and hot deeds is love .
+
+Is this the generation of love ? hot blood ? hot thoughts , and hot deeds ? Why , they are vipers : is love a generation of vipers ? Sweet lord , who's a-field to-day ?
+
+Hector , Deiphobus , Helenus , Antenor , and all the gallantry of Troy : I would fain have armed to-day , but my Nell would not have it so . How chance my brother Troilus went not ?
+
+He hangs the lip at something : you know all , Lord Pandarus .
+
+Not I , honey-sweet queen . I long to hear how they sped to-day . You'll remember your brother's excuse ?
+
+To a hair .
+
+Farewell , sweet queen .
+
+Commend me to your niece .
+
+I will , sweet queen .
+
+
+They're come from field : let us to Priam's hall
+To greet the warriors . Sweet Helen , I must woo you
+To help unarm our Hector : his stubborn buckles ,
+With these your white enchanting fingers touch'd ,
+Shall more obey than to the edge of steel
+Or force of Greekish sinews ; you shall do more
+Than all the island kings ,disarm great Hector .
+
+'Twill make us proud to be his servant , Paris ;
+Yea , what he shall receive of us in duty
+Gives us more palm in beauty than we have ,
+Yea , overshines ourself .
+
+Sweet , above thought I love thee .
+
+
+How now ! where's thy master ? at my cousin Cressida's ?
+
+No , sir ; he stays for you to conduct him thither .
+
+
+O ! here he comes . How now , how now !
+
+Sirrah , walk off .
+
+
+Have you seen my cousin ?
+
+No , Pandarus : I stalk about her door ,
+Like a strange soul upon the Stygian banks
+Staying for waftage . O ! be thou my Charon ,
+And give me swift transportance to those fields
+Where I may wallow in the lily-beds
+Propos'd for the deserver ! O gentle Pandarus !
+From Cupid's shoulder pluck his painted wings ,
+And fly with me to Cressid .
+
+Walk here i' the orchard . I'll bring her straight .
+
+
+I am giddy , expectation whirls me round .
+The imaginary relish is so sweet
+That it enchants my sense . What will it be
+When that the watery palate tastes indeed
+Love's thrice-repured nectar ? death , I fear me ,
+Swounding destruction , or some joy too fine ,
+Too subtle-potent , tun'd too sharp in sweetness
+For the capacity of my ruder powers :
+I fear it much ; and I do fear besides
+That I shall lose distinction in my joys ;
+As doth a battle , when they charge on heaps
+The enemy flying .
+
+
+She's making her ready : she'll come straight : you must be witty now . She does so blush , and fetches her wind so short , as if she were frayed with a sprite : I'll fetch her . It is the prettiest villain : she fetches her breath as short as a new-ta'en sparrow .
+
+
+Even such a passion doth embrace my bosom ;
+My heart beats thicker than a fev'rous pulse ;
+And all my powers do their bestowing lose ,
+Like vassalage at unawares encountering
+The eye of majesty .
+
+
+Come , come , what need you blush ? shame's a baby . Here she is now : swear the oaths now to her that you have sworn to me . What ! are you gone again ? you must be watched ere you be made tame , must you ? Come your ways , come your ways ; an you draw backward , we'll put you i' the fills . Why do you not speak to her ? Come , draw this curtain , and let's see your picture . Alas the day , how loath you are to offend day-light ! an 'twere dark , you'd close sooner . So , so ; rub on , and kiss the mistress . How now ! a kiss in fee-farm ! build there , carpenter ; the air is sweet . Nay , you shall fight your hearts out ere I part you . The falcon as the tercel , for all the ducks i' the river : go to , go to .
+
+You have bereft me of all words , lady .
+
+Words pay no debts , give her deeds ; but she'll bereave you of the deeds too if she call your activity in question . What ! billing again ? Here's 'In witness whereof the parties interchangeably' Come in , come in : I'll go get a fire .
+
+
+Will you walk in , my lord ?
+
+O Cressida ! how often have I wished me thus !
+
+Wished , my lord ! The gods grant ,O my lord !
+
+What should they grant ? what makes this pretty abruption ? What too curious dreg espies my sweet lady in the fountain of our love ?
+
+More dregs than water , if my fears have eyes .
+
+Fears make devils of cherubins ; they never see truly .
+
+Blind fear , that seeing reason leads , finds safer footing than blind reason stumbling without fear : to fear the worst oft cures the worse .
+
+O ! let my lady apprehend no fear : in all Cupid's pageant there is presented no monster .
+
+Nor nothing monstrous neither ?
+
+Nothing but our undertakings ; when we vow to weep seas , live in fire , eat rocks , tame tigers ; thinking it harder for our mistress to devise imposition enough than for us to undergo any difficulty imposed . This is the monstruosity in love , lady , that the will is infinite , and the execution confined ; that the desire is boundless , and the act a slave to limit .
+
+They say all lovers swear more performance than they are able , and yet reserve an ability that they never perform ; vowing more than the perfection of ten and discharging less than the tenth part of one . They that have the voice of lions and the act of hares , are they not monsters ?
+
+Are there such ? such are not we . Praise us as we are tasted , allow us as we prove ; our head shall go bare , till merit crown it . No perfection in reversion shall have a praise in present : we will not name desert before his birth , and , being born , his addition shall be humble . Few words to fair faith : Troilus shall be such to Cressid , as what envy can say worst shall be a mock for his truth ; and what truth can speak truest not truer than Troilus .
+
+Will you walk in , my lord ?
+
+
+What ! blushing still ? have you not done talking yet ?
+
+Well , uncle , what folly I commit , I dedicate to you .
+
+I thank you for that : if my lord get a boy of you , you'll give him me . Be true to my lord ; if he flinch , chide me for it .
+
+You know now your hostages ; your uncle's word , and my firm faith .
+
+Nay , I'll give my word for her too . Our kindred , though they be long ere they are wooed , they are constant being won : they are burrs , I can tell you ; they'll stick where they are thrown .
+
+Boldness comes to me now , and brings me heart :
+Prince Troilus , I have lov'd you night and day
+For many weary months .
+
+Why was my Cressid then so hard to win ?
+
+Hard to seem won ; but I was won , my lord ,
+With the first glance that ever pardon me
+If I confess much you will play the tyrant .
+I love you now ; but , till now , not so much
+But I might master it : in faith , I lie ;
+My thoughts were like unbridled children , grown
+Too headstrong for their mother . See , we fools !
+Why have I blabb'd ? who shall be true to us
+When we are so unsecret to ourselves ?
+But , though I lov'd you well , I woo'd you not ;
+And yet , good faith , I wish'd myself a man ,
+Or that we women had men's privilege
+Of speaking first . Sweet , bid me hold my tongue ;
+For in this rapture I shall surely speak
+The thing I shall repent . See , see ! your silence ,
+Cunning in dumbness , from my weakness draws
+My very soul of counsel . Stop my mouth .
+
+And shall , albeit sweet music issues thence .
+
+Pretty , i' faith .
+
+My lord , I do beseech you , pardon me ;
+'Twas not my purpose thus to beg a kiss :
+I am asham'd : O heavens ! what have I done ?
+For this time will I take my leave , my lord .
+
+Your leave , sweet Cressid ?
+
+Leave ! an you take leave till to-morrow morning ,
+
+Pray you , content you .
+
+What offends you , lady ?
+
+Sir , mine own company .
+
+You cannot shun yourself .
+
+Let me go and try :
+I have a kind of self resides with you ;
+But an unkind self , that itself will leave ,
+To be another's fool . I would be gone :
+Where is my wit ? I speak I know not what .
+
+Well know they what they speak that speak so wisely .
+
+Perchance , my lord , I show more craft than love ;
+And fell so roundly to a large confession ,
+To angle for your thoughts : but you are wise ,
+Or else you love not , for to be wise , and love ,
+Exceeds man's might ; that dwells with gods above .
+
+O ! that I thought it could be in a woman
+As if it can I will presume in you
+To feed for aye her lamp and flames of love ;
+To keep her constancy in plight and youth ,
+Outliving beauty's outward , with a mind
+That doth renew swifter than blood decays :
+Or that persuasion could but thus convince me ,
+That my integrity and truth to you
+Might be affronted with the match and weight
+Of such a winnow'd purity in love ;
+How were I then uplifted ! but , alas !
+I am as true as truth's simplicity ,
+And simpler than the infancy of truth .
+
+In that I'll war with you .
+
+O virtuous fight !
+When right with right wars who shall be most right .
+True swains in love shall in the world to come
+Approve their truths by Troilus : when their rimes ,
+Full of protest , of oath , and big compare ,
+Want similes , truth tir'd with iteration ,
+As true as steel , as plantage to the moon ,
+As sun to day , as turtle to her mate ,
+As iron to adamant , as earth to the centre ,
+Yet , after all comparisons of truth ,
+As truth's authentic author to be cited ,
+'As true as Troilus' shall crown up the verse
+And sanctify the numbers .
+
+Prophet may you be !
+If I be false , or swerve a hair from truth ,
+When time is old and hath forgot itself ,
+When waterdrops have worn the stones of Troy ,
+And blind oblivion swallow'd cities up ,
+And mighty states characterless are grated
+To dusty nothing , yet let memory ,
+From false to false , among false maids in love
+Upbraid my falsehood ! when they have said 'as false
+As air , as water , wind , or sandy earth ,
+As fox to lamb , as wolf to heifer's calf ,
+Pard to the hind , or stepdame to her son ;'
+Yea , let them say , to stick the heart of falsehood ,
+'As false as Cressid .'
+
+Go to , a bargain made ; seal it , seal it : I'll be the witness . Here I hold your hand , here my cousin's . If ever you prove false one to another , since I have taken such pains to bring you together , let all pitiful goers-between be called to the world's end after my name ; call them all Pandars ; let all constant men be Troiluses , all false women Cressids , and all brokers-between Pandars ! say , Amen .
+
+Amen .
+
+Amen .
+
+Amen . Whereupon I will show you a chamber and a bed ; which bed , because it shall not speak of your pretty encounters , press it to death : away !
+And Cupid grant all tongue-tied maidens here
+Bed , chamber , Pandar to provide this gear !
+
+
+Now , princes , for the service I have done you ,
+The advantage of the time prompts me aloud
+To call for recompense . Appear it to your mind
+That through the sight I bear in things to come ,
+I have abandon'd Troy , left my possession ,
+Incurr'd a traitor's name ; expos'd myself ,
+From certain and possess'd conveniences ,
+To doubtful fortunes ; sequestering from me all
+That time , acquaintance , custom , and condition
+Made tame and most familiar to my nature ;
+And here , to do you service , have become
+As new into the world , strange , unacquainted :
+I do beseech you , as in way of taste ,
+To give me now a little benefit ,
+Out of those many register'd in promise ,
+Which , you say , live to come in my behalf .
+
+What wouldst thou of us , Trojan ? make demand .
+
+You have a Trojan prisoner , call'd Antenor ,
+Yesterday took : Troy holds him very dear .
+Oft have you often have you thanks therefore
+Desir'd my Cressid in right great exchange ,
+Whom Troy hath still denied ; but this Antenor
+I know is such a wrest in their affairs
+That their negociations all must slack ,
+Wanting his manage ; and they will almost
+Give us a prince of blood , a son of Priam ,
+In change of him : let him be sent , great princes ,
+And he shall buy my daughter ; and her presence
+Shall quite strike off all service I have done ,
+In most accepted pain .
+
+Let Diomedes bear him ,
+And bring us Cressid hither : Calchas shall have
+What he requests of us . Good Diomed ,
+Furnish you fairly for this interchange :
+Withal bring word if Hector will to-morrow
+Be answer'd in his challenge : Ajax is ready .
+
+This shall I undertake ; and 'tis a burden
+Which I am proud to bear .
+
+Achilles stands in the entrance of his tent :
+Please it our general to pass strangely by him ,
+As if he were forgot ; and , princes all ,
+Lay negligent and loose regard upon him :
+I will come last . 'Tis like he'll question me
+Why such unplausive eyes are bent on him :
+If so , I have derision med'cinable
+To use between your strangeness and his pride ,
+Which his own will shall have desire to drink .
+It may do good : pride hath no other glass
+To show itself but pride , for supple knees
+Feed arrogance and are the poor man's fees .
+
+We'll execute your purpose , and put on
+A form of strangeness as we pass along :
+So do each lord , and either greet him not ,
+Or else disdainfully , which shall shake him more
+Than if not look'd on . I will lead the way .
+
+What ! comes the general to speak with me ?
+You know my mind ; I'll fight no more 'gainst Troy .
+
+What says Achilles ? would he aught with us ?
+
+Would you , my lord , aught with the general ?
+
+No .
+
+Nothing , my lord .
+
+The better .
+
+
+Good day , good day .
+
+How do you ? how do you ?
+
+
+What ! does the cuckold scorn me ?
+
+How now , Patroclus ?
+
+Good morrow , Ajax .
+
+Ha ?
+
+Good morrow .
+
+Ay , and good next day too .
+
+
+What mean these fellows ? Know they not Achilles ?
+
+They pass by strangely : they were us'd to bend ,
+To send their smiles before them to Achilles ;
+To come as humbly as they us'd to creep
+To holy altars .
+
+What ! am I poor of late ?
+'Tis certain , greatness , once fall'n out with fortune ,
+Must fall out with men too : what the declin'd is
+He shall as soon read in the eyes of others
+As feel in his own fall ; for men , like butterflies ,
+Show not their mealy wings but to the summer ,
+And not a man , for being simply man ,
+Hath any honour , but honour for those honours
+That are without him , as places , riches , and favour ,
+Prizes of accident as oft as merit :
+Which when they fall , as being slippery standers ,
+The love that lean'd on them as slippery too ,
+Do one pluck down another , and together
+Die in the fall . But 'tis not so with me :
+Fortune and I are friends : I do enjoy
+At ample point all that I did possess ,
+Save these men's looks ; who do , methinks , find out
+Something not worth in me such rich beholding
+As they have often given . Here is Ulysses :
+I'll interrupt his reading .
+How now , Ulysses !
+
+Now , great Thetis' son !
+
+What are you reading ?
+
+A strange fellow here
+Writes me ,
+That man , how dearly ever parted ,
+How much in having , or without or in ,
+Cannot make boast to have that which he hath ,
+Nor feels not what he owes but by reflection ;
+As when his virtues shining upon others
+Heat them , and they retort that heat again
+To the first giver .
+
+This is not strange , Ulysses !
+The beauty that is borne here in the face
+The bearer knows not , but commends itself
+To others' eyes : nor doth the eye itself
+That most pure spirit of sense behold itself ,
+Not going from itself ; but eye to eye oppos'd
+Salutes each other with each other's form ;
+For speculation turns not to itself
+Till it hath travell'd and is mirror'd there
+Where it may see itself . This is not strange at all .
+
+I do not strain at the position ,
+It is familiar , but at the author s drift ;
+Who in his circumstance expressly proves
+That no man is the lord of any thing
+Though in and of him there be much consisting
+Till he communicate his parts to others :
+Nor doth he of himself know them for aught
+Till he behold them form'd in the applause
+Where they're extended ; who , like an arch , reverberates
+The voice again , or , like a gate of steel
+Fronting the sun , receives and renders back
+His figure and his heat . I was much rapt in this ;
+And apprehended here immediately
+The unknown Ajax .
+Heavens , what a man is there ! a very horse ,
+That has he knows not what . Nature , what things there are ,
+Most abject in regard , and dear in use !
+What things again most dear in the esteem
+And poor in worth ! Now shall we see to-morrow ,
+An act that very chance doth throw upon him ,
+Ajax renown'd . O heavens ! what some men do ;
+While some men leave to do .
+How some men creep in skittish Fortune's hall ,
+Whiles others play the idiots in her eyes !
+How one man eats into another's pride ,
+While pride is fasting in his wantonness !
+To see these Grecian lords ! why , even already
+They clap the lubber Ajax on the shoulder ,
+As if his foot were on brave Hector's breast ,
+And great Troy shrinking .
+
+I do believe it ; for they pass'd by me
+As misers do by beggars , neither gave to me
+Good word or look : what ! are my deeds forgot ?
+
+Time hath , my lord , a wallet at his back ,
+Wherein he puts alms for oblivion ,
+A great-siz'd monster of ingratitudes :
+Those scraps are good deeds past ; which are devour'd
+As fast as they are made , forgot as soon
+As done : perseverance , dear my lord ,
+Keeps honour bright : to have done , is to hang
+Quite out of fashion , like a rusty mail
+In monumental mockery . Take the instant way ;
+For honour travels in a strait so narrow
+Where one but goes abreast : keep , then , the path ;
+For emulation hath a thousand sons
+That one by one pursue : if you give way ,
+Or hedge aside from the direct forthright ,
+Like to an enter'd tide they all rush by
+And leave you hindmost ;
+Or , like a gallant horse fall'n in first rank ,
+Lie there for pavement to the abject rear ,
+O'errun and trampled on : then what they do in present ,
+Though less than yours in past , must o'ertop yours ;
+For time is like a fashionable host ,
+That slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand ,
+And with his arms outstretch'd , as he would fly ,
+Grasps in the comer : welcome ever smiles ,
+And farewell goes out sighing . O ! let not virtue seek
+Remuneration for the thing it was ;
+For beauty , wit ,
+High birth , vigour of bone , desert in service ,
+Love , friendship , charity , are subjects all
+To envious and calumniating time .
+One touch of nature makes the whole world kin ,
+That all with one consent praise new-born gawds ,
+Though they are made and moulded of things past ,
+And give to dust that is a little gilt
+More laud than gilt o'er-dusted .
+The present eye praises the present object :
+Then marvel not , thou great and complete man ,
+That all the Greeks begin to worship Ajax ;
+Since things in motion sooner catch the eye
+Than what not stirs . The cry went once on thee ,
+And still it might , and yet it may again ,
+If thou wouldst not entomb thyself alive ,
+And case thy reputation in thy tent ;
+Whose glorious deeds , but in these fields of late ,
+Made emulous missions 'mongst the gods themselves ,
+And drave great Mars to faction .
+
+Of this my privacy
+I have strong reasons .
+
+But 'gainst your privacy
+The reasons are more potent and heroical .
+'Tis known , Achilles , that you are in love
+With one of Priam's daughters .
+
+Ha ! known !
+
+Is that a wonder ?
+The providence that's in a watchful state
+Knows almost every grain of Plutus' gold ,
+Finds bottom in the uncomprehensive deeps ,
+Keeps place with thought , and almost , like the gods ,
+Does thoughts unveil in their dumb cradles .
+There is a mystery with whom relation
+Durst never meddle in the soul of state ,
+Which hath an operation more divine
+Than breath or pen can give expressure to .
+All the commerce that you have had with Troy
+As perfectly is ours as yours , my lord ;
+And better would it fit Achilles much
+To throw down Hector than Polyxena ;
+But it must grieve young Pyrrhus now at home ,
+When fame shall in our islands sound her trump ,
+And all the Greekish girls shall tripping sing ,
+'Great Hector's sister did Achilles win ,
+But our great Ajax bravely beat down him .'
+Farewell , my lord : I as your lover speak ;
+The fool slides o'er the ice that you should break .
+
+
+To this effect , Achilles , have I mov'd you .
+A woman impudent and mannish grown
+Is not more loath'd than an effeminate man
+In time of action . I stand condemn'd for this :
+They think my little stomach to the war
+And your great love to me restrains you thus .
+Sweet , rouse yourself ; and the weak wanton Cupid
+Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold ,
+And , like a dew-drop from the lion's mane ,
+Be shook to air .
+
+Shall Ajax fight with Hector ?
+
+Ay ; and perhaps receive much honour by him .
+
+I see my reputation is at stake ;
+My fame is shrewdly gor'd .
+
+O ! then , beware ;
+Those wounds heal ill that men do give themselves :
+Omission to do what is necessary
+Seals a commission to a blank of danger ;
+And danger , like an ague , subtly taints
+Even then when we sit idly in the sun .
+
+Go call Thersites hither , sweet Patroclus :
+I'll send the fool to Ajax and desire him
+T' invite the Trojan lords after the combat
+To see us here unarmed . I have a woman's longing ,
+An appetite that I am sick withal ,
+To see great Hector in his weeds of peace ;
+To talk with him and to behold his visage ,
+Even to my full of view . A labour sav'd !
+
+
+A wonder !
+
+What ?
+
+Ajax goes up and down the field , asking for himself .
+
+How so ?
+
+He must fight singly to-morrow with Hector , and is so prophetically proud of an heroical cudgelling that he raves in saying nothing .
+
+How can that be ?
+
+Why , he stalks up and down like a peacock , a stride and a stand ; ruminates like a hostess that hath no arithmetic but her brain to set down her reckoning ; bites his lip with a politic regard , as who should say 'There were wit in this head , an 'twould out ;' and so there is , but it lies as coldly in him as fire in a flint , which will not show without knocking . The man's undone for ever ; for if Hector break not his neck i' the combat , he'll break't himself in vainglory . He knows not me : I said , 'Good morrow , Ajax ;' and he replies , 'Thanks , Agamemnon .' What think you of this man that takes me for the general ? He's grown a very land-fish , languageless , a monster . A plague of opinion ! a man may wear it on both sides , like a leather jerkin .
+
+Thou must be my ambassador to him , Thersites .
+
+Who , I ? why , he'll answer nobody ; he professes not answering ; speaking is for beggars ; he wears his tongue in his arms . I will put on his presence : let Patroclus make demands to me , you shall see the pageant of Ajax .
+
+To him , Patroclus : tell him , I humbly desire the valiant Ajax to invite the most valorous Hector to come unarmed to my tent ; and to procure safe-conduct for his person of the magnanimous and most illustrious , six-or-seven-times-honoured captain-general of the Grecian army , Agamemnon , et c tera . Do this .
+
+Jove bless great Ajax !
+
+Hum !
+
+I come from the worthy Achilles ,
+
+Ha !
+
+Who most humbly desires you to invite Hector to his tent ,
+
+Hum !
+
+And to procure safe-conduct from Agamemnon .
+
+Agamemnon !
+
+Ay , my lord .
+
+Ha !
+
+What say you to't ?
+
+God be wi' you , with all my heart .
+
+Your answer , sir .
+
+If to-morrow be a fair day , by eleven o'clock it will go one way or other ; howsoever , he shall pay for me ere he has me .
+
+Your answer , sir .
+
+Fare you well , with all my heart .
+
+Why , but he is not in this tune , is he ?
+
+No , but he's out o' tune thus . What music will be in him when Hector has knocked out his brains , I know not ; but , I am sure , none , unless the fiddler Apollo get his sinews to make catlings on .
+
+Come , thou shalt bear a letter to him straight .
+
+Let me bear another to his horse , for that's the more capable creature .
+
+My mind is troubled , like a fountain stirr'd ;
+And I myself see not the bottom of it .
+
+
+Would the fountain of your mind were clear again , that I might water an ass at it ! I had rather be a tick in a sheep than such a valiant ignorance .
+
+See , ho ! who is that there ?
+
+It is the Lord neas .
+
+Is the prince there in person ?
+Had I so good occasion to lie long
+As you , Prince Paris , nothing but heavenly business
+Should rob my bed-mate of my company .
+
+That's my mind too . Good morrow , Lord neas .
+
+A valiant Greek , neas ; take his hand :
+Witness the process of your speech , wherein
+You told how Diomed , a whole week by days ,
+Did haunt you in the field .
+
+Health to you , valiant sir ,
+During all question of the gentle truce ;
+But when I meet you arm'd , as black defiance
+As heart can think or courage execute .
+
+The one and other Diomed embraces .
+Our bloods are now in calm , and , so long , health !
+But when contention and occasion meet ,
+By Jove , I'll play the hunter for thy life
+With all my force , pursuit , and policy .
+
+And thou shalt hunt a lion , that will fly
+With his face backward . In humane gentleness ,
+Welcome to Troy ! now , by Anchises' life ,
+Welcome , indeed ! By Venus' hand I swear ,
+No man alive can love in such a sort
+The thing he means to kill more excellently .
+
+We sympathize . Jove , let neas live ,
+If to my sword his fate be not the glory ,
+A thousand complete courses of the sun !
+But , in mine emulous honour , let him die ,
+With every joint a wound , and that to-morrow !
+
+We know each other well .
+
+We do ; and long to know each other worse .
+
+This is the most despiteful gentle greeting ,
+The noblest hateful love , that e'er I heard of .
+What business , lord , so early ?
+
+I was sent for to the king ; but why , I know not .
+
+His purpose meets you : 'twas to bring this Greek
+To Calchas' house , and there to render him ,
+For the enfreed Antenor , the fair Cressid .
+Let's have your company ; or , if you please ,
+Haste there before us . I constantly do think
+Or rather , call my thought a certain knowledge
+My brother Troilus lodges there to-night :
+Rouse him and give him note of our approach ,
+With the whole quality wherefore : I fear
+We shall be much unwelcome .
+
+That I assure you :
+Troilus had rather Troy were borne to Greece
+Than Cressid borne from Troy .
+
+There is no help ;
+The bitter disposition of the time
+Will have it so . On , lord ; we'll follow you .
+
+Good morrow , all .
+
+
+And tell me , noble Diomed ; faith , tell me true ,
+Even in the soul of sound good-fellowship ,
+Who , in your thoughts , merits fair Helen best
+Myself or Menelaus ?
+
+Both alike :
+He merits well to have her that doth seek her
+Not making any scruple of her soilure
+With such a hell of pain and world of charge ,
+And you as well to keep her that defend her
+Not palating the taste of her dishonour
+With such a costly loss of wealth and friends :
+He , like a puling cuckold , would drink up
+The lees and dregs of a flat tamed piece ;
+You , like a lecher , out of whorish loins
+Are pleas'd to breed out your inheritors :
+Both merits pois'd , each weighs nor less nor more ;
+But he as he , the heavier for a whore .
+
+You are too bitter to your country-woman .
+
+She's bitter to her country . Hear me , Paris :
+For every false drop in her bawdy veins
+A Grecian's life hath sunk ; for every scruple
+Of her contaminated carrion weight
+A Trojan hath been slain . Since she could speak ,
+She hath not given so many good words breath
+As for her Greeks and Trojans suffer'd death .
+
+Fair Diomed , you do as chapmen do ,
+Dispraise the thing that you desire to buy ;
+But we in silence hold this virtue well ,
+We'll not commend what we intend to sell .
+Here lies our way .
+
+
+Dear , trouble not yourself : the morn is cold .
+
+Then , sweet my lord , I'll call mine uncle down :
+He shall unbolt the gates .
+
+Trouble him not ;
+To bed , to bed : sleep kill those pretty eyes ,
+And give as soft attachment to thy senses
+As infants' empty of all thought !
+
+Good morrow then .
+
+I prithee now , to bed .
+
+Are you aweary of me ?
+
+O Cressida ! but that the busy day ,
+Wak'd by the lark , hath rous'd the ribald crows ,
+And dreaming night will hide our joys no longer ,
+I would not from thee .
+
+Night hath been too brief .
+
+Beshrew the witch ! with venomous wights she stays
+As tediously as hell , but flies the grasps of love
+With wings more momentary-swift than thought .
+You will catch cold , and curse me .
+
+Prithee , tarry :
+You men will never tarry .
+O foolish Cressid ! I might have still held off ,
+And then you would have tarried . Hark ! there's one up .
+
+What ! are all the doors open here ?
+
+It is your uncle .
+
+A pestilence on him ! now will he be mocking : I shall have such a life !
+
+
+How now , how now ! how go maiden-heads ?
+Here , you maid ! where's my cousin Cressid ?
+
+Go hang yourself , you naughty mocking uncle !
+You bring me to do and then you flout me too .
+
+To do what ? to do what ? let her say what : what have I brought you to do ?
+
+Come , come ; beshrew your heart ! you'll ne'er be good ,
+Nor suffer others .
+
+Ha , ha ! Alas , poor wretch ! a poor capocchia ! hast not slept to-night ? would he not , a naughty man , let it sleep ? a bugbear take him !
+
+Did not I tell you ? 'would he were knock'd o' the head !
+
+Who's that at door ? good uncle , go and see .
+My lord , come you again into my chamber :
+You smile , and mock me , as if I meant naughtily .
+
+Ha , ha !
+
+Come , you are deceiv'd , I think of no such thing .
+
+How earnestly they knock ! Pray you , come in :
+I would not for half Troy have you seen here .
+
+
+Who's there ? what's the matter ? will you beat down the door ? How now ! what's the matter ?
+
+
+Good morrow , lord , good morrow .
+
+Who's there ? my Lord neas ! By my troth ,
+I knew you not : what news with you so early ?
+
+Is not Prince Troilus here ?
+
+Here ! what should he do here ?
+
+Come , he is here , my lord : do not deny him : it doth import him much to speak with me .
+
+Is he here , say you ? 'tis more than I know , I'll be sworn : for my own part , I came in late . What should he do here ?
+
+Who ! nay , then : come , come , you'll do him wrong ere you're 'ware . You'll be so true to him , to be false to him . Do not you know of him , but yet go fetch him hither ; go .
+
+
+How now ! what's the matter ?
+
+My lord , I scarce have leisure to salute you ,
+My matter is so rash : there is at hand
+Paris your brother , and Deiphobus ,
+The Grecian Diomed , and our Antenor
+Deliver'd to us ; and for him forthwith ,
+Ere the first sacrifice , within this hour ,
+We must give up to Diomedes' hand
+The Lady Cressida .
+
+Is it so concluded ?
+
+By Priam , and the general state of Troy :
+They are at hand and ready to effect it .
+
+How my achievements mock me !
+I will go meet them : and , my Lord neas ,
+We met by chance ; you did not find me here .
+
+Good , good , my lord ; the secrets of nature
+Have not more gift in taciturnity .
+
+
+Is't possible ? no sooner got but lost ?
+The devil take Antenor ! the young prince will go mad : a plague upon Antenor ! I would they had broke's neck !
+
+
+How now ! What is the matter ? Who was here ?
+
+Ah ! ah !
+
+Why sigh you so profoundly ? where's my lord ? gone ! Tell me , sweet uncle , what's the matter ?
+
+Would I were as deep under the earth as I am above !
+
+O the gods ! what's the matter ?
+
+Prithee , get thee in . Would thou hadst ne'er been born ! I knew thou wouldst be his death . O poor gentleman ! A plague upon Antenor !
+
+Good uncle , I beseech you , on my knees I beseech you , what's the matter ?
+
+Thou must be gone , wench , thou must be gone ; thou art changed for Antenor . Thou must to thy father , and be gone from Troilus : 'twill be his death ; 'twill be his bane ; he cannot bear it .
+
+O you immortal gods ! I will not go .
+
+Thou must .
+
+I will not , uncle : I have forgot my father ;
+I know no touch of consanguinity ;
+No kin , no love , no blood , no soul so near me
+As the sweet Troilus . O you gods divine !
+Make Cressid's name the very crown of falsehood
+If ever she leave Troilus ! Time , force , and death ,
+Do to this body what extremes you can ;
+But the strong base and building of my love
+Is as the very centre of the earth ,
+Drawing all things to it . I'll go in and weep ,
+
+Do , do .
+
+Tear my bright hair , and scratch my praised cheeks ,
+Crack my clear voice with sobs , and break my heart
+With sounding Troilus . I will not go from Troy .
+
+
+It is great morning , and the hour prefix'd
+Of her delivery to this valiant Greek
+Comes fast upon . Good my brother Troilus ,
+Tell you the lady what she is to do ,
+And haste her to the purpose .
+
+Walk into her house ;
+I'll bring her to the Grecian presently :
+And to his hand when I deliver her ,
+Think it an altar , and thy brother Troilus
+A priest , there offering to it his own heart .
+
+
+I know what 'tis to love ;
+And would , as I shall pity , I could help !
+Please you walk in , my lords .
+
+
+Be moderate , be moderate .
+
+Why tell you me of moderation ?
+The grief is fine , full , perfect , that I taste ,
+And violenteth in a sense as strong
+As that which causeth it : how can I moderate it ?
+If I could temporize with my affection ,
+Or brew it to a weak and colder palate ,
+The like allayment could I give my grief :
+My love admits no qualifying dross ;
+No more my grief , in such a precious loss .
+
+
+Here , here , here he comes . Ah ! sweet ducks .
+
+O Troilus ! Troilus !
+
+What a pair of spectacles is here ! Let me embrace too . 'O heart ,' as the goodly saying is ,
+
+O heart , heavy heart ,
+Why sigh'st thou without breaking ?
+
+when he answers again ,
+
+Because thou canst not ease thy smart
+By friendship nor by speaking .
+
+There was never a truer rime . Let us cast away nothing , for we may live to have need of such a verse : we see it , we see it . How now , lambs !
+
+Cressid , I love thee in so strain'd a purity ,
+That the bless'd gods , as angry with my fancy ,
+More bright in zeal than the devotion which
+Cold lips blow to their deities , take thee from me .
+
+Have the gods envy ?
+
+Ay , ay , ay , ay ; 'tis too plain a case .
+
+And is it true that I must go from Troy ?
+
+A hateful truth .
+
+What ! and from Troilus too ?
+
+From Troy and Troilus .
+
+Is it possible ?
+
+And suddenly ; where injury of chance
+Puts back leave-taking , justles roughly by
+All time of pause , rudely beguiles our lips
+Of all rejoindure , forcibly prevents
+Our lock'd embrasures , strangles our dear vows
+Even in the birth of our own labouring breath .
+We two , that with so many thousand sighs
+Did buy each other , must poorly sell ourselves
+With the rude brevity and discharge of one .
+Injurious time now with a robber's haste
+Crams his rich thievery up , he knows not how :
+As many farewells as be stars in heaven ,
+With distinct breath and consign'd kisses to them ,
+He fumbles up into a loose adieu ,
+And scants us with a single famish'd kiss ,
+Distasted with the salt of broken tears .
+
+My lord , is the lady ready ?
+
+Hark ! you are call'd : some say the Genius so
+Cries 'Come !' to him that instantly must die .
+Bid them have patience ; she shall come anon .
+
+Where are my tears ? rain , to lay this wind , or my heart will be blown up by the root !
+
+
+I must then to the Grecians ?
+
+No remedy .
+
+A woeful Cressid 'mongst the merry Greeks !
+When shall we see again ?
+
+Hear me , my love . Be thou but true of heart ,
+
+I true ! how now ! what wicked deem is this ?
+
+Nay , we must use expostulation kindly ,
+For it is parting from us :
+I speak not 'be thou true ,' as fearing thee ,
+For I will throw my glove to Death himself ,
+That there's no maculation in thy heart ;
+But , 'be thou true ,' say I , to fashion in
+My sequent protestation ; be thou true ,
+And I will see thee .
+
+O ! you shall be expos'd , my lord , to dangers
+As infinite as imminent ; but I'll be true .
+
+And I'll grow friend with danger . Wear this sleeve .
+
+And you this glove . When shall I see you ?
+
+I will corrupt the Grecian sentinels ,
+To give thee nightly visitation .
+But yet , be true .
+
+O heavens ! 'be true' again !
+
+Hear why I speak it , love :
+The Grecian youths are full of quality ;
+They're loving , well compos'd , with gifts of nature ,
+Flowing and swelling o'er with arts and exercise :
+How novelty may move , and parts with person ,
+Alas ! a kind of godly jealousy ,
+Which , I beseech you , call a virtuous sin ,
+Makes me afear'd .
+
+O heavens ! you love me not .
+
+Die I a villain , then !
+In this I do not call your faith in question
+So mainly as my merit : I cannot sing ,
+Nor heel the high lavolt , nor sweeten talk ,
+Nor play at subtle games ; fair virtues all ,
+To which the Grecians are most prompt and pregnant :
+But I can tell that in each grace of these
+There lurks a still and dumb-discoursive devil
+That tempts most cunningly . But be not tempted .
+
+Do you think I will ?
+
+No .
+But something may be done that we will not :
+And sometimes we are devils to ourselves
+When we will tempt the frailty of our powers ,
+Presuming on their changeful potency .
+
+Nay , good my lord ,
+
+Come , kiss ; and let us part .
+
+Brother Troilus !
+
+Good brother , come you hither ;
+And bring neas and the Grecian with you .
+
+My lord , will you be true ?
+
+Who , I ? alas , it is my vice , my fault :
+While others fish with craft for great opinion ,
+I with great truth catch mere simplicity ;
+Whilst some with cunning gild their copper crowns ,
+With truth and plainness I do wear mine bare .
+Fear not my truth ; the moral of my wit
+Is plain , and true ; there's all the reach of it .
+
+
+Welcome , Sir Diomed ! Here is the lady
+Which for Antenor we deliver you :
+At the port , lord , I'll give her to thy hand ,
+And by the way possess thee what she is .
+Entreat her fair ; and , by my soul , fair Greek ,
+If e'er thou stand at mercy of my sword ,
+Name Cressid , and thy life shall be as safe
+
+As Priam is in Ilion .
+
+Fair Lady Cressid ,
+So please you , save the thanks this prince expects :
+The lustre in your eye , heaven in your cheek ,
+Pleads your fair usage ; and to Diomed
+You shall be mistress , and command him wholly .
+
+Grecian , thou dost not use me courteously ,
+To shame the zeal of my petition to thee
+In praising her : I tell thee , lord of Greece ,
+She is as far high-soaring o'er thy praises
+As thou unworthy to be call'd her servant .
+I charge thee use her well , even for my charge ;
+For , by the dreadful Pluto , if thou dost not ,
+Though the great bulk Achilles be thy guard ,
+I'll cut thy throat .
+
+O ! be not mov'd , Prince Troilus :
+Let me be privileg'd by my place and message
+To be a speaker free ; when I am hence ,
+I'll answer to my lust ; and know you , lord ,
+I'll nothing do on charge : to her own worth
+She shall be priz'd ; but that you say 'be't so ,'
+I'll speak it in my spirit and honour , 'no .'
+
+Come , to the port . I'll tell thee , Diomed ,
+This brave shall oft make thee to hide thy head .
+Lady , give me your hand , and , as you walk ,
+To our own selves bend we our needful talk .
+
+
+Hark ! Hector's trumpet .
+
+How have we spent this morning !
+The prince must think me tardy and remiss ,
+That swore to ride before him to the field .
+
+'Tis Troilus' fault . Come , come , to field with him .
+
+Let us make ready straight .
+
+Yea , with a bridegroom's fresh alacrity ,
+Let us address to tend on Hector's heels :
+The glory of our Troy doth this day lie
+On his fair worth and single chivalry .
+
+
+Here art thou in appointment fresh and fair ,
+Anticipating time with starting courage .
+Give with thy trumpet a loud note to Troy ,
+Thou dreadful Ajax ; that the appalled air
+May pierce the head of the great combatant
+And hale him hither .
+
+Thou , trumpet , there's my purse .
+Now crack thy lungs , and split thy brazen pipe :
+Blow , villain , till thy sphered bias cheek
+Outswell the colic of puff'd Aquilon .
+Come , stretch thy chest , and let thy eyes spout blood ;
+Thou blow'st for Hector .
+
+
+No trumpet answers .
+
+'Tis but early days .
+
+Is not yond Diomed with Calchas' daughter ?
+
+'Tis he , I ken the manner of his gait ;
+He rises on the toe : that spirit of his
+In aspiration lifts him from the earth .
+
+
+Is this the Lady Cressid ?
+
+Even she .
+
+Most dearly welcome to the Greeks , sweet lady .
+
+Our general doth salute you with a kiss .
+
+Yet is the kindness but particular ;
+'Twere better she were kiss'd in general .
+
+And very courtly counsel : I'll begin .
+So much for Nestor .
+
+I'll take that winter from your lips , fair lady :
+Achilles bids you welcome .
+
+I had good argument for kissing once .
+
+But that's no argument for kissing now ;
+For thus popp'd Paris in his hardiment ,
+And parted thus you and your argument .
+
+O , deadly gall , and theme of all our scorns !
+For which we lose our heads to gild his horns .
+
+The first was Menelaus' kiss ; this , mine :
+Patroclus kisses you .
+
+O ! this is trim .
+
+Paris and I , kiss evermore for him .
+
+I'll have my kiss , sir . Lady , by your leave .
+
+In kissing , do you render or receive ?
+
+Both take and give .
+
+I'll make my match to live ,
+The kiss you take is better than you give ;
+Therefore no kiss .
+
+I'll give you boot ; I'll give you three for one .
+
+You're an odd man ; give even , or give none .
+
+An odd man , lady ! every man is odd .
+
+No , Paris is not ; for , you know 'tis true ,
+That you are odd , and he is even with you .
+
+You fillip me o' the head .
+
+No , I'll be sworn .
+
+It were no match , your nail against his horn .
+May I , sweet lady , beg a kiss of you ?
+
+You may .
+
+I do desire it .
+
+Why , beg , then .
+
+Why , then , for Venus' sake , give me a kiss ,
+When Helen is a maid again , and his .
+
+I am your debtor ; claim it when 'tis due .
+
+Never's my day , and then a kiss of you .
+
+Lady , a word : I'll bring you to your father .
+
+
+A woman of quick sense .
+
+Fie , fie upon her !
+There's language in her eye , her cheek , her lip ,
+Nay , her foot speaks ; her wanton spirits look out
+At every joint and motive of her body .
+O ! these encounterers , so glib of tongue ,
+That give a coasting welcome ere it comes ,
+And wide unclasp the tables of their thoughts
+To every tickling reader , set them down
+For sluttish spoils of opportunity
+And daughters of the game .
+
+
+The Trojans' trumpet .
+
+Yonder comes the troop .
+
+
+Hail , all you state of Greece ! what shall be done
+To him that victory commands ? or do you purpose
+A victor shall be known ? will you the knights
+Shall to the edge of all extremity
+Pursue each other , or shall be divided
+By any voice or order of the field ?
+Hector bade ask .
+
+Which way would Hector have it ?
+
+He cares not ; he'll obey conditions .
+
+'Tis done like Hector ; but securely done ,
+A little proudly , and great deal misprising
+The knight oppos'd .
+
+If not Achilles , sir .
+What is your name ?
+
+If not Achilles , nothing .
+
+Therefore Achilles ; but , whate'er , know this :
+In the extremity of great and little ,
+Valour and pride excel themselves in Hector ;
+The one almost as infinite as all ,
+The other blank as nothing . Weigh him well ,
+And that which looks like pride is courtesy .
+This Ajax is half made of Hector's blood :
+In love whereof half Hector stays at home ;
+Half heart , half hand , half Hector comes to seek
+This blended knight , half Trojan , and half Greek .
+
+A maiden battle , then ? O ! I perceive you .
+
+
+Here is Sir Diomed . Go , gentle knight ,
+Stand by our Ajax : as you and Lord neas
+Consent upon the order of their fight ,
+So be it ; either to the uttermost ,
+Or else a breath : the combatants being kin
+Half stints their strife before their strokes begin .
+
+
+They are oppos'd already .
+
+What Trojan is that same that looks so heavy ?
+
+The youngest son of Priam , a true knight :
+Not yet mature , yet matchless ; firm of word ,
+Speaking in deeds and deedless in his tongue ;
+Not soon provok'd , nor being provok'd soon calm'd :
+His heart and hand both open and both free ;
+For what he has he gives , what thinks he shows ;
+Yet gives he not till judgment guide his bounty ,
+Nor dignifies an impure thought with breath .
+Manly as Hector , but more dangerous ;
+For Hector , in his blaze of wrath , subscribes
+To tender objects ; but he in heat of action
+Is more vindicative than jealous love .
+They call him Troilus , and on him erect
+A second hope , as fairly built as Hector .
+Thus says neas ; one that knows the youth
+Even to his inches , and with private soul
+Did in great Ilion thus translate him to me .
+
+
+They are in action .
+
+Now , Ajax , hold thine own !
+
+Hector , thou sleep'st ; awake thee !
+
+His blows are well dispos'd : there , Ajax !
+
+You must no more .
+
+
+Princes , enough , so please you .
+
+I am not warm yet ; let us fight again .
+
+As Hector pleases .
+
+Why , then will I no more :
+Thou art , great lord , my father's sister's son ,
+A cousin-german to great Priam's seed ;
+The obligation of our blood forbids
+A gory emulation 'twixt us twain .
+Were thy commixtion Greek and Trojan so
+That thou couldst say , 'This hand is Grecian all ,
+And this is Trojan ; the sinews of this leg
+All Greek , and this all Troy ; my mother's blood
+Runs on the dexter cheek , and this sinister
+Bounds in my father's ,' by Jove multipotent ,
+Thou shouldst not bear from me a Greekish member
+Wherein my sword had not impressure made
+Of our rank feud . But the just gods gainsay
+That any drop thou borrow'dst from thy mother ,
+My sacred aunt , should by my mortal sword
+Be drain'd ! Let me embrace thee , Ajax ;
+By him that thunders , thou hast lusty arms ;
+Hector would have them fall upon him thus :
+Cousin , all honour to thee !
+
+I thank thee , Hector :
+Thou art too gentle and too free a man :
+I came to kill thee , cousin , and bear hence
+A great addition earned in thy death .
+
+Not Neoptolemus so mirable ,
+On whose bright crest Fame with her loud'st byes
+Cries , 'This is he !' could promise to himself
+A thought of added honour torn from Hector .
+
+There is expectance here from both the sides ,
+What further you will do .
+
+We'll answer it ;
+The issue is embracement : Ajax , farewell .
+
+If I might in entreaties find success ,
+As seld I have the chance ,I would desire
+My famous cousin to our Grecian tents .
+
+'Tis Agamemnon's wish , and great Achilles
+Doth long to see unarm'd the valiant Hector .
+
+neas , call my brother Troilus to me ,
+And signify this loving interview
+To the expecters of our Trojan part ;
+Desire them home . Give me thy hand , my cousin ;
+I will go eat with thee and see your knights .
+
+Great Agamemnon comes to meet us here .
+
+The worthiest of them tell me name by name ;
+But for Achilles , mine own searching eyes
+Shall find him by his large and portly size .
+
+Worthy of arms ! as welcome as to one
+That would be rid of such an enemy ;
+But that's no welcome ; understand more clear ,
+What's past and what's to come is strew'd with husks
+And formless ruin of oblivion ;
+But in this extant moment , faith and troth ,
+Strain'd purely from all hollow bias-drawing ,
+Bids thee , with most divine integrity ,
+From heart of very heart , great Hector , welcome .
+
+I thank thee , most imperious Agamemnon .
+
+My well-fam'd Lord of Troy , no less to you .
+
+Let me confirm my princely brother's greeting :
+You brace of war-like brothers , welcome hither .
+
+Whom must we answer ?
+
+The noble Menelaus .
+
+O ! you , my lord ? by Mars his gauntlet , thanks !
+Mock not that I affect the untraded oath ;
+Your quondam wife swears still by Venus' glove :
+She's well , but bade me not commend her to you .
+
+Name her not now , sir ; she's a deadly theme .
+
+O ! pardon ; I offend .
+
+I have , thou gallant Trojan , seen thee oft ,
+Labouring for destiny , make cruel way
+Through ranks of Greekish youth : and I have seen thee ,
+As hot as Perseus , spur thy Phrygian steed ,
+Despising many forfeits and subduements ,
+When thou hast hung thy advanc'd sword i' th' air ,
+Not letting it decline on the declin'd ;
+That I have said to some my standers-by ,
+'Lo ! Jupiter is yonder , dealing life !'
+And I have seen thee pause and take thy breath ,
+When that a ring of Greeks have hemm'd thee in ,
+Like an Olympian wrestling : this have I seen ;
+But this thy countenance , still lock'd in steel ,
+I never saw till now . I knew thy grandsire ,
+And once fought with him : he was a soldier good ;
+But , by great Mars , the captain of us all ,
+Never like thee . Let an old man embrace thee ;
+And , worthy warrior , welcome to our tents .
+
+'Tis the old Nestor .
+
+Let me embrace thee , good old chronicle ,
+That hast so long walk'd hand in hand with time :
+Most reverend Nestor , I am glad to clasp thee .
+
+I would my arms could match thee in contention ,
+As they contend with thee in courtesy .
+
+I would they could .
+
+Ha !
+By this white beard , I'd fight with thee to-morrow .
+Well , welcome , welcome ! I have seen the time .
+
+I wonder now how yonder city stands ,
+When we have here her base and pillar by us .
+
+I know your favour , Lord Ulysses , well .
+Ah ! sir , there's many a Greek and Trojan dead ,
+Since first I saw yourself and Diomed
+In Ilion , on your Greekish embassy .
+
+Sir , I foretold you then what would ensue :
+My prophecy is but half his journey yet ;
+For yonder walls , that pertly front your town ,
+Yond towers , whose wanton tops do buss the clouds ,
+Must kiss their own feet .
+
+I must not believe you :
+There they stand yet , and modestly I think ,
+The fall of every Phrygian stone will cost
+A drop of Grecian blood : the end crowns all ,
+And that old common arbitrator , Time ,
+Will one day end it .
+
+So to him we leave it .
+Most gentle and most valiant Hector , welcome .
+After the general , I beseech you next
+To feast with me and see me at my tent .
+
+I shall forestall thee , Lord Ulysses , thou !
+Now , Hector , I have fed mine eyes on thee ;
+I have with exact view perus'd thee , Hector ,
+And quoted joint by joint .
+
+Is this Achilles ?
+
+I am Achilles .
+
+Stand fair , I pray thee : let me look on thee .
+
+Behold thy fill .
+
+Nay , I have done already .
+
+Thou art too brief : I will the second time ,
+As I would buy thee , view thee limb by limb .
+
+O ! like a book of sport thou'lt read me o'er ;
+But there's more in me than thou understand'st .
+Why dost thou so oppress me with thine eye ?
+
+Tell me , you heavens , in which part of his body
+Shall I destroy him ? whether there , or there , or there ?
+That I may give the local wound a name ,
+And make distinct the very breach whereout
+Hector's great spirit flew . Answer me , heavens !
+
+It would discredit the bless'd gods , proud man ,
+To answer such a question . Stand again :
+Think'st thou to catch my life so pleasantly
+As to prenominate in nice conjecture
+Where thou wilt hit me dead ?
+
+I tell thee , yea .
+
+Wert thou an oracle to tell me so ,
+I'd not believe thee . Henceforth guard thee well ,
+For I'll not kill thee there , nor there , nor there ;
+But , by the forge that stithied Mars his helm ,
+I'll kill thee every where , yea , o'er and o'er .
+You wisest Grecians , pardon me this brag ;
+His insolence draws folly from my lips ;
+But I'll endeavour deeds to match these words ,
+Or may I never
+
+Do not chafe thee , cousin :
+And you , Achilles , let these threats alone ,
+Till accident or purpose bring you to't :
+You may have every day enough of Hector ,
+If you have stomach . The general state , I fear ,
+Can scarce entreat you to be odd with him .
+
+I pray you , let us see you in the field ;
+We have had pelting wars since you refus'd
+The Grecians' cause .
+
+Dost thou entreat me , Hector ?
+To-morrow do I meet thee , fell as death ;
+To-night all friends .
+
+Thy hand upon that match .
+
+First , all you peers of Greece , go to my tent ;
+There in the full convive we afterwards ,
+As Hector's leisure and your bounties shall
+Concur together , severally entreat him .
+Beat loud the tabourines , let the trumpets blow ,
+That this great soldier may his welcome know .
+
+
+My Lord Ulysses , tell me , I beseech you ,
+In what place of the field doth Calchas keep ?
+
+At Menelaus' tent , most princely Troilus :
+There Diomed doth feast with him to-night ;
+Who neither looks upon the heaven nor earth ,
+But gives all gaze and bent of amorous view
+On the fair Cressid .
+
+Shall I , sweet lord , be bound to thee so much ,
+After we part from Agamemnon's tent ,
+To bring me thither ?
+
+You shall command me , sir .
+As gentle tell me , of what honour was
+This Cressida in Troy ? Had she no lover there
+That wails her absence ?
+
+O , sir ! to such as boasting show their scars
+A mock is due . Will you walk on , my lord ?
+She was belov'd , she lov'd ; she is , and doth :
+But still sweet love is food for fortune's tooth .
+
+
+I'll heat his blood with Greekish wine to-night ,
+Which with my scimitar I'll cool to-morrow .
+Patroclus , let us feast him to the height .
+
+Here comes Thersites .
+
+
+How now , thou core of envy !
+Thou crusty batch of nature , what's the news ?
+
+Why , thou picture of what thou seemest , and idol of idiot-worshippers , here's a letter for thee .
+
+From whence , fragment ?
+
+Why , thou full dish of fool , from Troy .
+
+Who keeps the tent now ?
+
+The surgeon's box , or the patient's wound .
+
+Well said , adversity ! and what need these tricks ?
+
+Prithee , be silent , boy : I profit not by thy talk : thou art thought to be Achilles' male varlet .
+
+Male varlet , you rogue ! what's that ?
+
+Why , his masculine whore . Now , the rotten diseases of the south , the guts-griping , ruptures , catarrhs , loads o' gravel i' the back , lethargies , cold palsies , raw eyes , dirt-rotten livers , wheezing lungs , bladders full of imposthume , sciaticas , lime-kilns i' the palm , incurable bone-ache , and the rivelled fee-simple of the tetter , take and take again such preposterous discoveries !
+
+Why , thou damnable box of envy , thou , what meanest thou to curse thus ?
+
+Do I curse thee ?
+
+Why , no , you ruinous butt , you whoreson indistinguishable cur , no .
+
+No ! why art thou then exasperate , thou idle immaterial skein of sleave silk , thou green sarcenet flap for a sore eye , thou tassel of a prodigal's purse , thou ? Ah ! how the poor world is pestered with such water-flies , diminutives of nature .
+
+Out , gall !
+
+Finch egg !
+
+My sweet Patroclus , I am thwarted quite
+From my great purpose in to-morrow's battle .
+Here is a letter from Queen Hecuba ,
+A token from her daughter , my fair love ,
+Both taxing me and gaging me to keep
+An oath that I have sworn . I will not break it :
+Fall Greeks ; fail fame ; honour or go or stay ;
+My major vow lies here , this I'll obey .
+Come , come , Thersites , help to trim my tent ;
+This night in banqueting must all be spent .
+Away , Patroclus !
+
+
+With too much blood and too little brain , these two may run mad ; but if with too much brain , and too little blood they do , I'll be a curer of madmen . Here's Agamemnon , an honest fellow enough , and one that loves quails , but he has not so much brain as ear-wax : and the goodly transformation of Jupiter there , his brother , the bull , the primitive statue , and oblique memorial of cuckolds ; a thrifty shoeing-horn in a chain , hanging at his brother's leg , to what form but that he is should wit larded with malice and malice forced with wit turn him to ? To an ass , were nothing : he is both ass and ox ; to an ox , were nothing : he is both ox and ass . To be a dog , a mule , a cat , a fitchew , a toad , a lizard , an owl , a puttock , or a herring without a roe , I would not care ; but to be Menelaus ! I would conspire against destiny . Ask me not what I would be , if I were not Thersites , for I care not to be the louse of a lazar , so I were not Menelaus . Hey-day ! spirits and fires !
+
+
+We go wrong , we go wrong .
+
+No , yonder 'tis ;
+There , where we see the lights .
+
+I trouble you .
+
+No , not a whit .
+
+Here comes himself to guide you .
+
+
+Welcome , brave Hector ; welcome , princes all .
+
+So now , fair prince of Troy , I bid good-night .
+Ajax commands the guard to tend on you .
+
+Thanks and good-night to the Greeks' general .
+
+Good-night , my lord .
+
+Good-night , sweet Lord Menelaus .
+
+Sweet draught : 'sweet ,' quoth a' ! sweet sink , sweet sewer .
+
+Good-night and welcome both at once , to those
+That go or tarry .
+
+Good-night .
+
+
+Old Nestor tarries ; and you too , Diomed ,
+Keep Hector company an hour or two .
+
+I cannot , lord ; I have important business ,
+The tide whereof is now . Good-night , great Hector .
+
+Give me your hand .
+
+Follow his torch ; he goes to Calchas' tent .
+I'll keep you company .
+
+Sweet sir , you honour me .
+
+And so , good-night .
+
+
+Come , come , enter my tent .
+
+
+That same Diomed's a false-hearted rogue , a most unjust knave ; I will no more trust him when he leers than I will a serpent when he hisses . He will spend his mouth , and promise , like Brabbler the hound ; but when he performs , astronomers foretell it : it is prodigious , there will come some change : the sun borrows of the moon when Diomed keeps his word . I will rather leave to see Hector , than not to dog him : they say he keeps a Trojan drab , and uses the traitor Calchas' tent . I'll after . Nothing but lechery ! all incontinent varlets .
+
+
+What , are you up here , ho ! speak .
+
+Who calls ?
+
+Diomed . Calchas , I think . Where's your daughter ?
+
+She comes to you .
+
+
+Stand where the torch may not discover us .
+
+
+Cressid comes forth to him .
+
+How now , my charge !
+
+Now , my sweet guardian ! Hark ! a word with you .
+
+
+Yea , so familiar !
+
+She will sing any man at first sight .
+
+And any man may sing her , if he can take her cliff ; she's noted .
+
+Will you remember ?
+
+Remember ! yes .
+
+Nay , but do , then ;
+And let your mind be coupled with your words .
+
+What should she remember ?
+
+List !
+
+Sweet honey Greek , tempt me no more to folly .
+
+Roguery !
+
+Nay , then ,
+
+I'll tell you what ,
+
+Foh , foh ! come , tell a pin : you are forsworn .
+
+In faith , I cannot . What would you have me do ?
+
+A juggling trick ,to be secretly open .
+
+What did you swear you would bestow on me ?
+
+I prithee , do not hold me to mine oath ;
+Bid me do anything but that , sweet Greek .
+
+Good-night .
+
+Hold , patience !
+
+How now , Trojan ?
+
+Diomed ,
+
+No , no , good-night ; I'll be your fool no more .
+
+Thy better must .
+
+Hark ! one word in your ear .
+
+O plague and madness !
+
+You are mov'd , prince ; let us depart , I pray you ,
+Lest your displeasure should enlarge itself
+To wrathful terms . This place is dangerous ;
+The time right deadly . I beseech you , go .
+
+Behold , I pray you !
+
+Nay , good my lord , go off :
+You flow to great distraction ; come , my lord .
+
+I pray thee , stay .
+
+You have not patience ; come .
+
+I pray you , stay . By hell , and all hell's torments ,
+I will not speak a word !
+
+And so , good-night .
+
+Nay , but you part in anger .
+
+Doth that grieve thee ?
+O wither'd truth !
+
+Why , how now , lord !
+
+By Jove ,
+I will be patient .
+
+Guardian !why , Greek !
+
+Foh , foh ! adieu ; you palter .
+
+In faith , I do not : come hither once again .
+
+You shake , my lord , at something : will you go ?
+You will break out .
+
+She strokes his cheek !
+
+Come , come .
+
+Nay , stay ; by Jove , I will not speak a word :
+There is between my will and all offences
+A guard of patience : stay a little while .
+
+How the devil Luxury , with his fat rump and potato finger , tickles these together ! Fry , lechery , fry !
+
+But will you , then ?
+
+In faith , I will , la ; never trust me else .
+
+Give me some token for the surety of it .
+
+I'll fetch you one .
+
+
+You have sworn patience .
+
+Fear me not , sweet lord ;
+I will not be myself , nor have cognition
+Of what I feel : I am all patience .
+
+
+Now the pledge ! now , now , now !
+
+Here , Diomed , keep this sleeve .
+
+O beauty ! where is thy faith ?
+
+My lord ,
+
+I will be patient ; outwardly I will .
+
+You look upon that sleeve ; behold it well .
+He lov'd me O false wench !Give't to me again .
+
+Whose was't ?
+
+It is no matter , now I have't again .
+I will not meet with you to-morrow night .
+I prithee , Diomed , visit me no more .
+
+Now she sharpens : well said , whetstone !
+
+I shall have it .
+
+What , this ?
+
+Ay , that .
+
+O ! all you gods . O pretty , pretty pledge !
+Thy master now lies thinking in his bed
+Of thee and me ; and sighs , and takes my glove ,
+And gives me norial dainty kisses to it ,
+As I kiss thee . Nay , do not snatch it from me ;
+He that takes that doth take my heart withal .
+
+I had your heart before ; this follows it .
+
+I did swear patience .
+
+You shall not have it , Diomed ; faith you shall not ;
+I'll give you something else .
+
+I will have this . Whose was it ?
+
+'Tis no matter .
+
+Come , tell me whose it was .
+
+'Twas one's that loved me better than you will .
+But , now you have it , take it .
+
+Whose was it ?
+
+By all Diana's waiting-women yond ,
+And by herself , I will not tell you whose .
+
+To-morrow will I wear it on my helm ,
+And grieve his spirit that dares not challenge it .
+
+Wert thou the devil , and wor'st it on thy horn ,
+It should be challeng'd .
+
+Well , well , 'tis done , 'tis past : and yet it is not :
+I will not keep my word .
+
+Why then , farewell ;
+Thou never shalt mock Diomed again .
+
+You shall not go : one cannot speak a word ,
+But it straight starts you .
+
+I do not like this fooling .
+
+Nor I , by Pluto : but that that likes not me
+Pleases me best .
+
+What , shall I come ? the hour ?
+
+Ay , come :O Jove !
+Do come :I shall be plagu'd .
+
+Farewell till then .
+
+Good-night : I prithee , come .
+
+Troilus , farewell ! one eye yet looks on thee ,
+But with my heart the other eye doth see .
+Ah ! poor our sex ; this fault in us I find ,
+The error of our eye directs our mind .
+What error leads must err . O ! then conclude
+Minds sway'd by eyes are full of turpitude .
+
+
+A proof of strength she could not publish more ,
+Unless she said , 'My mind is now turn'd whore .'
+
+All's done , my lord .
+
+It is .
+
+Why stay we , then ?
+
+To make a recordation to my soul
+Of every syllable that here was spoke .
+But if I tell how these two did co-act ,
+Shall I not lie in publishing a truth ?
+Sith yet there is a credence in my heart ,
+An esperance so obstinately strong ,
+That doth invert the attest of eyes and ears ,
+As if those organs had deceptions functions ,
+Created only to calumniate .
+Was Cressid here ?
+
+I cannot conjure , Trojan .
+
+She was not , sure .
+
+Most sure she was .
+
+Why , my negation hath no taste of madness .
+
+Nor mine , my lord : Cressid was here but now .
+
+Let it not be believ'd for womanhood !
+Think we had mothers ; do not give advantage
+To stubborn critics , apt , without a theme ,
+For depravation , to square the general sex
+By Cressid's rule : rather think this not Cressid .
+
+What hath she done , prince , that can soil our mothers ?
+
+Nothing at all , unless that this were she .
+
+Will he swagger himself out on's own eyes ?
+
+This she ? no , this is Diomed's Cressida .
+If beauty have a soul , this is not she ;
+If souls guide vows , if vows be sanctimony ,
+If sanctimony be the gods' delight ,
+If there be rule in unity itself ,
+This is not she . O madness of discourse ,
+That cause sets up with and against itself ;
+Bi-fold authority ! where reason can revolt
+Without perdition , and loss assume all reason
+Without revolt : this is , and is not , Cressid .
+Within my soul there doth conduce a fight
+Of this strange nature that a thing inseparate
+Divides more wider than the sky and earth ;
+And yet the spacious breadth of this division
+Admits no orifice for a point as subtle
+As Ariachne's broken woof to enter .
+Instance , O instance ! strong as Pluto's gates ;
+Cressid is mine , tied with the bonds of heaven :
+Instance , O instance ! strong as heaven itself ;
+The bonds of heaven are slipp'd , dissolv'd , and loos'd ;
+And with another knot , five-finger-tied ,
+The fractions of her faith , orts of her love ,
+The fragments , scraps , the bits , and greasy reliques
+Of her o'er-eaten faith , are bound to Diomed .
+
+May worthy Troilus be half attach'd
+With that which here his passion doth express ?
+
+Ay , Greek ; and that shall be divulged well
+In characters as red as Mars his heart
+Inflam'd with Venus : never did young man fancy
+With so eternal and so fix'd a soul .
+Hark , Greek : as much as I do Cressid love ,
+So much by weight hate I her Diomed ;
+That sleeve is mine that he'll bear on his helm ;
+Were it a casque compos'd by Vulcan's skill ,
+My sword should bite it . Not the dreadful spout
+Which shipmen do the hurricano call ,
+Constring'd in mass by the almighty sun ,
+Shall dizzy with more clamour Neptune's ear
+In his descent than shall my prompted sword
+Falling on Diomed .
+
+He'll tickle it for his concupy .
+
+O Cressid ! O false Cressid ! false , false , false !
+Let all untruths stand by thy stained name ,
+And they'll seem glorious .
+
+O ! contain yourself ;
+Your passion draws ears hither .
+
+
+I have been seeking you this hour , my lord .
+Hector , by this , is arming him in Troy :
+Ajax , your guard , stays to conduct you home .
+
+Have with you , prince . My courteous lord , adieu .
+Farewell , revolted fair ! and Diomed ,
+Stand fast , and wear a castle on thy head !
+
+I'll bring you to the gates .
+
+Accept distracted thanks .
+
+
+Would I could meet that rogue Diomed ! I would croak like a raven ; I would bode , I would bode . Patroclus would give me any thing for the intelligence of this whore : the parrot will not do more for an almond than he for a commodious drab . Lechery , lechery ; still , wars and lechery : nothing else holds fashion . A burning devil take them !
+
+
+When was my lord so much ungently temper'd ,
+To stop his ears against admonishment ?
+Unarm , unarm , and do not fight to-day .
+
+You train me to offend you ; get you in :
+By all the everlasting gods , I'll go .
+
+My dreams will , sure , prove ominous to the day .
+
+No more , I say .
+
+
+Where is my brother Hector ?
+
+Here , sister ; arm'd , and bloody in intent .
+Consort with me in loud and dear petition ;
+Pursue we him on knees ; for I have dream'd
+Of bloody turbulence , and this whole night
+Hath nothing been but shapes and forms of slaughter .
+
+O ! 'tis true .
+
+Ho ! bid my trumpet sound .
+
+No notes of sally , for the heavens , sweet brother .
+
+Be gone , I say : the gods have heard me swear .
+
+The gods are deaf to hot and peevish vows :
+They are polluted offerings , more abhorr'd
+Than spotted livers in the sacrifice .
+
+O ! be persuaded : do not count it holy
+To hurt by being just : it is as lawful ,
+For we would give much , to use violent thefts ,
+And rob in the behalf of charity .
+
+It is the purpose that makes strong the vow ;
+But vows to every purpose must not hold .
+Unarm , sweet Hector .
+
+Hold you still , I say ;
+Mine honour keeps the weather of my fate :
+Life every man holds dear ; but the dear man
+Holds honour far more precious-dear than life .
+
+How now , young man ! mean'st thou to fight to-day ?
+
+Cassandra , call my father to persuade .
+
+
+No , faith , young Troilus ; doff thy harness , youth ;
+I am to-day i' the vein of chivalry :
+Let grow thy sinews till their knots be strong ,
+And tempt not yet the brushes of the war .
+Unarm thee , go , and doubt thou not , brave boy ,
+I'll stand to-day for thee and me and Troy .
+
+Brother , you have a vice of mercy in you ,
+Which better fits a lion than a man .
+
+What vice is that , good Troilus ? chide me for it .
+
+When many times the captive Grecian falls ,
+Even in the fan and wind of your fair sword ,
+You bid them rise , and live .
+
+O ! 'tis fair play .
+
+Fool's play , by heaven , Hector .
+
+How now ! how now !
+
+For the love of all the gods ,
+Let's leave the hermit pity with our mothers ,
+And when we have our armours buckled on ,
+The venom'd vengeance ride upon our swords ,
+Spur them to ruthful work , rein them from ruth .
+
+Fie , savage , fie !
+
+Hector , then 'tis wars .
+
+Troilus , I would not have you fight to-day .
+
+Who should withhold me ?
+Not fate , obedience , nor the hand of Mars
+Beckoning with fiery truncheon my retire ;
+Not Priamus and Hecuba on knees ,
+Their eyes o'ergalled with recourse of tears ;
+Nor you , my brother , with your true sword drawn ,
+Oppos'd to hinder me , should stop my way ,
+But by my ruin .
+
+
+Lay hold upon him , Priam , hold him fast :
+He is thy crutch ; now if thou lose thy stay ,
+Thou on him leaning , and all Troy on thee ,
+Fall all together .
+
+Come , Hector , come ; go back :
+Thy wife hath dream'd ; thy mother hath had visions ;
+Cassandra doth foresee ; and I myself
+Am like a prophet suddenly enrapt ,
+To tell thee that this day is ominous :
+Therefore , come back .
+
+neas is a-field ;
+And I do stand engag'd to many Greeks ,
+Even in the faith of valour , to appear
+This morning to them .
+
+Ay , but thou shalt not go .
+
+I must not break my faith .
+You know me dutiful ; therefore , dear sir ,
+Let me not shame respect , but give me leave
+To take that course by your consent and voice ,
+Which you do here forbid me , royal Priam .
+
+O Priam ! yield not to him .
+
+Do not , dear father .
+
+Andromache , I am offended with you :
+Upon the love you bear me , get you in .
+
+
+This foolish , dreaming , superstitious girl
+Makes all these bodements .
+
+O farewell ! dear Hector .
+Look ! how thou diest ; look ! how thy eye turns pale ;
+Look ! how thy wounds do bleed at many vents :
+Hark ! how Troy roars : how Hecuba cries out !
+How poor Andromache shrills her dolours forth !
+Behold , distraction , frenzy , and amazement ,
+Like witless anticks , one another meet ,
+And all cry Hector ! Hector's dead ! O Hector !
+
+Away ! Away !
+
+Farewell . Yet , soft ! Hector , I take my leave :
+Thou dost thyself and all our Troy deceive .
+
+
+You are amaz'd , my liege , at her exclaim .
+Go in and cheer the town : we'll forth and fight ;
+Do deeds worth praise and tell you them at night .
+
+Farewell : the gods with safety stand about thee !
+
+
+They are at it , hark ! Proud Diomed , believe ,
+I come to lose my arm , or win my sleeve .
+
+
+Do you hear , my lord ? do you hear ?
+
+What now ?
+
+Here's a letter come from yond poor girl .
+
+Let me read .
+
+A whoreson tisick , a whoreson rascally tisick so troubles me , and the foolish fortune of this girl ; and what one thing , what another , that I shall leave you one o' these days : and I have a rheum in mine eyes too , and such an ache in my bones that , unless a man were cursed , I cannot tell what to think on't . What says she there ?
+
+Words , words , mere words , no matter from the heart ;
+The effect doth operate another way .
+
+Go , wind to wind , there turn and change together .
+My love with words and errors still she feeds ,
+But edifies another with her deeds .
+
+
+Now they are clapper-clawing one another ; I'll go look on . That dissembling abominable varlet , Diomed , has got that same scurvy doting foolish young knave's sleeve of Troy there in his helm : I would fain see them meet ; that that same young Trojan ass , that loves the whore there , might send that Greekish whoremasterly villain , with the sleeve , back to the dissembling luxurious drab , on a sleeveless errand . O' the other side , the policy of those crafty swearing rascals ,that stale old mouse-eaten dry cheese , Nestor , and that same dog-fox , Ulysses , is not proved worth a blackberry : they set me up , in policy , that mongrel cur , Ajax , against that dog of as bad a kind , Achilles ; and now is the cur Ajax prouder than the cur Achilles , and will not arm to-day ; whereupon the Grecians begin to proclaim barbarism , and policy grows into an ill opinion . Soft ! here comes sleeve , and t' other .
+
+
+Fly not ; for shouldst thou take the river Styx ,
+I would swim after .
+
+Thou dost miscall retire :
+I do not fly ; but advantageous care
+Withdrew me from the odds of multitude .
+Have at thee !
+
+Hold thy whore , Grecian ! now for thy whore , Trojan ! now the sleeve , now the sleeve !
+
+What art thou , Greek ? art thou for Hector's match ?
+Art thou of blood and honour ?
+
+No , no , I am a rascal ; a scurvy railing knave ; a very filthy rogue .
+
+I do believe thee : live .
+
+
+God-a-mercy , that thou wilt believe me ; but a plague break thy neck for frighting me ! What's become of the wenching rogues ? I think they have swallowed one another : I would laugh at that miracle ; yet , in a sort , lechery eats itself . I'll seek them .
+
+
+Go , go , my servant , take thou Troilus' horse ;
+Present the fair steed to my Lady Cressid :
+Fellow , commend my service to her beauty :
+Tell her I have chastis'd the amorous Trojan ,
+And am her knight by proof .
+
+I go , my lord .
+
+Renew , renew ! The fierce Polydamas
+Hath beat down Menon ; bastard Margarelon
+Hath Doreus prisoner ,
+And stands colossus-wise , waving his beam ,
+Upon the pashed corses of the kings
+Epistrophus and Cedius ; Polixenes is slain ;
+Amphimachus , and Thoas , deadly hurt ;
+Patroclus ta'en , or slain ; and Palamedes
+Sore hurt and bruis'd ; the dreadful Sagittary
+Appals our numbers : haste we , Diomed ,
+To reinforcement , or we perish all .
+
+
+Go , bear Patroclus' body to Achilles ;
+And bid the snail-pac'd Ajax arm for shame .
+There is a thousand Hectors in the field :
+Now here he fights on Galathe his horse ,
+And there lacks work ; anon he's there afoot ,
+And there they fly or die , like scaled sculls
+Before the belching whale ; then is he yonder ,
+And there the strawy Greeks , ripe for his edge ,
+Fall down before him , like the mower's swath :
+Here , there , and everywhere , he leaves and takes ,
+Dexterity so obeying appetite
+That what he will he does ; and does so much
+That proof is called impossibility .
+
+
+O ! courage , courage , princes ; great Achilles
+Is arming , weeping , cursing , vowing vengeance :
+Patroclus' wounds have rous'd his drowsy blood ,
+Together with his mangled Myrmidons ,
+That noseless , handless , hack'd and chipp'd , come to him ,
+Crying on Hector . Ajax hath lost a friend ,
+And foams at mouth , and he is arm'd and at it ,
+Roaring for Troilus , who hath done to-day
+Mad and fantastic execution ,
+Engaging and redeeming of himself
+With such a careless force and forceless care
+As if that luck , in very spite of cunning ,
+Bade him win all .
+
+
+Troilus ! thou coward Troilus !
+
+
+Ay , there , there .
+
+So , so , we draw together .
+
+
+Where is this Hector ?
+Come , come , thou boy-queller , show thy face ;
+Know what it is to meet Achilles angry :
+Hector ! where's Hector ? I will none but Hector .
+
+
+Troilus , thou coward Troilus , show thy head !
+
+
+Troilus , I say ! where's Troilus ?
+
+What wouldst thou ?
+
+I would correct him .
+
+Were I the general , thou shouldst have my office
+Ere that correction . Troilus , I say ! what , Troilus !
+
+
+O traitor Diomed ! Turn thy false face , thou traitor !
+And pay thy life thou ow'st me for my horse !
+
+Ha ! art thou there ?
+
+I'll fight with him alone : stand , Diomed .
+
+He is my prize ; I will not look upon .
+
+Come , both you cogging Greeks ; have at you both !
+
+Yea , Troilus ? O , well fought , my youngest brother !
+
+
+Now I do see thee . Ha ! have at thee , Hector !
+
+Pause , if thou wilt .
+
+I do disdain thy courtesy , proud Trojan .
+Be happy that my arms are out of use :
+My rest and negligence befriend thee now ,
+But thou anon shalt hear of me again ;
+Till when , go seek thy fortune .
+
+
+Fare thee well :
+I would have been much more a fresher man ,
+Had I expected thee . How now , my brother !
+
+
+Ajax hath ta'en neas : shall it be ?
+No , by the flame of yonder glorious heaven ,
+He shall not carry him : I'll be ta'en too ,
+Or bring him off . Fate , hear me what I say !
+I reck not though I end my life to-day .
+
+Stand , stand , thou Greek ; thou art a goodly mark .
+No ? wilt thou not ? I like thy armour well ;
+I'll frush it , and unlock the rivets all ,
+But I'll be master of it . Wilt thou not , beast , abide ?
+Why then , fly on , I'll hunt thee for thy hide .
+
+
+Come here about me , you my Myrmidons ;
+Mark what I say . Attend me where I wheel :
+Strike not a stroke , but keep yourselves in breath :
+And when I have the bloody Hector found ,
+Empale him with your weapons round about ;
+In fellest manner execute your aims .
+Follow me , sirs , and my proceedings eye :
+It is decreed , Hector the great must die .
+
+The cuckold and the cuckold-maker are at it . Now , bull ! now , dog ! 'Loo , Paris , 'loo ! now , my double-henned sparrow ! 'loo , Paris , 'loo ! The bull has the game : 'ware horns , ho !
+
+Turn , slave , and fight .
+
+What art thou ?
+
+A bastard son of Priam's .
+
+I am a bastard too ; I love bastards : I am a bastard begot , bastard instructed , bastard in mind , bastard in valour , in every thing illegitimate . One bear will not bite another , and wherefore should one bastard ? Take heed , the quarrel's most ominous to us : if the son of a whore fight for a whore , he tempts judgment . Farewell , bastard .
+
+
+The devil take thee , coward !
+
+
+Most putrefied core , so fair without ,
+Thy goodly armour thus hath cost thy life .
+Now is my day's work done ; I'll take good breath :
+Rest , sword ; thou hast thy fill of blood and death .
+
+Look , Hector , how the sun begins to set ;
+How ugly night comes breathing at his heels :
+Even with the vail and darking of the sun ,
+To close the day up , Hector's life is done .
+
+I am unarm'd ; forego this vantage , Greek .
+
+Strike , fellows , strike ! this is the man I seek .
+
+So , Ilion , fall thou next ! now , Troy , sink down !
+Here lies thy heart , thy sinews , and thy bone .
+On ! Myrmidons , and cry you all amain ,
+'Achilles hath the mighty Hector slain .'
+
+Hark ! a retreat upon our Grecian part .
+
+The Trojan trumpets sound the like , my lord .
+
+The dragon wing of night o'erspreads the earth ,
+And , stickler-like , the armies separates .
+My half-supp'd sword , that frankly would have fed ,
+Pleas'd with this dainty bait , thus goes to bed .
+
+Come , tie his body to my horse's tail ;
+Along the field I will the Trojan trail .
+
+
+Hark ! hark ! what shout is that ?
+
+Peace , drums !
+
+
+Achilles !
+Achilles ! Hector's slain ! Achilles !
+
+The bruit is , Hector's slain , and by Achilles .
+
+If it be so , yet bragless let it be ;
+Great Hector was a man as good as he .
+
+March patiently along . Let one be sent
+To pray Achilles see us at our tent .
+If in his death the gods have us befriended ,
+Great Troy is ours , and our sharp wars are ended .
+
+Stand , ho ! yet are we masters of the field .
+Never go home ; here starve we out the night .
+
+
+Hector is slain .
+
+Hector ! the gods forbid !
+
+He's dead ; and at the murderer's horse's tail ,
+In beastly sort , dragg'd through the shameful field .
+Frown on , you heavens , effect your rage with speed !
+Sit , gods , upon your thrones , and smile at Troy !
+I say , at once let your brief plagues be mercy ,
+And linger not our sure destructions on !
+
+My lord , you do discomfort all the host .
+
+You understand me not that tell me so .
+I do not speak of flight , of fear , of death ;
+But dare all imminence that gods and men
+Address their dangers in . Hector is gone :
+Who shall tell Priam so , or Hecuba ?
+Let him that will a screech-owl aye be call'd
+Go in to Troy , and say there Hector's dead :
+There is a word will Priam turn to stone ,
+Make wells and Niobes of the maids and wives ,
+Cold statues of the youth ; and , in a word ,
+Scare Troy out of itself . But march away :
+Hector is dead ; there is no more to say .
+Stay yet . You vile abominable tents ,
+Thus proudly pight upon our Phrygian plains ,
+Let Titan rise as early as he dare ,
+I'll through and through you ! And , thou great-siz'd coward ,
+No space of earth shall sunder our two hates :
+I'll haunt thee like a wicked conscience still ,
+That mouldeth goblins swift as frenzy's thoughts .
+Strike a free march to Troy ! with comfort go :
+Hope of revenge shall hide our inward woe .
+
+But hear you , hear you !
+
+Hence , broker lackey ! ignomy and shame
+Pursue thy life , and live aye with thy name !
+
+
+A goodly medicine for my aching bones ! O world ! world ! world ! thus is the poor agent despised . O traitors and bawds , how earnestly are you set a-work , and how ill requited ! why should our endeavour be so loved , and the performance so loathed ? what verse for it ? what instance for it ?Let me see !
+
+Full merrily the humble-bee doth sing ,
+Till he hath lost his honey and his sting ;
+And being once subdu'd in armed tail ,
+Sweet honey and sweet notes together fail .
+
+Good traders in the flesh , set this in your painted cloths .
+
+As many as be here of pander's hall ,
+Your eyes , half out , weep out at Pandar's fall ;
+Or if you cannot weep , yet give some groans ,
+Though not for me , yet for your aching bones .
+Brethren and sisters of the hold-door trade ,
+Some two months hence my will shall here be made .
+It should be now , but that my fear is this ,
+Some galled goose of Winchester would hiss .
+Till then I'll sweat , and seek about for eases ;
+And at that time bequeath you my diseases
+
+TWELFTH-NIGHT; OR WHAT YOU WILL
+
+
+If music be the food of love , play on ;
+Give me excess of it , that , surfeiting ,
+The appetite may sicken , and so die .
+That strain again ! it had a dying fall :
+O ! it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound
+That breathes upon a bank of violets ,
+Stealing and giving odour . Enough ! no more :
+'Tis not so sweet now as it was before .
+O spirit of love ! how quick and fresh art thou ,
+That , notwithstanding thy capacity
+Receiveth as the sea , nought enters there ,
+Of what validity and pitch soe'er ,
+But falls into abatement and low price ,
+Even in a minute : so full of shapes is fancy ,
+That it alone is high fantastical .
+
+Will you go hunt , my lord ?
+
+What , Curio ?
+
+The hart .
+
+Why , so I do , the noblest that I have .
+O ! when mine eyes did see Olivia first ,
+Methought she purg'd the air of pestilence .
+That instant was I turn'd into a hart ,
+And my desires , like fell and cruel hounds ,
+E'er since pursue me .
+
+How now ! what news from her ?
+
+So please my lord , I might not be admitted ;
+But from her handmaid do return this answer :
+The element itself , till seven years' heat ,
+Shall not behold her face at ample view ;
+But , like a cloistress , she will veiled walk ,
+And water once a day her chamber round
+With eve-offending brine : all this , to season
+A brother's dead love , which she would keep fresh
+And lasting in her sad remembrance .
+
+O ! she that hath a heart of that fine frame
+To pay this debt of love but to a brother ,
+How will she love , when the rich golden shaft
+Hath kill'd the flock of all affections else
+That live in her ; when liver , brain , and heart ,
+These sovereign thrones , are all supplied , and fill'd
+Her sweet perfections with one self king .
+Away before me to sweet beds of flowers ;
+Love-thoughts lie rich when canopied with bowers .
+
+
+What country , friends , is this ?
+
+This is Illyria , lady .
+
+And what should I do in Illyria ?
+My brother he is in Elysium .
+Perchance he is not drown'd : what think you sailors ?
+
+It is perchance that you yourself were sav'd .
+
+O my poor brother ! and so perchance may he be .
+
+True , madam : and , to comfort you with chance ,
+Assure yourself , after our ship did split ,
+When you and those poor number sav'd with you
+Hung on our driving boat , I saw your brother ,
+Most provident in peril , bind himself ,
+Courage and hope both teaching him the practice ,
+To a strong mast that liv'd upon the sea ;
+Where , like Arion on the dolphin's back ,
+I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves
+So long as I could see .
+
+For saying so there's gold .
+Mine own escape unfoldeth to my hope ,
+Whereto thy speech serves for authority ,
+The like of him . Know'st thou this country ?
+
+Ay , madam , well ; for I was bred and born
+Not three hours' travel from this very place .
+
+Who governs here ?
+
+A noble duke , in nature as in name .
+
+What is his name ?
+
+Orsino .
+
+Orsino ! I have heard my father name him :
+He was a bachelor then .
+
+And so is now , or was so very late ;
+For but a month ago I went from hence ,
+And then 'twas fresh in murmur ,as , you know ,
+What great ones do the less will prattle of ,
+That he did seek the love of fair Olivia .
+
+What's she ?
+
+A virtuous maid , the daughter of a count
+That died some twelvemonth since ; then leaving her
+In the protection of his son , her brother ,
+Who shortly also died : for whose dear love ,
+They say she hath abjur'd the company
+And sight of men .
+
+O ! that I serv'd that lady ,
+And might not be deliver'd to the world ,
+Till I had made mine own occasion mellow ,
+What my estate is .
+
+That were hard to compass ,
+Because she will admit no kind of suit ,
+No , not the duke's .
+
+There is a fair behaviour in thee , captain ;
+And though that nature with a beauteous wall
+Doth oft close in pollution , yet of thee
+I will believe thou hast a mind that suits
+With this thy fair and outward character .
+I prithee ,and I'll pay thee bounteously ,
+Conceal me what I am , and be my aid
+For such disguise as haply shall become
+The form of my intent . I'll serve this duke :
+Thou shalt present me as a eunuch to him :
+It may be worth thy pains ; for I can sing
+And speak to him in many sorts of music
+That will allow me very worth his service .
+What else may hap to time I will commit ;
+Only shape thou thy silence to my wit .
+
+Be you his eunuch , and your mute I'll be :
+When my tongue blabs , then let mine eyes not see .
+
+I thank thee : lead me on .
+
+
+What a plague means my niece , to take the death of her brother thus ? I am sure care's an enemy to life .
+
+By my troth , Sir Toby , you must come in earlier o' nights : your cousin , my lady , takes great exceptions to your ill hours .
+
+Why , let her except before excepted .
+
+Ay , but you must confine yourself within the modest limits of order .
+
+Confine ! I'll confine myself no finer than I am . These clothes are good enough to drink in , and so be these boots too : an they be not , let them hang themselves in their own straps .
+
+That quaffing and drinking will undo you : I heard my lady talk of it yesterday ; and of a foolish knight that you brought in one night here to be her wooer .
+
+Who ? Sir Andrew Aguecheek ?
+
+Ay , he .
+
+He's as tall a man as any's in Illyria .
+
+What's that to the purpose ?
+
+Why , he has three thousand ducats a year .
+
+Ay , but he'll have but a year in all these ducats : he's a very fool and a prodigal .
+
+Fie , that you'll say so ! he plays o' the viol-de-gamboys , and speaks three or four languages word for word without book , and hath all the good gifts of nature .
+
+He hath indeed , almost natural ; for , besides that he's a fool , he's a great quarreller ; and but that he hath the gift of a coward to allay the gust he hath in quarrelling , 'tis thought among the prudent he would quickly have the gift of a grave .
+
+By this hand , they are scoundrels and substractors that say so of him . Who are they ?
+
+They that add , moreover , he's drunk nightly in your company .
+
+With drinking healths to my niece . I'll drink to her as long as there is a passage in my throat and drink in Illyria . He's a coward and a coystril , that will not drink to my niece till his brains turn o' the toe like a parish-top . What , wench ! Castiliano vulgo ! for here comes Sir Andrew Agueface .
+
+
+Sir Toby Belch ! how now , Sir Toby Belch !
+
+Sweet Sir Andrew !
+
+Bless you , fair shrew .
+
+And you too , sir .
+
+Accost , Sir Andrew , accost .
+
+What's that ?
+
+My niece's chambermaid .
+
+Good Mistress Accost , I desire better acquaintance .
+
+My name is Mary , sir .
+
+Good Mistress Mary Accost ,
+
+You mistake , knight : 'accost' is , front her , board her , woo her , assail her .
+
+By my troth , I would not undertake her in this company . Is that the meaning of 'accost ?'
+
+Fare you well , gentlemen .
+
+An thou let her part so , Sir Andrew , would thou mightst never draw sword again !
+
+An you part so , mistress , I would I might never draw sword again . Fair lady , do you think you have fools in hand ?
+
+Sir , I have not you by the hand .
+
+Marry , but you shall have ; and here's my hand .
+
+Now , sir , 'thought is free :' I pray you , bring your hand to the buttery-bar and let it drink .
+
+Wherefore , sweetheart ? what's your metaphor ?
+
+It's dry , sir .
+
+Why , I think so : I am not such an ass but I can keep my hand dry . But what's your jest ?
+
+A dry jest , sir .
+
+Are you full of them ?
+
+Ay , sir , I have them at my fingers' ends : marry , now I let go your hand , I am barren .
+
+
+O knight ! thou lackest a cup of canary : when did I see thee so put down ?
+
+Never in your life , I think ; unless you see canary put me down . Methinks sometimes I have no more wit than a Christian or an ordinary man has ; but I am a great eater of beef , and I believe that does harm to my wit .
+
+No question .
+
+An I thought that , I'd forswear it .
+I'll ride home to-morrow , Sir Toby .
+
+Pourquoi , my dear knight ?
+
+What is 'pourquoi ?' do or not do ? I would I had bestowed that time in the tongues that I have in fencing , dancing , and bear-baiting . O ! had I but followed the arts !
+
+Then hadst thou had an excellent head of hair .
+
+Why , would that have mended my hair ?
+
+Past question ; for thou seest it will not curl by nature .
+
+But it becomes me well enough , does't not ?
+
+Excellent ; it hangs like flax on a distaff , and I hope to see a housewife take thee between her legs , and spin it off .
+
+Faith , I'll home to-morrow , Sir Toby : your niece will not be seen ; or if she be , it's four to one she'll none of me . The count himself here hard by woos her .
+
+She'll none o' the count ; she'll not match above her degree , neither in estate , years , nor wit ; I have heard her swear it . Tut , there's life in't , man .
+
+I'll stay a month longer . I am a fellow o' the strangest mind i' the world ; I delight in masques and revels sometimes altogether .
+
+Art thou good at these kickchawses , knight ?
+
+As any man in Illyria , whatsoever he be , under the degree of my betters : and yet I will not compare with an old man .
+
+What is thy excellence in a galliard , knight ?
+
+Faith , I can cut a caper .
+
+And I can cut the mutton to't .
+
+And I think I have the back-trick simply as strong as any man in Illyria .
+
+Wherefore are these things hid ? wherefore have these gifts a curtain before 'em ? are they like to take dust , like Mistress Mall's picture ? why dost thou not go to church in a galliard , and come home in a coranto ? My very walk should be a jig : I would not so much as make water but in a sink-a-pace . What dost thou mean ? is it a world to hide virtues in ? I did think , by the excellent constitution of thy leg , it was formed under the star of a galliard .
+
+Ay , 'tis strong , and it does indifferent well in a flame-coloured stock . Shall we set about some revels ?
+
+What shall we do else ? were we not born under Taurus ?
+
+Taurus ! that's sides and heart .
+
+No , sir , it is legs and thighs . Let me see thee caper . Ha ! higher : ha , ha ! excellent !
+
+
+If the duke continue these favours towards you , Cesario , you are like to be much advanced : he hath known you but three days , and already you are no stranger .
+
+You either fear his humour or my negligence , that you call in question the continuance of his love . Is he inconstant , sir , in his favours ?
+
+No , believe me .
+
+I thank you . Here comes the count .
+
+
+Who saw Cesario ? ho !
+
+On your attendance , my lord ; here .
+
+Stand you awhile aloof . Cesario ,
+Thou know'st no less but all ; I have unclasp'd
+To thee the book even of my secret soul :
+Therefore , good youth , address thy gait unto her ,
+Be not denied access , stand at her doors ,
+And tell them , there thy fixed foot shall grow
+Till thou have audience .
+
+Sure , my noble lord ,
+If she be so abandon'd to her sorrow
+As it is spoke , she never will admit me .
+
+Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds
+Rather than make unprofited return .
+
+Say I do speak with her , my lord , what then ?
+
+O ! then unfold the passion of my love ;
+Surprise her with discourse of my dear faith :
+It shall become thee well to act my woes ;
+She will attend it better in thy youth
+Than in a nuncio of more grave aspect .
+
+I think not so , my lord .
+
+Dear lad , believe it ;
+For they shall yet belie thy happy years
+That say thou art a man : Diana's lip
+Is not more smooth and rubious ; thy small pipe
+Is as the maiden's organ , shrill and sound ;
+And all is semblative a woman's part .
+I know thy constellation is right apt
+For this affair . Some four or five attend him ;
+All , if you will ; for I myself am best
+When least in company . Prosper well in this ,
+And thou shalt live as freely as thy lord ,
+To call his fortunes thine .
+
+I'll do my best
+To woo your lady :
+
+yet , a barful strife !
+Whoe'er I woo , myself would be his wife .
+
+
+Nay , either tell me where thou hast been , or I will not open my lips so wide as a bristle may enter in way of thy excuse . My lady will hang thee for thy absence .
+
+Let her hang me : he that is well hanged in this world needs to fear no colours .
+
+Make that good .
+
+He shall see none to fear .
+
+A good lenten answer : I can tell thee where that saying was born , of , 'I fear no colours .'
+
+Where , good Mistress Mary ?
+
+In the wars ; and that may you be bold to say in your foolery .
+
+Well , God give them wisdom that have it ; and those that are fools , let them use their talents .
+
+Yet you will be hanged for being so long absent ; or , to be turned away , is not that as good as a hanging to you ?
+
+Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage ; and , for turning away , let summer bear it out .
+
+You are resolute then ?
+
+Not so , neither ; but I am resolved on two points .
+
+That if one break , the other will hold ; or , if both break , your gaskins fall .
+
+Apt , in good faith ; very apt . Well , go thy way : if Sir Toby would leave drinking , thou wert as witty a piece of Eve's flesh as any in Illyria .
+
+Peace , you rogue , no more o' that . Here comes my lady : make your excuse wisely , you were best .
+
+
+Wit , an't be thy will , put me into good fooling ! Those wits that think they have thee , do very oft prove fools ; and I , that am sure I lack thee , may pass for a wise man : for what says Quinapalus ? 'Better a witty fool than a foolish wit .'
+
+God bless thee , lady !
+
+Take the fool away .
+
+Do you not hear , fellows ? Take away the lady .
+
+Go to , you're a dry fool ; I'll no more of you : besides , you grow dishonest .
+
+Two faults , madonna , that drink and good counsel will amend : for give the dry fool drink , then is the fool not dry ; bid the dishonest man mend himself : if he mend , he is no longer dishonest ; if he cannot , let the botcher mend him . Any thing that's mended is but patched : virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin ; and sin that amends is but patched with virtue . If that this simple syllogism will serve , so ; if it will not , what remedy ? As there is no true cuckold but calamity , so beauty's a flower . The lady bade take away the fool ; therefore , I say again , take her away .
+
+Sir , I bade them take away you .
+
+Misprision in the highest degree ! Lady , cucullus non facit monachum ; that's as much to say as I wear not motley in my brain . Good madonna , give me leave to prove you a fool .
+
+Can you do it ?
+
+Dexteriously , good madonna .
+
+Make your proof .
+
+I must catechise you for it , madonna : good my mouse of virtue , answer me .
+
+Well , sir , for want of other idleness , I'll bide your proof .
+
+Good madonna , why mournest thou ?
+
+Good fool , for my brother's death .
+
+I think his soul is in hell , madonna .
+
+I know his soul is in heaven , fool .
+
+The more fool , madonna , to mourn for your brother's soul being in heaven . Take away the fool , gentlemen .
+
+What think you of this fool , Malvolio ? doth he not mend ?
+
+Yes ; and shall do , till the pangs of death shake him : infirmity , that decays the wise , doth ever make the better fool .
+
+God send you , sir , a speedy infirmity , for the better increasing your folly ! Sir Toby will be sworn that I am no fox , but he will not pass his word for two pence that you are no fool .
+
+How say you to that , Malvolio ?
+
+I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal : I saw him put down the other day with an ordinary fool that has no more brain than a stone . Look you now , he's out of his guard already ; unless you laugh and minister occasion to him , he is gagged . I protest , I take these wise men , that crow so at these set kind of fools , no better than the fools' zanies .
+
+O ! you are sick of self-love , Malvolio , and taste with a distempered appetite . To be generous , guiltless , and of free disposition , is to take those things for bird-bolts that you deem cannon-bullets . There is no slander in an allowed fool , though he do nothing but rail ; nor no railing in a known discreet man , though he do nothing but reprove .
+
+Now , Mercury endue thee with leasing , for thou speakest well of fools !
+
+
+Madam , there is at the gate a young gentleman much desires to speak with you .
+
+From the Count Orsino , is it ?
+
+I know not , madam : 'tis a fair young man , and well attended .
+
+Who of my people hold him in delay ?
+
+Sir Toby , madam , your kinsman .
+
+Fetch him off , I pray you : he speaks nothing but madman . Fie on him !
+
+
+Now you see , sir , how your fooling grows old , and people dislike it .
+
+Thou hast spoken for us , madonna , as if thy eldest son should be a fool ; whose skull Jove cram with brains ! for here comes one of thy kin has a most weak pia mater .
+
+
+By mine honour , half drunk . What is he at the gate , cousin ?
+
+A gentleman .
+
+A gentleman ! what gentleman ?
+
+'Tis a gentleman here ,a plague o' these pickle herring ! How now , sot !
+
+Good Sir Toby .
+
+Cousin , cousin , how have you come so early by this lethargy ?
+
+Lechery ! I defy lechery ! There's one at the gate .
+
+Ay , marry , what is he ?
+
+Let him be the devil , an he will , I care not : give me faith , say I . Well , it's all one .
+
+
+What's a drunken man like , fool ?
+
+Like a drowned man , a fool , and a madman : one draught above heat makes him a fool , the second mads him , and a third drowns him .
+
+Go thou and seek the crowner , and let him sit o' my coz ; for he's in the third degree of drink , he's drowned : go , look after him .
+
+He is but mad yet , madonna ; and the fool shall look to the madman .
+
+Madam , yond young fellow swears he will speak with you . I told him you were sick : he takes on him to understand so much , and therefore comes to speak with you . I told him you were asleep : he seems to have a foreknowledge of that too , and therefore comes to speak with you . What is to be said to him , lady ? he's fortified against any denial .
+
+Tell him he shall not speak with me .
+
+Ha's been told so ; and he says , he'll stand at your door like a sheriff's post , and be the supporter to a bench , but he'll speak with you .
+
+What kind o' man is he ?
+
+Why , of mankind .
+
+What manner of man ?
+
+Of very ill manner : he'll speak with you , will you or no .
+
+Of what personage and years is he ?
+
+Not yet old enough for a man , nor young enough for a boy ; as a squash is before 'tis a peascod , or a codling when 'tis almost an apple : 'tis with him in standing water , between boy and man . He is very well-favoured , and he speaks very shrewishly : one would think his mother's milk were scarce out of him .
+
+Let him approach . Call in my gentlewoman .
+
+Gentlewoman , my lady calls .
+
+Give me my veil : come , throw it o'er my face .
+We'll once more hear Orsino's embassy .
+
+
+The honourable lady of the house , which is she ?
+
+Speak to me ; I shall answer for her .
+Your will ?
+
+Most radiant , exquisite , and unmatchable beauty ,I pray you tell me if this be the lady of the house , for I never saw her : I would be loath to cast away my speech ; for , besides that it is excellently well penned , I have taken great pains to con it . Good beauties , let me sustain no scorn ; I am very comptible , even to the least sinister usage .
+
+Whence came you , sir ?
+
+I can say little more than I have studied , and that question's out of my part . Good gentle one , give me modest assurance if you be the lady of the house , that I may proceed in my speech .
+
+Are you a comedian ?
+
+No , my profound heart ; and yet , by the very fangs of malice I swear I am not that I play . Are you the lady of the house ?
+
+If I do not usurp myself , I am .
+
+Most certain , if you are she , you do usurp yourself ; for , what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve . But this is from my commission : I will on with my speech in your praise , and then show you the heart of my message .
+
+Come to what is important in't : I forgive you the praise .
+
+Alas ! I took great pains to study it , and 'tis poetical .
+
+It is the more like to be feigned : I pray you keep it in . I heard you were saucy at my gates , and allowed your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear you . If you be not mad , be gone ; if you have reason , be brief : 'tis not that time of moon with me to make one in so skipping a dialogue .
+
+Will you hoist sail , sir ? here lies your way .
+
+No , good swabber ; I am to hull here a little longer . Some mollification for your giant , sweet lady .
+
+Tell me your mind .
+
+I am a messenger .
+
+Sure , you have some hideous matter to deliver , when the courtesy of it is so fearful . Speak your office .
+
+It alone concerns your ear . I bring no overture of war , no taxation of homage : I hold the olive in my hand ; my words are as full of peace as matter .
+
+Yet you began rudely . What are you ? what would you ?
+
+The rudeness that hath appear'd in me have I learn'd from my entertainment . What I am , and what I would , are as secret as maiden-head ; to your ears , divinity ; to any other's , profanation .
+
+Give us the place alone : we will hear this divinity .
+
+Now , sir ; what is your text ?
+
+Most sweet lady ,
+
+A comfortable doctrine , and much may be said of it . Where lies your text ?
+
+In Orsino's bosom .
+
+In his bosom ! In what chapter of his bosom ?
+
+To answer by the method , in the first of his heart .
+
+O ! I have read it : it is heresy . Have you no more to say ?
+
+Good madam , let me see your face .
+
+Have you any commission from your lord to negotiate with my face ? you are now out of your text : but we will draw the curtain and show you the picture .
+
+Look you , sir , such a one I was as this present : is't not well done ?
+
+Excellently done , if God did all .
+
+'Tis in grain , sir ; 'twill endure wind and weather .
+
+'Tis beauty truly blent , whose red and white
+Nature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on :
+Lady , you are tho cruell'st she alive ,
+If you will lead these graces to the grave
+And leave the world no copy .
+
+O ! sir , I will not be so hard-hearted ; I will give out divers schedules of my beauty : it shall be inventoried , and every particle and utensil labelled to my will : as Item , Two lips , indifferent red ; Item , Two grey eyes , with lids to them ; Item , One neck , one chin , and so forth . Were you sent hither to praise me ?
+
+I see you what you are : you are too proud ;
+But , if you were the devil , you are fair .
+My lord and master loves you : O ! such love
+Could be but recompens'd , though you were crown'd
+The nonpareil of beauty .
+
+How does he love me ?
+
+With adorations , with fertile tears ,
+With groans that thunder love , with sighs of fire .
+
+Your lord does know my mind ; I cannot love him ;
+Yet I suppose him virtuous , know him noble ,
+Of great estate , of fresh and stainless youth ;
+In voices well divulg'd , free , learn'd , and valiant ;
+And , in dimension and the shape of nature
+A gracious person ; but yet I cannot love him :
+He might have took his answer long ago .
+
+If I did love you in my master's flame ,
+With such a suffering , such a deadly life ,
+In your denial I would find no sense ;
+I would not understand it .
+
+Why , what would you ?
+
+Make me a willow cabin at your gate ,
+And call upon my soul within the house ;
+Write loyal cantons of contemned love ,
+And sing them loud even in the dead of night ;
+Holla your name to the reverberate hills ,
+And make the babbling gossip of the air
+Cry out , 'Olivia !' O ! you should not rest
+Between the elements of air and earth ,
+But you should pity me !
+
+You might do much . What is your parentage ?
+
+Above my fortune , yet my state is well :
+I am a gentleman .
+
+Get you to your lord :
+I cannot love him . Let him send no more ,
+Unless , perchance , you come to me again ,
+To tell me how he takes it . Fare you well :
+I thank you for your pains : spend this for me .
+
+I am no fee'd post , lady ; keep your purse :
+My master , not myself , lacks recompense .
+Love make his heart of flint that you shall love ,
+And let your fervour , like my master's , be
+Plac'd in contempt ! Farewell , fair cruelty .
+
+
+'What is your parentage ?'
+'Above my fortunes , yet my state is well :
+I am a gentleman .' I'll be sworn thou art :
+Thy tongue , thy face , thy limbs , actions , and spirit ,
+Do give thee five-fold blazon . Not too fast : soft ! soft !
+Unless the master were the man . How now !
+Even so quickly may one catch the plague ?
+Methinks I feel this youth's perfections
+With an invisible and subtle stealth
+To creep in at mine eyes . Well , let it be .
+What , ho ! Malvolio !
+
+
+Here , madam , at your service .
+
+Run after that same peevish messenger ,
+The county's man : he left this ring behind him ,
+Would I , or not : tell him I'll none of it .
+Desire him not to flatter with his lord ,
+Nor hold him up with hopes : I'm not for him .
+If that the youth will come this way to-morrow ,
+I'll give him reasons for't . Hie thee , Malvolio .
+
+Madam , I will .
+
+
+I do I know not what , and fear to find
+Mine eye too great a flatterer for my mind .
+Fate , show thy force : ourselves we do not owe ;
+What is decreed must be , and be this so !
+
+Will you stay no longer ? nor will you not that I go with you ?
+
+By your patience , no . My stars shine darkly over me ; the malignancy of my fate might , perhaps , distemper yours ; therefore I shall crave of you your leave that I may bear my evils alone . It were a bad recompense for your love to lay any of them on you .
+
+Let me yet know of you whither you are bound .
+
+No , sooth , sir : my determinate voyage is mere extravagancy . But I perceive in you so excellent a touch of modesty that you will not extort from me what I am willing to keep in ; therefore , it charges me in manners the rather to express myself . You must know of me then , Antonio , my name is Sebastian , which I called Roderigo . My father was that Sebastian of Messaline , whom I know you have heard of . He left behind him myself and a sister , both born in an hour : if the heavens had been pleased , would we had so ended ! but you , sir , altered that ; for some hour before you took me from the breach of the sea was my sister drowned .
+
+Alas the day !
+
+A lady , sir , though it was said she much resembled me , was yet of many accounted beautiful : but , though I could not with such estimable wonder overfar believe that , yet thus far I will boldly publish her : she bore a mind that envy could not but call fair . She is drowned already , sir , with salt water , though I seem to drown her remembrance again with more .
+
+Pardon me , sir , your bad entertainment .
+
+O good Antonio ! forgive me your trouble !
+
+If you will not murder me for my love , let me be your servant .
+
+If you will not undo what you have done , that is , kill him whom you have recovered , desire it not . Fare ye well at once : my bosom is full of kindness ; and I am yet so near the manners of my mother , that upon the least occasion more mine eyes will tell tales of me . I am bound to the Count Orsino's court : farewell .
+
+
+The gentleness of all the gods go with thee !
+I have many enemies in Orsino's court ,
+Else would I very shortly see thee there ;
+But , come what may , I do adore thee so ,
+That danger shall seem sport , and I will go .
+
+
+Were not you even now with the Countess Olivia ?
+
+Even now , sir : on a moderate pace I have since arrived but hither .
+
+She returns this ring to you , sir : you might have saved me my pains , to have taken it away yourself . She adds , moreover , that you should put your lord into a desperate assurance she will none of him . And one thing more ; that you be never so hardy to come again in his affairs , unless it be to report your lord's taking of this . Receive it so .
+
+She took the ring of me ; I'll none of it .
+
+Come , sir , you peevishly threw it to her ; and her will is it should be so returned : if it be worth stooping for , there it lies in your eye ; if not , be it his that finds it .
+
+
+I left no ring with her : what means this lady ?
+Fortune forbid my outside have not charm'd her !
+She made good view of me ; indeed , so much ,
+That sure methought her eyes had lost her tongue ,
+For she did speak in starts distractedly .
+She loves me , sure ; the cunning of her passion
+Invites me in this churlish messenger .
+None of my lord's ring ! why , he sent her none .
+I am the man : if it be so , as 'tis ,
+Poor lady , she were better love a dream .
+Disguise , I see , thou art a wickedness ,
+Wherein the pregnant enemy does much .
+How easy is it for the proper-false
+In women's waxen hearts to set their forms !
+Alas ! our frailty is the cause , not we !
+For such as we are made of , such we be .
+How will this fadge ? My master loves her dearly ;
+And I , poor monster , fond as much on him ;
+And she , mistaken , seems to dote on me .
+What will become of this ? As I am man ,
+My state is desperate for my master's love ;
+As I am woman ,now alas the day !
+What thriftless sighs shall poor Olivia breathe !
+O time ! thou must untangle this , not I ;
+It is too hard a knot for me to untie .
+
+
+Approach , Sir Andrew : not to be a-bed after midnight is to be up betimes ; and diluculo surgere , thou knowest ,
+
+Nay , by my troth , I know not ; but I know , to be up late is to be up late .
+
+A false conclusion : I hate it as an unfilled can . To be up after midnight and to go to bed then , is early ; so that to go to bed after midnight is to go to bed betimes . Does not our life consist of the four elements ?
+
+Faith , so they say ; but , I think , it rather consists of eating and drinking .
+
+Thou art a scholar ; let us therefore eat and drink . Marian , I say ! a stoup of wine !
+
+
+Here comes the fool , i' faith .
+
+How now , my hearts ! Did you never see the picture of 'we three ?'
+
+Welcome , ass . Now let's have a catch .
+
+By my troth , the fool has an excellent breast . I had rather than forty shillings I had such a leg , and so sweet a breath to sing , as the fool has . In sooth , thou wast in very gracious fooling last night , when thou spokest of Pigrogromitus , of the Vapians passing the equinoctial of Queubus : 'twas very good , i' faith . I sent thee sixpence for thy leman : hadst it ?
+
+I did impeticos thy gratillity ; for Malvolio's nose is no whipstock : my lady has a white hand , and the Myrmidons are no bottleale houses .
+
+Excellent ! Why , this is the best fooling , when all is done . Now , a song .
+
+Come on ; there is sixpence for you : let's have a song .
+
+There's a testril of me too : if one knight give a
+
+Would you have a love-song , or a song of good life ?
+
+A love-song , a love-song .
+
+Ay , ay ; I care not for good life .
+
+
+O mistress mine ! where are you roaming ?
+O ! stay and hear ; your true love's coming ,
+That can sing both high and low .
+Trip no further , pretty sweeting ;
+Journeys end in lovers meeting ,
+Every wise man's son doth know .
+
+
+Excellent good , i' faith .
+
+Good , good .
+
+
+What is love ? 'tis not hereafter ;
+Present mirth hath present laughter ;
+What's to come is still unsure :
+In delay there lies no plenty ;
+Then come kiss me , sweet and twenty ,
+Youth's a stuff will not endure .
+
+
+A mellifluous voice , as I am true knight .
+
+A contagious breath .
+
+Very sweet and contagious , i' faith .
+
+To hear by the nose , it is dulcet in contagion . But shall we make the welkin dance indeed ? Shall we rouse the night-owl in a catch that will draw three souls out of one weaver ? shall we do that ?
+
+An you love me , let's do't : I am dog at a catch .
+
+By'r lady , sir , and some dogs will catch well .
+
+Most certain . Let our catch be , 'Thou knave .'
+
+Hold thy peace , thou knave ,' knight ? I shall be constrain'd in't to call thee knave , knight .
+
+'Tis not the first time I have constrained one to call me knave . Begin , fool : it begins , 'Hold thy peace .'
+
+I shall never begin if I hold my peace .
+
+Good , i' faith . Come , begin .
+
+What a caterwauling do you keep here ! If my lady have not called up her steward Malvolio and bid him turn you out of doors , never trust me .
+
+My lady's a Cataian ; we are politicians ; Malvolio's a Peg-a-Ramsey , and 'Three merry men be we .' Am not I consanguineous ? am I not of her blood ? Tillyvally , lady !
+There dwelt a man in Babylon , lady , lady !
+
+Beshrew me , the knight's in admirable fooling .
+
+Ay , he does well enough if he be disposed , and so do I too : he does it with a better grace , but I do it more natural .
+
+O ! the twelfth day of December ,
+
+For the love o' God , peace !
+
+
+My masters , are you mad ? or what are you ? Have you no wit , manners , nor honesty , but to gabble like tinkers at this time of night ? Do ye make an alehouse of my lady's house , that ye squeak out your coziers' catches without any mitigation or remorse of voice ? Is there no respect of place , persons , nor time , in you ?
+
+We did keep time , sir , in our catches . Sneck up !
+
+Sir Toby , I must be round with you . My lady bade me tell you , that , though she harbours you as her kinsman , she's nothing allied to your disorders . If you can separate yourself and your misdemeanours , you are welcome to the house ; if not , an it would please you to take leave of her , she is very willing to bid you farewell .
+
+Farewell , dear heart , since I must needs be gone .
+
+Nay , good Sir Toby .
+
+His eyes do show his days are almost done .
+
+Is't even so ?
+
+But I will never die .
+
+Sir Toby , there you lie .
+
+This is much credit to you .
+
+Shall I bid him go ?
+
+What an if you do ?
+
+Shall I bid him go , and spare not ?
+
+O ! no , no , no , no , you dare not .
+
+'Out o' time !' Sir , ye lie . Art any more than a steward ? Dost thou think , because thou art virtuous , there shall be no more cakes and ale ?
+
+Yes , by Saint Anne ; and ginger shall be hot i' the mouth too .
+
+Thou'rt i' the right . Go , sir , rub your chain with crumbs . A stoup of wine , Maria !
+
+Mistress Mary , if you prized my lady's favour at anything more than contempt , you would not give means for this uncivil rule : she shall know of it , by this hand .
+
+
+Go shake your ears .
+
+'Twere as good a deed as to drink when a man's a-hungry , to challenge him the field , and then to break promise with him and make a fool of him .
+
+Do't , knight : I'll write thee a challenge ; or I'll deliver thy indignation to him by word of mouth .
+
+Sweet Sir Toby , be patient for to-night : since the youth of the count's was to-day with my lady , she is much out of quiet . For Monsieur Malvolio , let me alone with him : if I do not gull him into a nayword , and make him a common recreation , do not think I have wit enough to lie straight in my bed . I know I can do it .
+
+Possess us , possess us ; tell us something of him .
+
+Marry , sir , sometimes he is a kind of puritan .
+
+O ! if I thought that , I'd beat him like a dog .
+
+What , for being a puritan ? thy exquisite reason , dear knight ?
+
+I have no exquisite reason for't , but I have reason good enough .
+
+The devil a puritan that he is , or anything constantly but a time-pleaser ; an affectioned ass , that cons state without book , and utters it by great swarths : the best persuaded of himself ; so crammed , as he thinks , with excellences , that it is his ground of faith that all that look on him love him ; and on that vice in him will my revenge find notable cause to work .
+
+What wilt thou do ?
+
+I will drop in his way some obscure epistles of love ; wherein , by the colour of his beard , the shape of his leg , the manner of his gait , the expressure of his eye , forehead , and complexion , he shall find himself most feelingly personated . I can write very like my lady your niece ; on a forgotten matter we can hardly make distinction of our hands .
+
+Excellent ! I smell a device .
+
+I have't in my nose too .
+
+He shall think , by the letters that thou wilt drop , that they come from my niece , and that she is in love with him .
+
+My purpose is , indeed , a horse of that colour .
+
+And your horse now would make him an ass .
+
+Ass , I doubt not .
+
+O ! 'twill be admirable .
+
+Sport royal , I warrant you : I know my physic will work with him . I will plant you two , and let the fool make a third , where he shall find the letter : observe his construction of it . For this night , to bed , and dream on the event . Farewell .
+
+
+Good night , Penthesilea .
+
+Before me , she's a good wench .
+
+She's a beagle , true-bred , and one that adores me : what o' that ?
+
+I was adored once too .
+
+Let's to bed , knight . Thou hadst need send for more money .
+
+If I cannot recover your niece , I am a foul way out .
+
+Send for money , knight : if thou hast her not i' the end , call me cut .
+
+If I do not , never trust me , take it how you will .
+
+Come , come : I'll go burn some sack ; 'tis too late to go to bed now . Come , knight ; come , knight .
+
+
+Give me some music . Now , good morrow , friends :
+Now , good Cesario , but that piece of song ,
+That old and antique song we heard last night ;
+Methought it did relieve my passion much ,
+More than light airs and recollected terms
+Of these most brisk and giddy-paced times :
+Come ; but one verse .
+
+He is not here , so please your lordship , that should sing it .
+
+Who was it ?
+
+Feste , the jester , my lord ; a fool that the Lady Olivia's father took much delight in . He is about the house .
+
+Seek him out , and play the tune the while .
+
+Come hither , boy : if ever thou shalt love ,
+In the sweet pangs of it remember me ;
+For such as I am all true lovers are :
+Unstaid and skittish in all motions else
+Save in the constant image of the creature
+That is belov'd . How dost thou like this tune ?
+
+It gives a very echo to the seat
+Where love is thron'd .
+
+Thou dost speak masterly .
+My life upon't , young though thou art , thine eye
+Hath stay'd upon some favour that it loves ;
+Hath it not , boy ?
+
+A little , by your favour .
+
+What kind of woman is't ?
+
+Of your complexion .
+
+She is not worth thee , then . What years , i' faith ?
+
+About your years , my lord .
+
+Too old , by heaven . Let still the woman take
+An elder than herself , so wears she to him ,
+So sways she level in her husband's heart :
+For , boy , however we do praise ourselves ,
+Our fancies are more giddy and unfirm ,
+More longing , wavering , sooner lost and worn ,
+Than women's are .
+
+I think it well , my lord .
+
+Then , let thy love be younger than thyself ,
+Or thy affection cannot hold the bent ;
+For women are as roses , whose fair flower
+Being once display'd , doth fall that very hour .
+
+And so they are : alas , that they are so ;
+To die , even when they to perfection grow !
+
+
+O , fellow ! come , the song we had last night .
+Mark it , Cesario ; it is old and plain ;
+The spinsters and the knitters in the sun ,
+And the free maids that weave their thread with bones ,
+Do use to chant it : it is silly sooth ,
+And dallies with the innocence of love ,
+Like the old age .
+
+Are you ready , sir ?
+
+Ay ; prithee , sing .
+
+
+Come away , come away , death ,
+And in sad cypress let me be laid ;
+Fly away , fly away , breath ;
+I am slain by a fair cruel maid .
+My shroud of white , stuck all with yew ,
+O ! prepare it
+My part of death , no one so true
+Did share it .
+
+
+Not a flower , not a flower sweet ,
+On my black coffin let there be strown ,
+Not a friend , not a friend greet
+My poor corse , where my bones shall be thrown .
+A thousand thousand sighs to save ,
+Lay me , O ! where
+Sad true lover never find my grave ,
+To weep there .
+
+
+There's for thy pains .
+
+No pains , sir ; I take pleasure in singing , sir .
+
+I'll pay thy pleasure then .
+
+Truly , sir , and pleasure will be paid , one time or another .
+
+Give me now leave to leave thee .
+
+Now , the melancholy god protect thee , and the tailor make thy doublet of changeable taffeta , for thy mind is a very opal ! I would have men of such constancy put to sea , that their business might be everything and their intent everywhere ; for that's it that always makes a good voyage of nothing . Farewell .
+
+
+Let all the rest give place .
+
+Once more , Cesario ,
+Get thee to yond same sovereign cruelty :
+Tell her , my love , more noble than the world ,
+Prizes not quantity of dirty lands ;
+The parts that fortune hath bestow'd upon her ,
+Tell her , I hold as giddily as fortune ;
+But 'tis that miracle and queen of gems
+That nature pranks her in attracts my soul .
+
+But if she cannot love you , sir ?
+
+I cannot be so answer'd .
+
+Sooth , but you must .
+Say that some lady , as perhaps , there is ,
+Hath for your love as great a pang of heart
+As you have for Olivia : you cannot love her ;
+You tell her so ; must she not then be answer'd ?
+
+There is no woman's sides
+Can bide the beating of so strong a passion
+As love doth give my heart ; no woman's heart
+So big , to hold so much ; they lack retention .
+Alas ! their love may be call'd appetite ,
+No motion of the liver , but the palate ,
+That suffer surfeit , cloyment , and revolt ;
+But mine is all as hungry as the sea ,
+And can digest as much . Make no compare
+Between that love a woman can bear me
+And that I owe Olivia .
+
+Ay , but I know ,
+
+What dost thou know ?
+
+Too well what love women to men may owe :
+In faith , they are as true of heart as we .
+My father had a daughter lov'd a man ,
+As it might be , perhaps , were I a woman ,
+I should your lordship .
+
+And what's her history ?
+
+A blank , my lord . She never told her love ,
+But let concealment , like a worm i' the bud ,
+Feed on her damask cheek : she pin'd in thought ,
+And with a green and yellow melancholy ,
+She sat like Patience on a monument ,
+Smiling at grief . Was not this love indeed ?
+We men may say more , swear more ; but indeed
+Our shows are more than will , for still we prove
+Much in our vows , but little in our love .
+
+But died thy sister of her love , my boy ?
+
+I am all the daughters of my father's house ,
+And all the brothers too ; and yet I know not .
+Sir , shall I to this lady ?
+
+Ay , that's the theme .
+To her in haste ; give her this jewel ; say
+My love can give no place , bide no denay .
+
+
+Come thy ways , Signior Fabian .
+
+Nay , I'll come : if I lose a scruple of this sport , let me be boiled to death with melancholy .
+
+Wouldst thou not be glad to have the niggardly rascally sheep-biter come by some notable shame ?
+
+I would exult , man : you know he brought me out o' favour with my lady about a bear-baiting here .
+
+To anger him we'll have the bear again ; and we will fool him black and blue ; shall we not , Sir Andrew ?
+
+An we do not , it is pity of our lives .
+
+Here comes the little villain .
+
+How now , my metal of India !
+
+Get ye all three into the box-tree . Malvolio's coming down this walk : he has been yonder i' the sun practising behaviour to his own shadow this half-hour . Observe him , for the love of mockery ; for I know this letter will make a contemplative idiot of him . Close , in the name of jesting ! Lie thou there :
+
+for here comes the trout that must be caught with tickling .
+
+'Tis but fortune ; all is fortune . Maria once told me she did affect me ; and I have heard herself come thus near , that should she fancy , it should be one of my complexion . Besides , she uses me with a more exalted respect than anyone else that follows her . What should I think on't ?
+
+Here's an over-weening rogue !
+
+O , peace ! Contemplation makes a rare turkey-cock of him : how he jets under his advanced plumes !
+
+'Slight , I could so beat the rogue !
+
+Peace ! I say .
+
+To be Count Malvolio !
+
+Ah , rogue !
+
+Pistol him , pistol him .
+
+Peace ! peace !
+
+There is example for't : the lady of the Strachy married the yeoman of the wardrobe .
+
+Fie on him , Jezebel !
+
+O , peace ! now he's deeply in ; look how imagination blows him .
+
+Having been three months married to her , sitting in my state ,
+
+O ! for a stone-bow , to hit him in the eye !
+
+Calling my officers about me , in my branched velvet gown ; having come from a daybed , where I have left Olivia sleeping ,
+
+Fire and brimstone !
+
+O , peace ! peace !
+
+And then to have the humour of state : and after a demure travel of regard , telling them I know my place , as I would they should do theirs , to ask for my kinsman Toby ,
+
+Bolts and shackles !
+
+O , peace , peace , peace ! now , now .
+
+Seven of my people , with an obedient start , make out for him . I frown the while ; and perchance wind up my watch , or play with my some rich jewel . Toby approaches ; curtsies there to me ,
+
+Shall this fellow live ?
+
+Though our silence be drawn from us with cars , yet peace !
+
+I extend my hand to him thus , quenching my familiar smile with an austere regard of control ,
+
+And does not Toby take you a blow o' the lips then ?
+
+Saying , 'Cousin Toby , my fortunes having cast me on your niece give me this prerogative of speech ,'
+
+What , what ?
+
+'You must amend your drunkenness .'
+
+Out , scab !
+
+Nay , patience , or we break the sinews of our plot .
+
+'Besides , you waste the treasure of your time with a foolish knight ,'
+
+That's me , I warrant you .
+
+'One Sir Andrew ,'
+
+I knew 'twas I ; for many do call me fool .
+
+What employment have we here ?
+
+Now is the woodcock near the gin .
+
+O , peace ! and the spirit of humours intimate reading aloud to him !
+
+By my life , this is my lady's hand ! these be her very C's , her U's , and her T's ; and thus makes she her great P's . It is , in contempt of question , her hand .
+
+Her C's , her U's , and her T's : why that
+
+To the unknown beloved , this and my good wishes : her very phrases ! By your leave , wax . Soft ! and the impressure her Lucrece , with which she uses to seal : 'tis my lady . To whom should this be ?
+
+This wins him , liver and all .
+
+
+Jove knows I love ;
+But who ?
+Lips , do not move
+No man must know .
+
+'No man must know .' What follows ? the numbers altered ! 'No man must know :' if this should be thee , Malvolio !
+
+Marry , hang thee , brock !
+
+
+I may command where I adore ;
+But silence , like a Lucrece knife ,
+With bloodless stroke my heart doth gore :
+M , O , A , I , doth sway my life .
+
+
+A fustian riddle !
+
+Excellent wench , say I .
+
+'M , O , A , I , doth sway my life .' Nay , but first , let me see , let me see , let me see .
+
+What dish o' poison has she dressed him !
+
+And with what wing the staniel checks at it !
+
+'I may command where I adore .' Why , she may command me : I serve her ; she is my lady . Why , this is evident to any formal capacity ; there is no obstruction in this . And the end , what should that alphabetical position portend ? if I could make that resemble something in me ,Softly !M , O , A , I ,
+
+O ! ay , make up that : he is now at a cold scent .
+
+Sowter will cry upon 't , for all this , though it be as rank as a fox .
+
+M , Malvolio ; M , why , that begins my name .
+
+Did not I say he would work it out ? the cur is excellent at faults .
+
+M ,But then there is no consonancy in the sequel ; that suffers under probation : A should follow , but O does .
+
+And O shall end , I hope .
+
+Ay , or I'll cudgel him , and make him cry , O !
+
+And then I comes behind .
+
+Ay , an you had any eye behind you , you might see more detraction at your heels than fortunes before you .
+
+M , O , A , I ; this simulation is not as the former ; and yet , to crush this a little , it would bow to me , for every one of these letters are in my name . Soft ! here follows prose .
+
+If this fall into thy hand , revolve . In my stars I am above thee ; but be not afraid of greatness : some are born great , some achieve greatness , and some have greatness thrust upon them . Thy Fates open their hands ; let thy blood and spirit embrace them ; and to inure thyself to what thou art like to be , cast thy humble slough , and appear fresh . Be opposite with a kinsman , surly with servants ; let thy tongue tang arguments of state ; put thyself into the trick of singularity She thus advises thee that sighs for thee . Remember who commended thy yellow stockings , and wished to see thee ever cross-gartered : I say , remember . Go to , thou art made , if thou desirest to be so ; if not , let me see thee a steward still , the fellow of servants , and not worthy to touch Fortune's fingers . Farewell . She that would alter services with thee . THE FORTUNATE-UNHAPPY .
+
+Daylight and champian discovers not more : this is open . I will be proud , I will read politic authors , I will baffle Sir Toby , I will wash off gross acquaintance , I will be point-devise the very man . I do not now fool myself , to let imagination jade me , for every reason excites to this , that my lady loves me . She did commend my yellow stockings of late , she did praise my leg being cross-gartered ; and in this she manifests herself to my love , and , with a kind of injunction drives me to these habits of her liking . I thank my stars I am happy . I will be strange , stout , in yellow stockings , and cross-gartered , even with the swiftness of putting on . Jove and my stars be praised ! Here is yet a postscript .
+
+Thou canst not choose but know who I am . If thou entertainest my love , let it appear in thy smiling ; thy smiles become thee well ; therefore in my presence still smile , dear my sweet , I prithee .
+
+Jove , I thank thee . I will smile : I will do everything that thou wilt have me .
+
+
+I will not give my part of this sport for a pension of thousands to be paid from the Sophy .
+
+I could marry this wench for this device .
+
+So could I too .
+
+And ask no other dowry with her but such another jest .
+
+Nor I neither .
+
+Here comes my noble gull-catcher .
+
+
+Wilt thou set thy foot o' my neck ?
+
+Or o' mine either ?
+
+Shall I play my freedom at tray-trip , and become thy bond-slave ?
+
+I' faith , or I either ?
+
+Why , thou hast put him in such a dream , that when the image of it leaves him he must run mad .
+
+Nay , but say true ; does it work upon him ?
+
+Like aqua-vit with a midwife .
+
+If you will , then see the fruits of the sport , mark his first approach before my lady ; he will come to her in yellow stockings , and 'tis a colour she abhors ; and cross-gartered , a fashion she detests ; and he will smile upon her , which will now be so unsuitable to her disposition , being addicted to a melancholy as she is , that it cannot but turn him into a notable contempt . If you will see it , follow me .
+
+To the gates of Tartar , thou most excellent devil of wit !
+
+I'll make one too .
+
+Save thee , friend , and thy music . Dost thou live by thy tabor ?
+
+No , sir , I live by the church .
+
+Art thou a churchman ?
+
+No such matter , sir : I do live by the church ; for I do live at my house , and my house doth stand by the church .
+
+So thou mayst say , the king lies by a beggar , if a beggar dwell near him ; or , the church stands by thy tabor , if thy tabor stand by the church .
+
+You have said , sir . To see this age !
+A sentence is but a cheveril glove to a good wit : how quickly the wrong side may be turned outward !
+
+Nay , that's certain : they that dally nicely with words may quickly make them wanton .
+
+I would therefore my sister had had no name , sir .
+
+Why , man ?
+
+Why , sir , her name's a word ; and to dally with that word might make my sister wanton . But indeed , words are very rascals since bonds disgraced them .
+
+Thy reason , man ?
+
+Troth , sir , I can yield you none without words ; and words are grown so false , I am loath to prove reason with them .
+
+I warrant thou art a merry fellow , and carest for nothing .
+
+Not so , sir , I do care for something ; but in my conscience , sir , I do not care for you : if that be to care for nothing , sir , I would it would make you invisible .
+
+Art not thou the Lady Olivia's fool ?
+
+No , indeed , sir ; the Lady Olivia has no folly : she will keep no fool , sir , till she be married ; and fools are as like husbands as pilchards are to herrings the husband's the bigger . I am indeed not her fool , but her corrupter of words .
+
+I saw thee late at the Count Orsino's .
+
+Foolery , sir , does walk about the orb like the sun ; it shines every where . I would be sorry , sir , but the fool should be as oft with your master as with my mistress . I think I saw your wisdom there .
+
+Nay , an thou pass upon me , I'll no more with thee . Hold , there's sixpence for thee .
+
+
+Now Jove , in his next commodity of hair , send thee a beard !
+
+By my troth , I'll tell thee , I am almost sick for one , though I would not have it grow on my chin . Is thy lady within ?
+
+Would not a pair of these have bred , sir ?
+
+Yes , being kept together and put to use .
+
+I would play Lord Pandarus of Phrygia , sir , to bring a Cressida to this Troilus .
+
+I understand you , sir ; 'tis well begg'd .
+
+The matter , I hope , is not great , sir , begging but a beggar : Cressida was a beggar . My lady is within , sir . I will conster to them whence you come ; who you are and what you would are out of my welkin ; I might say 'element ,' but the word is overworn .
+
+
+This fellow's wise enough to play the fool ,
+And to do that well craves a kind of wit :
+He must observe their mood on whom he jests ,
+The quality of persons , and the time ,
+And , like the haggard , check at every feather
+That comes before his eye . This is a practice
+As full of labour as a wise man's art ;
+For folly that he wisely shows is fit ;
+But wise men folly-fall'n , quite taint their wit .
+
+
+Save you , gentleman .
+
+And you , sir .
+
+Dieu vous garde , monsieur .
+
+Et vous aussi ; votre serviteur .
+
+I hope , sir , you are ; and I am yours .
+
+Will you encounter the house ? my niece is desirous you should enter , if your trade be to her .
+
+I am bound to your niece , sir : I mean , she is the list of my voyage .
+
+Taste your legs , sir : put them to motion .
+
+My legs do better understand me , sir , than I understand what you mean by bidding me taste my legs .
+
+I mean , to go , sir , to enter .
+
+I will answer you with gait and entrance . But we are prevented .
+
+Most excellent accomplished lady , the heavens rain odours on you !
+
+That youth's a rare courtier . 'Rain odours !' well .
+
+My matter hath no voice , lady , but to your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear .
+
+'Odours ,' 'pregnant ,' and 'vouchsafed .' I'll get 'em all three all ready .
+
+Let the garden door be shut , and leave me to my hearing .
+
+Give me your hand , sir .
+
+My duty , madam , and most humble service .
+
+What is your name ?
+
+Cesario is your servant's name , fair princess .
+
+My servant , sir ! 'Twas never merry world
+Since lowly feigning was call'd compliment .
+You're servant to the Count Orsino , youth .
+
+And he is yours , and his must needs be yours :
+Your servant's servant is your servant , madam .
+
+For him , I think not on him : for his thoughts ,
+Would they were blanks rather than fill'd with me !
+
+Madam , I come to whet your gentle thoughts
+On his behalf .
+
+O ! by your leave , I pray you ,
+I bade you never speak again of him :
+But , would you undertake another suit ,
+I had rather hear you to solicit that
+Than music from the spheres .
+
+Dear lady ,
+
+Give me leave , beseech you . I did send ,
+After the last enchantment you did here ,
+A ring in chase of you : so did I abuse
+Myself , my servant , and , I fear me , you :
+Under your hard construction must I sit ,
+To force that on you , in a shameful cunning ,
+Which you knew none of yours : what might you think ?
+Have you not set mine honour at the stake ,
+And baited it with all th' unmuzzled thoughts
+That tyrannous heart can think ? To one of your receiving
+Enough is shown ; a cypress , not a bosom ,
+Hideth my heart . So , let me hear you speak .
+
+I pity you .
+
+That's a degree to love .
+
+No , not a grize ; for 'tis a vulgar proof
+That very oft we pity enemies .
+
+Why , then methinks 'tis time to smile again .
+O world ! how apt the poor are to be proud .
+If one should be a prey , how much the better
+To fall before the lion than the wolf !
+
+The clock upbraids me with the waste of time .
+Be not afraid , good youth , I will not have you :
+And yet , when wit and youth is come to harvest ,
+Your wife is like to reap a proper man :
+There lies your way , due west .
+
+Then westward-ho !
+Grace and good disposition attend your ladyship !
+You'll nothing , madam , to my lord by me ?
+
+Stay :
+I prithee , tell me what thou think'st of me .
+
+That you do think you are not what you are .
+
+If I think so , I think the same of you .
+
+Then think you right : I am not what I am .
+
+I would you were as I would have you be !
+
+Would it be better , madam , than I am ?
+I wish it might , for now I am your fool .
+
+O ! what a deal of scorn looks beautiful
+In the contempt and anger of his lip .
+A murderous guilt shows not itself more soon
+Than love that would seem hid ; love's night is noon .
+Cesario , by the roses of the spring ,
+By maidhood , honour , truth , and every thing ,
+I love thee so , that , maugre all thy pride ,
+Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide .
+Do not extort thy reasons from this clause ,
+For that I woo , thou therefore hast no cause ;
+But rather reason thus with reason fetter ,
+Love sought is good , but giv'n unsought is better .
+
+By innocence I swear , and by my youth ,
+I have one heart , one bosom , and one truth ,
+And that no woman has ; nor never none
+Shall mistress be of it , save I alone .
+And so adieu , good madam : never more
+Will I my master's tears to you deplore .
+
+Yet come again , for thou perhaps mayst move
+That heart , which now abhors , to like his love .
+
+
+No , faith , I'll not stay a jot longer .
+
+Thy reason , dear venom ; give thy reason .
+
+You must needs yield your reason , Sir Andrew .
+
+Marry , I saw your niece do more favours to the count's serving-man than ever she bestowed upon me ; I saw't i' the orchard .
+
+Did she see thee the while , old boy ? tell me that .
+
+As plain as I see you now .
+
+This was a great argument of love in her toward you .
+
+'Slight ! will you make an ass o' me ?
+
+I will prove it legitimate , sir , upon the oaths of judgment and reason .
+
+And they have been grand-jurymen since before Noah was a sailor .
+
+She did show favour to the youth in your sight only to exasperate you , to awake your dormouse valour , to put fire in your heart , and brimstone in your liver . You should then have accosted her , and with some excellent jests , firenew from the mint , you should have banged the youth into dumbness . This was looked for at your hand , and this was balked : the double gilt of this opportunity you let time wash off , and you are now sailed into the north of my lady's opinion ; where you will hang like an icicle on a Dutchman's beard , unless you do redeem it by some laudable attempt , either of valour or policy .
+
+An't be any way , it must be with valour , for policy I hate : I had as lief be a Brownist as a politician .
+
+Why , then , build me thy fortunes upon the basis of valour : challenge me the count's youth to fight with him ; hurt him in eleven places : my niece shall take note of it ; and assure thyself , there is no love-broker in the world can more prevail in man's commendation with woman than report of valour .
+
+There is no way but this , Sir Andrew .
+
+Will either of you bear me a challenge to him ?
+
+Go , write it in a martial hand ; be curst and brief ; it is no matter how witty , so it be eloquent , and full of invention : taunt him with the licence of ink : if thou thou'st him some thrice , it shall not be amiss ; and as many lies as will lie in thy sheet of paper , although the sheet were big enough for the bed of Ware in England , set 'em down : go , about it . Let there be gall enough in thy ink , though thou write with a goose-pen , no matter : about it .
+
+Where shall I find you ?
+
+We'll call thee at the cubiculo : go .
+
+
+This is a dear manakin to you , Sir Toby .
+
+I have been dear to him , lad , some two thousand strong , or so .
+
+We shall have a rare letter from him ; but you'll not deliver it .
+
+Never trust me , then ; and by all means stir on the youth to an answer . I think oxen and wainropes cannot hale them together . For Andrew , if he were opened , and you find so much blood in his liver as will clog the foot of a flea , I'll eat the rest of the anatomy .
+
+And his opposite , the youth , bears in his visage no great presage of cruelty .
+
+Look , where the youngest wren of nine comes .
+
+
+If you desire the spleen , and will laugh yourselves into stitches , follow me . Yond gull Malvolio is turned heathen , a very renegado ; for there is no Christian , that means to be saved by believing rightly , can ever believe such impossible passages of grossness . He's in yellow stockings .
+
+And cross-gartered ?
+
+Most villanously ; like a pedant that keeps a school i' the church . I have dogged him like his murderer . He does obey every point of the letter that I dropped to betray him : he does smile his face into more lines than are in the new map with the augmentation of the Indies . You have not seen such a thing as 'tis ; I can hardly forbear hurling things at him . I know my lady will strike him : if she do , he'll smile and take't for a great favour .
+
+Come , bring us , bring us where he is .
+
+
+I would not by my will have troubled you ;
+But since you make your pleasure of your pains ,
+I will no further chide you .
+
+I could not stay behind you : my desire ,
+More sharp than filed steel , did spur me forth ;
+And not all love to see you ,though so much
+As might have drawn one to a longer voyage ,
+But jealousy what might befall your travel ,
+Being skilless in these parts ; which to a stranger ,
+Unguided and unfriended , often prove
+Rough and unhospitable : my willing love ,
+The rather by these arguments of fear ,
+Set forth in your pursuit .
+
+My kind Antonio ,
+I can no other answer make but thanks ,
+And thanks , and ever thanks ; for oft good turns
+Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay :
+But , were my worth , as is my conscience , firm ,
+You should find better dealing . What's to do ?
+Shall we go see the reliques of this town ?
+
+To-morrow , sir : best first go see your lodging .
+
+I am not weary , and 'tis long to night :
+I pray you , let us satisfy our eyes
+With the memorials and the things of fame
+That do renown this city .
+
+Would you'd pardon me ;
+I do not without danger walk these streets :
+Once , in a sea-fight 'gainst the Count his galleys ,
+I did some service ; of such note indeed ,
+That were I ta'en here it would scarce be answer'd .
+
+Belike you slew great number of his people ?
+
+The offence is not of such a bloody nature ,
+Albeit the quality of the time and quarrel
+Might well have given us bloody argument .
+It might have since been answer'd in repaying
+What we took from them ; which , for traffic's sake ,
+Most of our city did : only myself stood out ;
+For which , if I be lapsed in this place ,
+I shall pay dear .
+
+Do not then walk too open .
+
+It doth not fit me . Hold , sir ; here's my purse .
+In the south suburbs , at the Elephant ,
+Is best to lodge : I will bespeak our diet ,
+Whiles you beguile the time and feed your knowledge
+With viewing of the town : there shall you have me .
+
+Why I your purse ?
+
+Haply your eye shall light upon some toy
+You have desire to purchase ; and your store ,
+I think , is not for idle markets , sir .
+
+I'll be your purse-bearer and leave you for an hour .
+
+To the Elephant .
+
+I do remember .
+
+
+I have sent after him : he says he'll come ;
+How shall I feast him ? what bestow of him ?
+For youth is bought more oft than begg'd or borrow'd .
+I speak too loud .
+Where is Malvolio ? he is sad , and civil ,
+And suits well for a servant with my fortunes :
+Where is Malvolio ?
+
+He's coming , madam ; but in very strange manner . He is sure possess'd , madam .
+
+Why , what's the matter ? does he rave ?
+
+No , madam ; he does nothing but smile : your ladyship were best to have some guard about you if he come , for sure the man is tainted in's wits .
+
+Go call him hither .
+
+I am as mad as he ,
+If sad and merry madness equal be .
+
+How now , Malvolio !
+
+Sweet lady , ho , ho .
+
+Smil'st thou ?
+I sent for thee upon a sad occasion .
+
+Sad , lady ! I could be sad : this does make some obstruction in the blood , this crossgartering ; but what of that ? if it please the eye of one , it is with me as the very true sonnet is , 'Please one and please all .'
+
+Why , how dost thou , man ? what is the matter with thee ?
+
+Not black in my mind , though yellow in my legs . It did come to his hands , and commands shall be executed : I think we do know the sweet Roman hand .
+
+Wilt thou go to bed , Malvolio ?
+
+To bed ! ay , sweetheart ; and I'll come to thee .
+
+God comfort thee ! Why dost thou smile so and kiss thy hand so oft ?
+
+How do you , Malvolio ?
+
+At your request ! Yes ; nightingales answer daws .
+
+Why appear you with this ridiculous boldness before my lady ?
+
+'Be not afraid of greatness :' 'Twas well writ .
+
+What meanest thou by that , Malvolio ?
+
+'Some are born great ,'
+
+Ha !
+
+'Some achieve greatness ,'
+
+What sayst thou ?
+
+'And some have greatness thrust upon them .'
+
+Heaven restore thee !
+
+'Remember who commended thy yellow stockings ,'
+
+Thy yellow stockings !
+
+'And wished to see thee cross-gartered .'
+
+Cross-gartered !
+
+'Go to , thou art made , if thou desirest to be so ,'
+
+Am I made ?
+
+'If not , let me see thee a servant still .'
+
+Why , this is very midsummer madness .
+
+
+Madam , the young gentleman of the Count Orsino's is returned . I could hardly entreat him back : he attends your ladyship's pleasure .
+
+I'll come to him .
+
+Good Maria , let this fellow be looked to . Where's my cousin Toby ? Let some of my people have a special care of him : I would not have him miscarry for the half of my dowry .
+
+
+Oh , ho ! do you come near me now ? no worse man than Sir Toby to look to me ! This concurs directly with the letter : she sends him on purpose , that I may appear stubborn to him ; for she incites me to that in the letter . 'Cast thy humble slough ,' says she ; 'be opposite with a kinsman , surly with servants ; let thy tongue tang with arguments of state ; put thyself into the trick of singularity ;' and consequently sets down the manner how ; as , a sad face , a reverend carriage , a slow tongue , in the habit of some sir of note , and so forth . I have limed her ; but it is Jove's doing , and Jove make me thankful ! And when she went away now , 'Let this fellow be looked to ;' fellow ! not Malvolio , nor after my degree , but fellow . Why , everything adheres together , that no dram of a scruple , no scruple of a scruple , no obstacle , no incredulous or unsafe circumstance What can be said ? Nothing that can be can come between me and the full prospect of my hopes . Well , Jove , not I , is the doer of this , and he is to be thanked .
+
+
+Which way is he , in the name of sanctity ? If all the devils in hell be drawn in little , and Legion himself possess'd him , yet I'll speak to him .
+
+Here he is , here he is . How is't with you , sir ? how is't with you , man ?
+
+Go off ; I discard you : let me enjoy my private ; go off .
+
+Lo , how hollow the fiend speaks within him ! did not I tell you ? Sir Toby , my lady prays you to have a care of him .
+
+Ah , ha ! does she so ?
+
+Go to , go to : peace ! peace ! we must deal gently with him ; let me alone . How do you , Malvolio ? how is't with you ? What , man ! defy the devil : consider , he's an enemy to mankind .
+
+Do you know what you say ?
+
+La you ! an you speak ill of the devil , how he takes it at heart . Pray God , he be not bewitched !
+
+Carry his water to the wise-woman .
+
+Marry , and it shall be done to-morrow morning , if I live . My lady would not lose him for more than I'll say .
+
+How now , mistress !
+
+O Lord !
+
+Prithee , hold thy peace ; this is not the way : do you not see you move him ? let me alone with him .
+
+No way but gentleness ; gently , gently : the fiend is rough , and will not be roughly used .
+
+Why , how now , my bawcock ! how dost thou , chuck ?
+
+Sir !
+
+Ay , Biddy , come with me . What , man ! 'tis not for gravity to play at cherry-pit with Satan : hang him , foul collier !
+
+Get him to say his prayers , good Sir Toby , get him to pray .
+
+My prayers , minx !
+
+No , I warrant you , he will not hear of godliness .
+
+Go , hang yourselves all ! you are idle shallow things : I am not of your element . You shall know more hereafter .
+
+
+Is't possible ?
+
+If this were played upon a stage now , I could condemn it as an improbable fiction .
+
+His very genius hath taken the infection of the device , man .
+
+Nay , pursue him now , lest the device take air , and taint .
+
+Why , we shall make him mad indeed .
+
+The house will be the quieter .
+
+Come , we'll have him in a dark room , and bound . My niece is already in the belief that he's mad : we may carry it thus , for our pleasure and his penance , till our very pastime , tired out of breath , prompt us to have mercy on him ; at which time we will bring the device to the bar , and crown thee for a finder of madmen . But see , but see .
+
+
+More matter for a May morning .
+
+Here's the challenge ; read it : I warrant there's vinegar and pepper in't .
+
+Is't so saucy ?
+
+Ay , is't , I warrant him : do but read .
+
+Give me . Youth , whatsoever thou art , thou art but a scurvy fellow .
+
+Good , and valiant .
+
+Wonder not , nor admire not in thy mind , why I do call thee so , for I will show thee no reason for't ,
+
+A good note , that keeps you from the blow of the law .
+
+Thou comest to the Lady Olivia , and in my sight she uses thee kindly : but thou liest in thy throat ; that is not the matter I challenge thee for .
+
+Very brief , and to exceeding good sense less .
+
+I will waylay thee going home ; where , if it be thy chance to kill me ,
+
+Good .
+
+Thou killest me like a rogue and a villain .
+
+Still you keep o' the windy side of the law : good .
+
+Fare thee well ; and God have mercy upon one of our souls ! He may have mercy upon mine , but my hope is better ; and so look to thyself . Thy friend , as thou usest him , and thy sworn enemy ,
+If this letter move him not , his legs cannot .
+I'll give't him .
+
+You may have very fit occasion for for't : he is now in some commerce with my lady , and will by and by depart .
+
+Go , Sir Andrew ; scout me for him at the corner of the orchard like a bum-baily : so soon as ever thou seest him , draw ; and , as thou drawest , swear horrible ; for it comes to pass oft that a terrible oath , with a swaggering accent sharply twanged off , gives manhood more approbation than ever proof itself would have earned him . Away !
+
+Nay , let me alone for swearing .
+
+
+Now will not I deliver his letter : for the behaviour of the young gentleman gives him out to be of good capacity and breeding ; his employment between his lord and my niece confirms no less : therefore this letter , being so excellently ignorant , will breed no terror in the youth : he will find it comes from a clodpole . But , sir , I will deliver his challenge by word of mouth ; set upon Aguecheek a notable report of valour ; and drive the gentleman ,as I know his youth will aptly receive it ,into a most hideous opinion of his rage , skill , fury , and impetuosity . This will so fright them both that they will kill one another by the look , like cockatrices .
+
+Here he comes with your niece : give them way till he take leave , and presently after him .
+
+I will meditate the while upon some horrid message for a challenge .
+
+I have said too much unto a heart of stone ,
+And laid mine honour too unchary out :
+There's something in me that reproves my fault ,
+But such a headstrong potent fault it is
+That it but mocks reproof .
+
+With the same haviour that your passion bears
+Goes on my master's griefs .
+
+Here ; wear this jewel for me , 'tis my picture ;
+Refuse it not ; it hath no tongue to vex you ;
+And I beseech you come again to-morrow .
+What shall you ask of me that I'll deny ,
+That honour sav'd may upon asking give ?
+
+Nothing but this ; your true love for my master .
+
+How with mine honour may I give him that
+Which I have given to you ?
+
+I will acquit you .
+
+Well , come again to-morrow : fare thee well :
+A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell .
+
+Gentleman , God save thee .
+
+And you , sir .
+
+That defence thou hast , betake thee to't : of what nature the wrongs are thou hast done him , I know not ; but thy intercepter , full of despite , bloody as the hunter , attends thee at the orchard-end . Dismount thy tuck , be yare in thy preparation , for thy assailant is quick , skilful , and deadly .
+
+You mistake , sir : I am sure no man hath any quarrel to me : my remembrance is very free and clear from any image of offence done to any man .
+
+You'll find it otherwise , I assure you : therefore , if you hold your life at any price , betake you to your guard ; for your opposite hath in him what youth , strength , skill , and wrath , can furnish man withal .
+
+I pray you , sir , what is he ?
+
+He is knight dubbed with unhatched rapier , and on carpet consideration ; but he is a devil in private brawl : souls and bodies hath he divorced three , and his incensement at this moment is so implacable that satisfaction can be none but by pangs of death and sepulchre . Hob , nob , is his word : give't or take't .
+
+I will return again into the house and desire some conduct of the lady : I am no fighter . I have heard of some kind of men that put quarrels purposely on others to taste their valour ; belike this is a man of that quirk .
+
+Sir , no ; his indignation derives itself out of a very competent injury : therefore get you on and give him his desire . Back you shall not to the house , unless you undertake that with me which with as much safety you might answer him : therefore , on , or strip your sword stark naked ; for meddle you must , that's certain , or forswear to wear iron about you .
+
+This is as uncivil as strange . I beseech you , do me this courteous office , as to know of the knight what my offence to him is : it is something of my negligence , nothing of my purpose .
+
+I will do so . Signior Fabian , stay you by this gentleman till my return .
+
+
+Pray you , sir , do you know of this matter ?
+
+I know the knight is incensed against you , even to a mortal arbitrement , but nothing of the circumstance more .
+
+I beseech you , what manner of man is he ?
+
+Nothing of that wonderful promise , to read him by his form , as you are like to find him in the proof of his valour . He is , indeed , sir , the most skilful , bloody , and fatal opposite that you could possibly have found in any part of Illyria . Will you walk towards him ? I will make your peace with him if I can .
+
+I shall be much bound to you for't : I am one that had rather go with sir priest than sir knight ; I care not who knows so much of my mettle .
+
+Why , man , he's a very devil ; I have not seen such a firago . I had a pass with him , rapier , scabbard and all , and he gives me the stuck in with such a mortal motion that it is inevitable ; and on the answer , he pays you as surely as your feet hit the ground they step on . They say he has been fencer to the Sophy .
+
+Pox on't , I'll not meddle with him .
+
+Ay , but he will not now be pacified : Fabian can scarce hold him yonder .
+
+Plague on't ; an I thought he had been valiant and so cunning in fence I'd have seen him damned ere I'd have challenged him . Let him let the matter slip , and I'll give him my horse , grey Capilet .
+
+I'll make the motion . Stand here ; make a good show on't : this shall end without the perdition of souls .
+
+Marry , I'll ride your horse as well as I ride you .
+
+I have his horse to take up the quarrel . I have persuaded him the youth's a devil .
+
+He is as horribly conceited of him ; and pants and looks pale , as if a bear were at his heels .
+
+There's no remedy , sir : he will fight with you for his oath's sake . Marry , he hath better bethought him of his quarrel , and he finds that now scarce to be worth talking of : therefore draw for the supportance of his vow : he protests he will not hurt you .
+
+Pray God defend me ! A little thing would make me tell them how much I lack of a man .
+
+Give ground , if you see him furious .
+
+Come , Sir Andrew , there's no remedy : the gentleman will , for his honour's sake , have one bout with you ; he cannot by the duello avoid it : but he has promised me , as he is a gentleman and a soldier , he will not hurt you . Come on ; to't .
+
+Pray God , he keep his oath !
+
+
+I do assure you , 'tis against my will .
+
+Put up your sword . If this young gentleman
+Have done offence , I take the fault on me :
+If you offend him , I for him defy you .
+
+
+You , sir ! why , what are you ?
+
+One , sir , that for his love dares yet do more
+Than you have heard him brag to you he will .
+
+Nay , if you be an undertaker , I am for you .
+
+
+O , good sir Toby , hold ! here come the officers .
+
+I'll be with you anon .
+
+Pray , sir , put your sword up , if you please .
+
+Marry , will I , sir ; and , for that I promised you , I'll be as good as my word . He will bear you easily and reins well .
+
+
+This is the man ; do thy office .
+
+Antonio , I arrest thee at the suit
+Of Count Orsino .
+
+You do mistake me , sir .
+
+No , sir , no jot : I know your favour well ,
+Though now you have no sea-cap on your head .
+Take him away : he knows I know him well .
+
+I must obey .
+
+This comes with seeking you :
+But there's no remedy : I shall answer it .
+What will you do , now my necessity
+Makes me to ask you for my purse ? It grieves me
+Much more for what I cannot do for you
+Than what befalls myself . You stand amaz'd :
+But be of comfort .
+
+Come , sir , away .
+
+I must entreat of you some of that money .
+
+What money , sir ?
+For the fair kindness you have show'd me here ,
+And part , being prompted by your present trouble ,
+Out of my lean and low ability
+I'll lend you something : my having is not much :
+I'll make division of my present with you .
+Hold , there is half my coffer .
+
+Will you deny me now ?
+Is't possible that my deserts to you
+Can lack persuasion ? Do not tempt my misery ,
+Lest that it make me so unsound a man
+As to upbraid you with those kindnesses
+That I have done for you .
+
+I know of none ;
+Nor know I you by voice or any feature .
+I hate ingratitude more in a man
+Than lying , vainness , babbling drunkenness ,
+Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption
+Inhabits our frail blood .
+
+O heavens themselves !
+
+Come , sir : I pray you , go .
+
+Let me speak a little . This youth that you see here
+I snatch'd one-half out of the jaws of death ,
+Reliev'd him with such sanctity of love ,
+And to his image , which methought did promise
+Most venerable worth , did I devotion .
+
+What's that to us ? The time goes by : away !
+
+But O ! how vile an idol proves this god .
+Thou hast , Sebastian , done good feature shame .
+In nature there's no blemish but the mind ;
+None can be call'd deform'd but the unkind :
+Virtue is beauty , but the beauteous evil
+Are empty trunks o'erflourish'd by the devil .
+
+The man grows mad : away with him ! Come , come , sir .
+
+Lead me on .
+
+
+Methinks his words do from such passion fly ,
+That he believes himself ; so do not I .
+Prove true , imagination , O , prove true ,
+That I , dear brother , be now ta'en for you !
+
+Come hither , knight ; come hither ,
+Fabian : we'll whisper o'er a couplet or two of most sage saws .
+
+He nam'd Sebastian : I my brother know
+Yet living in my glass ; even such and so
+In favour was my brother ; and he went
+Still in this fashion , colour , ornament ,
+For him I imitate . O ! if it prove ,
+Tempests are kind , and salt waves fresh in love !
+
+
+A very dishonest paltry boy , and more a coward than a hare . His dishonesty appears in leaving his friend here in necessity , and denying him ; and for his cowardship , ask Fabian .
+
+A coward , a most devout coward , religious in it .
+
+'Slid , I'll after him again and beat him .
+
+Do ; cuff him soundly , but never draw thy sword .
+
+An I do not ,
+
+
+Come , let's see the event .
+
+I dare lay any money 'twill be nothing yet .
+
+Will you make me believe that I am not sent for you ?
+
+Go to , go to ; thou art a foolish fellow :
+Let me be clear of thee .
+
+Well held out , i' faith ! No , I do not know you ; nor I am not sent to you by my lady to bid you come speak with her ; nor your name is not Master Cesario ; nor this is not my nose neither . Nothing that is so is so .
+
+I prithee , vent thy folly somewhere else :
+Thou know'st not me .
+
+Vent my folly ! He has heard that word of some great man , and now applies it to a fool . Vent my folly ! I am afraid this great lubber , the world , will prove a cockney . I prithee now , ungird thy strangeness and tell me what I shall vent to my lady . Shall I vent to her that thou art coming ?
+
+I prithee , foolish Greek , depart from me :
+There's money for thee : if you tarry longer
+I shall give worse payment .
+
+By my troth , thou hast an open hand .
+These wise men that give fools money get themselves a good report after fourteen years' purchase .
+
+
+Now , sir , have I met you again ? there's for you .
+
+
+Why , there's for thee , and there , and there , and there !
+
+Are all the people mad ?
+
+
+Hold , sir , or I'll throw your dagger o'er the house .
+
+This will I tell my lady straight . I would not be in some of your coats for twopence .
+
+
+Come on , sir : hold .
+
+Nay , let him alone ; I'll go another way to work with him : I'll have an action of battery against him if there be any law in Illyria . Though I struck him first , yet it's no matter for that .
+
+Let go thy hand .
+
+Come , sir , I will not let you go . Come , my young soldier , put up your iron : you are well fleshed ; come on .
+
+I will be free from thee .
+
+What wouldst thou now ?
+If thou dar'st tempt me further , draw thy sword .
+
+What , what ! Nay then , I must have an ounce or two of this malapert blood from you .
+
+Hold , Toby ! on thy life I charge thee , hold !
+
+Madam !
+
+Will it be ever thus ? Ungracious wretch !
+Fit for the mountains and the barbarous caves ,
+Where manners ne'er were preach'd . Out of my sight !
+Be not offended , dear Cesario .
+Rudesby , be gone !
+
+I prithee , gentle friend ,
+Let thy fair wisdom , not thy passion , sway
+In this uncivil and unjust extent
+Against thy peace . Go with me to my house ,
+And hear thou there how many fruitless pranks
+This ruffian hath botch'd up , that thou thereby
+Mayst smile at this . Thou shalt not choose but go :
+Do not deny . Beshrew his soul for me ,
+He started one poor heart of mine in thee .
+
+What relish is in this ? how runs the stream ?
+Or I am mad , or else this is a dream :
+Let fancy still my sense in Lethe steep ;
+If it be thus to dream , still let me sleep !
+
+Nay ; come , I prithee . Would thou'dst be rul'd by me !
+
+Madam , I will .
+
+O ! say so , and so be !
+
+
+Nay , I prithee , put on this gown and this beard ; make him believe thou art Sir Topas the curate : do it quickly ; I'll call Sir Toby the whilst .
+
+
+Well , I'll put it on and I will dissemble myself in't : and I would I were the first that ever dissembled in such a gown . I am not tall enough to become the function well , nor lean enough to be thought a good student ; but to be said an honest man and a good housekeeper goes as fairly as to say a careful man and a great scholar . The competitors enter .
+
+
+God bless thee , Master parson .
+
+Bonos dies , Sir Toby : for , as the old hermit of Prague , that never saw pen and ink , very wittily said to a niece of King Gorboduc , 'That , that is , is ;' so I , being Master parson , am Master parson ; for , what is 'that ,' but 'that ,' and 'is ,' but 'is ?'
+
+To him , Sir Topas .
+
+What ho ! I say . Peace in this prison !
+
+The knave counterfeits well ; a good knave .
+
+Who calls there ?
+
+Sir Topas , the curate , who comes to visit Malvolio the lunatic .
+
+Sir Topas , Sir Topas , good Sir Topas , go to my lady .
+
+Out , hyperbolical fiend ! how vexest thou this man ! Talkest thou nothing but of ladies ?
+
+Well said , Master Parson .
+
+Sir Topas , never was man thus wronged . Good Sir Topas , do not think I am mad : they have laid me here in hideous darkness .
+
+Fie , thou dishonest Satan ! I call thee by the most modest terms ; for I am one of those gentle ones that will use the devil himself with courtesy . Sayst thou that house is dark ?
+
+As hell , Sir Topas .
+
+Why , it hath bay-windows transparent as barricadoes , and the clerestories toward the south-north are as lustrous as ebony ; and yet complainest thou of obstruction ?
+
+I am not mad , Sir Topas . I say to you , this house is dark .
+
+Madman , thou errest : I say , there is no darkness but ignorance , in which thou art more puzzled than the Egyptians in their fog .
+
+I say this house is as dark as ignorance , though ignorance were as dark as hell ; and I say , there was never man thus abused . I am no more mad than you are : make the trial of it in any constant question .
+
+What is the opinion of Pythagoras concerning wild fowl ?
+
+That the soul of our grandam might haply inhabit a bird .
+
+What thinkest thou of his opinion ?
+
+I think nobly of the soul , and no way approve his opinion .
+
+Fare thee well : remain thou still in darkness : thou shalt hold the opinion of Pythagoras ere I will allow of thy wits , and fear to kill a woodcock , lest thou dispossess the soul of thy grandam . Fare thee well .
+
+Sir Topas ! Sir Topas !
+
+My most exquisite Sir Topas !
+
+Nay , I am for all waters .
+
+Thou mightst have done this without thy beard and gown : he sees thee not .
+
+To him in thine own voice , and bring me word how thou findest him : I would we were well rid of this knavery . If he may be conveniently delivered , I would he were ; for I am now so far in offence with my niece that I cannot pursue with any safety this sport to the upshot . Come by and by to my chamber .
+
+Hey Robin , jolly Robin ,
+Tell me how thy lady does .
+
+
+Fool !
+
+My lady is unkind , perdy !
+
+Fool !
+
+Alas , why is she so ?
+
+Fool , I say !
+
+She loves another .
+Who calls , ha ?
+
+Good fool , as ever thou wilt deserve well at my hand , help me to a candle , and pen , ink , and paper . As I am a gentleman , I will live to be thankful to thee for't .
+
+Master Malvoliol
+
+Ay , good fool .
+
+Alas , sir , how fell you beside your five wits ?
+
+Fool , there was never man so notoriously abused : I am as well in my wits , fool , as thou art .
+
+But as well ? then you are mad indeed , if you be no better in your wits than a fool .
+
+They have here propertied me ; keep me in darkness , send ministers to me , asses ! and do all they can to face me out of my wits .
+
+Advise you what you say : the minister is here . Malvolio , Malvolio , thy wits the heavens restore ! endeavour thyself to sleep , and leave thy vain bibble-babble .
+
+Sir Topas !
+
+Maintain no words with him , good fellow .Who , I , sir ? not I , sir . God be wi' you , good Sir Topas . Marry , amen . I will , sir , I will .
+
+Fool , fool , fool , I say !
+
+Alas , sir , be patient . What say you , sir ? I am shent for speaking to you .
+
+Good fool , help me to some light and some paper : I tell thee I am as well in my wits as any man in Illyria .
+
+Well-a-day , that you were , sir !
+
+By this hand , I am . Good fool , some ink , paper , and light ; and convey what I will set down to my lady : it shall advantage thee more than ever the bearing of letter did .
+
+I will help you to't . But tell me true , are you not mad indeed ? or do you but counterfeit ?
+
+Believe me , I am not : I tell thee true .
+
+Nay , I'll ne'er believe a madman till I see his brains . I will fetch you light and paper and ink .
+
+Fool , I'll requite it in the highest degree : I prithee , be gone .
+
+
+I am gone , sir ,
+And anon , sir ,
+I'll be with you again
+In a trice ,
+Like to the old Vice ,
+Your need to sustain ;
+Who with dagger of lath ,
+In his rage and his wrath ,
+Cries , Ah , ah ! to the devil :
+Like a mad lad ,
+Pare thy nails , dad ;
+Adieu , goodman drivel .
+
+This is the air ; that is the glorious sun ; This pearl she gave me , I do feel't and see't ;
+And though 'tis wonder that enwraps me thus ,
+Yet 'tis not madness . Where's Antonio then ?
+I could not find him at the Elephant ;
+Yet there he was , and there I found this credit ,
+That he did range the town to seek me out .
+His counsel now might do me golden service ;
+For though my soul disputes well with my sense
+That this may be some error , but no madness ,
+Yet doth this accident and flood of fortune
+So far exceed all instance , all discourse ,
+That I am ready to distrust mine eyes ,
+And wrangle with my reason that persuades me
+To any other trust but that I am mad
+Or else the lady's mad : yet , if 'twere so ,
+She could not sway her house , command her followers ,
+Take and give back affairs and their dispatch
+With such a smooth , discreet , and stable bearing
+As I perceive she does . There's something in't
+That is deceivable . But here the lady comes .
+
+
+Blame not this haste of mine . If you mean well ,
+Now go with me and with this holy man
+Into the chantry by ; there , before him ,
+And underneath that consecrated roof ,
+Plight me the full assurance of your faith ;
+That my most jealous and too doubtful soul
+May live at peace . He shall conceal it
+Whiles you are willing it shall come to note ,
+What time we will our celebration keep
+According to my birth . What do you say ?
+
+I'll follow this good man , and go with you ;
+And , having sworn truth , ever will be true .
+
+Then lead the way , good father ; and heavens so shine
+That they may fairly note this act of mine !
+
+
+Now , as thou lovest me , let me see his letter .
+
+Good Master Fabian , grant me another request .
+
+Anything .
+
+Do not desire to see this letter .
+
+This is , to give a dog , and , in recompense desire my dog again .
+
+
+Belong you to the Lady Olivia , friends ?
+
+Ay , sir ; we are some of her trappings .
+
+I know thee well : how dost thou , my good fellow ?
+
+Truly , sir , the better for my foes and the worse for my friends .
+
+Just the contrary ; the better for thy friends .
+
+No , sir , the worse .
+
+How can that be ?
+
+Marry , sir , they praise me and make an ass of me ; now my foes tell me plainly I am an ass : so that by my foes , sir , I profit in the knowledge of myself , and by my friends I am abused : so that , conclusions to be as kisses , if your four negatives make your two affirmatives , why then , the worse for my friends and the better for my foes .
+
+Why , this is excellent .
+
+By my troth , sir , no ; though it please you to be one of my friends .
+
+Thou shalt not be the worse for me : there's gold .
+
+But that it would be double-dealing , sir , I would you could make it another .
+
+O , you give me ill counsel .
+
+Put your grace in your pocket , sir , for this once , and let your flesh and blood obey it .
+
+Well , I will be so much a sinner to be a double-dealer : there's another .
+
+Primo , secundo , tertio , is a good play ; and the old saying is , 'the third pays for all :' the triplex , sir , is a good tripping measure ; or the bells of Saint Bennet , sir , may put you in mind ; one , two , three .
+
+You can fool no more money out of me at this throw : if you will let your lady know I am here to speak with her , and bring her along with you , it may awake my bounty further .
+
+Marry , sir , lullaby to your bounty till I come again . I go , sir ; but I would not have you to think that my desire of having is the sin of covetousness ; but as you say , sir , let your bounty take a nap , I will awake it anon .
+
+
+Here comes the man , sir , that did rescue me .
+
+
+That face of his I do remember well ;
+Yet when I saw it last , it was besmear'd
+As black as Vulcan in the smoke of war .
+A bawbling vessel was he captain of ,
+For shallow draught and hulk unprizable ;
+With which such scathful grapple did he make
+With the most noble bottom of our fleet ,
+That very envy and the tongue of loss
+Cried fame and honour on him . What's the matter ?
+
+Orsino , this is that Antonio
+That took the Ph nix and her fraught from Candy ;
+And this is he that did the Tiger board ,
+When your young nephew Titus lost his leg .
+Here in the streets , desperate of shame and state ,
+In private brabble did we apprehend him .
+
+He did me kindness , sir , drew on my side ;
+But in conclusion put strange speech upon me :
+I know not what 'twas but distraction .
+
+Notable pirate ! thou salt-water thief !
+What foolish boldness brought thee to their mercies
+Whom thou , in terms so bloody and so dear ,
+Hast made thine enemies ?
+
+Orsino , noble sir ,
+Be pleas'd that I shake off these names you give me :
+Antonio never yet was thief or pirate ,
+Though I confess , on base and ground enough ,
+Orsino's enemy . A witchcraft drew me hither :
+That most ingrateful boy there by your side ,
+From the rude sea's enrag'd and foamy mouth
+Did I redeem ; a wrack past hope he was :
+His life I gave him , and did thereto add
+My love , without retention or restraint ,
+All his in dedication ; for his sake
+Did I expose myself , pure for his love ,
+Into the danger of this adverse town ;
+Drew to defend him when he was beset :
+Where being apprehended , his false cunning ,
+Not meaning to partake with me in danger ,
+Taught him to face me out of his acquaintance ,
+And grew a twenty years removed thing
+While one would wink , denied me mine own purse ,
+Which I had recommended to his use
+Not half an hour before .
+
+How can this be ?
+
+When came he to this town ?
+
+To-day , my lord ; and for three months before ,
+No interim , not a minute's vacancy ,
+Both day and night did we keep company .
+
+
+Here comes the countess : now heaven walks on earth !
+But for thee , fellow ; fellow , thy words are madness :
+Three months this youth hath tended upon me ;
+But more of that anon . Take him aside .
+
+What would my lord , but that he may not have ,
+Wherein Olivia may seem serviceable ?
+Cesario , you do not keep promise with me .
+
+Madam !
+
+Gracious Olivia .
+
+What do you say , Cesario ? Good my lord ,
+
+My lord would speak ; my duty hushes me .
+
+If it be aught to the old tune , my lord ,
+It is as fat and fulsome to mine ear
+As howling after music .
+
+Still so cruel ?
+
+Still so constant , lord .
+
+What , to perverseness ? you uncivil lady ,
+To whose ingrate and unauspicious altars
+My soul the faithfull'st offerings hath breath'd out
+That e'er devotion tender'd ! What shall I do ?
+
+Even what it please my lord , that shall become him .
+
+Why should I not , had I the heart to do it ,
+Like to the Egyptian thief at point of death ,
+Kill what I love ? a savage jealousy
+That sometimes savours nobly . But hear me this :
+Since you to non-regardance cast my faith ,
+And that I partly know the instrument
+That screws me from my true place in your favour ,
+Live you , the marble-breasted tyrant still ;
+But this your minion , whom I know you love ,
+And whom , by heaven I swear , I tender dearly ,
+Him will I tear out of that cruel eye ,
+Where he sits crowned in his master's spite .
+Come , boy , with me ; my thoughts are ripe in mischief ;
+I'll sacrifice the lamb that I do love ,
+To spite a raven's heart within a dove .
+
+
+And I , most jocund , apt , and willingly ,
+To do you rest , a thousand deaths would die .
+
+
+Where goes Cesario ?
+
+After him I love
+More than I love these eyes , more than my life ,
+More , by all mores , than e'er I shall love wife .
+If I do feign , you witnesses above
+Punish my life for tainting of my love !
+
+Ah me , detested ! how am I beguil'd !
+
+Who does beguile you ? who does do you wrong ?
+
+Hast thou forgot thyself ? Is it so long ?
+Call forth the holy father .
+
+
+Come away .
+
+Whither , my lord ? Cesario , husband , stay .
+
+Husband ?
+
+Ay , husband : can he that deny ?
+
+Her husband , sirrah ?
+
+No , my lord , not I .
+
+Alas ! it is the baseness of thy fear
+That makes thee strangle thy propriety .
+Fear not , Cesario ; take thy fortunes up ;
+Be that thou know'st thou art , and then thou art
+As great as that thou fear'st .
+
+
+O , welcome , father !
+Father , I charge thee , by thy reverence ,
+Here to unfold ,though lately we intended
+To keep in darkness what occasion now
+Reveals before 'tis ripe ,what thou dost know
+
+Hath newly pass'd between this youth and me .
+
+A contract of eternal bond of love ,
+Confirm'd by mutual joinder of your hands ,
+Attested by the holy close of lips ,
+Strengthen'd by interchangement of your rings ;
+And all the ceremony of this compact
+Seal'd in my function , by my testimony :
+Since when , my watch hath told me , toward my grave
+I have travell'd but two hours .
+
+O , thou dissembling cub ! what wilt thou be
+When time hath sow'd a grizzle on thy case ?
+Or will not else thy craft so quickly grow
+That thine own trip shall be thine overthrow ?
+Farewell , and take her ; but direct thy feet
+Where thou and I henceforth may never meet .
+
+My lord , I do protest ,
+
+O ! do not swear :
+Hold little faith , though thou hast too much fear .
+
+
+For the love of God , a surgeon ! send one presently to Sir Toby .
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+He has broke my head across , and has given Sir Toby a bloody coxcomb too . For the love of God , your help ! I had rather than forty pound I were at home .
+
+Who has done this , Sir Andrew ?
+
+The count's gentleman , one Cesario : we took him for a coward , but he's the very devil incardinate .
+
+My gentleman , Cesario ?
+
+Od's lifelings ! here he is . You broke my head for nothing ! and that that I did , I was set on to do't by Sir Toby .
+
+Why do you speak to me ? I never hurt you :
+You drew your sword upon me without cause ;
+But I bespake you fair , and hurt you not .
+
+If a bloody coxcomb be a hurt , you have hurt me : I think you set nothing by a bloody coxcomb . Here comes Sir Toby halting ;
+
+you shall hear more : but if he had not been in drink he would have tickled you othergates than he did .
+
+How now , gentleman ! how is't with you ?
+
+That's all one : he has hurt me , and there's the end on't . Sot , didst see Dick surgeon , sot ?
+
+O ! he's drunk , Sir Toby , an hour agone : his eyes were set at eight i' the morning .
+
+Then he's a rogue , and a passy-measures pavin . I hate a drunken rogue .
+
+Away with him ! Who hath made this havoc with them ?
+
+I'll help you , Sir Toby , because we'll be dressed together .
+
+Will you help ? an ass-head and a coxcomb and a knave , a thin-faced knave , a gull !
+
+Get him to bed , and let his hurt be look'd to .
+
+I am sorry , madam , I have hurt your kinsman ;
+But , had it been the brother of my blood ,
+I must have done no less with wit and safety .
+You throw a strange regard upon me , and by that
+I do perceive it hath offended you :
+Pardon me , sweet one , even for the vows
+We made each other but so late ago .
+
+One face , one voice , one habit , and two persons ;
+A natural perspective , that is , and is not !
+
+Antonio ! O my dear Antonio !
+How have the hours rack'd and tortur'd me
+Since I have lost thee !
+
+Sebastian are you ?
+
+Fear'st thou that , Antonio ?
+
+How have you made division of yourself ?
+An apple cleft in two is not more twin
+Than these two creatures . Which is Sebastian ?
+
+Most wonderful !
+
+Do I stand there ? I never had a brother ;
+Nor can there be that deity in my nature ,
+Of here and every where . I had a sister ,
+Whom the blind waves and surges have devour'd .
+Of charity , what kin are you to me ?
+What countryman ? what name ? what parentage ?
+
+Of Messaline : Sebastian was my father ;
+Such a Sebastian was my brother too ,
+So went he suited to his watery tomb .
+If spirits can assume both form and suit
+You come to fright us .
+
+A spirit I am indeed ;
+But am in that dimension grossly clad
+Which from the womb I did participate .
+Were you a woman , as the rest goes even ,
+I should my tears let fall upon your cheek ,
+And say , 'Thrice welcome , drowned Viola !'
+
+My father had a mole upon his brow .
+
+And so had mine .
+
+And died that day when Viola from her birth
+Had number'd thirteen years .
+
+O ! that record is lively in my soul .
+He finished indeed his mortal act
+That day that made my sister thirteen years .
+
+If nothing lets to make us happy both
+But this my masculine usurp'd attire ,
+Do not embrace me till each circumstance
+Of place , time , fortune , do cohere and jump
+That I am Viola : which to confirm ,
+I'll bring you to a captain in this town ,
+Where lie my maiden weeds : by whose gentle help
+I was preserv'd to serve this noble count .
+All the occurrence of my fortune since
+Hath been between this lady and this lord .
+
+So comes it , lady , you have been mistook :
+But nature to her bias drew in that .
+You would have been contracted to a maid ;
+Nor are you therein , by my life , deceiv'd ,
+You are betroth'd both to a maid and man .
+
+Be not amaz'd ; right noble is his blood .
+If this be so , as yet the glass seems true ,
+I shall have share in this most happy wrack .
+
+
+Boy , thou hast said to me a thousand times
+Thou never shouldst love woman like to me .
+
+And all those sayings will I over-swear ,
+And all those swearings keep as true in soul
+As doth that orbed continent the fire
+That severs day from night .
+
+Give me thy hand ;
+And let me see thee in thy woman's weeds .
+
+The captain that did bring me first on shore
+Hath my maid's garments : he upon some action
+Is now in durance at Malvolio's suit ,
+A gentleman and follower of my lady's .
+
+He shall enlarge him . Fetch Malvolio hither .
+And yet , alas , now I remember me ,
+They say , poor gentleman , he's much distract .
+A most extracting frenzy of mine own
+From my remembrance clearly banish'd his .
+
+How does he , sirrah ?
+
+Truly , madam , he holds Belzebub at the stave's end as well as a man in his case may do . He has here writ a letter to you : I should have given it to you to-day morning ; but as a madman's epistles are no gospels , so it skills not much when they are delivered .
+
+Open it , and read it .
+
+Look then to be well edified , when the fool delivers the madman .
+By the Lord , madam ,
+
+How now ! art thou mad ?
+
+No , madam , I do but read madness : an your ladyship will have it as it ought to be , you must allow vox .
+
+Prithee , read i' thy right wits .
+
+So I do , madonna ; but to read his right wits is to read thus : therefore perpend , my princess , and give ear .
+
+Read it you , sirrah .
+
+
+By the Lord , madam , you wrong me , and the world shall know it : though you have put me into darkness , and given your drunken cousin rule over me , yet have I the benefit of my senses as well as your ladyship . I have your own letter that induced me to the semblance I put on ; with the which I doubt not but to do myself much right , or you much shame . Think of me as you please . I leave my duty a little unthought of , and speak out of my injury . THE MADLY-USED MALVOLIO .
+
+Did he write this ?
+
+Ay , madam .
+
+This savours not much of distraction .
+
+See him deliver'd , Fabian ; bring him hither .
+
+My lord , so please you , these things further thought on ,
+To think me as well a sister as a wife ,
+One day shall crown the alliance on't , so please you ,
+Here at my house and at my proper cost .
+
+Madam , I am most apt to embrace your offer .
+
+
+Your master quits you ; and , for your service done him ,
+So much against the mettle of your sex ,
+So far beneath your soft and tender breeding ;
+And since you call'd me master for so long ,
+Here is my hand : you shall from this time be
+Your master's mistress .
+
+A sister ! you are she .
+
+
+Is this the madman ?
+
+Ay , my lord , this same .
+How now , Malvolio !
+
+Madam , you have done me wrong ,
+Notorious wrong .
+
+Have I , Malvolio ? no .
+
+Lady , you have . Pray you peruse that letter .
+You must not now deny it is your hand :
+Write from it , if you can , in hand or phrase ,
+Or say 'tis not your seal nor your invention :
+You can say none of this . Well , grant it then ,
+And tell me , in the modesty of honour ,
+Why you have given me such clear lights of favour ,
+Bade me come smiling and cross-garter'd to you ,
+To put on yellow stockings , and to frown
+Upon Sir Toby and the lighter people ;
+And , acting this in an obedient hope ,
+Why have you suffer'd me to be imprison'd ,
+Kept in a dark house , visited by the priest ,
+And made the most notorious geck and gull
+That e'er invention play'd on ? tell me why .
+
+Alas ! Malvolio , this is not my writing ,
+Though , I confess , much like the character ;
+But , out of question , 'tis Maria's hand :
+And now I do bethink me , it was she
+First told me thou wast mad ; then cam'st in smiling ,
+And in such forms which here were presuppos'd
+Upon thee in the letter . Prithee , be content :
+This practice hath most shrewdly pass'd upon thee ;
+But when we know the grounds and authors of it ,
+Thou shalt be both the plaintiff and the judge
+Of thine own cause .
+
+Good madam , hear me speak ,
+And let no quarrel nor no brawl to come
+Taint the condition of this present hour ,
+Which I have wonder'd at . In hope it shall not ,
+Most freely I confess , myself and Toby
+Set this device against Malvolio here ,
+Upon some stubborn and uncourteous parts
+We had conceiv'd against him . Maria writ
+The letter at Sir Toby's great importance ;
+In recompense whereof he hath married her .
+How with a sportful malice it was follow'd ,
+May rather pluck on laughter than revenge ,
+If that the injuries be justly weigh'd
+That have on both sides past .
+
+Alas , poor fool , how have they baffled thee !
+
+Why , 'some are born great , some achieve greatness , and some have greatness thrown upon them .' I was one , sir , in this interlude ; one Sir Topas , sir ; but that's all one . 'By the Lord , fool , I am not mad :' But do you remember ? 'Madam , why laugh you at such a barren rascal ? an you smile not , he's gagged :' and thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges .
+
+I'll be reveng'd on the whole pack of you .
+
+
+He hath been most notoriously abus'd .
+
+Pursue him , and entreat him to a peace ;
+He hath not told us of the captain yet :
+When that is known and golden time convents ,
+A solemn combination shall be made
+Of our dear souls . Meantime , sweet sister ,
+We will not part from hence . Cesario , come ;
+For so you shall be , while you are a man ;
+But when in other habits you are seen ,
+Orsino's mistress , and his fancy's queen .
+
+When that I was and a little tiny boy ,
+With hey , ho , the wind and the rain ;
+A foolish thing was but a toy ,
+For the rain it raineth every day .
+
+
+But when I came to man's estate ,
+With hey , ho , the wind and the rain ;
+'Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gates ,
+For the rain it raineth every day .
+
+
+But when I came , alas ! to wive ,
+With hey , ho , the wind and the rain ;
+By swaggering could I never thrive ,
+For the rain it raineth every day .
+
+
+But when I came unto my beds ,
+With hey , ho , the wind and the rain ;
+With toss-pots still had drunken heads ,
+For the rain it raineth every day .
+
+
+A great while ago the world begun ,
+With hey , ho , the wind and the rain ;
+But that's all one , our play is done ,
+And we'll strive to please you every day .
+
+ THE FAMOUS HISTORY OF THE LIFE OF KING HENRY VIII
+
+
+I come no more to make you laugh : things now ,
+That bear a weighty and a serious brow ,
+Sad , high , and working , full of state and woe ,
+Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow ,
+We now present . Those that can pity , here
+May , if they think it well , let fall a tear ;
+The subject will deserve it . Such as give
+Their money out of hope they may believe ,
+May here find truth too . Those that come to see
+Only a show or two , and so agree
+The play may pass , if they be still and willing ,
+I'll undertake may see away their shilling
+Richly in two short hours . Only they
+That come to hear a merry , bawdy play ,
+A noise of targets , or to see a fellow
+In a long molley coat guarded with yellow ,
+Will be deceiv'd ; for , gentle hearers , know ,
+To rank our chosen truth with such a show
+As fool and fight is , besides forfeiting
+Our own brains , and the opinion that we bring ,
+To make that only true we now intend ,
+Will leave us never an understanding friend .
+Therefore , for goodness' sake , and as you are known
+The first and happiest hearers of the town ,
+Be sad , as we would make ye : think ye see
+The very persons of our noble story
+As they were living ; think you see them great ,
+And follow'd with the general throng and sweat
+Of thousand friends ; then , in a moment see
+How soon this mightiness meets misery :
+And if you can be merry then , I'll say
+A man may weep upon his wedding day .
+
+
+Good morrow , and well met . How have you done ,
+Since last we saw in France ?
+
+I thank your Grace ,
+Healthful ; and ever since a fresh admirer
+Of what I saw there .
+
+An untimely ague
+Stay'd me a prisoner in my chamber , when
+Those suns of glory , those two lights of men ,
+Met in the vale of Andren .
+
+'Twixt Guynes and Arde :
+I was then present , saw them salute on horseback ;
+Beheld them , when they lighted , how they clung
+In their embracement , as they grew together ;
+Which had they , what four thron'd ones could have weigh'd
+Such a compounded one ?
+
+All the whole time
+I was my chamber's prisoner .
+
+Then you lost
+The view of earthly glory : men might say ,
+Till this time , pomp was single , but now married
+To one above itself . Each following day
+Became the next day's master , till the last
+Made former wonders its . To-day the French
+All clinquant , all in gold , like heathen gods ,
+Shone down the English ; and to-morrow they
+Made Britain India : every man that stood
+Show'd like a mine . Their dwarfish pages were
+As cherubins , all gilt : the madams , too ,
+Not us'd to toil , did almost sweat to bear
+The pride upon them , that their very labour
+Was to them as a painting . Now this masque
+Was cried incomparable ; and the ensuing night
+Made it a fool , and beggar . The two kings ,
+Equal in lustre , were now best , now worst ,
+As presence did present them ; him in eye ,
+Still him in praise ; and , being present both ,
+'Twas said they saw but one ; and no discerner
+Durst wag his tongue in censure . When these suns
+For so they phrase 'em by their heralds challeng'd
+The noble spirits to arms , they did perform
+Beyond thought's compass ; that former fabulous story ,
+Being now seen possible enough , got credit ,
+That Bevis was believ'd .
+
+O ! you go far .
+
+As I belong to worship , and affect
+In honour honesty , the tract of every thing
+Would by a good discourser lose some life ,
+Which action's self was tongue to . All was royal ;
+To the disposing of it nought rebell'd ,
+Order gave each thing view ; the office did
+Distinctly his full function .
+
+Who did guide ,
+I mean , who set the body and the limbs
+Of this great sport together , as you guess ?
+
+One certes , that promises no element
+In such a business .
+
+I pray you , who , my lord ?
+
+All this was order'd by the good discretion
+Of the right reverend Cardinal of York .
+
+The devil speed him ! no man's pie is freed
+From his ambitious finger . What had he
+To do in these fierce vanities ? I wonder
+That such a keech can with his very bulk
+Take up the rays o' the beneficial sun ,
+And keep it from the earth .
+
+Surely , sir ,
+There's in him stuff that puts him to these ends ;
+For , being not propp'd by ancestry , whose grace
+Chalks successors their way , nor call'd upon
+For high feats done to the crown ; neither allied
+To eminent assistants ; but , spider-like ,
+Out of his self-drawing web , he gives us note ,
+The force of his own merit makes his way ;
+A gift that heaven gives for him , which buys
+A place next to the king .
+
+I cannot tell
+What heaven hath given him : let some graver eye
+Pierce into that ; but I can see his pride
+Peep through each part of him : whence has he that ?
+If not from hell , the devil is a niggard ,
+Or has given all before , and he begins
+A new hell in himself .
+
+Why the devil ,
+Upon this French going-out , took he upon him ,
+Without the privity o' the king , to appoint
+Who should attend on him ? He makes up the file
+Of all the gentry ; for the most part such
+To whom as great a charge as little honour
+He meant to lay upon : and his own letter ,
+The honourable board of council out ,
+Must fetch him in he papers .
+
+I do know
+Kinsmen of mine , three at the least , that have
+By this so sicken'd their estates , that never
+They shall abound as formerly .
+
+O ! many
+Have broke their backs with laying manors on 'em
+For this great journey . What did this vanity
+But minister communication of
+A most poor issue ?
+
+Grievingly I think ,
+The peace between the French and us not values
+The cost that did conclude it .
+
+Every man ,
+After the hideous storm that follow'd , was
+A thing inspir'd ; and , not consulting , broke
+Into a general prophecy : That this tempest ,
+Dashing the garment of this peace , aboded
+The sudden breach on't .
+
+Which is budded out ;
+For France hath flaw'd the league , and hath attach'd
+Our merchants' goods at Bourdeaux .
+
+Is it therefore
+The ambassador is silenc'd ?
+
+Marry , is't .
+
+A proper title of a peace ; and purchas'd
+At a superfluous rate !
+
+Why , all this business
+Our reverend cardinal carried .
+
+Like it your Grace ,
+The state takes notice of the private difference
+Betwixt you and the cardinal . I advise you ,
+And take it from a heart that wishes towards you
+Honour and plenteous safety ,that you read
+The cardinal's malice and his potency
+Together ; to consider further that
+What his high hatred would effect wants not
+A minister in his power . You know his nature ,
+That he's revengeful ; and I know his sword
+Hath a sharp edge : it's long , and 't may be said ,
+It reaches far ; and where 'twill not extend ,
+Thither he darts it . Bosom up my counsel ,
+You'll find it wholesome . Lo where comes that rock
+That I advise your shunning .
+
+The Duke of Buckingham's surveyor , ha ?
+Where's his examination ?
+
+Here , so please you .
+
+Is he in person ready ?
+
+Ay , please your Grace .
+
+Well , we shall then know more ; and Buckingham
+Shall lessen this big look .
+
+
+This butcher's cur is venom-mouth'd , and I
+Have not the power to muzzle him ; therefore best
+Not wake him in his slumber . A beggar's book
+Outworths a noble's blood .
+
+What ! are you chaf'd ?
+Ask God for temperance ; that's the appliance only
+Which your disease requires .
+
+I read in's looks
+Matter against me ; and his eye revil'd
+Me , as his abject object : at this instant
+He bores me with some trick : he's gone to the king ;
+I'll follow , and out-stare him .
+
+Stay , my lord ,
+And let your reason with your choler question
+What 'tis you go about . To climb steep hills
+Requires slow pace at first : anger is like
+A full-hot horse , who being allow'd his way ,
+Self-mettle tires him . Not a man in England
+Can advise me like you : be to yourself
+As you would to your friend .
+
+I'll to the king ;
+And from a mouth of honour quite cry down
+This Ipswich fellow's insolence , or proclaim
+There's difference in no persons .
+
+Be advis'd ;
+Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot
+That it do singe yourself . We may outrun
+By violent swiftness that which we run at ,
+And lose by overrunning . Know you not ,
+The fire that mounts the liquor till it run o'er ,
+In seeming to augment it wastes it ? Be advis'd :
+I say again , there is no English soul
+More stronger to direct you than yourself ,
+If with the sap of reason you would quench ,
+Or but allay , the fire of passion .
+
+Sir ,
+I am thankful to you , and I'll go along
+By your prescription : but this top-proud fellow
+Whom from the flow of gall I name not , but
+From sincere motions ,by intelligence ,
+And proofs as clear as founts in July , when
+We see each grain of gravel ,I do know
+To be corrupt and treasonous .
+
+Say not , 'treasonous .'
+
+To the king I'll say't ; and make my vouch as strong
+As shore of rock . Attend . This holy fox ,
+Or wolf , or both ,for he is equal ravenous
+As he is subtle , and as prone to mischief
+As able to perform 't , his mind and place
+Infecting one another , yea , reciprocally ,
+Only to show his pomp as well in France
+As here at home , suggests the king our master
+To this last costly treaty , the interview ,
+That swallow'd so much treasure , and like a glass
+Did break i' the rinsing .
+
+Faith , and so it did .
+
+Praygive me favour , sir . This cunning cardinal
+The articles o' the combination drew
+As himself pleas'd ; and they were ratified
+As he cried , 'Thus let be ,' to as much end
+As give a crutch to the dead . But our count-cardinal
+Has done this , and 'tis well ; for worthy Wolsey ,
+Who cannot err , he did it . Now this follows ,
+Which , as I take it , is a kind of puppy
+To the old dam , treason , Charles the emperor ,
+Under pretence to see the queen his aunt ,
+For 'twas indeed his colour , but he came
+To whisper Wolsey ,here makes visitation :
+His fears were , that the interview betwixt
+England and France might , through their amity ,
+Breed him some prejudice ; for from this league
+Peep'd harms that menac'd him . He privily
+Deals with our cardinal , and , as I trow ,
+Which I do well ; for , I am sure the emperor
+Paid ere he promis'd ; whereby his suit was granted
+Ere it was ask'd ; but when the way was made ,
+And pav'd with gold , the emperor thus desir'd :
+That he would please to alter the king's course ,
+And break the foresaid peace . Let the king know
+As soon he shall by me that thus the cardinal
+Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases ,
+And for his own advantage .
+
+I am sorry
+To hear this of him ; and could wish he were
+Something mistaken in 't .
+
+No , not a syllable :
+I do pronounce him in that very shape
+He shall appear in proof .
+
+
+Your office , sergeant ; execute it .
+
+Sir ,
+My Lord the Duke of Buckingham , and Earl
+Of Hereford , Stafford , and Northampton , I
+Arrest thee of high treason , in the name
+Of our most sovereign king .
+
+Lo you , my lord ,
+The net has fall'n upon me ! I shall perish
+Under device and practice .
+
+I am sorry
+To see you ta'en from liberty , to look on
+The business present . 'Tis his highness' pleasure
+You shall to the Tower .
+
+It will help me nothing
+To plead mine innocence , for that dye is on me
+Which makes my whit'st part black . The will of heaven
+Be done in this and all things ! I obey .
+O ! my Lord Abergavenny , fare you well !
+
+Nay , he must bear you company .
+
+The king
+Is pleas'd you shall to the Tower , till you know
+How he determines further .
+
+As the duke said ,
+The will of heaven be done , and the king's pleasure
+By me obey'd !
+
+Here is a warrant from
+The king to attach Lord Montacute ; and the bodies
+Of the duke's confessor , John de la Car ,
+One Gilbert Peck , his chancellor ,
+
+So , so ;
+These are the limbs o' the plot : no more , I hope .
+
+A monk o' the Chartreux .
+
+O ! Nicholas Hopkins ?
+
+He .
+
+My surveyor is false ; the o'er-great cardinal
+Hath show'd him gold . My life is spann'd already :
+I am the shadow of poor Buckingham ,
+Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on ,
+By dark'ning my clear sun . My lord , farewell .
+
+
+My life itself , and the best heart of it ,
+Thanks you for this great care : I stood i' the level
+Of a full-charg'd confederacy , and give thanks
+To you that chok'd it . Let be call'd before us
+That gentleman of Buckingham's ; in person
+I'll hear him his confessions justify ;
+And point by point the treasons of his master
+He shall again relate .
+
+Nay , we must longer kneel : I am a suitor .
+
+Arise , and take place by us : half your suit
+Never name to us ; you have half our power :
+The other moiety , ere you ask , is given ;
+Repeat your will , and take it .
+
+Thank your majesty .
+That you would love yourself , and in that love
+Not unconsider'd leave your honour , nor
+The dignity of your office , is the point
+Of my petition .
+
+Lady mine , proceed .
+
+I am solicited , not by a few ,
+And those of true condition , that your subjects
+Are in great grievance : there have been commissions
+Sent down among 'em , which hath flaw'd the heart
+Of all their loyalties : wherein , although ,
+My good Lord Cardinal , they vent reproaches
+Most bitterly on you , as putter-on
+Of these exactions , yet the king our master ,
+Whose honour heaven shield from soil !even he escapes not
+Language unmannerly ; yea , such which breaks
+The sides of loyalty , and almost appears
+In loud rebellion .
+
+Not almost appears ,
+It doth appear ; for , upon these taxations ,
+The clothiers all , not able to maintain
+The many to them 'longing , have put off
+The spinsters , carders , fullers , weavers , who ,
+Unfit for other life , compell'd by hunger
+And lack of other means , in desperate manner
+Daring the event to the teeth , are all in uproar ,
+And danger serves among them .
+
+Taxation !
+Wherein ? and what taxation ? My Lord Cardinal ,
+You that are blam'd for it alike with us ,
+Know you of this taxation ?
+
+Please you , sir ,
+I know but of a single part in aught
+Pertains to the state ; and front but in that file
+Where others tell steps with me .
+
+No , my lord ,
+You know no more than others ; but you frame
+Things that are known alike ; which are not wholesome
+To those which would not know them , and yet must
+Perforce be their acquaintance . These exactions ,
+Whereof my sov'reign would have note , they are
+Most pestilent to the hearing ; and to bear 'em ,
+The back is sacrifice to the load . They say
+They are devis'd by you , or else you suffer
+Too hard an exclamation .
+
+Still exaction !
+The nature of it ? In what kind , let's know ,
+Is this exaction ?
+
+I am much too venturous
+In tempting of your patience ; but am bolden'd
+Under your promis'd pardon . The subjects' grief
+Comes through commissions , which compel from each
+The sixth part of his substance , to be levied
+Without delay ; and the pretence for this
+Is nam'd , your wars in France . This makes bold mouths :
+Tongues spit their duties out , and cold hearts freeze
+Allegiance in them ; their curses now
+Live where their prayers did ; and it's come to pass ,
+This tractable obedience is a slave
+To each incensed will . I would your highness
+Would give it quick consideration , for
+There is no primer business .
+
+By my life ,
+This is against our pleasure .
+
+And for me ,
+I have no further gone in this than by
+A single voice , and that not pass'd me but
+By learned approbation of the judges . If I am
+Traduc'd by ignorant tongues , which neither know
+My faculties nor person , yet will be
+The chronicles of my doing , let me say
+'Tis but the fate of place , and the rough brake
+That virtue must go through . We must not stint
+Our necessary actions , in the fear
+To cope malicious censurers ; which ever ,
+As rav'nous fishes , do a vessel follow
+That is new-trimm'd , but benefit no further
+Than vainly longing . What we oft do best ,
+By sick interpreters , once weak ones , is
+Not ours , or not allow'd ; what worst , as oft ,
+Hitting a grosser quality , is cried up
+For our best act . If we shall stand still ,
+In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at ,
+We should take root here where we sit , or sit
+State-statues only .
+
+Things done well ,
+And with a care , exempt themselves from fear ;
+Things done without example , in their issue
+Are to be fear'd . Have you a precedent
+Of this commission ? I believe , not any .
+We must not rend our subjects from our laws ,
+And stick them in our will . Sixth part of each ?
+A trembling contribution ! Why , we take
+From every tree , lop , bark , and part o' the timber ;
+And , though we leave it with a root , thus hack'd ,
+The air will drink the sap . To every county
+Where this is question'd , send our letters , with
+Free pardon to each man that has denied
+The force of this commission . Pray , look to 't ;
+I put it to your care .
+
+A word with you .
+Let there be letters writ to every shire ,
+Of the king's grace and pardon . The griev'd commons
+Hardly conceive of me ; let it be nois'd
+That through our intercession this revokement
+And pardon comes : I shall anon advise you
+Further in the proceeding .
+
+I am sorry that the Duke of Buckingham
+Is run in your displeasure .
+
+It grieves many :
+The gentleman is learn'd , and a most rare speaker ,
+To nature none more bound ; his training such
+That he may furnish and instruct great teachers ,
+And never seek for aid out of himself . Yet see ,
+When these so noble benefits shall prove
+Not well dispos'd , the mind growing once corrupt ,
+They turn to vicious forms , ten times more ugly
+Than ever they were fair . This man so complete ,
+Who was enroll'd 'mongst wonders , and when we ,
+Almost with ravish'd listening , could not find
+His hour of speech a minute ; he , my lady ,
+Hath into monstrous habits put the graces
+That once were his , and is become as black
+As if besmear'd in hell . Sit by us ; you shall hear
+This was his gentleman in trust of him
+Things to strike honour sad . Bid him recount
+The fore-recited practices ; whereof
+We cannot feel too little , hear too much .
+
+Stand forth ; and with bold spirit relate what you ,
+Most like a careful subject , have collected
+Out of the Duke of Buckingham .
+
+Speak freely .
+
+First , it was usual with him , every day
+It would infect his speech , that if the king
+Should without issue die , he'd carry it so
+To make the sceptre his . These very words
+I've heard him utter to his son-in-law ,
+Lord Abergavenny , to whom by oath he menac'd
+Revenge upon the cardinal .
+
+Please your highness , note
+This dangerous conception in this point .
+Not friended by his wish , to your high person
+His will is most malignant ; and it stretches
+Beyond you , to your friends .
+
+My learn'd Lord Cardinal ,
+Deliver all with charity .
+
+Speak on :
+How grounded he his title to the crown
+Upon our fail ? to this point hast thou heard him
+At any time speak aught ?
+
+He was brought to this
+By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Hopkins .
+
+What was that Hopkins ?
+
+Sir , a Chartreux friar ,
+His confessor , who fed him every minute
+With words of sovereignty .
+
+How know'st thou this ?
+
+Not long before your highness sped to France ,
+The duke being at the Rose , within the parish
+Saint Lawrence Poultney , did of me demand
+What was the speech among the Londoners
+Concerning the French journey : I replied ,
+Men fear'd the French would prove perfidious ,
+To the king's danger . Presently the duke
+Said , 'twas the fear , indeed ; and that he doubted
+'Twould prove the verity of certain words
+Spoke by a holy monk ; 'that oft ,' says he ,
+'Hath sent to me , wishing me to permit
+John de la Car , my chaplain , a choice hour
+To hear from him a matter of some moment :
+Whom after under the confession's seal
+He solemnly had sworn , that what he spoke ,
+My chaplain to no creature living but
+To me should utter , with demure confidence
+This pausingly ensu'd : neither the king nor 's heirs
+Tell you the duke shall prosper : bid him strive
+To gain the love o' the commonalty : the duke
+Shall govern England .'
+
+If I know you well ,
+You were the duke's surveyor , and lost your office
+On the complaint o' the tenants : take good heed
+You charge not in your spleen a noble person ,
+And spoil your nobler soul . I say , take heed ;
+Yes , heartily beseech you .
+
+Let him on .
+Go forward .
+
+On my soul , I'll speak but truth .
+I told my lord the duke , by the devil's illusions
+The monk might be deceiv'd ; and that 'twas dangerous for him
+To ruminate on this so far , until
+It forg'd him some design , which , being believ'd ,
+It was much like to do . He answer'd , 'Tush !
+It can do me no damage ;' adding further ,
+That had the king in his last sickness fail'd ,
+The cardinal's and Sir Thomas Lovell's heads
+Should have gone off .
+
+Ha ! what , so rank ? Ah , ha !
+There's mischief in this man . Canst thou say further ?
+
+I can , my liege .
+
+Proceed .
+
+Being at Greenwich ,
+After your highness had reprov'd the duke
+About Sir William Blomer ,
+
+I remember
+Of such a time : being my sworn servant ,
+The duke retain'd him his . But on ; what hence ?
+
+'If ,' quoth he , 'I for this had been committed ,
+As , to the Tower , I thought , I would have play'd
+The part my father meant to act upon
+The usurper Richard ; who , being at Salisbury ,
+Made suit to come in 's presence ; which if granted ,
+As he made semblance of his duty , would
+Have put his knife into him .'
+
+A giant traitor !
+
+Now , madam , may his highness live in freedom ,
+And this man out of prison ?
+
+God mend all !
+
+There's something more would out of thee ? what sayst ?
+
+After 'the duke his father ,' with 'the knife ,'
+He stretch'd him , and , with one hand on his dagger ,
+Another spread on's breast , mounting his eyes ,
+He did discharge a horrible oath ; whose tenour
+Was , were he evil us'd , he would outgo
+His father by as much as a performance
+Does an irresolute purpose .
+
+There's his period ;
+To sheathe his knife in us . He is attach'd ;
+Call him to present trial : if he may
+Find mercy in the law , 'tis his ; if none ,
+Let him not seek't of us : by day and night !
+He's traitor to the height .
+
+
+Is't possible the spells of France should juggle
+Men into such strange mysteries ?
+
+New customs ,
+Though they be never so ridiculous ,
+Nay , let 'em be unmanly , yet are follow'd .
+
+As far as I see , all the good our English
+Have got by the late voyage is but merely
+A fit or two o' the face ; but they are shrewd ones ;
+For when they hold 'em , you would swear directly
+Their very noses had been counsellors
+To Pepin or Clotharius , they keep state so .
+
+They have all new legs , and lame ones : one would take it ,
+That never saw 'em pace before , the spavin
+Or springhalt reign'd among 'em .
+
+Death ! my lord ,
+Their clothes are after such a pagan cut too ,
+That , sure , they've worn out Christendom .
+
+
+How now !
+
+What news , Sir Thomas Lovell ?
+
+Faith , my lord ,
+I hear of none , but the new proclamation
+That's clapp'd upon the court-gate .
+
+What is't for ?
+
+The reformation of our travell'd gallants ,
+That fill the court with quarrels , talk , and tailors .
+
+I am glad 'tis there : now I would pray our monsieurs
+To think an English courtier may be wise ,
+And never see the Louvre .
+
+They must either
+For so run the conditions leave those remnants
+Of fool and feather that they got in France ,
+With all their honourable points of ignorance
+Pertaining thereunto ,as fights and fireworks ;
+Abusing better men than they can be ,
+Out of a foreign wisdom ;renouncing clean
+The faith they have in tennis and tall stockings ,
+Short blister'd breeches , and those types of travel ,
+And understand again like honest men ;
+Or pack to their old playfellows : there , I take it ,
+They may , cum privilegio , wear away
+The lag end of their lewdness , and be laugh'd at .
+
+'Tis time to give 'em physic , their diseases
+Are grown so catching .
+
+What a loss our ladies
+Will have of these trim vanities !
+
+Ay , marry ,
+There will be woe indeed , lords : the sly whoresons
+Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies ;
+A French song and a fiddle has no fellow .
+
+The devil fiddle 'em ! I am glad they're going :
+For , sure , there's no converting of 'em : now
+An honest country lord , as I am , beaten
+A long time out of play , may bring his plainsong
+And have an hour of hearing ; and , by'r lady ,
+Held current music too .
+
+Well said , Lord Sands ;
+Your colt's tooth is not cast yet .
+
+No , my lord ;
+Nor shall not , while I have a stump .
+
+Sir Thomas ,
+Whither were you a-going ?
+
+To the cardinal's :
+Your lordship is a guest too .
+
+O ! 'tis true :
+This night he makes a supper , and a great one ,
+To many lords and ladies ; there will be
+The beauty of this kingdom , I'll assure you .
+
+That churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed ,
+A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us ;
+His dews fall everywhere .
+
+No doubt he's noble ;
+He had a black mouth that said other of him .
+
+He may , my lord ; he has wherewithal : in him
+Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine :
+Men of his way should be most liberal ;
+They are set here for examples .
+
+True , they are so ;
+But few now give so great ones . My barge stays ;
+Your lordship shall along . Come , good Sir Thomas ,
+We shall be late else ; which I would not be ,
+For I was spoke to , with Sir Henry Guildford ,
+This night to be comptrollers .
+
+I am your lordship's .
+
+Ladies , a general welcome from his Grace
+Salutes ye all ; this night he dedicates
+To fair content and you . None here , he hopes ,
+In all this noble bevy , has brought with her
+One care abroad ; he would have all as merry
+As , first , good company , good wine , good welcome
+Can make good people .
+
+O , my lord ! you're tardy :
+The very thought of this fair company
+Clapp'd wings to me .
+
+You are young , Sir Harry Guildford .
+
+Sir Thomas Lovell , had the cardinal
+But half my lay-thoughts in him , some of these
+Should find a running banquet ere they rested ,
+I think would better please 'em : by my life ,
+They are a sweet society of fair ones .
+
+O ! that your lordship were but now confessor
+To one or two of these !
+
+I would I were ;
+They should find easy penance .
+
+Faith , how easy ?
+
+As easy as a down-bed would afford it .
+
+Sweet ladies , will it please you sit ? Sir Harry ,
+Place you that side , I'll take the charge of this ;
+His Grace is ent'ring . Nay you must not freeze ;
+Two women plac'd together makes cold weather :
+My Lord Sands , you are one will keep 'em waking ;
+Pray , sit between these ladies .
+
+By my faith ,
+And thank your lordship . By your leave , sweet ladies :
+
+If I chance to talk a little wild , forgive me ;
+I had it from my father .
+
+Was he mad , sir ?
+
+O ! very mad , exceeding mad ; in love too :
+But he would bite none ; just as I do now ,
+He would kiss you twenty with a breath .
+
+
+Well said , my lord .
+So , now you're fairly seated . Gentlemen ,
+The penance lies on you , if these fair ladies
+Pass away frowning .
+
+For my little cure ,
+Let me alone .
+
+
+You're welcome , my fair guests : that noble lady ,
+Or gentleman , that is not freely merry ,
+Is not my friend : this , to confirm my welcome ;
+And to you all , good health .
+
+
+Your Grace is noble :
+Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks ,
+And save me so much talking .
+
+My Lord Sands ,
+I am beholding to you : cheer your neighbours .
+Ladies , you are not merry : gentlemen ,
+Whose fault is this ?
+
+The red wine first must rise
+In their fair cheeks , my lord ; then , we shall have 'em
+Talk us to silence .
+
+You are a merry gamester ,
+My Lord Sands .
+
+Yes , if I make my play .
+Here's to your ladyship ; and pledge it , madam ,
+For 'tis to such a thing ,
+
+You cannot show me .
+
+I told your Grace they would talk anon .
+
+
+What's that ?
+
+Look out there , some of ye .
+
+
+What war-like voice ,
+And to what end , is this ? Nay , ladies , fear not ;
+By all the laws of war you're privileg'd .
+
+
+How now , what is't ?
+
+A noble troop of strangers ;
+For so they seem : they've left their barge and landed ;
+And hither make , as great ambassadors
+From foreign princes .
+
+Good Lord Chamberlain ,
+Go , give 'em welcome ; you can speak the French tongue ;
+And , pray , receive 'em nobly , and conduct 'em
+Into our presence , where this heaven of beauty
+Shall shine at full upon them . Some attend him .
+
+You have now a broken banquet ; but we'll mend it .
+A good digestion to you all ; and once more
+I shower a welcome on ye ; welcome all .
+
+A noble company ! what are their pleasures ?
+
+Because they speak no English , thus they pray'd
+To tell your Grace : that , having heard by fame
+Of this so noble and so fair assembly
+This night to meet here , they could do no less ,
+Out of the great respect they bear to beauty ,
+But leave their flocks ; and , under your fair conduct ,
+Crave leave to view these ladies , and entreat
+An hour of revels with 'em .
+
+Say , Lord Chamberlain ,
+They have done my poor house grace ; for which I pay 'em
+A thousand thanks , and pray 'em take their pleasures .
+
+
+The fairest hand I ever touch'd ! O beauty ,
+Till now I never knew thee !
+
+
+My lord .
+
+Your Grace ?
+
+Pray tell them thus much from me :
+There should be one amongst 'em , by his person ,
+More worthy this place than myself ; to whom ,
+If I but knew him , with my love and duty
+I would surrender it .
+
+I will , my lord .
+
+
+What say they ?
+
+Such a one , they all confess ,
+There is , indeed ; which they would have your Grace
+Find out , and he will take it .
+
+Let me see then .
+
+By all your good leaves , gentlemen , here I'll make
+My royal choice .
+
+You have found him , cardinal .
+You hold a fair assembly ; you do well , lord :
+You are a churchman , or , I'll tell you , cardinal ,
+I should judge now unhappily .
+
+I am glad
+Your Grace is grown so pleasant .
+
+My Lord Chamberlain ,
+Prithee , come hither . What fair lady's that ?
+
+An't please your Grace , Sir Thomas Bullen's daughter ,
+The Viscount Rochford , one of her highness' women .
+
+By heaven , she is a dainty one . Sweetheart ,
+I were unmannerly to take you out ,
+And not to kiss you . A health , gentlemen !
+Let it go round .
+
+Sir Thomas Lovell , is the banquest ready
+I' the privy chamber ?
+
+Yes , my lord .
+
+Your Grace ,
+I fear , with dancing is a little heated .
+
+I fear , too much .
+
+There's fresher air , my lord ,
+In the next chamber .
+
+Lead in your ladies , every one . Sweet partner ,
+I must not yet forsake you . Let's be merry :
+Good my Lord Cardinal , I have half a dozen healths
+To drink to these fair ladies , and a measure
+To lead 'em once again ; and then let's dream
+Who's best in favour . Let the music knock it .
+
+
+Whither away so fast ?
+
+O ! God save ye .
+E'en to the hall , to hear what shall become
+Of the great Duke of Buckingham .
+
+I'll save you
+That labour , sir . All's now done but the ceremony
+Of bringing back the prisoner .
+
+Were you there ?
+
+Yes , indeed , was I .
+
+Pray speak what has happen'd .
+
+You may guess quickly what .
+
+Is he found guilty ?
+
+Yes , truly is he , and condemn'd upon't .
+
+I am sorry for 't .
+
+So are a number more .
+
+But , pray , how pass'd it ?
+
+I'll tell you in a little . The great duke
+Came to the bar ; where , to his accusations
+He pleaded still not guilty , and alleg'd
+Many sharp reasons to defeat the law .
+The king's attorney on the contrary
+Urg'd on the examinations , proofs , confessions
+Of divers witnesses , which the duke desir'd
+To have brought , viv voce , to his face :
+At which appear'd against him his surveyor ;
+Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor ; and John Car ,
+Confessor to him ; with that devil-monk ,
+Hopkins , that made this mischief .
+
+That was he
+That fed him with his prophecies ?
+
+The same .
+All these accus'd him strongly ; which he fain
+Would have flung from him , but , indeed , he could not :
+And so his peers , upon this evidence ,
+Have found him guilty of high treason . Much
+He spoke , and learnedly , for life ; but all
+Was either pitied in him or forgotten .
+
+After all this how did he bear himself ?
+
+When he was brought again to the bar , to hear
+His knell rung out , his judgment , he was stirr'd
+With such an agony , he sweat extremely ,
+And something spoke in choler , ill , and hasty :
+But he fell to himself again , and sweetly
+In all the rest show'd a most noble patience .
+
+I do not think he fears death .
+
+Sure , he does not ;
+He never was so womanish ; the cause
+He may a little grieve at .
+
+Certainly
+The cardinal is the end of this .
+
+'Tis likely
+By all conjectures : first , Kildare's attainder ,
+Then deputy of Ireland ; who , remov'd ,
+Earl Surrey was sent thither , and in haste too ,
+Lest he should help his father .
+
+That trick of state
+Was a deep envious one .
+
+At his return ,
+No doubt he will requite it . This is noted ,
+And generally , whoever the king favours ,
+The cardinal instantly will find employment ,
+And far enough from court too .
+
+All the commons
+Hate him perniciously , and o' my conscience ,
+Wish him ten fathom deep : this duke as much
+They love and dote on ; call him bounteous Buckingham ,
+The mirror of all courtesy ;
+
+Stay there , sir ,
+And see the noble ruin'd man you speak of .
+
+Let's stand close , and behold him .
+
+All good people ,
+You that thus far have come to pity me ,
+Hear what I say , and then go home and lose me .
+I have this day receiv'd a traitor's judgment ,
+And by that name must die : yet , heaven bear witness ,
+And if I have a conscience , let it sink me ,
+Even as the axe falls , if I be not faithful !
+The law I bear no malice for my death ,
+'T has done upon the premises but justice ;
+But those that sought it I could wish more Christians :
+Be what they will , I heartily forgive 'em .
+Yet let 'em look they glory not in mischief ,
+Nor build their evils on the graves of great men ;
+For then my guiltless blood must cry against 'em .
+For further life in this world I ne'er hope ,
+Nor will I sue , although the king have mercies
+More than I dare make faults . You few that lov'd me ,
+And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham ,
+His noble friends and fellows , whom to leave
+Is only bitter to him , only dying ,
+Go with me , like good angels , to my end ;
+And , as the long divorce of steel falls on me ,
+Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice ,
+And lift my soul to heaven . Lead on , o' God's name .
+
+I do beseech your Grace , for charity ,
+If ever any malice in your heart
+Were hid against me , now to forgive me frankly .
+
+Sir Thomas Lovell , I as free forgive you
+As I would be forgiven : I forgive all .
+There cannot be those numberless offences
+'Gainst me that I cannot take peace with : no black envy
+Shall mark my grave . Commend me to his Grace ;
+And , if he speak of Buckingham , pray , tell him
+You met him half in heaven . My vows and prayers
+Yet are the king's ; and , till my soul forsake ,
+Shall cry for blessings on him : may he live
+Longer than I have time to tell his years !
+Ever belov'd and loving may his rule be !
+And when old time shall lead him to his end ,
+Goodness and he fill up one monument !
+
+To the water side I must conduct your Grace ;
+Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux ,
+Who undertakes you to your end .
+
+Prepare there !
+The duke is coming : see the barge be ready ;
+And fit it with such furniture as suits
+The greatness of his person .
+
+Nay , Sir Nicholas ,
+Let it alone ; my state now will but mock me .
+When I came hither , I was Lord High Constable ,
+And Duke of Buckingham ; now , poor Edward Bohun :
+Yet I am richer than my base accusers ,
+That never knew what truth meant : I now seal it ;
+And with that blood will make them one day groan for't .
+My noble father , Henry of Buckingham ,
+Who first rais'd head against usurping Richard ,
+Flying for succour to his servant Banister ,
+Being distress'd , was by that wretch betray'd ,
+And without trial fell : God's peace be with him !
+Henry the Seventh succeeding , truly pitying
+My father's loss , like a most royal prince ,
+Restor'd me to my honours , and , out of ruins ,
+Made my name once more noble . Now his son ,
+Henry the Eighth , life , honour , name , and all
+That made me happy , at one stroke has taken
+For ever from the world . I had my trial ,
+And , must needs say , a noble one ; which makes me
+A little happier than my wretched father :
+Yet thus far we are one in fortunes ; both
+Fell by our servants , by those men welov'd most :
+A most unnatural and faithless service !
+Heaven has an end in all ; yet , you that hear me ,
+This from a dying man receive as certain :
+Where you are liberal of your loves and counsels
+Be sure you be not loose ; for those you make friends
+And give your hearts to , when they once perceive
+The least rub in your fortunes , fall away
+Like water from ye , never found again
+But where they mean to sink ye . All good people ,
+Pray for me ! I must now forsake ye : the last hour
+Of my long weary life is come upon me .
+Farewell :
+And when you would say something that is sad ,
+Speak how I fell . I have done ; and God forgive me !
+
+
+O ! this is full of pity ! Sir , it calls ,
+I fear , too many curses on their heads
+That were the authors .
+
+If the duke be guiltless ,
+'Tis full of woe ; yet I can give you inkling
+Of an ensuing evil , if it fall ,
+Greater than this .
+
+Good angels keep it from us !
+What may it be ? You do not doubt my faith , sir ?
+
+This secret is so weighty , 'twill require
+A strong faith to conceal it .
+
+Let me have it ;
+I do not talk much .
+
+I am confident :
+You shall , sir . Did you not of late days hear
+A buzzing of a separation
+Between the king and Katharine ?
+
+Yes , but it held not ;
+For when the king once heard it , out of anger
+He sent command to the lord mayor straight
+To stop the rumour , and allay those tongues
+That durst disperse it .
+
+But that slander , sir ,
+Is found a truth now ; for it grows again
+Fresher than e'er it was ; and held for certain
+The king will venture at it . Either the cardinal ,
+Or some about him near , have , out of malice
+To the good queen , possess'd him with a scruple
+That will undo her : to confirm this too ,
+Cardinal Campeius is arriv'd , and lately ;
+As all think , for this business .
+
+'Tis the cardinal ;
+And merely to revenge him on the emperor
+For not bestowing on him , at his asking ,
+The archbishopric of Toledo , this is purpos'd .
+
+I think you have hit the mark : but is't not cruel
+That she should feel the smart of this ? The cardinal
+Will have his will , and she must fall .
+
+'Tis woeful .
+We are too open here to argue this ;
+Let's think in private more .
+
+
+My lord , The horses your lordship sent for , with all the care I had , I saw well chosen , ridden , and furnished . They were young and handsome , and of the best breed in the north . When they were ready to set out for London , a man of my Lord Cardinal's , by commission and main power , took them from me ; with this reason : His master would be served before a subject , if not before the king ; which stopped our mouths , sir .
+I fear he will indeed . Well , let him have them :
+He will have all , I think .
+
+
+Well met , my Lord Chamberlain .
+
+Good day to both your Graces .
+
+How is the king employ'd ?
+
+I left him private ,
+Full of sad thoughts and troubles .
+
+What's the cause ?
+
+It seems the marriage with his brother's wife
+Has crept too near his conscience .
+
+No ; his conscience
+Has crept too near another lady .
+
+'Tis so :
+This is the cardinal's doing , the king-cardinal :
+That blind priest , like the eldest son of Fortune ,
+Turns what he list . The king will know him one day .
+
+Pray God he do ! he'll never know himself else .
+
+How holily he works in all his business ,
+And with what zeal ! for , now he has crack'd the league
+Between us and the emperor , the queen's great nephew ,
+He dives into the king's soul , and there scatters
+Dangers , doubts , wringing of the conscience ,
+Fears , and despairs ; and all these for his marriage :
+And out of all these , to restore the king ,
+He counsels a divorce ; a loss of her ,
+That like a jewel has hung twenty years
+About his neck , yet never lost her lustre ;
+Of her , that loves him with that excellence
+That angels love good men with ; even of her ,
+That , when the greatest stroke of fortune falls ,
+Will bless the king : and is not this course pious ?
+
+Heaven keep me from such counsel ! 'Tis most true
+These news are every where ; every tongue speaks 'em ,
+And every true heart weeps for't . All that dare
+Look into these affairs , see this main end ,
+The French king's sister . Heaven will one day open
+The king's eyes , that so long have slept upon
+This bold bad man .
+
+And free us from his slavery .
+
+We had need pray ,
+And heartily , for our deliverance ;
+Or this imperious man will work us all
+From princes into pages . All men's honours
+Lie like one lump before him , to be fashion'd
+Into what pitch he please .
+
+For me , my lords ,
+I love him not , nor fear him ; there's my creed .
+As I am made without him , so I'll stand ,
+If the king please ; his curses and his blessings
+Touch me alike , they're breath I not believe in .
+I knew him , and I know him ; so I leave him
+To him that made him proud , the pope .
+
+Let's in ;
+And with some other business put the king
+From these sad thoughts , that work too much upon him .
+My lord , you'll bear us company ?
+
+Excuse me ;
+The king hath sent me otherwhere : besides ,
+You'll find a most unfit time to disturb him :
+Health to your lordships .
+
+Thanks , my good Lord Chamberlain .
+
+How sad he looks ! sure , he is much afflicted .
+
+Who is there , ha ?
+
+Pray God he be not angry .
+
+Who's there , I say ? How dare you thrust yourselves
+Into my private meditations ?
+Who am I , ha ?
+
+A gracious king that pardons all offences
+Malice ne'er meant : our breach of duty this way
+Is business of estate ; in which we come
+To know your royal pleasure .
+
+Ye are too bold .
+Go to ; I'll make ye know your times of business :
+Is this an hour for temporal affairs , ha ?
+
+
+Who's there ? my good Lord Cardinal ? O ! my Wolsey ,
+The quiet of my wounded conscience ;
+Thou art a cure fit for a king .
+
+You're welcome ,
+Most learned reverend sir , into our kingdom :
+Use us , and it .
+
+My good lord , have great care
+
+I be not found a talker .
+
+Sir , you cannot .
+I would your Grace would give us but an hour
+Of private conference .
+
+We are busy : go .
+
+This priest has no pride in him !
+
+Not to speak of ;
+I would not be so sick though for his place :
+But this cannot continue .
+
+If it do ,
+I'll venture one have-at-him .
+
+I another .
+
+
+Your Grace has given a precedent of wisdom
+Above all princes , in committing freely
+Your scruple to the voice of Christendom .
+Who can be angry now ? what envy reach you ?
+The Spaniard , tied by blood and favour to her ,
+Must now confess , if they have any goodness ,
+The trial just and noble . All the clerks ,
+I mean the learned ones , in Christian kingdoms
+Have their free voices : Rome , the nurse of judgment ,
+Invited by your noble self , hath sent
+One general tongue unto us , this good man ,
+This just and learned priest , Cardinal Campeius ;
+Whom once more I present unto your highness .
+
+And once more in my arms I bid him welcome ,
+And thank the holy conclave for their loves :
+They have sent me such a man I would have wish'd for .
+
+Your Grace must needs deserve all strangers' loves ,
+You are so noble . To your highness' hand
+I tender my commission , by whose virtue ,
+The court of Rome commanding ,you , my Lord
+Cardinal of York , are join'd with me , their servant ,
+In the impartial judging of this business .
+
+Two equal men . The queen shall be acquainted
+Forthwith for what you come . Where's Gardiner ?
+
+I know your majesty has always lov'd her
+So dear in heart , not to deny her that
+A woman of less place might ask by law ,
+Scholars , allow'd freely to argue for her .
+
+Ay , and the best , she shall have ; and my favour
+To him that does best : God forbid else . Cardinal ,
+Prithee , call Gardiner to me , my new secretary :
+I find him a fit fellow .
+
+Give me your hand ; much joy and favour to you ;
+You are the king's now .
+
+But to be commanded
+For ever by your Grace , whose hand has rais'd me .
+
+Come hither , Gardiner .
+
+
+My Lord of York , was not one Doctor Pace
+In this man's place before him ?
+
+Yes , he was .
+
+Was he not held a learned man ?
+
+Yes , surely .
+
+Believe me , there's an ill opinion spread then
+Even of yourself , Lord Cardinal .
+
+How ! of me ?
+
+They will not stick to say , you envied him ,
+And fearing he would rise , he was so virtuous ,
+Kept him a foreign man still ; which so griev'd him
+That he ran mad and died .
+
+Heaven's peace be with him !
+That's Christian care enough : for living murmurers
+There's places of rebuke . He was a fool ,
+For he would needs be virtuous : that good fellow ,
+If I command him , follows my appointment :
+I will have none so near else . Learn this , brother ,
+We live not to be grip'd by meaner persons .
+
+Deliver this with modesty to the queen .
+
+The most convenient place that I can think of
+For such receipt of learning , is Black-Friars ;
+There ye shall meet about this weighty business .
+My Wolsey , see it furnish'd . O my lord !
+Would it not grieve an able man to leave
+So sweet a bedfellow ? But , conscience , conscience !
+O ! 'tis a tender place , and I must leave her .
+
+
+Not for that neither : here's the pang that pinches :
+His highness having liv'd so long with her , and she
+So good a lady that no tongue could ever
+Pronounce dishonour of her ; by my life ,
+She never knew harm-doing ; O ! now , after
+So many courses of the sun enthron'd ,
+Still growing in a majesty and pomp , the which
+To leave a thousand-fold more bitter than
+'Tis sweet at first to acquire , after this process
+To give her the avaunt ! it is a pity
+Would move a monster .
+
+Hearts of most hard temper
+Melt and lament for her .
+
+O ! God's will ; much better
+She ne'er had known pomp : though 't be temporal ,
+Yet , if that quarrel , Fortune , do divorce
+It from the bearer , 'tis a sufferance panging
+As soul and body's severing .
+
+Alas ! poor lady ,
+She's a stranger now again .
+
+So much the more
+Must pity drop upon her . Verily ,
+I swear , 'tis better to be lowly born ,
+And range with humble livers in content ,
+Than to be perk'd up in a glist'ring grief
+And wear a golden sorrow .
+
+Our content
+Is our best having .
+
+By my troth and maidenhead
+I would not be a queen .
+
+Beshrew me , I would ,
+And venture maidenhead for't ; and so would you ,
+For all this spice of your hypocrisy .
+You , that have so fair parts of woman on you ,
+Have too a woman's heart ; which ever yet
+Affected eminence , wealth , sovereignty :
+Which , to say sooth , are blessings , and which gifts
+Saving your mincing the capacity
+Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive ,
+If you might please to stretch it .
+
+Nay , good troth .
+
+Yes , troth , and troth ; you would not be a queen ?
+
+No , not for all the riches under heaven .
+
+'Tis strange : a three-pence bow'd would hire me ,
+Old as I am , to queen it . But , I pray you ,
+What think you of a duchess ? have you limbs
+To bear that load of title ?
+
+No , in truth .
+
+Then you are weakly made . Pluck off a little :
+I would not be a young count in your way ,
+For more than blushing comes to : if your back
+Cannot vouchsafe this burden , 'tis too weak
+Ever to get a boy .
+
+How you do talk !
+I swear again , I would not be a queen
+For all the world .
+
+In faith , for little England
+You'd venture an emballing : I myself
+Would for Carnarvonshire , although there 'long'd
+No more to the crown but that . Lo ! who comes here ?
+
+
+Good morrow , ladies . What were't worth to know
+The secret of your conference ?
+
+My good lord ,
+Not your demand ; it values not your asking :
+Our mistress' sorrows we were pitying .
+
+It was a gentle business , and becoming
+The action of good women : there is hope
+All will be well .
+
+Now , I pray God , amen !
+
+You bear a gentle mind , and heavenly blessings
+Follow such creatures . That you may , fair lady ,
+Perceive I speak sincerely , and high note's
+Ta'en of your many virtues , the king's majesty
+Commends his good opinion of you , and
+Does purpose honour to you no less flowing
+Than Marchioness of Pembroke ; to which title
+A thousand pound a year , annual support ,
+Out of his grace he adds .
+
+I do not know
+What kind of my obedience I should tender ;
+More than my all is nothing , nor my prayers
+Are not words duly hallow'd , nor my wishes
+More worth than empty vanities ; yet prayers and wishes
+Are all I can return . Beseech your lordship ,
+Vouchsafe to speak my thanks and my obedience ,
+As from a blushing handmaid , to his highness ,
+Whose health and royalty I pray for .
+
+Lady ,
+I shall not fail to approve the fair conceit
+The king hath of you .
+
+I have perus'd her well ;
+Beauty and honour in her are so mingled
+That they have caught the king ; and who knows yet
+But from this lady may proceed a gem
+To lighten all this isle ?
+
+I'll to the king ,
+And say , I spoke with you .
+
+My honour'd lord .
+
+
+Why , this it is ; see , see !
+I have been begging sixteen years in court ,
+Am yet a courtier beggarly , nor could
+Come pat betwixt too early and too late ;
+For any suit of pounds ; and you , O fate !
+A very fresh-fish here ,fie , fie , upon
+This compell'd fortune !have your mouth fill'd up
+Before you open it .
+
+This is strange to me .
+
+How tastes it ? is it bitter ? forty pence , no .
+There was a lady once ,'tis an old story ,
+That would not be a queen , that would she not ,
+For all the mud in Egypt : have you heard it ?
+
+Come , you are pleasant .
+
+With your theme I could
+O'ermount the lark . The Marchioness of Pembroke !
+A thousand pounds a year , for pure respect !
+No other obligation ! By my life
+That promises more thousands : honour's train
+Is longer than his foreskirt . By this time
+I know your back will bear a duchess : say ,
+Are you not stronger than you were ?
+
+Good lady ,
+Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy ,
+And leave me out on't . Would I had no being ,
+If this salute my blood a jot : it faints me ,
+To think what follows .
+The queen is comfortless , and we forgetful
+In our long absence . Pray , do not deliver
+What here you've heard to her .
+
+What do you think me ?
+
+
+Whilst our commission from Rome is read ,
+Let silence be commanded .
+
+What's the need ?
+It hath already publicly been read ,
+And on all sides the authority allow'd ;
+You may then spare that time .
+
+Be't so . Proceed .
+
+Say , Henry King of England , come into the court .
+
+Henry King of England , come into the court .
+
+Here .
+
+Say , Katharine Queen of England , come into the court .
+
+Katharine Queen of England , come into the court .
+
+Sir , I desire you do me right and justice ;
+And to bestow your pity on me ; for
+I am a most poor woman , and a stranger ,
+Born out of your dominions ; having here
+No judge indifferent , nor no more assurance
+Of equal friendship and proceeding . Alas ! sir ,
+In what have I offended you ? what cause
+Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure ,
+That thus you should proceed to put me off
+And take your good grace from me ? Heaven witness ,
+I have been to you a true and humble wife ,
+At all times to your will conformable ;
+Ever in fear to kindle your dislike ,
+Yea , subject to your countenance , glad or sorry
+As I saw it inclin'd . When was the hour
+I ever contradicted your desire ,
+Or made it not mine too ? Or which of your friends
+Have I not strove to love , although I knew
+He were mine enemy ? what friend of mine
+That had to him deriv'd your anger , did I
+Continue in my liking ? nay , gave notice
+He was from thence discharg'd . Sir , call to mind
+That I have been your wife , in this obedience
+Upward of twenty years , and have been blest
+With many children by you : if , in the course
+And process of this time , you can report ,
+And prove it too , against mine honour aught ,
+My bond to wedlock , or my love and duty ,
+Against your sacred person , in God's name
+Turn me away ; and let the foul'st contempt
+Shut door upon me , and so give me up
+To the sharp'st kind of justice . Please you , sir ,
+The king , your father , was reputed for
+A prince most prudent , of an excellent
+And unmatch'd wit and judgment : Ferdinand ,
+My father , King of Spain , was reckon'd one
+The wisest prince that there had reign'd by many
+A year before : it is not to be question'd
+That they had gather'd a wise council to them
+Of every realm , that did debate this business ,
+Who deem'd our marriage lawful . Wherefore I humbly
+Beseech you , sir , to spare me , till I may
+Be by my friends in Spain advis'd , whose counsel
+I will implore : if not , i' the name of God ,
+Your pleasure be fulfill'd !
+
+You have here , lady ,
+And of your choice ,these reverend fathers ; men
+Of singular integrity and learning ,
+Yea , the elect o' the land , who are assembled
+To plead your cause . It shall be therefore bootless
+That longer you desire the court , as well
+For your own quiet , as to rectify
+What is unsettled in the king .
+
+His Grace
+Hath spoken well and justly : therefore , madam ,
+It's fit this royal session do proceed ,
+And that , without delay , their arguments
+Be now produc'd and heard .
+
+Lord Cardinal ,
+To you I speak .
+
+Your pleasure , madam ?
+
+Sir ,
+I am about to weep ; but , thinking that
+We are a queen ,or long have dream'd so ,certain
+The daughter of a king , my drops of tears
+I'll turn to sparks of fire .
+
+Be patient yet .
+
+I will , when you are humble ; nay , before ,
+Or God will punish me . I do believe ,
+Induc'd by potent circumstances , that
+You are mine enemy ; and make my challenge
+You shall not be my judge ; for it is you
+Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me ,
+Which God's dew quench ! Therefore I say again ,
+I utterly abhor , yea , from my soul
+Refuse you for my judge , whom , yet once more ,
+I hold my most malicious foe , and think not
+At all a friend to truth .
+
+I do profess
+You speak not like yourself ; who ever yet
+Have stood to charity , and display'd the effects
+Of disposition gentle , and of wisdom
+O'ertopping woman's power . Madam , you do me wrong :
+I have no spleen against you ; nor injustice
+For you or any : how far I have proceeded ,
+Or how far further shall , is warranted
+By a commission from the consistory ,
+Yea , the whole consistory of Rome . You charge me
+That I have blown this coal : I do deny it .
+The king is present : if it be known to him
+That I gainsay my deed , how may he wound ,
+And worthily , my falsehood ; yea , as much
+As you have done my truth . If he know
+That I am free of your report , he knows
+I am not of your wrong . Therefore in him
+It lies to cure me ; and the cure is , to
+Remove these thoughts from you : the which before
+His highness shall speak in , I do beseech
+You , gracious madam , to unthink your speaking ,
+And to say so no more .
+
+My lord , my lord ,
+I am a simple woman , much too weak
+To oppose your cunning . You're meek and humble-mouth'd ;
+You sign your place and calling , in full seeming ,
+With meekness and humility ; but your heart
+Is cramm'd with arrogancy , spleen , and pride .
+You have , by fortune and his highness' favours ,
+Gone slightly o'er low steps , and now are mounted
+Where powers are your retainers , and your words ,
+Domestics to you , serve your will as't please
+Yourself pronounce their office . I must tell you ,
+You tender more your person's honour than
+Your high profession spiritual ; that again
+I do refuse you for my judge ; and here ,
+Before you all , appeal unto the pope ,
+To bring my whole cause 'fore his holiness ,
+And to be judg'd by him .
+
+
+The queen is obstinate ,
+Stubborn to justice , apt to accuse it , and
+Disdainful to be tried by't : 'tis not well .
+She's going away .
+
+Call her again .
+
+Katharine Queen of England , come into the court .
+
+Madam , you are call'd back .
+
+What need you note it ? pray you , keep your way :
+When you are call'd , return . Now , the Lord help !
+They vex me past my patience . Pray you , pass on :
+I will not tarry ; no , nor ever more
+Upon this business my appearance make
+In any of their courts .
+
+
+Go thy ways , Kate :
+That man i' the world who shall report he has
+A better wife , let him in nought be trusted ,
+For speaking false in that : thou art , alone ,
+If thy rare qualities , sweet gentleness ,
+Thy meekness saint-like , wife-like government ,
+Obeying in commanding , and thy parts
+Sovereign and pious else , could speak thee out ,
+The queen of earthly queens . She's noble born ;
+And , like her true nobility , she has
+Carried herself towards me .
+
+Most gracious sir ,
+In humblest manner I require your highness ,
+That it shall please you to declare , in hearing
+Of all these ears ,for where I am robb'd and bound
+There must I be unloos'd , although not there
+At once , and fully satisfied ,whether ever I
+Did broach this business to your highness , or
+Laid any scruple in your way , which might
+Induce you to the question on't ? or ever
+Have to you , but with thanks to God for such
+A royal lady , spake one the least word that might
+Be to the prejudice of her present state ,
+Or touch of her good person ?
+
+My Lord Cardinal ,
+I do excuse you ; yea , upon mine honour ,
+I free you from't . You are not to be taught
+That you have many enemies , that know not
+Why they are so , but , like to village curs ,
+Bark when their fellows do : by some of these
+The queen is put in anger . You're excus'd :
+But will you be more justified ? you ever
+Have wish'd the sleeping of this business ; never
+Desir'd it to be stirr'd ; but oft have hinder'd , oft ,
+The passages made toward it . On my honour ,
+I speak my good Lord Cardinal to this point ,
+And thus far clear him . Now , what mov'd me to't ,
+I will be bold with time and your attention :
+Then mark the inducement . Thus it came ; give heed to't :
+My conscience first receiv'd a tenderness ,
+Scruple , and prick , on certain speeches utter'd
+By the Bishop of Bayonne , then French ambassador ,
+Who had been hither sent on the debating
+A marriage 'twixt the Duke of Orleans and
+Our daughter Mary . I' the progress of this business ,
+Ere a determinate resolution , he
+I mean , the bishop did require a respite ;
+Wherein he might the king his lord advertise
+Whether our daughter were legitimate ,
+Respecting this our marriage with the dowager ,
+Sometimes our brother's wife . This respite shook
+The bosom of my conscience , enter'd me ,
+Yea , with a splitting power , and made to tremble
+The region of my breast ; which forc'd such way ,
+That many maz'd considerings did throng ,
+And press'd in with this caution . First , methought
+I stood not in the smile of heaven , who had
+Commanded nature , that my lady's womb ,
+If it conceiv'd a male child by me , should
+Do no more offices of life to't than
+The grave does to the dead ; for her male issue
+Or died where they were made , or shortly after
+This world had air'd them . Hence I took a thought
+This was a judgment on me ; that my kingdom ,
+Well worthy the best heir o' the world , should not
+Be gladded in't by me . Then follows that
+I weigh'd the danger which my realms stood in
+By this my issue's fail ; and that gave to me
+Many a groaning throe . Thus hulling in
+The wild sea of my conscience , I did steer
+Toward this remedy , whereupon we are
+Now present here together ; that's to say ,
+I meant to rectify my conscience , which
+I then did feel full sick , and yet not well ,
+By all the rev'rend fathers of the land
+And doctors learn'd . First , I began in private
+With you , my Lord of Lincoln ; you remember
+How under my oppression I did reek ,
+When I first mov'd you .
+
+Very well , my liege .
+
+I have spoke long : be pleas'd yourself to say
+How far you satisfied me .
+
+So please your highness ,
+The question did at first so stagger me ,
+Bearing a state of mighty moment in't ,
+And consequence of dread , that I committed
+The daring'st counsel that I had to doubt ;
+And did entreat your highness to this course
+Which you are running here .
+
+Then I mov'd you ,
+My Lord of Canterbury , and got your leave
+To make this present summons . Unsolicited
+I left no reverend person in this court ;
+But by particular consent proceeded
+Under your hands and seals : therefore , go on ;
+For no dislike i' the world against the person
+Of the good queen , but the sharp thorny points
+Of my alleged reasons drive this forward .
+Prove but our marriage lawful , by my life
+And kingly dignity , we are contented
+To wear our mortal state to come with her ,
+Katharine our queen , before the primest creature
+That's paragon'd o' the world .
+
+So please your highness ,
+The queen being absent , 'tis a needful fitness
+That we adjourn this court till further day :
+Mean while must be an earnest motion
+Made to the queen , to call back her appeal
+She intends unto his holiness .
+
+
+I may perceive
+These cardinals trifle with me : I abhor
+This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome .
+My learn'd and well-beloved servant Cranmer ,
+Prithee , return : with thy approach , I know ,
+My comfort comes along . Break up the court :
+I say , set on .
+
+
+Take thy lute , wench : my soul grows sad with troubles ;
+Sing and disperse 'em , if thou canst . Leave working .
+
+Orpheus with his lute made trees ,
+And the mountain tops that freeze ,
+Bow themselves , when he did sing :
+To his music plants and flowers
+Ever sprung ; as sun and showers
+There had made a lasting spring .
+Every thing that heard him play ,
+Even the billows of the sea ,
+Hung their heads , and then lay by .
+In sweet music is such art ,
+Killing care and grief of heart
+Fall asleep , or hearing , die .
+
+
+How now !
+
+An't please your Grace , the two great cardinals
+Wait in the presence .
+
+Would they speak with me ?
+
+They will'd me say so , madam .
+
+Pray their Graces
+To come near .
+
+What can be their business
+With me , a poor weak woman , fall'n from favour ?
+I do not like their coming , now I think on't .
+They should be good men , their affairs as righteous ;
+But all hoods make not monks .
+
+
+Peace to your highness !
+
+Your Graces find me here part of a housewife ,
+I would be all , against the worst may happen .
+What are your pleasures with me , reverend lords ?
+
+May it please you , noble madam , to withdraw
+Into your private chamber , we shall give you
+The full cause of our coming .
+
+Speak it here ;
+There's nothing I have done yet , o' my conscience ,
+Deserves a corner : would all other women
+Could speak this with as free a soul as I do !
+My lords , I care not so much I am happy
+Above a number if my actions
+Were tried by every tongue , every eye saw 'em ,
+Envy and base opinion set against 'em ,
+I know my life so even . If your business
+Seek me out , and that way I am wife in ,
+Out with it boldly : truth loves open dealing .
+
+Tanta est erga te mentis integritas , regina serenissima ,
+
+O , good my lord , no Latin ;
+I am not such a truant since my coming
+As not to know the language I have liv'd in :
+A strange tongue makes my cause more strange , suspicious ;
+Pray , speak in English : here are some will thank you ,
+If you speak truth , for their poor mistress' sake :
+Believe me , she has had much wrong . Lord Cardinal ,
+The willing'st sin I ever yet committed
+May be absolv'd in English .
+
+Noble lady ,
+I am sorry my integrity should breed ,
+And service to his majesty and you ,
+So deep suspicion , where all faith was meant .
+We come not by the way of accusation ,
+To taint that honour every good tongue blesses ,
+Nor to betray you any way to sorrow ,
+You have too much , good lady ; but to know
+How you stand minded in the weighty difference
+Between the king and you ; and to deliver ,
+Like free and honest men , our just opinions
+And comforts to your cause .
+
+Most honour'd madam ,
+My Lord of York , out of his noble nature ,
+Zeal and obedience he still bore your Grace ,
+Forgetting , like a good man , your late censure
+Both of his truth and him ,which was too far ,
+Offers , as I do , in sign of peace ,
+His service and his counsel .
+
+To betray me .
+My lords , I thank you both for your good wills ;
+Ye speak like honest men ,pray God , ye prove so !
+But how to make ye suddenly an answer ,
+In such a point of weight , so near mine honour ,
+More near my life , I fear ,with my weak wit ,
+And to such men of gravity and learning ,
+In truth , I know not . I was set at work
+Among my maids ; full little , God knows , looking
+Either for such men or such business .
+For her sake that I have been ,for I feel
+The last fit of my greatness ,good your Graces
+Let me have time and counsel for my cause :
+Alas ! I am a woman , friendless , hopeless .
+
+Madam , you wrong the king's love with these fears :
+Your hopes and friends are infinite .
+
+In England
+But little for my profit . Can you think , lords ,
+That any Englishman dare give me counsel ?
+Or be a known friend , 'gainst his highness' pleasure ,
+Though he be grown so desperate to be honest ,
+And live a subject ? Nay , forsooth , my friends ,
+They that must weigh out my afflictions ,
+They that my trust must grow to , live not here :
+They are , as all my other comforts , far hence
+In mine own country , lords .
+
+I would your Grace
+Would leave your griefs , and take my counsel .
+
+How , sir ?
+
+Put your main cause into the king's protection ;
+He's loving and most gracious : 'twill be much
+Both for your honour better and your cause ;
+For if the trial of the law o'ertake ye ,
+You'll part away disgrac'd .
+
+He tells you rightly .
+
+Ye tell me what ye wish for both ; my ruin .
+Is this your Christian counsel ? out upon ye !
+Heaven is above all yet ; there sits a judge
+That no king can corrupt .
+
+Your rage mistakes us .
+
+The more shame for ye ! holy men I thought ye ,
+Upon my soul , two reverend cardinal virtues ;
+But cardinal sins and hollow hearts I fear ye .
+Mend 'em , for shame , my lords . Is this your comfort ?
+The cordial that ye bring a wretched lady ,
+A woman lost among ye , laugh'd at , scorn'd ?
+I will not wish ye half my miseries ,
+I have more charity ; but say , I warn'd ye :
+Take heed , for heaven's sake , take heed , lest at once
+The burden of my sorrows fall upon ye .
+
+Madam , this is a mere distraction ;
+You turn the good we offer into envy .
+
+Ye turn me into nothing : woe upon ye ,
+And all such false professors ! Would ye have me ,
+If ye have any justice , any pity ;
+If ye be anything but churchmen's habits ,
+Put my sick cause into his hands that hates me ?
+Alas ! he has banish'd me his bed already ,
+His love , too long ago ! I am old , my lords ,
+And all the fellowship I hold now with him
+Is only my obedience . What can happen
+To me above this wretchedness ? all your studies
+Make me a curse like this .
+
+Your fears are worse .
+
+Have I liv'd thus long let me speak myself ,
+Since virtue finds no friends a wife , a true one ?
+A woman , I dare say without vain-glory ,
+Never yet branded with suspicion ?
+Have I with all my full affections
+Still met the king ? lov'd him next heaven ? obey'd him ?
+Been , out of fondness , superstitious to him ?
+Almost forgot my prayers to content him ?
+And am I thus rewarded ? 'tis not well , lords .
+Bring me a constant woman to her husband ,
+One that ne'er dream'd a joy beyond his pleasure ,
+And to that woman , when she has done most ,
+Yet will I add an honour , a great patience .
+
+Madam , you wander from the good we aim at .
+
+My lord , I dare not make myself so guilty ,
+To give up willingly that noble title
+Your master wed me to : nothing but death
+Shall e'er divorce my dignities .
+
+Pray hear me .
+
+Would I had never trod this English earth ,
+Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it !
+Ye have angels' faces , but heaven knows your hearts .
+What will become of me now , wretched lady ?
+I am the most unhappy woman living .
+
+
+Alas ! poor wenches , where are now your fortunes ?
+Shipwrack'd upon a kingdom , where no pity ,
+No friends , no hope ; no kindred weep for me ;
+Almost no grave allow'd me . Like the lily ,
+That once was mistress of the field and flourish'd ,
+I'll hang my head and perish .
+
+If your Grace
+Could but be brought to know our ends are honest ,
+You'd feel more comfort . Why should we , good lady ,
+Upon what cause , wrong you ? alas ! our places ,
+The way of our profession is against it :
+We are to cure such sorrows , not to sow them .
+For goodness' sake , consider what you do ;
+How you may hurt yourself , ay , utterly
+Grow from the king's acquaintance , by this carriage .
+The hearts of princes kiss obedience ,
+So much they love it ; but to stubborn spirits
+They swell , and grow as terrible as storms .
+I know you have a gentle , noble temper ,
+A soul as even as a calm : pray think us
+Those we profess , peace-makers , friends , and servants .
+
+Madam , you'll find it so . You wrong your virtues
+With these weak women's fears : a noble spirit ,
+As yours was put into you , ever casts
+Such doubts , as false coin , from it . The king loves you ;
+Beware you lose it not : for us , if you please
+To trust us in your business , we are ready
+To use our utmost studies in your service .
+
+Do what ye will , my lords : and , pray , forgive me
+If I have us'd myself unmannerly .
+You know I am a woman , lacking wit
+To make a seemly answer to such persons .
+Pray do my service to his majesty :
+He has my heart yet ; and shall have my prayers
+While I shall have my life . Come , reverend fathers ,
+Bestow your counsels on me : she now begs
+That little thought , when she set footing here ,
+She should have bought her dignities so dear .
+
+
+If you will now unite in your complaints ,
+And force them with a constancy , the cardinal
+Cannot stand under them : if you omit
+The offer of this time , I cannot promise
+But that you shall sustain moe new disgraces
+With these you bear already .
+
+I am joyful
+To meet the least occasion that may give me
+Remembrance of my father-in-law , the duke ,
+To be reveng'd on him .
+
+Which of the peers
+Have uncontemn'd gone by him , or at least
+Strangely neglected ? when did he regard
+The stamp of nobleness in any person ,
+Out of himself ?
+
+My lords , you speak your pleasures :
+What he deserves of you and me , I know ;
+What we can do to him ,though now the time
+Gives way to us ,I much fear . If you cannot
+Bar his access to the king , never attempt
+Any thing on him , for he hath a witchcraft
+Over the king in's tongue .
+
+O ! fear him not ;
+His spell in that is out : the king hath found
+Matter against him that for ever mars
+The honey of his language . No , he's settled ,
+Not to come off , in his displeasure .
+
+Sir ,
+I should be glad to hear such news as this
+Once every hour .
+
+Believe it , this is true :
+In the divorce his contrary proceedings
+Are all unfolded ; wherein he appears
+As I would wish mine enemy .
+
+How came
+His practices to light ?
+
+Most strangely .
+
+O ! how ? how ?
+
+The cardinal's letter to the pope miscarried ,
+And came to the eye o' the king ; wherein was read ,
+That the cardinal did entreat his holiness
+To stay the judgment o' the divorce ; for if
+It did take place , 'I do ,' quoth he , 'perceive
+My king is tangled in affection to
+A creature of the queen's , Lady Anne Bullen .'
+
+Has the king this ?
+
+Believe it .
+
+Will this work ?
+
+The king in this perceives him , how he coasts
+And hedges his own way . But in this point
+All his tricks founder , and he brings his physic
+After his patient's death : the king already
+Hath married the fair lady .
+
+Would he had !
+
+May you be happy in your wish , my lord !
+For I profess , you have it .
+
+Now all my joy
+Trace the conjunction !
+
+My amen to't !
+
+All men's .
+
+There's order given for her coronation :
+Marry , this is yet but young , and may be left
+To some ears unrecounted . But , my lords ,
+She is a gallant creature , and complete
+In mind and feature : I persuade me , from her
+Will fall some blessing to this land , which shall
+In it be memoriz'd .
+
+But will the king
+Digest this letter of the cardinal's ?
+The Lord forbid !
+
+Marry , amen !
+
+No , no ;
+There be moe wasps that buzz about his nose
+Will make this sting the sooner . Cardinal Campeius
+Is stol'n away to Rome ; hath ta'en no leave ;
+Has left the cause o' the king unhandled ; and
+Is posted , as the agent of our cardinal ,
+To second all his plot . I do assure you
+The king cried Ha ! at this .
+
+Now , God incense him ,
+And let him cry Ha ! louder .
+
+But , my lord ,
+When returns Cranmer ?
+
+He is return'd in his opinions , which
+Have satisfied the king for his divorce ,
+Together with all famous colleges
+Almost in Christendom . Shortly , I believe ,
+His second marriage shall be publish'd , and
+Her coronation . Katharine no more
+Shall be call'd queen , but princess dowager ,
+And widow to Prince Arthur .
+
+This same Cranmer's
+A worthy fellow , and hath ta'en much pain
+In the king's business .
+
+He has ; and we shall see him
+For it an archbishop .
+
+So I hear .
+
+'Tis so .
+The cardinal !
+
+
+Observe , observe ; he's moody .
+
+The packet , Cromwell ,
+Gave't you the king ?
+
+To his own hand , in his bedchamber .
+
+Look'd he o' the inside of the paper ?
+
+Presently
+He did unseal them ; and the first he view'd ,
+He did it with a serious mind ; a heed
+Was in his countenance . You he bade
+Attend him here this morning .
+
+Is he ready
+To come abroad ?
+
+I think , by this he is .
+
+Leave me awhile .
+
+It shall be to the Duchess of Alen on ,
+The French King's sister ; he shall marry her .
+Anne Bullen ! No ; I'll no Anne Bullens for him :
+There's more in't than fair visage . Bullen !
+No , we'll no Bullens . Speedily I wish
+To hear from Rome . The Marchioness of Pembroke !
+
+He's discontented .
+
+May be he hears the king
+Does whet his anger to him .
+
+Sharp enough ,
+Lord , for thy justice !
+
+The late queen's gentlewoman , a knight's daughter ,
+To be her mistress' mistress ! the queen's queen !
+This candle burns not clear : 'tis I must snuff it ;
+Then , out it goes . What though I know her virtuous
+And well deserving ? yet I know her for
+A spleeny Lutheran ; and not wholesome to
+Our cause , that she should lie i' the bosom of
+Our hard-rul'd king . Again , there is sprung up
+A heretic , an arch one , Cranmer ; one
+Hath crawl'd into the favour of the king ,
+And is his oracle .
+
+He is vex'd at something .
+
+I would 'twere something that would fret the string ,
+The master-cord on's heart !
+
+
+The king , the king !
+
+What piles of wealth hath he accumulated
+To his own portion ! and what expense by the hour
+Seems to flow from him ! How , i' the name of thrift ,
+Does he rake this together ? Now , my lords ,
+Saw you the cardinal ?
+
+My lord , we have
+Stood here observing him ; some strange commotion
+Is in his brain : he bites his lip , and starts ;
+Stops on a sudden , looks upon the ground ,
+Then lays his finger on his temple ; straight
+Springs out into fast gait ; then stops again ,
+Strikes his breast hard ; and anon he casts
+His eye against the moon : in most strange postures
+We have seen him set himself .
+
+It may well be :
+There is a mutiny in 's mind . This morning
+Papers of state he sent me to peruse ,
+As I requir'd ; and wot you what I found
+There , on my conscience , put unwittingly ?
+Forsooth , an inventory , thus importing ;
+The several parcels of his plate , his treasure ,
+Rich stuffs and ornaments of household , which
+I find at such a proud rate that it out-speaks
+Possession of a subject .
+
+It's heaven's will :
+Some spirit put this paper in the packet
+To bless your eye withal .
+
+If we did think
+His contemplation were above the earth ,
+And fix'd on spiritual object , he should still
+Dwell in his musings : but I am afraid
+His thinkings are below the moon , not worth
+His serious considering .
+
+
+Heaven forgive me !
+Ever God bless your highness !
+
+Good my lord ,
+You are full of heavenly stuff , and bear the inventory
+Of your best graces in your mind , the which
+You were now running o'er : you have scarce time
+To steal from spiritual leisure a brief span
+To keep your earthly audit : sure , in that
+I deem you an ill husband , and am glad
+To have you therein my companion .
+
+Sir ,
+For holy offices I have a time ; a time
+To think upon the part of business which
+I bear i' the state ; and nature does require
+Her times of preservation , which perforce
+I , her frail son , amongst my brethren mortal ,
+Must give my tendance to .
+
+You have said well .
+
+And ever may your highness yoke together ,
+As I will lend you cause , my doing well
+With my well saying !
+
+'Tis well said again ;
+And 'tis a kind of good deed to say well :
+And yet words are no deeds . My father lov'd you :
+He said he did ; and with his deed did crown
+His word upon you . Since I had my office ,
+I have kept you next my heart ; have not alone
+Employ'd you where high profits might come home ,
+But par'd my present havings , to bestow
+My bounties upon you .
+
+What should this mean ?
+
+The Lord increase this business !
+
+Have I not made you
+The prime man of the state ? I pray you , tell me
+If what I now pronounce you have found true ;
+And if you may confess it , say withal ,
+If you are bound to us or no . What say you ?
+
+My sovereign , I confess your royal graces ,
+Shower'd on me daily , have been more than could
+My studied purposes requite ; which went
+Beyond all man's endeavours : my endeavours
+Have ever come too short of my desires ,
+Yet fil'd with my abilities . Mine own ends
+Have been mine so , that evermore they pointed
+To the good of your most sacred person and
+The profit of the state . For your great graces
+Heap'd upon me , poor undeserver , I
+Can nothing render but allegiant thanks ,
+My prayers to heaven for you , my loyalty ,
+Which ever has and ever shall be growing ,
+Till death , that winter , kill it .
+
+Fairly answer'd ;
+A loyal and obedient subject is
+Therein illustrated ; the honour of it
+Does pay the act of it , as , i' the contrary ,
+The foulness is the punishment . I presume
+That as my hand has open'd bounty to you ,
+My heart dropp'd love , my power rain'd honour , more
+On you than any ; so your hand and heart ,
+Your brain , and every function of your power ,
+Should , notwithstanding that your bond of duty ,
+As 'twere in love's particular , be more
+To me , your friend , than any .
+
+I do profess ,
+That for your highness' good I ever labour'd
+More than mine own ; that am , have , and will be .
+Though all the world should crack their duty to you ,
+And throw it from their soul ; though perils did
+Abound as thick as thought could make 'em , and
+Appear in forms more horrid , yet my duty ,
+As doth a rock against the chiding flood ,
+Should the approach of this wild river break ,
+And stand unshaken yours .
+
+'Tis nobly spoken .
+Take notice , lords , he has a loyal breast ,
+For you have seen him open't . Read o'er this ;
+
+And after , this : and then to breakfast with
+What appetite you have .
+
+
+What should this mean ?
+What sudden anger's this ? how have I reap'd it ?
+He parted frowning from me , as if ruin
+Leap'd from his eyes : so looks the chafed lion
+Upon the daring huntsman that has gall'd him ;
+Then makes him nothing . I must read this paper ;
+I fear , the story of his anger . 'Tis so ;
+This paper has undone me ! 'Tis the account
+Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together
+For mine own ends ; indeed , to gain the popedom ,
+And fee my friends in Rome . O negligence !
+Fit for a fool to fall by : what cross devil
+Made me put this main secret in the packet
+I sent the king ? Is there no way to cure this ?
+No new device to beat this from his brains ?
+I know 'twill stir him strongly ; yet I know
+A way , if it take right , in spite of fortune
+Will bring me off again . What's this ?'To the Pope !'
+The letter , as I live , with all the business
+I writ to's holiness . Nay then , farewell !
+I have touch'd the highest point of all my greatness ;
+And from that full meridian of my glory ,
+I haste now to my setting : I shall fall
+Like a bright exhalation in the evening ,
+And no man see me more .
+
+
+Hear the king's pleasure , cardinal : who commands you
+To render up the great seal presently
+Into our hands ; and to confine yourself
+To Asher-house , my Lord of Winchester's ,
+Till you hear further from his highness .
+
+Stay ,
+Where's your commission , lord ? words cannot carry
+Authority so weighty .
+
+Who dare cross 'em ,
+Bearing the king's will from his mouth expressly ?
+
+Till I find more than will or words to do it ,
+I mean your malice , know , officious lords ,
+I dare and must deny it . Now I feel
+Of what coarse metal ye are moulded , envy :
+How eagerly ye follow my disgraces ,
+As if it fed ye ! and how sleek and wanton
+Ye appear in every thing may bring my ruin
+Follow your envious courses , men of malice ;
+You have Christian warrant for 'em , and , no doubt ,
+In time will find their fit rewards . That seal
+You ask with such a violence , the king
+Mine and your master with his own hand gave me ;
+Bade me enjoy it with the place and honours
+During my life ; and to confirm his goodness ,
+Tied it by letters-patents : now who'll take it ?
+
+The king , that gave it .
+
+It must be himself then .
+
+Thou art a proud traitor , priest .
+
+Proud lord , thou liest :
+Within these forty hours Surrey durst better
+Have burnt that tongue than said so .
+
+Thy ambition ,
+Thou scarlet sin , robb'd this bewailing land
+Of noble Buckingham , my father-in-law :
+The heads of all thy brother cardinals
+With thee and all thy best parts bound together
+Weigh'd not a hair of his . Plague of your policy !
+You sent me deputy for Ireland ,
+Far from his succour , from the king , from all
+That might have mercy on the fault thou gav'st him ;
+Whilst your great goodness , out of holy pity ,
+Absolv'd him with an axe .
+
+This and all else
+This talking lord can lay upon my credit ,
+I answer is most false . The duke by law
+Found his deserts : how innocent I was
+From any private malice in his end ,
+His noble jury and foul cause can witness .
+If I lov'd many words , lord , I should tell you ,
+You have as little honesty as honour ,
+That in the way of loyalty and truth
+Toward the king , my ever royal master ,
+Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be ,
+And all that love his follies .
+
+By my soul ,
+Your long coat , priest , protects you ; thou shouldst feel
+My sword i' the life-blood of thee else . My lords ,
+Can ye endure to hear this arrogance ?
+And from this fellow ? If we live thus tamely ,
+To be thus jaded by a piece of scarlet ,
+Farewell nobility ; let his Grace go forward ,
+And dare us with his cap like larks .
+
+All goodness
+Is poison to thy stomach .
+
+Yes , that goodness
+Of gleaning all the land's wealth into one ,
+Into your own hands , cardinal , by extortion ;
+The goodness of your intercepted packets ,
+You writ to the pope against the king ; your goodness ,
+Since you provoke me , shall be most notorious .
+My Lord of Norfolk , as you are truly noble ,
+As you respect the common good , the state
+Of our despis'd nobility , our issues ,
+Who , if he live , will scarce be gentlemen ,
+Produce the grand sum of his sins , the articles
+Collected from his life ; I'll startle you
+Worse than the sacring bell , when the brown wench
+Lay kissing in your arms , Lord Cardinal .
+
+How much , methinks , I could despise this man ,
+But that I am bound in charity against it !
+
+Those articles , my lord , are in the king's hand ;
+But , thus much , they are foul ones .
+
+So much fairer
+And spotless shall mine innocence arise
+When the king knows my truth .
+
+This cannot save you :
+I thank my memory , I yet remember
+Some of these articles ; and out they shall .
+Now , if you can blush , and cry 'guilty ,' cardinal ,
+You'll show a little honesty .
+
+Speak on , sir ;
+I dare your worst objections ; if I blush ,
+It is to see a nobleman want manners .
+
+I had rather want those than my head . Have at you !
+First , that , without the king's assent or know ledge ,
+You wrought to be a legate ; by which power
+You maim'd the jurisdiction of all bishops .
+
+Then , that in all you writ to Rome , or else
+To foreign princes , Ego et Rex meus
+Was still inscrib'd ; in which you brought the king
+To be your servant .
+
+Then , that without the knowledge
+Either of king or council , when you went
+Ambassador to the emperor , you made bold
+To carry into Flanders the great seal .
+
+Item , you sent a large commission
+To Gregory de Cassado , to conclude ,
+Without the king's will or the state's allowance ,
+A league between his highness and Ferrara .
+
+That , out of mere ambition , you have caus'd
+Your holy hat to be stamp'd on the king's coin .
+
+Then , that you have sent innumerable substance ,
+By what means got I leave to your own conscience ,
+To furnish Rome , and to prepare the ways
+You have for dignities ; to the mere undoing
+Of all the kingdom . Many more there are ;
+Which , since they are of you , and odious ,
+I will not taint my mouth with .
+
+O my lord !
+Press not a falling man too far ; 'tis virtue :
+His faults lie open to the laws ; let them ,
+Not you , correct him . My heart weeps to see him
+So little of his great self .
+
+I forgive him .
+
+Lord Cardinal , the king's further pleasure is ,
+Because all those things you have done of late ,
+By your power legatine , within this kingdom ,
+Fall into the compass of a pr munire ,
+That therefore such a writ be su'd against you ;
+To forfeit all your goods , lands , tenements ,
+Chattels , and whatsoever , and to be
+Out of the king's protection . This is my charge .
+
+And so we'll leave you to your meditations
+How to live better . For your stubborn answer
+About the giving back the great seal to us ,
+The king shall know it , and , no doubt , shall thank you .
+So fare you well , my little good Lord Cardinal .
+
+
+So farewell to the little good you bear me .
+Farewell ! a long farewell , to all my greatness !
+This is the state of man : to-day be puts forth
+The tender leaves of hopes ; to-morrow blossoms ,
+And bears his blushing honours thick upon him ;
+The third day comes a frost , a killing frost ;
+And , when he thinks , good easy man , full surely
+His greatness is a-ripening , nips his root ,
+And then he falls , as I do . I have ventur'd ,
+Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders ,
+This many summers in a sea of glory ,
+But far beyond my depth : my high-blown pride
+At length broke under me , and now has left me ,
+Weary and old with service , to the mercy
+Of a rude stream , that must for ever hide me .
+Vain pomp and glory of this world , I hate yo :
+I feel my heart new open'd . O ! how wretched
+Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours !
+There is , betwixt that smile we would aspire to ,
+That sweet aspect of princes , and their ruin ,
+More pangs and fears than wars or women have ;
+And when he falls , he falls like Lucifer ,
+Never to hope again .
+
+Why , how now , Cromwell !
+
+I have no power to speak , sir .
+
+What ! amaz'd
+At my misfortunes ? can thy spirit wonder
+A great man should decline ? Nay , an you weep ,
+I am fall'n indeed .
+
+How does your Grace ?
+
+Why , well ;
+Never so truly happy , my good Cromwell .
+I know myself now ; and I feel within me
+A peace above all earthly dignities ,
+A still and quiet conscience . The king has cur'd me ,
+I humbly thank his Grace ; and from these shoulders ,
+These ruin'd pillars , out of pity taken
+A load would sink a navy , too much honour :
+O ! 'tis a burden , Cromwell , 'tis a burden
+Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven .
+
+I am glad your Grace has made that right use of it .
+
+I hope I have : I am able now , methinks ,
+Out of a fortitude of soul I feel ,
+To endure more miseries and greater far
+Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer .
+What news abroad ?
+
+The heaviest and the worst ,
+Is your displeasure with the king .
+
+God bless him !
+
+The next is , that Sir Thomas More is chosen
+Lord Chancellor in your place .
+
+That's somewhat sudden :
+But he's a learned man . May he continue
+Long in his highness' favour , and do justice
+For truth's sake and his conscience ; that his bones ,
+When he has run his course and sleeps in blessings ,
+May have a tomb of orphans' tears wept on 'em !
+What more ?
+
+That Cranmer is return'd with welcome ,
+Install'd Lord Archbishop of Canterbury .
+
+That's news indeed .
+
+Last , that the Lady Anne ,
+Whom the king hath in secrecy long married ,
+This day was view'd in open , as his queen ,
+Going to chapel ; and the voice is now
+Only about her coronation .
+
+There was the weight that pull'd me down . O Cromwell !
+The king has gone beyond me : all my glories
+In that one woman I have lost for ever .
+No sun shall ever usher forth mine honours ,
+Or gild again the noble troops that waited
+Upon my smiles . Go , get thee from me , Cromwell ;
+I am a poor fall'n man , unworthy now
+To be thy lord and master : seek the king ;
+That sun , I pray , may never set !I have told him
+What , and how true thou art : he will advance thee ;
+Some little memory of me will stir him
+I know his noble nature not to let
+Thy hopeful service perish too . Good Cromwell ,
+Neglect him not ; make use now , and provide
+For thine own future safety .
+
+O my lord !
+Must I then , leave you ? must I needs forego
+So good , so noble , and so true a master ?
+Bear witness all that have not hearts of iron ,
+With what a sorrow Cromwell leaves his lord .
+The king shall have my service ; but my prayers
+For ever and for ever , shall be yours .
+
+Cromwell , I did not think to shed a tear
+In all my miseries ; but thou hast forc'd me ,
+Out of thy honest truth , to play the woman .
+Let's dry our eyes : and thus far hear me , Cromwell ;
+And , when I am forgotten , as I shall be ,
+And sleep in dull cold marble , where no mention
+Of me more must be heard of , say , I taught thee ,
+Say , Wolsey , that once trod the ways of glory ,
+And sounded all the depths and shoals of honour ,
+Found thee a way , out of his wrack , to rise in ;
+A sure and safe one , though thy master miss'd it .
+Mark but my fall , and that that ruin'd me .
+Cromwell , I charge thee , fling away ambition :
+By that sin fell the angels ; how can man then ,
+The image of his Maker , hope to win by't ?
+Love thyself last : cherish those hearts that hate thee ;
+Corruption wins not more than honesty .
+Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace ,
+To silence envious tongues : be just , and fear not .
+Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's ,
+Thy God's , and truth's ; then if thou fall'st , O Cromwell !
+Thou fall'st a blessed martyr . Serve the king ;
+And ,prithee , lead me in :
+There take an inventory of all I have ,
+To the last penny ; 'tis the king's : my robe ,
+And my integrity to heaven is all
+I dare now call mine own . O Cromwell , Cromwell !
+Had I but serv'd my God with half the zeal
+I serv'd my king , he would not in mine age
+Have left me naked to mine enemies .
+
+Good sir , have patience .
+
+So I have . Farewell
+The hopes of court ! my hopes in heaven do dwell .
+
+
+You're well met once again .
+
+So are you .
+
+You come to take your stand here , and behold
+The Lady Anne pass from her coronation ?
+
+'Tis all my business . At our last encounter
+The Duke of Buckingham came from his trial .
+
+'Tis very true : but that time offer'd sorrow ;
+This , general joy .
+
+'Tis well : the citizens ,
+I am sure , have shown at full their royal minds ,
+As , let 'em have their rights , they are ever forward ,
+In celebration of this day with shows ,
+Pageants , and sights of honour .
+
+Never greater ;
+Nor , I'll assure you , better taken , sir .
+
+May I be bold to ask what that contains ,
+That paper in your hand ?
+
+Yes ; 'tis the list
+Of those that claim their offices this day
+By custom of the coronation .
+The Duke of Suffolk is the first , and claims
+To be high-steward ; next , the Duke of Norfolk ,
+He to be earl marshal : you may read the rest .
+
+I thank you , sir : had I not known those customs ,
+I should have been beholding to your paper .
+But , I beseech you , what's become of Katharine ,
+The princess dowager ? how goes her business ?
+
+That I can tell you too . The Archbishop
+Of Canterbury , accompanied with other
+Learned and reverend fathers of his order ,
+Held a late court at Dunstable , six miles off
+From Ampthill , where the princess lay ; to which
+She was often cited by them , but appear'd not :
+And , to be short , for not appearance and
+The king's late scruple , by the main assent
+Of all these learned men she was divorc'd ,
+And the late marriage made of none effect :
+Since which she was remov'd to Kimbolton ,
+Where she remains now sick .
+
+Alas ! good lady !
+
+The trumpets sound : stand close , the queen is coming .
+
+A lively flourish of trumpets .
+
+
+1. Two Judges .
+2 Lord Chancellor , with the purse and mace before him .
+3. Choristers , singing .
+
+
+4. Mayor of London , bearing the mace . Then Garter , in his coat of arms , and on his head a gilt copper crown .
+5.
+
+6.
+
+7. A canopy borne by four of the Cinque-ports ; under it , the
+
+8. The old
+9. Certain Ladies or Countesses , with plain circlets of gold without flowers .
+They pass over the stage in order and state .
+
+
+A royal train , believe me . These I know ;
+Who's that that bears the sceptre ?
+
+Marquess Dorset :
+And that the Earl of Surrey with the rod .
+
+A bold brave gentleman . That should be
+The Duke of Suffolk ?
+
+'Tis the same ; high-steward .
+
+And that my Lord of Norfolk ?
+
+Yes .
+
+Heaven bless thee !
+Thou hast the sweetest face I ever look'd on .
+Sir , as I have a soul , she is an angel ;
+Our king has all the Indies in his arms ,
+And more and richer , when he strains that lady :
+I cannot blame his conscience .
+
+They that bear
+The cloth of honour over her , are four barons
+Of the Cinque-ports .
+
+Those men are happy ; and so are all are near her .
+I take it , she that carries up the train
+Is that old noble lady , Duchess of Norfolk .
+
+It is ; and all the rest are countesses .
+
+Their coronets say so . These are stars indeed ;
+And sometimes falling ones .
+
+No more of that .
+
+
+God save you , sir ! Where have you been broiling ?
+
+Among the crowd i' the Abbey ; where a finger
+Could not be wedg'd in more : I am stifled
+With the mere rankness of their joy .
+
+You saw
+The ceremony ?
+
+That I did .
+
+How was it ?
+
+Well worth the seeing .
+
+Good sir , speak it to us .
+
+As well as I am able . The rich stream
+Of lords and ladies , having brought the queen
+To a prepar'd place in the choir , fell off
+A distance from her ; while her Grace sat down
+To rest awhile , some half an hour or so ,
+In a rich chair of state , opposing freely
+The beauty of her person to the people .
+Believe me , sir , she is the goodliest woman
+That ever lay by man : which when the people
+Had the full view of , such a noise arose
+As the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest ,
+As loud , and to as many tunes : hats , cloaks ,
+Doublets , I think ,flew up ; and had their faces
+Been loose , this day they had been lost . Such joy
+I never saw before . Great-bellied women ,
+That had not half a week to go , like rams
+In the old time of war , would shake the press ,
+And make 'em reel before them . No man living
+Could say , 'This is my wife ,' there ; all were woven
+So strangely in one piece .
+
+But , what follow'd ?
+
+At length her Grace rose , and with modest paces
+Came to the altar ; where she kneel'd , and , saint-like ,
+Cast her fair eyes to heaven and pray'd devoutly .
+Then rose again and bow'd her to the people :
+When by the Archbishop of Canterbury
+She had all the royal makings of a queen ;
+As holy oil , Edward Confessor's crown ,
+The rod , and bird of peace , and all such emblems
+Laid nobly on her : which perform'd , the choir ,
+With all the choicest music of the kingdom ,
+Together sung Te Deum . So she parted ,
+And with the same full state pac'd back again
+To York-place , where the feast is held .
+
+Sir ,
+You must no more call it York-place , that's past ;
+For , since the cardinal fell , that title's lost :
+'Tis now the king's , and call'd Whitehall .
+
+I know it ;
+But 'tis so lately alter'd that the old name
+Is fresh about me .
+
+What two reverend bishops
+Were those that went on each side of the queen ?
+
+Stokesly and Gardiner ; the one of Winchester ,
+Newly preferr'd from the king's secretary ,
+The other , London .
+
+He of Winchester
+Is held no great good lover of the archbishop's ,
+The virtuous Cranmer .
+
+All the land knows that :
+However , yet there's no great breach ; when it comes ,
+Cranmer will find a friend will not shrink from him .
+
+Who may that be , I pray you ?
+
+Thomas Cromwell :
+A man in much esteem with the king , and truly
+A worthy friend . The king
+Has made him master o' the jewel house ,
+And one , already , of the privy-council .
+
+He will deserve more .
+
+Yes , without all doubt .
+Come , gentlemen , ye shall go my way , which
+Is to the court , and there ye shall be my guests :
+Something I can command . As I walk thither ,
+I'll tell ye more .
+
+You may command us , sir .
+
+
+How does your Grace ?
+
+O Griffith ! sick to death !
+My legs , like loaden branches , bow to the earth ,
+Willing to leave their burden . Reach a chair :
+So ; now , methinks , I feel a little ease .
+Didst thou not tell me , Griffith , as thou ledd'st me ,
+That the great child of honour , Cardinal Wolsey ,
+Was dead ?
+
+Yes , madam ; but I think your Grace ,
+Out of the pain you suffer'd , gave no ear to't .
+
+Prithee , good Griffith , tell me how he died :
+If well , he stepp'd before me , happily ,
+For my example .
+
+Well , the voice goes , madam :
+For after the stout Earl Northumberland
+Arrested him at York , and brought him forward ,
+As a man sorely tainted , to his answer ,
+He fell sick suddenly , and grew so ill
+He could not sit his mule .
+
+Alas ! poor man .
+
+At last , with easy roads , he came to Leicester ;
+Lodg'd in the abbey , where the reverend abbot ,
+With all his covent , honourably receiv'd him :
+To whom he gave these words : 'O ! father abbot ,
+An old man , broken with the storms of state ,
+Is come to lay his weary bones among ye ;
+Give him a little earth for charity .'
+So went to bed , where eagerly his sickness
+Pursu'd him still ; and three nights after this ,
+About the hour of eight ,which he himself
+Foretold should be his last ,full of repentance ,
+Continual meditations , tears , and sorrows ,
+He gave his honours to the world again ,
+His blessed part to heaven , and slept in peace .
+
+So may he rest ; his faults lie gently on him !
+Yet thus far , Griffith , give me leave to speak him ,
+And yet with charity . He was a man
+Of an unbounded stomach , ever ranking
+Himself with princes ; one , that by suggestion
+Tied all the kingdom ; simony was fair-play ;
+His own opinion was his law ; i' the presence
+He would say untruths , and be ever double
+Both in his words and meaning . He was never ,
+But where he meant to ruin , pitiful ;
+His promises were , as he then was , mighty ;
+But his performance , as he is now , nothing :
+Of his own body he was ill , and gave
+The clergy ill example .
+
+Noble madam ,
+Men's evil manners live in brass ; their virtues
+We write in water . May it please your highness
+To hear me speak his good now ?
+
+Yes , good Griffith ,
+I were malicious else .
+
+This cardinal ,
+Though from a humble stock , undoubtedly
+Was fashion'd to much honour from his cradle .
+He was a scholar , and a ripe and good one ;
+Exceeding wise , fair-spoken , and persuading ;
+Lofty and sour to them that lov'd him not ;
+But , to those men that sought him sweet as summer .
+And though he were unsatisfied in getting ,
+Which was a sin ,yet in bestowing , madam ,
+He was most princely . Ever witness for him
+Those twins of learning that he rais'd in you ,
+Ipswich , and Oxford ! one of which fell with him ,
+Unwilling to outlive the good that did it ;
+The other , though unfinish'd , yet so famous ,
+So excellent in art , and still so rising ,
+That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue .
+His overthrow heap'd happiness upon him ;
+For then , and not till then , he felt himself ,
+And found the blessedness of being little :
+And , to add greater honours to his age
+Than man could give him , he died fearing God .
+
+After my death I wish no other herald ,
+No other speaker of my living actions ,
+To keep mine honour from corruption ,
+But such an honest chronicler as Griffith .
+Whom I most hated living , thou hast made me ,
+With thy religious truth and modesty ,
+Now in his ashes honour . Peace be with him !
+Patience , be near me still ; and set me lower :
+I have not long to trouble thee . Good Griffith ,
+Cause the musicians play me that sad note
+I nam'd my knell , whilst I sit meditating
+On that celestial harmony I go to .
+
+
+She is asleep : good wench , let's sit down quiet ,
+For fear we wake her : softly , gentle Patience .
+
+
+Spirits of peace , where are ye ? Are ye all gone ,
+And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye ?
+
+Madam , we are here .
+
+It is not you I call for :
+Saw ye none enter since I slept ?
+
+None , madam .
+
+No ? Saw you not , even now , a blessed troop
+Invite me to a banquet ; whose bright faces
+Cast thousand beams upon me , like the sun ?
+They promis'd me eternal happiness ,
+And brought me garlands , Griffith , which I feel
+I am not worthy yet to wear : I shall assuredly .
+
+I am most joyful , madam , such good dreams
+Possess your fancy .
+
+Bid the music leave ,
+They are harsh and heavy to me .
+
+
+Do you note
+How much her Grace is alter'd on the sudden ?
+How long her face is drawn ? How pale she looks ,
+And of an earthy cold ? Mark her eyes !
+
+She is going , wench . Pray , pray .
+
+Heaven comfort her !
+
+
+An't like your Grace ,
+
+You are a saucy fellow :
+Deserve we no more reverence ?
+
+You are to blame ,
+Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness ,
+To use so rude behaviour ; go to , kneel .
+
+I humbly do entreat your highness pardon ;
+My haste made me unmannerly . There is staying
+A gentleman , sent from the king , to see you .
+
+Admit him entrance , Griffith : but this fellow
+Let me ne'er see again .
+
+If my sight fail not ,
+You should be lord ambassador from the emperor ,
+
+My royal nephew , and your name Capucius .
+
+Madam , the same ; your servant .
+
+O my lord !
+The times and titles now are alter'd strangely
+With me since first you knew me . But , I pray you ,
+What is your pleasure with me ?
+
+Noble lady ,
+First , mine own service to your Grace ; the next ,
+The king's request that I would visit you ;
+Who grieves much for your weakness , and by me
+Sends you his princely commendations ,
+And heartily entreats you take good comfort .
+
+O ! my good lord , that comfort comes too late ;
+'Tis like a pardon after execution :
+That gentle physic , given in time , had cur'd me ;
+But now I am past all comforts here but prayers .
+How does his highness ?
+
+Madam , in good health .
+
+So may he ever do ! and ever flourish ,
+When I shall dwell with worms , and my poor name
+Banish'd the kingdom . Patience , is that letter
+I caus'd you write , yet sent away ?
+
+No , madam .
+
+
+Sir , I most humbly pray you to deliver
+This to my lord the king .
+
+Most willing , madam .
+
+In which I have commended to his goodness
+The model of our chaste loves , his young daughter :
+The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her !
+Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding ,
+She is young , and of a noble modest nature ,
+I hope she will deserve well ,and a little
+To love her for her mother's sake , that lov'd him ,
+Heaven knows how dearly . My next poor petition
+Is , that his noble Grace would have some pity
+Upon my wretched women , that so long
+Have follow'd both my fortunes faithfully :
+Of which there is not one , I dare avow ,
+And now I should not lie ,but will deserve ,
+For virtue , and true beauty of the soul ,
+For honesty and decent carriage ,
+A right good husband , let him be a noble ;
+And , sure , those men are happy that shall have 'em .
+The last is , for my men : they are the poorest ,
+But poverty could never draw 'em from me ;
+That they may have their wages duly paid 'em ,
+And something over to remember me by :
+If heaven had pleas'd to have given me longer life
+And able means , we had not parted thus .
+These are the whole contents : and , good my lord ,
+By that you love the dearest in this world ,
+As you wish Christian peace to souls departed ,
+Stand these poor people's friend , and urge the king
+To do me this last right .
+
+By heaven , I will ,
+Or let me lose the fashion of a man !
+
+I thank you , honest lord . Remember me
+In all humility unto his highness :
+Say his long trouble now is passing
+Out of this world ; tell him , in death I bless'd him ;
+For so I will . Mine eyes grow dim . Farewell ,
+My lord . Griffith , farewell . Nay , Patience ,
+You must not leave me yet : I must to bed ;
+Call in more women . When I am dead , good wench ,
+Let me be us'd with honour : strew me over
+With maiden flowers , that all the world may know
+I was a chaste wife to my grave : embalm me ,
+Then lay me forth : although unqueen'd , yet like
+A queen , and daughter to a king , inter me .
+I can no more .
+
+
+It's one o'clock , boy , is't not ?
+
+It hath struck .
+
+These should be hours for necessities ,
+Not for delights ; times to repair our nature
+With comforting repose , and not for us
+To waste these times . Good hour of night , Sir Thomas !
+Whither so late ?
+
+Came you from the king , my lord ?
+
+I did , Sir Thomas ; and left him at primero
+With the Duke of Suffolk .
+
+I must to him too ,
+Before he go to bed . I'll take my leave .
+
+Not yet , Sir Thomas Lovell . What 's the matter ?
+It seems you are in haste : an if there be
+No great offence belongs to't , give your friend
+Some touch of your late business : affairs , that walk
+As they say spirits do at midnight , have
+In them a wilder nature than the business
+That seeks dispatch by day .
+
+My lord , I love you ,
+And durst commend a secret to your ear
+Much weightier than this work . The queen's in labour ,
+They say , in great extremity ; and fear'd
+She'll with the labour end .
+
+The fruit she goes with
+I pray for heartily , that it may find
+Good time , and live : but for the stock , Sir Thomas ,
+I wish it grubb'd up now .
+
+Methinks I could
+Cry the amen ; and yet my conscience says
+She's a good creature , and , sweet lady , does
+Deserve our better wishes .
+
+But , sir , sir ,
+Hear me , Sir Thomas : you're a gentleman
+Of mine own way ; I know you wise , religious ;
+And , let me tell you , it will ne'er be well ,
+'Twill not , Sir Thomas Lovell , take 't of me ,
+Till Cranmer , Cromwell , her two hands , and she ,
+Sleep in their graves .
+
+Now , sir , you speak of two
+The most remark'd i' the kingdom . As for Cromwell ,
+Beside that of the jewel-house , is made master
+O' the rolls , and the king's secretary ; further , sir ,
+Stands in the gap and trade of moe preferments ,
+With which the time will load him . The archbishop
+Is the king's hand and tongue ; and who dare speak
+One syllable against him ?
+
+Yes , yes , Sir Thomas ,
+There are that dare ; and I myself have ventur'd
+To speak my mind of him : and indeed this day ,
+Sir ,I may tell it you ,I think I have
+Incens'd the lords o' the council that he is
+For so I know he is , they know he is
+A most arch heretic , a pestilence
+That does infect the land : with which they mov'd
+Have broken with the king ; who hath so far
+Given ear to our complaint ,of his great grace
+And princely care , foreseeing those fell mischiefs
+Our reasons laid before him ,hath commanded
+To-morrow morning to the council-board
+He be convented . He's a rank weed , Sir Thomas ,
+And we must root him out . From your affairs
+I hinder you too long : good-night , Sir Thomas !
+
+Many good-nights , my lord . I rest your servant .
+
+Charles , I will play no more to-night ;
+My mind's not on't ; you are too hard for me .
+
+Sir , I did never win of you before .
+
+But little , Charles ;
+Nor shall not when my fancy's on my play .
+Now , Lovell , from the queen what is the news ?
+
+I could not personally deliver to her
+What you commanded me , but by her woman
+I sent your message ; who return'd her thanks
+In the great'st humbleness , and desir'd your highness
+Most heartily to pray for her .
+
+What sayst thou , ha ?
+To pray for her ? what ! is she crying out ?
+
+So said her woman ; and that her sufferance made
+Almost each pang a death .
+
+Alas ! good lady .
+
+God safely quit her of her burden , and
+With gentle travail , to the gladding of
+Your highness with an heir !
+
+'Tis midnight , Charles ;
+Prithee , to bed ; and in thy prayers remember
+The estate of my poor queen . Leave me alone ;
+For I must think of that which company
+Would not be friendly to .
+
+I wish your highness
+A quiet night ; and my good mistress will
+Remember in my prayers .
+
+Charles , good-night .
+
+
+Well , Sir , what follows ?
+
+Sir , I have brought my lord the archbishop ,
+As you commanded me .
+
+Ha ! Canterbury ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+'Tis true : where is he , Denny ?
+
+He attends your highness' pleasure .
+
+Bring him to us .
+
+
+This is about that which the bishop spake :
+I am happily come hither .
+
+
+Avoid the gallery .
+
+Ha ! I have said . Begone .
+What !
+
+
+I am fearful . Wherefore frowns he thus ?
+'Tis his aspect of terror : all's not well .
+
+How now , my lord ! You do desire to know
+Wherefore I sent for you .
+
+It is my duty
+To attend your highness' pleasure .
+
+Pray you , arise ,
+My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury .
+Come , you and I must walk a turn together ;
+I have news to tell you : come , come , give me your hand .
+Ah ! my good lord , I grieve at what I speak ,
+And am right sorry to repeat what follows .
+I have , and most unwillingly , of late
+Heard many grievous , I do say , my lord ,
+Grievous complaints of you ; which , being consider'd ,
+Have mov'd us and our council , that you shall
+This morning come before us ; where , I know ,
+You cannot with such freedom purge yourself ,
+But that , till further trial in those charges
+Which will require your answer , you must take
+Your patience to you , and be well contented
+To make your house our Tower : you a brother of us ,
+It fits we thus proceed , or else no witness
+Would come against you .
+
+I humbly thank your highness ;
+And am right glad to catch this good occasion
+Most throughly to be winnow'd , where my chaff
+And corn shall fly asunder ; for I know
+There's none stands under more calumnious tongues
+Than I myself , poor man .
+
+Stand up , good Canterbury :
+Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted
+In us , thy friend : give me thy hand , stand up :
+Prithee , let's walk . Now , by my holidame ,
+What manner of man are you ? My lord , I look'd
+You would have given me your petition , that
+I should have ta'en some pains to bring together
+Yourself and your accusers ; and to have heard you ,
+Without indurance , further .
+
+Most dread liege ,
+The good I stand on is my truth and honesty :
+If they shall fail , I , with mine enemies ,
+Will triumph o'er my person ; which I weigh not ,
+Being of those virtues vacant . I fear nothing
+What can be said against me .
+
+Know you not
+How your state stands i' the world , with the whole world ?
+Your enemies are many , and not small ; their practices
+Must bear the same proportion ; and not ever
+The justice and the truth o' the question carries
+The due o' the verdict with it . At what ease
+Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
+To swear against you ? such things have been done .
+You are potently oppos'd , and with a malice
+Of as great size . Ween you of better luck ,
+I mean in perjur'd witness , than your master ,
+Whose minister you are , whiles here he liv'd
+Upon this naughty earth ? Go to , go to ;
+You take a precipice for no leap of danger ,
+And woo your own destruction .
+
+God and your majesty
+Protect mine innocence ! or I fall into
+The trap is laid for me !
+
+Be of good cheer ;
+They shall no more prevail than we give way to .
+Keep comfort to you ; and this morning see
+You do appear before them . If they shall chance ,
+In charging you with matters , to commit you ,
+The best persuasions to the contrary
+Fail not to use , and with what vehemency
+The occasion shall instruct you : if entreaties
+Will render you no remedy , this ring
+Deliver them , and your appeal to us
+There make before them . Look ! the good man weeps ;
+He's honest , on mine honour . God's blest mother !
+I swear he is true-hearted ; and a soul
+None better in my kingdom . Get you gone ,
+And do as I have bid you .
+
+He has strangled
+His language in his tears .
+
+
+Come back : what mean you ?
+
+I'll not come back ; the tidings that I bring
+Will make my boldness manners . Now , good angels
+Fly o'er thy royal head , and shade thy person
+Under their blessed wings !
+
+Now , by thy looks
+I guess thy message . Is the queen deliver'd ?
+Say , ay ; and of a boy .
+
+Ay , ay , my liege ;
+And of a lovely boy : the God of heaven
+Both now and ever bless her ! 'tis a girl ,
+Promises boys hereafter . Sir , your queen
+Desires your visitation , and to be
+Acquainted with this stranger : 'tis as like you
+As cherry is to cherry .
+
+Lovell !
+
+
+Sir !
+
+Give her a hundred marks . I'll to the queen .
+
+
+A hundred marks ! By this light , I'll ha' more .
+An ordinary groom is for such payment :
+I will have more , or scold it out of him .
+Said I for this the girl was like to him ?
+I will have more , or else unsay't ; and now ,
+While it is hot , I'll put it to the issue .
+
+
+I hope I am not too late ; and yet the gentleman ,
+That was sent to me from the council , pray'd me
+To make great haste . All fast ? what means this ? Ho !
+Who waits there ?
+
+Sure , you know me ?
+
+Yes , my lord ;
+But yet I cannot help you .
+
+Why ?
+
+Your Grace must wait till you be call'd for .
+
+
+So .
+
+This is a piece of malice . I am glad
+I came this way so happily : the king
+Shall understand it presently .
+
+'Tis Butts ,
+The king's physician . As he past along ,
+How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me .
+Pray heaven he sound not my disgrace ! For certain ,
+This is of purpose laid by some that hate me ,
+God turn their hearts ! I never sought their malice ,
+To quench mine honour : they would shame to make me
+Wait else at door , a fellow-counsellor ,
+'Mong boys , grooms , and lackeys . But their pleasures
+Must be fulfill'd , and I attend with patience .
+
+
+I'll show your Grace the strangest sight ,
+
+What's that , Butts ?
+
+I think your highness saw this many a day .
+
+Body o' me , where is it ?
+
+There , my lord ,
+The high promotion of his Grace of Canterbury ;
+Who holds his state at door , 'mongst pursuivants ,
+Pages , and footboys .
+
+Ha ! 'Tis he , indeed :
+Is this the honour they do one another ?
+'Tis well there's one above 'em yet . I had thought
+They had parted so much honesty among 'em ,
+At least , good manners ,as not thus to suffer
+A man of his place , and so near our favour ,
+To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasures ,
+And at the door too , like a post with packets .
+By holy Mary , Butts , there's knavery :
+Let 'em alone , and draw the curtain close ;
+We shall hear more anon .
+
+
+Speak to the business , Master secretary :
+Why are we met in council ?
+
+Please your honours ,
+The chief cause concerns his Grace of Canterbury .
+
+Has he had knowledge of it ?
+
+Yes .
+
+Who waits there ?
+
+Without , my noble lords ?
+
+Yes .
+
+My lord archbishop :
+And has done half-an-hour , to know your pleasures .
+
+Let him come in .
+
+Your Grace may enter now .
+
+
+My good lord archbishop , I'm very sorry
+To sit here at this present and behold
+That chair stand empty : but we all are men ,
+In our own natures frail , and capable
+Of our flesh ; few are angels : out of which frailty
+And want of wisdom , you , that best should teach us ,
+Have misdemean'd yourself , and not a little ,
+Toward the king first , then his laws , in filling
+The whole realm , by your teaching and your chaplains ,
+For so we are inform'd ,with new opinions ,
+Divers and dangerous ; which are heresies ,
+And , not reform'd , may prove pernicious .
+
+Which reformation must be sudden too ,
+My noble lords ; for those that tame wild horses
+Pace 'em not in their hands to make 'em gentle ,
+But stop their mouths with stubborn bits , and spur 'em ,
+Till they obey the manage . If we suffer
+Out of our easiness and childish pity
+To one man's honour this contagious sickness ,
+Farewell all physic : and what follows then ?
+Commotions , uproars , with a general taint
+Of the whole state : as , of late days , our neighbours ,
+The upper Germany , can dearly witness ,
+Yet freshly pitied in our memories .
+
+My good lords , hitherto in all the progress
+Both of my life and office , I have labour'd ,
+And with no little study , that my teaching
+And the strong course of my authority
+Might go one way , and safely ; and the end
+Was ever , to do well : nor is there living ,
+I speak it with a single heart , my lords ,
+A man that more detests , more stirs against ,
+Both in his private conscience and his place ,
+Defacers of a public peace , than I do .
+Pray heaven the king may never find a heart
+With less allegiance in it ! Men , that make
+Envy and crooked malice nourishment
+Dare bite the best . I do beseech your lordships
+That , in this case of justice , my accusers ,
+Be what they will , may stand forth face to face ,
+And freely urge against me .
+
+Nay , my lord ,
+That cannot be : you are a counsellor ,
+And by that virtue no man dare accuse you .
+
+My lord , because we have business of more moment ,
+We will be short with you . 'Tis his highness' pleasure ,
+And our consent , for better trial of you ,
+From hence you be committed to the Tower ;
+Where , being but a private man again ,
+You shall know many dare accuse you boldly ,
+More than , I fear , you are provided for .
+
+Ah ! my good Lord of Winchester , I thank you ;
+You are always my good friend : if your will pass ,
+I shall both find your lordship judge and juror ,
+You are so merciful . I see your end ;
+'Tis my undoing : love and meekness , lord ,
+Become a churchman better than ambition :
+Win straying souls with modesty again ,
+Cast none away . That I shall clear myself ,
+Lay all the weight ye can upon my patience ,
+I make as little doubt , as you do conscience ,
+In doing daily wrongs . I could say more ,
+But reverence to your calling makes me modest .
+
+My lord , my lord , you are a sectary ;
+That's the plain truth : your painted gloss discovers ,
+To men that understand you , words and weakness .
+
+My Lord of Winchester , you are a little ,
+By your good favour , too sharp ; men so noble ,
+However faulty , yet should find respect
+For what they have been : 'tis a cruelty
+To load a falling man .
+
+Good Master secretary ,
+I cry your honour mercy , you may , worst
+Of all this table , say so .
+
+Why , my lord ?
+
+Do not I know you for a favourer
+Of this new sect ? ye are not sound .
+
+Not sound ?
+
+Not sound , I say .
+
+Would you were half so honest !
+Men's prayers then would seek you , not their fears .
+
+I shall remember this bold language .
+
+Do .
+Remember your bold life too .
+
+This is too much ;
+Forbear , for shame , my lords .
+
+I have done .
+
+And I .
+
+Then thus for you , my lord : it stands agreed ,
+I take it , by all voices , that forthwith
+You be convey'd to the Tower a prisoner ;
+There to remain till the king's further pleasure
+Be known unto us . Are you all agreed , lords ?
+
+We are .
+
+Is there no other way of mercy ,
+But I must needs to the Tower , my lords ?
+
+What other
+Would you expect ? You are strangely troublesome .
+Let some o' the guard be ready there .
+
+
+For me ?
+Must I go like a traitor thither ?
+
+Receive him ,
+And see him safe i' the Tower .
+
+Stay , good my lords ;
+I have a little yet to say . Look there , my lords ;
+By virtue of that ring I take my cause
+Out of the gripes of cruel men , and give it
+To a most noble judge , the king my master .
+
+This is the king's ring .
+
+'Tis no counterfeit .
+
+'Tis the right ring , by heaven ! I told ye all ,
+When we first put this dangerous stone a-rolling ,
+'Twould fall upon ourselves .
+
+Do you think , my lords ,
+The king will suffer but the little finger
+Of this man to be vex'd ?
+
+'Tis now too certain :
+How much more is his life in value with him ?
+Would I were fairly out on't .
+
+My mind gave me ,
+In seeking tales and informations
+Against this man whose honesty the devil
+And his disciples only envy at
+Ye blew the fire that burns ye : now have at ye !
+
+
+Dread sovereign , how much are we bound to heaven
+In daily thanks , that gave us such a prince ;
+Not only good and wise , but most religious :
+One that in all obedience makes the Church
+The chief aim of his honour ; and , to strengthen
+That holy duty , out of dear respect ,
+His royal self in judgment comes to hear
+The cause betwixt her and this great offender .
+
+You were ever good at sudden commendations ,
+Bishop of Winchester ; but know , I come not
+To hear such flattery now , and in my presence ;
+They are too thin and bare to hide offences .
+To me you cannot reach ; you play the spaniel ,
+And think with wagging of your tongue to win me ;
+But , whatsoe'er thou tak'st me for , I'm sure
+Thou hast a cruel nature and a bloody .
+
+
+Good man , sit down . Now let me see the proudest
+He , that dares most , but wag his finger at thee :
+By all that's holy , he had better starve
+Than but once think this place becomes thee not .
+
+May it please your Grace ,
+
+No , sir , it does not please me .
+I had thought I had had men of some understanding
+And wisdom of my council ; but I find none .
+Was it discretion , lords , to let this man ,
+This good man ,few of you deserve that title ,
+This honest man , wait like a lousy footboy
+At chamber-door ? and one as great as you are ?
+Why , what a shame was this ! Did my commission
+Bid ye so far forget yourselves ? I gave ye
+Power as he was a counsellor to try him ,
+Not as a groom . There's some of ye , I see ,
+More out of malice than integrity ,
+Would try him to the utmost , had ye mean ;
+Which ye shall never have while I live .
+
+Thus far ,
+My most dread sov'reign , may it like your Grace
+To let my tongue excuse all . What was purpos'd
+Concerning his imprisonment , was rather
+If there be faith in men meant for his trial
+And fair purgation to the world , than malice ,
+I'm sure , in me .
+
+Well , well , my lords , respect him ;
+Take him , and use him well ; he's worthy of it .
+I will say thus much for him , if a prince
+May be beholding to a subject , I
+Am , for his love and service , so to him .
+Make me no more ado , but all embrace him :
+Be friends , for shame , my lords ! My Lord of Canterbury ,
+I have a suit which you must not deny me ;
+That is , a fair young maid that yet wants baptism ,
+You must be godfather , and answer for her .
+
+The greatest monarch now alive may glory
+In such an honour : how may I deserve it ,
+That am a poor and humble subject to you ?
+
+Come , come , my lord , you'd spare your spoons : you shall have two noble partners with you ; the old Duchess of Norfolk , and Lady Marquess Dorset : will these please you ?
+Once more , my Lord of Winchester , I charge you ,
+Embrace and love this man .
+
+With a true heart
+And brother-love I do it .
+
+And let heaven
+Witness , how dear I hold this confirmation .
+
+Good man ! those joyful tears show thy true heart :
+The common voice , I see , is verified
+Of thee , which says thus , 'Do my Lord of Canterbury
+A shrewd turn , and he is your friend for ever .'
+Come , lords , we trifle time away ; I long
+To have this young one made a Christian .
+As I have made ye one , lords , one remain ;
+So I grow stronger , you more honour gain .
+
+
+You'll leave your noise anon , ye rascals .
+Do you take the court for Paris-garden ? ye rude slaves , leave your gaping .
+
+
+Good Master porter , I belong to the larder .
+
+Belong to the gallows , and be hanged , you rogue ! Is this a place to roar in ? Fetch me a dozen crab-tree staves , and strong ones : these are but switches to 'em . I'll scratch your heads : you must be seeing christenings ! Do you look for ale and cakes here , you rude rascals ?
+
+Pray , sir , be patient : 'tis as much impossible
+Unless we sweep 'em from the door with cannons
+To scatter 'em , as 'tis to make 'em sleep
+On May-day morning ; which will never be .
+We may as well push against Paul's as stir 'em .
+
+How got they in , and be hang'd ?
+
+Alas , I know not ; how gets the tide in ?
+As much as one sound cudgel of four foot
+You see the poor remainder could distribute ,
+I made no spare , sir .
+
+You did nothing , sir .
+
+I am not Samson , nor Sir Guy , nor Colbrand ,
+To mow 'em down before me ; but if I spar'd any
+That had a head to hit , either young or old ,
+He or she , cuckold or cuckold-maker ,
+Let me ne'er hope to see a chine again ;
+And that I would not for a cow , God save her !
+
+
+Do you hear , Master porter ?
+
+I shall be with you presently , good
+Master puppy . Keep the door close , sirrah .
+
+What would you have me do ?
+
+What should you do , but knock 'em down by the dozens ? Is this Moorfields to muster in ? or have we some strange Indian with the great tool come to court , the women so besiege us ? Bless me , what a fry of fornication is at door ! On my Christian conscience , this one christening will beget a thousand : here will be father , godfather , and all together .
+
+The spoons will be the bigger , sir . There is a fellow somewhat near the door , he should be a brazier by his face , for , o' my conscience , twenty of the dog days now reign in's nose : all that stand about him are under the line , they need no other penance . That fire-drake did I hit three times on the head , and three times was his nose discharged against me : he stands there , like a mortar-piece , to blow us . There was a haberdasher's wife of small wit near him , that railed upon me till her pinked porringer fell off her head , for kindling such a combustion in the state . I missed the meteor once , and hit that woman , who cried out , 'Clubs !' when I might see from far some forty truncheoners draw to her succour , which were the hope o' the Strand , where she was quartered . They fell on ; I made good my place ; at length they came to the broomstaff to me ; I defied 'em still ; when suddenly a file of boys behind 'em , loose shot , delivered such a shower of pebbles , that I was fain to draw mine honour in , and let 'em win the work . The devil was amongst 'em , I think , surely .
+
+These are the youths that thunder at a playhouse , and fight for bitten apples ; that no audience , but the Tribulation of Tower-hill , or the Limbs of Limehouse , their dear brothers , are able to endure . I have some of 'em in Limbo Patrum , and there they are like to dance these three days ; besides the running banquet of two beadles , that is to come .
+
+
+Mercy o' me , what a multitude are here !
+They grow still too , from all parts they are coming ,
+As if we kept a fair here ! Where are these porters ,
+These lazy knaves ? Ye have made a fine hand , fellows :
+There's a trim rabble let in . Are all these
+Your faithful friends o' the suburbs ? We shall have
+Great store of room , no doubt , left for the ladies ,
+When they pass back from the christening .
+
+An't please your honour ,
+We are but men ; and what so many may do ,
+Not being torn a-pieces , we have done :
+An army cannot rule 'em .
+
+As I live ,
+If the king blame me for't , I'll lay ye all
+By the heels , and suddenly ; and on your heads
+Clap round fines for neglect : ye're lazy knaves ;
+And here ye lie baiting of bombards , when
+Ye should do service . Hark ! the trumpets sound ;
+They're come already from the christening .
+Go , break among the press , and find a way out
+To let the troop pass fairly , or I'll find
+A Marshalsea shall hold ye play these two months .
+
+Make way there for the princess .
+
+You great fellow ,
+Stand close up , or I'll make your head ache .
+
+You i' the camlet , get up o' the rail :
+I'll pick you o'er the pales else .
+
+Heaven , from thy endless goodness , send prosperous life , long , and ever happy , to the high and mighty Princess of England , Elizabeth !
+
+
+And to your royal Grace , and the good queen ,
+My noble partners , and myself , thus pray :
+All comfort , joy , in this most gracious lady ,
+Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy ,
+May hourly fall upon ye !
+
+Thank you , good lord archbishop :
+What is her name ?
+
+Elizabeth .
+
+Stand up , lord .
+
+With this kiss take my blessing ; God protect thee !
+Into whose hand I give thy life .
+
+Amen .
+
+My noble gossips , ye have been too prodigal :
+I thank ye heartily : so shall this lady
+When she has so much English .
+
+Let me speak , sir ,
+For heaven now bids me ; and the words I utter
+Let none think flattery , for they'll find 'em truth .
+This royal infant ,heaven still move about her !
+Though in her cradle , yet now promises
+Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings ,
+Which time shall bring to ripeness : she shall be
+But few now living can behold that goodness
+A pattern to all princes living with her ,
+And all that shall succeed : Saba was never
+More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue
+Than this pure soul shall be : all princely graces ,
+That mould up such a mighty piece as this is ,
+With all the virtues that attend the good ,
+Shall still be doubled on her ; truth shall nurse her ;
+Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her ;
+She shall be lov'd and fear'd ; her own shall bless her ;
+Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn ,
+And hang their heads with sorrow ; good grows with her .
+In her days every man shall eat in safety
+Under his own vine what he plants ; and sing
+The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours .
+God shall be truly known ; and those about her
+From her shall read the perfect ways of honour ,
+And by those claim their greatness , not by blood .
+Nor shall this peace sleep with her ; but as when
+The bird of wonder dies , the maiden ph nix ,
+Her ashes new-create another heir
+As great in admiration as herself ,
+So shall she leave her blessedness to one ,
+When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness ,
+Who , from the sacred ashes of her honour ,
+Shall star-like rise , as great in fame as she was ,
+And so stand fix'd . Peace , plenty , love , truth , terror ,
+That were the servants to this chosen infant ,
+Shall then be his , and like a vine grow to him :
+Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine ,
+His honour and the greatness of his name
+Shall be , and make new nations ; he shall flourish ,
+And , like a mountain cedar , reach his branches
+To all the plains about him ; our children's children
+Shall see this , and bless heaven .
+
+Thou speakest wonders .
+
+She shall be , to the happiness of England ,
+An aged princess ; many days shall see her ,
+And yet no day without a deed to crown it .
+Would I had known no more ! but she must die ,
+She must , the saints must have her , yet a virgin ;
+A most unspotted lily shall she pass
+To the ground , and all the world shall mourn her .
+
+O lord archbishop !
+Thou hast made me now a man : never , before
+This happy child , did I get any thing .
+This oracle of comfort has so pleas'd me ,
+That when I am in heaven , I shall desire
+To see what this child does , and praise my Maker .
+I thank ye all . To you , my good Lord Mayor ,
+And your good brethren , I am much beholding ;
+I have receiv'd much honour by your presence ,
+And ye shall find me thankful . Lead the way , lords :
+Ye must all see the queen , and she must thank ye ;
+She will be sick else . This day , no man think
+He has business at his house ; for all shall stay :
+This little one shall make it holiday .
+
+
+'Tis ten to one , this play can never please
+All that are here : some come to take their ease
+And sleep an act or two ; but those , we fear ,
+We've frighted with our trumpets ; so , 'tis clear
+They'll say 'tis naught : others , to hear the city
+Abus'd extremely , and to cry , 'That's witty !'
+Which we have not done neither : that , I fear ,
+All the expected good we're like to hear
+For this play at this time , is only in
+The merciful construction of good women ;
+For such a one we show'd 'em : if they smile ,
+And say 'twill do , I know , within a while
+All the best men are ours ; for 'tis ill hap
+If they hold when their ladies bid 'em clap .
+
+THE FIRST PART OF KING HENRY IV
+
+So shaken as we are , so wan with care ,
+Find we a time for frighted peace to pant ,
+And breathe short-winded accents of new broils
+To be commenc'd in stronds afar remote .
+No more the thirsty entrance of this soil
+Shall daub her lips with her own children's blood ;
+No more shall trenching war channel her fields ,
+Nor bruise her flowerets with the armed hoofs
+Of hostile paces : those opposed eyes ,
+Which , like the meteors of a troubled heaven ,
+All of one nature , of one substance bred ,
+Did lately meet in the intestine shock
+And furious close of civil butchery ,
+Shall now , in mutual well-beseeming ranks ,
+March all one way , and be no more oppos'd
+Against acquaintance , kindred , and allies :
+The edge of war , like an ill-sheathed knife ,
+No more shall cut his master . Therefore , friends ,
+As far as to the sepulchre of Christ ,
+Whose soldier now , under whose blessed cross
+We are impressed and engag'd to fight ,
+Forthwith a power of English shall we levy ,
+Whose arms were moulded in their mother's womb
+To chase these pagans in those holy fields
+Over whose acres walk'd those blessed feet
+Which fourteen hundred years ago were nail'd
+For our advantage on the bitter cross .
+But this our purpose is a twelvemonth old ,
+And bootless 'tis to tell you we will go :
+Therefore we meet not now . Then let me hear
+Of you , my gentle cousin Westmoreland ,
+What yesternight our council did decree
+In forwarding this dear expedience .
+
+My liege , this haste was hot in question ,
+And many limits of the charge set down
+But yesternight ; when all athwart there came
+A post from Wales loaden with heavy news ;
+Whose worst was , that the noble Mortimer ,
+Leading the men of Herefordshire to fight
+Against the irregular and wild Glendower ,
+Was by the rude hands of that Welshman taken ,
+And a thousand of his people butchered ;
+Upon whose dead corpse' there was such misuse ,
+Such beastly shameless transformation
+By those Welshwomen done , as may not be
+Without much shame re-told or spoken of .
+
+It seems then that the tidings of this broil
+Brake off our business for the Holy Land .
+
+This match'd with other like , my gracious lord ;
+For more uneven and unwelcome news
+Came from the north and thus it did import :
+On Holy-rood day , the gallant Hotspur there ,
+Young Harry Percy and brave Archibald ,
+That ever-valiant and approved Scot ,
+At Holmedon met ,
+Where they did spend a sad and bloody hour ;
+As by discharge of their artillery ,
+And shape of likelihood , the news was told ;
+For he that brought them , in the very heat
+And pride of their contention did take horse ,
+Uncertain of the issue any way .
+
+Here is a dear and true industrious friend ,
+Sir Walter Blunt , new lighted from his horse ,
+Stain'd with the variation of each soil
+Betwixt that Holmedon and this seat of ours ;
+And he hath brought us smooth and welcome news .
+The Earl of Douglas is discomfited ;
+Ten thousand bold Scots , two and twenty knights ,
+Balk'd in their own blood did Sir Walter see
+On Holmedon's plains : of prisoners Hotspur took
+Mordake the Earl of Fife , and eldest son
+To beaten Douglas , and the Earls of Athol ,
+Of Murray , Angus , and Menteith .
+And is not this an honourable spoil ?
+A gallant prize ? ha , cousin , is it not ?
+
+In faith ,
+It is a conquest for a prince to boast of .
+
+Yea , there thou mak'st me sad and mak'st me sin
+In envy that my Lord Northumberland
+Should be the father to so blest a son ,
+A son who is the theme of honour's tongue ;
+Amongst a grove the very straightest plant ;
+Who is sweet Fortune's minion and her pride :
+Whilst I , by looking on the praise of him ,
+See riot and dishonour stain the brow
+Of my young Harry . O ! that it could be prov'd
+That some night-tripping fairy had exchang'd
+In cradle-clothes our children where they lay ,
+And call'd mine Percy , his Plantagenet .
+Then would I have his Harry , and he mine .
+But let him from my thoughts . What think you , coz ,
+Of this young Percy's pride ? the prisoners ,
+Which he in this adventure hath surpris'd ,
+To his own use he keeps , and sends me word ,
+I shall have none but Mordake Earl of Fife .
+
+This is his uncle's teaching , this is Worcester ,
+Malevolent to you in all aspects ;
+Which makes him prune himself , and bristle up
+The crest of youth against your dignity .
+
+But I have sent for him to answer this ;
+And for this cause a while we must neglect
+Our holy purpose to Jerusalem .
+Cousin , on Wednesday next our council we
+Will hold at Windsor ; so inform the lords :
+But come yourself with speed to us again ;
+For more is to be said and to be done
+Than out of anger can be uttered .
+
+I will , my hege .
+
+
+Now , Hal , what time of day is it , lad ?
+
+Thou art so fat-witted , with drinking of old sack , and unbuttoning thee after supper , and sleeping upon benches after noon , that thou hast forgotten to demand that truly which thou wouldst truly know . What a devil hast thou to do with the time of the day ? unless hours were cups of sack , and minutes capons , and clocks the tongues of bawds , and dials the signs of leaping-houses , and the blessed sun himself a fair hot wench in flame-colour'd taffeta , I see no reason why thou shouldst be so superfluous to demand the time of the day .
+
+Indeed , you come near me now , Hal ; for we that take purses go by the moon and the seven stars , and not by Ph bus , he , 'that wandering knight so fair .' And , I prithee , sweet wag , when thou art king ,as , God save thy Grace ,majesty , I should say , for grace thou wilt have none ,
+
+What ! none ?
+
+No , by my troth ; not so much as will serve to be prologue to an egg and butter .
+
+Well , how then ? come , roundly , roundly .
+
+Marry , then , sweet wag , when thou art king , let not us that are squires of the night's body be called thieves of the day's beauty : let us be Diana's foresters , gentlemen of the shade , minions of the moon ; and let men say , we be men of good government , being governed as the sea is , by our noble and chaste mistress the moon , under whose countenance we steal .
+
+Thou sayest well , and it holds well too ; for the fortune of us that are the moon's men doth ebb and flow like the sea , being governed as the sea is , by the moon . As for proof now : a purse of gold most resolutely snatched on Monday night and most dissolutely spent on Tuesday morning ; got with swearing 'Lay by ;' and spent with crying 'Bring in :' now in as low an ebb as the foot of the ladder , and by and by in as high a flow as the ridge of the gallows .
+
+By the Lord , thou sayest true , lad . And is not my hostess of the tavern a most sweet wench ?
+
+As the honey of Hybla , my old lad of the castle . And is not a buff jerkin a most sweet robe of durance ?
+
+How now , how now , mad wag ! what , in thy quips and thy quiddities ? what a plague have I to do with a buff jerkin ?
+
+Why , what a pox have I to do with my hostess of the tavern ?
+
+Well , thou hast called her to a reckoning many a time and oft .
+
+Did I ever call for thee to pay thy part ?
+
+No ; I'll give thee thy due , thou hast paid all there .
+
+Yea , and elsewhere , so far as my coin would stretch ; and where it would not , I have used my credit .
+
+Yea , and so used it that , were it not here apparent that thou art their apparent .But , I prithee , sweet wag , shall there be gallows standing in England when thou art king , and resolution thus fobbed as it is with the rusty curb of old father antick the law ? Do not thou , when thou art king , hang a thief .
+
+No ; thou shalt .
+
+Shall I ? O rare ! By the Lord , I'll be a brave judge .
+
+Thou judgest false already ; I mean , thou shalt have the hanging of the thieves and so become a rare hangman .
+
+Well , Hal , well ; and in some sort it jumps with my humour as well as waiting in the court , I can tell you .
+
+For obtaining of suits ?
+
+Yea , for obtaining of suits , whereof the hangman hath no lean wardrobe . 'Sblood , I am as melancholy as a gib cat , or a lugged bear .
+
+Or an old lion , or a lover's lute .
+
+Yea , or the drone of a Lincolnshire bagpipe .
+
+What sayest thou to a hare , or the melancholy of Moor-ditch ?
+
+Thou hast the most unsavory similes , and art , indeed , the most comparative , rascalliest , sweet young prince ; but , Hal , I prithee , trouble me no more with vanity . I would to God thou and I knew where a commodity of good names were to be bought . An old lord of the council rated me the other day in the street about you , sir , but I marked him not ; and yet he talked very wisely , but I regarded him not ; and yet he talked wisely , and in the street too .
+
+Thou didst well ; for wisdom cries out in the streets , and no man regards it .
+
+O ! thou hast damnable iteration , and art indeed able to corrupt a saint . Thou hast done much harm upon me , Hal ; God forgive thee for it ! Before I knew thee , Hal , I knew nothing ; and now am I , if a man should speak truly , little better than one of the wicked . I must give over this life , and I will give it over ; by the Lord , an I do not , I am a villain : I'll be damned for never a king's son in Christendom .
+
+Where shall we take a purse to-morrow , Jack ?
+
+Zounds ! where thou wilt , lad , I'll make one ; an I do not , call me a villain and baffle me .
+
+I see a good amendment of life in thee ; from praying to purse-taking .
+
+
+Why , Hal , 'tis my vocation , Hal ; 'tis no sin for a man to labour in his vocation . Poins ! Now shall we know if Gadshill have set a match . O ! if men were to be saved by merit , what hole in hell were hot enough for him ? This is the most omnipotent villain that ever cried 'Stand !' to a true man .
+
+Good morrow , Ned .
+
+Good morrow , sweet Hal . What says Monsieur Remorse ? What says Sir John Sack-and-Sugar ? Jack ! how agrees the devil and thee about thy soul , that thou soldest him on Good-Friday last for a cup of Madeira and a cold capon's leg ?
+
+Sir John stands to his word , the devil shall have his bargain ; for he was never yet a breaker of proverbs : he will give the devil his due .
+
+Then art thou damned for keeping thy word with the devil .
+
+Else he had been damned for cozening the devil .
+
+But my lads , my lads , to-morrow morning , by four o'clock , early at Gadshill ! There are pilgrims going to Canterbury with rich offerings , and traders riding to London with fat purses : I have vizards for you all ; you have horses for yourselves . Gadshill lies to night in Rochester ; I have bespoke supper to-morrow night in Eastcheap : we may do it as secure as sleep . If you will go I will stuff your purses full of crowns ; if you will not , tarry at home and be hanged .
+
+Hear ye , Yedward : if I tarry at home and go not , I'll hang you for going .
+
+You will , chops ?
+
+Hal , wilt thou make one ?
+
+Who , I rob ? I a thief ? not I , by my faith .
+
+There's neither honesty , manhood , nor good fellowship in thee , nor thou camest not of the blood royal , if thou darest not stand for ten shillings .
+
+Well , then , once in my days I'll be a madcap .
+
+Why , that's well said .
+
+Well , come what will , I'll tarry at home .
+
+By the Lord , I'll be a traitor then , when thou art king .
+
+I care not .
+
+Sir John , I prithee , leave the prince and me alone : I will lay him down such reasons for this adventure that he shall go .
+
+Well , God give thee the spirit of persuasion and him the ears of profiting , that what thou speakest may move , and what he hears may be believed , that the true prince may , for recreation sake , prove a false thief ; for the poor abuses of the time want countenance . Farewell : you shall find me in Eastcheap .
+
+Farewell , thou latter spring ! Farewell , All-hallown summer !
+
+
+Now , my good sweet honey lord , ride with us to-morrow : I have a jest to execute that I cannot manage alone . Falstaff , Bardolph , Peto , and Gadshill shall rob those men that we have already waylaid ; yourself and I will not be there ; and when they have the booty , if you and I do not rob them , cut this head from my shoulders .
+
+But how shall we part with them in setting forth ?
+
+Why , we will set forth before or after them , and appoint them a place of meeting , wherein it is at our pleasure to fail ; and then will they adventure upon the exploit themselves , which they shall have no sooner achieved but we'll set upon them .
+
+Yea , but 'tis like that they will know us by our horses , by our habits , and by every other appointment , to be ourselves .
+
+Tut ! our horses they shall not see , I'll tie them in the wood ; our vizards we will change after we leave them ; and , sirrah , I have cases of buckram for the nonce , to inmask our noted outward garments .
+
+Yea , but I doubt they will be too hard for us .
+
+Well , for two of them , I know them to be as true-bred cowards as ever turned back ; and for the third , if he fight longer than he sees reason , I'll forswear arms . The virtue of this jest will be , the incomprehensible lies that this same fat rogue will tell us when we meet at supper : how thirty , at least , he fought with ; what wards , what blows , what extremities he endured ; and in the reproof of this lies the jest .
+
+Well , I'll go with thee : provide us all things necessary and meet me to-morrow night in Eastcheap ; there I'll sup . Farewell .
+
+Farewell , my lord .
+
+
+I know you all , and will awhile uphold
+The unyok'd humour of your idleness :
+Yet herein will I imitate the sun ,
+Who doth permit the base contagious clouds
+To smother up his beauty from the world ,
+That when he please again to be himself ,
+Being wanted , he may be more wonder'd at ,
+By breaking through the foul and ugly mists
+Of vapours that did seem to strangle him .
+If all the year were playing holidays ,
+To sport would be as tedious as to work ;
+But when they seldom come , they wish'd for come ,
+And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents .
+So , when this loose behaviour I throw off ,
+And pay the debt I never promised ,
+By how much better than my word I am
+By so much shall I falsify men's hopes ;
+And like bright metal on a sullen ground ,
+My reformation , glittering o'er my fault ,
+Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes
+Than that which hath no foil to set it off .
+I'll so offend to make offence a skill ;
+Redeeming time when men think least I will .
+
+
+My blood hath been too cold and temperate ,
+Unapt to stir at these indignities ,
+And you have found me ; for accordingly
+You tread upon my patience : but , be sure ,
+I will from henceforth rather be myself ,
+Mighty , and to be fear'd , than my condition ,
+Which hath been smooth as oil , soft as young down ,
+And therefore lost that title of respect
+Which the proud soul ne'er pays but to the proud .
+
+Our house , my sovereign liege , little deserves
+The scourge of greatness to be us'd on it ;
+And that same greatness too which our own hands
+Have holp to make so portly .
+
+My lord ,
+
+Worcester , get thee gone ; for I do see
+Danger and disobedience in thine eye .
+O , sir , your presence is too bold and peremptory ,
+And majesty might never yet endure
+The moody frontier of a servant brow .
+You have good leave to leave us ; when we need
+Your use and counsel we shall send for you .
+
+You were about to speak .
+
+Yea , my good lord .
+Those prisoners in your highness' name demanded ,
+Which Harry Percy here at Holmedon took ,
+Were , as he says , not with such strength denied
+As is deliver'd to your majesty :
+Either envy , therefore , or misprision
+Is guilty of this fault and not my son .
+
+My liege , I did deny no prisoners :
+But I remember , when the fight was done ,
+When I was dry with rage and extreme toil ,
+Breathless and faint , leaning upon my sword ,
+Came there a certain lord , neat , and trimly dress'd ,
+Fresh as a bridegroom ; and his chin , new reap'd ,
+Show'd like a stubble-land at harvest-home :
+He was perfumed like a milliner ,
+And 'twixt his finger and his thumb he held
+A pouncet-box , which ever and anon
+He gave his nose and took't away again ;
+Who therewith angry , when it next came there ,
+Took it in snuff : and still he smil'd and talk'd ;
+And as the soldiers bore dead bodies by ,
+He call'd them untaught knaves , unmannerly ,
+To bring a slovenly unhandsome corpse
+Betwixt the wind and his nobility .
+With many holiday and lady terms
+He question'd me ; among the rest , demanded
+My prisoners in your majesty's behalf .
+I then all smarting with my wounds being cold ,
+To be so pester'd with a popinjay ,
+Out of my grief and my impatience
+Answer'd neglectingly , I know not what ,
+He should , or he should not ; for he made me mad
+To see him shine so brisk and smell so sweet
+And talk so like a waiting-gentlewoman
+Of guns , and drums , and wounds ,God save the mark !
+And telling me the sovereign'st thing on earth
+Was parmaceti for an inward bruise ;
+And that it was great pity , so it was ,
+This villanous saltpetre should be digg'd
+Out of the bowels of the harmless earth ,
+Which many a good tall fellow had destroy'd
+So cowardly ; and but for these vile guns ,
+He would himself have been a soldier .
+This bald unjointed chat of his , my lord ,
+I answer'd indirectly , as I said ;
+And I beseech you , let not his report
+Come current for an accusation
+Betwixt my love and your high majesty .
+
+The circumstance consider'd , good my lord ,
+Whatever Harry Percy then had said
+To such a person and in such a place ,
+At such a time , with all the rest re-told ,
+May reasonably die and never rise
+To do him wrong , or any way impeach
+What then he said , so he unsay it now .
+
+Why , yet he doth deny his prisoners ,
+But with proviso and exception ,
+That we at our own charge shall ransom straight
+His brother-in-law , the foolish Mortimer ;
+Who , on my soul , hath wilfully betray'd
+The lives of those that he did lead to fight
+Against the great magician , damn'd Glendower ,
+Whose daughter , as we hear , the Earl of March
+Hath lately married . Shall our coffers then
+Be emptied to redeem a traitor home ?
+Shall we buy treason , and indent with fears ,
+When they have lost and forfeited themselves ?
+No , on the barren mountains let him starve ;
+For I shall never hold that man my friend
+Whose tongue shall ask me for one penny cost
+To ransom home revolted Mortimer .
+
+Revolted Mortimer !
+He never did fall off , my sovereign liege ,
+But by the chance of war : to prove that true
+Needs no more but one tongue for all those wounds ,
+Those mouthed wounds , which valiantly he took ,
+When on the gentle Severn's sedgy bank ,
+In single opposition , hand to hand ,
+He did confound the best part of an hour
+In changing hardiment with great Glendower .
+Three times they breath'd and three times did they drink ,
+Upon agreement , of swift Severn's flood ,
+Who then , affrighted with their bloody looks ,
+Ran fearfully among the trembling reeds ,
+And hid his crisp head in the hollow bank
+Blood-stained with these valiant combatants .
+Never did base and rotten policy
+Colour her working with such deadly wounds ;
+Nor never could the noble Mortimer
+Receive so many , and all willingly :
+Then let him not be slander'd with revolt .
+
+Thou dost belie him , Percy , thou dost belie him :
+He never did encounter with Glendower :
+I tell thee ,
+He durst as well have met the devil alone
+As Owen Glendower for an enemy .
+Art thou not asham'd ? But , sirrah , henceforth
+Let me not hear you speak of Mortimer :
+Send me your prisoners with the speediest means ,
+Or you shall hear in such a kind from me
+As will displease you . My Lord Northumberland ,
+We license your departure with your son .
+Send us your prisoners , or you'll hear of it .
+
+
+An if the devil come and roar for them ,
+I will not send them : I will after straight
+And tell him so ; for I will ease my heart ,
+Albeit I make a hazard of my head .
+
+What ! drunk with choler ? stay , and pause awhile :
+Here comes your uncle .
+
+
+Speak of Mortimer !
+'Zounds ! I will speak of him ; and let my soul
+Want mercy if I do not join with him :
+In his behalf I'll empty all these veins ,
+And shed my dear blood drop by drop i' the dust ,
+But I will lift the down-trod Mortimer
+As high i' the air as this unthankful king ,
+As this ingrate and canker'd Bolingbroke .
+
+Brother , the king hath made your nephew mad .
+
+Who struck this heat up after I was gone ?
+
+He will , forsooth , have all my prisoners ;
+And when I urg'd the ransom once again
+Of my wife's brother , then his cheek look'd pale ,
+And on my face he turn'd an eye of death ,
+Trembling even at the name of Mortimer .
+
+I cannot blame him : was he not proclaim'd
+By Richard that dead is the next of blood ?
+
+He was ; I heard the proclamation :
+And then it was when the unhappy king ,
+Whose wrongs in us God pardon !did set forth
+Upon his Irish expedition ;
+From whence he , intercepted , did return
+To be depos'd , and shortly murdered .
+
+And for whose death we in the world's wide mouth
+Live scandaliz'd and foully spoken of .
+
+But , soft ! I pray you , did King Richard then
+Proclaim my brother Edmund Mortimer
+Heir to the crown ?
+
+He did ; myself did hear it .
+
+Nay , then I cannot blame his cousin king ,
+That wish'd him on the barren mountains starve .
+But shall it be that you , that set the crown
+Upon the head of this forgetful man ,
+And for his sake wear the detested blot
+Of murd'rous subornation , shall it be ,
+That you a world of curses undergo ,
+Being the agents , or base second means ,
+The cords , the ladder , or the hangman rather ?
+O ! pardon me that I descend so low ,
+To show the line and the predicament
+Wherein you range under this subtle king .
+Shall it for shame be spoken in these days ,
+Or fill up chronicles in time to come ,
+That men of your nobility and power ,
+Did gage them both in'an unjust behalf ,
+As both of you God pardon it !have done ,
+To put down Richard , that sweet lovely rose ,
+And plant this thorn , this canker , Bolingbroke ?
+And shall it in more shame be further spoken ,
+That you are fool'd , discarded , and shook off
+By him for whom these shames ye underwent ?
+No ; yet time serves wherein you may redeem
+Your banish'd honours , and restore yourselves
+Into the good thoughts of the world again ;
+Revenge the jeering and disdain'd contempt
+Of this proud king , who studies day and night
+To answer all the debt he owes to you ,
+Even with the bloody payment of your deaths .
+Therefore , I say ,
+
+Peace , cousin ! say no more :
+And now I will unclasp a secret book ,
+And to your quick-conceiving discontents
+I'll read you matter deep and dangerous ,
+As full of peril and adventurous spirit
+As to o'er-walk a current roaring loud ,
+On the unsteadfast footing of a spear .
+
+If he fall in , good night ! or sink or swim :
+Send danger from the east unto the west ,
+So honour cross it from the north to south ,
+And let them grapple : O ! the blood more stirs
+To rouse a lion than to start a hare .
+
+Imagination of some great exploit
+Drives him beyond the bounds of patience .
+
+By heaven methinks it were an easy leap
+To pluck bright honour from the pale-fac'd moon ,
+Or dive into the bottom of the deep ,
+Where fathom-line could never touch the ground ,
+And pluck up drowned honour by the locks ;
+So he that doth redeem her thence might wear
+Without corrival all her dignities :
+But out upon this half-fac'd fellowship !
+
+He apprehends a world of figures here ,
+But not the form of what he should attend .
+Good cousin , give me audience for a while .
+
+I cry you mercy .
+
+Those same noble Scots
+That are your prisoners ,
+
+I'll keep them all ;
+By God , he shall not have a Scot of them :
+No , if a Scot would save his soul , he shall not :
+I'll keep them , by this hand .
+
+You start away ,
+And lend no ear unto my purposes .
+Those prisoners you shall keep .
+
+Nay , I will ; that's flat :
+He said he would not ransom Mortimer ;
+Forbade my tongue to speak of Mortimer ;
+But I will find him when he lies asleep ,
+And in his ear I'll holla 'Mortimer !'
+Nay ,
+I'll have a starling shall be taught to speak
+Nothing but 'Mortimer ,' and give it him ,
+To keep his anger still in motion .
+
+Hear you , cousin ; a word .
+
+All studies here I solemnly defy ,
+Save how to gall and pinch this Bolingbroke :
+And that same sword-and-buckler Prince of Wales ,
+But that I think his father loves him not ,
+And would be glad he met with some mischance ,
+I would have him poison'd with a pot of ale .
+
+Farewell , kinsman : I will talk to you
+When you are better temper'd to attend .
+
+Why , what a wasp-stung and impatient fool
+Art thou to break into this woman's mood ,
+Tying thine ear to no tongue but thine own !
+
+Why , look you , I am whipp'd and scourg'd with rods ,
+Nettled , and stung with pismires , when I hear
+Of this vile politician , Bolingbroke .
+In Richard's time ,what do ye call the place ?
+A plague upon't it is in Gloucestershire ;
+'Twas where the madcap duke his uncle kept ,
+His uncle York ; where I first bow'd my knee
+Unto this king of smiles , this Bolingbroke ,
+'Sblood !
+When you and he came back from Ravenspurgh .
+
+At Berkeley Castle .
+
+You say true .
+Why , what a candy deal of courtesy
+This fawning greyhound then did proffer me !
+Look , 'when his infant fortune came to age ,'
+And 'gentle Harry Percy ,' and 'kind cousin .'
+O ! the devil take such cozeners . God forgive me !
+Good uncle , tell your tale , for I have done .
+
+Nay , if you have not , to't again ;
+We'll stay your leisure .
+
+I have done , i' faith .
+
+Then once more to your Scottish prisoners .
+Deliver them up without their ransom straight ,
+And make the Douglas' son your only mean
+For powers in Scotland ; which , for divers reasons
+Which I shall send you written , be assur'd ,
+Will easily be granted .
+
+You , my lord ,
+Your son in Scotland being thus employ'd ,
+Shall secretly into the bosom creep
+Of that same noble prelate well belov'd ,
+The Archbishop .
+
+Of York , is it not ?
+
+True ; who bears hard
+His brother's death at Bristol , the Lord Scroop .
+I speak not this in estimation ,
+As what I think might be , but what I know
+Is ruminated , plotted and set down ;
+And only stays but to behold the face
+Of that occasion that shall bring it on .
+
+I smell it .
+Upon my life it will do wondrous well .
+
+Before the game's afoot thou still lett'st slip .
+
+Why , it cannot choose but be a noble plot :
+And then the power of Scotland and of York ,
+To join with Mortimer , ha ?
+
+And so they shall .
+
+In faith , it is exceedingly well aim'd .
+
+And 'tis no little reason bids us speed ,
+To save our heads by raising of a head ;
+For , bear ourselves as even as we can ,
+The king will always think him in our debt ,
+And think we think ourselves unsatisfied ,
+Till he hath found a time to pay us home .
+And see already how he doth begin
+To make us strangers to his looks of love .
+
+He does , he does : we'll be reveng'd on him .
+
+Cousin , farewell : no further go in this ,
+Than I by letters shall direct your course .
+When time is ripe ,which will be suddenly ,
+I'll steal to Glendower and Lord Mortimer ;
+Where you and Douglas and our powers at once ,
+As I will fashion it ,shall happily meet ,
+To bear our fortunes in our own strong arms ,
+Which now we hold at much uncertainty .
+
+Farewell , good brother : we shall thrive , I trust .
+
+Uncle , adieu : O ! let the hours be short ,
+Till fields and blows and groans applaud our sport !
+
+Heigh-ho ! An't be not four by the day I'll be hanged : Charles' Wain is over the new chimney , and yet our horse not packed . What , ostler !
+
+Anon , anon .
+
+I prithee , Tom , beat Cut's saddle , put a few flocks in the point ; the poor jade is wrung in the withers out of all cess .
+
+
+Peas and beans are as dank here as a dog , and that is the next way to give poor jades the bots ; this house is turned upside down since Robin Ostler died .
+
+Poor fellow ! never joyed since the price of oats rose ; it was the death of him .
+
+I think this be the most villanous house in all London road for fleas : I am stung like a tench .
+
+Like a tench ! by the mass , there is ne'er a king christen could be better bit than I have been since the first cock .
+
+Why , they will allow us ne'er a jordan , and then we leak in the chimney ; and your chamber-lie breeds fleas like a loach .
+
+What , ostler ! come away and be hanged , come away .
+
+I have a gammon of bacon and two razes of ginger , to be delivered as far as Charing-cross .
+
+Godsbody ! the turkeys in my pannier are quite starved . What , ostler ! A plague on thee ! hast thou never an eye in thy head ? canst not hear ? An 'twere not as good a deed as drink to break the pate on thee , I am a very villain . Come , and be hanged ! hast no faith in thee ?
+
+
+Good morrow , carriers . What's o'clock ?
+
+I think it be two o'clock .
+
+I prithee , lend me thy lanthorn , to see my gelding in the stable .
+
+Nay , by God , soft : I know a trick worth two of that , i' faith .
+
+I prithee , lend me thine .
+
+Ay , when ? canst tell ? Lend me thy lanthorn , quoth a' ? marry , I'll see thee hanged first .
+
+Sirrah carrier , what time do you mean to come to London ?
+
+Time enough to go to bed with a candle , I warrant thee . Come , neighbour Mugs , we'll call up the gentlemen : they will along with company , for they have great charge .
+
+
+What , ho ! chamberlain !
+
+'At hand , quoth pick-purse .'
+
+That's even as fair as , 'at hand , quoth the chamberlain' ; for thou variest no more from picking of purses than giving direction doth from labouring ; thou layest the plot how .
+
+
+Good morrow , Master Gadshill . It holds current that I told you yesternight : there's a franklin in the wild of Kent hath brought three hundred marks with him in gold : I heard him tell it to one of his company last night at supper ; a kind of auditor ; one that hath abundance of charge too , God knows what . They are up already and call for eggs and butter : they will away presently .
+
+Sirrah , if they meet not with Saint Nicholas' clerks , I'll give thee this neck .
+
+No , I'll none of it : I prithee , keep that for the hangman ; for I know thou worship'st Saint Nicholas as truly as a man of falsehood may .
+
+What talkest thou to me of the hangman ? If I hang I'll make a fat pair of gallows ; for if I hang , old Sir John hangs with me , and thou knowest he's no starveling . Tut ! there are other Troyans that thou dreamest not of , the which for sport sake are content to do the profession some grace ; that would , if matters should be looked into , for their own credit sake make all whole . I am joined with no foot-land-rakers , no long-staff sixpenny strikers , none of these mad mustachio-purple-hued malt worms ; but with nobility and tranquillity , burgomasters and great oneyers such as can hold in , such as will strike sooner than speak , and speak sooner than drink , and drink sooner than pray : and yet I lie ; for they pray continually to their saint , the commonwealth ; or , rather , not pray to her , but prey on her , for they ride up and down on her and make her their boots .
+
+What ! the commonwealth their boots ? will she hold out water in foul way ?
+
+She will , she will ; justice hath liquored her . We steal as in a castle , cock-sure ; we have the receipt of fern-seed , we walk invisible .
+
+Nay , by my faith , I think you are more beholding to the night than to fern-seed for your walking invisible .
+
+Give me thy hand : thou shalt have a share in our purchase , as I am a true man .
+
+Nay , rather let me have it , as you are a false thief .
+
+Go to ; homo is a common name to all men . Bid the ostler bring my gelding out of the stable . Farewell , you muddy knave .
+
+
+Come , shelter , shelter : I have removed Falstaff's horse , and he frets like a gummed velvet .
+
+Stand close .
+
+
+Poins ! Poins , and be hanged ! Poins !
+
+Peace , ye fat-kidneyed rascal ! What a brawling dost thou keep !
+
+Where's Poins , Hal ?
+
+He is walked up to the top of the hill : I'll go seek him .
+
+
+I am accursed to rob in that thief's company ; the rascal hath removed my horse and tied him I know not where . If I travel but four foot by the squire further afoot I shall break my wind . Well , I doubt not but to die a fair death for all this , if I 'scape hanging for killing that rogue . I have forsworn his company hourly any time this two-and-twenty years , and yet I am bewitched with the rogue's company . If the rascal have not given me medicines to make me love him , I'll be hanged : it could not be else : I have drunk medicines . Poins ! Hal ! a plague upon you both ! Bardolph ! Peto ! I'll starve ere I'll rob a foot further . An 'twere not as good a deed as drink to turn true man and leave these rogues , I am the veriest varlet that ever chewed with a tooth . Eight yards of uneven ground is threescore and ten miles afoot with me , and the stony-hearted villains know it well enough . A plague upon't when thieves cannot be true one to another !
+
+Whew ! A plague upon you all ! Give me my horse , you rogues ; give me my horse and be hanged .
+
+Peace , ye fatguts ! lie down : lay thine ear close to the ground , and list if thou canst hear the tread of travellers .
+
+Have you any levers to lift me up again , being down ? 'Sblood ! I'll not bear mine own flesh so far afoot again for all the coin in thy father's exchequer . What a plague mean ye to colt me thus ?
+
+Thou liest : thou art not colted ; thou art uncolted .
+
+I prithee , good Prince Hal , help me to my horse , good king's son .
+
+Out , you rogue ! shall I be your ostler ?
+
+Go , hang thyself in thine own heir apparent garters ! If I be ta'en I'll peach for this . An I have not ballads made on you all , and sung to filthy tunes , let a cup of sack be my poison : when a jest is so forward , and afoot too ! I hate it .
+
+
+Stand .
+
+So I do , against my will .
+
+O ! 'tis our setter : I know his voice .
+
+
+What news ?
+
+Case ye , case ye ; on with your vizards : there's money of the king's coming down the hill ; 'tis going to the king's exchequer .
+
+You lie , you rogue ; 'tis going to the king's tavern .
+
+There's enough to make us all .
+
+To be hanged .
+
+Sirs , you four shall front them in the narrow lane ; Ned Poins and I will walk lower : if they 'scape from your encounter then they light on us .
+
+How many be there of them ?
+
+Some eight or ten .
+
+'Zounds ! will they not rob us ?
+
+What ! a coward , Sir John Paunch ?
+
+Indeed , I am not John of Gaunt , your grandfather ; but yet no coward , Hal .
+
+Well , we leave that to the proof .
+
+Sirrah Jack , thy horse stands behind the hedge : when thou needst him there thou shalt find him . Farewell , and stand fast .
+
+Now cannot I strike him if I should be hanged .
+
+Ned , where are our disguises ?
+
+Here , hard by ; stand close .
+
+
+Now my masters , happy man be his dole , say I : every man to his business .
+
+
+Come , neighbour ; the boy shall lead our horses down the hill ; we'll walk afoot awhile , and ease our legs .
+
+Stand !
+
+Jesu bless us !
+
+Strike ; down with them ; cut the villains' throats : ah ! whoreson caterpillars ! bacon-fed knaves ! they hate us youth : down with them ; fleece them .
+
+O ! we are undone , both we and ours for ever .
+
+Hang ye , gorbellied knaves , are ye undone ? No , ye fat chuffs ; I would your store were here ! On , bacons , on ! What ! ye knaves , young men must live . You are grand-jurors are ye ? We'll jure ye , i' faith .
+
+The thieves have bound the true men . Now could thou and I rob the thieves and go merrily to London , it would be argument for a week , laughter for a month , and a good jest for ever .
+
+Stand close ; I hear them coming .
+
+
+Come , my masters ; let us share , and then to horse before day . An the Prince and Poins be not two arrant cowards , there's no equity stirring : there's no more valour in that Poins than in a wild duck .
+
+Your money !
+
+Villains !
+
+
+Got with much ease . Now merrily to horse :
+The thieves are scatter'd and possess'd with fear
+So strongly that they dare not meet each other ;
+Each takes his fellow for an officer .
+Away , good Ned . Falstaff sweats to death
+And lards the lean earth as he walks along :
+Were't not for laughing I should pity him .
+
+How the rogue roar'd !
+
+
+But for mine own part , my lord , I could be well contented to be there , in respect of the love I bear your house .
+
+He could be contented ; why is he not then ? In respect of the love he bears our house : he shows in this he loves his own barn better than he loves our house . Let me see some more .
+
+The purpose you undertake is dangerous ;
+
+Why , that's certain : 'tis dangerous to take a cold , to sleep , to drink ; but I tell you , my lord fool , out of this nettle , danger , we pluck this flower , safety .
+
+The purpose you undertake is dangerous ; the friends you have named uncertain ; the time itself unsorted ; and your whole plot too light for the counterpoise of so great an opposition .
+
+Say you so , say you so ? I say unto you again , you are a shallow cowardly hind , and you lie . What a lack-brain is this ! By the Lord , our plot is a good plot as ever was laid ; our friends true and constant : a good plot , good friends , and full of expectation ; an excellent plot , very good friends . What a frosty-spirited rogue is this ! Why , my Lord of York commends the plot and the general course of the action . 'Zounds ! an I were now by this rascal , I could brain him with his lady's fan . Is there not my father , my uncle , and myself ? Lord Edmund Mortimer , my Lord of York , and Owen Glendower ? Is there not besides the Douglas ? Have I not all their letters to meet me in arms by the ninth of the next month , and are they not some of them set forward already ? What a pagan rascal is this ! an infidel ! Ha ! you shall see now in very sincerity of fear and cold heart , will he to the king and lay open all our proceedings . O ! I could divide myself and go to buffets , for moving such a dish of skim milk with so honourable an action . Hang him ! let him tell the king ; we are prepared . I will set forward to-night .
+
+How now , Kate ! I must leave you within these two hours .
+
+O , my good lord ! why are you thus alone ?
+For what offence have I this fortnight been
+A banish'd woman from my Harry's bed ?
+Tell me , sweet lord , what is't that takes from thee
+Thy stomach , pleasure , and thy golden sleep ?
+Why dost thou bend thine eyes upon the earth ,
+And start so often when thou sitt'st alone ?
+Why hast thou lost the fresh blood in thy cheeks ,
+And given my treasures and my rights of thee
+To thick-eyed musing and curst melancholy ?
+In thy faint slumbers I by thee have watch'd ,
+And heard thee murmur tales of iron wars ,
+Speak terms of manage to thy bounding steed ,
+Cry , 'Courage ! to the field !' And thou hast talk'd
+Of sallies and retires , of trenches , tents ,
+Of palisadoes , frontiers , parapets ,
+Of basilisks , of cannon , culverin ,
+Of prisoners' ransom , and of soldiers slain ,
+And all the currents of a heady fight .
+Thy spirit within thee hath been so at war ,
+And thus hath so bestirr'd thee in thy sleep ,
+That beads of sweat have stood upon thy brow ,
+Like bubbles in a late-disturbed stream ;
+And in thy face strange motions have appear'd ,
+Such as we see when men restrain their breath
+On some great sudden hest . O ! what portents are these ?
+Some heavy business hath my lord in hand ,
+And I must know it , else he loves me not .
+
+What , ho !
+
+Is Gilliams with the packet gone ?
+
+He is , my lord , an hour ago .
+
+Hath Butler brought those horses from the sheriff ?
+
+One horse , my lord , he brought even now .
+
+What horse ? a roan , a crop-ear , is it not ?
+
+It is , my lord .
+
+That roan shall be my throne .
+Well , I will back him straight : O , Esperance !
+Bid Butler lead him forth into the park .
+
+
+But hear you , my lord .
+
+What sayst thou , my lady ?
+
+What is it carries you away ?
+
+Why , my horse , my love , my horse .
+
+Out , you mad-headed ape !
+A weasel hath not such a deal of spleen
+As you are toss'd with . In faith ,
+I'll know your business , Harry , that I will .
+I fear my brother Mortimer doth stir
+About his title , and hath sent for you
+To line his enterprise . But if you go
+
+So far afoot , I shall be weary , love .
+
+Come , come , you paraquito , answer me
+Directly unto this question that I ask .
+In faith , I'll break thy little finger , Harry ,
+An if thou wilt not tell me all things true .
+
+Away ,
+Away , you trifler ! Love ! I love thee not ,
+I care not for thee , Kate : this is no world
+To play with mammets and to tilt with lips :
+We must have bloody noses and crack'd crowns ,
+And pass them current too . God's me , my horse !
+What sayst thou , Kate ? what wouldst thou have with me ?
+
+Do you not love me ? do you not , indeed ?
+Well , do not , then ; for since you love me not ,
+I will not love myself . Do you not love me ?
+Nay , tell me if you speak in jest or no .
+
+Come , wilt thou see me ride ?
+And when I am o' horseback , I will swear
+I love thee infinitely . But hark you , Kate ;
+I must not have you henceforth question me
+Whither I go , nor reason whereabout .
+Whither I must , I must ; and , to conclude ,
+This evening must I leave you , gentle Kate .
+I know you wise ; but yet no further wise
+Than Harry Percy's wife : constant you are ,
+But yet a woman : and for secrecy ,
+No lady closer ; for I well believe
+Thou wilt not utter what thou dost not know ;
+And so far will I trust thee , gentle Kate .
+
+How ! so far ?
+
+Not an inch further . But , hark you , Kate ;
+Whither I go , thither shall you go too ;
+To-day will I set forth , to-morrow you .
+Will this content you , Kate ?
+
+It must , of force .
+
+
+Ned , prithee , come out of that fat room , and lend me thy hand to laugh a little .
+
+Where hast been , Hal ?
+
+With three or four loggerheads amongst three or four score hogsheads . I have sounded the very base string of humility . Sirrah , I am sworn brother to a leash of drawers , and can call them all by their christen names , as Tom , Dick , and Francis . They take it already upon their salvation , that though I be but Prince of Wales , yet I am the king of courtesy ; and tell me flatly I am no proud Jack , like Falstaff , but a Corinthian , a lad of mettle , a good boy ,by the Lord , so they call me ,and when I am king of England , I shall command all the good lads in Eastcheap . They call drinking deep , dyeing scarlet ; and when you breathe in your watering , they cry 'hem !' and bid you play it off . To conclude , I am so good a proficient in one quarter of an hour , that I can drink with any tinker in his own language during my life . I tell thee , Ned , thou hast lost much honour that thou wert not with me in this action . But , sweet Ned ,to sweeten which name of Ned , I give thee this pennyworth of sugar , clapped even now into my hand by an underskinker , one that never spake other English in his life than 'Eight shillings and sixpence ,' and 'You are welcome ,' with this shrill addition ,'Anon , anon , sir ! Score a pint of bastard in the Half-moon ,' or so . But , Ned , to drive away the time till Falstaff come , I prithee do thou stand in some by-room , while I question my puny drawer to what end he gave me the sugar ; and do thou never leave calling 'Francis !' that his tale to me may be nothing but 'Anon .' Step aside , and I'll show thee a precedent .
+
+Francis !
+
+Thou art perfect .
+
+Francis !
+
+Anon , anon , sir . Look down into the Pomgarnet , Ralph .
+
+Come hither , Francis .
+
+My lord .
+
+How long hast thou to serve , Francis ?
+
+Forsooth , five years , and as much as to
+
+Francis !
+
+Anon , anon , sir .
+
+Five years ! by'r lady a long lease for the clinking of pewter . But , Francis , darest thou be so valiant as to play the coward with thy indenture and show it a fair pair of heels and run from it ?
+
+O Lord , sir ! I'll be sworn upon all the books in England , I could find in my heart
+
+Francis !
+
+Anon , sir .
+
+How old art thou , Francis ?
+
+Let me see about Michaelmas next I shall be
+
+Francis !
+
+Anon , sir . Pray you , stay a little , my lord .
+
+Nay , but hark you , Francis . For the sugar thou gavest me , 'twas a pennyworth , was't not ?
+
+O Lord , sir ! I would it had been two .
+
+I will give thee for it a thousand pound : ask me when thou wilt and thou shalt have it .
+
+Francis !
+
+Anon , anon .
+
+Anon , Francis ? No , Francis ; but to-morrow , Francis ; or , Francis , o' Thursday ; or , indeed , Francis , when thou wilt . But , Francis !
+
+My lord ?
+
+Wilt thou rob this leathern-jerkin , crystal-button , knot-pated , agate-ring , pukestocking , caddis-garter , smooth-tongue , Spanish-pouch ,
+
+O Lord , sir , who do you mean ?
+
+Why then , your brown bastard is your only drink ; for , look you , Francis , your white canvas doublet will sully . In Barbary , sir , it cannot come to so much .
+
+What , sir ?
+
+Francis !
+
+Away , you rogue ! Dost thou not hear them call ?
+
+What ! standest thou still , and hearest such a calling ? Look to the guests within .
+
+My lord , old Sir John , with half a dozen more , are at the door : shall I let them in ?
+
+Let them alone awhile , and then open the door .
+
+Poins !
+
+
+Anon , anon , sir .
+
+Sirrah , Falstaff and the rest of the thieves are at the door : shall we be merry ?
+
+As merry as crickets , my lad . But hark ye ; what cunning match have you made with this jest of the drawer ? come , what's the issue ?
+
+I am now of all humours that have show'd themselves humours since the old days of goodman Adam to the pupil age of this present twelve o'clock at midnight .
+
+What's o'clock , Francis ?
+
+Anon , anon , sir .
+
+
+That ever this fellow should have fewer words than a parrot , and yet the son of a woman ! His industry is up-stairs and down-stairs ; his eloquence the parcel of a reckoning . I am not yet of Percy's mind , the Hotspur of the North ; he that kills me some six or seven dozen of Scots at a breakfast , washes his hands , and says to his wife , 'Fie upon this quiet life ! I want work .' 'O my sweet Harry ,' says she , 'how many hast thou killed to-day ?' 'Give my roan horse a drench ,' says he , and answers , 'Some fourteen ,' an hour after , 'a trifle , a trifle .' I prithee call in Falstaff : I'll play Percy , and that damned brawn shall play Dame Mortimer his wife . 'Rivo !' says the drunkard . Call in ribs , call in tallow .
+
+
+Welcome , Jack : where hast thou been ?
+
+A plague of all cowards , I say , and a vengeance too ! marry , and amen ! Give me a cup of sack , boy . Ere I lead this life long , I'll sew nether-stocks and mend them and foot them too . A plague of all cowards ! Give me a cup of sack , rogue .Is there no virtue extant ?
+
+
+Didst thou never see Titan kiss a dish of butter pitiful-hearted Titan , that melted at the sweet tale of the sun ? if thou didst then behold that compound .
+
+You rogue , here's lime in this sack too : there is nothing but roguery to be found in villanous man : yet a coward is worse than a cup of sack with lime in it , a villanous coward ! Go thy ways , old Jack ; die when thou wilt . If manhood , good manhood , be not forgot upon the face of the earth , then am I a shotten herring . There live not three good men unhanged in England , and one of them is fat and grows old : God help the while ! a bad world , I say . I would I were a weaver ; I could sing psalms or anything . A plague of all cowards , I say still .
+
+How now , wool-sack ! what mutter you ?
+
+A king's son ! If I do not beat thee out of thy kingdom with a dagger of lath , and drive all thy subjects afore thee like a flock of wild geese , I'll never wear hair on my face more . You Prince of Wales !
+
+Why , you whoreson round man , what's the matter ?
+
+Are you not a coward ? answer me to that ; and Poins there ?
+
+'Zounds ! ye fat paunch , an ye call me coward , I'll stab thee .
+
+I call thee coward ! I'll see thee damned ere I call thee coward ; but I would give a thousand pound I could run as fast as thou canst . You are straight enough in the shoulders ; you care not who sees your back : call you that backing of your friends ? A plague upon such backing ! give me them that will face me . Give me a cup of sack : I am a rogue if I drunk to-day .
+
+O villain ! thy lips are scarce wiped since thou drunkest last .
+
+All's one for that .
+
+A plague of all cowards , still say I .
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+What's the matter ? there be four of us here have ta'en a thousand pound this day morning .
+
+Where is it , Jack ? where is it ?
+
+Where is it ! taken from us it is : a hundred upon poor four of us .
+
+What , a hundred , man ?
+
+I am a rogue , if I were not at half-sword with a dozen of them two hours together . I have 'scap'd by miracle . I am eight times thrust through the doublet , four through the hose ; my buckler out through and through ; my sword hacked like a hand-saw : ecce signum ! I never dealt better since I was a man : all would not do . A plague of all cowards ! Let them speak : if they speak more or less than truth , they are villains and the sons of darkness .
+
+Speak , sirs ; how was it ?
+
+We four set upon some dozen ,
+
+Sixteen , at least , my lord .
+
+And bound them .
+
+No , no , they were not bound .
+
+You rogue , they were bound , every man of them ; or I am a Jew else , an Ebrew Jew .
+
+As we were sharing , some six or seven fresh men set upon us ,
+
+And unbound the rest , and then come in the other .
+
+What , fought ye with them all ?
+
+All ! I know not what ye call all ; but if I fought not with fifty of them , I am a bunch of radish : if there were not two or three and fifty upon poor old Jack , then am I no two-legged creature .
+
+Pray God you have not murdered some of them .
+
+Nay , that's past praying for : I have peppered two of them : two I am sure I have paid , two rogues in buckram suits . I tell thee what , Hal , if I tell thee a lie , spit in my face , call me horse . Thou knowest my old ward ; here I lay , and thus I bore my point . Four rogues in buckram let drive at me ,
+
+What , four ? thou saidst but two even now .
+
+Four , Hal ; I told thee four .
+
+Ay , ay , he said four .
+
+These four came all a-front , and mainly thrust at me . I made me no more ado but took all their seven points in my target , thus .
+
+Seven ? why , there were but four even now .
+
+In buckram .
+
+Ay , four , in buckram suits .
+
+Seven , by these hilts , or I am a villain else .
+
+Prithee , let him alone ; we shall have more anon .
+
+Dost thou hear me , Hal ?
+
+Ay , and mark thee too , Jack .
+
+Do so , for it is worth the listening to .
+These nine in buckram that I told thee of ,
+
+So , two more already .
+
+Their points being broken ,
+
+Down fell their hose .
+
+Began to give me ground ; but I followed me close , came in foot and hand and with a thought seven of the eleven I paid .
+
+O monstrous ! eleven buckram men grown out of two .
+
+But , as the devil would have it , three misbegotten knaves in Kendal-green came at my back and let drive at me ; for it was so dark , Hal , that thou couldst not see thy hand .
+
+These lies are like the father that begets them ; gross as a mountain , open , palpable . Why , thou clay-brained guts , thou knotty-pated fool , thou whoreson , obscene , greasy tallowketch ,
+
+What , art thou mad ? art thou mad ? is not the truth the truth ?
+
+Why , how couldst thou know these men in Kendal-green , when it was so dark thou couldst not see thy hand ? come , tell us your reason : what sayest thou to this ?
+
+Come , your reason , Jack , your reason .
+
+What , upon compulsion ? 'Zounds ! an I were at the strappado , or all the racks in the world , I would not tell you on compulsion . Give you a reason on compulsion ! If reasons were as plenty as blackberries I would give no man a reason upon compulsion , I .
+
+I'll be no longer guilty of this sin : this sanguine coward , this bed-presser , this horseback-breaker , this huge hill of flesh ;
+
+'Sblood , you starveling , you elf-skin , you dried neat's-tongue , you bull's pizzle , you stock-fish ! O ! for breath to utter what is like thee ; you tailor's yard , you sheath , you bow-case , you vile standing-tuck ;
+
+Well , breathe awhile , and then to it again ; and when thou hast tired thyself in base comparisons , hear me speak but this .
+
+Mark , Jack .
+
+We two saw you four set on four and you bound them , and were masters of their wealth . Mark now , how a plain tale shall put you down . Then did we two set on you four , and , with a word , out-faced you from your prize , and have it ; yea , and can show it you here in the house . And , Falstaff , you carried your guts away as nimbly , with as quick dexterity , and roared for mercy , and still ran and roared , as ever I heard bull-calf . What a slave art thou , to hack thy sword as thou hast done , and then say it was in fight ! What trick , what device , what starting-hole canst thou now find out to hide thee from this open and apparent shame ?
+
+Come , let's hear , Jack ; what trick hast thou now ?
+
+By the Lord , I knew ye as well as he that made ye . Why , hear you , my masters : was it for me to kill the heir-apparent ? Should I turn upon the true prince ? Why , thou knowest I am as valiant as Hercules ; but beware instinct ; the lion will not touch the true prince . Instinct is a great matter , I was a coward on instinct . I shall think the better of myself and thee during my life ; I for a valiant lion , and thou for a true prince . But , by the Lord , lads , I am glad you have the money . Hostess , clap to the doors : watch to-night , pray to-morrow . Gallants , lads , boys , hearts of gold , all the titles of good fellowship come to you ! What ! shall we be merry ? shall we have a play extempore ?
+
+Content ; and the argument shall be thy running away .
+
+Ah ! no more of that , Hal , an thou lovest me !
+
+
+O Jesu ! my lord the prince !
+
+How now , my lady the hostess ! what sayest thou to me ?
+
+Marry , my lord , there is a nobleman of the court at door would speak with you : he says he comes from your father .
+
+Give him as much as will make him a royal man , and send him back again to my mother .
+
+What manner of man is he ?
+
+An old man .
+
+What doth gravity out of his bed at midnight ? Shall I give him his answer ?
+
+Prithee , do , Jack .
+
+Faith , and I'll send him packing .
+
+
+Now , sirs : by'r lady , you fought fair ; so did you , Peto ; so did you , Bardolph : you are lions too , you ran away upon instinct , you will not touch the true prince ; no , fie !
+
+Faith , I ran when I saw others run .
+
+Faith , tell me now in earnest , how came Falstaff's sword so hacked ?
+
+Why he hacked it with his dagger , and said he would swear truth out of England but he would make you believe it was done in fight , and persuaded us to do the like .
+
+Yea , and to tickle our noses with spear-grass to make them bleed , and then to beslubber our garments with it and swear it was the blood of true men . I did that I did not this seven year before ; I blushed to hear his monstrous devices .
+
+O villain ! thou stolest a cup of sack eighteen years ago , and wert taken with the manner , and ever since thou hast blushed extempore . Thou hadst fire and sword on thy side , and yet thou rannest away . What instinct hadst thou for it ?
+
+My lord , do you see these meteors ? do you behold these exhalations ?
+
+I do .
+
+What think you they portend ?
+
+Hot livers and cold purses .
+
+Choler , my lord , if rightly taken .
+
+No , if rightly taken , halter .
+
+Here comes lean Jack , here comes bare-bone .How now , my sweet creature of bombast ! How long is't ago , Jack , since thou sawest thine own knee ?
+
+My own knee ! when I was about thy years , Hal , I was not an eagle's talon in the waist ; I could have crept into any alderman's thumb-ring . A plague of sighing and grief ! it blows a man up like a bladder . There's villanous news abroad : here was Sir John Bracy from your father : you must to the court in the morning . That same mad fellow of the north , Percy , and he of Wales , that gave Amaimon the bastinado and made Lucifer cuckold , and swore the devil his true liegeman upon the cross of a Welsh hook what a plague call you him ?
+
+Owen Glendower .
+
+Owen , Owen , the same ; and his son-in-law Mortimer and old Northumberland ; and that sprightly Scot of Scots , Douglas , that runs o' horseback up a hill perpendicular .
+
+He that rides at high speed and with his pistol kills a sparrow flying .
+
+You have hit it .
+
+So did he never the sparrow .
+
+Well , that rascal hath good mettle in him ; he will not run .
+
+Why , what a rascal art thou then to praise him so for running !
+
+O' horseback , ye cuckoo ! but , afoot he will not budge a foot .
+
+Yes , Jack , upon instinct .
+
+I grant ye , upon instinct . Well , he is there too , and one Mordake , and a thousand blue-caps more . Worcester is stolen away to-night ; thy father's beard is turned white with the news : you may buy land now as cheap as stinking mackerel .
+
+Why then , it is like , if there come a hot June and this civil buffeting hold , we shall buy maidenheads as they buy hob-nails , by the hundreds .
+
+By the mass , lad , thou sayest true ; it is like we shall have good trading that way . But tell me , Hal , art thou not horribly afeard ? thou being heir apparent , could the world pick thee out three such enemies again as that fiend Douglas , that spirit Percy , and that devil Glendower ? Art thou not horribly afraid ? doth not thy blood thrill at it ?
+
+Not a whit , i' faith ; I lack some of thy instinct .
+
+Well , thou wilt be horribly chid to-morrow when thou comest to thy father : if thou love me , practise an answer .
+
+Do thou stand for my father , and examine me upon the particulars of my life .
+
+Shall I ? content : this chair shall be my state , this dagger my sceptre , and this cushion my crown .
+
+Thy state is taken for a joint-stool , thy golden sceptre for a leaden dagger , and thy precious rich crown for a pitiful bald crown !
+
+Well , an the fire of grace be not quite out of thee , now shalt thou be moved . Give me a cup of sack to make mine eyes look red , that it may be thought I have wept ; for I must speak in passion , and I will do it in King Cambyses' vein .
+
+
+Well , here is my leg .
+
+
+And here is my speech . Stand aside , nobility .
+
+O Jesu ! This is excellent sport , i' faith !
+
+Weep not , sweet queen , for trickling tears are vain .
+
+O , the father ! how he holds his countenance .
+
+For God's sake , lords , convey my tristful queen ,
+For tears do stop the flood-gates of her eyes .
+
+O Jesu ! he doth it as like one of these harlotry players as ever I see !
+
+Peace , good pint-pot ! peace , good tickle-brain ! Harry , I do not only marvel where thou spendest thy time , but also how thou art accompanied : for though the camomile , the more it is trodden on the faster it grows , yet youth , the more it is wasted the sooner it wears . That thou art my son , I have partly thy mother's word , partly my own opinion ; but chiefly , a villanous trick of thine eye and a foolish hanging of thy nether lip , that doth warrant me . If then thou be son to me , here lies the point ; why , being son to me , art thou so pointed at ? Shall the blessed sun of heaven prove a micher and eat blackberries ? a question not to be asked . Shall the son of England prove a thief and take purses ? a question to be asked . There is a thing , Harry , which thou hast often heard of , and it is known to many in our land by the name of pitch : this pitch , as ancient writers do report , doth defile ; so doth the company thou keepest ; for , Harry , now I do not speak to thee in drink , but in tears , not in pleasure but in passion , not in words only , but in woes also . And yet there is a virtuous man whom I have often noted in thy company , but I know not his name .
+
+What manner of man , an it like your majesty ?
+
+A goodly portly man , i' faith , and a corpulent ; of a cheerful look , a pleasing eye , and a most noble carriage ; and , as I think , his age some fifty , or by'r lady , inclining to threescore ; and now I remember me , his name is Falstaff : if that man should be lewdly given , he deceiveth me ; for , Harry , I see virtue in his looks . If then the tree may be known by the fruit , as the fruit by the tree , then , peremptorily I speak it , there is virtue in that Falstaff : him keep with , the rest banish . And tell me now , thou naughty varlet , tell me , where hast thou been this month ?
+
+Dost thou speak like a king ? Do thou stand for me , and I'll play my father .
+
+Depose me ? if thou dost it half so gravely , so majestically , both in word and matter , hang me up by the heels for a rabbit-sucker or a poulter's hare .
+
+Well , here I am set .
+
+And here I stand . Judge , my masters .
+
+Now , Harry ! whence come you ?
+
+My noble lord , from Eastcheap .
+
+The complaints I hear of thee are grievous .
+
+'Sblood , my lord , they are false : nay ,
+I'll tickle ye for a young prince , i' faith .
+
+Swearest thou , ungracious boy ? henceforth ne'er look on me . Thou art violently carried away from grace : there is a devil haunts thee in the likeness of a fat old man ; a tun of man is thy companion . Why dost thou converse with that trunk of humours , that bolting-hutch of beastliness , that swoln parcel of dropsies , that huge bombard of sack , that stuffed cloak-bag of guts , that roasted Manningtree ox with the pudding in his belly , that reverend vice , that grey iniquity , that father ruffian , that vanity in years ? Wherein is he good but to taste sack and drink it ? wherein neat and cleanly but to carve a capon and eat it ? wherein cunning but in craft ? wherein crafty but in villany ? wherein villanous but in all things ? wherein worthy but in nothing ?
+
+I would your Grace would take me with you : whom means your Grace ?
+
+That villanous abominable misleader of youth , Falstaff , that old white-bearded Satan .
+
+My lord , the man I know .
+
+I know thou dost .
+
+But to say I know more harm in him than in myself were to say more than I know . That he is old , the more the pity , his white hairs do witness it ; but that he is , saving your reverence , a whoremaster , that I utterly deny . If sack and sugar be a fault , God help the wicked ! If to be old and merry be a sin , then many an old host that I know is damned : if to be fat be to be hated , then Pharaoh's lean kine are to be loved . No , my good lord ; banish Peto , banish Bardolph , banish Poins ; but for sweet Jack Falstaff , kind Jack Falstaff , true Jack Falstaff , valiant Jack Falstaff , and therefore more valiant , being , as he is , old Jack Falstaff , banish not him thy Harry's company : banish not him thy Harry's company : banish plump Jack , and banish all the world .
+
+I do , I will .
+
+
+O ! my lord , my lord , the sheriff with a most monstrous watch is at the door .
+
+Out , ye rogue ! Play out the play : I have much to say in the behalf of that Falstaff .
+
+
+O Jesu ! my lord , my lord !
+
+Heigh , heigh ! the devil rides upon a fiddle-stick : what's the matter ?
+
+The sheriff and all the watch are at the door : they are come to search the house . Shall I let them in ?
+
+Dost thou hear , Hal ? never call a true piece of gold a counterfeit : thou art essentially mad without seeming so .
+
+And thou a natural coward without instinct .
+
+I deny your major . If you will deny the sheriff , so ; if not , let him enter : if I become not a cart as well as another man , a plague on my bringing up ! I hope I shall as soon be strangled with a halter as another .
+
+Go , hide thee behind the arras : the rest walk up above . Now , my masters , for a true face and good conscience .
+
+Both which I have had ; but their date is out , and therefore I'll hide me .
+
+
+Call in the sheriff .
+
+Now , master sheriff , what's your will with me ?
+
+First , pardon me , my lord . A hue and cry
+Hath follow'd certain men unto this house .
+
+What men ?
+
+One of them is well known , my gracious lord ,
+A gross fat man .
+
+As fat as butter .
+
+The man , I do assure you , is not here ,
+For I myself at this time have employ'd him .
+And , sheriff , I will engage my word to thee ,
+That I will , by to-morrow dinner-time ,
+Send him to answer thee , or any man ,
+For anything he shall be charg'd withal :
+And so let me entreat you leave the house .
+
+I will , my lord . There are two gentlemen
+Have in this robbery lost three hundred marks .
+
+It may be so : if he have robb'd these men ,
+He shall be answerable ; and so farewell .
+
+Good night , my noble lord .
+
+I think it is good morrow , is it not ?
+
+Indeed , my lord , I think it be two o'clock .
+
+
+This oily rascal is known as well as Paul's .
+Go , call him forth .
+
+Falstaff ! fast asleep behind the arras , and snorting like a horse .
+
+Hark , how hard he fetches breath .
+Search his pockets .
+
+What hast thou found ?
+
+Nothing but papers , my lord .
+
+Let's see what they be : read them .
+
+
+O monstrous ! but one half-pennyworth of bread to this intolerable deal of sack ! What there is else , keep close ; we'll read it at more advantage . There let him sleep till day . I'll to the court in the morning . We must all to the wars , and thy place shall be honourable . I'll procure this fat rogue a charge of foot ; and , I know , his death will be a march of twelve-score . The money shall be paid back again with advantage . Be with me betimes in the morning ; and so good morrow , Peto .
+
+Good morrow , good my lord .
+
+These promises are fair , the parties sure ,
+And our induction full of prosperous hope .
+
+Lord Mortimer , and cousin Glendower ,
+Will you sit down ?
+And uncle Worcester : a plague upon it !
+I have forgot the map .
+
+No , here it is .
+Sit , cousin Percy ; sit , good cousin Hotspur ;
+For by that name as oft as Lancaster
+Doth speak of you , his cheek looks pale and with
+A rising sigh he wishes you in heaven .
+
+And you in hell , as often as he hears
+Owen Glendower spoke of .
+
+I cannot blame him : at my nativity
+The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes ,
+Of burning cressets ; and at my birth
+The frame and huge foundation of the earth
+Shak'd like a coward .
+
+Why , so it would have done at the same season , if your mother's cat had but kittened , though yourself had never been born .
+
+I say the earth did shake when I was born .
+
+And I say the earth was not of my mind ,
+If you suppose as fearing you it shook .
+
+The heavens were all on fire , the earth did tremble .
+
+O ! then the earth shook to see the heavens on fire ,
+And not in fear of your nativity .
+Diseased nature oftentimes breaks forth
+In strange eruptions ; oft the teeming earth
+Is with a kind of colic pinch'd and vex'd
+By the imprisoning of unruly wind
+Within her womb ; which , for enlargement striving ,
+Shakes the old beldam earth , and topples down
+Steeples and moss-grown towers . At your birth
+Our grandam earth , having this distemperature ,
+In passion shook .
+
+Cousin , of many men
+I do not bear these crossings . Give me leave
+To tell you once again that at my birth
+The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes ,
+The goats ran from the mountains , and the herds
+Were strangely clamorous to the frighted fields .
+These signs have mark'd me extraordinary ;
+And all the courses of my life do show
+I am not in the roll of common men .
+Where is he living , clipp'd in with the sea
+That chides the banks of England , Scotland , Wales ,
+Which calls me pupil , or hath read to me ?
+And bring him out that is but woman's son
+Can trace me in the tedious ways of art
+And hold me pace in deep experiments .
+
+I think there's no man speaks better Welsh .
+I'll to dinner .
+
+Peace , cousin Percy ! you will make him mad .
+
+I can call spirits from the vasty deep .
+
+Why , so can I , or so can any man ;
+But will they come when you do call for them ?
+
+Why , I can teach thee , cousin , to command
+The devil .
+
+And I can teach thee , coz , to shame the devil
+By telling truth : tell truth and shame the devil .
+If thou have power to raise him , bring him hither ,
+And I'll be sworn I have power to shame him hence .
+O ! while you live , tell truth and shame the devil !
+
+Come , come ;
+No more of this unprofitable chat .
+
+Three times hath Henry Bolingbroke made head
+Against my power ; thrice from the banks of Wye
+And sandy-bottom'd Severn have I sent him
+Bootless home and weather-beaten back .
+
+Home without boots , and in foul weather too !
+How 'scapes he agues , in the devil's name ?
+
+Come , here's the map : shall we divide our right
+According to our threefold order ta'en ?
+
+The archdeacon hath divided it
+Into three limits very equally .
+England , from Trent and Severn hitherto ,
+By south and east , is to my part assign'd :
+All westward , Wales beyond the Severn shore ,
+And all the fertile land within that bound ,
+To Owen Glendower : and , dear coz , to you
+The remnant northward , lying off from Trent .
+And our indentures tripartite are drawn ,
+Which being sealed interchangeably ,
+A business that this night may execute ,
+To-morrow , cousin Percy , you and I
+And my good Lord of Worcester will set forth
+To meet your father and the Scottish power ,
+As is appointed us , at Shrewsbury .
+My father Glendower is not ready yet ,
+Nor shall we need his help these fourteen days .
+
+
+Within that space you may have drawn together
+Your tenants , friends , and neighbouring gentlemen .
+
+A shorter time shall send me to you , lords ;
+And in my conduct shall your ladies come ,
+From whom you now must steal and take no leave ;
+For there will be a world of water shed
+Upon the parting of your wives and you .
+
+Methinks my moiety , north from Burton here ,
+In quantity equals not one of yours :
+See how this river comes me cranking in ,
+And cuts me from the best of all my land
+A huge half-moon , a monstrous cantle out .
+I'll have the current in this place damm'd up ,
+And here the smug and silver Trent shall run
+In a new channel , fair and evenly :
+It shall not wind with such a deep indent ,
+To rob me of so rich a bottom here .
+
+Not wind ! it shall , it must ; you see it doth .
+
+Yea , but
+Mark how he bears his course , and runs me up
+With like advantage on the other side ;
+Gelding the opposed continent as much ,
+As on the other side it takes from you .
+
+Yea , but a little charge will trench him here ,
+And on this north side win this cape of land ;
+And then he runs straight and even .
+
+I'll have it so ; a little charge will do it .
+
+I will not have it alter'd .
+
+Will not you ?
+
+No , nor you shall not .
+
+Who shall say me nay ?
+
+Why , that will I .
+
+Let me not understand you then :
+Speak it in Welsh .
+
+I can speak English , lord , as well as you ,
+For I was train'd up in the English court ;
+Where , being but young , I framed to the harp
+Many an English ditty lovely well ,
+And gave the tongue an helpful ornament ;
+A virtue that was never seen in you .
+
+Marry , and I'm glad of it with all my heart .
+I had rather be a kitten , and cry mew
+Than one of these same metre ballad-mongers ;
+I had rather hear a brazen canstick turn'd ,
+Or a dry wheel grate on the axle-tree ;
+And that would set my teeth nothing on edge ,
+Nothing so much as mincing poetry :
+'Tis like the forc'd gait of a shuffling nag .
+
+Come , you shall have Trent turn'd .
+
+I do not care : I'll give thrice so much land
+To any well-deserving friend ;
+But in the way of bargain , mark you me ,
+I'll cavil on the ninth part of a hair .
+Are the indentures drawn ? shall we be gone ?
+
+The moon shines fair , you may away by night :
+I'll haste the writer and withal
+Break with your wives of your departure hence :
+I am afraid my daughter will run mad ,
+So much she doteth on her Mortimer .
+
+
+Fie , cousin Percy ! how you cross my father !
+
+I cannot choose : sometimes he angers me
+With telling me of the moldwarp and the ant ,
+Of the dreamer Merlin and his prophecies ,
+And of a dragon , and a finless fish ,
+A clip-wing'd griffin , and a moulten raven ,
+A couching lion , and a ramping cat ,
+And such a deal of skimble-skamble stuff
+As puts me from my faith . I'll tell thee what ;
+He held me last night at least nine hours
+In reckoning up the several devils' names
+That were his lackeys : I cried 'hum !' and 'well , go to .'
+But mark'd him not a word . O ! he's as tedious
+As a tired horse , a railing wife ;
+Worse than a smoky house . I had rather live
+With cheese and garlick in a windmill , far ,
+Than feed on cates and have him talk to me
+In any summer-house in Christendom .
+
+In faith , he is a worthy gentleman ,
+Exceedingly well read , and profited
+In strange concealments , valiant as a lion
+And wondrous affable , and as bountiful
+As mines of India . Shall I tell you , cousin ?
+He holds your temper in a high respect ,
+And curbs himself even of his natural scope
+When you do cross his humour ; faith , he does .
+I warrant you , that man is not alive
+Might so have tempted him as you have done ,
+Without the taste of danger and reproof :
+But do not use it oft , let me entreat you .
+
+In faith , my lord , you are too wilfulblame ;
+And since your coming hither have done enough
+To put him quite beside his patience .
+You must needs learn , lord , to amend this fault :
+Though sometimes it show greatness , courage , blood ,
+And that's the dearest grace it renders you ,
+Yet oftentimes it doth present harsh rage ,
+Defect of manners , want of government ,
+Pride , haughtiness , opinion , and disdain :
+The least of which haunting a nobleman
+Loseth men's hearts and leaves behind a stain
+Upon the beauty of all parts besides ,
+Beguiling them of commendation .
+
+Well , I am school'd ; good manners be your speed !
+Here come our wives , and let us take our leave .
+
+
+This is the deadly spite that angers me ,
+My wife can speak no English , I no Welsh .
+
+My daughter weeps ; she will not part with you :
+She'll be a soldier too : she'll to the wars .
+
+Good father , tell her that she and my aunt Percy ,
+Shall follow in your conduct speedily .
+
+
+She's desperate here ; a peevish self-will'd harlotry , one that no persuasion can do good upon .
+
+
+I understand thy looks : that pretty Welsh
+Which thou pour'st down from these swelling heavens
+I am too perfect in ; and , but for shame ,
+In such a parley would I answer thee .
+
+I understand thy kisses and thou mine ,
+And that's a feeling disputation :
+But I will never be a truant , love ,
+Till I have learn'd thy language ; for thy tongue
+Makes Welsh as sweet as ditties highly penn'd ,
+Sung by a fair queen in a summer's bower ,
+With ravishing division , to her lute .
+
+Nay , if you melt , then will she run mad .
+
+
+O ! I am ignorance itself in this .
+
+She bids you
+Upon the wanton rushes lay you down
+And rest your gentle head upon her lap ,
+And she will sing the song that pleaseth you ,
+And on your eye-lids crown the god of sleep ,
+Charming your blood with pleasing heaviness ,
+Making such difference 'twixt wake and sleep
+As is the difference between day and night
+The hour before the heavenly-harness'd team
+Begins his golden progress in the east .
+
+With all my heart I'll sit and hear her sing :
+By that time will our book , I think , be drawn .
+
+Do so ;
+And those musicians that shall play to you
+Hang in the air a thousand leagues from hence ,
+And straight they shall be here : sit , and attend .
+
+Come , Kate , thou art perfect in lying down : come , quick , quick , that I may lay my head in thy lap .
+
+Go , ye giddy goose .
+
+
+Now I perceive the devil understands Welsh ;
+And 'tis no marvel he is so humorous .
+By'r lady , he's a good musician .
+
+Then should you be nothing but musical for you are altogether governed by humours . Lie still , ye thief , and hear the lady sing in Welsh .
+
+I had rather hear Lady , my brach , how ! in Irish .
+
+Wouldst thou have thy head broken ?
+
+No .
+
+Then be still .
+
+Neither ; 'tis a woman's fault .
+
+Now , God help thee !
+
+To the Welsh lady's bed .
+
+What's that ?
+
+Peace ! she sings .
+
+
+Come , Kate , I'll have your song too .
+
+Not mine , in good sooth .
+
+Not yours , 'in good sooth !' Heart ! you swear like a comfit-maker's wife ! Not you , 'in good sooth ;' and , 'as true as I live ;' and , 'as God shall mend me ;' and , 'as sure as day :'
+And giv'st such sarcenet surety for thy oaths ,
+As if thou never walk'dst further than Finsbury .
+Swear me , Kate , like a lady as thou art ,
+A good mouth-filling oath ; and leave 'in sooth ,'
+And such protest of pepper-gingerbread ,
+To velvet-guards and Sunday-citizens .
+Come , sing .
+
+I will not sing .
+
+'Tis the next way to turn tailor or be red-breast teacher . An the indentures be drawn , I'll away within these two hours ; and so , come in when ye will .
+
+
+Come , come , Lord Mortimer ; you are as slow
+As hot Lord Percy is on fire to go .
+By this our book is drawn ; we will but seal ,
+And then to horse immediately .
+
+With all my heart .
+
+
+Lords , give us leave ; the Prince of Wales and I
+Must have some private conference : but be near at hand ,
+For we shall presently have need of you .
+
+I know not whether God will have it so ,
+For some displeasing service I have done ,
+That , in his secret doom , out of my blood
+He'll breed revengement and a scourge for me ;
+But thou dost in thy passages of life
+Make me believe that thou art only mark'd
+For the hot vengeance and the rod of heaven
+To punish my mistreadings . Tell me else ,
+Could such inordinate and low desires ,
+Such poor , such bare , such lewd , such mean attempts ,
+Such barren pleasures , rude society ,
+As thou art match'd withal and grafted to ,
+Accompany the greatness of thy blood
+And hold their level with thy princely heart ?
+
+So please your majesty , I would I could
+Quit all offences with as clear excuse
+As well as I am doubtless I can purge
+Myself of many I am charg'd withal :
+Yet such extenuation let me beg ,
+As , in reproof of many tales devis'd ,
+Which oft the ear of greatness needs must hear ,
+By smiling pick-thanks and base newsmongers ,
+I may , for some things true , wherein my youth
+Hath faulty wander'd and irregular ,
+Find pardon on my true submission .
+
+God pardon thee ! yet let me wonder , Harry ,
+At thy affections , which do hold a wing
+Quite from the flight of all thy ancestors .
+Thy place in council thou hast rudely lost ,
+Which by thy younger brother is supplied ,
+And art almost an alien to the hearts
+Of all the court and princes of my blood .
+The hope and expectation of thy time
+Is ruin'd , and the soul of every man
+Prophetically do forethink thy fall .
+Had I so lavish of my presence been ,
+So common-hackney'd in the eyes of men ,
+So stale and cheap to vulgar company ,
+Opinion , that did help me to the crown ,
+Had still kept loyal to possession
+And left me in reputeless banishment ,
+A fellow of no mark nor likelihood .
+By being seldom seen , I could not stir ,
+But like a comet I was wonder'd at ;
+That men would tell their children , 'This is he ;'
+Others would say , 'Where ? which is Bolingbroke ?'
+And then I stole all courtesy from heaven ,
+And dress'd myself in such humility
+That I did pluck allegiance from men's hearts ,
+Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths ,
+Even in the presence of the crowned king .
+Thus did I keep my person fresh and new ;
+My presence , like a robe pontifical ,
+Ne'er seen but wonder'd at : and so my state ,
+Seldom but sumptuous , showed like a feast ,
+And won by rareness such solemnity .
+The skipping king , he ambled up and down
+With shallow jesters and rash bavin wits ,
+Soon kindled and soon burnt ; carded his state ,
+Mingled his royalty with capering fools ,
+Had his great name profaned with their scorns ,
+And gave his countenance , against his name ,
+To laugh at gibing boys and stand the push
+Of every beardless vain comparative ;
+Grew a companion to the common streets ,
+Enfeoff'd himself to popularity ;
+That , being daily swallow'd by men's eyes ,
+They surfeited with honey and began
+To loathe the taste of sweetness , whereof a little
+More than a little is by much too much .
+So , when he had occasion to be seen ,
+He was but as the cuckoo is in June ,
+Heard , not regarded ; seen , but with such eyes
+As , sick and blunted with community ,
+Afford no extraordinary gaze ,
+Such as is bent on sun-like majesty
+When it shines seldom in admiring eyes ;
+But rather drows'd and hung their eyelids down ,
+Slept in his face , and render'd such aspect
+As cloudy men use to their adversaries ,
+Being with his presence glutted , gorg'd , and full .
+And in that very line , Harry , stand'st thou ;
+For thou hast lost thy princely privilege
+With vile participation : not an eye
+But is aweary of thy common sight ,
+Save mine , which hath desir'd to see thee more ;
+Which now doth that I would not have it do ,
+Make blind itself with foolish tenderness .
+
+I shall hereafter , my thrice gracious lord ,
+Be more myself .
+
+For all the world ,
+As thou art to this hour was Richard then
+When I from France set foot at Ravenspurgh ;
+And even as I was then is Percy now .
+Now , by my sceptre and my soul to boot ,
+He hath more worthy interest to the state
+Than thou the shadow of succession ;
+For of no right , nor colour like to right ,
+He doth fill fields with harness in the realm ,
+Turns head against the lion's armed jaws ,
+And , being no more in debt to years than thou ,
+Leads ancient lords and reverend bishops on
+To bloody battles and to bruising arms .
+What never-dying honour hath he got
+Against renowned Douglas ! whose high deeds ,
+Whose hot incursions and great name in arms ,
+Holds from all soldiers chief majority ,
+And military title capital ,
+Through all the kingdoms that acknowledge Christ .
+Thrice hath this Hotspur , Mars in swathling clothes ,
+This infant warrior , in his enterprises
+Discomfited great Douglas ; ta'en him once ,
+Enlarged him and made a friend of him ,
+To fill the mouth of deep defiance up
+And shake the peace and safety of our throne .
+And what say you to this ? Percy , Northumberland ,
+The Archbishop's Grace of York , Douglas , Mortimer ,
+Capitulate against us and are up .
+But wherefore do I tell these news to thee ?
+Why , Harry , do I tell thee of my foes ,
+Which art my near'st and dearest enemy ?
+Thou that art like enough , through vassal fear ,
+Base inclination , and the start of spleen ,
+To fight against me under Percy's pay ,
+To dog his heels , and curtsy at his frowns ,
+To show how much thou art degenerate .
+
+Do not think so ; you shall not find it so :
+And God forgive them , that so much have sway'd
+Your majesty's good thoughts away from me !
+I will redeem all this on Percy's head ,
+And in the closing of some glorious day
+Be bold to tell you that I am your son ;
+When I will wear a garment all of blood
+And stain my favours in a bloody mask ,
+Which , wash'd away , shall scour my shame with it :
+And that shall be the day , whene'er it lights ,
+That this same child of honour and renown ,
+This gallant Hotspur , this all-praised knight ,
+And your unthought of Harry chance to meet .
+For every honour sitting on his helm ,
+Would they were multitudes , and on my head
+My shames redoubled !for the time will come
+That I shall make this northern youth exchange
+His glorious deeds for my indignities .
+Percy is but my factor , good my lord ,
+To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf ;
+And I will call him to so strict account
+That he shall render every glory up ,
+Yea , even the slightest worship of his time ,
+Or I will tear the reckoning from his heart .
+This , in the name of God , I promise here :
+The which , if he be pleas'd I shall perform ,
+I do beseech your majesty may salve
+The long-grown wounds of my intemperance :
+If not , the end of life cancels all bands ,
+And I will die a hundred thousand deaths
+Ere break the smallest parcel of this vow .
+
+A hundred thousand rebels die in this :
+Thou shalt have charge and sovereign trust herein .
+
+How now , good Blunt ! thy looks are full of speed .
+
+So hath the business that I come to speak of .
+Lord Mortimer of Scotland hath sent word
+That Douglas and the English rebels met ,
+The eleventh of this month at Shrewsbury .
+A mighty and a fearful head they are ,
+If promises be kept on every hand ,
+As ever offer'd foul play in a state .
+
+The Earl of Westmoreland set forth to-day ,
+With him my son , Lord John of Lancaster ;
+For this advertisement is five days old .
+On Wednesday next , Harry , you shall set forward ;
+On Thursday we ourselves will march : our meeting
+Is Bridgenorth ; and Harry , you shall march
+Through Gloucestershire ; by which account ,
+Our business valued , some twelve days hence
+Our general forces at Bridgenorth shall meet .
+Our hands are full of business : let's away ;
+Advantage feeds him fat while men delay .
+
+
+Bardolph , am I not fallen away vilely since this last action ? do I not bate ? do I not dwindle ? Why , my skin hangs about me like an old lady's loose gown ; I am withered like an old apple-john . Well , I'll repent , and that suddenly , while I am in some liking ; I shall be out of heart shortly , and then I shall have no strength to repent . An I have not forgotten what the inside of a church is made of , I am a peppercorn , a brewer's horse : the inside of a church ! Company , villanous company , hath been the spoil of me .
+
+Sir John , you are so fretful , you cannot live long .
+
+Why , there is it : come , sing me a bawdy song ; make me merry . I was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to be ; virtuous enough : swore little ; diced not above seven times a week ; went to a bawdy-house not above once in a quarter of an hour ; paid money that I borrowed three or four times ; lived well and in good compass ; and now I live out of all order , out of all compass .
+
+Why , you are so fat , Sir John , that you must needs be out of all compass , out of all reasonable compass , Sir John .
+
+Do thou amend thy face , and I'll amend my life : thou art our admiral , thou bearest the lanthorn in the poop , but 'tis in the nose of thee : thou art the Knight of the Burning Lamp .
+
+Why , Sir John , my face does you no harm .
+
+No , I'll be sworn ; I make as good use of it as many a man doth of a Death's head , or a memento mori : I never see thy face but I think upon hell-fire and Dives that lived in purple ; for there he is in his robes , burning , burning . If thou wert any way given to virtue , I would swear by thy face ; my oath should be , 'By this fire , that's God's angel :' but thou art altogether given over , and wert indeed , but for the light in thy face , the son of utter darkness . When thou rannest up Gadshill in the night to catch my horse , if I did not think thou hadst been an igius fatuus or a ball of wildfire , there's no purchase in money . O ! thou art a perpetual triumph , an everlasting bonfire-light . Thou hast saved me a thousand marks in links and torches , walking with thee in the night betwixt tavern and tavern : but the sack that thou hast drunk me would have bought me lights as good cheap at the dearest chandler's in Europe . I have maintained that salamander of yours with fire any time this two-and-thirty years ; God reward me for it !
+
+'Sblood , I would my face were in your belly .
+
+God-a-mercy ! so should I be sure to be heart-burned .
+
+How now , Dame Partlet the hen ! have you inquired yet who picked my pocket ?
+
+Why , Sir John , what do you think , Sir John ? Do you think I keep thieves in my house ? I have searched , I have inquired , so has my husband , man by man , boy by boy , servant by servant : the tithe of a hair was never lost in my house before .
+
+You lie , hostess : Bardolph was shaved and lost many a hair ; and I'll be sworn my pocket was picked . Go to , you are a woman ; go .
+
+Who , I ? No ; I defy thee : God's light !
+I was never called so in my own house before .
+
+Go to , I know you well enough .
+
+No , Sir John ; you do not know me , Sir John : I know you , Sir John : you owe me money , Sir John , and now you pick a quarrel to beguile me of it : I bought you a dozen of shirts to your back .
+
+Dowlas , filthy dowlas : I have given them away to bakers' wives , and they have made bolters of them .
+
+Now , as I am true woman , holland of eight shillings an ell . You owe money here besides , Sir John , for your diet and by-drinkings , and money lent you , four-and-twenty pound .
+
+He had his part of it ; let him pay .
+
+He ! alas ! he is poor ; he hath nothing .
+
+How ! poor ? look upon his face ; what call you rich ? let them coin his nose , let them coin his cheeks . I'll not pay a denier . What ! will you make a younker of me ? shall I not take mine ease in mine inn but I shall have my pocket picked ? I have lost a seal-ring of my grandfather's worth forty mark .
+
+O Jesu ! I have heard the prince tell him , I know not how oft , that that ring was copper .
+
+How ! the prince is a Jack , a sneak-cup ; 'sblood ! an he were here , I would cudgel him like a dog , if he would say so .
+
+
+How now , lad ! is the wind in that door , i' faith ? must we all march ?
+
+Yea , two and two , Newgate fashion .
+
+My lord , I pray you , hear me .
+
+What sayest thou , Mistress Quickly ?
+How does thy husband ? I love him well , he is an honest man .
+
+Good my lord , hear me .
+
+Prithee , let her alone , and list to me .
+
+What sayest thou , Jack ?
+
+The other night I fell asleep here behind the arras and had my pocket picked : this house is turned bawdy-house ; they pick pockets .
+
+What didst thou lose , Jack ?
+
+Wilt thou believe me , Hal ? three or four bonds of forty pound a-piece , and a seal-ring of my grandfather's .
+
+A trifle ; some eight-penny matter .
+
+So I told him , my lord ; and I said I heard your Grace say so : and , my lord , he speaks most vilely of you , like a foul-mouthed man as he is , and said he would cudgel you .
+
+What ! he did not ?
+
+There's neither faith , truth , nor womanhood in me else .
+
+There's no more faith in thee than in a stewed prune ; nor no more truth in thee than in a drawn fox ; and for womanhood , Maid Marian may be the deputy's wife of the ward to thee . Go , you thing , go .
+
+Say , what thing ? what thing ?
+
+What thing ! why , a thing to thank God on .
+
+I am no thing to thank God on , I would thou shouldst know it ; I am an honest man's wife ; and , setting thy knighthood aside , thou art a knave to call me so .
+
+Setting thy womanhood aside , thou art a beast to say otherwise .
+
+Say , what beast , thou knave thou ?
+
+What beast ! why , an otter .
+
+An otter , Sir John ! why , an otter ?
+
+Why ? she's neither fish nor flesh ; a man knows not where to have her .
+
+Thou art an unjust man in saying so : thou or any man knows where to have me , thou knave thou !
+
+Thou sayest true , hostess ; and he slanders thee most grossly .
+
+So he doth you , my lord ; and said this other day you ought him a thousand pound .
+
+Sirrah ! do I owe you a thousand pound ?
+
+A thousand pound , Hal ! a million : thy love is worth a million ; thou owest me thy love .
+
+Nay , my lord , he called you Jack , and said he would cudgel you .
+
+Did I , Bardolph ?
+
+Indeed , Sir John , you said so .
+
+Yea ; if he said my ring was copper .
+
+I say 'tis copper : darest thou be as good as thy word now ?
+
+Why , Hal , thou knowest , as thou art but man , I dare ; but as thou art prince , I fear thee as I fear the roaring of the lion s whelp .
+
+And why not as the lion ?
+
+The king himself is to be feared as the lion : dost thou think I'll fear thee as I fear thy father ? nay , an I do , I pray God my girdle break !
+
+O ! if it should , how would thy guts fall about thy knees . But , sirrah , there's no room for faith , truth , or honesty in this bosom of thine ; it is all filled up with guts and midriff . Charge an honest woman with picking thy pocket ! Why , thou whoreson , impudent , embossed rascal , if there were any thing in thy pocket but tavern reckonings , memorandums of bawdy-houses , and one poor pennyworth of sugar-candy to make thee long-winded ; if thy pocket were enriched with any other injuries but these , I am a villain . And yet you will stand to it , you will not pocket up wrong . Art thou not ashamed ?
+
+Dost thou hear , Hal ? thou knowest in the state of innocency Adam fell ; and what should poor Jack Falstaff do in the days of villany ? Thou seest I have more flesh than another man , and therefore more frailty . You confess then , you picked my pocket ?
+
+It appears so by the story .
+
+Hostess , I forgive thee . Go make ready breakfast ; love thy husband , look to thy servants , cherish thy guests : thou shalt find me tractable to any honest reason : thou seest I am pacified . Still ! Nay prithee , be gone .
+
+Now , Hal , to the news at court : for the robbery , lad , how is that answered ?
+
+O ! my sweet beef , I must still be good angel to thee : the money is paid back again .
+
+O ! I do not like that paying back ; 'tis a double labour .
+
+I am good friends with my father and may do anything .
+
+Rob me the exchequer the first thing thou dost , and do it with unwashed hands too .
+
+Do , my lord .
+
+I have procured thee , Jack , a charge of foot .
+
+I would it had been of horse . Where shall I find one that can steal well ? O ! for a fine thief , of the age of two-and-twenty , or thereabouts ; I am heinously unprovided . Well , God be thanked for these rebels ; they offend none but the virtuous : I laud them , I praise them .
+
+Bardolph !
+
+My lord ?
+
+Go bear this letter to Lord John of Lancaster ,
+To my brother John ; this to my Lord of Westmoreland .
+Go , Poins , to horse , to horse ! for thou and I
+Have thirty miles to ride ere dinner-time .
+Jack , meet me to-morrow in the Temple-hall
+At two o'clock in the afternoon :
+There shalt thou know thy charge , and there receive
+Money and order for their furniture .
+The land is burning ; Percy stands on high ;
+And either we or they must lower lie .
+
+
+Rare words ! brave world ! Hostess , my breakfast ; come !
+O ! I could wish this tavern were my drum .
+
+Well said , my noble Scot : if speaking truth
+In this fine age were not thought flattery ,
+Such attribution should the Douglas have ,
+As not a soldier of this season's stamp
+Should go so general current through the world .
+By God , I cannot flatter ; do defy
+The tongues of soothers ; but a braver place
+In my heart's love hath no man than yourself .
+Nay , task me to my word ; approve me , lord .
+
+Thou art the king of honour :
+No man so potent breathes upon the ground
+But I will beard him .
+
+Do so , and 'tis well .
+
+
+What letters hast thou there ?
+
+
+I can but thank you .
+
+These letters come from your father .
+
+Letters from him ! why comes he not himself ?
+
+He cannot come , my lord : he's grievous sick .
+
+'Zounds ! how has he the leisure to be sick
+In such a justling time ? Who leads his power ?
+Under whose government come they along ?
+
+His letters bear his mind , not I , my lord .
+
+I prithee , tell me , doth he keep his bed ?
+
+He did , my lord , four days ere I set forth ;
+And at the time of my departure thence
+He was much fear'd by his physicians .
+
+I would the state of time had first been whole
+Ere he by sickness had been visited :
+His health was never better worth than now .
+
+Sick now ! droop now ! this sickness doth infect
+The very life-blood of our enterprise ;
+'Tis catching hither , even to our camp ,
+He writes me here , that inward sickness
+And that his friends by deputation could not
+So soon be drawn ; nor did he think it meet
+To lay so dangerous and dear a trust
+On any soul remov'd but on his own .
+Yet doth he give us bold advertisement ,
+That with our small conjunction we should on ,
+To see how fortune is dispos'd to us ;
+For , as he writes , there is no quailing now ,
+Because the king is certainly possess'd
+Of all our purposes . What say you to it ?
+
+Your father's sickness is a maim to us .
+
+A perilous gash , a very limb lopp'd off :
+And yet , in faith , 'tis not ; his present want
+Seems more than we shall find it . Were it good
+To set the exact wealth of all our states
+All at one cast ? to set so rich a main
+On the nice hazard of one doubtful hour ?
+It were not good ; for therein should we read
+The very bottom and the soul of hope ,
+The very list , the very utmost bound
+Of all our fortunes .
+
+Faith , and so we should ;
+Where now remains a sweet reversion :
+We may boldly spend upon the hope of what
+Is to come in :
+A comfort of retirement lives in this .
+
+A rendezvous , a home to fly unto ,
+If that the devil and mischance look big
+Upon the maidenhead of our affairs .
+
+But yet , I would your father had been here .
+The quality and hair of our attempt
+Brooks no division . It will be thought
+By some , that know not why he is away ,
+That wisdom , loyalty , and mere dislike
+Of our proceedings , kept the earl from hence .
+And think how such an apprehension
+May turn the tide of fearful faction
+And breed a kind of question in our cause ;
+For well you know we of the offering side
+Must keep aloof from strict arbitrement ,
+And stop all sight-holes , every loop from whence
+The eye of reason may pry in upon us :
+This absence of your father's draws a curtain ,
+That shows the ignorant a kind of fear
+Before not dreamt of .
+
+You strain too far .
+I rather of his absence make this use :
+It lends a lustre and more great opinion ,
+A larger dare to our great enterprise ,
+Than if the earl were here ; for men must think ,
+If we without his help , can make a head
+To push against the kingdom , with his help
+We shall o'erturn it topsy-turvy down .
+Yet all goes well , yet all our joints are whole .
+
+As heart can think : there is not such a word
+Spoke of in Scotland as this term of fear .
+
+
+My cousin Vernon ! welcome , by my soul .
+
+Pray God my news be worth a welcome , lord .
+The Earl of Westmoreland , seven thousand strong ,
+Is marching hitherwards ; with him Prince John .
+
+No harm : what more ?
+
+And further , I have learn'd ,
+The king himself in person is set forth ,
+Or hitherwards intended speedily ,
+With strong and mighty preparation .
+
+He shall be welcome too . Where is his son ,
+The nimble-footed madcap Prince of Wales ,
+And his comrades , that daff'd the world aside ,
+And bid it pass ?
+
+All furnish'd , all in arms ,
+All plum'd like estridges that wing the wind ,
+Baited like eagles having lately bath'd ,
+Glittering in golden coats , like images ,
+As full of spirit as the month of May ,
+And gorgeous as the sun at midsummer ,
+Wanton as youthful goats , wild as young bulls .
+I saw young Harry , with his beaver on ,
+His cushes on his thighs , gallantly arm'd ,
+Rise from the ground like feather'd Mercury ,
+And vaulted with such ease into his seat ,
+As if an angel dropp'd down from the clouds ,
+To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus
+And witch the world with noble horsemanship .
+
+No more , no more : worse than the sun in March
+This praise doth nourish agues . Let them come ;
+They come like sacrifices in their trim ,
+And to the fire-ey'd maid of smoky war
+All hot and bleeding will we offer them :
+The mailed Mars shall on his altar sit
+Up to the ears in blood . I am on fire
+To hear this rich reprisal is so nigh
+And yet not ours . Come , let me taste my horse ,
+Who is to bear me like a thunderbolt
+Against the bosom of the Prince of Wales :
+Harry to Harry shall , hot horse to horse ,
+Meet and ne'er part till one drop down a corse .
+O ! that Glendower were come .
+
+There is more news :
+I learn'd in Worcester , as I rode along ,
+He cannot draw his power these fourteen days .
+
+That's the worst tidings that I hear of yet .
+
+Ay , by my faith , that bears a frosty sound .
+
+What may the king's whole battle reach unto ?
+
+To thirty thousand .
+
+Forty let it be :
+My father and Glendower being both away ,
+The powers of us may serve so great a day .
+Come , let us take a muster speedily :
+Doomsday is near ; die all , die merrily .
+
+Talk not of dying : I am out of fear
+Of death or death's hand for this one half year .
+
+
+Bardolph , get thee before to Coventry ; fill me a bottle of sack : our soldiers shall march through : we'll to Sutton-Co'fil' to-night .
+
+Will you give me money , captain ?
+
+Lay out , lay out .
+
+This bottle makes an angel .
+
+An if it do , take it for thy labour ; and if it make twenty , take them all , I'll answer the coinage . Bid my Lieutenant Peto meet me at the town's end .
+
+I will , captain : farewell .
+
+
+If I be not ashamed of my soldiers , I am a soused gurnet . I have misused the king's press damnably . I have got , in exchange of a hundred and fifty soldiers , three hundred and odd pounds . I press me none but good householders , yeomen's sons ; inquire me out contracted bachelors , such as had been asked twice on the banns ; such a commodity of warm slaves , as had as lief hear the devil as a drum ; such as fear the report of a caliver worse than a struck fowl or a hurt wild-duck . I pressed me none but such toasts-and-butter , with hearts in their bellies no bigger than pins' heads , and they have bought out their services ; and now my whole charge consists of ancients , corporals , lieutenants , gentlemen of companies , slaves as ragged as Lazarus in the painted cloth , where the glutton's dogs licked his sores ; and such as indeed were never soldiers , but discarded unjust serving-men , younger sons to younger brothers , revolted tapsters and ostlers trade-fallen , the cankers of a calm world and a long peace ; ten times more dishonourable ragged than an old faced ancient : and such have I , to fill up the rooms of them that have bought out their services , that you would think that I had a hundred and fifty tattered prodigals , lately come from swine-keeping , from eating draff and husks . A mad fellow met me on the way and told me I had unloaded all the gibbets and pressed the dead bodies . No eye hath seen such scarecrows . I'll not march through Coventry with them , that's flat : nay , and the villains march wide betwixt the legs , as if they had gyves on ; for , indeed I had the most of them out of prison . There's but a shirt and a half in all my company ; and the half shirt is two napkins tacked together and thrown over the shoulders like a herald's coat without sleeves ; and the shirt , to say the truth , stolen from my host at Saint Alban's , or the red-nose inn-keeper of Daventry . But that's all one ; they'll find linen enough on every hedge .
+
+
+How now , blown Jack ! how now , quilt !
+
+What , Hal ! How now , mad wag ! what a devil dost thou in Warwickshire ? My good Lord of Westmoreland , I cry you mercy : I thought your honour had already been at Shrewsbury .
+
+Faith , Sir John , 'tis more than time that I were there , and you too ; but my powers are there already . The king , I can tell you , looks for us all : we must away all night .
+
+Tut , never fear me : I am as vigilant as a cat to steal cream .
+
+I think to steal cream indeed , for thy theft hath already made thee butter . But tell me , Jack , whose fellows are these that come after ?
+
+Mine , Hal , mine .
+
+I did never see such pitiful rascals .
+
+Tut , tut ; good enough to toss ; food for powder , food for powder ; they'll fill a pit as well as better : tush , man , mortal men , mortal men .
+
+Ay , but , Sir John , methinks they are exceeding poor and bare ; too beggarly .
+
+Faith , for their poverty , I know not where they had that ; and for their bareness , I am sure they never learned that of me .
+
+No , I'll be sworn ; unless you call three fingers on the ribs bare . But sirrah , make haste : Percy is already in the field .
+
+What , is the king encamped ?
+
+He is , Sir John : I fear we shall stay too long .
+
+Well ,
+To the latter end of a fray and the beginning of a feast
+Fits a dull fighter and a keen guest .
+
+
+We'll fight with him to-night .
+
+It may not be .
+
+You give him then advantage .
+
+Not a whit .
+
+Why say you so ? looks he not for supply ?
+
+So do we .
+
+His is certain , ours is doubtful .
+
+Good cousin , be advis'd : stir not to-night .
+
+Do not , my lord .
+
+You do not counsel well :
+You speak it out of fear and cold heart .
+
+Do me no slander , Douglas : by my life ,
+And I dare well maintain it with my life ,
+If well-respected honour bid me on ,
+I hold as little counsel with weak fear
+As you , my lord , or any Scot that this day lives :
+Let it be seen to-morrow in the battle
+Which of us fears .
+
+Yea , or to-night .
+
+Content .
+
+To-night , say I .
+
+Come , come , it may not be . I wonder much ,
+Being men of such great leading as you are ,
+That you foresee not what impediments
+Drag back our expedition : certain horse
+Of my cousin Vernon's are not yet come up :
+Your uncle Worcester's horse came but to-day ;
+And now their pride and mettle is asleep ,
+Their courage with hard labour tame and dull ,
+That not a horse is half the half of himself .
+
+So are the horses of the enemy
+In general , journey-bated and brought low :
+The better part of ours are full of rest .
+
+The number of the king exceedeth ours :
+For God's sake , cousin , stay till all come in .
+
+I come with gracious offers from the king ,
+If you vouchsafe me hearing and respect .
+
+Welcome , Sir Walter Blunt ; and would to God
+You were of our determination !
+Some of us love you well ; and even those some
+Envy your great deservings and good name ,
+Because you are not of our quality ,
+But stand against us like an enemy .
+
+And God defend but still I should stand so ,
+So long as out of limit and true rule
+You stand against anointed majesty .
+But , to my charge . The king hath sent to know
+The nature of your griefs , and whereupon
+You conjure from the breast of civil peace
+Such bold hostility , teaching his duteous land
+Audacious cruelty . If that the king
+Have any way your good deserts forgot ,
+Which he confesseth to be manifold ,
+He bids you name your griefs ; and with all speed
+You shall have your desires with interest ,
+And pardon absolute for yourself and these
+Herein misled by your suggestion .
+
+The king is kind ; and well we know the king
+Knows at what time to promise , when to pay .
+My father and my uncle and myself
+Did give him that same royalty he wears ;
+And when he was not six-and-twenty strong ,
+Sick in the world's regard , wretched and low ,
+A poor unminded outlaw sneaking home ,
+My father gave him welcome to the shore ;
+And when he heard him swear and vow to God
+He came but to be Duke of Lancaster ,
+To sue his livery and beg his peace ,
+With tears of innocency and terms of zeal ,
+My father , in kind heart and pity mov'd ,
+Swore him assistance and perform'd it too .
+Now when the lords and barons of the realm
+Perceiv'd Northumberland did lean to him ,
+The more and less came in with cap and knee ;
+Met him in boroughs , cities , villages ,
+Attended him on bridges , stood in lanes ,
+Laid gifts before him , proffer'd him their oaths ,
+Gave him their heirs as pages , follow'd him
+Even at the heels in golden multitudes .
+He presently , as greatness knows itself ,
+Steps me a little higher than his vow
+Made to my father , while his blood was poor ,
+Upon the naked shore at Ravenspurgh ;
+And now , forsooth , takes on him to reform
+Some certain edicts and some strait decrees
+That lie too heavy on the commonwealth ,
+Cries out upon abuses , seems to weep
+Over his country's wrongs ; and by this face ,
+This seeming brow of justice , did he win
+The hearts of all that he did angle for ;
+Proceeded further ; cut me off the heads
+Of all the favourites that the absent king
+In deputation left behind him here ,
+When he was personal in the Irish war .
+
+Tut , I came not to hear this .
+
+Then to the point .
+In short time after , he depos'd the king ;
+Soon after that , depriv'd him of his life ;
+And , in the neck of that , task'd the whole state ;
+To make that worse , suffer'd his kinsman March
+Who is , if every owner were well plac'd ,
+Indeed his king to be engag'd in Wales ,
+There without ransom to lie forfeited ;
+Disgrac'd me in my happy victories ;
+Sought to entrap me by intelligence ;
+Rated my uncle from the council-board ;
+In rage dismiss'd my father from the court ;
+Broke oath on oath , committed wrong on wrong ;
+And in conclusion drove us to seek out
+This head of safety ; and withal to pry
+Into his title , the which we find
+Too indirect for long continuance .
+
+Shall I return this answer to the king ?
+
+Not so , Sir Walter : we'll withdraw awhile .
+Go to the king ; and let there be impawn'd
+Some surety for a safe return again ,
+And in the morning early shall my uncle
+Bring him our purposes ; and so farewell .
+
+I would you would accept of grace and love .
+
+And may be so we shall .
+
+Pray God , you do !
+
+
+Hie , good Sir Michael ; bear this sealed brief
+With winged haste to the lord marshal ;
+This to my cousin Scroop , and all the rest
+To whom they are directed . If you knew
+How much they do import , you would make haste .
+
+My good lord ,
+I guess their tenour .
+
+Like enough you do .
+To-morrow , good Sir Michael , is a day
+Wherein the fortune of ten thousand men
+Must bide the touch ; for , sir , at Shrewsbury ,
+As I am truly given to understand ,
+The king with mighty and quick-raised power
+Meets with Lord Harry : and , I fear , Sir Michael ,
+What with the sickness of Northumberland ,
+Whose power was in the first proportion ,
+And what with Owen Glendower's absence thence ,
+Who with them was a rated sinew too ,
+And comes not in , o'er-rul'd by prophecies ,
+I fear the power of Percy is too weak
+To wage an instant trial with the king .
+
+Why , my good lord , you need not fear :
+There is the Douglas and Lord Mortimer .
+
+No , Mortimer is not there .
+
+But there is Mordake , Vernon , Lord Harry Percy ,
+And there's my Lord of Worcester , and a head
+Of gallant warriors , noble gentlemen .
+
+And so there is ; but yet the king hath drawn
+The special head of all the land together :
+The Prince of Wales , Lord John of Lancaster ,
+The noble Westmoreland , and war-like Blunt ;
+And many moe corrivals and dear men
+Of estimation and command in arms .
+
+Doubt not , my lord , they shall be well oppos'd .
+
+I hope no less , yet needful 'tis to fear ;
+And , to prevent the worse , Sir Michael , speed :
+For if Lord Percy thrive not , ere the king
+Dismiss his power , he means to visit us ,
+For he hath heard of our confederacy ,
+And 'tis but wisdom to make strong against him :
+Therefore make haste . I must go write again
+To other friends ; and so farewell , Sir Michael .
+
+How bloodily the sun begins to peer
+Above yon busky hill ! the day looks pale
+At his distemperature .
+
+The southern wind
+Doth play the trumpet to his purposes ,
+And by his hollow whistling in the leaves
+Foretells a tempest and a blustering day .
+
+Then with the losers let it sympathize ,
+For nothing can seem foul to those that win .
+
+How now , my Lord of Worcester ! 'tis not well
+That you and I should meet upon such terms
+As now we meet . You have deceiv'd our trust ,
+And made us doff our easy robes of peace ,
+To crush our old limbs in ungentle steel :
+This is not well , my lord ; this is not well .
+What say you to it ? will you again unknit
+This churlish knot of all-abhorred war ,
+And move in that obedient orb again
+Where you did give a fair and natural light ,
+And be no more an exhal'd meteor ,
+A prodigy of fear and a portent
+
+Of broached mischief to the unborn times ?
+
+Hear me , my liege .
+For mine own part , I could be well content
+To entertain the lag-end of my life
+With quiet hours ; for I do protest
+I have not sought the day of this dislike .
+
+You have not sought it ! how comes it then ?
+
+Rebellion lay in his way , and he found it .
+
+Peace , chewet , peace !
+
+It pleas'd your majesty to turn your looks
+Of favour from myself and all our house ;
+And yet I must remember you , my lord ,
+We were the first and dearest of your friends .
+For you my staff of office did I break
+In Richard's time ; and posted day and night
+To meet you on the way , and kiss your hand ,
+When yet you were in place and in account
+Nothing so strong and fortunate as I .
+It was myself , my brother , and his son ,
+That brought you home and boldly did outdare
+The dangers of the time . You swore to us ,
+And you did swear that oath at Doncaster ,
+That you did nothing purpose 'gainst the state ,
+Nor claim no further than your new-fall'n right ,
+The seat of Gaunt , dukedom of Lancaster .
+To this we swore our aid : but , in short space
+It rain'd down fortune showering on your head ,
+And such a flood of greatness fell on you ,
+What with our help , what with the absent king ,
+What with the injuries of a wanton time ,
+The seeming sufferances that you had borne ,
+And the contrarious winds that held the king
+So long in his unlucky Irish wars ,
+That all in England did repute him dead :
+And from this swarm of fair advantages
+You took occasion to be quickly woo'd
+To gripe the general sway into your hand ;
+Forgot your oath to us at Doncaster ;
+And being fed by us you us'd us so
+As that ungentle gull , the cuckoo's bird ,
+Useth the sparrow : did oppress our nest ,
+Grew by our feeding to so great a bulk
+That even our love durst not come near your sight
+For fear of swallowing ; but with nimble wing
+We were enforc'd , for safety's sake , to fly
+Out of your sight and raise this present head ;
+Whereby we stand opposed by such means
+As you yourself have forg'd against yourself
+By unkind usage , dangerous countenance ,
+And violation of all faith and troth
+Sworn to us in your younger enterprise .
+
+These things indeed , you have articulate ,
+Proclaim'd at market-crosses , read in churches ,
+To face the garment of rebellion
+With some fine colour that may please the eye
+Of fickle changelings and poor discontents ,
+Which gape and rub the elbow at the news
+Of hurlyburly innovation :
+And never yet did insurrection want
+Such water-colours to impaint his cause ;
+Nor moody beggars , starving for a time
+Of pell-mell havoc and confusion .
+
+In both our armies there is many a soul
+Shall pay full dearly for this encounter ,
+If once they join in trial . Tell your nephew ,
+The Prince of Wales doth join with all the world
+In praise of Henry Percy : by my hopes ,
+This present enterprise set off his head ,
+I do not think a braver gentleman ,
+More active-valiant or more valiant-young ,
+More daring or more bold , is now alive
+To grace this latter age with noble deeds .
+For my part , I may speak it to my shame ,
+I have a truant been to chivalry ;
+And so I hear he doth account me too ;
+Yet this before my father's majesty
+I am content that he shall take the odds
+Of his great name and estimation ,
+And will , to save the blood on either side ,
+Try fortune with him in a single fight .
+
+And , Prince of Wales , so dare we venture thee ,
+Albeit considerations infinite
+Do make against it . No , good Worcester , no ,
+We love our people well ; even those we love
+That are misled upon your cousin's part ;
+And , will they take the offer of our grace ,
+Both he and they and you , yea , every man
+Shall be my friend again , and I'll be his .
+So tell your cousin , and bring me word
+What he will do ; but if he will not yield ,
+Rebuke and dread correction wait on us ,
+And they shall do their office . So , be gone :
+We will not now be troubled with reply ;
+We offer fair , take it advisedly .
+
+
+It will not be accepted , on my life .
+The Douglas and the Hotspur both together
+Are confident against the world in arms .
+
+Hence , therefore , every leader to his charge ;
+For , on their answer , will we set on them ;
+And God befriend us , as our cause is just !
+
+
+Hal , if thou see me down in the battle , and bestride me , so ; 'tis a point of friendship .
+
+Nothing but a colossus can do thee that friendship . Say thy prayers , and farewell .
+
+I would it were bed-time , Hal , and all well .
+
+Why , thou owest God a death .
+
+
+'Tis not due yet : I would be loath to pay him before his day . What need I be so forward with him that calls not on me ? Well , 'tis no matter ; honour pricks me on . Yea , but how if honour prick me off when I come on ? how then ? Can honour set to a leg ? No . Or an arm ? No . Or take away the grief of a wound ? No . Honour hath no skill in surgery then ? No . What is honour ? a word . What is that word , honour ? Air . A trim reckoning ! Who hath it ? he that died o' Wednesday . Doth he feel it ? No . Doth he hear it ? No . It is insensible then ? Yea , to the dead . But will it not live with the living ? No . Why ? Detraction will not suffer it . Therefore I'll none of it : honour is a mere scutcheon ; and so ends my catechism .
+
+
+O , no ! my nephew must not know , Sir Richard ,
+The liberal kind offer of the king .
+
+'Twere best he did .
+
+Then are we all undone .
+It is not possible , it cannot be ,
+The king should keep his word in loving us ;
+He will suspect us still , and find a time
+To punish this offence in other faults :
+Suspicion all our lives shall be stuck full of eyes ;
+For treason is but trusted like the fox ,
+Who , ne'er so tame , so cherish'd , and lock'd up ,
+Will have a wild trick of his ancestors .
+Look how we can , or sad or merrily ,
+Interpretation will misquote our looks ,
+And we shall feed like oxen at a stall ,
+The better cherish'd , still the nearer death .
+My nephew's trespass may be well forgot ,
+It hath the excuse of youth and heat of blood ;
+And an adopted name of privilege ,
+A hare-brain'd Hotspur , govern'd by a spleen .
+All his offences live upon my head
+And on his father's : we did train him on ;
+And , his corruption being ta'en from us ,
+We , as the spring of all , shall pay for all .
+Therefore , good cousin , let not Harry know
+In any case the offer of the king .
+
+Deliver what you will , I'll say 'tis so .
+Here comes your cousin .
+
+
+My uncle is return'd : deliver up
+My Lord of Westmoreland . Uncle , what news ?
+
+The king will bid you battle presently .
+
+Defy him by the Lord of Westmoreland .
+
+Lord Douglas , go you and tell him so .
+
+Marry , and shall , and very willingly .
+
+
+There is no seeming mercy in the king .
+
+Did you beg any ? God forbid !
+
+I told him gently of our grievances ,
+Of his oath-breaking ; which he mended thus ,
+By now forswearing that he is forsworn :
+He calls us rebels , traitors ; and will scourge
+With haughty arms this hateful name in us .
+
+
+Arm , gentlemen ! to arms ! for I have thrown
+A brave defiance in King Henry's teeth ,
+And Westmoreland , that was engag'd , did bear it ;
+Which cannot choose but bring him quickly on .
+
+The Prince of Wales stepp'd forth before the king ,
+And , nephew , challeng'd you to single fight .
+
+O ! would the quarrel lay upon our heads ,
+And that no man might draw short breath to-day
+But I and Harry Monmouth . Tell me , tell me ,
+How show'd his tasking ? seem'd it in contempt ?
+
+No , by my soul ; I never in my life
+Did hear a challenge urg'd more modestly ,
+Unless a brother should a brother dare
+To gentle exercise and proof of arms .
+He gave you all the duties of a man ,
+Trimm'd up your praises with a princely tongue ,
+Spoke your deservings like a chronicle ,
+Making you ever better than his praise ,
+By still dispraising praise valu'd with you ;
+And , which became him like a prince indeed ,
+He made a blushing cital of himself ,
+And chid his truant youth with such a grace
+As if he master'd there a double spirit
+Of teaching and of learning instantly .
+There did he pause . But let me tell the world ,
+If he outlive the envy of this day ,
+England did never owe so sweet a hope ,
+So much misconstru'd in his wantonness .
+
+Cousin , I think thou art enamoured
+On his follies : never did I hear
+Of any prince so wild a libertine .
+But be he as he will , yet once ere night
+I will embrace him with a soldier's arm ,
+That he shall shrink under my courtesy .
+Arm , arm , with speed ! And , fellows , soldiers , friends ,
+Better consider what you have to do ,
+Than I , that have not well the gift of tongue ,
+Can lift your blood up with persuasion .
+
+
+My lord , here are letters for you .
+
+I cannot read them now .
+O gentlemen ! the time of life is short ;
+To spend that shortness basely were too long ,
+If life did ride upon a dial's point ,
+Still ending at the arrival of an hour .
+An if we live , we live to tread on kings ;
+If die , brave death , when princes die with us !
+Now , for our consciences , the arms are fair ,
+When the intent of bearing them is just .
+
+
+My lord , prepare ; the king comes on apace .
+
+I thank him that he cuts me from my tale ,
+For I profess not talking . Only this ,
+Let each man do his best : and here draw I
+A sword , whose temper I intend to stain
+With the best blood that I can meet withal
+In the adventure of this perilous day .
+Now , Esperance ! Percy ! and set on .
+Sound all the lofty instruments of war ,
+And by that music let us all embrace ;
+For , heaven to earth , some of us never shall
+A second time do such a courtesy .
+
+What is thy name , that in the battle thus
+Thou crossest me ? what honour dost thou seek
+Upon my head ?
+
+Know then , my name is Douglas ;
+And I do haunt thee in the battle thus
+Because some tell me that thou art a king .
+
+They tell thee true .
+
+The Lord of Stafford dear to-day hath bought
+Thy likeness ; for , instead of thee , King Harry ,
+This sword hath ended him : so shall it thee ,
+Unless thou yield thee as my prisoner .
+
+I was not born a yielder , thou proud Scot ;
+And thou shalt find a king that will revenge
+Lord Stafford's death .
+
+O , Douglas ! hadst thou fought at Holmedon thus ,
+I never had triumph'd upon a Scot .
+
+All's done , all's won : here breathless lies the king .
+
+Where ?
+
+Here .
+
+This , Douglas ! no ; I know this face full well ;
+A gallant knight he was , his name was Blunt ;
+Semblably furnish'd like the king himself .
+
+A fool go with thy soul , whither it goes !
+A borrow'd title hast thou bought too dear :
+Why didst thou tell me that thou wert a king ?
+
+The king hath many marching in his coats .
+
+Now , by my sword , I will kill all his coats ;
+I'll murder all his wardrobe , piece by piece ,
+Until I meet the king .
+
+Up , and away !
+Our soldiers stand full fairly for the day .
+
+Though I could 'scape shot-free at London , I fear the shot here ; here's no scoring but upon the pate . Soft ! who art thou ? Sir Walter Blunt : there's honour for you ! here's no vanity ! I am as hot as molten lead , and as heavy too : God keep lead out of me ! I need no more weight than mine own bowels . I have led my ragamuffins where they are peppered : there's not three of my hundred and fifty left alive , and they are for the town's end , to beg during life . But who comes here ?
+
+
+What ! stand'st thou idle here ? lend me thy sword :
+Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff
+Under the hoofs of vaunting enemies ,
+Whose deaths are unreveng'd : prithee , lend me thy sword .
+
+O Hal ! I prithee , give me leave to breathe awhile . Turk Gregory never did such deeds in arms as I have done this day . I have paid Percy , I have made him sure .
+
+He is , indeed ; and living to kill thee .
+I prithee , lend me thy sword .
+
+Nay , before God , Hal , if Percy be alive , thou gett'st not my sword ; but take my pistol , if thou wilt .
+
+Give it me . What ! is it in the case ?
+
+Ay , Hal ; 'tis hot , 'tis hot : there's that will sack a city .
+
+
+What ! is't a time to jest and dally now ?
+
+
+Well , if Percy be alive , I'll pierce him . If he do come in my way , so : if he do not , if I come in his , willingly , let him make a carbonado of me . I like not such grinning honour as Sir Walter hath : give me life ; which if I can save , so ; if not , honour comes unlooked for , and there's an end .
+
+
+I prithee ,
+Harry , withdraw thyself ; thou bleed'st too much .
+Lord John of Lancaster , go you with him .
+
+Not I , my lord , unless I did bleed too .
+
+I beseech your majesty , make up ,
+Lest your retirement do amaze your friends .
+
+I will do so .
+My Lord of Westmoreland , lead him to his tent .
+
+Come , my lord , I'll lead you to your tent .
+
+Lead me , my lord ? I do not need your help :
+And God forbid a shallow scratch should drive
+The Prince of Wales from such a field as this ,
+Where stain'd nobility lies trodden on ,
+And rebels' arms triumph in massacres !
+
+We breathe too long : come , cousin Westmoreland ,
+Our duty this way lies : for God's sake , come .
+
+
+By God , thou hast deceiv'd me , Lancaster ;
+I did not think thee lord of such a spirit :
+Before , I lov'd thee as a brother , John ;
+But now , I do respect thee as my soul .
+
+I saw him hold Lord Percy at the point
+With lustier maintenance than I did look for
+Of such an ungrown warrior .
+
+O ! this boy
+Lends mettle to us all .
+
+Another king ! they grow like Hydra's heads :
+I am the Douglas , fatal to all those
+That wear those colours on them : what art thou ,
+That counterfeit'st the person of a king ?
+
+The king himself ; who , Douglas , grieves at heart
+So many of his shadows thou hast met
+And not the very king . I have two boys
+Seek Percy and thyself about the field :
+But , seeing thou fall'st on me so luckily ,
+I will assay thee ; so defend thyself .
+
+I fear thou art another counterfeit ;
+And yet , in faith , thou bear'st thee like a king :
+But mine I am sure thou art , whoe'er thou be ,
+And thus I win thee .
+
+
+Hold up thy head , vile Scot , or thou art like
+Never to hold it up again ! the spirits
+Of valiant Shirley , Stafford , Blunt , are in my arms :
+It is the Prince of Wales that threatens thee ,
+Who never promiseth but he means to pay .
+
+Cheerly , my lord : how fares your Grace ?
+Sir Nicholas Gawsey hath for succour sent ,
+And so hath Clifton : I'll to Clifton straight .
+
+Stay , and breathe awhile .
+Thou hast redeem'd thy lost opinion ,
+And show'd thou mak'st some tender of my life ,
+In this fair rescue thou hast brought to me .
+
+O God ! they did me too much injury
+That ever said I hearken'd for your death .
+If it were so , I might have let alone
+The insulting hand of Douglas over you ;
+Which would have been as speedy in your end
+As all the poisonous potions in the world ,
+And sav'd the treacherous labour of your son .
+
+Make up to Clifton : I'll to Sir Nicholas Gawsey .
+
+If I mistake not , thou art Harry Monmouth .
+
+Thou speak'st as if I would deny my name .
+
+My name is Harry Percy .
+
+Why , then , I see
+A very valiant rebel of that name .
+I am the Prince of Wales ; and think not , Percy ,
+To share with me in glory any more :
+Two stars keep not their motion in one sphere ;
+Nor can one England brook a double reign ,
+Of Harry Percy and the Prince of Wales .
+
+Nor shall it , Harry ; for the hour is come
+To end the one of us ; and would to God
+Thy name in arms were now as great as mine !
+
+I'll make it greater ere I part from thee ;
+And all the budding honours on thy crest
+I'll crop , to make a garland for my head .
+
+I can no longer brook thy vanities .
+
+Well said , Hal ! to it , Hal ! Nay , you shall find no boy's play here , I can tell you .
+
+O , Harry ! thou hast robb'd me of my youth .
+I better brook the loss of brittle life
+Than those proud titles thou hast won of me ;
+They wound my thoughts worse than thy sword my flesh :
+But thought's the slave of life , and life time's fool ;
+And time , that takes survey of all the world ,
+Must have a stop . O ! I could prophesy ,
+But that the earthy and cold hand of death
+Lies on my tongue . No , Percy , thou art dust ,
+And food for
+
+
+For worms , brave Percy . Fare thee well , great heart !
+Ill-weav'd ambition , how much art thou shrunk !
+When that this body did contain a spirit ,
+A kingdom for it was too small a bound ;
+But now , two paces of the vilest earth
+Is room enough : this earth , that bears thee dead ,
+Bears not alive so stout a gentleman .
+If thou wert sensible of courtesy ,
+I should not make so dear a show of zeal :
+But let my favours hide thy mangled face ,
+And , even in thy behalf , I'll thank myself
+For doing these fair rites of tenderness .
+Adieu , and take thy praise with thee to heaven !
+Thy ignomy sleep with thee in the grave ,
+But not remember'd in thy epitaph !
+
+What ! old acquaintance ! could not all this flesh
+Keep in a little life ? Poor Jack , farewell !
+I could have better spar'd a better man .
+O ! I should have a heavy miss of thee
+If I were much in love with vanity .
+Death hath not struck so fat a deer to-day ,
+Though many dearer , in this bloody fray .
+Embowell'd will I see thee by and by :
+Till then in blood by noble Percy lie .
+
+
+Embowelled ! if thou embowel me to-day , I'll give you leave to powder me and eat me too , to-morrow . 'Sblood ! 'twas time to counterfeit , or that hot termagant Scot had paid me scot and lot too . Counterfeit ? I lie , I am no counterfeit : to die , is to be a counterfeit ; for he is but the counterfeit of a man , who hath not the life of a man ; but to counterfeit dying , when a man thereby liveth , is to be no counterfeit , but the true and perfect image of life indeed . The better part of valour is discretion ; in the which better part , I have saved my life . 'Zounds ! I am afraid of this gunpowder Percy though he be dead : how , if he should counterfeit too and rise ? By my faith I am afraid he would prove the better counterfeit . Therefore I'll make him sure ; yea , and I'll swear I killed him . Why may not he rise as well as I ? Nothing confutes me but eyes , and nobody sees me : therefore , sirrah [stabbing him] , with a new wound in your thigh come you along with me .
+
+Come , brother John ; full bravely hast thou flesh'd
+Thy maiden sword .
+
+But , soft ! whom have we here ?
+Did you not tell me this fat man was dead ?
+
+I did ; I saw him dead ,
+Breathless and bleeding on the ground .
+Art thou alive ? or is it fantasy
+That plays upon our eyesight ? I prithee , speak ;
+We will not trust our eyes without our ears :
+Thou art not what thou seem'st .
+
+No , that's certain ; I am not a double man : but if I be not Jack Falstaff , then am I a Jack . There is Percy
+
+: if your father will do me any honour , so ; if not , let him kill the next Percy himself . I look to be either earl or duke , I can assure you .
+
+Why , Percy I killed myself , and saw thee dead .
+
+Didst thou ? Lord , Lord ! how this world is given to lying . I grant you I was down and out of breath , and so was he ; but we rose both at an instant , and fought a long hour by Shrewsbury clock . If I may be believed , so ; if not , let them that should reward valour bear the sin upon their own heads . I'll take it upon my death , I gave him this wound in the thigh : if the man were alive and would deny it , 'zounds , I would make him eat a piece of my sword .
+
+This is the strangest tale that e'er I heard .
+
+This is the strangest fellow , brother John .
+Come , bring your luggage nobly on your back :
+For my part , if a lie may do thee grace ,
+I'll gild it with the happiest terms I have .
+
+The trumpet sounds retreat ; the day is ours .
+Come , brother , let us to the highest of the field ,
+To see what friends are living , who are dead .
+
+
+I'll follow , as they say , for reward . He that rewards me , God reward him ! If I do grow great , I'll grow less ; for I'll purge , and leave sack , and live cleanly , as a nobleman should do .
+
+Thus ever did rebellion find rebuke .
+Ill-spirited Worcester ! did we not send grace ,
+Pardon , and terms of love to all of you ?
+And wouldst thou turn our offers contrary ?
+Misuse the tenour of thy kinsman's trust ?
+Three knights upon our party slain to-day ,
+A noble earl and many a creature else
+Had been alive this hour ,
+If like a Christian , thou hadst truly borne
+Betwixt our armies true intelligence .
+
+What I have done my safety urg'd me to ;
+And I embrace this fortune patiently ,
+Since not to be avoided it falls on me .
+
+Bear Worcester to the death and Vernon too :
+Other offenders we will pause upon .
+
+How goes the field ?
+
+The noble Scot , Lord Douglas , when he saw
+The fortune of the day quite turn'd from him ,
+The noble Percy slain , and all his men
+Upon the foot of fear , fled with the rest ;
+And falling from a hill he was so bruis'd
+That the pursuers took him . At my tent
+The Douglas is , and I beseech your Grace
+I may dispose of him .
+
+With all my heart .
+
+Then , brother John of Lancaster , to you
+This honourable bounty shall belong .
+Go to the Douglas , and deliver him
+Up to his pleasure , ransomless , and free :
+His valour shown upon our crests to-day
+Hath taught us how to cherish such high deeds ,
+Even in the bosom of our adversaries .
+
+I thank your Grace for this high courtesy ,
+Which I shall give away immediately .
+
+Then this remains , that we divide our power .
+You , son John , and my cousin Westmoreland
+Towards York shall bend you , with your dearest speed ,
+To meet Northumberland and the prelate Scroop ,
+Who , as we hear , are busily in arms :
+Myself and you , son Harry , will towards Wales ,
+To fight with Glendower and the Earl of March .
+Rebellion in this land shall lose his sway ,
+Meeting the check of such another day :
+And since this business so fair is done ,
+Let us not leave till all our own be won .
+
+THE FIRST PART OF KING HENRY VI
+
+Fiends appearing to La Pucelle .
+
+
+Hung be the heavens with black , yield day to night !
+Comets , importing change of times and states ,
+Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky ,
+And with them scourge the bad revolting stars ,
+That have consented unto Henry's death !
+King Henry the Fifth , too famous to live long !
+England ne'er lost a king of so much worth .
+
+England ne'er had a king until his time .
+Virtue he had , deserving to command :
+His brandish'd sword did blind men with his beams ;
+His arms spread wider than a dragon's wings ;
+His sparkling eyes , replete with wrathful fire ,
+More dazzled and drove back his enemies
+Than mid-day sun fierce bent against their faces .
+What should I say ? his deeds exceed all speech :
+He ne'er lift up his hand but conquered .
+
+We mourn in black : why mourn we not in blood ?
+Henry is dead and never shall revive .
+Upon a wooden coffin we attend ,
+And death's dishonourable victory
+We with our stately presence glorify ,
+Like captives bound to a triumphant car .
+What ! shall we curse the planets of mishap
+That plotted thus our glory's overthrow ?
+Or shall we think the subtle-witted French
+Conjurers and sorcerers , that , afraid of him ,
+By magic verses have contriv'd his end ?
+
+He was a king bless'd of the King of kings .
+Unto the French the dreadful judgment-day
+So dreadful will not be as was his sight .
+The battles of the Lord of hosts he fought :
+The church's prayers made him so prosperous .
+
+The church ! where is it ? Had not churchmen pray'd
+His thread of life had not so soon decay'd :
+None do you like but an effeminate prince ,
+Whom like a school-boy you may over-awe .
+
+Gloucester , whate'er we like thou art protector ,
+And lookest to command the prince and realm .
+Thy wife is proud ; she holdeth thee in awe ,
+More than God or religious churchmen may .
+
+Name not religion , for thou lov'st the flesh ,
+And ne'er throughout the year to church thou go'st ,
+Except it be to pray against thy foes .
+
+Cease , cease these jars and rest your minds in peace !
+Let's to the altar : heralds , wait on us :
+Instead of gold we'll offer up our arms ,
+Since arms avail not , now that Henry's dead .
+Posterity , await for wretched years ,
+When at their mothers' moist eyes babes shall suck ,
+Our isle be made a marish of salt tears ,
+And none but women left to wail the dead .
+Henry the Fifth ! thy ghost I invocate :
+Prosper this realm , keep it from civil broils !
+Combat with adverse planets in the heavens !
+A far more glorious star thy soul will make ,
+Than Julius C sar , or bright
+
+
+My honourable lords , health to you all !
+Sad tidings bring I to you out of France ,
+Of loss , of slaughter , and discomfiture :
+Guienne , Champaigne , Rheims , Orleans ,
+Paris , Guysors , Poictiers , are all quite lost .
+
+What sayst thou , man , before dead Henry's corse ?
+Speak softly ; or the loss of those great towns
+Will make him burst his lead and rise from death .
+
+Is Paris lost ? is Roan yielded up ?
+If Henry were recall'd to life again
+These news would cause him once more yield the ghost .
+
+How were they lost ? what treachery was us'd ?
+
+No treachery ; but want of men and money .
+Among the soldiers this is muttered ,
+That here you maintain several factions ;
+And , whilst a field should be dispatch'd and fought ,
+You are disputing of your generals .
+One would have lingering wars with little cost ;
+Another would fly swift , but wanteth wings ;
+A third thinks , without expense at all ,
+By guileful fair words peace may be obtain'd .
+Awake , awake , English nobility !
+Let not sloth dim your honours new-begot :
+Cropp'd are the flower-de-luces in your arms ;
+Of England's coat one half is cut away .
+
+Were our tears wanting to this funeral
+These tidings would call forth their flowing tides .
+
+Me they concern ; Regent I am of France .
+Give me my steeled coat : I'll fight for France .
+Away with these disgraceful wailing robes !
+Wounds will I lend the French instead of eyes ,
+To weep their intermissive miseries .
+
+
+Lords , view these letters , full of bad mischance .
+France is revolted from the English quite ,
+Except some petty towns of no import :
+The Dauphin Charles is crowned king in Rheims ;
+The Bastard of Orleans with him is join'd ;
+Reignier , Duke of Anjou , doth take his part ;
+The Duke of Alen on flieth to his side .
+
+The Dauphin crowned king ! all fly to him !
+O ! whither shall we fly from this reproach ?
+
+We will not fly , but to our enemies' throats .
+Bedford , if thou be slack , I'll fight it out .
+
+Gloucester , why doubt'st thou of my forwardness ?
+An army have I muster'd in my thoughts ,
+Wherewith already France is overrun .
+
+
+My gracious lords , to add to your laments ,
+Wherewith you now bedew King Henry's hearse ,
+I must inform you of a dismal fight
+Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French .
+
+What ! wherein Talbot overcame ? is't so ?
+
+O , no ! wherein Lord Talbot was o'erthrown :
+The circumstance I'll tell you more at large .
+The tenth of August last this dreadful lord ,
+Retiring from the siege of Orleans ,
+Having full scarce six thousand in his troop ,
+By three-and-twenty thousand of the French
+Was round encompassed and set upon .
+No leisure had he to enrank his men ;
+He wanted pikes to set before his archers ;
+Instead whereof sharp stakes pluck'd out of hedges
+They pitched in the ground confusedly ,
+To keep the horsemen off from breaking in .
+More than three hours the fight continued ;
+Where valiant Talbot above human thought
+Enacted wonders with his sword and lance .
+Hundreds he sent to hell , and none durst stand him ;
+Here , there , and every where , enrag'd he flew :
+The French exclaim'd the devil was in arms ;
+All the whole army stood agaz'd on him .
+His soldiers , spying his undaunted spirit ,
+A Talbot ! A Talbot ! cried out amain ,
+And rush'd into the bowels of the battle .
+Here had the conquest fully been seal'd up ,
+If Sir John Fastolfe had not play'd the coward .
+He , being in the vaward ,plac'd behind ,
+With purpose to relieve and follow them ,
+Cowardly fled , not having struck one stroke .
+Hence grew the general wrack and massacre ;
+Enclosed were they with their enemies .
+A base Walloon , to win the Dauphin's grace ,
+Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back ;
+Whom all France , with their chief assembled strength ,
+Durst not presume to look once in the face .
+
+Is Talbot slain ? then I will slay myself ,
+For living idly here in pomp and ease
+Whilst such a worthy leader , wanting aid ,
+Unto his dastard foemen is betray'd .
+
+O no ! he lives ; but is took prisoner ,
+And Lord Scales with him , and Lord Hungerford :
+Most of the rest slaughter'd or took likewise .
+
+His ransom there is none but I shall pay :
+I'll hale the Dauphin headlong from his throne ;
+His crown shall be the ransom of my friend ;
+Four of their lords I'll change for one of ours .
+Farewell , my masters ; to my task will I ;
+Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make ,
+To keep our great Saint George's feast withal :
+Ten thousand soldiers with me I will take ,
+Whose bloody deeds shall make all Europe quake .
+
+So you had need ; for Orleans is besieg'd ;
+The English army is grown weak and faint ;
+The Earl of Salisbury craveth supply ,
+And hardly keeps his men from mutiny ,
+Since they , so few , watch such a multitude .
+
+Remember , lords , your oaths to Henry sworn ,
+Either to quell the Dauphin utterly ,
+Or bring him in obedience to your yoke .
+
+I do remember it ; and here take my leave ,
+To go about my preparation .
+
+
+I'll to the Tower with all the haste I can ,
+To view the artillery and munition ;
+And then I will proclaim young Henry king .
+
+
+To Eltham will I , where the young king is ,
+Being ordain'd his special governor ;
+And for his safety there I'll best devise .
+
+
+Each hath his place and function to attend :
+I am left out ; for me nothing remains .
+But long I will not be Jack-out-of-office .
+The king from Eltham I intend to steal ,
+And sit at chiefest stern of public weal .
+
+
+Mars his true moving , even as in the heavens
+So in the earth , to this day is not known .
+Late did he shine upon the English side ;
+Now we are victors ; upon us he smiles .
+What towns of any moment but we have ?
+At pleasure here we lie near Orleans ;
+Otherwhiles the famish'd English , like pale ghosts ,
+Faintly besiege us one hour in a month .
+
+They want their porridge and their fat bull-beeves :
+Either they must be dieted like mules
+And have their provender tied to their mouths ,
+Or piteous they will look , like drowned mice .
+
+Let's raise the siege : why live we idly here ?
+Talbot is taken , whom we wont to fear :
+Remaineth none but mad-brain'd Salisbury ,
+And he may well in fretting spend his gall ;
+Nor men nor money hath he to make war .
+
+Sound , sound alarum ! we will rush on them .
+Now for the honour of the forlorn French !
+Him I forgive my death that killeth me
+When he sees me go back one foot or fly .
+
+Who ever saw the like ? what men have I !
+Dogs ! cowards ! dastards ! I would ne'er have fled
+But that they left me 'midst my enemies .
+
+Salisbury is a desperate homicide ;
+He fighteth as one weary of his life :
+The other lords , like lions wanting food ,
+Do rush upon us as their hungry prey .
+
+Froissart , a countryman of ours , records ,
+England all Olivers and Rowlands bred
+During the time Edward the Third did reign .
+More truly now may this be verified ;
+For none but Samsons and Goliases ,
+It sendeth forth to skirmish . One to ten !
+Lean raw-bon'd rascals ! who would e'er suppose
+They had such courage and audacity ?
+
+Let's leave this town ; for they are hare-brain'd slaves ,
+And hunger will enforce them to be more eager :
+Of old I know them ; rather with their teeth
+The walls they'll tear down than forsake the siege .
+
+I think , by some odd gimmals or device ,
+Their arms are set like clocks , still to strike on ;
+Else ne'er could they hold out so as they do .
+By my consent , we'll e'en let them alone .
+
+Be it so .
+
+
+Where's the prince Dauphin ? I have news for him .
+
+Bastard of Orleans , thrice welcome to us .
+
+Methinks your looks are sad , your cheer appall'd :
+Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence ?
+Be not dismay'd , for succour is at hand :
+A holy maid hither with me I bring ,
+Which by a vision sent to her from heaven
+Ordained is to raise this tedious siege ,
+And drive the English forth the bounds of France .
+The spirit of deep prophecy she hath ,
+Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome ;
+What's past and what's to come she can descry .
+Speak , shall I call her in ? Believe my words ,
+For they are certain and unfallible .
+
+Go , call her in .
+
+But first , to try her skill ,
+Reignier , stand thou as Dauphin in my place :
+Question her proudly ; let thy looks be stern :
+By this means shall we sound what skill she hath .
+
+Fair maid , is't thou wilt do these wondrous feats ?
+
+Reignier , is't thou that thinkest to beguile me ?
+Where is the Dauphin ? Come , come from behind ;
+I know thee well , though never seen before .
+Be not amaz'd , there's nothing hid from me :
+In private will I talk with thee apart .
+Stand back , you lords , and give us leave a while .
+
+She takes upon her bravely at first dash .
+
+Dauphin , I am by birth a shepherd's daughter ,
+My wit untrain'd in any kind of art .
+Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleas'd
+To shine on my contemptible estate :
+Lo ! whilst I waited on my tender lambs ,
+And to sun's parching heat display'd my cheeks ,
+God's mother deigned to appear to me ,
+And in a vision full of majesty
+Will'd me to leave my base vocation
+And free my country from calamity :
+Her aid she promis'd and assur'd success ;
+In complete glory she reveal'd herself ;
+And , whereas I was black and swart before ,
+With those clear rays which she infus'd on me ,
+That beauty am I bless'd with which you see .
+Ask me what question thou canst possible
+And I will answer unpremeditated :
+My courage try by combat , if thou dar'st ,
+And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex .
+Resolve on this , thou shalt be fortunate
+If thou receive me for thy war-like mate .
+
+Thou hast astonish'd me with thy high terms .
+Only this proof I'll of thy valour make ,
+In single combat thou shalt buckle with me ,
+And if thou vanquishest , thy words are true ;
+Otherwise I renounce all confidence .
+
+I am prepar'd : here is my keen-edg'd sword ,
+Deck'd with five flower-de-luces on each side ;
+The which at Touraine , in Saint Katharine's churchyard ,
+Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth .
+
+Then come , o' God's name ; I fear no woman .
+
+And , while I live , I'll ne'er fly from a man .
+
+
+Stay , stay thy hands ! thou art an Amazon ,
+And fightest with the sword of Deborah .
+
+Christ's mother helps me , else I were too weak .
+
+Whoe'er helps thee , 'tis thou that must help me :
+Impatiently I burn with thy desire ;
+My heart and hands thou hast at once subdu'd .
+Excellent Pucelle , if thy name be so ,
+Let me thy servant and not sovereign be ;
+'Tis the French Dauphin sueth to thee thus .
+
+I must not yield to any rites of love ,
+For my profession's sacred from above :
+When I have chased all thy foes from hence ,
+Then will I think upon a recompense .
+
+Meantime look gracious on thy prostrate thrall .
+
+My lord , methinks , is very long in talk .
+
+Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock ;
+Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech .
+
+Shall we disturb him , since he keeps no mean ?
+
+He may mean more than we poor men do know :
+These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues .
+
+My lord , where are you ? what devise you on ?
+Shall we give over Orleans , or no ?
+
+Why , no , I say , distrustful recreants !
+Fight till the last gasp ; I will be your guard .
+
+What she says , I'll confirm : we'll fight it out .
+
+Assign'd am I to be the English scourge .
+This night the siege assuredly I'll raise :
+Expect Saint Martin's summer , halcyon days ,
+Since I have entered into these wars .
+Glory is like a circle in the water ,
+Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself ,
+Till by broad spreading it disperse to nought .
+With Henry's death the English circle ends ;
+Dispersed are the glories it included .
+Now am I like that proud insulting ship
+Which C sar and his fortune bare at once .
+
+Was Mahomet inspired with a dove ?
+Thou with an eagle art inspired then .
+Helen , the mother of great Constantine ,
+Nor yet Saint Philip's daughters were like thee .
+Bright star of Venus , fall'n down on the earth ,
+How may I reverently worship thee enough ?
+
+Leave off delays and let us raise the siege .
+
+Woman , do what thou canst to save our honours ;
+Drive them from Orleans and be immortalis'd .
+
+Presently we'll try . Come , let's away about it :
+No prophet will I trust if she prove false .
+
+
+I am come to survey the Tower this day ;
+Since Henry's death , I fear , there is conveyance .
+Where be these warders that they wait not here ?
+Open the gates ! 'Tis Gloucester that calls .
+
+
+Who's there that knocks so imperiously ?
+
+It is the noble Duke of Gloucester .
+
+Whoe'er he be , you may not be let in .
+
+Villains , answer you so the Lord Protector ?
+
+The Lord protect him ! so we answer him :
+We do not otherwise than we are will'd .
+
+Who willed you ? or whose will stands but mine ?
+There's none protector of the realm but I .
+Break up the gates , I'll be your warrantize :
+Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms ?
+
+Lieutenant , is it you whose voice I hear ?
+Open the gates ! here's Gloucester that would enter .
+
+Have patience , noble Duke ; I may not open ;
+The Cardinal of Winchester forbids :
+From him I have express commandment
+That thou nor none of thine shall be let in .
+
+Faint-hearted Woodvile , prizest him 'fore me ?
+Arrogant Winchester , that haughty prelate ,
+Whom Henry , our late sovereign , ne'er could brook ?
+Thou art no friend to God or to the king :
+Open the gates , or I'll shut thee out shortly .
+
+Open the gates unto the Lord Protector ;
+Or we'll burst them open , if that you come not quickly .
+
+
+How now , ambitious Humphrey ! what means this ?
+
+Peel'd priest , dost thou command me to be shut out ?
+
+I do , thou most usurping proditor ,
+And not protector , of the king or realm .
+
+Stand back , thou manifest conspirator ,
+Thou that contriv'dst to murder our dead lord ;
+Thou that giv'st whores indulgences to sin :
+I'll canvass thee in thy broad cardinal's hat ,
+If thou proceed in this thy insolence .
+
+Nay , stand thou back ; I will not budge a foot :
+This be Damascus , be thou cursed Cam ,
+To slay thy brother Abel , if thou wilt .
+
+I will not slay thee , but I'll drive thee back :
+Thy scarlet robes as a child's bearing-cloth
+I'll use to carry thee out of this place .
+
+Do what thou dar'st ; I'll beard thee to thy face .
+
+What ! am I dar'd and bearded to my face ?
+Draw , men , for all this privileged place ;
+Blue coats to tawny-coats . Priest , beware your beard ;
+
+I mean to tug it and to cuff you soundly .
+Under my feet I stamp thy cardinal's hat ,
+In spite of pope or dignities of church ,
+Here by the cheeks I'll drag thee up and down .
+
+Gloucester , thou'lt answer this before the pope .
+
+Winchester goose ! I cry a rope ! a rope !
+Now beat them hence ; why do you let them stay ?
+Thee I'll chase hence , thou wolf in sheep's array .
+Out , tawny coats ! out , scarlet hypocrite !
+
+Fie , lords ! that you , being supreme magistrates ,
+Thus contumeliously should break the peace !
+
+Peace , mayor ! thou know'st little of my wrongs :
+Here's Beaufort , that regards nor God nor King ,
+Hath here distrain'd the Tower to his use .
+
+Here's Gloucester , a foe to citizens ;
+One that still motions war and never peace ,
+O'ercharging your free purses with large fines ,
+That seeks to overthrow religion
+Because he is protector of the realm ,
+And would have armour here out of the Tower ,
+To crown himself king and suppress the prince .
+
+I will not answer thee with words , but blows .
+
+
+Nought rests for me , in this tumultuous strife
+But to make open proclamation .
+Come , officer : as loud as e'er thou canst ;
+Cry .
+
+All manner of men , assembled here in arms this day , against God's peace and the king's , we charge and command you , in his highness' name , to repair to your several dwelling-places ; and not to wear , handle , or use , any sword , weapon , or dagger , henceforward , upon pain of death .
+
+Cardinal , I'll be no breaker of the law ;
+But we shall meet and break our minds at large .
+
+Gloucester , we will meet ; to thy cost , be sure :
+Thy heart-blood I will have for this day's work .
+
+I'll call for clubs if you will not away .
+This cardinal's more haughty than the devil .
+
+Mayor , farewell : thou dost but what thou mayst .
+
+Abominable Gloucester ! guard thy head ;
+For I intend to have it ere long .
+
+
+See the coast clear'd , and then we will depart .
+Good God ! these nobles should such stomachs bear ;
+I myself fight not once in forty year .
+
+
+Sirrah , thou know'st how Orleans is besieg'd ,
+And how the English have the suburbs won .
+
+Father , I know ; and oft have shot at them ,
+Howe'er unfortunate I miss'd my aim .
+
+But now thou shalt not . Be thou rul'd by me :
+Chief master-gunner am I of this town ;
+Something I must do to procure me grace .
+The prince's espials have informed me
+How the English , in the suburbs close entrench'd ,
+Wont through a secret gate of iron bars
+In yonder tower to overpeer the city ,
+And thence discover how with most advantage
+They may vex us with shot or with assault .
+To intercept this inconvenience ,
+A piece of ordnance 'gainst it I have plac'd ;
+And fully even these three days have I watch'd
+If I could see them . Now , boy , do thou watch ,
+For I can stay no longer .
+If thou spy'st any , run and bring me word ;
+And thou shalt find me at the Governor's .
+
+
+Father , I warrant you ; take you no care ;
+I'll never trouble you if I may spy them .
+
+
+Talbot , my life , my joy ! again return'd !
+How wert thou handled being prisoner ?
+Or by what means got'st thou to be releas'd ,
+Discourse , I prithee , on this turret's top .
+
+The Duke of Bedford had a prisoner
+Called the brave Lord Ponton de Santrailles ;
+For him I was exchang'd and ransomed .
+But with a baser man at arms by far
+Once in contempt they would have barter'd me :
+Which I disdaining scorn'd , and craved death
+Rather than I would be so vile-esteem'd .
+In fine , redeem'd I was as I desir'd .
+But , O ! the treacherous Fastolfe wounds my heart :
+Whom with my bare fists I would execute
+If I now had him brought into my power .
+
+Yet tell'st thou not how thou wert entertain'd .
+
+With scoffs and scorns and contumelious taunts .
+In open market-place produc'd they me ,
+To be a public spectacle to all :
+Here , said they , is the terror of the French ,
+The scarecrow that affrights our children so .
+Then broke I from the officers that led me ,
+And with my nails digg'd stones out of the ground
+To hurl at the beholders of my shame .
+My grisly countenance made others fly .
+None durst come near for fear of sudden death .
+In iron walls they deem'd me not secure ;
+So great fear of my name 'mongst them was spread
+That they suppos'd I could rend bars of steel
+And spurn in pieces posts of adamant :
+Wherefore a guard of chosen shot I had ,
+That walk'd about me every minute-while ;
+And if I did but stir out of my bed
+Ready they were to shoot me to the heart .
+
+
+I grieve to hear what torments you endur'd ;
+But we will be reveng'd sufficiently .
+Now it is supper-time in Orleans :
+Here , through this grate , I count each one ,
+And view the Frenchmen how they fortify :
+Let us look in ; the sight will much delight thee .
+Sir Thomas Gargrave , and Sir William Glansdale ,
+Let me have your express opinions
+Where is best place to make our battery next .
+
+I think at the North gate ; for there stand lords .
+
+And I , here , at the bulwark of the bridge .
+
+For aught I see , this city must be famish'd ,
+Or with light skirmishes enfeebled .
+
+
+O Lord ! have mercy on us , wretched sinners .
+
+O Lord ! have mercy on me , woeful man .
+
+What chance is this that suddenly hath cross'd us ?
+Speak , Salisbury ; at least , if thou canst speak :
+How far'st thou , mirror of all martial men ?
+One of thy eyes and thy cheek's side struck off !
+Accursed tower ! accursed fatal hand
+That hath contriv'd this woeful tragedy !
+In thirteen battles Salisbury o'ercame ;
+Henry the Fifth he first train'd to the wars ;
+Whilst any trump did sound or drum struck up ,
+His sword did ne'er leave striking in the field .
+Yet liv'st thou , Salisbury ? though thy speech doth fail ,
+One eye thou hast to look to heaven for grace :
+The sun with one eye vieweth all the world .
+Heaven , be thou gracious to none alive ,
+If Salisbury wants mercy at thy hands !
+Bear hence his body ; I will help to bury it .
+Sir Thomas Gargrave , hast thou any life ?
+Speak unto Talbot ; nay , look up to him .
+Salisbury , cheer thy spirit with this comfort ;
+Thou shalt not die , whiles
+He beckons with his hand and smiles on me ,
+As who should say , 'When I am dead and gone ,
+Remember to avenge me on the French .'
+Plantagenet , I will ; and like thee , Nero ,
+Play on the lute , beholding the towns burn :
+Wretched shall France be only in my name .
+
+What stir is this ? What tumult's in the heavens ?
+Whence cometh this alarum and the noise ?
+
+
+My lord , my lord ! the French have gather'd head :
+The Dauphin , with one Joan la Pucelle join'd ,
+A holy prophetess new risen up
+Is come with a great power to raise the siege .
+
+
+Hear , hear how dying Salisbury doth groan !
+It irks his heart he cannot be reveng'd .
+Frenchmen , I'll be a Salisbury to you :
+Pucelle or puzzel , dolphin or dogfish ,
+Your hearts I'll stamp out with my horse's heels
+And make a quagmire of your mingled brains .
+Convey me Salisbury into his tent ,
+And then we'll try what these dastard Frenchmen dare .
+
+
+Where is my strength , my valour , and my force ?
+Our English troops retire , I cannot stay them ;
+A woman clad in armour chaseth them .
+
+
+Here , here she comes . I'll have a bout with thee :
+Devil , or devil's dam , I'll conjure thee :
+Blood will I draw on thee , thou art a witch ,
+
+And straightway give thy soul to him thou serv'st .
+
+Come , come ; 'tis only I that must disgrace thee .
+
+
+Heavens , can you suffer hell so to prevail ?
+My breast I'll burst with straining of my courage ,
+And from my shoulders crack my arms asunder ,
+But I will chastise this high-minded strumpet .
+
+
+Talbot , farewell ; thy hour is not yet come :
+I must go victual Orleans forthwith .
+
+O'ertake me if thou canst ; I scorn thy strength .
+Go , go , cheer up thy hunger-starved men ;
+Help Salisbury to make his testament :
+This day is ours , as many more shall be .
+
+
+My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel ;
+I know not where I am , nor what I do :
+A witch , by fear , not force , like Hannibal ,
+Drives back our troops and conquers as she lists :
+So bees with smoke , and doves with noisome stench ,
+Are from their hives and houses driven away .
+They call'd us for our fierceness English dogs ;
+Now , like to whelps , we crying run away .
+
+Hark , countrymen ! either renew the fight ,
+Or tear the lions out of England's coat ;
+Renounce your soil , give sheep in lions' stead :
+Sheep run not half so treacherous from the wolf ,
+Or horse or oxen from the leopard ,
+As you fly from your oft-subdued slaves .
+
+It will not be : retire into your trenches :
+You all consented unto Salisbury's death ,
+For none would strike a stroke in his revenge .
+Pucelle is entered into Orleans
+In spite of us or aught that we could do .
+O ! would I were to die with Salisbury .
+The shame hereof will make me hide my head .
+
+
+Advance our waving colours on the walls ;
+Rescu'd is Orleans from the English :
+Thus Joan la Pucelle hath perform'd her word .
+
+Divinest creature , Astr a's daughter ,
+How shall I honour thee for this success ?
+Thy promises are like Adonis' gardens ,
+That one day bloom'd and fruitful were the next .
+France , triumph in thy glorious prophetess !
+Recover'd is the town of Orleans :
+More blessed hap did ne'er befall our state .
+
+Why ring not out the bells throughout the town ?
+Dauphin , command the citizens make bonfires
+And feast and banquet in the open streets ,
+To celebrate the joy that God hath given us .
+
+All France will be replete with mirth and joy ,
+When they shall hear how we have play'd the men .
+
+'Tis Joan , not we , by whom the day is won ;
+For which I will divide my crown with her ;
+And all the priests and friars in my realm
+Shall in procession sing her endless praise .
+A statelier pyramis to her I'll rear
+Than Rhodope's or Memphis ever was :
+In memory of her when she is dead ,
+Her ashes , in an urn more precious
+Than the rich-jewell'd coffer of Darius ,
+Transported shall be at high festivals
+Before the kings and queens of France .
+No longer on Saint Denis will we cry ,
+But Joan la Pucelle shall be France's saint .
+Come in , and let us banquet royally ,
+After this golden day of victory .
+
+Sirs , take your places and be vigilant .
+If any noise or soldier you perceive
+Near to the walls , by some apparent sign
+Let us have knowledge at the court of guard .
+
+Sergeant , you shall .
+
+Thus are poor servitors
+When others sleep upon their quiet beds
+Constrain'd to watch in darkness , rain , and cold .
+
+
+Lord regent , and redoubted Burgundy ,
+By whose approach the regions of Artois ,
+Walloon , and Picardy , are friends to us ,
+This happy night the Frenchmen are secure ,
+Having all day carous'd and banqueted :
+Embrace we then this opportunity ,
+As fitting best to quittance their deceit
+Contriv'd by art and baleful sorcery .
+
+Coward of France ! how much he wrongs his fame ,
+Despairing of his own arm's fortitude ,
+To join with witches and the help of hell !
+
+Traitors have never other company .
+But what's that Pucelle whom they term so pure ?
+
+A maid , they say .
+
+A maid , and be so martial !
+
+Pray God she prove not masculine ere long ;
+If underneath the standard of the French
+She carry armour , as she hath begun .
+
+Well , let them practise and converse with spirits ;
+God is our fortress , in whose conquering name
+Let us resolve to scale their flinty bulwarks .
+
+Ascend , brave Talbot ; we will follow thee .
+
+Not all together : better far , I guess ,
+That we do make our entrance several ways ,
+That if it chance the one of us do fail ,
+The other yet may rise against their force .
+
+Agreed . I'll to yond corner .
+
+And I to this .
+
+And here will Talbot mount , or make his grave .
+Now , Salisbury , for thee , and for the right
+Of English Henry , shall this night appear
+How much in duty I am bound to both .
+
+
+Arm , arm ! the enemy doth make assault !
+
+How now , my lords ! what ! all unready so ?
+
+Unready ! ay , and glad we 'scap'd so well .
+
+'Twas time , I trow , to wake and leave our beds ,
+Hearing alarums at our chamber-doors .
+
+Of all exploits since first I follow'd arms ,
+Ne'er heard I of a war-like enterprise
+More venturous or desperate than this .
+
+I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell .
+
+If not of hell , the heavens , sure , favour him .
+
+Here cometh Charles : I marvel how he sped .
+
+Tut ! holy Joan was his defensive guard .
+
+
+Is this thy cunning , thou deceitful dame ?
+Didst thou at first , to flatter us withal ,
+Make us partakers of a little gain ,
+That now our loss might be ten times so much ?
+
+Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend ?
+At all times will you have my power alike ?
+Sleeping or waking must I still prevail ,
+Or will you blame and lay the fault on me ?
+Improvident soldiers ! had your watch been good ,
+This sudden mischief never could have fall'n .
+
+Duke of Alen on , this was your default ,
+That , being captain of the watch to-night ,
+Did look no better to that weighty charge .
+
+Had all your quarters been so safely kept
+As that whereof I had the government ,
+We had not been thus shamefully surpris'd .
+
+Mine was secure .
+
+And so was mine , my lord .
+
+And for myself , most part of all this night ,
+Within her quarter and mine own precinct
+I was employ'd in passing to and fro ,
+About relieving of the sentinels :
+Then how or which way should they first break in ?
+
+Question , my lords , no further of the case ,
+How or which way : 'tis sure they found some place
+But weakly guarded , where the breach was made .
+And now there rests no other shift but this ;
+To gather our soldiers , scatter'd and dispers'd ,
+And lay new platforms to endamage them .
+
+I'll be so bold to take what they have left .
+The cry of Talbot serves me for a sword ;
+For I have loaden me with many spoils ,
+Using no other weapon but his name .
+
+
+The day begins to break , and night is fled ,
+Whose pitchy mantle over-veil'd the earth .
+Here sound retreat , and cease our hot pursuit .
+
+
+Bring forth the body of old Salisbury ,
+And here advance it in the market-place ,
+The middle centre of this cursed town .
+Now have I paid my vow unto his soul ;
+For every drop of blood was drawn from him
+There hath at least five Frenchmen died to-night .
+And that hereafter ages may behold
+What ruin happen'd in revenge of him ,
+Within their chiefest temple I'll erect
+A tomb wherein his corse shall be interr'd :
+Upon the which , that every one may read ,
+Shall be engrav'd the sack of Orleans ,
+The treacherous manner of his mournful death ,
+And what a terror he had been to France .
+But , lords , in all our bloody massacre ,
+I muse we met not with the Dauphin's grace ,
+His new-come champion , virtuous Joan of Arc ,
+Nor any of his false confederates .
+
+'Tis thought , Lord Talbot , when the fight began ,
+Rous'd on the sudden from their drowsy beds ,
+They did amongst the troops of armed men
+Leap o'er the walls for refuge in the field .
+
+Myself as far as I could well discern
+For smoke and dusky vapours of the night
+Am sure I scar'd the Dauphin and his trull ,
+When arm in arm they both came swiftly running ,
+Like to a pair of loving turtle-doves
+That could not live asunder day or night .
+After that things are set in order here ,
+We'll follow them with all the power we have .
+
+
+All hail , my lords ! Which of this princely train
+Call ye the war-like Talbot , for his acts
+So much applauded through the realm of France ?
+
+Here is the Talbot : who would speak with him ?
+
+The virtuous lady , Countess of Auvergne ,
+With modesty admiring thy renown ,
+By me entreats , great lord , thou wouldst vouchsafe
+To visit her poor castle where she lies ,
+That she may boast she hath beheld the man
+Whose glory fills the world with loud report .
+
+Is it even so ? Nay , then , I see our wars
+Will turn into a peaceful comic sport ,
+When ladies crave to be encounter'd with .
+You may not , my lord , despise her gentle suit .
+
+Ne'er trust me then ; for when a world of men
+Could not prevail with all their oratory ,
+Yet hath a woman's kindness over-rul'd :
+And therefore tell her I return great thanks ,
+And in submission will attend on her .
+Will not your honours bear me company ?
+
+No , truly ; it is more than manners will ;
+And I have heard it said , unbidden guests
+Are often welcomest when they are gone .
+
+Well then , alone ,since there's no remedy ,
+I mean to prove this lady's courtesy .
+Come hither , captain .
+
+You perceive my mind .
+
+I do , my lord , and mean accordingly .
+
+
+Porter , remember what I gave in charge ;
+And when you have done so , bring the keys to me .
+
+Madam , I will .
+
+
+The plot is laid : if all things fall out right ,
+I shall as famous be by this exploit
+As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus' death .
+Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight ,
+And his achievements of no less account :
+Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears ,
+To give their censure of these rare reports .
+
+
+Madam ,
+According as your ladyship desir'd ,
+By message crav'd , so is Lord Talbot come .
+
+And he is welcome . What ! is this the man ?
+
+Madam , it is .
+
+Is this the scourge of France ?
+Is this the Talbot , so much fear'd abroad ,
+That with his name the mothers still their babes ?
+I see report is fabulous and false :
+I thought I should have seen some Hercules ,
+A second Hector , for his grim aspect ,
+And large proportion of his strong-knit limbs .
+Alas ! this is a child , a silly dwarf :
+It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
+Should strike such terror to his enemies .
+
+Madam , I have been bold to trouble you ;
+But since your ladyship is not at leisure ,
+I'll sort some other time to visit you .
+
+What means he now ? Go ask him whither he goes .
+
+Stay , my Lord Talbot ; for my lady craves
+To know the cause of your abrupt departure .
+
+Marry , for that she's in a wrong belief ,
+I go to certify her Talbot's here .
+
+
+If thou be he , then art thou prisoner .
+
+Prisoner ! to whom ?
+
+To me , blood-thirsty lord ;
+And for that cause I train'd thee to my house .
+Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me ,
+For in my gallery thy picture hangs :
+But now the substance shall endure the like ,
+And I will chain these legs and arms of thine ,
+That hast by tyranny , these many years
+Wasted our country , slain our citizens ,
+And sent our sons and husbands captivate .
+
+Ha , ha , ha !
+
+Laughest thou , wretch ? thy mirth shall turn to moan .
+
+I laugh to see your ladyship so fond
+To think that you have aught but Talbot's shadow ,
+Whereon to practise your severity .
+
+Why , art not thou the man ?
+
+I am , indeed .
+
+Then have I substance too .
+
+No , no , I am but shadow of myself :
+You are deceiv'd , my substance is not here ;
+For what you see is but the smallest part
+And least proportion of humanity .
+I tell you , madam , were the whole frame here ,
+It is of such a spacious lofty pitch ,
+Your roof were not sufficient to contain it .
+
+This is a riddling merchant for the nonce ;
+He will be here , and yet he is not here :
+How can these contrarieties agree ?
+
+That will I show you presently .
+
+
+How say you , madam ? are you now persuaded
+That Talbot is but shadow of himself ?
+These are his substance , sinews , arms , and strength ,
+With which he yoketh your rebellious necks ,
+Razeth your cities , and subverts your towns ,
+
+And in a moment makes them desolate .
+
+Victorious Talbot ! pardon my abuse :
+I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited ,
+And more than may be gather'd by thy shape .
+Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath ;
+For I am sorry that with reverence
+I did not entertain thee as thou art .
+
+Be not dismay'd , fair lady ; nor misconster
+The mind of Talbot as you did mistake
+The outward composition of his body .
+What you have done hath not offended me ;
+Nor other satisfaction do I crave ,
+But only , with your patience , that we may
+Taste of your wine and see what cates you have ;
+For soldiers' stomachs always serve them well .
+
+With all my heart , and think me honoured
+To feast so great a warrior in my house .
+
+
+Great lords , and gentlemen , what means this silence ?
+Dare no man answer in a case of truth ?
+
+Within the Temple hall we were too loud ;
+The garden here is more convenient .
+
+Then say at once if I maintain'd the truth ,
+Or else was wrangling Somerset in the error ?
+
+Faith , I have been a truant in the law ,
+And never yet could frame my will to it ;
+And therefore frame the law unto my will .
+
+Judge you , my Lord of Warwick , then , between us .
+
+Between two hawks , which flies the higher pitch ;
+Between two dogs , which hath the deeper mouth ;
+Between two blades , which bears the better temper ;
+Between two horses , which doth bear him best ;
+Between two girls , which hath the merriest eye ;
+I have perhaps , some shallow spirit of judgment ;
+But in these nice sharp quillets of the law ,
+Good faith , I am no wiser than a daw .
+
+Tut , tut ! here is a mannerly forbearance :
+The truth appears so naked on my side ,
+That any purblind eye may find it out .
+
+And on my side it is so well apparell'd ,
+So clear , so shining , and so evident ,
+That it will glimmer through a blind man's eye .
+
+Since you are tongue-tied , and so loath to speak ,
+In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts :
+Let him that is a true-born gentleman ,
+And stands upon the honour of his birth ,
+If he suppose that I have pleaded truth ,
+From off this brier pluck a white rose with me .
+
+Let him that is no coward nor no flatterer ,
+But dare maintain the party of the truth ,
+Pluck a red rose from off this thorn with me .
+
+I love no colours , and , without all colour
+Of base insinuating flattery
+I pluck this white rose with Plantagenet .
+
+I pluck this red rose with young Somerset :
+And say withal I think he held the right .
+
+Stay , lords and gentlemen , and pluck no more ,
+Till you conclude that he , upon whose side
+The fewest roses are cropp'd from the tree ,
+Shall yield the other in the right opinion .
+
+Good Master Vernon , it is well objected :
+If I have fewest I subscribe in silence .
+
+And I .
+
+Then for the truth and plainness of the case ,
+I pluck this pale and maiden blossom here ,
+Giving my verdict on the white rose side .
+
+Prick not your finger as you pluck it off ,
+Lest bleeding you do paint the white rose red ,
+And fall on my side so , against your will .
+
+If I , my lord , for my opinion bleed ,
+Opinion shall be surgeon to my hurt ,
+And keep me on the side where still I am .
+
+Well , well , come on : who else ?
+
+Unless my study and my books be false ,
+The argument you held was wrong in you ,
+In sign whereof I pluck a white rose too .
+
+Now , Somerset , where is your argument ?
+
+Here , in my scabbard ; meditating that
+Shall dye your white rose in a bloody red .
+
+Meantime , your cheeks do counterfeit our roses ;
+For pale they look with fear , as witnessing
+The truth on our side .
+
+No , Plantagenet ,
+'Tis not for fear but anger that thy cheeks
+Blush for pure shame to counterfeit our roses ,
+And yet thy tongue will not confess thy error .
+
+Hath not thy rose a canker , Somerset ?
+
+Hath not thy rose a thorn , Plantagenet ?
+
+Ay , sharp and piercing , to maintain his truth ;
+Whiles thy consuming canker eats his falsehood .
+
+Well , I'll find friends to wear my bleeding roses ,
+That shall maintain what I have said is true ,
+Where false Plantagenet dare not be seen .
+
+Now , by this maiden blossom in my hand ,
+I scorn thee and thy faction , peevish boy .
+
+Turn not thy scorns this way , Plantagenet .
+
+Proud Pole , I will , and scorn both him and thee .
+
+I'll turn my part thereof into thy throat .
+
+Away , away ! good William de la Pole :
+We grace the yeoman by conversing with him .
+
+Now , by God's will , thou wrong'st him , Somerset :
+His grandfather was Lionel , Duke of Clarence ,
+Third son to the third Edward , King of England .
+Spring crestless yeomen from so deep a root ?
+
+He bears him on the place's privilege ,
+Or durst not , for his craven heart , say thus .
+
+By Him that made me , I'll maintain my words
+On any plot of ground in Christendom .
+Was not thy father , Richard Earl of Cambridge ,
+For treason executed in our late king's days ?
+And , by his treason stand'st not thou attainted ,
+Corrupted , and exempt from ancient gentry ?
+His trespass yet lives guilty in thy blood ;
+And , till thou be restor'd , thou art a yeoman .
+
+My father was attached , not attained ;
+Condemn'd to die for treason , but no traitor ;
+And that I'll prove on better men than Somerset ,
+Were growing time once ripen'd to my will .
+For your partaker Pole and you yourself ,
+I'll note you in my book of memory ,
+To scourge you for this apprehension :
+Look to it well and say you are well warn'd .
+
+Ah , thou shalt find us ready for thee still ,
+And know us by these colours for thy foes ;
+For these my friends in spite of thee shall wear .
+
+And , by my soul , this pale and angry rose ,
+As cognizance of my blood-drinking hate ,
+Will I for ever and my faction wear ,
+Until it wither with me to my grave
+Or flourish to the height of my degree .
+
+Go forward , and be chok'd with thy ambition :
+And so farewell until I meet thee next .
+
+
+Have with thee , Pole . Farewell , ambitious Richard .
+
+
+How I am brav'd and must perforce endure it !
+
+This blot that they object against your house
+Shall be wip'd out in the next parliament ,
+Call'd for the truce of Winchester and Gloucester ;
+And if thou be not then created York ,
+I will not live to be accounted Warwick .
+Meantime in signal of my love to thee ,
+Against proud Somerset and William Pole ,
+Will I upon thy party wear this rose .
+And here I prophesy : this brawl to-day ,
+Grown to this faction in the Temple garden ,
+Shall send between the red rose and the white
+A thousand souls to death and deadly night .
+
+Good Master Vernon , I am bound to you ,
+That you on my behalf would pluck a flower .
+
+In your behalf still would I wear the same .
+
+And so will I .
+
+Thanks , gentle sir .
+Come , let us four to dinner : I dare say
+This quarrel will drink blood another day .
+
+
+Kind keepers of my weak decaying age ,
+Let dying Mortimer here rest himself .
+Even like a man new haled from the rack ,
+So fare my limbs with long imprisonment ;
+And these gray locks , the pursuivants of death ,
+Nestor-like aged , in an age of care ,
+Argue the end of Edmund Mortimer .
+These eyes , like lamps whose wasting oil is spent ,
+Wax dim , as drawing to their exigent ;
+Weak shoulders , overborne with burdening grief ,
+And pithless arms , like to a wither'd vine
+That droops his sapless branches to the ground :
+Yet are these feet , whose strengthless stay is numb ,
+Unable to support this lump of clay ,
+Swift-winged with desire to get a grave ,
+As witting I no other comfort have .
+But tell me , keeper , will my nephew come ?
+
+Richard Plantagenet , my lord , will come :
+We sent unto the Temple , unto his chamber .
+And answer was return'd that he will come .
+
+Enough : my soul shall then be satisfied .
+Poor gentleman ! his wrong doth equal mine .
+Since Henry Monmouth first began to reign ,
+Before whose glory I was great in arms ,
+This loathsome sequestration have I had ;
+And even since then hath Richard been obscur'd ,
+Depriv'd of honour and inheritance .
+But now the arbitrator of despairs ,
+Just death , kind umpire of men's miseries ,
+With sweet enlargement doth dismiss me hence :
+I would his troubles likewise were expir'd ,
+That so he might recover what was lost .
+
+
+My lord , your loving nephew now is come .
+
+Richard Plantagenet , my friend , is he come ?
+
+Ay , noble uncle , thus ignobly us'd ,
+Your nephew , late despised Richard , comes .
+
+Direct mine arms I may embrace his neck ,
+And in his bosom spend my latter gasp :
+O ! tell me when my lips do touch his cheeks ,
+That I may kindly give one fainting kiss .
+And now declare , sweet stem from York's great stock ,
+Why didst thou say of late thou wert despis'd ?
+
+First , lean thine aged back against mine arm ;
+And in that ease , I'll tell thee my disease .
+This day , in argument upon a case ,
+Some words there grew 'twixt Somerset and me ;
+Among which terms he us'd a lavish tongue
+And did upbraid me with my father's death :
+Which obloquy set bars before my tongue ,
+Else with the like I had requited him .
+Therefore , good uncle , for my father's sake ,
+In honour of a true Plantagenet ,
+And for alliance sake , declare the cause
+My father , Earl of Cambridge , lost his head .
+
+That cause , fair nephew , that imprison'd me ,
+And hath detain'd me all my flow'ring youth
+Within a loathsome dungeon , there to pine ,
+Was cursed instrument of his decease .
+
+Discover more at large what cause that was ,
+For I am ignorant and cannot guess .
+
+I will , if that my fading breath permit ,
+And death approach not ere my tale be done .
+Henry the Fourth , grandfather to this king ,
+Depos'd his nephew Richard , Edward's son ,
+The first-begotten , and the lawful heir
+Of Edward king , the third of that descent :
+During whose reign the Percies of the North ,
+Finding his usurpation most unjust ,
+Endeavour'd my advancement to the throne .
+The reason mov'd these warlike lords to this
+Was , for that young King Richard thus remov'd ,
+Leaving no heir begotten of his body
+I was the next by birth and parentage ;
+For by my mother I derived am
+From Lionel Duke of Clarence , the third son
+To King Edward the Third ; whereas he
+From John of Gaunt doth bring his pedigree ,
+Being but fourth of that heroic line .
+But mark : as , in this haughty great attempt
+They laboured to plant the rightful heir ,
+I lost my liberty , and they their lives .
+Long after this , when Henry the Fifth
+Succeeding his father Bolingbroke , did reign ,
+Thy father , Earl of Cambridge , then deriv'd
+From famous Edmund Langley , Duke of York ,
+Marrying my sister that thy mother was ,
+Again in pity of my hard distress
+Levied an army , weening to redeem
+And have install'd me in the diadem ;
+But , as the rest , so fell that noble earl ,
+And was beheaded . Thus the Mortimers ,
+In whom the title rested , were suppress'd .
+
+Of which , my lord , your honour is the last .
+
+True ; and thou seest that I no issue have ,
+And that my fainting words do warrant death :
+Thou art my heir ; the rest I wish thee gather :
+But yet be wary in thy studious care .
+
+Thy grave admonishments prevail with me .
+But yet methinks my father's execution
+Was nothing less than bloody tyranny .
+
+With silence , nephew , be thou politic :
+Strong-fixed is the house of Lancaster ,
+And like a mountain , not to be remov'd .
+But now thy uncle is removing hence ,
+As princes do their courts , when they are cloy'd
+With long continuance in a settled place .
+
+O uncle ! would some part of my young years
+Might but redeem the passage of your age .
+
+Thou dost then wrong me ,as the slaughterer doth ,
+Which giveth many wounds when one will kill .
+Mourn not , except thou sorrow for my good ;
+Only give order for my funeral :
+And so farewell ; and fair be all thy hopes ,
+And prosperous be thy life in peace and war !
+
+
+And peace , no war , befall thy parting soul !
+In prison hast thou spent a pilgrimage ,
+And like a hermit overpass'd thy days .
+Well , I will lock his counsel in my breast ;
+And what I do imagine let that rest .
+Keepers , convey him hence ; and I myself
+Will see his burial better than his life .
+
+Here dies the dusky torch of Mortimer ,
+Chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort :
+And , for those wrongs , those bitter injuries ,
+Which Somerset hath offer'd to my house ,
+I doubt not but with honour to redress ;
+And therefore haste I to the parliament ,
+Either to be restored to my blood ,
+Or make my ill the advantage of my good .
+
+
+Com'st thou with deep premeditated lines ,
+With written pamphlets studiously devis'd ,
+Humphrey of Gloucester ? If thou canst accuse ,
+Or aught intend'st to lay unto my charge ,
+Do it without invention , suddenly ;
+As I , with sudden and extemporal speech
+Purpose to answer what thou canst object .
+
+Presumptuous priest ! this place commands my patience
+Or thou shouldst find thou hast dishonour'd me .
+Think not , although in writing I preferr'd
+The manner of thy vile outrageous crimes ,
+That therefore I have forg'd , or am not able
+Verbatim to rehearse the method of my pen :
+No , prelate ; such is thy audacious wickedness ,
+Thy lewd , pestiferous , and dissentious pranks ,
+As very infants prattle of thy pride .
+Thou art a most pernicious usurer ,
+Froward by nature , enemy to peace ;
+Lascivious , wanton , more than well beseems
+A man of thy profession and degree ;
+And for thy treachery , what's more manifest ?
+In that thou laid'st a trap to take my life
+As well at London Bridge as at the Tower .
+Beside , I fear me , if thy thoughts were sifted ,
+The king , thy sov'reign , is not quite exempt
+From envious malice of thy swelling heart .
+
+Gloucester , I do defy thee . Lords , vouchsafe
+To give me hearing what I shall reply .
+If I were covetous , ambitious , or perverse ,
+As he will have me , how am I so poor ?
+Or how haps it I seek not to advance
+Or raise myself , but keep my wonted calling ?
+And for dissension , who preferreth peace
+More than I do , except I be provok'd ?
+No , my good lords , it is not that offends ;
+It is not that that hath incens'd the duke :
+It is , because no one should sway but he ;
+No one but he should be about the king ;
+And that engenders thunder in his breast ,
+And makes him roar these accusations forth .
+But he shall know I am as good
+
+As good !
+Thou bastard of my grandfather !
+
+Ay , lordly sir ; for what are you , I pray ,
+But one imperious in another's throne ?
+
+Am I not protector , saucy priest ?
+
+And am not I a prelate of the church ?
+
+Yes , as an outlaw in a castle keeps ,
+And useth it to patronage his theft .
+
+Unreverent Gloucester !
+
+Thou art reverent ,
+Touching thy spiritual function , not thy life .
+
+Rome shall remedy this .
+
+Roam thither then .
+
+My lord , it were your duty to forbear .
+
+Ay , see the bishop be not overborne .
+
+Methinks my lord should be religious ,
+And know the office that belongs to such .
+
+Methinks his lordship should be humbler ;
+It fitteth not a prelate so to plead .
+
+Yes , when his holy state is touch'd so near .
+
+State holy , or unhallow'd , what of that ?
+Is not his Grace protector to the king ?
+
+Plantagenet , I see , must hold his tongue ,
+Lest it be said , 'Speak , sirrah , when you should ;
+Must your bold verdict enter talk with lords ?'
+Else would I have a fling at Winchester .
+
+Uncles of Gloucester and of Winchester ,
+The special watchmen of our English weal ,
+I would prevail , if prayers might prevail ,
+To join your hearts in love and amity .
+O ! what a scandal is it to our crown ,
+That two such noble peers as ye should jar .
+Believe me , lords , my tender years can tell
+Civil dissension is a viperous worm ,
+That gnaws the bowels of the commonwealth .
+
+What tumult's this ?
+
+An uproar , I dare warrant ,
+Begun through malice of the bishop's men .
+
+O , my good lords , and virtuous Henry ,
+Pity the city of London , pity us !
+The bishop and the Duke of Gloucester's men ,
+Forbidden late to carry any weapon ,
+Have fill'd their pockets full of pebble stones ,
+And banding themselves in contrary parts
+Do pelt so fast at one another's pate ,
+That many have their giddy brains knock'd out :
+Our windows are broke down in every street ,
+And we for fear compell'd to shut our shops .
+
+
+We charge you , on allegiance to ourself ,
+To hold your slaught'ring hands , and keep the peace .
+Pray , uncle Gloucester , mitigate this strife .
+
+Nay , if we be forbidden stones , we'll fall to it with our teeth .
+
+Do what ye dare , we are as resolute .
+
+
+You of my household , leave this peevish broil ,
+And set this unaccustom'd fight aside .
+
+My lord , we know your Grace to be a man
+Just and upright , and , for your royal birth ,
+Inferior to none but to his majesty ;
+And ere that we will suffer such a prince ,
+So kind a father of the commonweal ,
+To be disgraced by an inkhorn mate ,
+We and our wives and children all will fight ,
+And have our bodies slaught'red by thy foes .
+
+Ay , and the very parings of our nails
+Shall pitch a field when we are dead .
+
+
+Stay , stay , I say !
+And , if you love me , as you say you do ,
+Let me persuade you to forbear a while .
+
+O ! how this discord doth afflict my soul !
+Can you , my Lord of Winchester , behold
+My sighs and tears and will not once relent ?
+Who should be pitiful if you be not ?
+Or who should study to prefer a peace
+If holy churchmen take delight in broils ?
+
+Yield , my Lord Protector ; yield , Winchester ;
+Except you mean with obstinate repulse
+To slay your sov'reign and destroy the realm .
+You see what mischief and what murder too
+Hath been enacted through your enmity :
+Then be at peace , except ye thirst for blood .
+
+He shall submit or I will never yield .
+
+Compassion on the king commands me stoop ;
+Or I would see his heart out ere the priest
+Should ever get that privilege of me .
+
+Behold , my Lord of Winchester , the duke
+Hath banish'd moody discontented fury ,
+As by his smoothed brows it doth appear :
+Why look you still so stern and tragical ?
+
+Here , Winchester , I offer thee my hand .
+
+Fie , uncle Beaufort ! I have heard you preach ,
+That malice was a great and grievous sin ;
+And will not you maintain the thing you teach ,
+But prove a chief offender in the same ?
+
+Sweet king ! the bishop hath a kindly gird .
+For shame , my Lord of Winchester , relent !
+What ! shall a child instruct you what to do ?
+
+Well , Duke of Gloucester , I will yield to thee ;
+Love for thy love and hand for hand I give .
+
+Ay ; but I fear me , with a hollow heart .
+See here , my friends and loving countrymen ,
+This token serveth for a flag of truce ,
+Betwixt ourselves and all our followers .
+So help me God , as I dissemble not !
+
+So help me God , as I intend it not !
+
+O loving uncle , kind Duke of Gloucester ,
+How joyful am I made by this contract !
+Away , my masters ! trouble us no more ;
+But join in friendship , as your lords have done .
+
+Content : I'll to the surgeon's .
+
+And so will I .
+
+And I will see what physic the tavern affords .
+
+
+Accept this scroll , most gracious sovereign ,
+Which in the right of Richard Plantagenet
+We do exhibit to your majesty .
+
+Well urg'd , my Lord of Warwick : for , sweet prince ,
+An if your Grace mark every circumstance ,
+You have great reason to do Richard right ;
+Especially for those occasions
+At Eltham-place I told your majesty .
+
+And those occasions , uncle , were of force :
+Therefore , my loving lords , our pleasure is
+That Richard be restored to his blood .
+
+Let Richard be restored to his blood ;
+So shall his father's wrongs be recompens'd .
+
+As will the rest , so willeth Winchester .
+
+If Richard will be true , not that alone ,
+But all the whole inheritance I give
+That doth belong unto the house of York ,
+From whence you spring by lineal descent .
+
+Thy humble servant vows obedience ,
+And humble service till the point of death .
+
+Stoop then and set your knee against my foot ;
+And , in reguerdon of that duty done ,
+I girt thee with the valiant sword of York :
+Rise , Richard , like a true Plantagenet ,
+And rise created princely Duke of York .
+
+And so thrive Richard as thy foes may fall !
+And as my duty springs , so perish they
+That grudge one thought against your majesty !
+
+Welcome , high prince , the mighty Duke of York !
+
+Perish , base prince , ignoble Duke of York !
+
+Now , will it best avail your majesty
+To cross the seas and to be crown'd in France .
+The presence of a king engenders love
+Amongst his subjects and his loyal friends ,
+As it disanimates his enemies .
+
+When Gloucester says the word , King Henry goes ;
+For friendly counsel cuts off many foes .
+
+Your ships already are in readiness .
+
+
+Ay , we may march in England or in France ,
+Not seeing what is likely to ensue .
+This late dissension grown betwixt the peers
+Burns under feigned ashes of forg'd love ,
+And will at last break out into a flame :
+As fester'd members rot but by degree ,
+Till bones and flesh and sinews fall away ,
+So will this base and envious discord breed .
+And now I fear that fatal prophecy
+Which in the time of Henry , nam'd the Fifth ,
+Was in the mouth of every sucking babe ;
+That Henry born at Monmouth should win all ;
+And Henry born at Windsor should lose all :
+Which is so plain that Exeter doth wish
+His days may finish ere that hapless time .
+
+These are the city gates , the gates of Roan ,
+Through which our policy must make a breach :
+Take heed , be wary how you place your words ;
+Talk like the vulgar sort of market-men
+That come to gather money for their corn .
+If we have entrance ,as I hope we shall ,
+And that we find the slothful watch but weak ,
+I'll by a sign give notice to our friends ,
+That Charles the Dauphin may encounter them .
+
+Our sacks shall be a mean to sack the city ,
+And we be lords and rulers over Roan ;
+Therefore we'll knock .
+
+
+Qui est l ?
+
+Paisans , pauvres gens de France :
+Poor market-folks that come to sell their corn .
+
+Enter , go in ; the market-bell is rung .
+
+Now , Roan , I'll shake thy bulwarks to the ground .
+
+Saint Denis bless this happy stratagem !
+And once again we'll sleep secure in Roan .
+
+Here enter'd Pucelle and her practisants ;
+Now she is there how will she specify
+Where is the best and safest passage in ?
+
+By thrusting out a torch from yonder tower ;
+Which , once discern'd , shows that her meaning is ,
+No way to that , for weakness , which she enter'd .
+
+
+Behold ! this is the happy wedding torch
+That joineth Roan unto her countrymen ,
+But burning fatal to the Talbotites !
+
+
+See , noble Charles , the beacon of our friend ,
+The burning torch in yonder turret stands .
+
+Now shine it like a comet of revenge ,
+A prophet to the fall of all our foes !
+
+Defer no time , delays have dangerous ends ;
+Enter , and cry 'The Dauphin !' presently ,
+And then do execution on the watch .
+
+France , thou shalt rue this treason with thy tears ,
+If Talbot but survive thy treachery .
+Pucelle , that witch , that damned sorceress ,
+Hath wrought this hellish mischief unawares ,
+That hardly we escap'd the pride of France .
+
+
+Good morrow , gallants ! Want ye corn for bread ?
+I think the Duke of Burgundy will fast
+Before he'll buy again at such a rate .
+'Twas full of darnel ; do you like the taste ?
+
+Scoff on , vile fiend and shameless courtezan !
+I trust ere long to choke thee with thine own ,
+And make thee curse the harvest of that corn .
+
+Your Grace may starve perhaps , before that time .
+
+O ! let no words , but deeds , revenge this treason !
+
+What will you do , good grey-beard ? break a lance ,
+And run a tilt at death within a chair ?
+
+Foul fiend of France , and hag of all despite ,
+Encompass'd with thy lustful paramours !
+Becomes it thee to taunt his valiant age
+And twit with cowardice a man half dead ?
+Damsel , I'll have a bout with you again ,
+Or else let Talbot perish with this shame .
+
+Are you so hot , sir ? Yet , Pucelle , hold thy peace ;
+If Talbot do but thunder , rain will follow .
+
+God speed the parliament ! who shall be the speaker ?
+
+Dare ye come forth and meet us in the field ?
+
+Belike your lordship takes us then for fools ,
+To try if that our own be ours or no .
+
+I speak not to that railing Hecate ,
+But unto thee , Alen on , and the rest ;
+Will ye , like soldiers , come and fight it out ?
+
+Signior , no .
+
+Signior , hang ! base muleters of France !
+Like peasant foot-boys do they keep the walls ,
+And dare not take up arms like gentlemen .
+
+Away , captains ! let's get us from the walls ;
+For Talbot means no-goodness , by his looks .
+God be wi' you , my lord ! we came but to tell you
+That we are here .
+
+
+And there will we be too , ere it be long ,
+Or else reproach be Talbot's greatest fame !
+Vow , Burgundy , by honour of thy house ,
+Prick'd on by public wrongs sustain'd in France ,
+Either to get the town again , or die ;
+And I , as sure as English Henry lives ,
+And as his father here was conqueror ,
+As sure as in this late-betrayed town
+Great C ur-de-lion's heart was buried ,
+So sure I swear to get the town or die .
+
+My vows are equal partners with thy vows .
+
+But , ere we go , regard this dying prince ,
+The valiant Duke of Bedford . Come , my lord ,
+We will bestow you in some better place ,
+Fitter for sickness and for crazy age .
+
+Lord Talbot , do not so dishonour me :
+Here will I sit before the walls of Roan ,
+And will be partner of your weal or woe .
+
+Courageous Bedford , let us now persuade you .
+
+Not to be gone from hence ; for once I read ,
+That stout Pendragon in his litter , sick ,
+Came to the field and vanquished his foes :
+Methinks I should revive the soldiers' hearts ,
+Because I ever found them as myself .
+
+Undaunted spirit in a dying breast !
+Then be it so : heavens keep old Bedford safe !
+And now no more ado , brave Burgundy ,
+But gather we our forces out of hand ,
+And set upon our boasting enemy .
+
+Whither away , Sir John Fastolfe , in such haste ?
+
+Whither away ! to save myself by flight :
+We are like to have the overthrow again .
+
+What ! will you fly , and leave Lord Talbot ?
+
+Ay ,
+All the Talbots in the world , to save my life .
+
+
+Cowardly knight ! ill fortune follow thee !
+
+
+Now , quiet soul , depart when Heaven please ,
+For I have seen our enemies' overthrow .
+What is the trust or strength of foolish man ?
+They , that of late were daring with their scoffs
+Are glad and fain by flight to save themselves .
+
+Lost , and recover'd in a day again !
+This is a double honour , Burgundy :
+Yet heavens have glory for this victory !
+
+Warlike and martial Talbot , Burgundy
+Enshrines thee in his heart , and there erects
+Thy noble deeds as valour's monument .
+
+Thanks , gentle duke . But where is Pucelle now ?
+I think her old familiar is asleep .
+Now where's the Bastard's braves , and Charles his gleeks ?
+What ! all amort ? Roan hangs her head for grief ,
+That such a valiant company are fled .
+Now will we take some order in the town ,
+Placing therein some expert officers ,
+And then depart to Paris to the king ;
+For there young Henry with his nobles lie .
+
+What wills Lord Talbot pleaseth Burgundy .
+
+But yet , before we go , let's not forget
+The noble Duke of Bedford late deceas'd ,
+But see his exequies fulfill'd in Roan :
+A braver soldier never couched lance ,
+A gentler heart did never sway in court ;
+But kings and mightiest potentates must die ,
+For that's the end of human misery .
+
+
+Dismay not , princes , at this accident ,
+Nor grieve that Roan is so recovered :
+Care is no cure , but rather corrosive ,
+For things that are not to be remedied .
+Let frantic Talbot triumph for a while ,
+And like a peacock sweep along his tail ;
+We'll pull his plumes and take away his train ,
+If Dauphin and the rest will be but rul'd .
+
+We have been guided by thee hitherto ,
+And of thy cunning had no diffidence :
+One sudden foil shall never breed distrust .
+
+Search out thy wit for secret policies ,
+And we will make thee famous through the world .
+
+We'll set thy statue in some holy place
+And have thee reverenc'd like a blessed saint :
+Employ thee , then , sweet virgin , for our good .
+
+Then thus it must be ; this doth Joan devise :
+By fair persuasions , mix'd with sugar'd words ,
+We will entice the Duke of Burgundy
+To leave the Talbot and to follow us .
+
+Ay , marry , sweeting , if we could do that ,
+France were no place for Henry's warriors ;
+Nor should that nation boast it so with us ,
+But be extirped from our provinces .
+
+For ever should they be expuls'd from France ,
+And not have title of an earldom here .
+
+Your honours shall perceive how I will work
+To bring this matter to the wished end .
+
+Hark ! by the sound of drum you may perceive
+Their powers are marching unto Paris-ward .
+
+
+There goes the Talbot , with his colours spread ,
+And all the troops of English after him .
+
+Now in the rearward comes the duke and his :
+Fortune in favour makes him lag behind .
+Summon a parley ; we will talk with him .
+
+A parley with the Duke of Burgundy !
+
+Who craves a parley with the Burgundy ?
+
+The princely Charles of France , thy countryman .
+
+What sayst thou , Charles ? for I am marching hence .
+
+Speak , Pucelle , and enchant him with thy words .
+
+Brave Burgundy , undoubted hope of France !
+Stay , let thy humble handmaid speak to thee .
+
+Speak on ; but be not over-tedious .
+
+Look on thy country , look on fertile France ,
+And see the cities and the towns defac'd
+By wasting ruin of the cruel foe .
+As looks the mother on her lowly babe
+When death doth close his tender dying eyes ,
+See , see the pining malady of France ;
+Behold the wounds , the most unnatural wounds ,
+Which thou thyself hast giv'n her woeful breast .
+O ! turn thy edged sword another way ;
+Strike those that hurt , and hurt not those that help .
+One drop of blood drawn from thy country's bosom ,
+Should grieve thee more than streams of foreign gore :
+Return thee therefore , with a flood of tears ,
+And wash away thy country's stained spots .
+
+Either she hath bewitch'd me with her words ,
+Or nature makes me suddenly relent .
+
+Besides , all French and France exclaims on thee ,
+Doubting thy birth and lawful progeny .
+Who join'st thou with but with a lordly nation
+That will not trust thee but for profit's sake ?
+When Talbot hath set footing once in France ,
+And fashion'd thee that instrument of ill ,
+Who then but English Henry will be lord ,
+And thou be thrust out like a fugitive ?
+Call we to mind , and mark but this for proof ,
+Was not the Duke of Orleans thy foe ,
+And was he not in England prisoner ?
+But when they heard he was thine enemy ,
+They set him free , without his ransom paid ,
+In spite of Burgundy and all his friends .
+See then , thou fight'st against thy countrymen !
+And join'st with them will be thy slaughtermen .
+Come , come , return ; return thou wand'ring lord ;
+Charles and the rest will take thee in their arms .
+
+I am vanquished ; these haughty words of hers
+Have batter'd me like roaring cannon-shot ,
+And made me almost yield upon my knees .
+Forgive me , country , and sweet countrymen !
+And , lords , accept this hearty kind embrace :
+My forces and my power of men are yours .
+So , farewell , Talbot ; I'll no longer trust thee .
+
+Done like a Frenchman : turn , and turn again !
+
+Welcome , brave duke ! thy friendship makes us fresh .
+
+And doth beget new courage in our breasts .
+
+Pucelle hath bravely play'd her part in this ,
+And doth deserve a coronet of gold .
+
+Now let us on , my lords , and join our powers :
+And seek how we may prejudice the foe .
+
+
+My gracious prince , and honourable peers ,
+Hearing of your arrival in this realm ,
+I have a while giv'n truce unto my wars ,
+To do my duty to my sovereign :
+In sign whereof , this arm ,that hath reclaim'd
+To your obedience fifty fortresses ,
+Twelve cities , and seven walled towns of strength ,
+Beside five hundred prisoners of esteem ,
+Lets fall his sword before your highness' feet ,
+
+And with submissive loyalty of heart ,
+Ascribes the glory of his conquest got ,
+First to my God , and next unto your Grace .
+
+Is this the Lord Talbot , uncle Gloucester ,
+That hath so long been resident in France ?
+
+Yes , if it please your majesty , my liege .
+
+Welcome , brave captain and victorious lord !
+When I was young ,as yet I am not old ,
+I do remember how my father said ,
+A stouter champion never handled sword .
+Long since we were resolved of your truth ,
+Your faithful service and your toil in war ;
+Yet never have you tasted our reward ,
+Or been reguerdon'd with so much as thanks ,
+Because till now we never saw your face :
+Therefore , stand up ; and for these good deserts ,
+We here create you Earl of Shrewsbury ;
+And in our coronation take your place .
+
+
+Now , sir , to you , that were so hot at sea ,
+Disgracing of these colours that I wear
+In honour of my noble Lord of York ,
+Dar'st thou maintain the former words thou spak'st ?
+
+Yes , sir : as well as you dare patronage
+The envious barking of your saucy tongue
+Against my lord the Duke of Somerset .
+
+Sirrah , thy lord I honour as he is .
+
+Why , what is he ? as good a man as York .
+
+Hark ye ; not so : in witness , take ye that .
+
+
+Villain , thou know'st the law of arms is such
+That , whoso draws a sword , 'tis present death ,
+Or else this blow should broach thy dearest blood .
+But I'll unto his majesty , and crave
+I may have liberty to venge this wrong ;
+When thou shalt see I'll meet thee to thy cost .
+
+Well , miscreant , I'll be there as soon as you ;
+And , after , meet you sooner than you would .
+
+
+Lord bishop , set the crown upon his head .
+
+God save King Henry , of that name the sixth .
+
+Now , Governor of Paris , take your oath ,
+
+That you elect no other king but him ,
+Esteem none friends but such as are his friends ,
+And none your foes but such as shall pretend
+Malicious practices against his state :
+This shall ye do , so help you righteous God !
+
+My gracious sovereign ; as I rode from Calais ,
+To haste unto your coronation ,
+A letter was deliver'd to my hands ,
+Writ to your Grace from the Duke of Burgundy .
+
+Shame to the Duke of Burgundy and thee !
+I vow'd , base knight , when I did meet thee next ,
+To tear the garter from thy craven's leg ;
+
+Which I have done , because unworthily
+Thou wast installed in that high degree .
+Pardon me , princely Henry , and the rest :
+This dastard , at the battle of Patay ,
+When but in all I was six thousand strong ,
+And that the French were almost ten to one ,
+Before we met or that a stroke was given ,
+Like to a trusty squire did run away :
+In which assault we lost twelve hundred men ;
+Myself , and divers gentlemen beside ,
+Were there surpris'd and taken prisoners .
+Then judge , great lords , if I have done amiss ;
+Or whether that such cowards ought to wear
+This ornament of knighthood , yea , or no ?
+
+To say the truth , this fact was infamous
+And ill beseeming any common man ,
+Much more a knight , a captain and a leader .
+
+When first this order was ordain'd , my lords ,
+Knights of the garter were of noble birth ,
+Valiant and virtuous , full of haughty courage ,
+Such as were grown to credit by the wars ;
+Not fearing death , nor shrinking for distress ,
+But always resolute in most extremes .
+He then that is not furnish'd in this sort
+Doth but usurp the sacred name of knight ,
+Profaning this most honourable order ;
+And should if I were worthy to be judge
+Be quite degraded , like a hedge-born swain
+That doth presume to boast of gentle blood .
+
+Stain to thy countrymen ! thou hear'st thy doom .
+Be packing therefore , thou that wast a knight ;
+Henceforth we banish thee on pain of death .
+
+And now , my Lord Protector , view the letter
+Sent from our uncle Duke of Burgundy .
+
+What means his Grace , that he hath chang'd his style ?
+No more , but plain and bluntly , To the King !
+Hath he forgot he is his sovereign ?
+Or doth this churlish superscription
+Pretend some alteration in good will ?
+What's here ? I have , upon especial cause ,
+Mov'd with compassion of my country's wrack ,
+Together with the pitiful complaints
+Of such as your oppression feeds upon ,
+Forsaken your pernicious faction ,
+And join'd with Charles , the rightful King of France .
+O , monstrous treachery ! Can this be so ,
+That in alliance , amity , and oaths ,
+There should be found such false dissembling guile ?
+
+What ! doth my uncle Burgundy revolt ?
+
+He doth , my lord , and is become your foe .
+
+Is that the worst this letter doth contain ?
+
+It is the worst , and all , my lord , he writes .
+
+Why then , Lord Talbot there shall talk with him ,
+And give him chastisement for this abuse .
+How say you , my lord ? are you not content ?
+
+Content , my liege ! Yes : but that I am prevented ,
+I should have begg'd I might have been employ'd .
+
+Then gather strength , and march unto him straight :
+Let him perceive how ill we brook his treason ,
+And what offence it is to flout his friends .
+
+I go , my lord ; in heart desiring still
+You may behold confusion of your foes .
+
+Grant me the combat , gracious sovereign !
+
+And me , my lord ; grant me the combat too !
+
+This is my servant : hear him , noble prince !
+
+And this is mine : sweet Henry , favour him !
+
+Be patient , lords ; and give them leave to speak .
+Say , gentlemen , what makes you thus exclaim ?
+And wherefore crave you combat ? or with whom ?
+
+With him , my lord ; for he hath done me wrong .
+
+And I with him ; for he hath done me wrong .
+
+What is that wrong whereof you both complain ?
+First let me know , and then I'll answer you .
+
+Crossing the sea from England into France ,
+This fellow here , with envious carping tongue ,
+Upbraided me about the rose I wear ;
+Saying , the sanguine colour of the leaves
+Did represent my master's blushing cheeks ,
+When stubbornly he did repugn the truth
+About a certain question in the law
+Argu'd betwixt the Duke of York and him ;
+With other vile and ignominious terms :
+In confutation of which rude reproach ,
+And in defence of my lord's worthiness ,
+I crave the benefit of law of arms .
+
+And that is my petition , noble lord :
+For though he seem with forged quaint conceit ,
+To set a gloss upon his bold intent ,
+Yet know , my lord , I was provok'd by him ;
+And he first took exceptions at this badge ,
+Pronouncing , that the paleness of this flower
+Bewray'd the faintness of my master's heart .
+
+Will not this malice , Somerset , be left ?
+
+Your private grudge , my Lord of York , will out ,
+Though ne'er so cunningly you smother it .
+
+Good Lord ! what madness rules in brain-sick men ,
+When , for so slight and frivolous a cause ,
+Such factious emulations shall arise !
+Good cousins both , of York and Somerset ,
+Quiet yourselves , I pray , and be at peace .
+
+Let this dissension first be tried by fight ,
+And then your highness shall command a peace .
+
+The quarrel toucheth none but us alone ;
+Betwixt ourselves let us decide it , then .
+
+There is my pledge ; accept it , Somerset .
+
+Nay , let it rest where it began at first .
+
+Confirm it so , mine honourable lord .
+
+Confirm it so ! Confounded be your strife !
+And perish ye , with your audacious prate !
+Presumptuous vassals ! are you not asham'd ,
+With this immodest clamorous outrage
+To trouble and disturb the king and us ?
+And you , my lords , methinks you do not well
+To bear with their perverse objections ;
+Much less to take occasion from their mouths
+To raise a mutiny betwixt yourselves :
+Let me persuade you take a better course .
+
+It grieves his highness : good my lords , be friends .
+
+Come hither , you that would be combatants .
+Henceforth I charge you , as you love our favour ,
+Quite to forget this quarrel and the cause .
+And you , my lords , remember where we are ;
+In France , amongst a fickle wav'ring nation .
+If they perceive dissension in our looks ,
+And that within ourselves we disagree ,
+How will their grudging stomachs be provok'd
+To wilful disobedience , and rebel !
+Beside , what infamy will there arise ,
+When foreign princes shall be certified
+That for a toy , a thing of no regard ,
+King Henry's peers and chief nobility
+Destroy'd themselves , and lost the realm of France !
+O ! think upon the conquest of my father ,
+My tender years , and let us not forego
+That for a trifle that was bought with blood !
+Let me be umpire in this doubtful strife .
+I see no reason , if I wear this rose ,
+
+That any one should therefore be suspicious
+I more incline to Somerset than York :
+Both are my kinsmen , and I love them both .
+As well they may upbraid me with my crown ,
+Because , forsooth , the King of Scots is crown'd .
+But your discretions better can persuade
+Than I am able to instruct or teach :
+And therefore , as we hither came in peace ,
+So let us still continue peace and love .
+Cousin of York , we institute your Grace
+To be our regent in these parts of France :
+And , good my Lord of Somerset , unite
+Your troops of horsemen with his bands of foot ;
+And like true subjects , sons of your progenitors ,
+Go cheerfully together and digest
+Your angry choler on your enemies .
+Ourself , my Lord Protector , and the rest ,
+After some respite will return to Calais ;
+From thence to England ; where I hope ere long
+To be presented by your victories ,
+With Charles , Alen on , and that traitorous rout .
+
+
+My Lord of York , I promise you , the king Prettily , methought , did play the orator .
+
+And so he did ; but yet I like it not ,
+In that he wears the badge of Somerset .
+
+Tush ! that was but his fancy , blame him not ;
+I dare presume , sweet prince , he thought no harm .
+
+An if I wist he did ,But let it rest ;
+Other affairs must now be managed .
+
+
+Well didst thou , Richard , to suppress thy voice ;
+For had the passions of thy heart burst out ,
+I fear we should have seen decipher'd there
+More rancorous spite , more furious raging broils ,
+Than yet can be imagin'd or suppos'd .
+But howsoe'er , no simple man that sees
+This jarring discord of nobility ,
+This shouldering of each other in the court ,
+This factious bandying of their favourites ,
+But that it doth presage some ill event .
+'Tis much when sceptres are in children's hands ;
+But more , when envy breeds unkind division :
+There comes the ruin , there begins confusion .
+
+
+Go to the gates of Bourdeaux , trumpeter ;
+Summon their general unto the wall .
+
+
+English John Talbot , captains , calls you forth ,
+Servant in arms to Harry King of England ;
+And thus he would : Open your city gates ,
+Be humble to us , call my sov'reign yours ,
+And do him homage as obedient subjects ,
+And I'll withdraw me and my bloody power ;
+But , if you frown upon this proffer'd peace ,
+You tempt the fury of my three attendants ,
+Lean famine , quartering steel , and climbing fire ;
+Who in a moment even with the earth
+Shall lay your stately and air-braving towers ,
+
+If you forsake the offer of their love .
+
+Thou ominous and fearful owl of death ,
+Our nation's terror and their bloody scourge !
+The period of thy tyranny approacheth .
+On us thou canst not enter but by death ;
+For , I protest , we are well fortified ,
+And strong enough to issue out and fight :
+If thou retire , the Dauphin , well appointed ,
+Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee :
+On either hand thee there are squadrons pitch'd ,
+To wall thee from the liberty of flight ;
+And no way canst thou turn thee for redress
+But death doth front thee with apparent spoil ,
+And pale destruction meets thee in the face .
+Ten thousand French have ta'en the sacrament ,
+To rive their dangerous artillery
+Upon no Christian soul but English Talbot .
+Lo ! there thou stand'st , a breathing valiant man ,
+Of an invincible unconquer'd spirit :
+This is the latest glory of thy praise ,
+That I , thy enemy , 'due thee withal ;
+For ere the glass , that now begins to run ,
+Finish the process of his sandy hour ,
+These eyes , that see thee now well coloured ,
+Shall see thee wither'd , bloody , pale , and dead .
+
+Hark ! hark ! the Dauphin's drum , a warning bell ,
+Sings heavy music to thy timorous soul ;
+And mine shall ring thy dire departure out .
+
+
+He fables not ; I hear the enemy :
+Out , some light horsemen , and peruse their wings .
+O ! negligent and heedless discipline ;
+How are we park'd and bounded in a pale ,
+A little herd of England's timorous deer ,
+Maz'd with a yelping kennel of French curs !
+If we be English deer , be then , in blood ;
+Not rascal-like , to fall down with a pinch ,
+But rather moody-mad and desperate stags ,
+Turn on the bloody hounds with heads of steel ,
+And make the cowards stand aloof at bay :
+Sell every man his life as dear as mine ,
+And they shall find dear deer of us , my friends .
+God and Saint George , Talbot and England's right ,
+Prosper our colours in this dangerous fight !
+
+
+Are not the speedy scouts return'd again ,
+That dogg'd the mighty army of the Dauphin ?
+
+They are return'd , my lord ; and give it out ,
+That he is march'd to Bourdeaux with his power ,
+To fight with Talbot . As he march'd along ,
+By your espials were discovered
+Two mightier troops than that the Dauphin led ,
+Which join'd with him and made their march for Bourdeaux .
+
+A plague upon that villain Somerset ,
+That thus delays my promised supply
+Of horsemen that were levied for this siege !
+Renowned Talbot doth expect my aid ,
+And I am louted by a traitor villain ,
+And cannot help the noble chevalier .
+God comfort him in this necessity !
+If he miscarry , farewell wars in France .
+
+
+Thou princely leader of our English strength ,
+Never so needful on the earth of France ,
+Spur to the rescue of the noble Talbot ,
+Who now is girdled with a waist of iron
+And hemm'd about with grim destruction .
+To Bourdeaux , war-like duke ! To Bourdeaux , York !
+Else , farewell Talbot , France , and England's honour .
+
+O God ! that Somerset , who in proud heart
+Doth stop my cornets , were in Talbot's place !
+So should we save a valiant gentleman
+By forfeiting a traitor and a coward .
+Mad ire and wrathful fury , make me weep
+That thus we die , while remiss traitors sleep .
+
+O ! send some succour to the distress'd lord .
+
+He dies , we lose ; I break my war-like word ;
+We mourn , France smiles ; we lose , they daily get ;
+All 'long of this vile traitor Somerset .
+
+Then God take mercy on brave Talbot's soul ;
+And on his son young John , whom two hours since
+I met in travel toward his war-like father .
+This seven years did not Talbot see his son ;
+And now they meet where both their lives are done .
+
+Alas ! what joy shall noble Talbot have ,
+To bid his young son welcome to his grave ?
+Away ! vexation almost stops my breath
+That sunder'd friends greet in the hour of death .
+Lucy , farewell : no more my fortune can ,
+But curse the cause I cannot aid the man .
+Maine , Blois , Poictiers , and Tours , are won away ,
+'Long all of Somerset and his delay .
+
+
+Thus , while the vulture of sedition
+Feeds in the bosom of such great commanders ,
+Sleeping neglection doth betray to loss
+The conquest of our scarce cold conqueror ,
+That ever living man of memory ,
+Henry the Fifth : Whiles they each other cross ,
+Lives , honours , lands , and all hurry to loss .
+
+
+It is too late ; I cannot send them now :
+This expedition was by York and Talbot
+Too rashly plotted : all our general force
+Might with a sally of the very town
+Be buckled with : the over-daring Talbot
+Hath sullied all his gloss of former honour
+By this unheedful , desperate , wild adventure :
+York set him on to fight and die in shame ,
+That , Talbot dead , great York might bear the name .
+
+Here is Sir William Lucy , who with me
+Set from our o'ermatch'd forces forth for aid .
+
+
+How now , Sir William ! whither were you sent ?
+
+Whither , my lord ? from bought and sold Lord Talbot ;
+Who , ring'd about with bold adversity ,
+Cries out for noble York and Somerset ,
+To beat assailing death from his weak legions :
+And whiles the honourable captain there
+Drops bloody sweat from his war-wearied limbs ,
+And , in advantage lingering , looks for rescue ,
+You , his false hopes , the trust of England's honour ,
+Keep off aloof with worthless emulation .
+Let not your private discord keep away
+The levied succours that should lend him aid ,
+While he , renowned noble gentleman ,
+Yields up his life unto a world of odds :
+Orleans the Bastard , Charles , Burgundy ,
+Alen on , Reignier , compass him about ,
+And Talbot perisheth by your default .
+
+York set him on ; York should have sent him aid .
+
+And York as fast upon your Grace exclaims ;
+Swearing that you withhold his levied host
+Collected for this expedition .
+
+York lies ; he might have sent and had the horse :
+I owe him little duty , and less love ;
+And take foul scorn to fawn on him by sending .
+
+The fraud of England , not the force of France ,
+Hath now entrapp'd the noble-minded Talbot .
+Never to England shall he bear his life ,
+But dies , betray'd to fortune by your strife .
+
+Come , go ; I will dispatch the horsemen straight :
+Within six hours they will be at his aid .
+
+Too late comes rescue : he is ta'en or slain ,
+For fly he could not if he would have fled ;
+And fly would Talbot never , though he might .
+
+If he be dead , brave Talbot , then adieu !
+
+His fame lives in the world , his shame in you .
+
+
+O young John Talbot ! I did send for thee
+To tutor thee in stratagems of war ,
+That Talbot's name might be in thee reviv'd
+When sapless age , and weak unable limbs
+Should bring thy father to his drooping chair .
+But ,O malignant and ill-boding stars !
+Now thou art come unto a feast of death ,
+A terrible and unavoided danger :
+Therefore , dear boy , mount on my swiftest horse ,
+And I'll direct thee how thou shalt escape
+By sudden flight : come , dally not , be gone .
+
+Is my name Talbot ? and am I your son ?
+And shall I fly ? O ! if you love my mother ,
+Dishonour not her honourable name ,
+To make a bastard and a slave of me :
+The world will say he is not Talbot's blood
+That basely fled when noble Talbot stood .
+
+Fly , to revenge my death , if I be slain .
+
+He that flies so will ne'er return again .
+
+If we both stay , we both are sure to die .
+
+Then let me stay ; and , father , do you fly :
+Your loss is great , so your regard should be ;
+My worth unknown , no loss is known in me .
+Upon my death the French can little boast ;
+In yours they will , in you all hopes are lost .
+Flight cannot stain the honour you have won ;
+But mine it will that no exploit have done :
+You fled for vantage everyone will swear ;
+But if I bow , they'll say it was for fear .
+There is no hope that ever I will stay
+If the first hour I shrink and run away .
+Here , on my knee , I beg mortality ,
+Rather than life preserv'd with infamy .
+
+Shall all thy mother's hopes lie in one tomb ?
+
+Ay , rather than I'll shame my mother's womb .
+
+Upon my blessing I command thee go .
+
+To fight I will , but not to fly the foe .
+
+Part of thy father may be sav'd in thee .
+
+No part of him but will be shame in me .
+
+Thou never hadst renown , nor canst not lose it .
+
+Yes , your renowned name : shall flight abuse it ?
+
+Thy father's charge shall clear thee from that stain .
+
+You cannot witness for me , being slain .
+If death be so apparent , then both fly .
+
+And leave my followers here to fight and die ?
+My age was never tainted with such shame .
+
+And shall my youth be guilty of such blame ?
+No more can I be sever'd from your side
+Than can yourself yourself in twain divide .
+Stay , go , do what you will , the like do I ;
+For live I will not if my father die .
+
+Then here I take my leave of thee , fair son ,
+Born to eclipse thy life this afternoon .
+Come , side by side together live and die ,
+And soul with soul from France to heaven fly .
+
+Saint George and victory ! fight , soldiers , fight !
+The regent hath with Talbot broke his word ,
+And left us to the rage of France his sword .
+Where is John Talbot ? Pause , and take thy breath :
+I gave thee life and rescu'd thee from death .
+
+O ! twice my father , twice am I thy son :
+The life thou gav'st me first was lost and done ,
+Till with thy war-like sword , despite of fate ,
+To my determin'd time thou gav'st new date .
+
+When from the Dauphin's crest thy sword struck fire ,
+It warm'd thy father's heart with proud desire
+Of bold-fac'd victory . Then leaden age ,
+Quicken'd with youthful spleen and war-like rage ,
+Beat down Alen on , Orleans , Burgundy ,
+And from the pride of Gallia rescu'd thee .
+The ireful bastard Orleans ,that drew blood
+From thee , my boy , and had the maidenhood
+Of thy first fight ,I soon encountered
+And , interchanging blows , I quickly shed
+Some of his bastard blood ; and , in disgrace ,
+Bespoke him thus , 'Contaminated , base ,
+And misbegotten blood I spill of thine ,
+Mean and right poor , for that pure blood of mine
+Which thou didst force from Talbot , my brave boy :'
+Here , purposing the Bastard to destroy ,
+Came in strong rescue . Speak , thy father's care ,
+Art thou not weary , John ? How dost thou fare ?
+Wilt thou yet leave the battle , boy , and fly ,
+Now thou art seal'd the son of chivalry ?
+Fly , to revenge my death when I am dead ;
+The help of one stands me in little stead .
+O ! too much folly is it , well I wot ,
+To hazard all our lives in one small boat .
+If I to-day die not with Frenchmen's rage ,
+To-morrow I shall die with mickle age :
+By me they nothing gain an if I stay ;
+'Tis but the short'ning of my life one day .
+In thee thy mother dies , our household's name ,
+My death's revenge , thy youth , and England's fame .
+All these and more we hazard by thy stay ;
+All these are sav'd if thou wilt fly away .
+
+The sword of Orleans hath not made me smart ;
+These words of yours draw life-blood from my heart .
+On that advantage , bought with such a shame ,
+To save a paltry life and slay bright fame ,
+Before young Talbot from old Talbot fly ,
+The coward horse that bears me fall and die !
+And like me to the peasant boys of France ,
+To be shame's scorn and subject of mischance !
+Surely , by all the glory you have won ,
+An if I fly , I am not Talbot's son :
+Then talk no more of flight , it is no boot ;
+If son to Talbot , die at Talbot's foot .
+
+Then follow thou thy desperate sire of Crete ,
+Thou Icarus . Thy life to me is sweet :
+If thou wilt fight , fight by thy father's side ,
+And , commendable prov'd , let's die in pride .
+
+
+Where is my other life ?mine own is gone ;
+O ! where's young Talbot ? where is valiant John ?
+Triumphant death , smear'd with captivity ,
+Young Talbot's valour makes me smile at thee .
+When he perceiv'd me shrink and on my knee ,
+His bloody sword he brandish'd over me ,
+And like a hungry lion did commence
+Rough deeds of rage and stern impatience ;
+But when my angry guardant stood alone ,
+Tendering my ruin and assail'd of none ,
+Dizzy-ey'd fury and great rage of heart
+Suddenly made him from my side to start
+Into the clust'ring battle of the French ;
+And in that sea of blood my boy did drench
+His overmounting spirit ; and there died
+My Icarus , my blossom , in his pride .
+
+
+O , my dear lord ! lo , where your son is borne !
+
+Thou antick , death , which laugh'st us here to scorn ,
+Anon , from thy insulting tyranny ,
+Coupled in bonds of perpetuity ,
+Two Talbots , winged through the lither sky ,
+In thy despite shall 'scape mortality .
+O ! thou , whose wounds become hard-favour'd death ,
+Speak to thy father ere thou yield thy breath ;
+Brave death by speaking whe'r he will or no ;
+Imagine him a Frenchman and thy foe .
+Poor boy ! he smiles , methinks , as who should say ,
+Had death been French , then death had died to-day .
+Come , come , and lay him in his father's arms :
+My spirit can no longer bear these harms .
+Soldiers , adieu ! I have what I would have ,
+Now my old arms are young John Talbot's grave .
+
+Had York and Somerset brought rescue in
+We should have found a bloody day of this .
+
+How the young whelp of Talbot's , raging-wood ,
+Did flesh his puny sword in Frenchmen's blood !
+
+Once I encounter'd him , and thus I said :
+'Thou maiden youth , be vanquish'd by a maid :'
+But with a proud majestical high scorn ,
+He answer'd thus : 'Young Talbot was not born
+To be the pillage of a giglot wench .'
+So , rushing in the bowels of the French ,
+He left me proudly , as unworthy fight .
+
+Doubtless he would have made a noble knight ;
+See , where he lies inhearsed in the arms
+Of the most bloody nurser of his harms .
+
+Hew them to pieces , hack their bones asunder ,
+Whose life was England's glory , Gallia's wonder .
+
+O , no ! forbear ; for that which we have fled
+During the life , let us not wrong it dead .
+
+
+Herald , conduct me to the Dauphin's tent ,
+To know who hath obtain'd the glory of the day .
+
+On what submissive message art thou sent ?
+
+Submission , Dauphin ! 'tis a mere French word ;
+We English warriors wot not what it means .
+I come to know what prisoners thou hast ta'en ,
+And to survey the bodies of the dead .
+
+For prisoners ask'st thou ? hell our prison is .
+But tell me whom thou seek'st .
+
+Where is the great Alcides of the field ,
+Valiant Lord Talbot , Earl of Shrewsbury ?
+Created , for his rare success in arms ,
+Great Earl of Washford , Waterford , and Valence ;
+Lord Talbot of Goodrig and Urchinfield ,
+Lord Strange of Blackmere , Lord Vordun of Alton ,
+Lord Cromwell of Wingfield , Lord Furnival of Sheffield ,
+The thrice-victorious Lord of Falconbridge ;
+Knight of the noble order of Saint George ,
+Worthy Saint Michael and the Golden Fleece ;
+Great mareschal to Henry the Sixth
+Of all his wars within the realm of France ?
+
+Here is a silly stately style indeed !
+The Turk , that two-and-fifty kingdoms hath ,
+Writes not so tedious a style as this .
+Him that thou magnifiest with all these titles ,
+Stinking and fly-blown lies here at our feet .
+
+Is Talbot slain , the Frenchmen's only scourge ,
+Your kingdom's terror and black Nemesis ?
+O ! were mine eye-balls into bullets turn'd ,
+That I in rage might shoot them at your faces !
+O ! that I could but call these dead to life !
+It were enough to fright the realm of France .
+Were but his picture left among you here
+It would amaze the proudest of you all .
+Give me their bodies , that I may bear them hence ,
+And give them burial as beseems their worth .
+
+I think this upstart is old Talbot's ghost ,
+He speaks with such a proud commanding spirit .
+For God's sake , let him have 'em ; to keep them here
+They would but stink and putrefy the air .
+
+Go , take their bodies hence .
+
+I'll bear them hence :
+But from their ashes shall be rear'd
+A ph nix that shall make all France afeard .
+
+So we be rid of them , do with 'em what thou wilt .
+And now to Paris , in this conquering vein :
+All will be ours now bloody Talbot's slain .
+
+Have you perus'd the letters from the pope ,
+The emperor , and the Earl of Armagnac ?
+
+I have , my lord ; and their intent is this :
+They humbly sue unto your excellence
+To have a godly peace concluded of
+Between the realms of England and of France .
+
+How doth your Grace affect their motion ?
+
+Well , my good lord ; and as the only means
+To stop effusion of our Christian blood ,
+And stablish quietness on every side .
+
+Ay , marry , uncle ; for I always thought
+It was both impious and unnatural
+That such immanity and bloody strife
+Should reign among professors of one faith .
+
+Beside , my lord , the sooner to effect
+And surer bind this knot of amity ,
+The Earl of Armagnac , near knit to Charles ,
+A man of great authority in France ,
+Proffers his only daughter to your Grace
+In marriage , with a large and sumptuous dowry .
+
+Marriage , uncle ! alas ! my years are young ,
+And fitter is my study and my books
+Than wanton dalliance with a paramour .
+Yet call the ambassadors ; and , as you please ,
+So let them have their answers every one :
+I shall be well content with any choice
+Tends to God's glory and my country's weal .
+
+What ! is my Lord of Winchester install'd ,
+And call'd unto a cardinal's degree ?
+Then , I perceive that will be verified
+Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy ,
+'If once he come to be a cardinal ,
+He'll make his cap co-equal with the crown .'
+
+My lords ambassadors , your several suits
+Have been consider'd , and debated on .
+Your purpose is both good and reasonable ;
+And therefore are we certainly resolv'd
+To draw conditions of a friendly peace ;
+Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean
+Shall be transported presently to France .
+
+And for the proffer of my lord your master ,
+I have inform'd his highness so at large ,
+As ,liking of the lady's virtuous gifts ,
+Her beauty , and the value of her dower ,
+He doth intend she shall be England's queen .
+
+In argument and proof of which contract ,
+Bear her this jewel , pledge of my affection .
+And so , my lord protector , see them guarded ,
+And safely brought to Dover ; where inshipp'd
+Commit them to the fortune of the sea .
+
+
+Stay , my lord legate : you shall first receive
+The sum of money which I promised
+Should be deliver'd to his holiness
+For clothing me in these grave ornaments .
+
+I will attend upon your lordship's leisure .
+
+Now Winchester will not submit , I trow ,
+Or be inferior to the proudest peer .
+Humphrey of Gloucester , thou shalt well perceive
+That neither in birth or for authority
+The bishop will be overborne by thee :
+I'll either make thee stoop and bend thy knee ,
+Or sack this country with a mutiny .
+
+
+These news , my lord , may cheer our drooping spirits ;
+'Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt ,
+And turn again unto the war-like French .
+
+Then , march to Paris , royal Charles of France ,
+And keep not back your powers in dalliance .
+
+Peace be amongst them if they turn to us ;
+Else , ruin combat with their palaces !
+
+
+Success unto our valiant general ,
+And happiness to his accomplices !
+
+What tidings send our scouts ? I prithee speak .
+
+The English army , that divided was
+Into two parties , is now conjoin'd in one ,
+And means to give you battle presently .
+
+Somewhat too sudden , sirs , the warning is :
+But we will presently provide for them .
+
+I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there :
+Now he is gone , my lord , you need not fear .
+
+Of all base passions , fear is most accurs'd .
+Command the conquest , Charles , it shall be thine ;
+Let Henry fret and all the world repine .
+
+Then on , my lords ; and France be fortunate !
+
+
+The regent conquers and the Frenchmen fly .
+Now help , ye charming spells and periapts ;
+And ye choice spirits that admonish me
+And give me signs of future accidents :
+
+You speedy helpers , that are substitutes
+Under the lordly monarch of the north ,
+Appear , and aid me in this enterprise !
+
+
+This speedy and quick appearance argues proof
+Of your accustom'd diligence to me .
+Now , ye familiar spirits , that are cull'd
+Out of the powerful regions under earth ,
+Help me this once , that France may get the field .
+
+O ! hold me not with silence over-long .
+Where I was wont to feed you with my blood ,
+I'll lop a member off and give it you ,
+In earnest of a further benefit ,
+So you do condescend to help me now .
+
+No hope to have redress ? My body shall
+Pay recompense , if you will grant my suit .
+
+Cannot my body nor blood-sacrifice
+Entreat you to your wonted furtherance ?
+Then take my soul ; my body , soul , and all ,
+Before that England give the French the foil .
+
+See ! they forsake me . Now the time is come ,
+That France must vail her lofty-plumed crest ,
+And let her head fall into England's lap .
+My ancient incantations are too weak ,
+And hell too strong for me to buckle with :
+Now , France , thy glory droopeth to the dust .
+
+Damsel of France , I think I have you fast :
+Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms ,
+And try if they can gain your liberty .
+A goodly prize , fit for the devil's grace !
+See how the ugly witch doth bend her brows ,
+As if with Circe she would change my shape .
+
+Chang'd to a worser shape thou canst not be .
+
+O ! Charles the Dauphin is a proper man ;
+No shape but his can please your dainty eye .
+
+A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee !
+And may ye both be suddenly surpris'd
+By bloody hands , in sleeping on your beds !
+
+Fell banning hag , enchantress , hold thy tongue !
+
+I prithee , give me leave to curse a while .
+
+Curse , miscreant , when thou comest to the stake .
+
+Be what thou wilt , thou art my prisoner .
+
+O fairest beauty ! do not fear nor fly ,
+For I will touch thee but with reverent hands .
+I kiss these fingers for eternal peace ,
+And lay them gently on thy tender side .
+What art thou ? say , that I may honour thee .
+
+Margaret my name , and daughter to a king ,
+The King of Naples , whosoe'er thou art .
+
+An earl I am , and Suffolk am I call'd .
+Be not offended , nature's miracle ,
+Thou art allotted to be ta'en by me :
+So doth the swan her downy cygnets save ,
+Keeping them prisoners underneath her wings .
+Yet if this servile usage once offend ,
+Go and be free again , as Suffolk's friend .
+
+O stay ! I have no power to let her pass ;
+My hand would free her , but my heart says no .
+As plays the sun upon the glassy streams ,
+Twinkling another counterfeited beam ,
+So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes .
+Fain would I woo her , yet I dare not speak :
+I'll call for pen and ink and write my mind .
+Fie , De la Pole ! disable not thyself ;
+Hast not a tongue ? is she not here thy prisoner ?
+Wilt thou be daunted at a woman's sight ?
+Ay ; beauty's princely majesty is such
+Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough .
+
+Say , Earl of Suffolk ,if thy name be so ,
+What ransom must I pay before I pass ?
+For I perceive , I am thy prisoner .
+
+How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit ,
+Before thou make a trial of her love ?
+
+Why speak'st thou not ? what ransom must I pay ?
+
+She's beautiful and therefore to be woo'd ,
+She is a woman , therefore to be won .
+
+Wilt thou accept of ransom , yea or no ?
+
+Fond man ! remember that thou hast a wife ;
+Then how can Margaret be thy paramour ?
+
+I were best to leave him , for he will not hear .
+
+There all is marr'd ; there lies a cooling card .
+
+He talks at random ; sure , the man is mad .
+
+And yet a dispensation may be had .
+
+And yet I would that you would answer me .
+
+I'll win this Lady Margaret . For whom ?
+Why , for my king : tush ! that's a wooden thing .
+
+He talks of wood : it is some carpenter .
+
+Yet so my fancy may be satisfied ,
+And peace established between these realms .
+But there remains a scruple in that too ;
+For though her father be the King of Naples ,
+Duke of Anjou and Maine , yet is he poor ,
+And our nobility will scorn the match .
+
+Hear ye , captain ? Are you not at leisure ?
+
+It shall be so , disdain they ne'er so much :
+Henry is youthful and will quickly yield .
+Madam , I have a secret to reveal .
+
+What though I be enthrall'd ? he seems a knight ,
+And will not any way dishonour me .
+
+Lady , vouchsafe to listen what I say .
+
+Perhaps I shall be rescu'd by the French ;
+And then I need not crave his courtesy .
+
+Sweet madam , give me hearing in a cause
+
+Tush , women have been captivate ere now .
+
+Lady , wherefore talk you so ?
+
+I cry you mercy , 'tis but quid for quo .
+
+Say , gentle princess , would you not suppose
+Your bondage happy to be made a queen ?
+
+To be a queen in bondage is more vile
+Than is a slave in base servility ;
+For princes should be free .
+
+And so shall you ,
+If happy England's royal king be free .
+
+Why , what concerns his freedom unto me ?
+
+I'll undertake to make thee Henry's queen ,
+To put a golden sceptre in thy hand
+And set a precious crown upon thy head ,
+If thou wilt condescend to be my
+
+What ?
+
+His love .
+
+I am unworthy to be Henry's wife .
+
+No , gentle madam ; I unworthy am
+To woo so fair a dame to be his wife
+And have no portion in the choice myself .
+How say you , madam , are you so content ?
+
+An if my father please , I am content .
+
+Then call our captains and our colours forth !
+And , madam , at your father's castle walls
+We'll crave a parley , to confer with him .
+
+See , Reignier , see thy daughter prisoner !
+
+To whom ?
+
+To me .
+
+Suffolk , what remedy ?
+I am a soldier , and unapt to weep ,
+Or to exclaim on Fortune's fickleness .
+
+Yes , there is remedy enough ; my lord :
+Consent , and for thy honour , give consent ,
+Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king ,
+Whom I with pain have woo'd and won thereto ;
+And this her easy-held imprisonment
+Hath gain'd thy daughter princely liberty .
+
+Speaks Suffolk as he thinks ?
+
+Fair Margaret knows
+That Suffolk doth not flatter , face , or feign .
+
+Upon thy princely warrant , I descend
+To give thee answer of thy just demand .
+
+
+And here I will expect thy coming .
+
+
+Welcome , brave earl , into our territories :
+Command in Anjou what your honour pleases .
+
+Thanks , Reignier , happy for so sweet a child ,
+Fit to be made companion with a king .
+What answer makes your Grace unto my suit ?
+
+Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth
+To be the princely bride of such a lord ,
+Upon condition I may quietly
+Enjoy mine own , the county Maine and Anjou ,
+Free from oppression or the stroke of war ,
+My daughter shall be Henry's if he please .
+
+That is her ransom ; I deliver her ;
+And those two counties I will undertake
+Your Grace shall well and quietly enjoy .
+
+And I again , in Henry's royal name ,
+As deputy unto that gracious king ,
+Give thee her hand for sign of plighted faith .
+
+Reignier of France , I give thee kingly thanks ,
+Because this is in traffic of a king :
+
+
+And yet , methinks , I could be well content
+To be mine own attorney in this case .
+I'll over then , to England with this news ,
+And make this marriage to be solemniz'd .
+So farewell , Reignier : set this diamond safe ,
+In golden palaces , as it becomes .
+
+I do embrace thee , as I would embrace
+The Christian prince , King Henry , were he here .
+
+Farewell , my lord . Good wishes , praise , and prayers
+Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret .
+
+
+Farewell , sweet madam ! but hark you , Margaret ;
+No princely commendations to my king ?
+
+Such commendations as become a maid ,
+A virgin , and his servant , say to him .
+
+Words sweetly plac'd and modestly directed .
+But madam , I must trouble you again ,
+No loving token to his majesty ?
+
+Yes , my good lord ; a pure unspotted heart ,
+Never yet taint with love , I send the king .
+
+And this withal .
+
+
+That for thyself : I will not so presume ,
+To send such peevish tokens to a king .
+
+
+O ! wert thou for myself ! But Suffolk , stay ;
+Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth ;
+There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk .
+Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise :
+Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount
+And natural graces that extinguish art ;
+Repeat their semblance often on the seas ,
+That , when thou com'st to kneel at Henry's feet ,
+Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder .
+
+
+Bring forth that sorceress , condemn'd to burn .
+
+
+Ah , Joan ! this kills thy father's heart outright .
+Have I sought every country far and near ,
+And , now it is my chance to find thee out ,
+Must I behold thy timeless cruel death ?
+Ah , Joan ! sweet daughter Joan , I'll die with thee .
+
+Decrepit miser ! base ignoble wretch !
+I am descended of a gentler blood :
+Thou art no father nor no friend of mine .
+
+Out , out ! My lords , an please you , 'tis not so ;
+I did beget her all the parish knows :
+Her mother liveth yet , can testify
+She was the first fruit of my bachelorship .
+
+Graceless ! wilt thou deny thy parentage ?
+
+This argues what her kind of life hath been :
+Wicked and vile ; and so her death concludes .
+
+Fie , Joan , that thou wilt be so obstacle !
+God knows , thou art a collop of my flesh ;
+And for thy sake have I shed many a tear :
+Deny me not , I prithee , gentle Joan .
+
+Peasant , avaunt ! You have suborn'd this man ,
+Of purpose to obscure my noble birth .
+
+'Tis true , I gave a noble to the priest ,
+The morn that I was wedded to her mother .
+Kneel down and take my blessing , good my girl .
+Wilt thou not stoop ? Now cursed be the time
+Of thy nativity ! I would the milk
+Thy mother gave thee , when thou suck'dst her breast ,
+Had been a little ratsbane for thy sake !
+Or else , when thou didst keep my lambs a-field
+I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee !
+Dost thou deny thy father , cursed drab ?
+O ! burn her , burn her ! hanging is too good .
+
+
+Take her away ; for she hath liv'd too long ,
+To fill the world with vicious qualities .
+
+First , let me tell you whom you have condemn'd :
+Not me begotten of a shepherd swain ,
+But issu'd from the progeny of kings ;
+Virtuous and holy ; chosen from above ,
+By inspiration of celestial grace ,
+To work exceeding miracles on earth .
+I never had to do with wicked spirits :
+But you ,that are polluted with your lusts ,
+Stain'd with the guiltless blood of innocents ,
+Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices ,
+Because you want the grace that others have ,
+You judge it straight a thing impossible
+To compass wonders but by help of devils .
+No misconceived ! Joan of Arc hath been
+A virgin from her tender infancy ,
+Chaste and immaculate in very thought ;
+Whose maiden blood , thus rigorously effus'd ,
+Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven .
+
+Ay , ay : away with her to execution !
+
+And hark ye , sirs ; because she is a maid ,
+Spare for no fagots , let there be enow :
+Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake ,
+That so her torture may be shortened .
+
+Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts ?
+Then , Joan , discover thine infirmity ;
+That warranteth by law to be thy privilege .
+I am with child , ye bloody homicides :
+Murder not then the fruit within my womb ,
+Although ye hale me to a violent death .
+
+Now , heaven forefend ! the holy maid with child !
+
+The greatest miracle that e'er ye wrought !
+Is all your strict preciseness come to this ?
+
+She and the Dauphin have been juggling :
+I did imagine what would be her refuge .
+
+Well , go to ; we will have no bastards live ;
+Especially since Charles must father it .
+
+You are deceiv'd ; my child is none of his :
+It was Alen on that enjoy'd my love .
+
+Alen on ! that notorious Machiavel !
+It dies an if it had a thousand lives .
+
+O ! give me leave , I have deluded you :
+'Twas neither Charles , nor yet the duke I nam'd ,
+But Reignier , King of Naples , that prevail'd .
+
+A married man : that's most intolerable .
+
+Why , here's a girl ! I think she knows not well ,
+There were so many , whom she may accuse .
+
+It's sign she hath been liberal and free .
+
+And yet , forsooth , she is a virgin pure .
+Strumpet , thy words condemn thy brat and thee :
+Use no entreaty , for it is in vain .
+
+Then lead me hence ; with whom I leave my curse :
+May never glorious sun reflex his beams
+Upon the country where you make abode ;
+But darkness and the gloomy shade of death
+Environ you , till mischief and despair
+Drive you to break your necks or hang yourselves !
+
+
+Break thou in pieces and consume to ashes ,
+Thou foul accursed minister of hell !
+
+
+Lord regent , I do greet your excellence
+With letters of commission from the king .
+For know , my lords , the states of Christendom ,
+Mov'd with remorse of these outrageous broils ,
+Have earnestly implor'd a general peace
+Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French ;
+And here at hand the Dauphin , and his train ,
+Approacheth to confer about some matter .
+
+Is all our travail turn'd to this effect ?
+After the slaughter of so many peers ,
+So many captains , gentlemen , and soldiers ,
+That in this quarrel have been overthrown ,
+And sold their bodies for their country's benefit ,
+Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace ?
+Have we not lost most part of all the towns ,
+By treason , falsehood , and by treachery ,
+Our great progenitors had conquered ?
+O ! Warwick , Warwick ! I foresee with grief
+The utter loss of all the realm of France .
+
+Be patient , York : if we conclude a peace ,
+It shall be with such strict and severe covenants
+As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby .
+
+
+Since , lords of England , it is thus agreed ,
+That peaceful truce shall be proclaim'd in France ,
+We come to be informed by yourselves
+What the conditions of that league must be .
+
+Speak , Winchester ; for boiling choler chokes
+The hollow passage of my poison'd voice ,
+By sight of these our baleful enemies .
+
+Charles , and the rest , it is enacted thus :
+That , in regard King Henry gives consent ,
+Of mere compassion and of lenity ,
+To ease your country of distressful war ,
+And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace ,
+You shall become true liegemen to his crown :
+And , Charles , upon-condition thou wilt swear
+To pay him tribute , and submit thyself ,
+Thou shalt be plac'd as viceroy under him ,
+And still enjoy thy regal dignity .
+
+Must he be then , as shadow of himself ?
+Adorn his temples with a coronet ,
+And yet , in substance and authority ,
+Retain but privilege of a private man ?
+This proffer is absurd and reasonless .
+
+'Tis known already that I am possess'd
+With more than half the Gallian territories ,
+And therein reverenc'd for their lawful king :
+Shall I , for lucre of the rest unvanquish'd ,
+Detract so much from that prerogative
+As to be call'd but viceroy of the whole ?
+No , lord ambassador ; I'll rather keep
+That which I have than , coveting for more ,
+Be cast from possibility of all .
+
+Insulting Charles ! hast thou by secret means
+Us'd intercession to obtain a league ,
+And now the matter grows to compromise ,
+Stand'st thou aloof upon comparison ?
+Either accept the title thou usurp'st ,
+Of benefit proceeding from our king
+And not of any challenge of desert ,
+Or we will plague thee with incessant wars .
+
+My lord , you do not well in obstinacy
+To cavil in the course of this contract :
+If once it be neglected , ten to one ,
+We shall not find like opportunity .
+
+To say the truth , it is your policy
+To save your subjects from such massacre
+And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen
+By our proceeding in hostility ;
+And therefore take this compact of a truce ,
+Although you break it when your pleasure serves .
+
+How sayst thou , Charles ? shall our condition stand ?
+
+It shall ;
+Only reserv'd , you claim no interest
+In any of our towns of garrison .
+
+Then swear allegiance to his majesty ;
+As thou art knight , never to disobey
+Nor be rebellious to the crown of England ,
+Thou , nor thy nobles , to the crown of England .
+
+So , now dismiss your army when ye please ;
+Hang up your ensigns , let your drums be still ,
+For here we entertain a solemn peace .
+
+
+Your wondrous rare description , noble earl ,
+Of beauteous Margaret hath astonish'd me :
+Her virtues , graced with external gifts
+Do breed love's settled passions in my heart :
+And like as rigour of tempestuous gusts
+Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide ,
+So am I driven by breath of her renown
+Either to suffer shipwrack , or arrive
+Where I may have fruition of her love .
+
+Tush ! my good lord , this superficial tale
+Is but a preface of her worthy praise :
+The chief perfections of that lovely dame
+Had I sufficient skill to utter them
+Would make a volume of enticing lines ,
+Able to ravish any dull conceit :
+And , which is more , she is not so divine ,
+So full replete with choice of all delights ,
+But with as humble lowliness of mind
+She is content to be at your command ;
+Command , I mean , of virtuous chaste intents ,
+To love and honour Henry as her lord .
+
+And otherwise will Henry ne'er presume .
+Therefore , my Lord Protector , give consent
+That Margaret may be England's royal queen .
+
+So should I give consent to flatter sin .
+You know , my lord , your highness is betroth'd
+Unto another lady of esteem ;
+How shall we then dispense with that contract ,
+And not deface your honour with reproach ?
+
+As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths ;
+Or one that , at a triumph having vow'd
+To try his strength , forsaketh yet the lists
+By reason of his adversary's odds .
+A poor earl's daughter is unequal odds ,
+And therefore may be broke without offence .
+
+Why , what , I pray , is Margaret more than that ?
+Her father is no better than an earl ,
+Although in glorious titles he excel .
+
+Yes , my good lord , her father is a king ,
+The King of Naples and Jerusalem ;
+And of such great authority in France
+As his alliance will confirm our peace ,
+And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance .
+
+And so the Earl of Armagnac may do ,
+Because he is near kinsman unto Charles .
+
+Beside , his wealth doth warrant liberal dower ,
+Where Reignier sooner will receive than give .
+
+A dower , my lords ! disgrace not so your king ,
+That he should be so abject , base , and poor ,
+To choose for wealth and not for perfect love .
+Henry is able to enrich his queen ,
+And not to seek a queen to make him rich :
+So worthless peasants bargain for their wives ,
+As market-men for oxen , sheep , or horse .
+Marriage is a matter of more worth
+Than to be dealt in by attorneyship :
+Not whom we will , but whom his Grace affects ,
+Must be companion of his nuptial bed ;
+And therefore , lords , since he affects her most
+It most of all these reasons bindeth us ,
+In our opinions she should be preferr'd .
+For what is wedlock forced , but a hell ,
+An age of discord and continual strife ?
+Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss ,
+And is a pattern of celestial peace .
+Whom should we match with Henry , being a king ,
+But Margaret , that is daughter to a king ?
+Her peerless feature , joined with her birth ,
+Approves her fit for none but for a king :
+Her valiant courage and undaunted spirit
+More than in women commonly is seen
+Will answer our hope in issue of a king ;
+For Henry , son unto a conqueror ,
+Is likely to beget more conquerors ,
+If with a lady of so high resolve
+As is fair Margaret he be link'd in love .
+Then yield , my lords ; and here conclude with me
+That Margaret shall be queen , and none but she .
+
+Whether it be through force of your report ,
+My noble lord of Suffolk , or for that
+My tender youth was never yet attaint
+With any passion of inflaming love ,
+I cannot tell ; but this I am assur'd ,
+I feel such sharp dissension in my breast ,
+Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear ,
+As I am sick with working of my thoughts .
+Take , therefore , shipping ; post , my lord , to France ;
+Agree to any covenants , and procure
+That Lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come
+To cross the seas to England and be crown'd
+King Henry's faithful and anointed queen :
+For your expenses and sufficient charge ,
+Among the people gather up a tenth .
+Be gone , I say ; for till you do return
+I rest perplexed with a thousand cares .
+And you , good uncle , banish all offence :
+If you do censure me by what you were ,
+Not what you are , I know it will excuse
+This sudden execution of my will .
+And so , conduct me , where , from company
+I may revolve and ruminate my grief .
+
+
+Ay , grief , I fear me , both at first and last .
+
+
+Thus Suffolk hath prevail'd ; and thus he goes ,
+As did the youthful Paris once to Greece ;
+With hope to find the like event in love ,
+But prosper better than the Trojan did .
+Margaret shall now be queen , and rule the king ;
+But I will rule both her , the king , and realm .
+
+THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING JOHN
+
+Now , say , Chatillon , what would France with us ?
+
+Thus , after greeting , speaks the King of France ,
+In my behaviour , to the majesty ,
+The borrow'd majesty of England here .
+
+A strange beginning ; 'borrow'd majesty !'
+
+Silence , good mother ; hear the embassy .
+
+Philip of France , in right and true behalf
+Of thy deceased brother Geffrey's son ,
+Arthur Plantagenet , lays most lawful claim
+To this fair island and the territories ,
+To Ireland , Poictiers , Anjou , Touraine , Maine ;
+Desiring thee to lay aside the sword
+Which sways usurpingly these several titles ,
+And put the same into young Arthur's hand ,
+Thy nephew and right royal sovereign .
+
+What follows if we disallow of this ?
+
+The proud control of fierce and bloody war ,
+To enforce these rights so forcibly withheld .
+
+Here have we war for war , and blood for blood ,
+Controlment for controlment : so answer France .
+
+Then take my king's defiance from my mouth ,
+The furthest limit of my embassy .
+
+Bear mine to him , and so depart in peace :
+Be thou as lightning in the eyes of France ;
+For ere thou canst report I will be there ,
+The thunder of my cannon shall be heard .
+So , hence ! Be thou the trumpet of our wrath
+And sullen presage of your own decay .
+An honourable conduct let him have :
+Pembroke , look to't . Farewell , Chatillon .
+
+
+What now , my son ! have I not ever said
+How that ambitious Constance would not cease
+Till she had kindled France and all the world
+Upon the right and party of her son ?
+This might have been prevented and made whole
+With very easy arguments of love ,
+Which now the manage of two kingdoms must
+With fearful bloody issue arbitrate .
+
+Our strong possession and our right for us .
+
+Your strong possession much more than your right ,
+Or else it must go wrong , with you and me :
+So much my conscience whispers in your ear ,
+Which none but heaven and you and I shall hear .
+
+
+My liege , here is the strangest controversy ,
+Come from the country to be judg'd by you ,
+That e'er I heard : shall I produce the men ?
+
+Let them approach .
+
+Our abbeys and our priories shall pay
+This expedition's charge .
+
+What men are you ?
+
+Your faithful subject I , a gentleman
+Born in Northamptonshire , and eldest son ,
+As I suppose , to Robert Faulconbridge ,
+A soldier , by the honour-giving hand
+Of C ur-de-Lion knighted in the field .
+
+What art thou ?
+
+The son and heir to that same Faulconbridge .
+
+Is that the elder , and art thou the heir ?
+You came not of one mother then , it seems .
+
+Most certain of one mother , mighty king ,
+That is well known : and , as I think , one father :
+But for the certain knowledge of that truth
+I put you o'er to heaven and to my mother :
+Of that I doubt , as all men's children may .
+
+Out on thee , rude man ! thou dost shame thy mother
+And wound her honour with this diffidence .
+
+I , madam ? no , I have no reason for it ;
+That is my brother's plea and none of mine ;
+The which if he can prove , a' pops me out
+At least from fair five hundred pound a year :
+Heaven guard my mother's honour and my land !
+
+A good blunt fellow . Why , being younger born ,
+Doth he lay claim to thine inheritance ?
+
+I know not why , except to get the land .
+But once he slander'd me with bastardy :
+But whe'r I be as true-begot or no ,
+That still I lay upon my mother's head ;
+But that I am as well-begot , my liege ,
+Fair fall the bones that took the pains for me !
+Compare our faces and be judge yourself .
+If old Sir Robert did beget us both ,
+And were our father , and this son like him ;
+O old Sir Robert , father , on my knee
+I give heaven thanks I was not like to thee !
+
+Why , what a madcap hath heaven lent us here !
+
+He hath a trick of C ur-de-Lion's face ;
+The accent of his tongue affecteth him .
+Do you not read some tokens of my son
+In the large composition of this man ?
+
+Mine eye hath well examined his parts ,
+And finds them perfect Richard . Sirrah , speak :
+What doth move you to claim your brother's land ?
+
+Because he hath a half-face , like my father .
+With half that face would he have all my land ;
+A half-fac'd groat five hundred pound a year !
+
+My gracious liege , when that my father liv'd ,
+Your brother did employ my father much ,
+
+Well , sir , by this you cannot get my land :
+Your tale must be how he employ'd my mother .
+
+And once dispatch'd him in an embassy
+To Germany , there with the emperor
+To treat of high affairs touching that time .
+The advantage of his absence took the king ,
+And in the mean time sojourn'd at my father's ;
+Where how he did prevail I shame to speak ,
+But truth is truth : large lengths of seas and shores
+Between my father and my mother lay ,
+As I have heard my father speak himself ,
+When this same lusty gentleman was got .
+Upon his death-bed he by will bequeath'd
+His lands to me , and took it on his death
+That this my mother's son was none of his ;
+An if he were , he came into the world
+Full fourteen weeks before the course of time .
+Then , good my liege , let me have what is mine ,
+My father's land , as was my father's will .
+
+Sirrah , your brother is legitimate ;
+Your father's wife did after wedlock bear him ,
+And if she did play false , the fault was hers ;
+Which fault lies on the hazards of all husbands
+That marry wives . Tell me , how if my brother ,
+Who , as you say , took pains to get this son ,
+Had of your father claim'd this son for his ?
+In sooth , good friend , your father might have kept
+This calf bred from his cow from all the world ;
+In sooth he might : then , if he were my brother's ,
+My brother might not claim him ; nor your father ,
+Being none of his , refuse him : this concludes ;
+My mother's son did get your father's heir ;
+Your father's heir must have your father's land .
+
+Shall then my father's will be of no force
+To dispossess that child which is not his ?
+
+Of no more force to dispossess me , sir ,
+Than was his will to get me , as I think .
+
+Whe'r hadst thou rather be a Faulconbridge
+And like thy brother , to enjoy thy land ,
+Or the reputed son of C ur-de-Lion ,
+Lord of thy presence and no land beside ?
+
+Madam , an if my brother had my shape ,
+And I had his , Sir Robert his , like him ;
+And if my legs were two such riding-rods ,
+My arms such eel-skins stuff'd , my face so thin
+That in mine ear I durst not stick a rose
+Lest men should say , 'Look , where three-far-things goes !'
+And , to his shape , were heir to all this land ,
+Would I might never stir from off this place ,
+I'd give it every foot to have this face :
+I would not be Sir Nob in any case .
+
+I like thee well : wilt thou forsake thy fortune ,
+Bequeath thy land to him , and follow me ?
+I am a soldier and now bound to France .
+
+Brother , take you my land , I'll take my chance .
+Your face hath got five hundred pounds a year ,
+Yet sell your face for five pence and 'tis dear .
+Madam , I'll follow you unto the death .
+
+Nay , I would have you go before me thither .
+
+Our country manners give our betters way .
+
+What is thy name ?
+
+Philip , my liege , so is my name begun ;
+Philip , good old Sir Robert's wife's eldest son .
+
+From henceforth bear his name whose form thou bearest :
+Kneel thou down Philip , but arise more great ;
+Arise Sir Richard , and Plantagenet .
+
+Brother by the mother's side , give me your hand :
+My father gave me honour , yours gave land .
+Now blessed be the hour , by night or day ,
+When I was got , Sir Robert was away !
+
+The very spirit of Plantagenet !
+I am thy grandam , Richard : call me so .
+
+Madam , by chance but not by truth ; what though ?
+Something about , a little from the right ,
+In at the window , or else o'er the hatch :
+Who dares not stir by day must walk by night ,
+And have is have , however men do catch .
+Near or far off , well won is still well shot ,
+And I am I , howe'er I was begot .
+
+Go , Faulconbridge : now hast thou thy desire ;
+A landless knight makes thee a landed squire .
+Come , madam , and come , Richard : we must speed
+For France , for France , for it is more than need .
+
+Brother , adieu : good fortune come to thee !
+For thou wast got i' the way of honesty .
+
+A foot of honour better than I was ,
+But many a many foot of land the worse .
+Well , now can I make any Joan a lady .
+'Good den , Sir Richard !' 'God-a-mercy , fellow !'
+And if his name be George , I'll call him Peter ;
+For new-made honour doth forget men's names :
+'Tis too respective and too sociable
+For your conversion . Now your traveller ,
+He and his toothpick at my worship's mess ,
+And when my knightly stomach is suffic'd ,
+Why then I suck my teeth , and catechize
+My picked man of countries : 'My dear sir ,'
+Thus , leaning on mine elbow , I begin ,
+'I shall beseech you ,' that is question now ;
+And then comes answer like an absey-book :
+'O , sir ,' says answer , 'at your best command ;
+At your employment ; at your service , sir :'
+'No , sir ,' says question , 'I , sweet sir , at yours :'
+And so , ere answer knows what question would ,
+Saving in dialogue of compliment ,
+And talking of the Alps and Apennines ,
+The Pyrenean and the river Po ,
+It draws toward supper in conclusion so .
+But this is worshipful society
+And fits the mounting spirit like myself ;
+For he is but a bastard to the time ,
+That doth not smack of observation ;
+And so am I , whether I smack or no ;
+And not alone in habit and device ,
+Exterior form , outward accoutrement ,
+But from the inward motion to deliver
+Sweet , sweet , sweet poison for the age's tooth :
+Which , though I will not practise to deceive ,
+Yet , to avoid deceit , I mean to learn ;
+For it shall strew the footsteps of my rising .
+But who comes in such haste in riding-robes ?
+What woman-post is this ? hath she no husband
+That will take pains to blow a horn before her ?
+
+
+O me ! it is my mother . How now , good lady !
+
+What brings you here to court so hastily ?
+
+Where is that slave , thy brother ? where is he ,
+That holds in chase mine honour up and down ?
+
+My brother Robert ? old Sir Robert's son ?
+Colbrand the giant , that same mighty man ?
+Is it Sir Robert's son that you seek so ?
+
+Sir Robert's son ! Ay , thou unreverend boy ,
+Sir Robert's son : why scorn'st thou at Sir Robert ?
+He is Sir Robert's son , and so art thou .
+
+James Gurney , wilt thou give us leave awhile ?
+
+Good leave , good Philip .
+
+Philip ! sparrow ! James ,
+There's toys abroad : anon I'll tell thee more .
+
+Madam , I was not old Sir Robert's son :
+Sir Robert might have eat his part in me
+Upon Good-Friday and ne'er broke his fast .
+Sir Robert could do well : marry , to confess ,
+Could he get me ? Sir Robert could not do it :
+We know his handiwork : therefore , good mother ,
+To whom am I beholding for these limbs ?
+Sir Robert never holp to make this leg .
+
+Hast thou conspired with thy brother too ,
+That for thine own gain shouldst defend mine honour ?
+What means this scorn , thou most untoward knave ?
+
+Knight , knight , good mother , Basilisco-like .
+What ! I am dubb'd ; I have it on my shoulder .
+But , mother , I am not Sir Robert's son ;
+I have disclaim'd Sir Robert and my land ;
+Legitimation , name , and all is gone .
+Then , good my mother , let me know my father ;
+Some proper man , I hope ; who was it , mother ?
+
+Hast thou denied thyself a Faulconbridge ?
+
+As faithfully as I deny the devil .
+
+King Richard C ur-de-Lion was thy father :
+By long and vehement suit I was seduc'd
+To make room for him in my husband's bed .
+Heaven lay not my transgression to my charge !
+Thou art the issue of my dear offence ,
+Which was so strongly urg'd past my defence .
+
+Now , by this light , were I to get again ,
+Madam , I would not wish a better father .
+Some sins do bear their privilege on earth ,
+And so doth yours ; your fault was not your folly :
+Needs must you lay your heart at his dispose ,
+Subjected tribute to commanding love ,
+Against whose fury and unmatched force
+The aweless lion could not wage the fight ,
+Nor keep his princely heart from Richard's hand .
+He that perforce robs lions of their hearts
+May easily win a woman's . Ay , my mother ,
+With all my heart I thank thee for my father !
+Who lives and dares but say thou didst not well
+When I was got , I'll send his soul to hell .
+Come , lady , I will show thee to my kin ;
+And they shall say , when Richard me begot ,
+If thou hadst said him nay , it had been sin :
+Who says it was , he lies : I say , 'twas not .
+
+
+Before Angiers well met , brave Austria .
+Arthur , that great forerunner of thy blood ,
+Richard , that robb'd the lion of his heart
+And fought the holy wars in Palestine ,
+By this brave duke came early to his grave :
+And , for amends to his posterity ,
+At our importance hither is he come ,
+To spread his colours , boy , in thy behalf ,
+And to rebuke the usurpation
+Of thy unnatural uncle , English John :
+Embrace him , love him , give him welcome hither .
+
+God shall forgive you C ur-de-Lion's death
+The rather that you give his offspring life ,
+Shadowing their right under your wings of war .
+I give you welcome with a powerless hand ,
+But with a heart full of unstained love :
+Welcome before the gates of Angiers , duke .
+
+A noble boy ! Who would not do thee right ?
+
+Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous kiss ,
+As seal to this indenture of my love ,
+That to my home I will no more return
+Till Angiers , and the right thou hast in France ,
+Together with that pale , that white-fac'd shore ,
+Whose foot spurns back the ocean's roaring tides
+And coops from other lands her islanders ,
+Even till that England , hedg'd in with the main ,
+That water-walled bulwark , still secure
+And confident from foreign purposes ,
+Even till that utmost corner of the west
+Salute thee for her king : till then , fair boy ,
+Will I not think of home , but follow arms .
+
+O ! take his mother's thanks , a widow's thanks ,
+Till your strong hand shall help to give him strength
+To make a more requital to your love .
+
+The peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords
+In such a just and charitable war .
+
+Well then , to work : our cannon shall be bent
+Against the brows of this resisting town .
+Call for our chiefest men of discipline ,
+To cull the plots of best advantages :
+We'll lay before this town our royal bones ,
+Wade to the market-place in Frenchmen's blood ,
+But we will make it subject to this boy .
+
+Stay for an answer to your embassy ,
+Lest unadvis'd you stain your swords with blood .
+My Lord Chatillon may from England bring
+That right in peace which here we urge in war ;
+And then we shall repent each drop of blood
+That hot rash haste so indirectly shed .
+
+
+A wonder , lady ! lo , upon thy wish ,
+Our messenger , Chatillon , is arriv'd !
+What England says , say briefly , gentle lord ;
+We coldly pause for thee ; Chatillon , speak .
+
+Then turn your forces from this paltry siege
+And stir them up against a mightier task .
+England , impatient of your just demands ,
+Hath put himself in arms : the adverse winds ,
+Whose leisure I have stay'd , have given him time
+To land his legions all as soon as I ;
+His marches are expedient to this town ,
+His forces strong , his soldiers confident .
+With him along is come the mother-queen ,
+An Ate , stirring him to blood and strife ;
+With her her niece , the Lady Blanch of Spain ;
+With them a bastard of the king's deceas'd ;
+And all the unsettled humours of the land ,
+Rash , inconsiderate , fiery voluntaries ,
+With ladies' faces and fierce dragons' spleens ,
+Have sold their fortunes at their native homes ,
+Bearing their birthrights proudly on their backs ,
+To make a hazard of new fortunes here .
+In brief , a braver choice of dauntless spirits
+Than now the English bottoms have waft o'er
+Did never float upon the swelling tide ,
+To do offence and scathe in Christendom .
+
+The interruption of their churlish drums
+Cuts off more circumstance : they are at hand ,
+To parley or to fight ; therefore prepare .
+
+How much unlook'd for is this expedition !
+
+By how much unexpected , by so much
+We must awake endeavour for defence ,
+For courage mounteth with occasion :
+Let them be welcome then , we are prepar'd .
+
+
+Peace be to France , if France in peace permit
+Our just and lineal entrance to our own ;
+If not , bleed France , and peace ascend to heaven ,
+Whiles we , God's wrathful agent , do correct
+Their proud contempt that beats his peace to heaven .
+
+Peace be to England , if that war return
+From France to England , there to live in peace .
+England we love ; and , for that England's sake
+With burden of our armour here we sweat :
+This toil of ours should be a work of thine ;
+But thou from loving England art so far
+That thou hast under-wrought his lawful king ,
+Cut off the sequence of posterity ,
+Out-faced infant state , and done a rape
+Upon the maiden virtue of the crown .
+Look here upon thy brother Geffrey's face :
+These eyes , these brows , were moulded out of his ;
+This little abstract doth contain that large
+Which died in Geffrey , and the hand of time
+Shall draw this brief into as huge a volume .
+That Geffrey was thy elder brother born ,
+And this his son ; England was Geffrey's right
+And this is Geffrey's . In the name of God
+How comes it then that thou art call'd a king ,
+When living blood doth in these temples beat ,
+Which owe the crown that thou o'ermasterest ?
+
+From whom hast thou this great commission , France ,
+To draw my answer from thy articles ?
+
+From that supernal judge , that stirs good thoughts
+In any breast of strong authority ,
+To look into the blots and stains of right :
+That judge hath made me guardian to this boy :
+Under whose warrant I impeach thy wrong ,
+And by whose help I mean to chastise it .
+
+Alack ! thou dost usurp authority .
+
+Excuse ; it is to beat usurping down .
+
+Who is it thou dost call usurper , France ?
+
+Let me make answer ; thy usurping son .
+
+Out , insolent ! thy bastard shall be king ,
+That thou mayst be a queen , and check the world !
+
+My bed was ever to thy son as true
+As thine was to thy husband , and this boy
+Liker in feature to his father Geffrey
+Than thou and John in manners ; being as like
+As rain to water , or devil to his dam .
+My boy a bastard ! By my soul I think
+His father never was so true begot :
+It cannot be an if thou wert his mother .
+
+There's a good mother , boy , that blots thy father .
+
+There's a good grandam , boy , that would blot thee .
+
+Peace !
+
+Hear the crier .
+
+What the devil art thou ?
+
+One that will play the devil , sir , with you ,
+An a' may catch your hide and you alone .
+You are the hare of whom the proverb goes ,
+Whose valour plucks dead lions by the beard .
+I'll smoke your skin coat , an I catch you right .
+Sirrah , look to't ; i' faith , I will , i' faith .
+
+O ! well did he become that lion's robe ,
+That did disrobe the lion of that robe .
+
+It lies as sightly on the back of him
+As great Alcides' shows upon an ass :
+But , ass , I'll take that burden from your back ,
+Or lay on that shall make your shoulders crack .
+
+What cracker is this same that deafs our ears
+With this abundance of superfluous breath ?
+King ,Lewis , determine what we shall do straight .
+
+Women and fools , break off your conference .
+King John , this is the very sum of all :
+England and Ireland , Anjou , Touraine , Maine ,
+In right of Arthur do I claim of thee .
+Wilt thou resign them and lay down thy arms ?
+
+My life as soon : I do defy thee , France .
+Arthur of Britaine , yield thee to my hand ;
+And out of my dear love I'll give thee more
+Than e'er the coward hand of France can win .
+Submit thee , boy .
+
+Come to thy grandam , child .
+
+Do , child , go to it grandam , child ;
+Give grandam kingdom , and it grandam will
+Give it a plum , a cherry , and a fig :
+There's a good grandam .
+
+Good my mother , peace !
+I would that I were low laid in my grave :
+I am not worth this coil that's made for me .
+
+His mother shames him so , poor boy , he weeps .
+
+Now shame upon you , whe'r she does or no !
+His grandam's wrongs , and not his mother's shames ,
+Draw those heaven-moving pearls from his poor eyes ,
+Which heaven shall take in nature of a fee ;
+Ay , with these crystal beads heaven shall be brib'd
+To do him justice and revenge on you .
+
+Thou monstrous slanderer of heaven and earth !
+
+Thou monstrous injurer of heaven and earth !
+Call not me slanderer ; thou and thine usurp
+The dominations , royalties , and rights
+Of this oppressed boy : this is thy eld'st son's son ,
+Infortunate in nothing but in thee :
+Thy sins are visited in this poor child ;
+The canon of the law is laid on him ,
+Being but the second generation
+Removed from thy sin-conceiving womb .
+
+Bedlam , have done .
+
+I have but this to say ,
+That he's not only plagued for her sin ,
+But God hath made her sin and her the plague
+On this removed issue , plagu'd for her ,
+And with her plague , her sin ; his injury
+Her injury , the beadle to her sin ,
+All punish'd in the person of this child ,
+And all for her . A plague upon her !
+
+Thou unadvised scold , I can produce
+A will that bars the title of thy son .
+
+Ay , who doubts that ? a will ! a wicked will ;
+A woman's will ; a canker'd grandam's will !
+
+Peace , lady ! pause , or be more temperate :
+It ill beseems this presence to cry aim
+To these ill-tuned repetitions .
+Some trumpet summon hither to the walls
+These men of Angiers : let us hear them speak
+Whose title they admit , Arthur's or John's .
+
+
+Who is it that hath warn'd us to the walls ?
+
+'Tis France , for England .
+
+England for itself .
+You men of Angiers , and my loving subjects ,
+
+You loving men of Angiers , Arthur's subjects ,
+Our trumpet call'd you to this gentle parle ,
+
+For our advantage ; therefore hear us first .
+These flags of France , that are advanced here
+Before the eye and prospect of your town ,
+Have hither march'd to your endamagement :
+The cannons have their bowels full of wrath ,
+And ready mounted are they to spit forth
+Their iron indignation 'gainst your walls :
+All preparation for a bloody siege
+And merciless proceeding by these French
+Confronts your city's eyes , your winking gates ;
+And but for our approach those sleeping stones ,
+That as a waist do girdle you about ,
+By the compulsion of their ordinance
+By this time from their fixed beds of lime
+Had been dishabited , and wide havoc made
+For bloody power to rush upon your peace .
+But on the sight of us your lawful king ,
+Who painfully with much expedient march
+Have brought a countercheck before your gates ,
+To save unscratch'd your city's threaten'd cheeks ,
+Behold , the French amaz'd vouchsafe a parle ;
+And now , instead of bullets wrapp'd in fire ,
+To make a shaking fever in your walls ,
+They shoot but calm words folded up in smoke ,
+To make a faithless error in your ears :
+Which trust accordingly , kind citizens ,
+And let us in , your king , whose labour'd spirits ,
+Forwearied in this action of swift speed ,
+Crave harbourage within your city walls .
+
+When I have said , make answer to us both .
+Lo ! in this right hand , whose protection
+Is most divinely vow'd upon the right
+Of him it holds , stands young Plantagenet ,
+Son to the elder brother of this man ,
+And king o'er him and all that he enjoys :
+For this down-trodden equity , we tread
+In war-like march these greens before your town ,
+Being no further enemy to you
+Than the constraint of hospitable zeal ,
+In the relief of this oppressed child ,
+Religiously provokes . Be pleased then
+To pay that duty which you truly owe
+To him that owes it , namely , this young prince ;
+And then our arms , like to a muzzled bear ,
+Save in aspect , have all offence seal'd up ;
+Our cannons' malice vainly shall be spent
+Against the invulnerable clouds of heaven ;
+And with a blessed and unvex'd retire ,
+With unhack'd swords and helmets all unbruis'd ,
+We will bear home that lusty blood again
+Which here we came to spout against your town ,
+And leave your children , wives , and you , in peace .
+But if you fondly pass our proffer'd offer ,
+'Tis not the roundure of your old-fac'd walls
+Can hide you from our messengers of war ,
+Though all these English and their discipline
+Were harbour'd in their rude circumference .
+Then tell us , shall your city call us lord ,
+In that behalf which we have challeng'd it ?
+Or shall we give the signal to our rage
+And stalk in blood to our possession ?
+
+In brief , we are the King of England's subjects :
+For him , and in his right , we hold this town .
+
+Acknowledge then the king , and let me in .
+
+That can we not ; but he that proves the king ,
+To him will we prove loyal : till that time
+Have we ramm'd up our gates against the world .
+
+Doth not the crown of England prove the king ?
+And if not that , I bring you witnesses ,
+Twice fifteen thousand hearts of England's breed ,
+
+Bastards , and else .
+
+To verify our title with their lives .
+
+As many and as well-born bloods as those ,
+
+Some bastards too .
+
+Stand in his face to contradict his claim .
+
+Till thou compound whose right is worthiest ,
+We for the worthiest hold the right from both .
+
+Then God forgive the sins of all those souls
+That to their everlasting residence ,
+Before the dew of evening fall , shall fleet ,
+In dreadful trial of our kingdom's king !
+
+Amen , Amen ! Mount , chevaliers ! to arms !
+
+Saint George , that swing'd the dragon , and e'er since
+Sits on his horse back at mine hostess' door ,
+Teach us some fence !
+
+Sirrah , were I at home ,
+At your den , sirrah , with your lioness ,
+I would set an ox-head to your lion's hide ,
+And make a monster of you .
+
+Peace ! no more .
+
+O ! tremble , for you hear the lion roar .
+
+Up higher to the plain ; where we'll set forth
+In best appointment all our regiments .
+
+Speed then , to take advantage of the field .
+
+It shall be so ;
+
+and at the other hill
+Command the rest to stand . God , and our right !
+
+You men of Angiers , open wide your gates ,
+And let young Arthur , Duke of Britaine , in ,
+Who , by the hand of France this day hath made
+Much work for tears in many an English mother ,
+Whose sons he scatter'd on the bleeding ground ;
+Many a widow's husband grovelling lies ,
+Coldly embracing the discolour'd earth ;
+And victory , with little loss , doth play
+Upon the dancing banners of the French ,
+Who are at hand , triumphantly display'd ,
+To enter conquerors and to proclaim
+Arthur of Britaine England's king and yours .
+
+
+Rejoice , you men of Angiers , ring your bells ;
+King John , your king and England's , doth approach ,
+Commander of this hot malicious day .
+Their armours , that march'd hence so silver-bright ,
+Hither return all gilt with Frenchmen's blood ;
+There stuck no plume in any English crest
+That is removed by a staff of France ;
+Our colours do return in those same hands
+That did display them when we first march'd forth ;
+And , like a jolly troop of huntsmen , come
+Our lusty English , all with purpled hands
+Dy'd in the dying slaughter of their foes .
+Open your gates and give the victors way .
+
+Heralds , from off our towers we might behold ,
+From first to last , the onset and retire
+Of both your armies ; whose equality
+By our best eyes cannot be censured :
+Blood hath bought blood , and blows have answer'd blows ;
+Strength match'd with strength , and power confronted power :
+Both are alike ; and both alike we like .
+One must prove greatest : while they weigh so even ,
+We hold our town for neither , yet for both .
+
+
+France , hast thou yet more blood to cast away ?
+Say , shall the current of our right run on ?
+Whose passage , vex'd with thy impediment ,
+Shall leave his native channel and o'erswell
+With course disturb'd even thy conflning shores ,
+Unless thou let his silver water keep
+A peaceful progress to the ocean .
+
+England , thou hast not sav'd one drop of blood ,
+In this hot trial , more than we of France ;
+Rather , lost more : and by this hand I swear ,
+That sways the earth this climate overlooks ,
+Before we will lay down our just-borne arms ,
+We'll put thee down , 'gainst whom these arms we bear ,
+Or add a royal number to the dead ,
+Gracing the scroll that tells of this war's loss
+With slaughter coupled to the name of kings .
+
+Ha , majesty ! how high thy glory towers
+When the rich blood of kings is set on fire !
+O ! now doth Death line his dead chaps with steel ;
+The swords of soldiers are his teeth , his fangs ;
+And now he feasts , mousing the flesh of men ,
+In undetermin'd differences of kings .
+Why stand these royal fronts amazed thus ?
+Cry 'havoc !' kings ; back to the stained field ,
+You equal-potents , fiery-kindled spirits !
+Then let confusion of one part confirm
+The other's peace ; till then , blows , blood , and death !
+
+Whose party do the townsmen yet admit ?
+
+Speak , citizens , for England ; who's your king ?
+
+The King of England , when we know the king .
+
+Know him in us , that here hold up his right .
+
+In us , that are our own great deputy ,
+And bear possession of our person here ,
+Lord of our presence , Angiers , and of you .
+
+A greater power than we denies all this ;
+And , till it be undoubted , we do lock
+Our former scruple in our strong-barr'd gates ,
+Kings of ourselves ; until our fears , resolv'd ,
+Be by some certain king purg'd and depos'd .
+
+By heaven , these scroyles of Angiers flout you , kings ,
+And stand securely on their battlements
+As in a theatre , whence they gape and point
+At your industrious scenes and acts of death .
+Your royal presences be rul'd by me :
+Do like the mutines of Jerusalem ,
+Be friends awhile and both conjointly bend
+Your sharpest deeds of malice on this town .
+By east and west let France and England mount
+Their battering cannon charged to the mouths ,
+Till their soul-fearing clamours have brawl'd down
+The flinty ribs of this contemptuous city :
+I'd play incessantly upon these jades ,
+Even till unfenced desolation
+Leave them as naked as the vulgar air .
+That done , dissever your united strengths ,
+And part your mingled colours once again ;
+Turn face to face and bloody point to point ;
+Then , in a moment , Fortune shall cull forth
+Out of one side her happy minion ,
+To whom in favour she shall give the day ,
+And kiss him with a glorious victory .
+How like you this wild counsel , mighty states ?
+Smacks it not something of the policy ?
+
+Now , by the sky that hangs above our heads ,
+I like it well . France , shall we knit our powers
+And lay this Angiers even with the ground ;
+Then after fight who shall be king of it ?
+
+An if thou hast the mettle of a king ,
+Being wrong'd as we are by this peevish town ,
+Turn thou the mouth of thy artillery ,
+As we will ours , against these saucy walls ;
+And when that we have dash'd them to the ground ,
+Why then defy each other , and , pell-mell ,
+Make work upon ourselves , for heaven or hell .
+
+Let it be so . Say , where will you assault ?
+
+We from the west will send destruction
+Into this city's bosom .
+
+I from the north .
+
+Our thunder from the south
+Shall rain their drift of bullets on this town .
+
+O , prudent discipline ! From north to south
+Austria and France shoot in each other's mouth :
+I'll stir them to it . Come , away , away !
+
+Hear us , great kings : vouchsafe a while to stay ,
+And I shall show you peace and fair-fac'd league ;
+Win you this city without stroke or wound ;
+Rescue those breathing lives to die in beds ,
+That here come sacrifices for the field .
+Persever not , but hear me , mighty kings .
+
+Speak on with favour : we are bent to hear .
+
+That daughter there of Spain , the Lady Blanch ,
+Is near to England : look upon the years
+Of Lewis the Dauphin and that lovely maid .
+If lusty love should go in quest of beauty ,
+Where should he find it fairer than in Blanch ?
+If zealous love should go in search of virtue ,
+Where should he find it purer than in Blanch ?
+If love ambitious sought a match of birth ,
+Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady Blanch ?
+Such as she is , in beauty , virtue , birth ,
+Is the young Dauphin every way complete :
+If not complete of , say he is not she ;
+And she again wants nothing , to name want ,
+If want it be not that she is not he :
+He is the half part of a blessed man ,
+Left to be finished by such a she ;
+And she a fair divided excellence ,
+Whose fulness of perfection lies in him .
+O ! two such silver currents , when they join ,
+Do glorify the banks that bound them in ;
+And two such shores to two such streams made one ,
+Two such controlling bounds shall you be , kings ,
+To these two princes , if you marry them .
+This union shall do more than battery can
+To our fast-closed gates ; for at this match ,
+With swifter spleen than powder can enforce ,
+The mouth of passage shall we fling wide ope ,
+And give you entrance ; but without this match ,
+The sea enraged is not half so deaf ,
+Lions more confident , mountains and rocks
+More free from motion , no , not death himself
+In mortal fury half so peremptory ,
+As we to keep this city .
+
+Here's a stay ,
+That shakes the rotten carcase of old Death
+Out of his rags ! Here's a large mouth , indeed ,
+That spits forth death and mountains , rocks and seas ,
+Talks as familiarly of roaring lions
+As maids of thirteen do of puppy-dogs .
+What cannoneer begot this lusty blood ?
+He speaks plain cannon fire , and smoke and bounce ;
+He gives the bastinado with his tongue ;
+Our ears are cudgell'd ; not a word of his
+But buffets better than a fist of France .
+'Zounds ! I was never so bethump'd with words
+Since I first call'd my brother's father dad .
+
+Son , list to this conjunction , make this match ;
+Give with our niece a dowry large enough ;
+For by this knot thou shalt so surely tie
+Thy now unsur'd assurance to the crown ,
+That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe
+The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit .
+I see a yielding in the looks of France ;
+Mark how they whisper : urge them while their souls
+Are capable of this ambition ,
+Lest zeal , now melted by the windy breath
+Of soft petitions , pity and remorse ,
+Cool and congeal again to what it was .
+
+Why answer not the double majesties
+This friendly treaty of our threaten'd town ?
+
+Speak England first , that hath been forward first
+To speak unto this city : what say you ?
+
+If that the Dauphin there , thy princely son ,
+Can in this book of beauty read 'I love ,'
+Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen :
+For Anjou , and fair Touraine , Maine , Poictiers ,
+And all that we upon this side the sea ,
+Except this city now by us besieg'd ,
+Find liable to our crown and dignity ,
+Shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich
+In titles , honours , and promotions ,
+As she in beauty , education , blood ,
+Holds hand with any princess of the world .
+
+What sayst thou , boy ? look in the lady's face .
+
+I do , my lord ; and in her eye I find
+A wonder , or a wondrous miracle ,
+The shadow of myself form'd in her eye ;
+Which , being but the shadow of your son
+Becomes a sun , and makes your son a shadow :
+I do protest I never lov'd myself
+Till now infixed I beheld myself ,
+Drawn in the flattering table of her eye .
+
+
+Drawn in the flattering table of her eye !
+Hang'd in the frowning wrinkle of her brow !
+And quarter'd in her heart ! he doth espy
+Himself love's traitor : this is pity now ,
+That hang'd and drawn and quarter'd , there should be
+In such a love so vile a lout as he .
+
+My uncle's will in this respect is mine :
+If he see aught in you that makes him like ,
+That anything he sees , which moves his liking ,
+I can with ease translate it to my will ;
+Or if you will , to speak more properly ,
+I will enforce it easily to my love .
+Further I will not flatter you , my lord ,
+That all I see in you is worthy love ,
+Than this : that nothing do I see in you ,
+Though churlish thoughts themselves should be your judge ,
+That I can find should merit any hate .
+
+What say these young ones ? What say you , my niece ?
+
+That she is bound in honour still to do
+What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say .
+
+Speak then , Prince Dauphin ; can you love this lady ?
+
+Nay , ask me if I can refrain from love ;
+For I do love her most unfeignedly .
+
+Then do I give Volquessen , Touraine , Maine ,
+Poictiers , and Anjou , these five provinces ,
+With her to thee ; and this addition more ,
+Full thirty thousand marks of English coin .
+Philip of France , if thou be pleas'd withal ,
+Command thy son and daughter to join hands .
+
+It likes us well . Young princes , close your hands .
+
+And your lips too ; for I am well assur'd
+That I did so when I was first assur'd .
+
+Now , citizens of Angiers , ope your gates ,
+Let in that amity which you have made ;
+For at Saint Mary's chapel presently
+The rites of marriage shall be solemniz'd .
+Is not the Lady Constance in this troop ?
+I know she is not ; for this match made up
+Her presence would have interrupted much :
+Where is she and her son ? tell me , who knows .
+
+She is sad and passionate at your highness' tent .
+
+And , by my faith , this league that we have made
+Will give her sadness very little cure .
+Brother of England , how may we content
+This widow lady ? In her right we came ;
+Which we , God knows , have turn'd another way ,
+To our own vantage .
+
+We will heal up all ;
+For we'll create young Arthur Duke of Britaine
+And Earl of Richmond ; and this rich fair town
+We make him lord of . Call the Lady Constance :
+Some speedy messenger bid her repair
+To our solemnity : I trust we shall ,
+If not fill up the measure of her will ,
+Yet in some measure satisfy her so ,
+That we shall stop her exclamation .
+Go we , as well as haste will suffer us ,
+To this unlook'd-for unprepared pomp .
+
+
+Mad world ! mad kings ! mad composition !
+John , to stop Arthur's title in the whole ,
+Hath willingly departed with a part ;
+And France , whose armour conscience buckled on ,
+Whom zeal and charity brought to the field
+As God's own soldier , rounded in the ear
+With that same purpose-changer , that sly devil ,
+That broker , that still breaks the pate of faith ,
+That daily break-vow , he that wins of all ,
+Of kings , of beggars , old men , young men , maids ,
+Who having no external thing to lose
+But the word 'maid ,' cheats the poor maid of that ,
+That smooth-fac'd gentleman , tickling Commodity ,
+Commodity , the bias of the world ;
+The world , who of itself is peized well ,
+Made to run even upon even ground ,
+Till this advantage , this vile-drawing bias ,
+This sway of motion , this Commodity ,
+Makes it take head from all indifferency ,
+From all direction , purpose , course , intent :
+And this same bias , this Commodity ,
+This bawd , this broker , this all-changing word ,
+Clapp'd on the outward eye of fickle France ,
+Hath drawn him from his own determin'd aid ,
+From a resolv'd and honourable war ,
+To a most base and vile-concluded peace .
+And why rail I on this Commodity ?
+But for because he hath not woo'd me yet .
+Not that I have the power to clutch my hand
+When his fair angels would salute my palm ;
+But for my hand , as unattempted yet ,
+Like a poor beggar , raileth on the rich .
+Well , whiles I am a beggar , I will rail ,
+And say there is no sin but to be rich ;
+And being rich , my virtue then shall be
+To say there is no vice but beggary .
+Since kings break faith upon Commodity ,
+Gain , be my lord , for I will worship thee !
+
+Gone to be married ! gone to swear a peace !
+False blood to false blood join'd ! gone to be friends !
+Shall Lewis have Blanch , and Blanch those provinces ?
+It is not so ; thou hast misspoke , misheard ;
+Be well advis'd , tell o'er thy tale again :
+It cannot be ; thou dost but say 'tis so .
+I trust I may not trust thee , for thy word
+Is but the vain breath of a common man :
+Believe me , I do not believe thee , man ;
+I have a king's oath to the contrary .
+Thou shalt be punish'd for thus frighting me ,
+For I am sick and capable of fears ;
+Oppress'd with wrongs , and therefore full of fears ;
+A widow , husbandless , subject to fears ;
+A woman , naturally born to fears ;
+And though thou now confess thou didst but jest ,
+With my vex'd spirits I cannot take a truce ,
+But they will quake and tremble all this day .
+What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head ?
+Why dost thou look so sadly on my son ?
+What means that hand upon that breast of thine ?
+Why holds thine eye that lamentable rheum ,
+Like a proud river peering o'er his bounds ?
+Be these sad signs confirmers of thy words ?
+Then speak again ; not all thy former tale ,
+But this one word , whether thy tale be true .
+
+As true as I believe you think them false
+That give you cause to prove my saying true .
+
+O ! if thou teach me to believe this sorrow ,
+Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die ;
+And let belief and life encounter so
+As doth the fury of two desperate men
+Which in the very meeting fall and die .
+Lewis marry Blanch ! O boy ! then where art thou ?
+France friend with England what becomes of me ?
+Fellow , be gone ! I cannot brook thy sight :
+This news hath made thee a most ugly man .
+
+What other harm have I , good lady , done ,
+But spoke the harm that is by others done ?
+
+Which harm within itself so heinous is
+As it makes harmful all that speak of it .
+
+I do beseech you , madam , be content .
+
+If thou , that bidd'st me be content , wert grim ,
+Ugly and slanderous to thy mother's womb ,
+Full of unpleasing blots and sightless stains ,
+Lame , foolish , crooked , swart , prodigious ,
+Patch'd with foul moles and eye-offending marks ,
+I would not care , I then would be content ;
+For then I should not love thee , no , nor thou
+Become thy great birth , nor deserve a crown .
+But thou art fair ; and at thy birth , dear boy ,
+Nature and Fortune join'd to make thee great :
+Of Nature's gifts thou mayst with lilies boast
+And with the half-blown rose . But Fortune , O !
+She is corrupted , chang'd , and won from thee :
+She adulterates hourly with thine uncle John ,
+And with her golden hand hath pluck'd on France
+To tread down fair respect of sovereignty ,
+And made his majesty the bawd to theirs .
+France is a bawd to Fortune and King John ,
+That strumpet Fortune , that usurping John !
+Tell me , thou fellow , is not France forsworn ?
+Envenom him with words , or get thee gone
+And leave those woes alone which I alone
+Am bound to underbear .
+
+Pardon me , madam ,
+I may not go without you to the kings .
+
+Thou mayst , thou shalt : I will not go with thee .
+I will instruct my sorrows to be proud ;
+For grief is proud and makes his owner stoop .
+To me and to the state of my great grief
+Let kings assemble ; for my grief's so great
+That no supporter but the huge firm earth
+Can hold it up : here I and sorrows sit ;
+Here is my throne , bid kings come bow to it .
+
+'Tis true , fair daughter ; and this blessed day
+Ever in France shall be kept festival :
+To solemnize this day the glorious sun
+Stays in his course and plays the alchemist ,
+Turning with splendour of his precious eye
+The meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold :
+The yearly course that brings this day about
+Shall never see it but a holiday .
+
+A wicked day , and not a holy day !
+What hath this day deserv'd ? what hath it done
+That it in golden letters should be set
+Among the high tides in the calendar ?
+Nay , rather turn this day out of the week ,
+This day of shame , oppression , perjury :
+Or , if it must stand still , let wives with child
+Pray that their burdens may not fall this day ,
+Lest that their hopes prodigiously be cross'd :
+But on this day let seamen fear no wrack ;
+No bargains break that are not this day made ;
+This day all things begun come to ill end ;
+Yea , faith itself to hollow falsehood change !
+
+By heaven , lady , you shall have no cause
+To curse the fair proceedings of this day :
+Have I not pawn'd to you my majesty ?
+
+You have beguil'd me with a counterfeit
+Resembling majesty , which , being touch'd and tried ,
+Proves valueless : you are forsworn , forsworn ;
+You came in arms to spill mine enemies' blood ,
+But now in arms you strengthen it with yours :
+The grappling vigour and rough frown of war
+Is cold in amity and painted peace ,
+And our oppression hath made up this league .
+Arm , arm , you heavens , against these perjur'd kings !
+A widow cries ; be husband to me , heavens !
+Let not the hours of this ungodly day
+Wear out the day in peace ; but , ere sunset ,
+Set armed discord 'twixt these perjur'd kings !
+Hear me ! O , hear me !
+
+Lady Constance , peace !
+
+War ! war ! no peace ! peace is to me a war .
+O , Lymoges ! O , Austria ! thou dost shame
+That bloody spoil . thou slave , thou wretch , thou coward !
+Thou little valiant , great in villany !
+Thou ever strong upon the stronger side !
+Thou Fortune's champion , that dost never fight
+But when her humorous ladyship is by
+To teach thee safety ! thou art perjur'd too ,
+And sooth'st up greatness . What a fool art thou ,
+A ramping fool , to brag , and stamp and swear
+Upon my party ! Thou cold-blooded slave ,
+Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side ?
+Been sworn my soldier ? bidding me depend
+Upon thy stars , thy fortune , and thy strength ?
+And dost thou now fall over to my foes ?
+Thou wear a hon's hide ! doff it for shame ,
+And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs .
+
+O ! that a man should speak those words to me .
+
+And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs .
+
+Thou dar'st not say so , villain , for thy life .
+
+And hang a calf's-skin on those recreant limbs .
+
+We like not this ; thou dost forget thyself .
+
+
+Here comes the holy legate of the pope .
+
+Hail , you anointed deputies of heaven !
+To thee , King John , my holy errand is .
+I Pandulph , of fair Milan cardinal ,
+And from Pope Innocent the legate here ,
+Do in his name religiously demand
+Why thou against the church , our holy mother ,
+So wilfully dost spurn ; and , force perforce ,
+Keep Stephen Langton , chosen Archbishop
+Of Canterbury , from that holy see ?
+This , in our foresaid holy father's name ,
+Pope Innocent , I do demand of thee .
+
+What earthly name to interrogatories
+Can task the free breath of a sacred king ?
+Thou canst not , cardinal , devise a name
+So slight , unworthy and ridiculous ,
+To charge me to an answer , as the pope .
+Tell him this tale ; and from the mouth of England
+Add thus much more : that no Italian priest
+Shall tithe or toll in our dominions ;
+But as we under heaven are supreme head ,
+So under him that great supremacy ,
+Where we do reign , we will alone uphold ,
+Without the assistance of a mortal hand :
+So tell the pope ; all reverence set apart
+To him , and his usurp'd authority .
+
+Brother of England , you blaspheme in this .
+
+Though you and all the kings of Christendom
+Are led so grossly by this meddling priest ,
+Dreading the curse that money may buy out ;
+And , by the merit of vile gold , dross , dust ,
+Purchase corrupted pardon of a man ,
+Who in that sale sells pardon from himself ;
+Though you and all the rest so grossly led
+This juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish ;
+Yet I alone , alone do me oppose
+Against the pope , and count his friends my foes .
+
+Then , by the lawful power that I have ,
+Thou shalt stand curs'd and excommunicate :
+And blessed shall he be that doth revolt
+From his allegiance to a heretic ;
+And meritorious shall that hand be call'd ,
+Canonized and worshipp'd as a saint ,
+That takes away by any secret course
+Thy hateful life .
+
+O ! lawful let it be
+That I have room with Rome to curse awhile .
+Good father cardinal , cry thou amen
+To my keen curses ; for without my wrong
+There is no tongue hath power to curse him right .
+
+There's law and warrant , lady , for my curse .
+
+And for mine too : when law can do no right ,
+Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong .
+Law cannot give my child his kingdom here ,
+For he that holds his kingdom holds the law :
+Therefore , since law itself is perfect wrong ,
+How can the law forbid my tongue to curse ?
+
+Philip of France , on peril of a curse ,
+Let go the hand of that arch-heretic ,
+And raise the power of France upon his head ,
+Unless he do submit himself to Rome .
+
+Look'st thou pale , France ? do not let go thy hand .
+
+Look to that , devil , lest that France repent ,
+And by disjoining hands , hell lose a soul .
+
+King Philip , listen to the cardinal .
+
+And hang a calf's-skin on his recreant limbs .
+
+Well , ruffian , I must pocket up these wrongs ,
+Because
+
+Your breeches best may carry them .
+
+Philip , what sayst thou to the cardinal ?
+
+What should he say , but as the cardinal ?
+
+Bethink you , father ; for the difference
+Is purchase of a heavy curse from Rome ,
+Or the light loss of England for a friend :
+Forego the easier .
+
+That's the curse of Rome .
+
+O Lewis , stand fast ! the devil tempts thee here ,
+In likeness of a new untrimmed bride .
+
+The Lady Constance speaks not from her faith ,
+But from her need .
+
+O ! if thou grant my need ,
+Which only lives but by the death of faith ,
+That need must needs infer this principle ,
+That faith would live again by death of need :
+O ! then , tread down my need , and faith mounts up ;
+Keep my need up , and faith is trodden down .
+
+The king is mov'd , and answers not to this .
+
+O ! be remov'd from him , and answer well .
+
+Do so , King Philip : hang no more in doubt .
+
+Hang nothing but a calf's-skin , most sweet lout .
+
+I am perplex'd , and know not what to say .
+
+What canst thou say but will perplex thee more ,
+If thou stand excommunicate and curs'd ?
+
+Good reverend father , make my person yours ,
+And tell me how you would bestow yourself .
+This royal hand and mine are newly knit ,
+And the conjunction of our inward souls
+Married in league , coupled and link'd together
+With all religious strength of sacred vows ;
+The latest breath that gave the sound of words
+Was deep-sworn faith , peace , amity , true love ,
+Between our kingdoms and our royal selves ;
+And even before this truce , but new before ,
+No longer than we well could wash our hands
+To clap this royal bargain up of peace ,
+Heaven knows , they were besmear'd and overstain'd
+With slaughter's pencil , where revenge did paint
+The fearful difference of incensed kings :
+And shall these hands , so lately purg'd of blood ,
+So newly join'd in love , so strong in both ,
+Unyoke this seizure and this kind regreet ?
+Play fast and loose with faith ? so jest with heaven ,
+Make such unconstant children of ourselves ,
+As now again to snatch our palm from palm ,
+Unswear faith sworn , and on the marriage-bed
+Of smiling peace to march a bloody host ,
+And make a riot on the gentle brow
+Of true sincerity ? O ! holy sir ,
+My reverend father , let it not be so !
+Out of your grace , devise , ordain , impose
+Some gentle order , and then we shall be bless'd
+To do your pleasure and continue friends .
+
+All form is formless , order orderless ,
+Save what is opposite to England's love .
+Therefore to arms ! be champion of our church ,
+Or let the church , our mother , breathe her curse ,
+A mother's curse , on her revolting son .
+France , thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue ,
+A chafed lion by the mortal paw ,
+A fasting tiger safer by the tooth ,
+Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold .
+
+I may disjoin my hand , but not my faith .
+
+So mak'st thou faith an enemy to faith :
+And like a civil war sett'st oath to oath ,
+Thy tongue against thy tongue . O ! let thy vow
+First made to heaven , first be to heaven perform'd ;
+That is , to be the champion of our church .
+What since thou swor'st is sworn against thyself
+And may not be performed by thyself ;
+For that which thou hast sworn to do amiss
+Is not amiss when it is truly done ;
+And being not done , where doing tends to ill ,
+The truth is then most done not doing it .
+The better act of purposes mistook
+Is to mistake again ; though indirect ,
+Yet indirection thereby grows direct ,
+And falsehood falsehood cures , as fire cools fire
+Within the scorched veins of one new-burn'd .
+It is religion that doth make vows kept ;
+But thou hast sworn against religion
+By what thou swear'st , against the thing thou swear'st ,
+And mak'st an oath the surety for thy truth
+Against an oath : the truth thou art unsure
+To swear , swears only not to be forsworn ;
+Else what a mockery should it be to swear !
+But thou dost swear only to be forsworn ;
+And most forsworn , to keep what thou dost swear .
+Therefore thy later vows against thy first
+Is in thyself rebellion to thyself ;
+And better conquest never canst thou make
+Than arm thy constant and thy nobler parts
+Against these giddy loose suggestions :
+Upon which better part our prayers come in ,
+If thou vouchsafe them ; but , if not , then know
+The peril of our curses light on thee
+So heavy as thou shalt not shake them off ,
+But in despair die under their black weight .
+
+Rebellion , flat rebellion !
+
+Will't not be ?
+Will not a calf's-skin stop that mouth of thine ?
+
+Father , to arms !
+
+Upon thy wedding-day ?
+Against the blood that thou hast married ?
+What ! shall our feast be kept with slaughter'd men ?
+Shall braying trumpets and loud churlish drums ,
+Clamours of hell , be measures to our pomp ?
+O husband , hear me ! ay , alack ! how new
+Is husband in my mouth ; even for that name ,
+Which till this time my tongue did ne'er pronounce ,
+Upon my knee I beg , go not to arms
+Against mine uncle .
+
+O ! upon my knee ,
+Made hard with kneeling , I do pray to thee ,
+Thou virtuous Dauphin , alter not the doom
+Forethought by heaven .
+
+Now shall I see thy love : what motive may
+Be stronger with thee than the name of wife ?
+
+That which upholdeth him that thee upholds ,
+His honour : O ! thine honour , Lewis , thine honour .
+
+I muse your majesty doth seem so cold ,
+When such profound respects do pull you on .
+
+I will denounce a curse upon his head .
+
+Thou shalt not need . England , I'll fall from thee .
+
+O fair return of banish'd majesty !
+
+O foul revolt of French inconstancy !
+
+France , thou shalt rue this hour within this hour .
+
+Old Time the clock-setter , that bald sexton Time ,
+Is it as he will ? well then , France shall rue .
+
+The sun's o'ercast with blood : fair day , adieu !
+Which is the side that I must go withal ?
+I am with both : each army hath a hand ;
+And in their rage , I having hold of both ,
+They whirl asunder and dismember me .
+Husband , I cannot pray that thou mayst win ;
+Uncle , I needs must pray that thou mayst lose ;
+Father , I may not wish the fortune thine ;
+Grandam , I will not wish thy wishes thrive :
+Whoever wins , on that side shall I lose ;
+Assured loss before the match be play'd .
+
+Lady , with me ; with me thy fortune lies .
+
+There where my fortune lives , there my life dies .
+
+Cousin , go draw our puissance together .
+
+France , I am burn'd up with inflaming wrath ;
+A rage whose heat hath this condition ,
+That nothing can allay , nothing but blood ,
+The blood , and dearest-valu'd blood of France .
+
+Thy rage shall burn thee up , and thou shalt turn
+To ashes , ere our blood shall quench that fire :
+Look to thyself , thou art in jeopardy .
+
+No more than he that threats . To arms let's hie !
+
+
+Now , by my life , this day grows wondrous hot ;
+Some airy devil hovers in the sky
+And pours down mischief . Austria's head lie there ,
+While Philip breathes .
+
+
+Hubert , keep this boy . Philip , make up ,
+My mother is assailed in our tent ,
+And ta'en , I fear .
+
+My lord , I rescu'd her ;
+Her highness is in safety , fear you not :
+But on , my liege ; for very little pains
+Will bring this labour to a happy end .
+
+
+So shall it be ; your grace shall stay behind
+So strongly guarded .
+
+Cousin , look not sad :
+Thy grandam loves thee ; and thy uncle will
+As dear be to thee as thy father was .
+
+O ! this will make my mother die with grief .
+
+Cousin , away for England ! haste before ;
+And , ere our coming , see thou shake the bags
+Of hoarding abbots ; set at liberty
+Imprison'd angels : the fat ribs of peace
+Must by the hungry now be fed upon :
+Use our commission in his utmost force .
+
+Bell , book , and candle shall not drive me back
+When gold and silver becks me to come on .
+I leave your highness . Grandam , I will pray ,
+If ever I remember to be holy ,
+For your fair safety ; so I kiss your hand .
+
+Farewell , gentle cousin .
+
+Coz , farewell .
+
+
+Come hither , little kinsman ; hark , a word .
+
+
+Come hither , Hubert . O my gentle Hubert ,
+We owe thee much : within this wall of flesh
+There is a soul counts thee her creditor ,
+And with advantage means to pay thy love :
+And , my good friend , thy voluntary oath
+Lives in this bosom , dearly cherished .
+Give me thy hand . I had a thing to say ,
+But I will fit it with some better time .
+By heaven , Hubert , I am almost asham'd
+To say what good respect I have of thee .
+
+I am much bounden to your majesty .
+
+Good friend , thou hast no cause to say so yet ;
+But thou shalt have ; and creep time ne'er so slow ,
+Yet it shall come for me to do thee good .
+I had a thing to say , but let it go :
+The sun is in the heaven , and the proud day ,
+Attended with the pleasures of the world ,
+Is all too wanton and too full of gawds
+To give me audience : if the midnight bell
+Did , with his iron tongue and brazen mouth ,
+Sound one into the drowsy race of night ;
+If this same were a churchyard where we stand ,
+And thou possessed with a thousand wrongs ;
+Or if that surly spirit , melancholy ,
+Had bak'd thy blood and made it heavy-thick ,
+Which else runs tickling up and down the veins ,
+Making that idiot , laughter , keep men's eyes
+And strain their cheeks to idle merriment ,
+A passion hateful to my purposes ;
+Or if that thou couldst see me without eyes ,
+Hear me without thine ears , and make reply
+Without a tongue , using conceit alone ,
+Without eyes , ears , and harmful sound of words ;
+Then , in despite of brooded watchful day ,
+I would into thy bosom pour my thoughts :
+But ah ! I will not : yet I love thee well ;
+And , by my troth , I think thou lov'st me well .
+
+So well , that what you bid me undertake ,
+Though that my death were adjunct to my act ,
+By heaven , I would do it .
+
+Do not I know thou wouldst ?
+Good Hubert ! Hubert , Hubert , throw thine eye
+On yon young boy : I'll tell thee what , my friend ,
+He is a very serpent in my way ;
+And wheresoe'er this foot of mine doth tread
+He lies before me : dost thou understand me ?
+Thou art his keeper .
+
+And I'll keep him so
+That he shall not offend your majesty .
+
+Death .
+
+My lord ?
+
+A grave .
+
+He shall not live .
+
+Enough .
+I could be merry now . Hubert , I love thee ;
+Well , I'll not say what I intend for thee :
+Remember . Madam , fare you well :
+I'll send those powers o'er to your majesty .
+
+My blessing go with thee !
+
+For England , cousin ; go :
+Hubert shall be your man , attend on you
+With all true duty . On toward Calais , ho !
+
+
+So , by a roaring tempest on the flood ,
+A whole armado of convicted sail
+Is scatter'd and disjoin'd from fellowship .
+
+Courage and comfort ! all shall yet go well .
+
+What can go well when we have run so ill ?
+Are we not beaten ? Is not Angiers lost ?
+Arthur ta'en prisoner ? divers dear friends slain ?
+And bloody England into England gone ,
+O'erbearing interruption , spite of France ?
+
+What he hath won that hath he fortified :
+So hot a speed with such advice dispos'd ,
+Such temperate order in so fierce a cause ,
+Doth want example : who hath read or heard
+Of any kindred action like to this ?
+
+Well could I bear that England had this praise ,
+So we could find some pattern of our shame .
+
+
+Look , who comes here ! a grave unto a soul ;
+Holding the eternal spirit , against her will ,
+In the vile prison of afflicted breath .
+
+I prithee lady , go away with me .
+
+Lo now ! now see the issue of your peace .
+
+Patience , good lady ! comfort , gentle Constance !
+
+No , I defy all counsel , all redress ,
+But that which ends all counsel , true redress ,
+Death , death : O , amiable lovely death !
+Thou odoriferous stench ! sound rottenness !
+Arise forth from the couch of lasting night ,
+Thou hate and terror to prosperity ,
+And I will kiss thy detestable bones ,
+And put my eyeballs in thy vaulty brows ,
+And ring these fingers with thy household worms ,
+And stop this gap of breath with fulsome dust ,
+And be a carrion monster like thyself :
+Come , grin on me ; and I will think thou smil'st
+And buss thee as thy wife ! Misery's love ,
+O ! come to me .
+
+O fair affliction , peace !
+
+No , no , I will not , having breath to cry :
+O ! that my tongue were in the thunder's mouth !
+Then with a passion would I shake the world ,
+And rouse from sleep that fell anatomy
+Which cannot hear a lady's feeble voice ,
+Which scorns a modern invocation .
+
+Lady , you utter madness , and not sorrow .
+
+Thou art not holy to belie me so ;
+I am not mad : this hair I tear is mine ;
+My name is Constance ; I was Geffrey's wife ;
+Young Arthur is my son , and he is lost !
+I am not mad : I would to heaven I were !
+For then 'tis like I should forget myself :
+O ! if I could , what grief should I forget .
+Preach some philosophy to make me mad ,
+And thou shalt be canoniz'd , cardinal ;
+For being not mad but sensible of grief ,
+My reasonable part produces reason
+How I may be deliver'd of these woes ,
+And teaches me to kill or hang myself :
+If I were mad , I should forget my son ,
+Or madly think a babe of clouts were he .
+I am not mad : too well , too well I feel
+The different plague of each calamity .
+
+Bind up those tresses . O ! what love I note
+In the fair multitude of those her hairs :
+Where but by chance a silver drop hath fallen ,
+Even to that drop ten thousand wiry friends
+Do glue themselves in sociable grief ;
+Like true , inseparable , faithful loves ,
+Sticking together in calamity .
+
+To England , if you will .
+
+Bind up your hairs .
+
+Yes , that I will ; and wherefore will I do it ?
+I tore them from their bonds , and cried aloud
+'O ! that these hands could so redeem my son ,
+As they have given these hairs their liberty !'
+But now I envy at their liberty ,
+And will again commit them to their bonds ,
+Because my poor child is a prisoner .
+And , father cardinal , I have heard you say
+That we shall see and know our friends in heaven .
+If that be true , I shall see my boy again ;
+For since the birth of Cain , the first male child ,
+To him that did but yesterday suspire ,
+There was not such a gracious creature born .
+But now will canker-sorrow eat my bud
+And chase the native beauty from his cheek ,
+And he will look as hollow as a ghost ,
+As dim and meagre as an ague's fit ,
+And so he'll die ; and , rising so again ,
+When I shall meet him in the court of heaven
+I shall not know him : therefore never , never
+Must I behold my pretty Arthur more .
+
+You hold too heinous a respect of grief .
+
+He talks to me , that never had a son .
+
+You are as fond of grief as of your child .
+
+Grief fills the room up of my absent child ,
+Lies in his bed , walks up and down with me ,
+Puts on his pretty looks , repeats his words ,
+Remembers me of all his gracious parts ,
+Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form :
+Then have I reason to be fond of grief .
+Fare you well : had you such a loss as I ,
+I could give better comfort than you do .
+I will not keep this form upon my head
+When there is such disorder in my wit .
+O Lord ! my boy , my Arthur , my fair son !
+My life , my joy , my food , my all the world !
+My widow-comfort , and my sorrows' cure !
+
+
+I fear some outrage , and I'll follow her .
+
+
+There's nothing in this world can make me joy :
+Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale ,
+Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man ;
+And bitter shame hath spoil'd the sweet world's taste ,
+That it yields nought but shame and bitterness .
+
+Before the curing of a strong disease ,
+Even in the instant of repair and health ,
+The fit is strongest : evils that take leave ,
+On their departure most of all show evil .
+What have you lost by losing of this day ?
+
+All days of glory , joy , and happiness .
+
+If you had won it , certainly you had .
+No , no ; when Fortune means to men most good ,
+She looks upon them with a threatening eye .
+'Tis strange to think how much King John hath lost
+In this which he accounts so clearly won .
+Are not you griev'd that Arthur is his prisoner ?
+
+As heartily as he is glad he hath him .
+
+Your mind is all as youthful as your blood .
+Now hear me speak with a prophetic spirit ;
+For even the breath of what I mean to speak
+Shall blow each dust , each straw , each little rub ,
+Out of the path which shall directly lead
+Thy foot to England's throne ; and therefore mark .
+John hath seiz'd Arthur ; and it cannot be ,
+That whiles warm life plays in that infant's veins
+The misplac'd John should entertain an hour ,
+One minute , nay , one quiet breath of rest .
+A sceptre snatch'd with an unruly hand
+Must be as boisterously maintain'd as gain'd ;
+And he that stands upon a slippery place
+Makes nice of no vile hold to stay him up :
+That John may stand , then Arthur needs must fall ;
+So be it , for it cannot be but so .
+
+But what shall I gain by young Arthur's fall ?
+
+You , in the right of Lady Blanch your wife ,
+May then make all the claim that Arthur did .
+
+And lose it , life and all , as Arthur did .
+
+How green you are and fresh in this old world !
+John lays you plots ; the times conspire with you ;
+For he that steeps his safety in true blood
+Shall find but bloody safety and untrue .
+This act so evilly borne shall cool the hearts
+Of all his people and freeze up their zeal ,
+That none so small advantage shall step forth
+To check his reign , but they will cherish it ;
+No natural exhalation in the sky ,
+No scope of nature , no distemper'd day ,
+No common wind , no customed event ,
+But they will pluck away his natural cause
+And call them meteors , prodigies , and signs ,
+Abortives , presages , and tongues of heaven ,
+Plainly denouncing vengeance upon John .
+
+May be he will not touch young Arthur's life ,
+But hold himself safe in his prisonment .
+
+O ! sir , when he shall hear of your approach ,
+If that young Arthur be not gone already ,
+Even at that news he dies ; and then the hearts
+Of all his people shall revolt from him
+And kiss the lips of unacquainted change ,
+And pick strong matter of revolt and wrath
+Out of the bloody fingers' ends of John .
+Methinks I see this hurly all on foot :
+And , O ! what better matter breeds for you
+Than I have nam'd . The bastard Faulconbridge
+Is now in England ransacking the church ,
+Offending charity : if but a dozen French
+Were there in arms , they would be as a call
+To train ten thousand English to their side ;
+Or as a little snow , tumbled about ,
+Anon becomes a mountain . O noble Dauphin !
+Go with me to the king . 'Tis wonderful
+What may be wrought out of their discontent
+Now that their souls are topful of offence .
+For England go ; I will whet on the king .
+
+Strong reasons make strong actions . Let us go :
+If you say ay , the king will not say no .
+
+Heat me these irons hot ; and look thou stand
+Within the arras : when I strike my foot
+Upon the bosom of the ground , rush forth ,
+And bind the boy which you shall find with me
+Fast to the chair : be heedful . Hence , and watch .
+
+I hope your warrant will bear out the deed .
+
+Uncleanly scruples ! fear not you : look to't .
+
+Young lad , come forth ; I have to say with you .
+
+
+Good morrow , Hubert .
+
+Good morrow , little prince .
+
+As little prince ,having so great a title
+To be more prince ,as may be . You are sad .
+
+Indeed , I have been merrier .
+
+Mercy on me !
+Methinks nobody should be sad but I :
+Yet I remember , when I was in France ,
+Young gentlemen would be as sad as night ,
+Only for wantonness . By my christendom ,
+So I were out of prison and kept sheep ,
+I should be as merry as the day is long ;
+And so I would be here , but that I doubt
+My uncle practises more harm to me :
+He is afraid of me , and I of him .
+Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son ?
+No , indeed , is't not ; and I would to heaven
+I were your son , so you would love me , Hubert .
+
+If I talk to him with his innocent prate
+He will awake my mercy which lies dead :
+Therefore I will be sudden and dispatch .
+
+Are you sick , Hubert ? you look pale to-day :
+In sooth , I would you were a little sick ,
+That I might sit all night and watch with you :
+I warrant I love you more than you do me .
+
+His words do take possession of my bosom .
+Read here , young Arthur .
+
+How now , foolish rheum !
+Turning dispiteous torture out of door !
+I must be brief , lest resolution drop
+Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears .
+Can you not read it ? is it not fair writ ?
+
+Too fairly , Hubert , for so foul effect .
+Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes ?
+
+Young boy , I must .
+
+And will you ?
+
+And I will .
+
+Have you the heart ? When your head did but ache ,
+I knit my handkercher about your brows ,
+The best I had , a princess wrought it me ,
+And I did never ask it you again ;
+And with my hand at midnight held your head ,
+And like the watchful minutes to the hour ,
+Still and anon cheer'd up the heavy time ,
+Saying , 'What lack you ?' and , 'Where lies your grief ?'
+Or , 'What good love may I perform for you ?'
+Many a poor man's son would have lain still ,
+And ne'er have spoke a loving word to you ;
+But you at your sick-service had a prince .
+Nay , you may think my love was crafty love ,
+And call it cunning : do an if you will .
+If heaven be pleas'd that you must use me ill ,
+Why then you must . Will you put out mine eyes ?
+These eyes that never did nor never shall
+So much as frown on you ?
+
+I have sworn to do it ;
+And with hot irons must I burn them out .
+
+Ah ! none but in this iron age would do it !
+The iron of itself , though heat red-hot ,
+Approaching near these eyes , would drink my tears
+And quench this fiery indignation
+Even in the matter of mine innocence ;
+Nay , after that , consume away in rust ,
+But for containing fire to harm mine eye .
+Are you more stubborn-hard than hammer'd iron ?
+An if an angel should have come to me
+And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes ,
+I would not have believ'd him ; no tongue but Hubert's .
+
+Come forth .
+
+Do as I bid you do .
+
+O ! save me , Hubert , save me ! my eyes are out
+Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men .
+
+Give me the iron , I say , and bind him here .
+
+Alas ! what need you be so boisterousrough ?
+I will not struggle ; I will stand stone-still .
+For heaven's sake , Hubert , let me not be bound !
+Nay , hear me , Hubert : drive these men away ,
+And I will sit as quiet as a lamb ;
+I will not stir , nor wince , nor speak a word ,
+Nor look upon the iron angerly .
+Thrust but these men away , and I'll forgive you ,
+Whatever torment you do put me to .
+
+Go , stand within : let me alone with him .
+
+I am best pleas'd to be from such a deed .
+
+
+Alas ! I then have chid away my friend :
+He hath a stern look , but a gentle heart .
+Let him come back , that his compassion may
+Give life to yours .
+
+Come , boy , prepare yourself .
+
+Is there no remedy ?
+
+None , but to lose your eyes .
+
+O heaven ! that there were but a mote in yours ,
+A grain , a dust , a gnat , a wandering hair ,
+Any annoyance in that precious sense ;
+Then feeling what small things are boisterous there ,
+Your vile intent must needs seem horrible .
+
+Is this your promise ? go to , hold your tongue .
+
+Hubert , the utterance of a brace of tongues
+Must needs want pleading for a pair of eyes :
+Let me not hold my tongue ; let me not , Hubert :
+Or Hubert , if you will , cut out my tongue ,
+So I may keep mine eyes : O ! spare mine eyes ,
+Though to no use but still to look on you :
+Lo ! by my troth , the instrument is cold
+And would not harm me .
+
+I can heat it , boy .
+
+No , in good sooth ; the fire is dead with grief ,
+Being create for comfort , to be us'd
+In undeserv'd extremes : see else yourself ;
+There is no malice in this burning coal ;
+The breath of heaven hath blown his spirit out
+And strew'd repentant ashes on his head .
+
+But with my breath I can revive it , boy .
+
+An if you do you will but make it blush
+And glow with shame of your proceedings , Hubert :
+Nay , it perchance will sparkle in your eyes ;
+And like a dog that is compell'd to fight ,
+Snatch at his master that doth tarre him on .
+All things that you should use to do me wrong
+Deny their office : only you do lack
+That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends ,
+Creatures of note for mercy-lacking uses .
+
+Well , see to live ; I will not touch thine eyes
+For all the treasure that thine uncle owes :
+Yet am I sworn and I did purpose , boy ,
+With this same very iron to burn them out .
+
+O ! now you look like Hubert , all this while
+You were disguised .
+
+Peace ! no more . Adieu .
+Your uncle must not know but you are dead ;
+I'll fill these dogged spies with false reports :
+And , pretty child , sleep doubtless and secure ,
+That Hubert for the wealth of all the world
+Will not offend thee .
+
+O heaven ! I thank you , Hubert .
+
+Silence ! no more , go closely in with me :
+Much danger do I undergo for thee .
+
+
+Here once again we sit , once again crown'd ,
+And look'd upon , I hope , with cheerful eyes .
+
+This 'once again ,' but that your highness pleas'd ,
+Was once superfluous : you were crown'd before ,
+And that high royalty was ne'er pluck'd off ,
+The faiths of men ne'er stained with revolt ;
+Fresh expectation troubled not the land
+With any long'd-for change or better state .
+
+Therefore , to be possess'd with double pomp ,
+To guard a title that was rich before ,
+To gild refined gold , to paint the lily ,
+To throw a perfume on the violet ,
+To smooth the ice , or add another hue
+Unto the rainbow , or with taper-light
+To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish ,
+Is wasteful and ridiculous excess .
+
+But that your royal pleasure must be done ,
+This act is as an ancient tale new told ,
+And in the last repeating troublesome ,
+Being urged at a time unseasonable .
+
+In this the antique and well-noted face
+Of plain old form is much disfigured ;
+And , like a shifted wind unto a sail ,
+It makes the course of thoughts to fetch about ,
+Startles and frights consideration ,
+Makes sound opinion sick and truth suspected ,
+For putting on so new a fashion'd robe .
+
+When workmen strive to do better than well
+They do confound their skill in covetousness ;
+And oftentimes excusing of a fault
+Doth make the fault the worse by the excuse :
+As patches set upon a little breach
+Discredit more in hiding of the fault
+Than did the fault before it was so patch'd .
+
+To this effect , before you were newcrown'd ,
+We breath'd our counsel : but it pleas'd your highness
+To overbear it , and we are all well pleas'd ;
+Since all and every part of what we would
+Doth make a stand at what your highness will .
+
+Some reasons of this double coronation
+I have possess'd you with and think them strong ;
+And more , more strong ,when lesser is my fear ,
+I shall indue you with : meantime but ask
+What you would have reform'd that is not well ;
+And well shall you perceive how willingly
+I will both hear and grant you your requests .
+
+Then I ,as one that am the tongue of these
+To sound the purposes of all their hearts ,
+Both for myself and them ,but , chief of all ,
+Your safety , for the which myself and them
+Bend their best studies ,heartily request
+The enfranchisement of Arthur ; whose restraint
+Doth move the murmuring lips of discontent
+To break into this dangerous argument :
+If what in rest you have in right you hold ,
+Why then your fears ,which , as they say , attend
+The steps of wrong ,should move you to mew up
+Your tender kinsman , and to choke his days
+With barbarous ignorance , and deny his youth
+The rich advantage of good exercise ?
+That the time's enemies may not have this
+To grace occasions , let it be our suit
+That you have bid us ask , his liberty ;
+Which for our goods we do no further ask
+Than whereupon our weal , on you depending ,
+Counts it your weal he have his liberty .
+
+
+Let it be so : I do commit his youth
+To your direction . Hubert , what news with you ?
+
+
+This is the man should do the bloody deed ;
+He show'd his warrant to a friend of mine :
+The image of a wicked hemous fault
+Lives in his eye ; that close aspect of his
+Does show the mood of a much troubled breast ;
+And I do fearfully believe 'tis done ,
+What we so fear'd he had a charge to do .
+
+The colour of the king doth come and go
+Between his purpose and his conscience ,
+Like heralds 'twixt two dreadful battles set :
+His passion is so ripe it needs must break .
+
+And when it breaks , I fear will issue thence
+The foul corruption of a sweet child's death .
+
+We cannot hold mortality's strong hand :
+Good lords , although my will to give is living ,
+The suit which you demand is gone and dead :
+He tells us Arthur is deceas'd to-night .
+
+Indeed we fear'd his sickness was past cure .
+
+Indeed we heard how near his death he was
+Before the child himself felt he was sick :
+This must be answer'd , either here or hence .
+
+Why do you bend such solemn brows on me ?
+Think you I bear the shears of destiny ?
+Have I commandment on the pulse of life ?
+
+It is apparent foul play ; and 'tis shame
+That greatness should so grossly offer it :
+So thrive it in your game ! and so , farewell .
+
+Stay yet , Lord Salisbury ; I'll go with thee ,
+And find the inheritance of this poor child ,
+His little kingdom of a forced grave .
+That blood which ow'd the breadth of all this isle ,
+Three foot of it doth hold : bad world the while !
+This must not be thus borne : this will break out
+To all our sorrows , and ere long I doubt .
+
+
+They burn in indignation . I repent :
+There is no sure foundation set on blood ,
+No certain life achiev'd by others' death .
+
+
+A fearful eye thou hast : where is that blood
+That I have seen inhabit in those cheeks ?
+So foul a sky clears not without a storm :
+
+Pour down thy weather : how goes all in France ?
+
+From France to England . Never such a power
+For any foreign preparation
+Was levied in the body of a land .
+The copy of your speed is learn'd by them ;
+For when you should be told they do prepare ,
+The tidings come that they are all arriv'd .
+
+O ! where hath our intelligence been drunk ?
+Where hath it slept ? Where is my mother's care
+That such an army could be drawn in France ,
+And she not hear of it ?
+
+My liege , her ear
+Is stopp'd with dust : the first of April died
+Your noble mother ; and , as I hear , my lord ,
+The Lady Constance in a frenzy died
+Three days before : but this from rumour's tongue
+I idly heard ; if true or false I know not .
+
+Withhold thy speed , dreadful occasion !
+O ! make a league with me , till I have pleas'd
+My discontented peers . What ! mother dead !
+How wildly then walks my estate in France !
+Under whose conduct came those powers of France
+That thou for truth giv'st out are landed here ?
+
+Under the Dauphin .
+
+Thou hast made me giddy
+With these ill tidings .
+
+
+Now , what says the world
+To your proceedings ? do not seek to stuff
+
+My head with more ill news , for it is full .
+
+But if you be afeard to hear the worst ,
+Then let the worst unheard fall on your head .
+
+Bear with me , cousin , for I was amaz'd
+Under the tide ; but now I breathe again
+Aloft the flood , and can give audience
+To any tongue , speak it of what it will .
+
+How I have sped among the clergymen ,
+The sums I have collected shall express .
+But as I travell'd hither through the land ,
+I find the people strangely fantasied ,
+Possess'd with rumours , full of idle dreams ,
+Not knowing what they fear , but full of fear .
+And here's a prophet that I brought with me
+From forth the streets of Pomfret , whom I found
+With many hundreds treading on his heels ;
+To whom he sung , in rude harsh-sounding rimes ,
+That , ere the next Ascension-day at noon ,
+Your highness should deliver up your crown .
+
+Thou idle dreamer , wherefore didst thou so ?
+
+Foreknowing that the truth will fall out so .
+
+Hubert , away with him ; imprison him :
+And on that day at noon , whereon , he says ,
+I shall yield up my crown , let him be hang'd .
+Deliver him to safety , and return ,
+For I must use thee .
+
+O my gentle cousin ,
+Hear'st thou the news abroad , who are arriv'd ?
+
+The French , my lord ; men's mouths are full of it :
+Besides , I met Lord Bigot and Lord Salisbury ,
+With eyes as red as new-enkindled fire ,
+And others more , going to seek the grave
+Of Arthur , whom they say is kill'd to-night
+On your suggestion .
+
+Gentle kinsman , go ,
+And thrust thyself into their companies .
+I have a way to win their loves again ;
+Bring them before me .
+
+I will seek them out .
+
+Nay , but make haste ; the better foot before .
+O ! let me have no subject enemies
+When adverse foreigners affright my towns
+With dreadful pomp of stout invasion .
+Be Mercury , set feathers to thy heels ,
+And fly like thought from them to me again .
+
+The spirit of the time shall teach me speed .
+
+Spoke like a sprightful noble gentleman .
+
+Go after him ; for he perhaps shall need
+Some messenger betwixt me and the peers ;
+And be thou he .
+
+With all my heart , my liege .
+
+
+My mother dead !
+
+
+My lord , they say five moons were seen to-night :
+Four fixed , and the fifth did whirl about
+The other four in wondrous motion .
+
+Five moons !
+
+Old men and beldams in the streets
+Do prophesy upon it dangerously :
+Young Arthur's death is common in their mouths ;
+And when they talk of him , they shake their heads
+And whisper one another in the ear ;
+And he that speaks , doth gripe the hearer's wrist
+Whilst he that hears makes fearful action ,
+With wrinkled brows , with nods , with rolling eyes .
+I saw a smith stand with his hammer , thus ,
+The whilst his iron did on the anvil cool ,
+With open mouth swallowing a tailor's news ;
+Who , with his shears and measure in his hand ,
+Standing on slippers ,which his nimble haste
+Had falsely thrust upon contrary feet ,
+Told of a many thousand warlike French ,
+That were embattailed and rank'd in Kent .
+Another lean unwash'd artificer
+Cuts off his tale and talks of Arthur's death .
+
+Why seek'st thou to possess me with these fears ?
+Why urgest thou so oft young Arthur's death ?
+Thy hand hath murder'd him : I had a mighty cause
+To wish him dead , but thou hadst none to kill him .
+
+No had , my lord ! why , did you not provoke me ?
+
+It is the curse of kings to be attended
+By slaves that take their humours for a warrant
+To break within the bloody house of life ,
+And on the winking of authority
+To understand a law , to know the meaning
+Of dangerous majesty , when , perchance , it frowns
+More upon humour than advis'd respect .
+
+Here is your hand and seal for what I did .
+
+O ! when the last account 'twixt heaven and earth
+Is to be made , then shall this hand and seal
+Witness against us to damnation .
+How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds
+Makes ill deeds done ! Hadst not thou been by ,
+A fellow by the hand of nature mark'd ,
+Quoted and sign'd to do a deed of shame ,
+This murder had not come into my mind ;
+But taking note of thy abhorr'd aspect ,
+Finding thee fit for bloody villany ,
+Apt , liable to be employ'd in danger ,
+I faintly broke with thee of Arthur's death ;
+And thou , to be endeared to a king ,
+Made it no conscience to destroy a prince .
+
+My lord ,
+
+Hadst thou but shook thy head or made a pause
+When I spake darkly what I purposed ,
+Or turn'd an eye of doubt upon my face ,
+As bid me tell my tale in express words ,
+Deep shame had struck me dumb , made me break off ,
+And those thy fears might have wrought fears in me :
+But thou didst understand me by my signs
+And didst in signs again parley with sin ;
+Yea , without stop , didst let thy heart consent ,
+And consequently thy rude hand to act
+The deed which both our tongues held vile to name .
+Out of my sight , and never see me more !
+My nobles leave me ; and my state is brav'd ,
+Even at my gates , with ranks of foreign powers :
+Nay , in the body of this fleshly land ,
+This kingdom , this confine of blood and breath ,
+Hostility and civil tumult reigns
+Between my conscience and my cousin's death .
+
+Arm you against your other enemies ,
+I'll make a peace between your soul and you .
+Young Arthur is alive : this hand of mine
+Is yet a maiden and an innocent hand ,
+Not painted with the crimson spots of blood .
+Within this bosom never enter'd yet
+The dreadful motion of a murderous thought ;
+And you have slander'd nature in my form ,
+Which , howsoever rude exteriorly ,
+Is yet the cover of a fairer mind
+Than to be butcher of an innocent child .
+
+Doth Arthur live ? O ! haste thee to the peers ,
+Throw this report on their incensed rage ,
+And make them tame to their obedience .
+Forgive the comment that my passion made
+Upon thy feature ; for my rage was blind ,
+And foul imaginary eyes of blood
+Presented thee more hideous than thou art .
+O ! answer not ; but to my closet bring
+The angry lords , with all expedient haste .
+I conjure thee but slowly ; run more fast .
+
+
+The wall is high ; and yet will I leap down
+Good ground , be pitiful and hurt me not !
+There's few or none do know me ; if they did ,
+This ship-boy's semblance hath disguis'd me quite .
+I am afraid ; and yet I'll venture it .
+If I get down , and do not break my limbs ,
+I'll find a thousand shifts to get away :
+As good to die and go , as die and stay .
+
+O me ! my uncle's spirit is in these stones :
+Heaven take my soul , and England keep my bones !
+
+Lords , I will meet him at Saint Edmundsbury .
+It is our safety , and we must embrace
+This gentle offer of the perilous time .
+
+Who brought that letter from the cardinal ?
+
+The Count Melun , a noble lord of France ;
+Whose private with me of the Dauphin's love ,
+Is much more general than these lines import .
+
+To-morrow morning let us meet him then .
+
+Or rather then set forward ; for 'twill be
+Two long days' journey , lords , or e'er we meet .
+
+
+Once more to-day well met , distemper'd lords !
+The king by me requests your presence straight .
+
+The king hath dispossess'd himself of us :
+We will not line his thin bestained cloak
+With our pure honours , nor attend the foot
+That leaves the print of blood where'er it walks .
+Return and tell him so : we know the worst .
+
+Whate'er you think , good words , I think , were best .
+
+Our griefs , and not our manners , reason now .
+
+But there is little reason in your grief ;
+Therefore 'twere reason you had manners now .
+
+Sir , sir , impatience hath his privilege .
+
+'Tis true ; to hurt his master , no man else .
+
+This is the prison .
+
+What is he lies here ?
+
+O death , made proud with pure and princely beauty !
+The earth had not a hole to hide this deed .
+
+Murder , as hating what himself hath done ,
+Doth lay it open to urge on revenge .
+
+Or when he doom'd this beauty to a grave ,
+Found it too precious-princely for a grave .
+
+Sir Richard , what think you ? Have you beheld ,
+Or have you read , or heard ? or could you think ?
+Or do you almost think , although you see ,
+That you do see ? could thought , without this object ,
+Form such another ? This is the very top ,
+The height , the crest , or crest unto the crest ,
+Of murder's arms : this is the bloodiest shame ,
+The wildest savagery , the vilest stroke ,
+That ever wall-eyed wrath or staring rage
+Presented to the tears of soft remorse .
+
+All murders past do stand excus'd in this :
+And this , so sole and so unmatchable ,
+Shall give a holiness , a purity ,
+To the yet unbegotten sin of times ;
+And prove a deadly bloodshed but a jest ,
+Exampled by this heinous spectacle .
+
+It is a damned and a bloody work ;
+The graceless action of a heavy hand ,
+If that it be the work of any hand .
+
+If that it be the work of any hand !
+We had a kind of light what would ensue :
+It is the shameful work of Hubert's hand ;
+The practice and the purpose of the king :
+From whose obedience I forbid my soul ,
+Kneeling before this ruin of sweet life ,
+And breathing to his breathless excellence
+The incense of a vow , a holy vow ,
+Never to taste the pleasures of the world ,
+Never to be infected with delight ,
+Nor conversant with ease and idleness ,
+Till I have set a glory to this hand ,
+By giving it the worship of revenge .
+
+Our souls religiously confirm thy words .
+
+Our souls religiously confirm thy words .
+
+
+Lords , I am hot with haste in seeking you :
+Arthur doth live : the king hath sent for you .
+
+O ! he is bold and blushes not at death .
+Avaunt , thou hateful villain ! get thee gone .
+
+I am no villain .
+
+Must I rob the law ?
+
+Your sword is bright , sir ; put it up again .
+
+Not till I sheathe it in a murderer's skin .
+
+Stand back , Lord Salisbury , stand back , I say :
+By heaven , I think my sword's as sharp as yours .
+I would not have you , lord , forget yourself ,
+Nor tempt the danger of my true defence ;
+Lest I , by marking of your rage , forget
+Your worth , your greatness , and nobility .
+
+Out , dunghill ! dar'st thou brave a nobleman ?
+
+Not for my life ; but yet I dare defend
+My innocent life against an emperor .
+
+Thou art a murderer .
+
+Do not prove me so ;
+Yet I am none . Whose tongue soe'er speaks false ,
+Not truly speaks ; who speaks not truly , lies .
+
+Cut him to pieces .
+
+Keep the peace , I say .
+
+Stand by , or I shall gall you , Faulconbridge .
+
+Thou wert better gall the devil , Salisbury :
+If thou but frown on me , or stir thy foot ,
+Or teach thy hasty spleen to do me shame ,
+I'll strike thee dead . Put up thy sword betime :
+Or I'll so maul you and your toasting-iron ,
+That you shall think the devil is come from hell .
+
+What wilt thou do , renowned Faulconbridge ?
+Second a villain and a murderer ?
+
+Lord Bigot , I am none .
+
+Who kill'd this prince ?
+
+'Tis not an hour since I left him well :
+I honour'd him , I lov'd him ; and will weep
+My date of life out for his sweet life's loss .
+
+Trust not those cunning waters of his eyes ,
+For villany is not without such rheum ;
+And he , long traded in it , makes it seem
+Like rivers of remorse and innocency .
+Away with me , all you whose souls abhor
+The uncleanly savours of a slaughter-house ;
+For I am stifled with this smell of sin .
+
+Away toward Bury ; to the Dauphin there !
+
+There tell the king he may inquire us out .
+
+
+Here's a good world ! Knew you of this fair work ?
+Beyond the infinite and boundless reach
+Of mercy , if thou didst this deed of death ,
+Art thou damn'd , Hubert .
+
+Do but hear me , sir .
+
+Ha ! I'll tell thee what ;
+Thou art damn'd as black nay , nothing is so black ;
+Thou art more deep damn'd than Prince Lucifer :
+There is not yet so ugly a fiend of hell
+As thou shalt be , if thou didst kill this child .
+
+Upon my soul ,
+
+If thou didst but consent
+To this most cruel act , do but despair ;
+And if thou want'st a cord , the smallest thread
+That ever spider twisted from her womb
+Will serve to strangle thee ; a rush will be a beam
+To hang thee on ; or wouldst thou drown thyself ,
+Put but a little water in a spoon ,
+And it shall be as all the ocean ,
+Enough to stifle such a villain up .
+I do suspect thee very grievously .
+
+If I in act , consent , or sin of thought ,
+Be guilty of the stealing that sweet breath
+Which was embounded in this beauteous clay ,
+Let hell want pains enough to torture me .
+I left him well .
+
+Go , bear him in thine arms .
+I am amaz'd , methinks , and lose my way
+Among the thorns and dangers of this world .
+How easy dost thou take all England up !
+From forth this morsel of dead royalty ,
+The life , the right and truth of all this realm
+Is fled to heaven ; and England now is left
+To tug and scamble and to part by the teeth
+The unow'd interest of proud swelling state .
+Now for the bare-pick'd bone of majesty
+Doth dogged war bristle his angry crest ,
+And snarleth in the gentle eyes of peace :
+Now powers from home and discontents at home
+Meet in one line ; and vast confusion waits ,
+As doth a raven on a sick-fallen beast ,
+The imminent decay of wrested pomp .
+Now happy he whose cloak and ceinture can
+Hold out this tempest . Bear away that child
+And follow me with speed : I'll to the king :
+A thousand businesses are brief in hand ,
+And heaven itself doth frown upon the land .
+
+Thus have I yielded up into your hand
+The circle of my glory .
+
+Take again
+From this my hand , as holding of the pope ,
+Your sovereign greatness and authority .
+
+Now keep your holy word : go meet the French ,
+And from his holiness use all your power
+To stop their marches 'fore we are inflam'd .
+Our discontented counties do revolt ,
+Our people quarrel with obedience ,
+Swearing allegiance and the love of soul
+To stranger blood , to foreign royalty .
+This inundation of mistemper'd humour
+Rests by you only to be qualified :
+Then pause not ; for the present time's so sick ,
+That present medicine must be minister'd ,
+Or overthrow incurable ensues .
+
+It was my breath that blew this tempest up
+Upon your stubborn usage of the pope ;
+But since you are a gentle convertite ,
+My tongue shall hush again this storm of war
+And make fair weather in your blustering land .
+On this Ascension-day , remember well ,
+Upon your oath of service to the pope ,
+Go I to make the French lay down their arms .
+
+
+Is this Ascension-day ? Did not the prophet
+Say that before Ascension-day at noon
+My crown I should give off ? Even so I have :
+I did suppose it should be on constraint ;
+But , heaven be thank'd , it is but voluntary .
+
+
+All Kent hath yielded ; nothing there holds out
+But Dover Castle : London hath receiv'd ,
+Like a kind host , the Dauphin and his powers :
+Your nobles will not hear you , but are gone
+To offer service to your enemy ;
+And wild amazement hurries up and down
+The little number of your doubtful friends .
+
+Would not my lords return to me again
+After they heard young Arthur was alive ?
+
+They found him dead and cast into the streets ,
+An empty casket , where the jewel of life
+By some damn'd hand was robb'd and ta'en away .
+
+That villain Hubert told me he did live .
+
+So , on my soul , he did , for aught he knew .
+But wherefore do you droop ? why look you sad ?
+Be great in act , as you have been in thought ;
+Let not the world see fear and sad distrust
+Govern the motion of a kingly eye :
+Be stirring as the time ; be fire with fire ;
+Threaten the threatener , and outface the brow
+Of bragging horror : so shall inferior eyes ,
+That borrow their behaviours from the great ,
+Grow great by your example and put on
+The dauntless spirit of resolution .
+Away ! and glister like the god of war
+When he intendeth to become the field :
+Show boldness and aspiring confidence .
+What ! shall they seek the lion in his den
+And fright him there ? and make him tremble there ?
+O ! let it not be said . Forage , and run
+To meet displeasure further from the doors ,
+And grapple with him ere he comes so nigh .
+
+The legate of the pope hath been with me ,
+And I have made a happy peace with him ;
+And he hath promis'd to dismiss the powers
+Led by the Dauphin .
+
+O inglorious league !
+Shall we , upon the footing of our land ,
+Send fair-play orders and make compromise ,
+Insinuation , parley and base truce
+To arms invasive ? shall a beardless boy ,
+A cocker'd silken wanton , brave our fields ,
+And flesh his spirit in a war-like soul ,
+Mocking the air with colours idly spread ,
+And find no check ? Let us , my liege , to arms :
+Perchance the cardinal cannot make your peace ;
+Or if he do , let it at least be said
+They saw we had a purpose of defence .
+
+Have thou the ordering of this present time .
+
+Away then , with good courage ! yet , I know ,
+Our party may well meet a prouder foe .
+
+
+My Lord Melun , let this be copied out ,
+And keep it safe for our remembrance .
+Return the precedent to these lords again ;
+That , having our fair order written down ,
+Both they and we , perusing o'er these notes ,
+May know wherefore we took the sacrament ,
+And keep our faiths firm and inviolable .
+
+Upon our sides it never shall be broken .
+And , noble Dauphin , albeit we swear
+A voluntary zeal , an unurg'd faith
+To your proceedings ; yet , believe me , prince ,
+I am not glad that such a sore of time
+Should seek a plaster by contemn'd revolt ,
+And heal the inveterate canker of one wound
+By making many . O ! it grieves my soul
+That I must draw this metal from my side
+To be a widow-maker ! O ! and there
+Where honourable rescue and defence
+Cries out upon the name of Salisbury .
+But such is the infection of the time ,
+That , for the health and physic of our right ,
+We cannot deal but with the very hand
+Of stern injustice and confused wrong .
+And is't not pity , O my grieved friends !
+That we , the sons and children of this isle ,
+Were born to see so sad an hour as this ;
+Wherein we step after a stranger march
+Upon her gentle bosom , and fill up
+Her enemies' ranks ,I must withdraw and weep
+Upon the spot of this enforced cause ,
+To grace the gentry of a land remote ,
+And follow unacquainted colours here ?
+What , here ? O nation ! that thou couldst remove ;
+That Neptune's arms , who clippeth thee about ,
+Would bear thee from the knowledge of thyself ,
+And gripple thee unto a pagan shore ;
+Where these two Christian armies might combine
+The blood of malice in a vein of league ,
+And not to spend it so unneighbourly !
+
+A noble temper dost thou show in this ;
+And great affections wrestling in thy bosom
+Do make an earthquake of nobility .
+O ! what a noble combat hast thou fought
+Between compulsion and a brave respect .
+Let me wipe off this honourable dew ,
+That silverly doth progress on thy cheeks :
+My heart hath melted at a lady's tears ,
+Being an ordinary inundation ;
+But this effusion of such manly drops ,
+This shower , blown up by tempest of the soul ,
+Startles mine eyes , and makes me more amaz'd
+Than had I seen the vaulty top of heaven
+Figur'd quite o'er with burning meteors .
+Lift up thy brow , renowned Salisbury ,
+And with a great heart heave away this storm :
+Commend these waters to those baby eyes
+That never saw the giant world enrag'd ;
+Nor met with fortune other than at feasts ,
+Full warm of blood , of mirth , of gossiping .
+Come , come ; for thou shalt thrust thy hand as deep
+Into the purse of rich prosperity
+As Lewis himself : so , nobles , shall you all ,
+That knit your sinews to the strength of mine .
+
+
+And even there , methinks , an angel spake :
+Look , where the holy legate comes apace ,
+To give us warrant from the hand of heaven ,
+And on our actions set the name of right
+
+With holy breath .
+
+Hail , noble prince of France !
+The next is this : King John hath reconcil'd
+Himself to Rome ; his spirit is come in
+That so stood out against the holy church ,
+The great metropolis and see of Rome .
+Therefore thy threat'ning colours now wind up ,
+And tame the savage spirit of wild war ,
+That , like a lion foster'd up at hand ,
+It may lie gently at the foot of peace ,
+And be no further harmful than in show .
+
+Your grace shall pardon me ; I will not back :
+I am too high-born to be propertied ,
+To be a secondary at control ,
+Or useful serving-man and instrument
+To any sovereign state throughout the world .
+Your breath first kindled the dead coal of wars
+Between this chastis'd kingdom and myself ,
+And brought in matter that should feed this fire ;
+And now 'tis far too huge to be blown out
+With that same weak wind which enkindled it .
+You taught me how to know the face of right ,
+Acquainted me with interest to this land ,
+Yea , thrust this enterprise into my heart ;
+And come you now to tell me John hath made
+His peace with Rome ? What is that peace to me ?
+I , by the honour of my marriage-bed ,
+After young Arthur , claim this land for mine ;
+And , now it is half-conquer'd , must I back
+Because that John hath made his peace with Rome ?
+Am I Rome's slave ? What penny hath Rome borne ,
+What men provided , what munition sent ,
+To underprop this action ? is't not I
+That undergo this charge ? who else but I ,
+And such as to my claim are liable ,
+Sweat in this business and maintain this war ?
+Have I not heard these islanders shout out ,
+Vive le roy ! as I have bank'd their towns ?
+Have I not here the best cards for the game
+To win this easy match play'd for a crown ?
+And shall I now give o'er the yielded set ?
+No , no , on my soul , it never shall be said .
+
+You look but on the outside of this work .
+
+Outside or inside , I will not return
+Till my attempt so much be glorified
+As to my ample hope was promised
+Before I drew this gallant head of war ,
+And cull'd these fiery spirits from the world ,
+To outlook conquest and to win renown
+Even in the jaws of danger and of death .
+
+What lusty trumpet thus doth summon us ?
+
+
+According to the fair play of the world ,
+Let me have audience ; I am sent to speak :
+My holy Lord of Milan , from the king
+I come , to learn how you have dealt for him ;
+And , as you answer , I do know the scope
+And warrant limited unto my tongue .
+
+The Dauphin is too wilful-opposite ,
+And will not temporize with my entreaties :
+He flatly says he'll not lay down his arms .
+
+By all the blood that ever fury breath'd ,
+The youth says well . Now hear our English king ;
+For thus his royalty doth speak in me .
+He is prepar'd ; and reason too he should :
+This apish and unmannerly approach ,
+This harness'd masque and unadvised revel ,
+This unhair'd sauciness and boyish troops ,
+The king doth smile at ; and is well prepar'd
+To whip this dwarfish war , these pigmy arms ,
+From out the circle of his territories .
+That hand which had the strength , even at your door ,
+To cudgel you and make you take the hatch ;
+To dive , like buckets , in concealed wells ;
+To crouch in litter of your stable planks :
+To lie like pawns lock'd up in chests and trunks ;
+To hug with swine ; to seek sweet safety out
+In vaults and prisons ; and to thrill and shake ,
+Even at the crying of your nation's crow ,
+Thinking this voice an armed Englishman :
+Shall that victorious hand be feebled here
+That in your chambers gave you chastisement ?
+No ! Know , the gallant monarch is in arms ,
+And like an eagle o'er his aiery towers ,
+To souse annoyance that comes near his nest .
+And you degenerate , you ingrate revolts ,
+You bloody Neroes , ripping up the womb
+Of your dear mother England , blush for shame :
+For your own ladies and pale-visag'd maids
+Like Amazons come tripping after drums ,
+Their thimbles into armed gauntlets change ,
+Their neelds to lances , and their gentle hearts
+To fierce and bloody inclination .
+
+There end thy brave , and turn thy face in peace ;
+We grant thou canst outscold us : fare thee well ;
+We hold our time too precious to be spent
+With such a brabbler .
+
+Give me leave to speak .
+
+No , I will speak .
+
+We will attend to neither .
+Strike up the drums ; and let the tongue of war
+Plead for our interest and our being here .
+
+Indeed , your drums , being beaten , will cry out ;
+And so shall you , being beaten . Do but start
+An echo with the clamour of thy drum ,
+And even at hand a drum is ready brac'd
+That shall reverberate all as loud as thine ;
+Sound but another , and another shall
+As loud as thine rattle the welkin's ear
+And mock the deep-mouth'd thunder : for at hand ,
+Not trusting to this halting legate here ,
+Whom he hath us'd rather for sport than need ,
+Is warlike John ; and in his forehead sits
+A bare-ribb'd death , whose office is this day
+To feast upon whole thousands of the French .
+
+Strike up our drums , to find this danger out .
+
+And thou shalt find it , Dauphin , do not doubt .
+
+
+How goes the day with us ? O ! tell me , Hubert .
+
+Badly , I fear . How fares your majesty ?
+
+This fever , that hath troubled me so long ,
+Lies heavy on me : O ! my heart is sick .
+
+
+My lord , your valiant kinsman , Faulconbridge ,
+Desires your majesty to leave the field ,
+And send him word by me which way you go .
+
+Tell him , toward Swinstead , to the abbey there .
+
+Be of good comfort : for the great supply
+That was expected by the Dauphin here ,
+Are wrack'd three nights ago on Goodwin sands .
+This news was brought to Richard but even now .
+The French fight coldly , and retire themselves .
+
+Ay me ! this tyrant fever burns me up ,
+And will not let me welcome this good news .
+Set on toward Swinstead : to my litter straight ;
+Weakness possesseth me , and I am faint .
+
+
+I did not think the king so stor'd with friends .
+
+Up once again ; put spirit in the French :
+If they miscarry we miscarry too .
+
+That misbegotten devil , Faulconbridge ,
+In spite of spite , alone upholds the day .
+
+They say King John , sore sick , hath left the field .
+
+
+Lead me to the revolts of England here .
+
+When we were happy we had other names .
+
+It is the Count Melun .
+
+Wounded to death .
+
+Fly , noble English ; you are bought and sold ;
+Unthread the rude eye of rebellion ,
+And welcome home again discarded faith .
+Seek out King John and fall before his feet ;
+For if the French be lords of this loud day ,
+He means to recompense the pains you take
+By cutting off your heads . Thus hath he sworn ,
+And I with him , and many moe with me ,
+Upon the altar at Saint Edmundsbury ;
+Even on that altar where we swore to you
+Dear amity and everlasting love .
+
+May this be possible ? may this be true ?
+
+Have I not hideous death within my view ,
+Retaining but a quantity of life ,
+Which bleeds away , even as a form of wax
+Resolveth from his figure 'gainst the fire ?
+What in the world should make me now deceive ,
+Since I must lose the use of all deceit ?
+Why should I then be false , since it is true
+That I must die here and live hence by truth ?
+I say again , if Lewis do win the day ,
+He is forsworn , if e'er those eyes of yours
+Behold another day break in the east :
+But even this night , whose black contagious breath
+Already smokes about the burning crest
+Of the old , feeble , and day-wearied sun ,
+Even this ill night , your breathing shall expire ,
+Paying the fine of rated treachery
+Even with a treacherous fine of all your lives ,
+If Lewis by your assistance win the day .
+Commend me to one Hubert with your king ;
+The love of him , and this respect besides ,
+For that my grandsire was an Englishman ,
+Awakes my conscience to confess all this .
+In lieu whereof , I pray you , bear me hence
+From forth the noise and rumour of the field ,
+Where I may think the remnant of my thoughts
+In peace , and part this body and my soul
+With contemplation and devout desires .
+
+We do believe thee : and beshrew my soul
+But I do love the favour and the form
+Of this most fair occasion , by the which
+We will untread the steps of damned flight ,
+And like a bated and retired flood ,
+Leaving our rankness and irregular course ,
+Stoop low within those bounds we have o'erlook'd ,
+And calmly run on in obedience ,
+Even to our ocean , to our great King John .
+My arm shall give thee help to bear thee hence ,
+For I do see the cruel pangs of death
+Right in thine eye . Away , my friends ! New flight ;
+And happy newness , that intends old right .
+
+
+The sun of heaven methought was loath to set ,
+But stay'd and made the western welkin blush ,
+When the English measur'd backward their own ground
+In faint retire . O ! bravely came we off ,
+When with a volley of our needless shot ,
+After such bloody toil , we bid good night ,
+And wound our tottering colours clearly up ,
+Last in the field , and almost lords of it !
+
+
+Where is my prince , the Dauphin ?
+
+Here : what news ?
+
+The Count Melun is slain ; the English lords ,
+By his persuasion , are again fall'n off ;
+And your supply , which you have wish'd so long ,
+Are cast away and sunk , on Goodwin sands .
+
+Ah , foul shrewd news ! Beshrew thy very heart !
+I did not think to be so sad to-night
+As this hath made me . Who was he that said
+King John did fly an hour or two before
+The stumbling night did part our weary powers ?
+
+Whoever spoke it , it is true , my lord .
+
+Well ; keep good quarter and good care to-night :
+The day shall not be up so soon as I ,
+To try the fair adventure of to-morrow .
+
+
+Who's there ? speak , ho ! speak quickly , or I shoot .
+
+A friend . What art thou ?
+
+Of the part of England .
+
+Whither dost thou go ?
+
+What's that to thee ? Why may not I demand
+Of thine affairs as well as thou of mine ?
+
+Hubert , I think ?
+
+Thou hast a perfect thought :
+I will upon all hazards well believe
+Thou art my friend , that know'st my tongue so well .
+Who art thou ?
+
+Who thou wilt : and if thou please ,
+Thou mayst befriend me so much as to think
+I come one way of the Plantagenets .
+
+Unkind remembrance ! thou and eyeless night
+Have done me shame : brave soldier , pardon me ,
+That any accent breaking from thy tongue
+Should 'scape the true acquaintance of mine ear .
+
+Come , come ; sans compliment , what news abroad ?
+
+Why , here walk I in the black brow of night ,
+To find you out .
+
+Brief , then ; and what's the news ?
+
+O ! my sweet sir , news fitting to the night ,
+Black , fearful , comfortless , and horrible .
+
+Show me the very wound of this ill news :
+I am no woman ; I'll not swound at it .
+
+The king , I fear , is poison'd by a monk :
+I left him almost speechless ; and broke out
+To acquaint you with this evil , that you might
+The better arm you to the sudden time
+Than if you had at leisure known of this .
+
+How did he take it ? who did taste to him ?
+
+A monk , I tell you ; a resolved villain ,
+Whose bowels suddenly burst out : the king
+Yet speaks , and peradventure may recover .
+
+Whom didst thou leave to tend his majesty ?
+
+Why , know you not ? the lords are all come back ,
+And brought Prince Henry in their company ;
+At whose request the king hath pardon'd them ,
+And they are all about his majesty .
+
+Withhold thine indignation , mighty heaven ,
+And tempt us not to bear above our power !
+I'll tell thee , Hubert , half my power this night ,
+Passing these flats , are taken by the tide ;
+These Lincoln Washes have devoured them :
+Myself , well-mounted , hardly have escap'd .
+Away before ! conduct me to the king ;
+I doubt he will be dead or ere I come .
+
+
+It is too late : the life of all his blood
+Is touch'd corruptibly ; and his pure brain ,
+Which some suppose the soul's frail dwelling-house ,
+Doth , by the idle comments that it makes ,
+Foretell the ending of mortality .
+
+
+His highness yet doth speak ; and holds belief
+That , being brought into the open air ,
+It would allay the burning quality
+Of that fell poison which assaileth him .
+
+Let him be brought into the orchard here .
+Doth he still rage ?
+
+
+He is more patient
+Than when you left him : even now he sung .
+
+O , vanity of sickness ! fierce extremes
+In their continuance will not feel themselves .
+Death , having prey'd upon the outward parts ,
+Leaves them invisible ; and his siege is now
+Against the mind , the which he pricks and wounds
+With many legions of strange fantasies ,
+Which , in their throng and press to that last hold ,
+Confound themselves . 'Tis strange that death should sing .
+I am the cygnet to this pale faint swan ,
+Who chants a doleful hymn to his own death ,
+And from the organ-pipe of frailty sings
+His soul and body to their lasting rest
+
+Be of good comfort , prince ; for you are born
+To set a form upon that indigest
+Which he hath left so shapeless and so rude .
+
+
+Ay , marry , now my soul hath elbow-room ;
+It would not out at windows , nor at doors .
+There is so hot a summer in my bosom
+That all my bowels crumble up to dust :
+I am a scribbled form , drawn with a pen
+Upon a parchment , and against this fire
+Do I shrink up .
+
+How fares your majesty ?
+
+Poison'd , ill-fare ; dead , forsook , cast off ;
+And none of you will bid the winter come
+To thrust his icy fingers in my maw ;
+Nor let my kingdom's rivers take their course
+Through my burn'd bosom ; nor entreat the north
+To make his bleak winds kiss my parched lips
+And comfort me with cold . I do not ask you much :
+I beg cold comfort ; and you are so strait
+And so ingrateful you deny me that .
+
+O ! that there were some virtue in my tears ,
+That might relieve you .
+
+The salt in them is hot .
+Within me is a hell ; and there the poison
+Is as a fiend confin'd to tyrannize
+On unreprievable condemned blood .
+
+
+O ! I am scalded with my violent motion
+And spleen of speed to see your majesty .
+
+O cousin ! thou art come to set mine eye :
+The tackle of my heart is crack'd and burn'd ,
+And all the shrouds wherewith my life should sail
+Are turned to one thread , one little hair ;
+My heart hath one poor string to stay it by ,
+Which holds but till thy news be uttered ;
+And then all this thou seest is but a clod
+And module of confounded royalty .
+
+The Dauphin is preparing hitherward ,
+Where heaven he knows how we shall answer him :
+For in a night the best part of my power ,
+As I upon advantage did remove ,
+Were in the Washes all unwarily
+Devoured by the unexpected flood .
+
+
+You breathe these dead news in as dead an ear .
+My liege ! my lord ! But now a king , now thus .
+
+Even so must I run on , and even so stop .
+What surety of the world , what hope , what stay ,
+When this was now a king , and now is clay ?
+
+Art thou gone so ? I do but stay behind
+To do the office for thee of revenge ,
+And then my soul shall wait on thee to heaven ,
+As it on earth hath been thy servant still .
+Now , now , you stars , that move in your right spheres ,
+Where be your powers ? Show now your mended faiths ,
+And instantly return with me again ,
+To push destruction and perpetual shame
+Out of the weak door of our fainting land .
+Straight let us seek , or straight we shall be sought :
+The Dauphin rages at our very heels .
+
+It seems you know not then so much as we .
+The Cardinal Pandulph is within at rest ,
+Who half an hour since came from the Dauphin ,
+And brings from him such offers of our peace
+As we with honour and respect may take ,
+With purpose presently to leave this war .
+
+He will the rather do it when he sees
+Ourselves well sinewed to our defence .
+
+Nay , it is in a manner done already ;
+For many carriages he hath dispatch'd
+To the sea-side , and put his cause and quarrel
+To the disposing of the cardinal :
+With whom yourself , myself , and other lords ,
+If you think meet , this afternoon will post
+To consummate this business happily .
+
+Let it be so . And you , my noble prince ,
+With other princes that may best be spar'd ,
+Shall wait upon your father's funeral .
+
+At Worcester must his body be interr'd ;
+For so he will'd it .
+
+Thither shall it then .
+And happily may your sweet self put on
+The lineal state and glory of the land !
+To whom , with all submission , on my knee ,
+I do bequeath my faithful services
+And true subjection everlastingly .
+
+And the like tender of our love we make ,
+To rest without a spot for evermore .
+
+I have a kind soul that would give you thanks ,
+And knows not how to do it but with tears .
+
+O ! let us pay the time but needful woe
+Since it hath been beforehand with our griefs .
+This England never did , nor never shall ,
+Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror ,
+But when it first did help to wound itself .
+Now these her princes are come home again ,
+Come the three corners of the world in arms ,
+And we shall shock them . Nought shall make us rue ,
+If England to itself do rest but true .
+
+THE LIFE OF KING HENRY V
+
+Chorus .
+
+O ! for a Muse of fire , that would ascend
+The brightest heaven of invention ;
+A kingdom for a stage , princes to act
+And monarchs to behold the swelling scene .
+Then should the war-like Harry , like himself ,
+Assume the port of Mars ; and at his heels ,
+Leash'd in like hounds , should famine , sword , and fire
+Crouch for employment . But pardon , gentles all ,
+The flat unraised spirits that hath dar'd
+On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth
+So great an object : can this cockpit hold
+The vasty fields of France ? or may we cram
+Within this wooden O the very casques
+That did affright the air at Agincourt ?
+O , pardon ! since a crooked figure may
+Attest in little place a million ;
+And let us , ciphers to this great accompt ,
+On your imaginary forces work .
+Suppose within the girdle of these walls
+Are now confin'd two mighty monarchies ,
+Whose high upreared and abutting fronts
+The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder :
+Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts :
+Into a thousand parts divide one man ,
+And make imaginary puissance ;
+Think when we talk of horses that you see them
+Printing their proud hoofs i' the receiving earth ;
+For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings ,
+Carry them here and there , jumping o'er times ,
+Turning the accomplishment of many years
+Into an hour-glass : for the which supply ,
+Admit me Chorus to this history ;
+Who prologue-like your humble patience pray ,
+Gently to hear , kindly to judge , our play .
+
+
+My lord , I'll tell you ; that self bill is urg'd ,
+Which in th' eleventh year of the last king's reign
+Was like , and had indeed against us pass'd ,
+But that the scambling and unquiet time
+Did push it out of further question .
+
+But how , my lord , shall we resist it now ?
+
+It must be thought on . If it pass against us ,
+We lose the better half of our possession ;
+For all the temporal lands which men devout
+By testament have given to the church
+Would they strip from us ; being valu'd thus :
+As much as would maintain , to the king's honour ,
+Full fifteen earls and fifteen hundred knights ,
+Six thousand and two hundred good esquires ;
+And , to relief of lazars and weak age ,
+Of indigent faint souls past corporal toil ,
+A hundred almshouses right well supplied ;
+And to the coffers of the king beside ,
+A thousand pounds by the year . Thus runs the bill .
+
+This would drink deep .
+
+'Twould drink the cup and all .
+
+But what prevention ?
+
+The king is full of grace and fair regard .
+
+And a true lover of the holy church .
+
+The courses of his youth promis'd it not .
+The breath no sooner left his father's body
+But that his wildness , mortified in him ,
+Seem'd to die too ; yea , at that very moment ,
+Consideration like an angel came ,
+And whipp'd the offending Adam out of him ,
+Leaving his body as a paradise ,
+To envelop and contain celestial spirits .
+Never was such a sudden scholar made ;
+Never came reformation in a flood ,
+With such a heady currance , scouring faults ;
+Nor never Hydra-headed wilfulness
+So soon did lose his seat and all at once
+As in this king .
+
+We are blessed in the change .
+
+Hear him but reason in divinity ,
+And , all-admiring , with an inward wish
+You would desire the king were made a prelate :
+Hear him debate of commonwealth affairs ,
+You would say it hath been all in all his study :
+List his discourse of war , and you shall hear
+A fearful battle render'd you in music :
+Turn him to any cause of policy ,
+The Gordian knot of it he will unloose ,
+Familiar as his garter ; that , when he speaks ,
+The air , a charter'd libertine , is still ,
+And the mute wonder lurketh in men's ears ,
+To steal his sweet and honey'd sentences ;
+So that the art and practic part of life
+Must be the mistress to this theoric :
+Which is a wonder how his Grace should glean it ,
+Since his addiction was to courses vain ;
+His companies unletter'd , rude , and shallow ;
+His hours fill'd up with riots , banquets , sports ;
+And never noted in him any study ,
+Any retirement , any sequestration
+From open haunts and popularity .
+
+The strawberry grows underneath the nettle ,
+And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best
+Neighbour'd by fruit of baser quality :
+And so the prince obscur'd his contemplation
+Under the veil of wildness ; which , no doubt ,
+Grew like the summer grass , fastest by night ,
+Unseen , yet crescive in his faculty .
+
+It must be so ; for miracles are ceas'd ;
+And therefore we must needs admit the means
+How things are perfected .
+
+But , my good lord ,
+How now for mitigation of this bill
+Urg'd by the commons ? Doth his majesty
+Incline to it , or no ?
+
+He seems indifferent ,
+Or rather swaying more upon our part
+Than cherishing the exhibiters against us ;
+For I have made an offer to his majesty ,
+Upon our spiritual convocation ,
+And in regard of causes now in hand ,
+Which I have open'd to his Grace at large ,
+As touching France , to give a greater sum
+Than ever at one time the clergy yet
+Did to his predecessors part withal .
+
+How did this offer seem receiv'd , my lord ?
+
+With good acceptance of his majesty ;
+Save that there was not time enough to hear ,
+As I perceiv'd his Grace would fain have done ,
+The severals and unhidden passages
+Of his true titles to some certain dukedoms ,
+And generally to the crown and seat of France ,
+Deriv'd from Edward , his great-grandfather .
+
+What was the impediment that broke this off ?
+
+The French ambassador upon that instant
+Crav'd audience ; and the hour I think is come
+To give him hearing : is it four o'clock ?
+
+It is .
+
+Then go we in to know his embassy ;
+Which I could with a ready guess declare
+Before the Frenchman speak a word of it .
+
+I'll wait upon you , and I long to hear it .
+
+
+Where is my gracious lord of Canterbury ?
+
+Not here in presence .
+
+Send for him , good uncle .
+
+Shall we call in the ambassador , my liege ?
+
+Not yet , my cousin : we would be resolv'd ,
+Before we hear him , of some things of weight
+That task our thoughts , concerning us and France .
+
+
+God and his angels guard your sacred throne ,
+And make you long become it !
+
+Sure , we thank you .
+My learned lord , we pray you to proceed ,
+And justly and religiously unfold
+Why the law Salique that they have in France
+Or should , or should not , bar us in our claim .
+And God forbid , my dear and faithful lord ,
+That you should fashion , wrest , or bow your reading ,
+Or nicely charge your understanding soul
+With opening titles miscreate , whose right
+Suits not in native colours with the truth ;
+For God doth know how many now in health
+Shall drop their blood in approbation
+Of what your reverence shall incite us to .
+Therefore take heed how you impawn our person ,
+How you awake the sleeping sword of war :
+We charge you in the name of God , take heed ;
+For never two such kingdoms did contend
+Without much fall of blood ; whose guiltless drops
+Are every one a woe , a sore complaint ,
+'Gainst him whose wrongs give edge unto the swords
+That make such waste in brief mortality .
+Under this conjuration speak , my lord ,
+And we will hear , note , and believe in heart ,
+That what you speak is in your conscience wash'd
+As pure as sin with baptism .
+
+Then hear me , gracious sovereign , and you peers ,
+That owe yourselves , your lives , and services
+To this imperial throne . There is no bar
+To make against your highness' claim to France
+But this , which they produce from Pharamond ,
+In terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant ,
+'No woman shall succeed in Salique land :'
+Which Salique land the French unjustly gloze
+To be the realm of France , and Pharamond
+The founder of this law and female bar .
+Yet their own authors faithfully affirm
+That the land Salique is in Germany ,
+Between the floods of Sala and of Elbe ;
+Where Charles the Great , having subdu'd the Saxons ,
+There left behind and settled certain French ;
+Who , holding in disdain the German women
+For some dishonest manners of their life ,
+Establish'd then this law ; to wit , no female
+Should be inheritrix in Salique land :
+Which Salique , as I said , 'twixt Elbe and Sala ,
+Is at this day in Germany call'd Meisen .
+Then doth it well appear the Salique law
+Was not devised for the realm of France ;
+Nor did the French possess the Salique land
+Until four hundred one-and-twenty years
+After defunction of King Pharamond ,
+Idly suppos'd the founder of this law ;
+Who died within the year of our redemption
+Four hundred twenty-six ; and Charles the Great
+Subdu'd the Saxons , and did seat the French
+Beyond the river Sala , in the year
+Eight hundred five . Besides , their writers say ,
+King Pepin , which deposed Childeric ,
+Did , as heir general , being descended
+Of Blithild , which was daughter to King Clothair ,
+Make claim and title to the crown of France .
+Hugh Capet also , who usurp'd the crown
+Of Charles the Duke of Loraine , sole heir male
+Of the true line and stock of Charles the Great ,
+To find his title with some shows of truth ,
+Though in pure truth , it was corrupt and naught ,
+Convey'd himself as heir to the Lady Lingare ,
+Daughter to Charlemain , who was the son
+To Lewis the emperor , and Lewis the son
+Of Charles the Great . Also King Lewis the Tenth ,
+Who was sole heir to the usurper Capet ,
+Could not keep quiet in his conscience ,
+Wearing the crown of France , till satisfied
+That fair Queen Isabel , his grandmother ,
+Was lineal of the Lady Ermengare ,
+Daughter to Charles the aforesaid Duke of Loraine :
+By the which marriage the line of Charles the Great
+Was re-united to the crown of France .
+So that , as clear as is the summer's sun ,
+King Pepin's title , and Hugh Capet's claim ,
+King Lewis his satisfaction , all appear
+To hold in right and title of the female :
+So do the kings of France unto this day ;
+Howbeit they would hold up this Salique law
+To bar your highness claiming from the female ;
+And rather choose to hide them in a net
+Than amply to imbar their crooked titles
+Usurp'd from you and your progenitors .
+
+May I with right and conscience make this claim ?
+
+The sin upon my head , dread sovereign !
+For in the book of Numbers is it writ :
+'When the son dies , let the inheritance
+Descend unto the daughter .' Gracious lord ,
+Stand for your own ; unwind your bloody flag ;
+Look back into your mighty ancestors :
+Go , my dread lord , to your great-grandsire's tomb ,
+From whom you claim ; invoke his war-like spirit ,
+And your great-uncle's , Edward the Black Prince ,
+Who on the French ground play'd a tragedy ,
+Making defeat on the full power of France ;
+Whiles his most mighty father on a hill
+Stood smiling to behold his lion's whelp
+Forage in blood of French nobility .
+O noble English ! that could entertain
+With half their forces the full pride of France ,
+And let another half stand laughing by ,
+All out of work , and cold for action .
+
+Awake remembrance of these valiant dead ,
+And with your puissant arm renew their feats :
+You are their heir , you sit upon their throne ,
+The blood and courage that renowned them
+Runs in your veins ; and my thrice-puissantliege
+Is in the very May-morn of his youth ,
+Ripe for exploits and mighty enterprises .
+
+Your brother kings and monarchs of the earth
+Do all expect that you should rouse yourself ,
+As did the former lions of your blood .
+
+They know your Grace hath cause and means and might ;
+So hath your highness ; never King of England
+Had nobles richer , and more loyal subjects ,
+Whose hearts have left their bodies here in England
+And lie pavilion'd in the fields of France .
+
+O ! let their bodies follow , my dear liege ,
+With blood and sword and fire to win your right ;
+In aid whereof we of the spiritualty
+Will raise your highness such a mighty sum
+As never did the clergy at one time
+Bring in to any of your ancestors .
+
+We must not only arm to invade the French ,
+But lay down our proportions to defend
+Against the Scot , who will make road upon us
+With all advantages .
+
+They of those marches , gracious sovereign ,
+Shall be a wall sufficient to defend
+Our inland from the pilfering borderers .
+
+We do not mean the coursing snatchers only ,
+But fear the main intendment of the Scot ,
+Who hath been still a giddy neighbour to us ;
+For you shall read that my great-grandfather
+Never went with his forces into France
+But that the Scot on his unfurnish'd kingdom
+Came pouring , like the tide into a breach ,
+With ample and brim fulness of his force ,
+Galling the gleaned land with hot essays ,
+Girding with grievous siege castles and towns ;
+That England , being empty of defence ,
+Hath shook and trembled at the ill neighbourhood .
+
+She hath been then more fear'd than harm'd , my liege ;
+For hear her but exampled by herself :
+When all her chivalry hath been in France
+And she a mourning widow of her nobles ,
+She hath herself not only well defended ,
+But taken and impounded as a stray
+The King of Scots ; whom she did send to France ,
+To fill King Edward's fame with prisoner kings ,
+And make your chronicle as rich with praise
+As is the owse and bottom of the sea
+With sunken wrack and sumless treasuries .
+
+But there's a saying very old and true ;
+
+If that you will France win ,
+Then with Scotland first begin :
+
+For once the eagle England being in prey ,
+To her unguarded nest the weasel Scot
+Comes sneaking and so sucks her princely eggs ,
+Playing the mouse in absence of the cat ,
+To tear and havoc more than she can eat .
+
+It follows then the cat must stay at home :
+Yet that is but a crush'd necessity ;
+Since we have locks to safeguard necessaries
+And pretty traps to catch the petty thieves .
+While that the armed hand doth fight abroad
+The advised head defends itself at home :
+For government , though high and low and lower ,
+Put into parts , doth keep in one consent ,
+Congreeing in a full and natural close ,
+Like music .
+
+Therefore doth heaven divide
+The state of man in divers functions ,
+Setting endeavour in continual motion ;
+To which is fixed , as an aim or butt ,
+Obedience : for so work the honey-bees ,
+Creatures that by a rule in nature teach
+The act of order to a peopled kingdom .
+They have a king and officers of sorts ;
+Where some , like magistrates , correct at home ,
+Others , like merchants , venture trade abroad ,
+Others , like soldiers , armed in their stings ,
+Make boot upon the summer's velvet buds ;
+Which pillage they with merry march bring home
+To the tent-royal of their emperor :
+Who , busied in his majesty , surveys
+The singing masons building roofs of gold ,
+The civil citizens kneading up the honey ,
+The poor mechanic porters crowding in
+Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate ,
+The sad-ey'd justice , with his surly hum ,
+Delivering o'er to executors pale
+The lazy yawning drone . I this infer ,
+That many things , having full reference
+To one consent , may work contrariously ;
+As many arrows , loosed several ways ,
+Fly to one mark ; as many ways meet in one town ;
+As many fresh streams meet in one salt sea ;
+As many lines close in the dial's centre ;
+So may a thousand actions , once afoot ,
+End in one purpose , and be all well borne
+Without defeat . Therefore to France , my liege .
+Divide your happy England into four ;
+Whereof take you one quarter into France ,
+And you withal shall make all Gallia shake .
+If we , with thrice such powers left at home ,
+Cannot defend our own doors from the dog ,
+Let us be worried and our nation lose
+The name of hardiness and policy .
+
+Call in the messengers sent from the Dauphin .
+
+Now are we well resolv'd ; and by God's help ,
+And yours , the noble sinews of our power ,
+France being ours , we'll bend it to our awe
+Or break it all to pieces : or there we'll sit ,
+Ruling in large and ample empery
+O'er France and all her almost kingly dukedoms ,
+Or lay these bones in an unworthy urn ,
+Tombless , with no remembrance over them :
+Either our history shall with full mouth
+Speak freely of our acts , or else our grave ,
+Like Turkish mute , shall have a tongueless mouth ,
+Not worshipp'd with a waxen epitaph .
+
+
+Now are we well prepar'd to know the pleasure
+Of our fair cousin Dauphin ; for we hear
+
+Your greeting is from him , not from the king .
+
+May't please your majesty to give us leave
+Freely to render what we have in charge ;
+Or shall we sparingly show you far off
+The Dauphin's meaning and our embassy ?
+
+We are no tyrant , but a Christian king ;
+Unto whose grace our passion is as subject
+As are our wretches fetter'd in our prisons :
+Therefore with frank and with uncurbed plainness
+Tell us the Dauphin's mind .
+
+Thus then , in few .
+Your highness , lately sending into France ,
+Did claim some certain dukedoms , in the right
+Of your great predecessor , King Edward the Third .
+In answer of which claim , the prince our master
+Says that you savour too much of your youth ,
+And bids you be advis'd there's nought in France
+That can be with a nimble galliard won ;
+You cannot revel into dukedoms there .
+He therefore sends you , meeter for your spirit ,
+This tun of treasure ; and , in lieu of this ,
+Desires you let the dukedoms that you claim
+Hear no more of you . This the Dauphin speaks .
+
+What treasure , uncle ?
+
+Tennis-balls , my liege .
+
+We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us :
+His present and your pains we thank you for :
+When we have match'd our rackets to these balls ,
+We will in France , by God's grace , play a set
+Shall strike his father's crown into the hazard .
+Tell him he hath made a match with such a wrangler
+That all the courts of France will be disturb'd
+With chaces . And we understand him well ,
+How he comes o'er us with our wilder days ,
+Not measuring what use we made of them .
+We never valu'd this poor seat of England ;
+And therefore , living hence , did give ourself
+To barbarous licence ; as 'tis ever common
+That men are merriest when they are from home .
+But tell the Dauphin I will keep my state ,
+Be like a king and show my sail of greatness
+When I do rouse me in my throne of France :
+For that I have laid by my majesty
+And plodded like a man for working-days ,
+But I will rise there with so full a glory
+That I will dazzle all the eyes of France ,
+Yea , strike the Dauphin blind to look on us .
+And tell the pleasant prince this mock of his
+Hath turn'd his balls to gun-stones ; and his soul
+Shall stand sore-charged for the wasteful vengeance
+That shall fly with them : for many a thousand widows
+Shall this his mock mock out of their dear husbands ;
+Mock mothers from their sons , mock castles down ;
+And some are yet ungotten and unborn
+That shall have cause to curse the Dauphin's scorn .
+But this lies all within the will of God ,
+To whom I do appeal ; and in whose name
+Tell you the Dauphin I am coming on ,
+To venge me as I may and to put forth
+My rightful hand in a well-hallow'd cause .
+So get you hence in peace ; and tell the Dauphin
+His jest will savour but of shallow wit
+When thousands weep more than did laugh at it .
+Convey them with safe conduct . Fare you well .
+
+
+This was a merry message .
+
+We hope to make the sender blush at it .
+Therefore , my lords , omit no happy hour
+That may give furtherance to our expedition ;
+For we have now no thought in us but France ,
+Save those to God , that run before our business .
+Therefore let our proportions for these wars
+Be soon collected , and all things thought upon
+That may with reasonable swiftness add
+More feathers to our wings ; for , God before ,
+We'll chide this Dauphin at his father's door .
+Therefore let every man now task his thought ,
+That this fair action may on foot be brought .
+
+Now all the youth of England are on fire ,
+And silken dalliance in the wardrobe lies ;
+Now thrive the armourers , and honour's thought
+Reigns solely in the breast of every man :
+They sell the pasture now to buy the horse ,
+Following the mirror of all Christian kings ,
+With winged heels , as English Mercuries .
+For now sits Expectation in the air
+And hides a sword from hilts unto the point
+With crowns imperial , crowns and coronets ,
+Promis'd to Harry and his followers .
+The French , advis'd by good intelligence
+Of this most dreadful preparation ,
+Shake in their fear , and with pale policy
+Seek to divert the English purposes .
+O England ! model to thy inward greatness ,
+Like little body with a mighty heart ,
+What mightst thou do , that honour would thee do ,
+Were all thy children kind and natural !
+But see thy fault ! France hath in thee found out
+A nest of hollow bosoms , which he fills
+With treacherous crowns ; and three corrupted men ,
+One , Richard Earl of Cambridge , and the second ,
+Henry Lord Scroop of Masham , and the third ,
+Sir Thomas Grey , knight , of Northumberland ,
+Have , for the gilt of France ,O guilt , indeed !
+Confirm'd conspiracy with fearful France ;
+And by their hands this grace of kings must die ,
+If hell and treason hold their promises ,
+Ere he take ship for France , and in Southampton .
+Linger your patience on ; and well digest
+The abuse of distance while we force a play .
+The sum is paid ; the traitors are agreed ;
+The king is set from London ; and the scene
+Is now transported , gentles , to Southampton :
+There is the playhouse now , there must you sit :
+And thence to France shall we convey you safe ,
+And bring you back , charming the narrow seas
+To give you gentle pass ; for , if we may ,
+We'll not offend one stomach with our play .
+But , till the king come forth and not till then ,
+Unto Southampton do we shift our scene .
+
+Well met , Corporal Nym .
+
+Good morrow , Lieutenant Bardolph .
+
+What , are Ancient Pistol and you friends yet ?
+
+For my part , I care not : I say little ; but when time shall serve , there shall be smiles ; but that shall be as it may . I dare not fight ; but I will wink and hold out mine iron . It is a simple one ; but what though ? it will toast cheese , and it will endure cold as another man's sword will : and there's an end .
+
+I will bestow a breakfast to make you friends , and we'll be all three sworn brothers to France : let it be so , good Corporal Nym .
+
+Faith , I will live so long as I may , that's the certain of it ; and when I cannot live any longer , I will do as I may : that is my rest , that is the rendezvous of it .
+
+It is certain , corporal , that he is married to Nell Quickly ; and , certainly she did you wrong , for you were troth-plight to her .
+
+I cannot tell ; things must be as they may : men may sleep , and they may have their throats about them at that time ; and , some say , knives have edges . It must be as it may : though patience be a tired mare , yet she will plod . There must be conclusions . Well , I cannot tell .
+
+
+Here comes Ancient Pistol and his wife . Good corporal , be patient here . How now , mine host Pistol !
+
+Base tike , call'st thou me host ?
+Now , by this hand , I swear , I scorn the term ;
+Nor shall my Nell keep lodgers .
+
+No , by my troth , not long ; for we cannot lodge and board a dozen or fourteen gentlewomen that live honestly by the prick of their needles , but it will be thought we keep a bawdy-house straight . [
+
+Good lieutenant ! good corporal ! offer nothing here .
+
+Pish !
+
+Pish for thee , Iceland dog ! thou prickeared cur of Iceland !
+
+Good Corporal Nym , show thy valour and put up your sword .
+
+Will you shog off ? I would have you solus .
+
+
+Solus , egregious dog ? O viper vile !
+The solus in thy most mervailous face ;
+The solus in thy teeth , and in thy throat ,
+And in thy hateful lungs , yea , in thy maw , perdy ;
+And , which is worse , within thy nasty mouth !
+I do retort the solus in thy bowels ;
+For I can take , and Pistol's cock is up ,
+And flashing fire will follow .
+
+I am not Barbason ; you cannot conjure me . I have an humour to knock you indifferently well . If you grow foul with me , Pistol , I will scour you with my rapier , as I may , in fair terms : if you would walk off , I would prick your guts a little , in good terms , as I may ; and that's the humour of it .
+
+O braggart vile and damned furious wight !
+The grave doth gape , and doting death is near ;
+Therefore exhale .
+
+Hear me , hear me what I say : he that strikes the first stroke , I'll run him up to the hilts , as I am a soldier .
+
+
+An oath of mickle might , and fury shall abate .
+Give me thy fist , thy fore-foot to me give ;
+Thy spirits are most tall .
+
+I will cut thy throat , one time or other , in fair terms ; that is the humour of it .
+
+Coupe le gorge !
+That is the word . I thee defy again .
+O hound of Crete , think'st thou my spouse to get ?
+No ; to the spital go ,
+And from the powdering-tub of infamy
+Fetch forth the lazar kite of Cressid's kind ,
+Doll Tearsheet she by name , and her espouse :
+I have , and I will hold , the quondam Quickly
+For the only she ; and pauca , there's enough .
+Go to
+
+
+Mine host Pistol , you must come to my master , and your hostess : he is very sick , and would to bed . Good Bardolph , put thy face between his sheets and do the office of a warming-pan . Faith , he's very ill .
+
+Away , you rogue !
+
+By my troth , he'll yield the crow a pudding one of these days . The king has killed his heart . Good husband , come home presently .
+
+
+Come , shall I make you two friends ? We must to France together . Why the devil should we keep knives to cut one another's throats ?
+
+Let floods o'erswell , and fiends for food howl on !
+
+You'll pay me the eight shillings I won of you at betting ?
+
+Base is the slave that pays .
+
+That now I will have ; that's the humour of it .
+
+As manhood shall compound : push home .
+
+
+By this sword , he that makes the first thrust , I'll kill him ; by this sword , I will .
+
+Sword is an oath , and oaths must have their course .
+
+Corporal Nym , an thou wilt be friends , be friends : an thou wilt not , why then , be enemies with me too . Prithee , put up .
+
+I shall have my eight shillings I won of you at betting ?
+
+A noble shalt thou have , and present pay ;
+And liquor likewise will I give to thee ,
+And friendship shall combine , and brotherhood :
+I'll live by Nym , and Nym shall live by me .
+Is not this just ? for I shall sutler be
+Unto the camp , and profits will accrue .
+Give me thy hand .
+
+I shall have my noble ?
+
+In cash most justly paid .
+
+
+Well then , that's the humour of it .
+
+
+As ever you came of women , come in quickly to Sir John . Ah , poor heart ! he is so shaked of a burning quotidian tertian , that it is most lamentable to behold . Sweet men , come to him .
+
+The king hath run bad humours on the knight ; that's the even of it .
+
+Nym , thou hast spoke the right ;
+His heart is fracted and corroborate .
+
+The king is a good king : but it must be as it may ; he passes some humours and careers .
+
+Let us condole the knight ; for , lambkins , we will live .
+
+
+'Fore God , his Grace is bold to trust these traitors .
+
+They shall be apprehended by and by .
+
+How smooth and even they do bear themselves !
+As if allegiance in their bosoms sat ,
+Crowned with faith and constant loyalty .
+
+The king hath note of all that they intend ,
+By interception which they dream not of .
+
+Nay , but the man that was his bedfellow ,
+Whom he hath dull'd and cloy'd with gracious favours ,
+That he should , for a foreign purse , so sell
+His sovereign's life to death and treachery !
+
+
+Now sits the wind fair , and we will aboard .
+My Lord of Cambridge , and my kind Lord of Masham ,
+And you , my gentle knight , give me your thoughts :
+Think you not that the powers we bear with us
+Will cut their passage through the force of France ,
+Doing the execution and the act
+For which we have in head assembled them ?
+
+No doubt , my liege , if each man do his best .
+
+I doubt not that ; since we are well persuaded
+We carry not a heart with us from hence
+That grows not in a fair consent with ours ;
+Nor leave not one behind that doth not wish
+Success and conquest to attend on us .
+
+Never was monarch better fear'd and lov'd
+Than is your majesty : there's not , I think , a subject
+That sits in heart-grief and uneasiness
+Under the sweet shade of your government .
+
+True : those that were your father's enemies
+Have steep'd their galls in honey , and do serve you
+With hearts create of duty and of zeal .
+
+We therefore have great cause of thankfulness ,
+And shall forget the office of our hand ,
+Sooner than quittance of desert and merit
+According to the weight and worthiness .
+
+So service shall with steeled sinews toil ,
+And labour shall refresh itself with hope ,
+To do your Grace incessant services .
+
+We judge no less . Uncle of Exeter ,
+Enlarge the man committed yesterday
+That rail'd against our person : we consider
+It was excess of wine that set him on ;
+And on his more advice we pardon him .
+
+That's mercy , but too much security :
+Let him be punish'd , sovereign , lest example
+Breed , by his sufference , more of such a kind .
+
+O ! let us yet be merciful .
+
+So may your highness , and yet punish too .
+
+Sir ,
+You show great mercy , if you give him life
+After the taste of much correction .
+
+Alas ! your too much love and care of me
+Are heavy orisons 'gainst this poor wretch .
+If little faults , proceeding on distemper ,
+Shall not be wink'd at , how shall we stretch our eye
+When capital crimes , chew'd , swallow'd , and digested ,
+Appear before us ? We'll yet enlarge that man ,
+Though Cambridge , Scroop , and Grey , in their dear care ,
+And tender preservation of our person ,
+Would have him punish'd . And now to our French causes :
+Who are the late commissioners ?
+
+I one , my lord :
+Your highness bade me ask for it to-day .
+
+So did you me , my liege .
+
+And I , my royal sovereign .
+
+Then , Richard , Earl of Cambridge , there is yours ;
+There yours , Lord Scroop of Masham ; and , sir knight ,
+Grey of Northumberland , this same is yours :
+Read them ; and know , I know your worthiness .
+My Lord of Westmoreland , and uncle Exeter ,
+We will aboard to-night . Why , how now , gentlemen !
+What see you in those papers that you lose
+So much complexion ? Look ye , how they change !
+Their cheeks are paper . Why , what read you there ,
+That hath so cowarded and chas'd your blood
+Out of appearance ?
+
+I do confess my fault ,
+And do submit me to your highness' mercy .
+
+To which we all appeal .
+
+To which we all appeal .
+
+The mercy that was quick in us but late
+By your own counsel is suppress'd and kill'd :
+You must not dare , for shame , to talk of mercy ;
+For your own reasons turn into your bosoms ,
+As dogs upon their masters , worrying you .
+See you , my princes and my noble peers ,
+These English monsters ! My Lord of Cambridge here ,
+You know how apt our love was to accord
+To furnish him with all appertinents
+Belonging to his honour ; and this man
+Hath , for a few light crowns , lightly conspir'd ,
+And sworn unto the practices of France ,
+To kill us here in Hampton : to the which
+This knight , no less for bounty bound to us
+Than Cambridge is , hath likewise sworn . But O !
+What shall I say to thee , Lord Scroop ? thou cruel ,
+Ingrateful , savage and inhuman creature !
+Thou that didst bear the key of all my counsels ,
+That knew'st the very bottom of my soul ,
+That almost mightst have coin'd me into gold
+Wouldst thou have practis'd on me for thy use !
+May it be possible that foreign hire
+Could out of thee extract one spark of evil
+That might annoy my finger ? 'tis so strange
+That , though the truth of it stands off as gross
+As black from white , my eye will scarcely see it .
+Treason and murder ever kept together ,
+As two yoke-devils sworn to either's purpose ,
+Working so grossly in a natural cause
+That admiration did not whoop at them :
+But thou , 'gainst all proportion , didst bring in
+Wonder to wait on treason and on murder :
+And whatsoever cunning fiend it was
+That wrought upon thee so preposterously
+Hath got the voice in hell for excellence :
+And other devils that suggest by treasons
+Do botch and bungle up damnation
+With patches , colours , and with forms , being fetch'd
+From glistering semblances of piety ;
+But he that temper'd thee bade thee stand up ,
+Gave thee no instance why thou shouldst do treason ,
+Unless to dub thee with the name of traitor .
+If that same demon that hath gull'd thee thus
+Should with his lion gait walk the whole world ,
+He might return to vasty Tartar back ,
+And tell the legions , 'I can never win
+A soul so easy as that Englishman's .'
+O ! how hast thou with jealousy infected
+The sweetness of affiance . Show men dutiful ?
+Why , so didst thou : seem they grave and learned ?
+Why , so didst thou : come they of noble family ?
+Why , so didst thou : seem they religious ?
+Why , so didst thou : or are they spare in diet ,
+Free from gross passion or of mirth or anger ,
+Constant in spirit , not swerving with the blood ,
+Garnish'd and deck'd in modest complement ,
+Not working with the eye without the ear ,
+And but in purged judgment trusting neither ?
+Such and so finely bolted didst thou seem :
+And thus thy fall hath left a kind of blot ,
+To mark the full-fraught man and best indu'd
+With some suspicion . I will weep for thee ;
+For this revolt of thine , methinks , is like
+Another fall of man . Their faults are open :
+Arrest them to the answer of the law ;
+And God acquit them of their practices !
+
+I arrest thee of high treason , by the name of Richard Earl of Cambridge .
+I arrest thee of high treason , by the name of Henry Lord Scroop of Masham .
+I arrest thee of high treason , by the name of Thomas Grey , knight , of Northumberland .
+
+Our purposes God justly hath discover'd ,
+And I repent my fault more than my death ;
+Which I beseech your highness to forgive ,
+Although my body pay the price of it .
+
+For me , the gold of France did not seduce ,
+Although I did admit it as a motive
+The sooner to effect what I intended :
+But God be thanked for prevention ;
+Which I in sufference heartily will rejoice ,
+Beseeching God and you to pardon me .
+
+Never did faithful subject more rejoice
+At the discovery of most dangerous treason
+Than I do at this hour joy o'er myself ,
+Prevented from a damned enterprise .
+My fault , but not my body ; pardon , sovereign .
+
+God quit you in his mercy ! Hear your sentence .
+You have conspir'd against our royal person ,
+Join'd with an enemy proclaim'd , and from his coffers
+Receiv'd the golden earnest of our death ;
+Wherein you would have sold your king to slaughter ,
+His princes and his peers to servitude ,
+His subjects to oppression and contempt ,
+And his whole kingdom into desolation .
+Touching our person seek we no revenge ;
+But we our kingdom's safety must so tender ,
+Whose ruin you have sought , that to her laws
+We do deliver you . Get you therefore hence ,
+Poor miserable wretches , to your death ;
+The taste whereof , God of his mercy give you
+Patience to endure , and true repentance
+Of all your dear offences ! Bear them hence .
+
+Now , lords , for France ! the enterprise whereof
+Shall be to you , as us , like glorious .
+We doubt not of a fair and lucky war ,
+Since God so graciously hath brought to light
+This dangerous treason lurking in our way
+To hinder our beginnings . We doubt not now
+But every rub is smoothed on our way .
+Then forth , dear countrymen : let us deliver
+Our puissance into the hand of God ,
+Putting it straight in expedition .
+Cheerly to sea ! the signs of war advance :
+No king of England , if not king of France .
+
+
+Prithee , honey-sweet husband , let me bring thee to Staines .
+
+No ; for my manly heart doth yearn .
+Bardolph , be blithe ; Nym , rouse thy vaunting veins ;
+Boy , bristle thy courage up ; for Falstaff he is dead ,
+And we must yearn therefore .
+
+Would I were with him , wheresome'er he is , either in heaven or in hell !
+
+Nay , sure , he's not in hell : he's in Arthur's bosom , if ever man went to Arthur's bosom . A' made a finer end and went away an it had been any christom child ; a' parted even just between twelve and one , even at the turning o' the tide : for after I saw him fumble with the sheets and play with flowers and smile upon his fingers' ends , I knew there was but one way ; for his nose was as sharp as a pen , and a' babbled of green fields . 'How now , Sir John !' quoth I : 'what man ! be of good cheer .' So a' cried out 'God , God , God !' three or four times : now I , to comfort him , bid him a' should not think of God , I hoped there was no need to trouble himself with any such thoughts yet . So a' bade me lay more clothes on his feet : I put my hand into the bed and felt them , and they were as cold as any stone ; then I felt to his knees , and so upward , and upward , and all was as cold as any stone .
+
+They say he cried out of sack .
+
+Ay , that a' did .
+
+And of women .
+
+Nay , that a' did not .
+
+Yes , that a' did ; and said they were devils incarnate .
+
+A' could never abide carnation ; 'twas a colour he never liked .
+
+A' said once , the devil would have him about women .
+
+A' did in some sort , indeed , handle women ; but then he was rheumatic , and talked of the whore of Babylon .
+
+Do you not remember a' saw a flea stick upon Bardolph's nose , and a' said it was a black soul burning in hell-fire ?
+
+Well , the fuel is gone that maintained that fire : that's all the riches I got in his service .
+
+Shall we shog ? the king will be gone from Southampton .
+
+Come , let's away . My love , give me thy lips .
+Look to my chattels and my moveables :
+Let senses rule , the word is , 'Pitch and pay ;'
+Trust none ;
+For oaths are straws , men's faiths are wafercakes ,
+And hold-fast is the only dog , my duck :
+Therefore , caveto be thy counsellor .
+Go , clear thy crystals . Yoke-fellows in arms ,
+Let us to France ; like horse-leeches , my boys ,
+To suck , to suck , the very blood to suck !
+
+And that's but unwholesome food , they say .
+
+Touch her soft mouth , and march .
+
+Farewell , hostess .
+
+
+I cannot kiss , that is the humour of it ; but , adieu .
+
+Let housewifery appear : keep close , I thee command .
+
+Farewell ; adieu .
+
+Thus come the English with full power upon us ;
+And more than carefully it us concerns
+To answer royally in our defences .
+Therefore the Dukes of Berri and Britaine ,
+Of Brabant and of Orleans , shall make forth ,
+And you , Prince Dauphin , with all swift dispatch ,
+To line and new repair our towns of war
+With men of courage and with means defendant :
+For England his approaches makes as fierce
+As waters to the sucking of a gulf .
+It fits us then to be as provident
+As fear may teach us , out of late examples
+Left by the fatal and neglected English
+Upon our fields .
+
+My most redoubted father ,
+It is most meet we arm us 'gainst the foe ;
+For peace itself should not so dull a kingdom ,
+Though war nor no known quarrel were in question ,
+But that defences , musters , preparations ,
+Should be maintain'd , assembled , and collected ,
+As were a war in expectation .
+Therefore , I say 'tis meet we all go forth
+To view the sick and feeble parts of France :
+And let us do it with no show of fear ;
+No , with no more than if we heard that England
+Were busied with a Whitsun morris-dance :
+For , my good liege , she is so idly king'd ,
+Her sceptre so fantastically borne
+By a vain , giddy , shallow , humorous youth ,
+That fear attends her not .
+
+O peace , Prince Dauphin !
+You are too much mistaken in this king .
+Question your Grace the late ambassadors ,
+With what great state he heard their embassy ,
+How well supplied with noble counsellors ,
+How modest in exception , and , withal
+How terrible in constant resolution ,
+And you shall find his vanities forespent
+Were but the outside of the Roman Brutus ,
+Covering discretion with a coat of folly ;
+As gardeners do with ordure hide those roots
+That shall first spring and be most delicate .
+
+Well , 'tis not so , my lord high constable ;
+But though we think it so , it is no matter :
+In cases of defence 'tis best to weigh
+The enemy more mighty than he seems :
+So the proportions of defence are fill'd ;
+Which of a weak and niggardly projection
+Doth like a miser spoil his coat with scanting
+A little cloth .
+
+Think we King Harry strong ;
+And , princes , look you strongly arm to meet him .
+The kindred of him hath been flesh'd upon us ,
+And he is bred out of that bloody strain
+That haunted us in our familiar paths :
+Witness our too much memorable shame
+When Cressy battle fatally was struck
+And all our princes captiv'd by the hand
+Of that black name , Edward Black Prince of Wales ;
+Whiles that his mounting sire , on mountain standing ,
+Up in the air , crown'd with the golden sun ,
+Saw his heroical seed , and smil'd to see him
+Mangle the work of nature , and deface
+The patterns that by God and by French fathers
+Had twenty years been made . This is a stem
+Of that victorious stock ; and let us fear
+The native mightiness and fate of him .
+
+
+Ambassadors from Harry King of England
+Do crave admittance to your majesty .
+
+We'll give them present audience . Go , and bring them .
+
+You see this chase is hotly follow'd , friends .
+
+Turn head , and stop pursuit ; for coward dogs
+Most spend their mouths when what they seem to threaten
+Runs far before them . Good my sovereign ,
+Take up the English short , and let them know
+Of what a monarchy you are the head :
+Self-love , my liege , is not so vile a sin
+As self-neglecting .
+
+
+From our brother England ?
+
+From him ; and thus he greets your majesty .
+He wills you , in the name of God Almighty ,
+That you divest yourself , and lay apart
+The borrow'd glories that by gift of heaven ,
+By law of nature and of nations 'long
+To him and to his heirs ; namely , the crown
+And all wide-stretched honours that pertain
+By custom and the ordinance of times
+Unto the crown of France . That you may know
+'Tis no sinister nor no awkward claim ,
+Pick'd from the worm-holes of long-vanish'd days ,
+Nor from the dust of old oblivion rak'd ,
+He sends you this most memorable line ,
+
+In every branch truly demonstrative ;
+Willing you overlook this pedigree ;
+And when you find him evenly deriv'd
+From his most fam'd of famous ancestors ,
+Edward the Third , he bids you then resign
+Your crown and kingdom , indirectly held
+From him the native and true challenger .
+
+Or else what follows ?
+
+Bloody constraint ; for if you hide the crown
+Even in your hearts , there will he rake for it :
+Therefore in fierce tempest is he coming ,
+In thunder and in earthquake like a Jove ,
+That , if requiring fail , he will compel ;
+And bids you , in the bowels of the Lord ,
+Deliver up the crown , and to take mercy
+On the poor souls for whom this hungry war
+Opens his vasty jaws ; and on your head
+Turning the widows' tears , the orphans' cries ,
+The dead men's blood , the pining maidens' groans ,
+For husbands , fathers , and betrothed lovers ,
+That shall be swallow'd in this controversy .
+This is his claim , his threat'ning , and my message ;
+Unless the Dauphin be in presence here ,
+To whom expressly I bring greeting too .
+
+For us , we will consider of this further :
+To-morrow shall you bear our full intent
+Back to our brother England .
+
+For the Dauphin ,
+I stand here for him : what to him from England ?
+
+Scorn and defiance , slight regard , contempt ,
+And anything that may not misbecome
+The mighty sender , doth he prize you at .
+Thus says my king : an if your father's highness
+Do not , in grant of all demands at large ,
+Sweeten the bitter mock you sent his majesty ,
+He'll call you to so hot an answer of it ,
+That caves and womby vaultages of France
+Shall chide your trespass and return your mock
+In second accent of his ordinance .
+
+Say , if my father render fair return ,
+It is against my will ; for I desire
+Nothing but odds with England : to that end ,
+As matching to his youth and vanity ,
+I did present him with the Paris balls .
+
+He'll make your Paris Louvre shake for it ,
+Were it the mistress-court of mighty Europe :
+And , be assur'd , you'll find a difference
+As we his subjects have in wonder found
+Between the promise of his greener days
+And these he masters now . Now he weighs time
+Even to the utmost grain ; that you shall read
+In your own losses , if he stay in France .
+
+To-morrow shall you know our mind at full .
+
+Dispatch us with all speed , lest that our king
+Come here himself to question our delay ;
+For he is footed in this land already .
+
+You shall be soon dispatch'd with fair conditions :
+A night is but small breath and little pause
+To answer matters of this consequence .
+
+Thus with imagin'd wing our swift scene flies
+In motion of no less celerity
+Than that of thought . Suppose that you have seen
+The well-appointed king at Hampton pier
+Embark his royalty ; and his brave fleet
+With silken streamers the young Ph bus fanning :
+Play with your fancies , and in them behold
+Upon the hempen tackle ship-boys climbing ;
+Hear the shrill whistle which doth order give
+To sounds confus'd ; behold the threaden sails ,
+Borne with the invisible and creeping wind ,
+Draw the huge bottoms through the furrow'd sea ,
+Breasting the lofty surge . O ! do but think
+You stand upon the rivage and behold
+A city on the inconstant billows dancing ;
+For so appears this fleet majestical ,
+Holding due course to Harfleur . Follow , follow !
+Grapple your minds to sternage of this navy ,
+And leave your England , as dead midnight still ,
+Guarded with grandsires , babies , and old women ,
+Either past or not arriv'd to pith and puissance :
+For who is he , whose chin is but enrich'd
+With one appearing hair , that will not follow
+Those call'd and choice-drawn cavaliers to France ?
+Work , work your thoughts , and therein see a siege ;
+Behold the ordenance on their carriages ,
+With fatal mouths gaping on girded Harfleur .
+Suppose the ambassador from the French comes back ;
+Tells Harry that the king doth offer him
+Katharine his daughter ; and with her , to dowry ,
+Some petty and unprofitable dukedoms :
+The offer likes not : and the nimble gunner
+With linstock now the devilish cannon touches ,
+
+And down goes all before them . Still be kind ,
+And eke out our performance with your mind .
+
+Once more unto the breach , dear friends , once more ;
+Or close the wall up with our English dead !
+In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
+As modest stillness and humility :
+But when the blast of war blows in our ears ,
+Then imitate the action of the tiger ;
+Stiffen the sinews , summon up the blood ,
+Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage ;
+Then lend the eye a terrible aspect ;
+Let it pry through the portage of the head
+Like the brass cannon ; let the brow o'erwhelm it
+As fearfully as doth a galled rock
+O'erhang and jutty his confounded base ,
+Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean .
+Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide ,
+Hold hard the breath , and bend up every spirit
+To his full height ! On , on , you noblest English !
+Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof ;
+Fathers that , like so many Alexanders ,
+Have in these parts from morn till even fought ,
+And sheath'd their swords for lack of argument .
+Dishonour not your mothers ; now attest
+That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you .
+Be copy now to men of grosser blood ,
+And teach them how to war . And you , good yeomen ,
+Whose limbs were made in England , show us here
+The mettle of your pasture ; let us swear
+That you are worth your breeding ; which I doubt not ;
+For there is none of you so mean and base
+That hath not noble lustre in your eyes .
+I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips ,
+Straining upon the start . The game's afoot :
+Follow your spirit ; and , upon this charge
+Cry 'God for Harry ! England and Saint George !'
+
+
+On , on , on , on , on ! to the breach , to the breach !
+
+Pray thee , corporal , stay : the knocks are too hot ; and for mine own part , I have not a case of lives : the humour of it is too hot , that is the very plain-song of it .
+
+The plain-song is most just , for humours do abound :
+
+Knocks go and come : God's vassals drop and die ;
+And sword and shield
+In bloody field
+Doth win immortal fame .
+
+
+Would I were in an alehouse in London ! I would give all my fame for a pot of ale , and safety .
+
+And I :
+
+If wishes would prevail with me ,
+My purpose should not fail with me ,
+But thither would I hie .
+
+As duly ,
+But not as truly ,
+As bird doth sing on bough .
+
+Up to the breach , you dogs ! avaunt , you cullions !
+
+
+Be merciful , great duke , to men of mould !
+Abate thy rage , abate thy manly rage !
+Abate thy rage , great duke !
+Good bawcock , bate thy rage ; use lenity , sweet chuck !
+
+These be good humours ! your honour wins bad humours .
+
+
+As young as I am , I have observed these three swashers . I am boy to them all three , but all they three , though they would serve me , could not be man to me ; for , indeed three such antiques do not amount to a man . For Bardolph , he is white-livered and red-faced ; by the means whereof , a' faces it out , but fights not . For Pistol , he hath a killing tongue and a quiet sword ; by the means whereof a' breaks words , and keeps whole weapons . For Nym , he hath heard that men of few words are the best men ; and therefore he scorns to say his prayers , lest a' should be thought a coward : but his few bad words are matched with as few good deeds ; for a' never broke any man's head but his own , and that was against a post when he was drunk . They will steal any thing and call it purchase . Bardolph stole a lute-case , bore it twelve leagues , and sold it for three half-pence . Nym and Bardolph are sworn brothers in filching , and in Calais they stole a fire-shovel ;I knew by that piece of service the men would carry coals ,they would have me as familiar with men's pockets as their gloves or their handkerchers : which makes much against my manhood if I should take from another's pocket to put into mine ; for it is plain pocketing up of wrongs . I must leave them and seek some better service : their villany goes against my weak stomach , and therefore I must cast it up .
+
+Captain Fluellen , you must come presently to the mines : the Duke of Gloucester would speak with you .
+
+To the mines ! tell you the duke it is not so good to come to the mines . For look you , the mines is not according to the disciplines of the war ; the concavities of it is not sufficient ; for , look you , th' athversary you may discuss unto the duke , look you is digt himself four yards under the countermines ; by Cheshu , I think , a' will plow up all if there is not better directions .
+
+The Duke of Gloucester , to whom the order of the siege is given , is altogether directed by an Irishman , a very valiant gentleman , i' faith .
+
+It is Captain Macmorris , is it not ?
+
+I think it be .
+
+By Cheshu , he is an ass , as in the world :
+I will verify as much in his peard : he has no more directions in the true disciplines of the wars , look you , of the Roman disciplines , than is a puppy-dog .
+
+
+Here a' comes ; and the Scots captain , Captain Jamy , with him .
+
+Captain Jamy is a marvellous falorous gentleman , that is certain ; and of great expedition and knowledge in th' aunchient wars , upon my particular knowledge of his directions : by Cheshu , he will maintain his argument as well as any military man in the world , in the disciplines of the pristine wars of the Romans .
+
+I say gud day , Captain Fluellen .
+
+God-den to your worship , good Captain James .
+
+How now , Captain Macmorris ! have you quit the mines ? have the pioners given o'er ?
+
+By Chrish , la ! tish ill done : the work ish give over , the trumpet sound the retreat . By my hand , I swear , and my father's soul , the work ish ill done ; it ish give over : I would have blowed up the town , so Chrish save me , la ! in an hour : O ! tish ill done , tish ill done ; by my hand , tish ill done !
+
+Captain Macmorris , I beseech you now , will you voutsafe me , look you , a few disputations with you , as partly touching or concerning the disciplines of the war , the Roman wars , in the way of argument , look you , and friendly communication ; partly to satisfy my opinion , and partly for the satisfaction , look you , of my mind , as touching the direction of the military discipline : that is the point .
+
+It sall be vary gud , gud feith , gud captains bath :
+
+and I sall quit you with gud leve , as I may pick occasion ; that sall I , marry .
+
+It is no time to discourse , so Chrish save me : the day is hot , and the weather , and the wars , and the king , and the dukes : it is no time to discourse . The town is beseeched , and the trumpet calls us to the breach ; and we talk , and be Chrish , do nothing : 'tis shame for us all ; so God sa' me , 'tis shame to stand still ; it is shame , by my hand ; and there is throats to be cut , and works to be done ; and there ish nothing done , so Chrish sa' me , la !
+
+By the mess , ere theise eyes of mine take themselves to slumber , aile do gud service , or aile lig i' the grund for it ; ay , or go to death ; and aile pay it as valorously as I may , that sal I suerly do , that is the breff and the long . Marry , I wad full fain heard some question 'tween you tway .
+
+Captain Macmorris , I think , look you , under your correction , there is not many of your nation
+
+Of my nation ! What ish my nation ? ish a villain , and a bastard , and a knave , and a rascal ? What ish my nation ? Who talks of my nation ?
+
+Look you , if you take the matter otherwise than is meant , Captain Macmorris , peradventure I shall think you do not use me with that affability as in discretion you ought to use me , look you ; being as good a man as yourself , both in the disciplines of wars , and in the derivation of my birth , and in other particularities .
+
+I do not know you so good a man as myself : so Chrish save me , I will cut off your head .
+
+Gentlemen both , you will mistake each other .
+
+A ! that's a foul fault .
+
+
+The town sounds a parley .
+
+Captain Macmorris , when there is more better opportunity to be required , look you , I will be so bold as to tell you I know the disciplines of wars ; and there is an end .
+
+How yet resolves the governor of the town ?
+This is the latest parle we will admit :
+Therefore to our best mercy give yourselves ;
+Or like to men proud of destruction
+Defy us to our worst : for , as I am a soldier ,
+A name that in my thoughts , becomes me best ,
+If I begin the battery once again ,
+I will not leave the half-achieved Harfleur
+Till in her ashes she lie buried .
+The gates of mercy shall be all shut up ,
+And the flesh'd soldier , rough and hard of heart ,
+In liberty of bloody hand shall range
+With conscience wide as hell , mowing like grass
+Your fresh-fair virgins and your flowering infants .
+What is it then to me , if impious war ,
+Array'd in flames like to the prince of fiends ,
+Do , with his smirch'd complexion , all fell feats
+Enlink'd to waste and desolation ?
+What is't to me , when you yourselves are cause ,
+If your pure maidens fall into the hand
+Of hot and forcing violation ?
+What rein can hold licentious wickedness
+When down the hill he holds his fierce career ?
+We may as bootless spend our vain command
+Upon the enraged soldiers in their spoil
+As send precepts to the leviathan
+To come ashore . Therefore , you men of Harfleur ,
+Take pity of your town and of your people ,
+Whiles yet my soldiers are in my command ;
+Whiles yet the cool and temperate wind of grace
+O'erblows the filthy and contagious clouds
+Of heady murder , spoil , and villany .
+If not , why , in a moment , look to see
+The blind and bloody soldier with foul hand
+Defile the locks of your shrill-shrieking daughters ;
+Your fathers taken by the silver beards ,
+And their most reverend heads dash'd to the walls ;
+Your naked infants spitted upon pikes ,
+Whiles the mad mothers with their howls confus'd
+Do break the clouds , as did the wives of Jewry
+At Herod's bloody-hunting slaughtermen .
+What say you ? will you yield , and this avoid ?
+Or , guilty in defence , be thus destroy'd ?
+
+Our expectation hath this day an end .
+The Dauphin , whom of succour we entreated ,
+Returns us that his powers are yet not ready
+To raise so great a siege . Therefore , great king ,
+We yield our town and lives to thy soft mercy .
+Enter our gates ; dispose of us and ours ;
+For we no longer are defensible .
+
+Open your gates ! Come , uncle Exeter ,
+Go you and enter Harfleur ; there remain ,
+And fortify it strongly 'gainst the French :
+Use mercy to them all . For us , dear uncle ,
+The winter coming on and sickness growing
+Upon our soldiers , we will retire to Calais .
+To-night in Harfleur will we be your guest ;
+To-morrow for the march are we addrest .
+
+
+Alice , tu as est en Angleterre , et tu parles bien le langage .
+
+Un peu , madame .
+
+Je te prie , m'enseignez ; il faut que j'apprenne parler . Comment appellez vous la main en Anglois ?
+
+La main ? elle est appell e , de hand .
+
+De hand . Et les doigts ?
+
+Les doigts ? ma foy , je oublie les doigts ; mais je me souviendray . Les doigts ? je pense qu'ils sont appell s de fingres ; ouy , de fingres .
+
+La main , de hand ; les doigts , de fingres . Je pense que je suis le bon escolier . J'ai gagn deux mots d'Anglois vistement . Comment appellez vous les ongles ?
+
+Lesongles ? nous les appellons , de nails .
+
+De nails . Escoutez ; dites moy , si je parle bien : de hands , de fingres , et de nails .
+
+C'est bien dict , madame ; il est fort bon Anglois .
+
+Dites moy l'Anglois pour le bras .
+
+De arm , madame .
+
+Et le coude ?
+
+De elbow .
+
+De elbow . Je m'en fais la r p tition de tous les mots que vous m'avez appris d s pr sent .
+
+Il est trop difficile , madame , comme je pense .
+
+Excusez moy , Alice ; escoutez : de hand , de fingres , de nails , de arma , de bilbow .
+
+De elbow , madame .
+
+O Seigneur Dieu ! je m'en oublie ; de elbow . Comment appellez vous le col ?
+
+De nick , madame .
+
+De nick . Et le menton ?
+
+De chin .
+
+De sin . Le col , de nick : le menton , de sin .
+
+Ouy . Sauf vostre honneur , en v rit vous prononcez les mots aussi droict que les natifs d'Angleterre .
+
+Je ne doute point d'apprendre par la grace de Dieu , et en peu de temps .
+
+N'avez vous d j oubli ce que je vous ay enseign e ?
+
+Non , je reciteray vous promptement .
+De hand , de fingre , de mails ,
+
+De nails , madame .
+
+De nails , de arme , de ilbow .
+
+Sauf vostre honneur , d'elbow .
+
+Ainsi dis je ; d'elbow , de nick , et de sin . Comment appellez vous le pied et la robe ?
+
+De foot , madame ; et de coun .
+
+De foot , et de coun ? O Seigneur Dieu ! ces sont mots de son mauvais , corruptible , gros , et impudique , et non pour les dames d'honneur d'user . Je ne voudrois prononcer ces mots devant les seigneurs de France , pour tout le monde . Foh ! le foot , et le coun . N antmoins je reciterai une autre fois ma le on ensemble : de hand , de fingre , de nails , d'arm , d'elbow , de nick , de sin , de foot , de coun .
+
+Excellent , madame !
+
+C'est assez pour une fois : allons nous diner .
+
+
+'Tis certain , he hath pass'd the river Somme .
+
+And if he be not fought withal , my lord ,
+Let us not live in France ; let us quit all ,
+And give our vineyards to a barbarous people .
+
+O Dieu vivant ! shall a few sprays of us ,
+The emptying of our fathers' luxury ,
+Our scions , put in wild and savage stock ,
+Spirt up so suddenly into the clouds ,
+And overlook their grafters ?
+
+Normans , but bastard Normans , Norman bastards !
+Mort de ma vie ! if they march along
+Unfought withal , but I will sell my dukedom ,
+To buy a slobbery and a dirty farm
+In that nook-shotten isle of Albion .
+
+Dieu de battailes ! where have they this mettle ?
+Is not their climate foggy , raw , and dull ,
+On whom , as in despite , the sun looks pale ,
+Killing their fruit with frowns ? Can sodden water ,
+A drench for sur-rein'd jades , their barley-broth ,
+Decoct their cold blood to such valiant heat ?
+And shall our quick blood , spirited with wine ,
+Seem frosty ? O ! for honour of our land ,
+Let us not hang like roping icicles
+Upon our houses' thatch , whiles a more frosty people
+Sweat drops of gallant youth in our rich fields ;
+Poor we may call them in their native lords .
+
+By faith and honour ,
+Our madams mock at us , and plainly say
+Our mettle is bred out ; and they will give
+Their bodies to the lust of English youth
+To new-store France with bastard warriors .
+
+They bid us to the English dancing-schools ,
+And teach lavoltas high and swift corantos ;
+Saying our grace is only in our heels ,
+And that we are most lofty runaways .
+
+Where is Montjoy the herald ? speed him hence :
+Let him greet England with our sharp defiance .
+Up , princes ! and , with spirit of honour edg'd
+More sharper than your swords , hie to the field :
+Charles Delabreth , High Constable of France ;
+You Dukes of Orleans , Bourbon , and Berri ,
+Alen on , Brabant , Bar , and Burgundy ;
+Jaques Chatillon , Rambures , Vaudemont ,
+Beaumont , Grandpr , Roussi , and Fauconberg ,
+Foix , Lestrale , Bouciqualt , and Charolois ;
+High dukes , great princes , barons , lords , and knights ,
+For your great seats now quit you of great shames .
+Bar Harry England , that sweeps through our land
+With pennons painted in the blood of Harfleur :
+Rush on his host , as doth the melted snow
+Upon the valleys , whose low vassal seat
+The Alps doth spit and void his rheum upon :
+Go down upon him , you have power enough ,
+And in a captive chariot into Roan
+Bring him our prisoner .
+
+This becomes the great .
+Sorry am I his numbers are so few ,
+His soldiers sick and famish'd in their march ,
+For I am sure when he shall see our army
+He'll drop his heart into the sink of fear ,
+And for achievement offer us his ransom .
+
+Therefore , lord constable , haste on Montjoy ,
+And let him say to England that we send
+To know what willing ransom he will give .
+Prince Dauphin , you shall stay with us in Roan .
+
+Not so , I do beseech your majesty .
+
+Be patient , for you shall remain with us .
+Now forth , lord constable and princes all ,
+And quickly bring us word of England's fall .
+
+
+How now , Captain Fluellen ! come you from the bridge ?
+
+I assure you , there is very excellent services committed at the pridge .
+
+Is the Duke of Exeter safe ?
+
+The Duke of Exeter is as magnanimous as Agamemnon ; and a man that I love and honour with my soul , and my heart , and my duty , and my life , and my living , and my uttermost power : he is not God be praised and plessed !any hurt in the world ; but keeps the pridge most valiantly , with excellent discipline . There is an aunchient lieutenant there at the pridge , I think , in my very conscience , he is as valiant a man as Mark Antony ; and he is a man of no estimation in the world ; but I did see him do as gallant service .
+
+What do you call him ?
+
+He is called Aunchient Pistol .
+
+I know him not .
+
+
+Here is the man .
+
+Captain , I thee beseech to do me favours :
+The Duke of Exeter doth love thee well .
+
+Ay , I praise God ; and I have merited some love at his hands .
+
+Bardolph , a soldier firm and sound of heart ,
+And of buxom valour , hath , by cruel fate
+And giddy Fortune's furious fickle wheel ,
+That goddess blind ,
+That stands upon the rolling restless stone ,
+
+By your patience , Aunchient Pistol . Fortune is painted plind , with a muffler afore her eyes , to signify to you that Fortune is plind : and she is painted also with a wheel , to signify to you , which is the moral of it , that she is turning , and inconstant , and mutability , and variation : and her foot , look you , is fixed upon a spherical stone , which rolls , and rolls , and rolls : in good truth , the poet makes a most excellent description of it : Fortune is an excellent moral .
+
+Fortune is Bardolph's foe , and frowns on him ;
+For he hath stol'n a pax , and hanged must a' be ,
+A damned death !
+Let gallows gape for dog , let man go free
+And let not hemp his wind-pipe suffocate .
+But Exeter hath given the doom of death
+For pax of little price .
+Therefore , go speak ; the duke will hear thy voice ;
+And let not Bardolph's vital thread be cut
+With edge of penny cord and vile reproach :
+Speak , captain , for his life , and I will thee requite .
+
+Aunchient Pistol , I do partly understand your meaning .
+
+Why then , rejoice therefore .
+
+Certainly , aunchient , it is not a thing to rejoice at ; for , if , look you , he were my brother , I would desire the duke to use his good pleasure and put him to execution ; for discipline ought to be used .
+
+Die and be damn'd ; and figo for thy friendship !
+
+It is well .
+
+The fig of Spain !
+
+
+Very good .
+
+Why , this is an arrant counterfeit rascal : I remember him now ; a bawd , a cutpurse .
+
+I'll assure you a' uttered as prave words at the pridge as you shall see in a summer's day . But it is very well ; what he has spoke to me , that is well , I warrant you , when time is serve .
+
+Why , 'tis a gull , a fool , a rogue , that now and then goes to the wars to grace himself at his return into London under the form of a soldier . And such fellows are perfect in the great commanders' names , and they will learn you by rote where services were done ; at such and such a sconce , at such a breach , at such a convoy ; who came off bravely , who was shot , who disgraced , what terms the enemy stood on ; and this they con perfectly in the phrase of war , which they trick up with new-tuned oaths : and what a beard of the general's cut and a horrid suit of the camp will do among foaming bottles and ale-washed wits , is wonderful to be thought on . But you must learn to know such slanders of the age , or else you may be marvellously mistook .
+
+I tell you what , Captain Gower ; I do perceive , he is not the man that he would gladly make show to the world he is : if I find a hole in his coat I will tell him my mind .
+
+Hark you , the king is coming ; and I must speak with him from the pridgo .
+
+
+God pless your majesty !
+
+How now , Fluellen ! cam'st thou from the bridge ?
+
+Ay , so please your majesty . The Duke of Exeter hath very gallantly maintained the pridge : the French is gone off , look you , and there is gallant and most prave passages . Marry , th' athversary was have possession of the pridge , but he is enforced to retire , and the Duke of Exeter is master of the pridge . I can tell your majesty the duke is a prave man .
+
+What men have you lost , Fluellen ?
+
+The perdition of th' athversary hath been very great , reasonable great : marry , for my part , I think the duke hath lost never a man but one that is like to be executed for robbing a church ; one Bardolph , if your majesty know the man : his face is all bubukles , and whelks , and knobs , and flames o' fire ; and his lips blows at his nose , and it is like a coal of fire , sometimes plue and sometimes red ; but his nose is executed , and his fire's out .
+
+We would have all such offenders so cut off : and we give express charge that in our marches through the country there be nothing compelled from the villages , nothing taken but paid for , none of the French upbraided or abused in disdainful language ; for when lenity and cruelty play for a kingdom , the gentler gamester is the soonest winner .
+
+
+You know me by my habit .
+
+Well then I know thee : what shall I know of thee ?
+
+My master's mind .
+
+Unfold it .
+
+Thus says my king : Say thou to Harry of England : Though we seemed dead , we did but sleep : advantage is a better soldier than rashness . Tell him , we could have rebuked him at Harfleur , but that we thought not good to bruise an injury till it were full ripe : now we speak upon our cue , and our voice is imperial : England shall repent his folly , see his weakness , and admire our sufferance . Bid him therefore consider of his ransom ; which must proportion the losses we have borne , the subjects we have lost , the disgrace we have digested ; which , in weight to re-answer , his pettiness would bow under . For our losses , his exchequer is too poor ; for the effusion of our blood , the muster of his kingdom too faint a number ; and for our disgrace , his own person , kneeling at our feet , but a weak and worthless satisfaction . To this add defiance : and tell him , for conclusion , he hath betrayed his followers , whose condemnation is pronounced . So far my king and master , so much my office .
+
+What is thy name ? I know thy quality .
+
+Montjoy .
+
+Thou dost thy office fairly . Turn thee back ,
+And tell thy king I do not seek him now ,
+But could be willing to march on to Calais
+Without impeachment ; for , to say the sooth ,
+Though 'tis no wisdom to confess so much
+Unto an enemy of craft and vantage ,
+My people are with sickness much enfeebled ,
+My numbers lessen'd , and those few I have
+Almost no better than so many French :
+Who , when they were in health , I tell thee , herald ,
+I thought upon one pair of English legs
+Did march three Frenchmen . Yet , forgive me , God ,
+That I do brag thus ! this your air of France
+Hath blown that vice in me ; I must repent .
+Go therefore , tell thy master here I am :
+My ransom is this frail and worthless trunk ,
+My army but a weak and sickly guard ;
+Yet , God before , tell him we will come on ,
+Though France himself and such another neighbour
+Stand in our way . There's for thy labour , Montjoy .
+Go , bid thy master well advise himself :
+If we may pass , we will ; if we be hinder'd ,
+We shall your tawny ground with your red blood
+Discolour : and so , Montjoy , fare you well .
+The sum of all our answer is but this :
+We would not seek a battle as we are ;
+Nor , as we are , we say we will not shun it :
+So tell your master .
+
+I shall deliver so . Thanks to your highness .
+
+
+I hope they will not come upon us now .
+
+We are in God's hand , brother , not in theirs .
+March to the bridge ; it now draws toward night :
+Beyond the river we'll encamp ourselves ,
+And on to-morrow bid them march away .
+
+
+Tut ! I have the best armour of the world . Would it were day !
+
+You have an excellent armour ; but let my horse have his due .
+
+It is the best horse of Europe .
+
+Will it never be morning ?
+
+My Lord of Orleans , and my lord high constable , you talk of horse and armour
+
+You are as well provided of both as any prince in the world .
+
+What a long night is this ! I will not change my horse with any that treads but on four pasterns . a , ha ! He bounds from the earth as if his entrails were hairs : le cheval volant , the Pegasus , qui a les narines de feu ! When I bestride him , I soar , I am a hawk : he trots the air ; the earth sings when he touches it ; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes .
+
+He's of the colour of the nutmeg .
+
+And of the heat of the ginger . It is a beast for Perseus : he is pure air and fire ; and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him : he is indeed a horse ; and all other jades you may call beasts .
+
+Indeed , my lord , it is a most absolute and excellent horse .
+
+It is the prince of palfreys ; his neigh is like the bidding of a monarch and his countenance enforces homage .
+
+No more , cousin .
+
+Nay , the man hath no wit that cannot , from the rising of the lark to the lodging of the lamb , vary deserved praise on my palfrey : it is a theme as fluent as the sea ; turn the sands into eloquent tongues , and my horse is argument for them all . 'Tis a subject for a sovereign to reason on , and for a sovereign's sovereign to ride on ; and for the world familiar to us , and unknown to lay apart their particular functions and wonder at him . I once writ a sonnet in his praise and began thus : 'Wonder of nature !'
+
+I have heard a sonnet begin so to one's mistress .
+
+Then did they imitate that which I composed to my courser ; for my horse is my mistress .
+
+Your mistress bears well .
+
+Me well ; which is the prescript praise and perfection of a good and particular mistress .
+
+Ma foi , methought yesterday your mistress shrewdly shook your back .
+
+So perhaps did yours .
+
+Mine was not bridled .
+
+O ! then belike she was old and gentle ; and you rode , like a kern of Ireland , your French hose off and in your straight strossers .
+
+You have good judgment in horsemanship .
+
+Be warned by me , then : they that ride so , and ride not warily , fall into foul bogs . I had rather have my horse to my mistress .
+
+I had as lief have my mistress a jade .
+
+I tell thee , constable , my mistress wears his own hair .
+
+I could make as true a boast as that if I had a sow to my mistress .
+
+Le chien est retourn son propre vomissement , et la truie lav e au bourbier : thou makest use of any thing .
+
+Yet do I not use my horse for my mistress : or any such proverb so little kin to the purpose .
+
+My lord constable , the armour that I saw in your tent to-night , are those stars or suns upon it ?
+
+Stars , my lord .
+
+Some of them will fall to-morrow , I hope .
+
+And yet my sky shall not want .
+
+That may be , for you bear a many superfluously , and 'twere more honour some were away .
+
+Even as your horse bears your praises ; who would trot as well were some of your brags dismounted .
+
+Would I were able to load him with his desert ! Will it never be day ? I will trot to-morrow a mile , and my way shall be paved with English faces .
+
+I will not say so for fear I should be faced out of my way . But I would it were morning , for I would fain be about the ears of the English .
+
+Who will go to hazard with me for twenty prisoners ?
+
+You must first go yourself to hazard , ere you have them .
+
+'Tis midnight : I'll go arm myself .
+
+
+The Dauphin longs for morning .
+
+He longs to eat the English .
+
+I think he will eat all he kills .
+
+By the white hand of my lady , he's a gallant prince .
+
+Swear by her foot , that she may tread out the oath .
+
+He is simply the most active gentleman of France .
+
+Doing is activity , and he will still be doing .
+
+He never did harm , that I heard of .
+
+Nor will do none to-morrow : he will keep that good name still .
+
+I know him to be valiant .
+
+I was told that by one that knows him better than you .
+
+What's he ?
+
+Marry , he told me so himself ; and he said he cared not who knew it .
+
+He needs not ; it is no hidden virtue in him .
+
+By my faith , sir , but it is ; never any body saw it but his lackey : 'tis a hooded valour ; and when it appears , it will bate .
+
+'Ill will never said well .'
+
+I will cap that proverb with 'There is flattery in friendship .'
+
+And I will take up that with 'Give the devil his due .'
+
+Well placed : there stands your friend for the devil : have at the very eye of that proverb , with 'A pox of the devil .'
+
+You are the better at proverbs , by how much 'A fool's bolt is soon shot .'
+
+You have shot over .
+
+'Tis not the first time you were overshot .
+
+
+My lord high constable , the English lie within fifteen hundred paces of your tents .
+
+Who hath measured the ground ?
+
+The Lord Grandpr .
+
+A valiant and most expert gentleman . Would it were day ! Alas ! poor Harry of England , he longs not for the dawning as we do .
+
+What a wretched and peevish fellow is this King of England , to mope with his fatbrained followers so far out of his knowledge !
+
+If the English had any apprehension they would run away .
+
+That they lack ; for if their heads had any intellectual armour they could never wear such heavy head-pieces .
+
+That island of England breeds very valiant creatures : their mastiffs are of unmatchable courage .
+
+Foolish curs ! that run winking into the mouth of a Russian bear and have their heads crushed like rotten apples . You may as well say that's a valiant flea that dare eat his breakfast on the lip of a lion .
+
+Just , just ; and the men do sympathize with the mastiffs in robustious and rough coming on , leaving their wits with their wives : and then give them great meals of beef and iron and steel , they will eat like wolves and fight like devils .
+
+Ay , but these English are shrewdly out of beef .
+
+Then shall we find to-morrow they have only stomachs to eat and none to fight . Now is it time to arm ; come , shall we about it ?
+
+It is now two o'clock : but , let me see , by ten
+We shall have each a hundred Englishmen .
+
+
+Now entertain conjecture of a time
+When creeping murmur and the poring dark
+Fills the wide vessel of the universe .
+From camp to camp , through the foul womb of night ,
+The hum of either army stilly sounds ,
+That the fix'd sentinels almost receive
+The secret whispers of each other's watch :
+Fire answers fire , and through their paly flames
+Each battle sees the other's umber'd face :
+Steed threatens steed , in high and boastful neighs
+Piercing the night's dull ear ; and from the tents
+The armourers , accomplishing the knights ,
+With busy hammers closing rivets up ,
+Give dreadful note of preparation .
+The country cocks do crow , the clocks do toll ,
+And the third hour of drowsy morning name .
+Proud of their numbers , and secure in soul ,
+The confident and over-lusty French
+Do the low-rated English play at dice ;
+And chide the cripple tardy-gaited night
+Who , like a foul and ugly witch , doth limp
+So tediously away . The poor condemned English ,
+Like sacrifices , by their watchful fires
+Sit patiently , and inly ruminate
+The morning's danger , and their gesture sad
+Investing lank-lean cheeks and war-worn coats
+Presenteth them unto the gazing moon
+So many horrid ghosts . O ! now , who will behold
+The royal captain of this ruin'd band
+Walking from watch to watch , from tent to tent ,
+Let him cry 'Praise and glory on his head !'
+For forth he goes and visits all his host ,
+Bids them good morrow with a modest smile ,
+And calls them brothers , friends , and countrymen .
+Upon his royal face there is no note
+How dread an army hath enrounded him ;
+Nor doth he dedicate one jot of colour
+Unto the weary and all-watched night :
+But freshly looks and overbears attaint
+With cheerful semblance and sweet majesty ;
+That every wretch , pining and pale before ,
+Beholding him , plucks comfort from his looks ,
+A largess universal , like the sun
+His liberal eye doth give to every one ,
+Thawing cold fear . Then mean and gentle all ,
+Behold , as may unworthiness define ,
+A little touch of Harry in the night .
+And so our scene must to the battle fly ;
+Where ,O for pity ,we shall much disgrace ,
+With four or five most vile and ragged foils ,
+Right ill dispos'd in brawl ridiculous ,
+The name of Agincourt . Yet sit and see ;
+Minding true things by what their mockeries be .
+
+Gloucester , 'tis true that we are in great danger ;
+The greater therefore should our courage be .
+Good morrow , brother Bedford . God Almighty !
+There is some soul of goodness in things evil ,
+Would men observingly distil it out ;
+For our bad neighbour makes us early stirrers ,
+Which is both healthful , and good husbandry :
+Besides , they are our outward consciences ,
+And preachers to us all ; admonishing
+That we should dress us fairly for our end .
+Thus may we gather honey from the weed ,
+And make a moral of the devil himself .
+
+
+Good morrow , old Sir Thomas Erpingham :
+A good soft pillow for that good white head
+
+Were better than a churlish turf of France .
+
+Not so , my liege : this lodging likes me better ,
+Since I may say , 'Now lie I like a king .'
+
+'Tis good for men to love their present pains
+Upon example ; so the spirit is eas'd :
+And when the mind is quicken'd , out of doubt ,
+The organs , though defunct and dead before ,
+Break up their drowsy grave , and newly move
+With casted slough and fresh legerity .
+Lend me thy cloak , Sir Thomas . Brothers both ,
+Commend me to the princes in our camp ;
+Do my good morrow to them ; and anon
+Desire them all to my pavilion .
+
+We shall , my liege .
+
+
+Shall I attend your Grace ?
+
+No , my good knight ;
+Go with my brothers to my lords of England :
+I and my bosom must debate awhile ,
+And then I would no other company .
+
+The Lord in heaven bless thee , noble Harry !
+
+
+God-a-mercy , old heart ! thou speak'st cheerfully .
+
+
+Qui va l ?
+
+A friend .
+
+Discuss unto me ; art thou officer ?
+Or art thou base , common and popular ?
+
+I am a gentleman of a company .
+
+Trail'st thou the puissant pike ?
+
+Even so . What are you ?
+
+As good a gentleman as the emperor .
+
+Then you are a better than the king .
+
+The king's a bawcock , and a heart of gold ,
+A lad of life , an imp of fame :
+Of parents good , of fist most valiant :
+I kiss his dirty shoe , and from my heart-string
+I love the lovely bully . What's thy name ?
+
+Harry le Roy .
+
+Le Roy ! a Cornish name : art thou of Cornish crew ?
+
+No , I am a Welshman .
+
+Know'st thou Fluellen ?
+
+Yes .
+
+Tell him , I'll knock his leek about his pate
+Upon Saint Davy's day .
+
+Do not you wear your dagger in your cap that day , lest he knock that about yours .
+
+Art thou his friend ?
+
+And his kinsman too .
+
+The figo for thee then !
+
+I thank you . God be with you !
+
+My name is Pistol called .
+
+
+It sorts well with your fierceness .
+
+Captain Fluellen !
+
+Sol in the name of Cheshu Christ , speak lower . It is the greatest admiration in the universal world , when the true and auncient prerogatifes and laws of the wars is not kept . If you would take the pains but to examine the wars of Pompey the Great , you shall find , I warrant you , that there is no tiddle-taddle nor pibble-pabble in Pompey's camp ; I warrant you , you shall find the ceremonies of the wars , and the cares of it , and the forms of it , and the sobriety of it , and the modesty of it , to be otherwise .
+
+Why , the enemy is loud ; you heard him all night .
+
+If the enemy is an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb , is it meet , think you , that we should also , look you , be an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb , in your own conscience now ?
+
+I will speak lower .
+
+I pray you and peseech you that you will .
+
+
+Though it appear a little out of fashion ,
+There is much care and valour in this Welshman .
+
+
+Brother John Bates , is not that the morning which breaks yonder ?
+
+I think it be ; but we have no great cause to desire the approach of day .
+
+We see yonder the beginning of the day , but I think we shall never see the end of it . Who goes there ?
+
+A friend .
+
+Under what captain serve you ?
+
+Under Sir Thomas Erpingham .
+
+A good old commander and a most kind gentleman : I pray you , what thinks he of our estate ?
+
+Even as men wracked upon a sand , that look to be washed off the next tide .
+
+He hath not told his thought to the king ?
+
+No ; nor it is not meet he should . For , though I speak it to you , I think the king is but a man , as I am : the violet smells to him as it doth to me ; the element shows to him as it doth to me ; all his senses have but human conditions : his ceremonies laid by , in his nakedness he appears but a man ; and though his affections are higher mounted than ours , yet when they stoop , they stoop with the like wing . Therefore when he sees reason of fears , as we do , his fears , out of doubt , be of the same relish as ours are : yet , in reason , no man should possess him with any appearance of fear , lest he , by showing it , should dishearten his army .
+
+He may show what outward courage he will , but I believe , as cold a night as 'tis , he could wish himself in Thames up to the neck , and so I would he were , and I by him , at all adventures , so we were quit here .
+
+By my troth , I will speak my conscience of the king : I think he would not wish himself any where but where he is .
+
+Then I would he were here alone ; so should he be sure to be ransomed , and a many poor men's lives saved .
+
+I dare say you love him not so ill to wish him here alone , howsoever you speak this to feel other men's minds . Methinks I could not die any where so contented as in the king's company , his cause being just and his quarrel honourable .
+
+That's more than we know .
+
+Ay , or more than we should seek after ; for we know enough if we know we are the king's subjects . If his cause be wrong , our obedience to the king wipes the crime of it out of us .
+
+But if the cause be not good , the king himself hath a heavy reckoning to make ; when all those legs and arms and heads , chopped off in a battle , shall join together at the latter day , and cry all , 'We died at such a place ;' some swearing , some crying for a surgeon , some upon their wives left poor behind them , some upon the debts they owe , some upon their children rawly left . I am afeard there are few die well that die in a battle ; for how can they charitably dispose of any thing when blood is their argument ? Now , if these men do not die well , it will be a black matter for the king that led them to it , whom to disobey were against all proportion of subjection .
+
+So , if a son that is by his father sent about merchandise do sinfully miscarry upon the sea , the imputation of his wickedness , by your rule , should be imposed upon his father that sent him : or if a servant , under his master's command transporting a sum of money , be assailed by robbers and die in many irreconciled iniquities , you may call the business of the master the author of the servant's damnation . But this is not so : the king is not bound to answer the particular endings of his soldiers , the father of his son , nor the master of his servant ; for they purpose not their death when they purpose their services . Besides , there is no king , be his cause never so spotless , if it come to the arbitrement of swords , can try it out with all unspotted soldiers . Some , peradventure , have on them the guilt of premeditated and contrived murder ; some , of beguiling virgins with the broken seals of perjury ; some , making the wars their bulwark , that have before gored the gentle bosom of peace with pillage and robbery . Now , if these men have defeated the law and outrun native punishment , though they can outstrip men , they have no wings to fly from God : war is his beadle , war is his vengeance ; so that here men are punished for before-breach of the king's laws in now the king's quarrel : where they feared the death they have borne life away , and where they would be safe they perish . Then , if they die unprovided , no more is the king guilty of their damnation than he was before guilty of those impieties for the which they are now visited . Every subject's duty is the king's ; but every subject's soul is his own . Therefore should every soldier in the wars do as every sick man in his bed , wash every mote out of his conscience ; and dying so , death is to him advantage ; or not dying , the time was blessedly lost wherein such preparation was gained : and in him that escapes , it were not sin to think , that making God so free an offer , he let him outlive that day to see his greatness , and to teach others how they should prepare .
+
+'Tis certain , every man that dies ill , the ill upon his own head : the king is not to answer it .
+
+I do not desire he should answer for me ; and yet I determine to fight lustily for him .
+
+I myself heard the king say he would not be ransomed .
+
+Ay , he said so , to make us fight cheerfully ; but when our throats are cut he may be ransomed , and we ne'er the wiser .
+
+If I live to see it , I will never trust his word after .
+
+You pay him then . That's a perilous shot out of an elder-gun , that a poor and a private displeasure can do against a monarch . You may as well go about to turn the sun to ice with fanning in his face with a peacock's feather . You'll never trust his word after ! come , 'tis a foolish saying .
+
+Your reproof is something too round ; I should be angry with you if the time were convenient .
+
+Let it be a quarrel between us , if you live .
+
+I embrace it .
+
+How shall I know thee again ?
+
+Give me any gage of thine , and I will wear it in my bonnet : then , if ever thou darest acknowledge it , I will make it my quarrel .
+
+Here's my glove : give me another of thine .
+
+There .
+
+This will I also wear in my cap : if ever thou come to me and say after to-morrow , 'This is my glove ,' by this hand I will take thee a box on the ear .
+
+If ever I live to see it , I will challenge it .
+
+Thou darest as well be hanged .
+
+Well , I will do it , though I take thee in the king's company .
+
+Keep thy word : fare thee well .
+
+Be friends , you English fools , be friends : we have French quarrels enow , if you could tell how to reckon .
+
+Indeed , the French may lay twenty French crowns to one , they will beat us ; for they bear them on their shoulders : but it is no English treason to cut French crowns , and to-morrow the king himself will be a clipper .
+
+Upon the king ! let us our lives , our souls ,
+Our debts , our careful wives ,
+Our children , and our sins lay on the king !
+We must bear all . O hard condition !
+Twin-born with greatness , subject to the breath
+Of every fool , whose sense no more can feel
+But his own wringing . What infinite heart's ease
+Must kings neglect that private men enjoy !
+And what have kings that privates have not too ,
+Save ceremony , save general ceremony ?
+And what art thou , thou idle ceremony ?
+What kind of god art thou , that suffer'st more
+Of mortal griefs than do thy worshippers ?
+What are thy rents ? what are thy comings-in ?
+O ceremony ! show me but thy worth :
+What is thy soul of adoration ?
+Art thou aught else but place , degree , and form ,
+Creating awe and fear in other men ?
+Wherein thou art less happy , being fear'd ,
+Than they in fearing .
+What drink'st thou oft , instead of homage sweet ,
+But poison'd flattery ? O ! be sick , great greatness ,
+And bid thy ceremony give thee cure .
+Think'st thou the fiery fever will go out
+With titles blown from adulation ?
+Will it give place to flexure and low-bending ?
+Canst thou , when thou command'st the beggar's knee ,
+Command the health of it ? No , thou proud dream ,
+That play'st so subtly with a king's repose ;
+I am a king that find thee ; and I know
+'Tis not the balm , the sceptre and the ball ,
+The sword , the mace , the crown imperial ,
+The intertissued robe of gold and pearl ,
+The farced title running 'fore the king ,
+The throne he sits on , nor the tide of pomp
+That beats upon the high shore of this world ,
+No , not all these , thrice-gorgeous ceremony ,
+Not all these , laid in bed majestical ,
+Can sleep so soundly as the wretched slave ,
+Who with a body fill'd and vacant mind
+Gets him to rest , cramm'd with distressful bread ;
+Never sees horrid night , the child of hell ,
+But , like a lackey , from the rise to set
+Sweats in the eye of Ph bus , and all night
+Sleeps in Elysium ; next day after dawn ,
+Doth rise and help Hyperion to his horse ,
+And follows so the ever-running year
+With profitable labour to his grave :
+And , but for ceremony , such a wretch ,
+Winding up days with toil and nights with sleep ,
+Had the fore-hand and vantage of a king .
+The slave , a member of the country's peace ,
+Enjoys it ; but in gross brain little wots
+What watch the king keeps to maintain the peace ,
+Whose hours the peasant best advantages .
+
+
+My lord , your nobles , jealous of your absence ,
+Seek through your camp to find you .
+
+Good old knight ,
+Collect them all together at my tent :
+I'll be before thee .
+
+I shall do't , my lord .
+
+
+O God of battles ! steel my soldiers' hearts ;
+Possess them not with fear ; take from them now
+The sense of reckoning , if the opposed numbers
+Pluck their hearts from them . Not to-day , O Lord !
+O ! not to-day , think not upon the fault
+My father made in compassing the crown .
+I Richard's body have interr'd anew ,
+And on it have bestow'd more contrite tears
+Than from it issu'd forced drops of blood .
+Five hundred poor I have in yearly pay ,
+Who twice a day their wither'd hands hold up
+Toward heaven , to pardon blood ; and I have built
+Two chantries , where the sad and solemn priests
+Sing still for Richard's soul . More will I do ;
+Though all that I can do is nothing worth ,
+Since that my penitence comes after all ,
+Imploring pardon .
+
+
+My liege !
+
+My brother Gloucester's voice ! Ay ;
+I know thy errand , I will go with thee :
+The day , my friends , and all things stay for me .
+
+
+The sun doth gild our armour : up , my lords !
+
+Montez cheval ! My horse ! varlet ! lacquais ! ha !
+
+O brave spirit !
+
+Via ! les eaux et la terre !
+
+Rien puis ? l'air et le feu .
+
+Ciel ! cousin Orleans .
+
+Now , my lord constable !
+
+Hark how our steeds for present service neigh !
+
+Mount them , and make incision in their hides ,
+That their hot blood may spin in English eyes ,
+And dout them with superfluous courage : ha !
+
+What ! will you have them weep our horses' blood ?
+How shall we then behold their natural tears ?
+
+
+The English are embattail'd , you French peers .
+
+To horse , you gallant princes ! straight to horse !
+Do but behold yon poor and starved band ,
+And your fair show shall suck away their souls ,
+Leaving them but the shales and husks of men .
+There is not work enough for all our hands ;
+Scarce blood enough in all their sickly veins
+To give each naked curtal-axe a stain ,
+That our French gallants shall to-day draw out ,
+And sheathe for lack of sport : let us but blow on them ,
+The vapour of our valour will o'erturn them .
+'Tis positive 'gainst all exceptions , lords ,
+That our superfluous lackeys and our peasants ,
+Who in unnecessary action swarm
+About our squares of battle , were enow
+To purge this field of such a hilding foe ,
+Though we upon this mountain's basis by
+Took stand for idle speculation :
+But that our honours must not . What's to say ?
+A very little little let us do ,
+And all is done . Then let the trumpets sound
+The tucket sonance and the note to mount :
+For our approach shall so much dare the field ,
+That England shall couch down in fear and yield .
+
+
+Why do you stay so long , my lords of France ?
+Yon island carrions desperate of their bones ,
+Ill-favour'dly become the morning field :
+Their ragged curtains poorly are let loose ,
+And our air shakes them passing scornfully :
+Big Mars seems bankrupt in their beggar'd host ,
+And faintly through a rusty beaver peeps :
+The horsemen sit like fixed candlesticks ,
+With torch-staves in their hand ; and their poor jades
+Lob down their heads , dropping the hides and hips ,
+The gum down-roping from their pale-dead eyes ,
+And in their pale dull mouths the gimmal bit
+Lies foul with chew'd grass , still and motionless ;
+And their executors , the knavish crows ,
+Fly o'er them , all impatient for their hour .
+Description cannot suit itself in words
+To demonstrate the life of such a battle
+In life so lifeless as it shows itself .
+
+They have said their prayers , and they stay for death .
+
+Shall we go send them dinners and fresh suits ,
+And give their fasting horses provender ,
+And after fight with them ?
+
+I stay but for my guard : on , to the field !
+I will the banner from a trumpet take ,
+And use it for my haste . Come , come , away !
+The sun is high , and we outwear the day .
+
+
+Where is the king ?
+
+The king himself is rode to view their battle .
+
+Of fighting men they have full three-score thousand .
+
+There's five to one ; besides , they all are fresh .
+
+God's arm strike with us ! 'tis a fearful odds .
+God be wi' you , princes all ; I'll to my charge :
+If we no more meet till we meet in heaven ,
+Then , joyfully , my noble Lord of Bedford ,
+My dear Lord Gloucester , and my good Lord Exeter ,
+And my kind kinsman , warriors all , adieu !
+
+Farewell , good Salisbury ; and good luck go with thee !
+
+Farewell , kind lord . Fight valiantly to-day :
+And yet I do thee wrong to mind thee of it ,
+For thou art fram'd of the firm truth of valour .
+
+
+He is as full of valour as of kindness ;
+Princely in both .
+
+
+O ! that we now had here
+But one ten thousand of those men in England
+That do no work to-day .
+
+What's he that wishes so ?
+My cousin Westmoreland ? No , my fair cousin :
+If we are mark'd to die , we are enow
+To do our country loss ; and if to live ,
+The fewer men , the greater share of honour .
+God's will ! I pray thee , wish not one man more .
+By Jove , I am not covetous for gold ,
+Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost ;
+It yearns me not if men my garments wear ;
+Such outward things dwell not in my desires :
+But if it be a sin to covet honour ,
+I am the most offending soul alive .
+No , faith , my coz , wish not a man from England :
+God's peace ! I would not lose so great an honour
+As one man more , methinks , would share from me ,
+For the best hope I have . O ! do not wish one more :
+Rather proclaim it , Westmoreland , through my host ,
+That he which hath no stomach to this fight ,
+Let him depart ; his passport shall be made ,
+And crowns for convoy put into his purse :
+We would not die in that man's company
+That fears his fellowship to die with us .
+This day is call'd the feast of Crispian :
+He that outlives this day , and comes safe home ,
+Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd ,
+And rouse him at the name of Crispian .
+He that shall live this day , and see old age ,
+Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours ,
+And say , 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian :'
+Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars ,
+And say , 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day .'
+Old men forget : yet all shall be forgot ,
+But he'll remember with advantages
+What feats he did that day . Then shall our names ,
+Familiar in his mouth as household words ,
+Harry the king , Bedford and Exeter ,
+Warwick and Talbot , Salisbury and Gloucester ,
+Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd .
+This story shall the good man teach his son ;
+And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by ,
+From this day to the ending of the world ,
+But we in it shall be remembered ;
+We few , we happy few , we band of brothers ;
+For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
+Shall be my brother ; be he ne'er so vile
+This day shall gentle his condition :
+And gentlemen in England , now a-bed
+Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here ,
+And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
+That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day .
+
+
+My sov'reign lord , bestow yourself with speed :
+The French are bravely in their battles set ,
+And will with all expedience charge on us .
+
+All things are ready , if our minds be so .
+
+Perish the man whose mind is backward now !
+
+Thou dost not wish more help from England , coz ?
+
+God's will ! my liege , would you and I alone ,
+Without more help , could fight this royal battle !
+
+Why , now thou hast unwish'd five thousand men ;
+Which likes me better than to wish us one .
+You know your places : God be with you all !
+
+
+Once more I come to know of thee , King Harry ,
+If for thy ransom thou wilt now compound ,
+Before thy most assured overthrow :
+For certainly thou art so near the gulf
+Thou needs must be englutted . Besides , in mercy ,
+The constable desires thee thou wilt mind
+Thy followers of repentance ; that their souls
+May make a peaceful and a sweet retire
+From off these fields , where , wretches , their poor bodies
+Must lie and fester .
+
+Who hath sent thee now ?
+
+The Constable of France .
+
+I pray thee , bear my former answer back :
+Bid them achieve me and then sell my bones .
+Good God ! why should they mock poor fellows thus ?
+The man that once did sell the lion's skin
+While the beast liv'd , was kill'd with hunting him .
+A many of our bodies shall no doubt
+Find native graves ; upon the which , I trust ,
+Shall witness live in brass of this day's work ;
+And those that leave their valiant bones in France ,
+Dying like men , though buried in your dung-hills ,
+They shall be fam'd ; for there the sun shall greet them ,
+And draw their honours reeking up to heaven ,
+Leaving their earthly parts to choke your clime ,
+The smell whereof shall breed a plague in France .
+Mark then abounding valour in our English ,
+That being dead , like to the bullet's grazing ,
+Break out into a second course of mischief ,
+Killing in relapse of mortality .
+Let me speak proudly : tell the constable ,
+We are but warriors for the working-day ;
+Our gayness and our gilt are all besmirch'd
+With rainy marching in the painful field ;
+There's not a piece of feather in our host
+Good argument , I hope , we will not fly
+And time hath worn us into slovenry :
+But , by the mass , our hearts are in the trim ;
+And my poor soldiers tell me , yet ere night
+They'll be in fresher robes , or they will pluck
+The gay new coats o'er the French soldiers' heads ,
+And turn them out of service . If they do this ,
+As , if God please , they shall ,my ransom then
+Will soon be levied . Herald , save thou thy labour ;
+Come thou no more for ransom , gentle herald :
+They shall have none , I swear , but these my joints ;
+Which if they have as I will leave 'em them ,
+Shall yield them little , tell the constable .
+
+I shall , King Harry . And so , fare thee well :
+Thou never shalt hear herald any more .
+
+
+I fear thou'lt once more come again for ransom .
+
+
+My lord , most humbly on my knee I beg
+The leading of the vaward .
+
+Take it , brave York . Now , soldiers , march away :
+And how thou pleasest , God , dispose the day !
+
+
+Yield , cur !
+
+Je pense que vous estes le gentilhomme de bonne qualit .
+
+Quality ? Calen O custure me ! Art thou a gentleman ?
+What is thy name ? discuss .
+
+O Seigneur Dieu !
+
+O Signieur Dew should be a gentleman :
+Perpend my words , O Signieur Dew , and mark :
+O Signieur Dew , thou diest on point of fox
+Except , O signieur , thou do give to me
+Egregious ransom .
+
+O , prenez misericorde ! ayez piti de moy !
+
+Moy shall not serve ; I will have forty moys ;
+Or I will fetch thy rim out at thy throat
+In drops of crimson blood .
+
+Est-il impossible d'eschapper la force de ton bras ?
+
+Brass , cur !
+Thou damned and luxurious mountain goat ,
+Offer'st me brass ?
+
+O pardonnez moy !
+
+Sayst thou me so ? is that a ton of moys ?
+Come hither , boy : ask me this slave in French
+What is his name .
+
+Escoutez : comment estes vous appell ?
+
+Monsieur le Fer .
+
+He says his name is Master Fer .
+
+Master Fer ! I'll fer him , and firk him , and ferret him . Discuss the same in French unto him .
+
+I do not know the French for fer , and ferret , and firk .
+
+Bid him prepare , for I will cut his throat .
+
+Que dit-il , monsieur ?
+
+Il me commande vous dire que vous faites vous prest ; car ce soldat icy est dispos tout cette heure de couper vostre gorge .
+
+Ouy , cuppele gorge , permafoy .
+Peasant , unless thou give me crowns , brave crowns ;
+Or mangled shalt thou be by this my sword .
+
+O ! je vous supplie pour l'amour de
+Dieu , me pardonner ! Je suis le gentilhomme de bonne maison : gardez ma vie , et je vous donneray deux cents escus .
+
+What are his words ?
+
+He prays you to save his life : he is a gentleman of a good house ; and , for his ransom he will give you two hundred crowns .
+
+Tell him , my fury shall abate , and I
+The crowns will take .
+
+Petit monsieur , que dit-il ?
+
+Encore qu'il est contre son jurement de pardonner aucan prisonnier ; neant-moins , pour les escus que vous l'avez promis , il est content de vous donner la liberte , le franchisement .
+
+Sur mes genoux , je vous donne mille remerciemens ; et je m'estime heureux que je suis tomb entre les mains d'un chevalier , je pense , le plus brave , valiant , et tr s distingu seigneur d'Angleterre .
+
+Expound unto me , boy .
+
+He gives you , upon his knees , a thousand thanks ; and he esteems himself happy that he hath fallen into the hands of one as he thinks the most brave , valorous , and thrice-worthy signieur of England .
+
+As I suck blood , I will some mercy show .
+Follow me !
+
+
+Suivez vous le grand capitaine . I did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a heart : but the saying is true , 'The empty vessel makes the greatest sound .' Bardolph and Nym had ten times more valour than this roaring devil i' the old play , that every one may pare his nails with a wooden dagger ; and they are both hanged ; and so would this be if he durst steal anything adventurously . I must stay with the lackeys , with the luggage of our camp : the French might have a good prey of us , if he knew of it ; for there is none to guard it but boys .
+
+
+O seigneur ! le jour est perdu ! tout est perdu !
+
+Mort de ma vie ! all is confounded , all !
+Reproach and everlasting shame
+Sit mocking in our plumes . O meschante fortune !
+Do not run away .
+
+
+Why , all our ranks are broke .
+
+O perdurable shame ! let's stab ourselves .
+Be these the wretches that we play'd at dice for ?
+
+Is this the king we sent to for his ransom ?
+
+Shame , and eternal shame , nothing but shame !
+Let's die in honour ! once more back again ;
+And he that will not follow Bourbon now ,
+Let him go hence , and with his cap in hand ,
+Like a base pander , hold the chamber-door
+Whilst by a slave , no gentler than my dog ,
+His fairest daughter is contaminated .
+
+Disorder , that hath spoil'd us , friend us now !
+Let us on heaps go offer up our lives .
+
+We are enough yet living in the field
+To smother up the English in our throngs ,
+If any order might be thought upon .
+
+The devil take order now ! I'll to the throng :
+Let life be short , else shame will be too long .
+
+
+Well have we done , thrice-valiant countrymen :
+But all's not done ; yet keep the French the field .
+
+The Duke of York commends him to your majesty .
+
+Lives he , good uncle ? thrice within this hour
+I saw him down ; thrice up again , and fighting ;
+From helmet to the spur all blood he was .
+
+In which array , brave soldier , doth he lie ,
+Larding the plain ; and by his bloody side ,
+Yoke-fellow to his honour-owing wounds ,
+The noble Earl of Suffolk also lies .
+Suffolk first died : and York , all haggled over ,
+Comes to him , where in gore he lay insteep'd ,
+And takes him by the beard , kisses the gashes
+That bloodily did yawn upon his face ;
+And cries aloud , 'Tarry , dear cousin Suffolk !
+My soul shall thine keep company to heaven ;
+Tarry , sweet soul , for mine , then fly abreast ,
+As in this glorious and well-foughten field ,
+We kept together in our chivalry !'
+Upon these words I came and cheer'd him up :
+He smil'd me in the face , raught me his hand ,
+And with a feeble gripe says , 'Dear my lord ,
+Commend my service to my sovereign .'
+So did he turn , and over Suffolk's neck
+He threw his wounded arm , and kiss'd his lips ;
+And so espous'd to death , with blood he seal'd
+A testament of noble-ending love .
+The pretty and sweet manner of it forc'd
+Those waters from me which I would have stopp'd ;
+But I had not so much of man in me ,
+And all my mother came into mine eyes
+And gave me up to tears .
+
+I blame you not ;
+For , hearing this , I must perforce compound
+With mistful eyes , or they will issue too .
+
+But hark ! what new alarum is this same ?
+The French have reinforc'd their scatter'd men :
+Then every soldier kill his prisoners !
+Give the word through .
+
+
+Kill the poys and the luggage ! 'tis expressly against the law of arms : 'tis as arrant a piece of knavery , mark you now , as can be offer't : in your conscience now , is it not ?
+
+'Tis certain , there's not a boy left alive ; and the cowardly rascals that ran from the battle have done this slaughter : besides , they have burned and carried away all that was in the king's tent ; wherefore the king most worthily hath caused every soldier to cut his prisoner's throat . O ! 'tis a gallant king .
+
+Ay , he was porn at Monmouth , Captain Gower . What call you the town's name where Alexander the Pig was born ?
+
+Alexander the Great .
+
+Why , I pray you , is not pig great ? The pig , or the great , or the mighty , or the huge , or the magnanimous , are all one reckonings , save the phrase is a little variations .
+
+I think Alexander the Great was born in Macedon : his father was called Philip of Macedon , as I take it .
+
+I think it is in Macedon where Alexander is porn . I tell you , captain , if you look in the maps of the 'orld , I warrant you sall find , in the comparisons between Macedon and Monmouth , that the situations , look you , is both alike . There is a river in Macedon , and there is also moreover a river at Monmouth : it is called Wye at Monmouth ; but it is out of my prains what is the name of the other river ; but 'tis all one , 'tis alike as my fingers is to my fingers , and there is salmons in both . If you mark Alexander's life well , Harry of Monmouth's life is come after it indifferent well ; for there is figures in all things . Alexander ,God knows , and you know ,in his rages , and his furies , and his wraths , and his cholers , and his moods , and his displeasures , and his indignations , and also being a little intoxicates in his prains , did , in his ales and his angers , look you , kill his pest friend , Cleitus .
+
+Our king is not like him in that : he never killed any of his friends .
+
+It is not well done , mark you now , to take the tales out of my mouth , ere it is made and finished . I speak but in the figures and comparisons of it : as Alexander killed his friend Cleitus , being in his ales and his cups , so also Harry Monmouth , being in his right wits and his good judgments , turned away the fat knight with the great belly-doublet : he was full of jests , and gipes , and knaveries , and mocks ; I have forgot his name .
+
+Sir John Falstaff .
+
+That is he . I'll tell you , there is goot men porn at Monmouth .
+
+Here comes his majesty .
+
+I was not angry since I came to France
+Until this instant . Take a trumpet , herald ;
+Ride thou unto the horsemen on yon hill :
+If they will fight with us , bid them come down ,
+Or void the field ; they do offend our sight .
+If they'll do neither , we will come to them ,
+And make them skirr away , as swift as stones
+Enforced from the old Assyrian slings .
+Besides , we'll cut the throats of those we have ,
+And not a man of them that we shall take
+Shall taste our mercy . Go and tell them so .
+
+
+Here comes the herald of the French , my liege .
+
+His eyes are humbler than they us'd to be .
+
+How now ! what means this , herald ? know'st thou not
+That I have fin'd these bones of mine for ransom ?
+Com'st thou again for ransom ?
+
+No , great king .
+I come to thee for charitable licence ,
+That we may wander o'er this bloody field
+To book our dead , and then to bury them ;
+To sort our nobles from our common men ;
+For many of our princes woe the while !
+Lie drown'd and soak'd in mercenary blood ;
+So do our vulgar drench their peasant limbs
+In blood of princes ; and their wounded steeds
+Fret fetlock-deep in gore , and with wild rage
+Yerk out their armed heels at their dead masters ,
+Killing them twice . O ! give us leave , great king ,
+To view the field in safety and dispose
+Of their dead bodies .
+
+I tell thee truly , herald ,
+I know not if the day be ours or no ;
+For yet a many of your horsemen peer
+And gallop o'er the field .
+
+The day is yours .
+
+Praised be God , and not our strength , for it !
+What is this castle call'd that stands hard by ?
+
+They call it Agincourt .
+
+Then call we this the field of Agincourt ,
+Fought on the day of Crispin Crispianus .
+
+Your grandfather of famous memory , an't please your majesty , and your great-uncle Edward the Plack Prince of Wales , as I have read in the chronicles , fought a most prave pattle here in France .
+
+They did , Fluellen .
+
+Your majesty says very true . If your majesties is remembered of it , the Welshmen did good service in a garden where leeks did grow , wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps ; which , your majesty know , to this hour is an honourable badge of the service ; and I do believe , your majesty takes no scorn to wear the leek upon Saint Tavy's day .
+
+I wear it for a memorable honour ; For I am Welsh , you know , good countryman .
+
+All the water in Wye cannot wash your majesty's Welsh plood out of your pody , I can tell you that : Got pless it and preserve it , as long as it pleases his grace , and his majesty too !
+
+Thanks , good my countryman .
+
+By Jeshu , I am your majesty's countryman , I care not who know it ; I will confess it to all the 'orld : I need not be ashamed of your majesty , praised be God , so long as your majesty is an honest man .
+
+God keep me so ! Our heralds go with him :
+Bring me just notice of the numbers dead
+On both our parts . Call yonder fellow hither .
+
+
+Soldier , you must come to the king .
+
+Soldier , why wear'st thou that glove in thy cap ?
+
+An't please your majesty , 'tis the gage of one that I should fight withal , if he be alive .
+
+An Englishman ?
+
+An't please your majesty , a rascal that swaggered with me last night ; who , if a' live and ever dare to challenge this glove , I have sworn to take him a box o' the ear : or , if I can see my glove in his cap ,which he swore as he was a soldier he would wear if alive ,I will strike it out soundly .
+
+What think you , Captain Fluellen ? is it fit this soldier keep his oath ?
+
+He is a craven and a villain else , an't please your majesty , in my conscience .
+
+It may be his enemy is a gentleman of great sort , quite from the answer of his degree .
+
+Though he be as good a gentleman as the devil is , as Lucifer and Belzebub himself , it is necessary , look your Grace , that he keep his vow and his oath . If he be perjured , see you now , his reputation is as arrant a villain and a Jack-sauce as ever his black shoe trod upon God's ground and his earth , in my conscience , la !
+
+Then keep thy vow , sirrah , when thou meetest the fellow .
+
+So I will , my liege , as I live .
+
+Who servest thou under ?
+
+Under Captain Gower , my liege .
+
+Gower is a goot captain , and is good knowledge and literatured in the wars .
+
+Call him hither to me , soldier .
+
+I will , my liege .
+
+
+Here , Fluellen ; wear thou this favour for me and stick it in thy cap . When Alen on and myself were down together I plucked this glove from his helm : if any man challenge this , he is a friend to Alen on , and an enemy to our person ; if thou encounter any such , apprehend him , an thou dost me love .
+
+Your Grace does me as great honours as can be desired in the hearts of his subjects : I would fain see the man that has but two legs that shall find himself aggriefed at this glove , that is all ; but I would fain see it once , and please God of his grace that I might see .
+
+Knowest thou Gower ?
+
+He is my dear friend , an't please you .
+
+Pray thee , go seek him , and bring him to my tent .
+
+I will fetch him .
+
+
+My Lord of Warwick , and my brother Gloucester ,
+Follow Fluellen closely at the heels .
+The glove which I have given him for a favour ,
+May haply purchase him a box o' the ear ;
+It is the soldier's ; I by bargain should
+Wear it myself . Follow , good cousin Warwick :
+If that the soldier strike him ,as , I judge
+By his blunt bearing he will keep his word ,
+Some sudden mischief may arise of it ;
+For I do know Fluellen valiant ,
+And touch'd with choler , hot as gunpowder ,
+And quickly will return an injury :
+Follow and see there be no harm between them .
+Go you with me , uncle of Exeter .
+
+
+I warrant it is to knight you , captain .
+
+
+God's will and his pleasure , captain , I peseech you now come apace to the king : there is more good toward you peradventure than is in your knowledge to dream of .
+
+Sir , know you this glove ?
+
+Know the glove ! I know the glove is a glove .
+
+I know this ; and thus I challenge it .
+
+
+'Sblood ! an arrant traitor as any's in the universal 'orld , or in France , or in England
+
+How now , sir ! you villain !
+
+Do you think I'll be forsworn ?
+
+Stand away , Captain Gower ; I will give treason his payment into plows , I warrant you .
+
+I am no traitor .
+
+That's a lie in thy throat . I charge you in his majesty's name , apprehend him : he is a friend of the Duke Alen on's .
+
+
+How now , how now ! what's the matter ?
+
+My Lord of Warwick , here is ,praised be God for it !a most contagious treason come to light , look you , as you shall desire in a summer's day . Here is his majesty .
+
+
+How now ! what's the matter ?
+
+My liege , here is a villain and a traitor , that , look your Grace , has struck the glove which your majesty is take out of the helmet of Alen on .
+
+My liege , this was my glove ; here is the fellow of it ; and he that I gave it to in change promised to wear it in his cap : I promised to strike him , if he did : I met this man with my glove in his cap , and I have been as good as my word .
+
+Your majesty hear now ,saving your majesty's manhood ,what an arrant , rascally , beggarly , lousy knave it is . I hope your majesty is pear me testimony and witness , and avouchments , that this is the glove of Alen on that your majesty is give me ; in your conscience now .
+
+Give me thy glove , soldier : look , here is the fellow of it .
+'Twas I , indeed , thou promisedst to strike ;
+And thou hast given me most bitter terms .
+
+An't please your majesty , let his neck answer for it , if there is any martial law in the 'orld .
+
+How canst thou make me satisfaction ?
+
+All offences , my lord , come from the heart : never came any from mine that might offend your majesty .
+
+It was ourself thou didst abuse .
+
+Your majesty came not like yourself : you appeared to me but as a common man ; witness the night , your garments , your lowliness ; and what your highness suffered under that shape , I beseech you , take it for your own fault and not mine : for had you been as I took you for I made no offence ; therefore , I beseech your highness , pardon me .
+
+Here , uncle Exeter , fill this glove with crowns ,
+And give it to this fellow . Keep it , fellow ;
+And wear it for an honour in thy cap
+Till I do challenge it . Give him the crowns :
+And , captain , you must needs be friends with him .
+
+By this day and this light , the fellow has mettle enough in his belly . Hold , there is twelve pence for you , and I pray you to serve God , and keep you out of prawls , and prabbles , and quarrels , and dissensions , and , I warrant you , it is the better for you .
+
+I will none of your money .
+
+It is with a good will ; I can tell you it will serve you to mend your shoes : come , wherefore should you be so pashful ? your shoes is not so good : 'tis a good shilling , I warrant you , or I will change it .
+
+
+Now , herald , are the dead number'd ?
+
+Here is the number of the slaughter'd French .
+
+
+What prisoners of good sort are taken , uncle ?
+
+Charles Duke of Orleans , nephew to the king ;
+John Duke of Bourbon , and Lord Bouciqualt :
+Of other lords and barons , knights and squires ,
+Full fifteen hundred , besides common men .
+
+This note doth tell me of ten thousand French
+That in the field lie slain : of princes , in this number ,
+And nobles bearing banners , there lie dead
+One hundred twenty-six : added to these ,
+Of knights , esquires , and gallant gentlemen ,
+Eight thousand and four hundred ; of the which
+Five hundred were but yesterday dubb'd knights :
+So that , in these ten thousand they have lost ,
+There are but sixteen hundred mercenaries ;
+The rest are princes , barons , lords , knights , squires ,
+And gentlemen of blood and quality .
+The names of those their nobles that lie dead :
+Charles Delabreth , High Constable of France ;
+Jaques of Chatillon , Admiral of France ;
+The master of the cross-bows , Lord Rambures ;
+Great-master of France , the brave Sir Guischard Dauphin ;
+John Duke of Alen on ; Antony Duke of Brabant ,
+The brother to the Duke of Burgundy ,
+And Edward Duke of Bar : of lusty earls ,
+Grandpr and Roussi , Fauconberg and Foix ,
+Beaumont and Marle , Vaudemont and Lestrale .
+Here was a royal fellowship of death !
+Where is the number of our English dead ?
+
+Edward the Duke of York , the Earl of Suffolk ,
+Sir Richard Ketly , Davy Gam , esquire :
+None else of name : and of all other men
+But five and twenty . O God ! thy arm was here ;
+And not to us , but to thy arm alone ,
+Ascribe we all . When , without stratagem ,
+But in plain shock and even play of battle ,
+Was ever known so great and little loss
+On one part and on the other ? Take it , God ,
+For it is none but thine !
+
+'Tis wonderful !
+
+Come , go we in procession to the village :
+And be it death proclaimed through our host
+To boast of this or take the praise from God
+Which is his only .
+
+Is it not lawful , an please your majesty , to tell how many is killed ?
+
+Yes , captain ; but with this acknowledgment ,
+That God fought for us .
+
+Yes , my conscience , he did us great good .
+
+Do we all holy rites :
+Let there be sung Non nobis and Te Deum ;
+The dead with charity enclos'd in clay .
+We'll then to Calais ; and to England then ,
+Where ne'er from France arriv'd more happy men .
+
+Vouchsafe to those that have not read the story ,
+That I may prompt them : and of such as have ,
+I humbly pray them to admit the excuse
+Of time , of numbers , and due course of things ,
+Which cannot in their huge and proper life
+Be here presented . Now we bear the king
+Toward Calais : grant him there ; there seen ,
+Heave him away upon your winged thoughts
+Athwart the sea . Behold , the English beach
+Pales in the flood with men , with wives , and boys ,
+Whose shouts and claps out-voice the deep-mouth'd sea ,
+Which , like a mighty whiffler 'fore the king ,
+Seems to prepare his way : so let him land
+And solemnly see him set on to London .
+So swift a pace hath thought that even now
+You may imagine him upon Blackheath ;
+Where that his lords desire him to have borne
+His bruised helmet and his bended sword
+Before him through the city : he forbids it ,
+Being free from vainness and self-glorious pride ;
+Giving full trophy , signal and ostent ,
+Quite from himself , to God . But now behold ,
+In the quick forge and working-house of thought ,
+How London doth pour out her citizens .
+The mayor and all his brethren in best sort ,
+Like to the senators of the antique Rome ,
+With the plebeians swarming at their heels ,
+Go forth and fetch their conquering C sar in :
+As , by a lower but loving likelihood ,
+Were now the general of our gracious empress ,
+As in good time he may ,from Ireland coming ,
+Bringing rebellion broached on his sword ,
+How many would the peaceful city quit
+To welcome him ! much more , and much more cause ,
+Did they this Harry . Now in London place him ;
+As yet the lamentation of the French
+Invites the King of England's stay at home ,
+The emperor's coming in behalf of France ,
+To order peace between them ;and omit
+All the occurrences , whatever chanc'd ,
+Till Harry's back-return again to France :
+There must we bring him ; and myself have play'd
+The interim , by remembering you 'tis past .
+Then brook abridgment , and your eyes advance ,
+After your thoughts , straight back again to France .
+
+Nay , that's right ; but why wear you your leek to-day ? Saint Davy's day is past .
+
+There is occasions and causes why and wherefore in all things : I will tell you , asse my friend , Captain Gower . The rascally , scald , beggarly , lousy , pragging knave , Pistol ,which you and yourself and all the 'orld know to be no petter than a fellow ,look you now , of no merits , he is come to me and prings me pread and salt yesterday , look you , and pid me eat my leek . It was in a place where I could not preed no contention with him ; but I will be so pold as to wear it in my cap till I see him once again , and then I will tell him a little piece of my desires .
+
+Why , here he comes , swelling like a turkey-cock .
+
+
+'Tis no matter for his swellings nor his turkey-cocks . God pless you , Aunchient Pistol ! you scurvy , lousy knave , God pless you !
+
+Ha ! art thou bedlam ? dost thou thirst , base Troyan ,
+To have me fold up Parca's fatal web ?
+Hence ! I am qualmish at the smell of leek .
+
+I peseech you heartily , scurvy lousy knave , at my desires and my requests and my petitions to eat , look you , this leek ; pecause , look you , you do not love it , nor your affections and your appetites and your digestions does not agree with it , I would desire you to eat it .
+
+Not for Cadwallader and all his goats .
+
+There is one goat for you .
+Will you be so good , scald knave , as eat it ?
+
+Base Troyan , thou shalt die .
+
+You say very true , scald knave , when
+God's will is . I will desire you to live in the mean time and eat your victuals ; come , there is sauce for it .
+
+You called me yesterday mountain-squire , but I will make you to-day a squire of low degree . I pray you , fall to : if you can mock a leek you can eat a leek .
+
+Enough , captain : you have astonished him .
+
+I say , I will make him eat some part of my leek , or I will peat his pate four days . Bite , I pray you ; it is good for your green wound and your ploody coxcomb .
+
+Must I bite ?
+
+Yes , certainly , and out of doubt and out of question too and ambiguities .
+
+By this leek , I will most horribly revenge . I eat and eat , I swear
+
+Eat , I pray you : will you have some more sauce to your leek ? there is not enough leek to swear by .
+
+Quiet thy cudgel : thou dost see I eat .
+
+Much good do you , scald knave , heartily . Nay , pray you , throw none away ; the skin is good for your broken coxcomb . When you take occasions to see leeks hereafter , I pray you , mock at 'em ; that is all .
+
+Good .
+
+Ay , leeks is good . Hold you , there is a groat to heal your pate .
+
+Me a groat !
+
+Yes , verily and in truth , you shall take it ; or I have another leek in my pocket , which you shall eat .
+
+I take thy groat in earnest of revenge .
+
+If I owe you anything I will pay you in cudgels : you shall be a woodmonger , and buy nothing of me but cudgels . God be wi' you , and keep you , and heal your pate .
+
+
+All hell shall stir for this .
+
+Go , go ; you are a counterfeit cowardly knave . Will you mock at an ancient tradition , begun upon an honourable respect , and worn as a memorable trophy of predeceased valour , and dare not a vouch in your deeds any of your words ? I have seen you gleeking and galling at this gentleman twice or thrice . You thought , because he could not speak English in the native garb , he could not therefore handle an English cudgel : you find it otherwise ; and henceforth let a Welsh correction teach you a good English condition . Fare ye well .
+
+
+Doth Fortune play the huswife with me now ?
+News have I that my Nell is dead i' the spital
+Of malady of France :
+And there my rendezvous is quite cut off .
+Old I do wax , and from my weary limbs
+Honour is cudgelled . Well , bawd I'll turn ,
+And something lean to cutpurse of quick hand .
+To England will I steal , and there I'll steal :
+And patches will I get unto these cudgell'd scars ,
+And swear I got them in the Gallia wars .
+
+Peace to this meeting , wherefore we are met !
+Unto our brother France , and to our sister ,
+Health and fair time of day ; joy and good wishes
+To our most fair and princely cousin Katharine ;
+And , as a branch and member of this royalty ,
+By whom this great assembly is contriv'd ,
+We do salute you , Duke of Burgundy ;
+And , princes French , and peers , health to you all !
+
+Right joyous are we to behold your face ,
+Most worthy brother England ; fairly met :
+So are you , princes English , every one .
+
+So happy be the issue , brother England ,
+Of this good day and of this gracious meeting ,
+As we are now glad to behold your eyes ;
+Your eyes , which hitherto have borne in them
+Against the French , that met them in their bent ,
+The fatal balls of murdering basilisks :
+The venom of such looks , we fairly hope ,
+Have lost their quality , and that this day
+Shall change all griefs and quarrels into love .
+
+To cry amen to that , thus we appear .
+
+You English princes all , I do salute you .
+
+My duty to you both , on equal love ,
+Great Kings of France and England ! That I have labour'd
+With all my wits , my pains , and strong endeavours ,
+To bring your most imperial majesties
+Unto this bar and royal interview ,
+Your mightiness on both parts best can witness .
+Since then my office hath so far prevail'd
+That face to face , and royal eye to eye ,
+You have congreeted , let it not disgrace me
+If I demand before this royal view ,
+What rub or what impediment there is ,
+Why that the naked , poor , and mangled Peace ,
+Dear nurse of arts , plenties , and joyful births ,
+Should not in this best garden of the world ,
+Our fertile France , put up her lovely visage ?
+Alas ! she hath from France too long been chas'd ,
+And all her husbandry doth lie on heaps ,
+Corrupting in its own fertility .
+Her vine , the merry cheerer of the heart ,
+Unpruned dies ; her hedges even-pleach'd ,
+Like prisoners wildly overgrown with hair ,
+Put forth disorder'd twigs ; her fallow leas
+The darnel , hemlock and rank fumitory
+Doth root upon , while that the coulter rusts
+That should deracinate such savagery ;
+The even mead , that erst brought sweetly forth
+The freckled cowslip , burnet , and green clover ,
+Wanting the scythe , all uncorrected , rank ,
+Conceives by idleness , and nothing teems
+But hateful docks , rough thistles , kecksies , burs ,
+Losing both beauty and utility ;
+And as our vineyards , fallows , meads , and hedges ,
+Defective in their natures , grow to wildness ,
+Even so our houses and ourselves and children
+Have lost , or do not learn for want of time ,
+The sciences that should become our country ,
+But grow like savages ,as soldiers will ,
+That nothing do but meditate on blood ,
+To swearing and stern looks , diffus'd attire ,
+And every thing that seems unnatural .
+Which to reduce into our former favour
+You are assembled ; and my speech entreats
+That I may know the let why gentle Peace
+Should not expel these inconveniences ,
+And bless us with her former qualities .
+
+If , Duke of Burgundy , you would the peace ,
+Whose want gives growth to the imperfections
+Which you have cited , you must buy that peace
+With full accord to all our just demands ;
+Whose tenours and particular effects
+You have , enschedul'd briefly , in your hands .
+
+The king hath heard them ; to the which as yet ,
+There is no answer made .
+
+Well then the peace ,
+Which you before so urg'd , lies in his answer .
+
+I have but with a cursorary eye
+O'erglanc'd the articles : pleaseth your Grace
+To appoint some of your council presently
+To sit with us once more , with better heed
+To re-survey them , we will suddenly
+Pass our accept and peremptory answer .
+
+Brother , we shall . Go , uncle Exeter ,
+And brother Clarence , and you , brother Gloucester ,
+Warwick and Huntingdon , go with the king ;
+And take with you free power to ratify ,
+Augment , or alter , as your wisdoms best
+Shall see advantageable for our dignity ,
+Anything in or out of our demands ,
+And we'll consign thereto . Will you , fair sister ,
+Go with the princes , or stay here with us ?
+
+Our gracious brother , I will go with them .
+Haply a woman's voice may do some good
+When articles too nicely urg'd be stood on .
+
+Yet leave our cousin Katharine here with us :
+She is our capital demand , compris'd
+Within the fore-rank of our articles .
+
+She hath good leave .
+
+
+Fair Katharine , and most fair !
+Will you vouchsafe to teach a soldier terms ,
+Such as will enter at a lady's ear ,
+And plead his love-suit to her gentle heart ?
+
+Your majesty sall mock at me ; I cannot speak your England .
+
+O fair Katharine ! if you will love me soundly with your French heart , I will be glad to hear you confess it brokenly with your English tongue . Do you like me , Kate ?
+
+Pardonnez moy , I cannot tell vat is 'like me .'
+
+An angel is like you , Kate ; and you are like an angel .
+
+Que dit-il ? que je suis semblable les anges ?
+
+Ouy , vrayment , sauf vostre grace , ainsi dit-il .
+
+I said so , dear Katharine ; and I must not blush to affirm it .
+
+O bon Dieu ! les langues des hommes sont pleines des tromperies .
+
+What says she , fair one ? that the tongues of men are full of deceits ?
+
+Ouy , dat de tongues of de mans is be full of deceits : dat is de princess .
+
+The princess is the better Englishwoman . I' faith , Kate , my wooing is fit for thy understanding : I am glad thou canst speak no better English ; for , if thou couldst , thou wouldst find me such a plain king that thou wouldst think I had sold my farm to buy my crown . I know no ways to mince it in love , but directly to say 'I love you :' then , if you urge me further than to say 'Do you in faith ?' I wear out my suit . Give me your answer ; i' faith do : and so clap hands and a bargain . How say you , lady ?
+
+Sauf vostre honneur , me understand vell .
+
+Marry , if you would put me to verses , or to dance for your sake , Kate , why you undid me : for the one , I have neither words nor measure , and for the other , I have no strength in measure , yet a reasonable measure in strength . If I could win a lady at leap-frog , or by vaulting into my saddle with my armour on my back , under the correction of bragging be it spoken , I should quickly leap into a wife . Or if I might buffet for my love , or bound my horse for her favours , I could lay on like a butcher and sit like a jack-an-apes , never off . But before God , Kate , I cannot look greenly nor gasp out my eloquence , nor I have no cunning in protestation ; only downright oaths , which I never use till urged , nor never break for urging . If thou caust love a fellow of this temper , Kate . whose face is not worth sun-burning , that never looks in his glass for love of anything he sees there , let thine eye be thy cook . I speak to thee plain soldier : if thou canst love me for this , take me ; if not , to say to thee that I shall die , is true ; but for thy love , by the Lord , no ; yet I love thee too . And while thou livest , dear Kate , take a fellow of plain and uncoined constancy , for he perforce must do thee right , because he hath not the gift to woo in other places ; for these fellows of infinite tongue , that can rime themselves into ladies' favours , they do always reason themselves out again . What ! a speaker is but a prater ; a rime is but a ballad . A good leg will fall , a straight back will stoop , a black beard will turn white , a curled pate will grow bald , a fair face will wither , a full eye will wax hollow , but a good heart , Kate , is the sun and the moon ; or , rather , the sun , and not the moon ; for it shines bright and never changes , but keeps his course truly . If thou would have such a one , take me ; and take me , take a soldier ; take a soldier , take a king . And what sayest thou then to my love ? speak , my fair , and fairly , I pray thee .
+
+Is it possible dat I sould love de enemy of France ?
+
+No ; it is not possible you should love the enemy of France , Kate ; but , in loving me , you should love the friend of France ; for I love France so well , that I will not part with a village of it ; I will have it all mine : and , Kate , when France is mine and I am yours , then yours is France and you are mine .
+
+I cannot tell vat is dat .
+
+No , Kate ? I will tell thee in French , which I am sure will hang upon my tongue like a new-married wife about her husband's neck , hardly to be shook off . Je quand sur le possession de France , et quand vous avez le possession de moy ,let me see , what then ? Saint Denis be my speed !donc vostre est France , et vous estes mienne . It is as easy for me , Kate , to conquer the kingdom , as to speak so much more French : I shall never move thee in French , unless it be to laugh at me .
+
+Sauf vostre honneur , le Fran ois que vous parlez est meilleur que l'Anglois lequel je parle .
+
+No , faith , is't not , Kate ; but thy speaking of my tongue , and I thine , most truly falsely , must needs be granted to be much at one . But , Kate , dost thou understand thus much English , Canst thou love me ?
+
+I cannot tell .
+
+Can any of your neighbours tell , Kate ? I'll ask them . Come , I know thou lovest me ; and at night when you come into your closet you'll question this gentlewoman about me ; and I know , Kate , you will to her dispraise those parts in me that you love with your heart : but , good Kate , mock me mercifully ; the rather , gentle princess , because I love thee cruelly . If ever thou be'st mine , Kate ,as I have a saving faith within me tells me thou shalt ,I get thee with scambling , and thou must therefore needs prove a good soldier-breeder . Shall not thou and I , between Saint Denis and Saint George , compound a boy , half French , half English , that shall go to Constantinople and take the Turk by the beard ? shall we not ? what sayest thou , my fair flower-de-luce ?
+
+I do not know dat .
+
+No ; 'tis hereafter to know , but now to promise : do but now promise , Kate , you will endeavour for your French part of such a boy , and for my English moiety take the word of a king and a bachelor . How answer you , la plus belle Katharine du monde , mon tr s cher et divine d esse ?
+
+Your majest ave fausse French enough to deceive de most sage demoiselle dat is en France .
+
+Now , fie upon my false French ! By mine honour , in true English I love thee , Kate : by which honour I dare not swear thou lovest me ; yet my blood begins to flatter me that thou dost , notwithstanding the poor and untempering effect of my visage . Now beshrew my father's ambition ! he was thinking of civil wars when he got me : therefore was I created with a stubborn outside , with an aspect of iron , that , when I come to woo ladies I fright them . But , in faith , Kate , the elder I wax the better I shall appear : my comfort is , that old age , that ill layer-up of beauty , can do no more spoil upon my face : thou hast me , if thou hast me , at the worst ; and thou shalt wear me , if thou wear me , better and better . And therefore tell me , most fair Katharine , will you have me ? Put off your maiden blushes ; avouch the thoughts of your heart with the looks of an empress ; take me by the hand , and say 'Harry of England , I am thine :' which word thou shalt no sooner bless mine ear withal , but I will tell thee aloud 'England is thine , Ireland is thine , France is thine , and Henry Plantagenet is thine ;' who , though I speak it before his face , if he be not fellow with the best king , thou shalt find the best king of good fellows . Come , your answer in broken music ; for thy voice is music , and thy English broken ; therefore , queen of all , Katharine , break thy mind to me in broken English : wilt thou have me ?
+
+Dat is as it sall please de roy mon p re .
+
+Nay , it will please him well , Kate ; it shall please him , Kate .
+
+Den it sall also content me .
+
+Upon that I kiss your hand , and I call you my queen .
+
+Laissez , mon seigneur , laissez , laissez ! Ma foy , je ne veux point que vous abaissez vostre grandeur , en baisant la main d'une vostre indigne serviteure : excusez moy , je vous supplie , mon tr s puissant seigneur .
+
+Then I will kiss your lips , Kate .
+
+Les dames , et demoiselles , pour estre bais es devant leur noces , il n'est pas la coutume de France .
+
+Madam my interpreter , what says she ?
+
+Dat it is not be de fashion pour les ladies of France ,I cannot tell what is baiser in English .
+
+To kiss .
+
+Your majesty entendre bettre que moy .
+
+It is not a fashion for the maids in France to kiss before they are married , would she say ?
+
+Ouy , vrayment .
+
+O Kate ! nice customs curtsy to great kings . Dear Kate , you and I cannot be confined within the weak list of a country's fashion : we are the makers of manners , Kate ; and the liberty that follows our places stops the mouths of all find-faults , as I will do yours , for upholding the nice fashion of your country in denying me a kiss : therefore , patiently , and yielding
+
+. You have witchcraft in your lips , Kate : there is more eloquence in a sugar touch of them , than in the tongues of the French council ; and they should sooner persuade Harry of England than a general petition of monarchs . Here comes your father .
+
+God save your majesty ! My royal cousin , teach you our princess English ?
+
+I would have her learn , my fair cousin , how perfectly I love her ; and that is good English .
+
+Is she not apt ?
+
+Our tongue is rough , coz , and my condition is not smooth ; so that , having neither the voice nor the heart of flattery about me , I cannot so conjure up the spirit of love in her , that he will appear in his true likeness .
+
+Pardon the frankness of my mirth if I answer you for that . If you would conjure in her , you must make a circle ; if conjure up Love in her in his true likeness , he must appear naked and blind . Can you blame her then , being a maid yet rosed over with the virgin crimson of modesty , if she deny the appearance of a naked blind boy in her naked seeing self ? It were , my lord , a hard condition for a maid to consign to .
+
+Yet they do wink and yield , as love is blind and enforces .
+
+They are then excused , my lord , when they see not what they do .
+
+Then , good my lord , teach your cousin to consent winking .
+
+I will wink on her to consent , my lord , if you will teach her to know my meaning : for maids , well summered and warm kept , are like flies at Bartholomew-tide , blind , though they have their eyes ; and then they will endure handling , which before would not abide looking on .
+
+This moral ties me over to time and a hot summer ; and so I shall catch the fly , your cousin , in the latter end , and she must be blind too .
+
+As love is , my lord , before it loves .
+
+It is so : and you may , some of you , thank love for my blindness , who cannot see many a fair French city for one fair French maid that stands in my way .
+
+Yes , my lord , you see them perspectively , the cities turned into a maid ; for they are all girdled with maiden walls that war hath never entered .
+
+Shall Kate be my wife ?
+
+So please you .
+
+I am content ; so the maiden cities you talk of may wait on her : so the maid that stood in the way for my wish shall show me the way to my will .
+
+We have consented to all terms of reason .
+
+Is't so , my lords of England ?
+
+The king hath granted every article :
+His daughter first , and then in sequel all ,
+According to their firm proposed natures .
+
+Only he hath not yet subscribed this :
+Where your majesty demands , that the King of France , having any occasion to write for matter of grant , shall name your highness in this form , and with this addition , in French , Notre tr s cher filz Henry roy d'Angleterre , H retier de France ; and thus in Latin , Pr clarissimus filius noster Henricus , Rex Angli , et H res Franci .
+
+Nor this I have not , brother , so denied ,
+But your request shall make me let it pass .
+
+I pray you then , in love and dear alliance ,
+Let that one article rank with the rest ;
+And thereupon give me your daughter .
+
+Take her , fair son ; and from her blood raise up
+Issue to me ; that the contending kingdoms
+Of France and England , whose very shores look pale
+With envy of each other's happiness ,
+May cease their hatred , and this dear conjunction
+Plant neighbourhood and Christian-like accord
+In their sweet bosoms , that never war advance
+His bleeding sword 'twixt England and fair France .
+
+Amen !
+
+Now , welcome , Kate : and bear me witness all ,
+That here I kiss her as my sovereign queen .
+
+
+God , the best maker of all marriages ,
+Combine your hearts in one , your realms in one !
+As man and wife , being two , are one in love ,
+So be there 'twixt your kingdoms such a spousal
+That never may ill office , or fell jealousy ,
+Which troubles oft the bed of blessed marriage ,
+Thrust in between the paction of these kingdoms ,
+To make divorce of their incorporate league ;
+That English may as French , French Englishmen ,
+Receive each other ! God speak this Amen !
+
+Amen !
+
+Prepare we for our marriage : on which day ,
+My Lord of Burgundy , we'll take your oath ,
+And all the peers' , for surety of our leagues .
+Then shall I swear to Kate , and you to me ;
+And may our oaths well kept and prosperous be !
+
+Thus far , with rough and all-unable pen ,
+Our bending author hath pursu'd the story ;
+In little room confining mighty men ,
+Mangling by starts the full course of their glory .
+Small time , but in that small most greatly liv'd
+This star of England : Fortune made his sword ,
+By which the world's best garden he achiev'd ,
+And of it left his son imperial lord .
+Henry the Sixth , in infant bands crown'd King
+Of France and England , did this king succeed ;
+Whose state so many had the managing ,
+That they lost France and made his England bleed :
+Which oft our stage hath shown ; and , for their sake ,
+In your fair minds let this acceptance take .
+
+THE SECOND PART OF KING HENRY IV
+
+
+Open your ears ; for which of you will stop
+The vent of hearing when loud Rumour speaks ?
+I , from the orient to the drooping west ,
+Making the wind my post-horse , still unfold
+The acts commenced on this ball of earth :
+Upon my tongues continual slanders ride ,
+The which in every language I pronounce ,
+Stuffing the ears of men with false reports .
+I speak of peace , while covert enmity
+Under the smile of safety wounds the world :
+And who but Rumour , who but only I ,
+Make fearful musters and prepar'd defence ,
+Whilst the big year , swoln with some other grief ,
+Is thought with child by the stern tyrant war ,
+And no such matter ? Rumour is a pipe
+Blown by surmises , jealousies , conjectures ,
+And of so easy and so plain a stop
+That the blunt monster with uncounted heads ,
+The still-discordant wavering multitude ,
+Can play upon it . But what need I thus
+My well-known body to anatomize
+Among my household ? Why is Rumour here ?
+I run before King Harry's victory ;
+Who in a bloody field by Shrewsbury
+Hath beaten down young Hotspur and his troops ,
+Quenching the flame of bold rebellion
+Even with the rebels' blood . But what mean I
+To speak so true at first ? my office is
+To noise abroad that Harry Monmouth fell
+Under the wrath of noble Hotspur's sword ,
+And that the king before the Douglas' rage
+Stoop'd his anointed head as low as death .
+This have I rumour'd through the peasant towns
+Between the royal field of Shrewsbury
+And this worm-eaten hold of ragged stone ,
+Where Hotspur's father , old Northumberland ,
+Lies crafty-sick . The posts come tiring on ,
+And not a man of them brings other news
+Than they have learn'd of me : from Rumour's tongues
+They bring smooth comforts false , worse than true wrongs .
+
+
+Who keeps the gate here ? ho !
+
+Where is the earl ?
+
+What shall I say you are ?
+
+Tell thou the earl
+That the Lord Bardolph doth attend him here .
+
+His Lordship is walk'd forth into the orchard :
+Please it your honour knock but at the gate ,
+And he himself will answer .
+
+
+Here comes the earl .
+
+
+What news , Lord Bardolph ? every minute now
+Should be the father of some stratagem .
+The times are wild ; contention , like a horse
+Full of high feeding , madly hath broke loose
+And bears down all before him .
+
+Noble earl ,
+I bring you certain news from Shrewsbury .
+
+Good , an God will !
+
+As good as heart can wish .
+The king is almost wounded to the death ;
+And , in the fortune of my lord your son ,
+Prince Harry slain outright ; and both the Blunts
+Kill'd by the hand of Douglas ; young Prince John
+And Westmoreland and Stafford fled the field .
+And Harry Monmouth's brawn , the hulk Sir John ,
+Is prisoner to your son : O ! such a day ,
+So fought , so follow'd , and so fairly won ,
+Came not till now to dignify the times
+Since C sar's fortunes .
+
+How is this deriv'd ?
+Saw you the field ? came you from Shrewsbury ?
+
+I spake with one , my lord , that came from thence ;
+A gentleman well bred and of good name ,
+That freely render'd me these news for true .
+
+Here comes my servant Travers , whom I sent
+On Tuesday last to listen after news .
+
+My lord , I over-rode him on the way ;
+And he is furnish'd with no certainties
+More than he haply may retail from me .
+
+
+Now , Travers , what good tidings come with you ?
+
+My lord , Sir John Umfrevile turn'd me back
+With joyful tidings ; and , being better hors'd ,
+Out-rode me . After him came spurring hard
+A gentleman , almost forspent with speed ,
+That stopp'd by me to breathe his bloodied horse .
+He ask'd the way to Chester ; and of him
+I did demand what news from Shrewsbury .
+He told me that rebellion had bad luck ,
+And that young Harry Percy's spur was cold .
+With that he gave his able horse the head ,
+And , bending forward struck his armed heels
+Against the panting sides of his poor jade
+Up to the rowel-head , and , starting so ,
+He seem'd in running to devour the way ,
+Staying no longer question .
+
+Ha ! Again :
+Said he young Harry Percy's spur was cold ?
+Of Hotspur , Coldspur ? that rebellion
+Had met ill luck ?
+
+My lord , I'll tell you what :
+If my young lord your son have not the day ,
+Upon mine honour , for a silken point
+I'll give my barony : never talk of it .
+
+Why should the gentleman that rode by Travers
+Give then such instances of loss ?
+
+Who , he ?
+He was some hilding fellow that had stolen
+The horse he rode on , and , upon my life ,
+Spoke at a venture . Look , here comes more news .
+
+
+Yea , this man's brow , like to a title-leaf ,
+Foretells the nature of a tragic volume :
+So looks the strond , whereon the imperious flood
+Hath left a witness'd usurpation .
+Say , Morton , didst thou come from Shrewsbury ?
+
+I ran from Shrewsbury , my noble lord ;
+Where hateful death put on his ugliest mask
+To fright our party .
+
+How doth my son and brother ?
+Thou tremblest , and the whiteness in thy cheek
+Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand .
+Even such a man , so faint , so spiritless ,
+So dull , so dead in look , so woe-begone ,
+Drew Priam's curtain in the dead of night ,
+And would have told him half his Troy was burn'd ;
+But Priam found the fire ere he his tongue ,
+And I my Percy's death ere thou report'st it .
+This thou wouldst say , 'Your son did thus and thus ;
+Your brother thus ; so fought the noble Douglas ;'
+Stopping my greedy ear with their bold deeds :
+But in the end , to stop mine ear indeed ,
+Thou hast a sigh to blow away this praise ,
+Ending with 'Brother , son , and all are dead .'
+
+Douglas is living , and your brother , yet ;
+But , for my lord your son ,
+
+Why , he is dead .
+See , what a ready tongue suspicion hath !
+He that but fears the thing he would not know
+Hath by instinct knowledge from others' eyes
+That what he fear'd is chanced . Yet speak , Morton :
+Tell thou thy earl his divination lies ,
+And I will take it as a sweet disgrace
+And make thee rich for doing me such wrong .
+
+You are too great to be by me gainsaid ;
+Your spirit is too true , your fears too certain .
+
+Yet , for all this , say not that Percy's dead .
+I see a strange confession in thine eye :
+Thou shak'st thy head , and hold'st it fear or sin
+To speak a truth . If he be slain , say so ;
+The tongue offends not that reports his death :
+And he doth sin that doth belie the dead ,
+Not he which says the dead is not alive .
+Yet the first bringer of unwelcome news
+Hath but a losing office , and his tongue
+Sounds ever after as a sullen bell ,
+Remember'd knolling a departing friend .
+
+I cannot think , my lord , your son is dead .
+
+I am sorry I should force you to believe
+That which I would to God I had not seen ;
+But these mine eyes saw him in bloody state ,
+Rendering faint quittance , wearied and outbreath'd ,
+To Harry Monmouth ; whose swift wrath beat down
+The never-daunted Percy to the earth ,
+From whence with life he never more sprung up .
+In few , his death ,whose spirit lent a fire
+Even to the dullest peasant in his camp ,
+Being bruited once , took fire and heat away
+From the best-temper'd courage in his troops ;
+For from his metal was his party steel'd ;
+Which once in him abated , all the rest
+Turn'd on themselves , like dull and heavy lead :
+And as the thing that's heavy in itself ,
+Upon enforcement flies with greatest speed ,
+So did our men , heavy in Hotspur's loss ,
+Lend to this weight such lightness with their fear
+That arrows fled not swifter toward their aim
+Than did our soldiers , aiming at their safety ,
+Fly from the field . Then was that noble Worcester
+Too soon ta'en prisoner ; and that furious Scot ,
+The bloody Douglas , whose well-labouring sword
+Had three times slain the appearance of the king ,
+'Gan vail his stomach , and did grace the shame
+Of those that turn'd their backs ; and in his flight ,
+Stumbling in fear , was took . The sum of all
+Is , that the king hath won , and hath sent out
+A speedy power to encounter you , my lord ,
+Under the conduct of young Lancaster
+And Westmoreland . This is the news at full .
+
+For this I shall have time enough to mourn .
+In poison there is physic ; and these news ,
+Having been well , that would have made me sick ,
+Being sick , have in some measure made me well :
+And as the wretch , whose fever-weaken'd joints ,
+Like strengthless hinges , buckle under life ,
+Impatient of his fit , breaks like a fire
+Out of his keeper's arms , even so my limbs ,
+Weaken'd with grief , being now enrag'd with grief ,
+Are thrice themselves . Hence , therefore , thou nice crutch !
+A scaly gauntlet now , with joints of steel
+Must glove this hand : and hence , thou sickly quoif !
+Thou art a guard too wanton for the head
+Which princes , flesh'd with conquest , aim to hit .
+Now bind my brows with iron ; and approach
+The ragged'st hour that time and spite dare bring
+To frown upon the enrag'd Northumberland !
+Let heaven kiss earth ! now let not nature's hand
+Keep the wild flood confin'd ! let order die !
+And let this world no longer be a stage
+To feed contention in a lingering act ;
+But let one spirit of the first-born Cain
+Reign in all bosoms , that , each heart being set
+On bloody courses , the rude scene may end ,
+And darkness be the burier of the dead !
+
+This strained passion doth you wrong , my lord .
+
+Sweet earl , divorce not wisdom from your honour .
+
+The lives of all your loving complices
+Lean on your health ; the which , if you give o'er
+To stormy passion must perforce decay .
+You cast the event of war , my noble lord ,
+And summ'd the account of chance , before you said ,
+'Let us make head .' It was your presurmise
+That in the dole of blows your son might drop :
+You knew he walk'd o'er perils , on an edge ,
+More likely to fall in than to get o'er ;
+You were advis'd his flesh was capable
+Of wounds and scars , and that his forward spirit
+Would lift him where most trade of danger rang'd :
+Yet did you say , 'Go forth ;' and none of this ,
+Though strongly apprehended , could restrain
+The stiff-borne action : what hath then befallen ,
+Or what hath this bold enterprise brought forth ,
+More than that being which was like to be ?
+
+We all that are engaged to this loss
+Knew that we ventur'd on such dangerous seas
+That if we wrought out life 'twas ten to one ;
+And yet we ventur'd , for the gain propos'd
+Chok'd the respect of likely peril fear'd ;
+And since we are o'erset , venture again .
+Come , we will all put forth , body and goods .
+
+'Tis more than time : and , my most noble lord ,
+I hear for certain , and do speak the truth ,
+The gentle Archbishop of York is up ,
+With well-appointed powers : he is a man
+Who with a double surety binds his followers .
+My lord your son had only but the corpse' ,
+But shadows and the shows of men to fight ;
+For that same word , rebellion , did divide
+The action of their bodies from their souls ;
+And they did fight with queasiness , constrain'd ,
+As men drink potions , that their weapons only
+Seem'd on our side : but , for their spirits and souls ,
+This word , rebellion , it had froze them up ,
+As fish are in a pond . But now the bishop
+Turns insurrection to religion :
+Suppos'd sincere and holy in his thoughts ,
+He's follow'd both with body and with mind ,
+And doth enlarge his rising with the blood
+Of fair King Richard , scrap'd from Pomfret stones ;
+Derives from heaven his quarrel and his cause ;
+Tells them he doth bestride a bleeding land ,
+Gasping for life under great Bolingbroke ;
+And more and less do flock to follow him .
+
+I knew of this before ; but , to speak truth ,
+This present grief had wip'd it from my mind .
+Go in with me ; and counsel every man
+The aptest way for safety and revenge :
+Get posts and letters , and make friends with speed :
+Never so few , and never yet more need .
+
+
+Sirrah , you giant , what says the doctor to my water ?
+
+He said , sir , the water itself was a good healthy water ; but , for the party that owed it , he might have more diseases than he knew for .
+
+Men of all sorts take a pride to gird at me : the brain of this foolish-compounded clay , man , is not able to invent anything that tends to laughter , more than I invent or is invented on me : I am not only witty in myself , but the cause that wit is in other men . I do here walk before thee like a sow that hath overwhelmed all her litter but one . If the prince put thee into my service for any other reason than to set me off , why then I have no judgment . Thou whoreson mandrake , thou art fitter to be worn in my cap than to wait at my heels . I was never manned with an agate till now ; but I will set you neither in gold nor silver , but in vile apparel , and send you back again to your master , for a jewel ; the juvenal , the prince your master , whose chin is not yet fledged . I will sooner have a beard grow in the palm of my hand than he shall get one on his cheek ; and yet he will not stick to say , his face is a face-royal : God may finish it when he will , it is not a hair amiss yet : he may keep it still as a face-royal , for a barber shall never earn sixpence out of it ; and yet he will be crowing as if he had writ man ever since his father was a bachelor . He may keep his own grace , but he is almost out of mine , I can assure him . What said Master Dombledon about the satin for my short cloak and my slops ?
+
+He said , sir , you should procure him better assurance than Bardolph ; he would not take his bond and yours : he liked not the security .
+
+Let him be damned like the glutton ! may his tongue be hotter ! A whoreson Achitophel ! a rascally yea-forsooth knave ! to bear a gentleman in hand , and then stand upon security . The whoreson smooth-pates do now wear nothing but high shoes , and bunches of keys at their girdles ; and if a man is thorough with them in honest taking up , then they must stand upon security . I had as lief they would put ratsbane in my mouth as offer to stop it with security . I looked a' should have sent me two and twenty yards of satin , as I am a true knight , and he sends me security . Well , he may sleep in security ; for he hath the horn of abundance , and the lightness of his wife shines through it : and yet cannot he see , though he have his own lanthorn to light him . Where's Bardolph ?
+
+He's gone into Smithfield to buy your worship a horse .
+
+I bought him in Paul's , and he'll buy me a horse in Smithfield : an I could get me but a wife in the stews , I were manned , horsed , and wived .
+
+
+Sir , here comes the nobleman that committed the prince for striking him about Bardolph .
+
+Wait close ; I will not see him .
+
+What's he that goes there ?
+
+Falstaff , an't please your lordship .
+
+He that was in question for the robbery ?
+
+He , my lord ; but he hath since done good service at Shrewsbury , and , as I hear , is now going with some charge to the Lord John of Lancaster .
+
+What , to York ? Call him back again .
+
+Sir John Falstaff !
+
+Boy , tell him I am deaf .
+
+You must speak louder , my master is deaf .
+
+I am sure he is , to the hearing of anything good . Go , pluck him by the elbow ; I must speak with him .
+
+Sir John !
+
+What ! a young knave , and beg ! Is there not wars ? is there not employment ? doth not the king lack subjects ? do not the rebels want soldiers ? Though it be a shame to be on any side but one , it is worse shame to beg than to be on the worst side , were it worse than the name of rebellion can tell how to make it .
+
+You mistake me , sir .
+
+Why , sir , did I say you were an honest man ? setting my knighthood and my soldiership aside , I had lied in my throat if I had said so .
+
+I pray you , sir , then set your knighthood and your soldiership aside , and give me leave to tell you you lie in your throat if you say I am any other than an honest man .
+
+I give thee leave to tell me so ! I lay aside that which grows to me ! If thou gett'st any leave of me , hang me : if thou takest leave , thou wert better be hanged . You hunt-counter : hence ! avaunt !
+
+Sir , my lord would speak with you .
+
+Sir John Falstaff , a word with you .
+
+My good lord ! God give your lordship good time of day . I am glad to see your lordship abroad ; I heard say your lordship was sick : I hope your lordship goes abroad by advice . Your lordship , though not clean past your youth , hath yet some smack of age in you , some relish of the saltness of time ; and I most humbly beseech your lordship to have a reverend care of your health .
+
+Sir John , I sent for you before your expedition to Shrewsbury .
+
+An't please your lordship , I hear his majesty is returned with some discomfort from Wales .
+
+I talk not of his majesty . You would not come when I sent for you .
+
+And I hear , moreover , his highness is fallen into this same whoreson apoplexy .
+
+Well , heaven mend him ! I pray you , let me speak with you .
+
+This apoplexy is , as I take it , a kind of lethargy , an't please your lordship ; a kind of sleeping in the blood , a whoreson tingling .
+
+What tell you me of it ? be it as it is .
+
+It hath its original from much grief , from study and perturbation of the brain . I have read the cause of his effects in Galen : it is a kind of deafness .
+
+I think you are fallen into the disease , for you hear not what I say to you .
+
+Very well , my lord , very well : rather , an't please you , it is the disease of not listening , the malady of not marking , that I am troubled withal .
+
+To punish you by the heels would amend the attention of your ears ; and I care not if I do become your physician .
+
+I am as poor as Job , my lord , but not so patient : your lordship may minister the potion of imprisonment to me in respect of poverty ; but how I should be your patient to follow your prescriptions , the wise may make some dram of a scruple , or indeed a scruple itself .
+
+I sent for you , when there were matters against you for your life , to come speak with me .
+
+As I was then advised by my learned counsel in the laws of this land-service , I did not come .
+
+Well , the truth is , Sir John , you live in great infamy .
+
+He that buckles him in my belt cannot live in less .
+
+Your means are very slender , and your waste is great .
+
+I would it were otherwise : I would my means were greater and my waist slenderer .
+
+You have misled the youthful prince .
+
+The young prince hath misled me : I am the fellow with the great belly , and he my dog .
+
+Well , I am loath to gall a new-healed wound : your day's service at Shrewsbury hath a little gilded over your night's exploit on Gadshill : you may thank the unquiet time for your quiet o'er-posting that action .
+
+My lord !
+
+But since all is well , keep it so : wake not a sleeping wolf .
+
+To wake a wolf is as bad as to smell a fox .
+
+What ! you are as a candle , the better part burnt out .
+
+A wassail candle , my lord ; all tallow : if I did say of wax , my growth would approve the truth .
+
+There is not a white hair on your face but should have his effect of gravity .
+
+His effect of gravy , gravy , gravy .
+
+You follow the young prince up and down , like his ill angel .
+
+Not so , my lord ; your ill angel is light , but I hope he that looks upon me will take me without weighing : and yet , in some respects , I grant , I cannot go , I cannot tell . Virtue is of so little regard in these costermonger times that true valour is turned bear-herd : pregnancy is made a tapster , and hath his quick wit wasted in giving reckonings : all the other gifts appertinent to man , as the malice of this age shapes them , are not worth a gooseberry . You that are old consider not the capacities of us that are young ; you measure the heat of our livers with the bitterness of your galls ; and we that are in the vaward of our youth , I must confess , are wags too .
+
+Do you set down your name in the scroll of youth , that are written down old with all the characters of age ? Have you not a moist eye , a dry hand , a yellow cheek , a white beard , a decreasing leg , an increasing belly ? Is not your voice broken , your wind short , your chin double , your wit single , and every part about you blasted with antiquity , and will you yet call yourself young ? Fie , fie , fie , Sir John !
+
+My lord , I was born about three of the clock in the afternoon , with a white head , and something a round belly . For my voice , I have lost it with hollaing , and singing of anthems . To approve my youth further , I will not : the truth is , I am only old in judgment and understanding ; and he that will caper with me for a thousand marks , let him lend me the money , and have at him ! For the box o' the ear that the prince gave you , he gave it like a rude prince , and you took it like a sensible lord . I have checked him for it , and the young lion repents ; marry , not in ashes and sackcloth , but in new silk and old sack .
+
+Well , God send the prince a better companion !
+
+God send the companion a better prince ! I cannot rid my hands of him .
+
+Well , the king hath severed you and Prince Harry . I hear you are going with Lord John of Lancaster against the archbishop and the Earl of Northumberland .
+
+Yea ; I thank your pretty sweet wit for it . But look you pray , all you that kiss my lady Peace at home , that our armies join not in a hot day ; for , by the Lord , I take but two shirts out with me , and I mean not to sweat extraordinarily : if it be a hot day , and I brandish anything but my bottle , I would I might never spit white again . There is not a dangerous action can peep out his head but I am thrust upon it . Well , I cannot last ever . But it was always yet the trick of our English nation , if they have a good thing , to make it too common . If you will needs say I am an old man , you should give me rest . I would to God my name were not so terrible to the enemy as it is : I were better to be eaten to death with rust than to be scoured to nothing with perpetual motion .
+
+Well , be honest , be honest ; and God bless your expedition .
+
+Will your lordship lend me a thousand pound to furnish me forth ?
+
+Not a penny ; not a penny ; you are too impatient to bear crosses . Fare you well : commend me to my cousin Westmoreland .
+
+
+If I do , fillip me with a three-man beetle . A man can no more separate age and covetousness than he can part young limbs and lechery ; but the gout galls the one , and the pox pinches the other ; and so both the degrees prevent my curses . Boy !
+
+Sir !
+
+What money is in my purse ?
+
+Seven groats and twopence .
+
+I can get no remedy against this consumption of the purse : borrowing only lingers and lingers it out , but the disease is incurable . Go bear this letter to my Lord of Lancaster ; this to the prince ; this to the Earl of Westmoreland ; and this to old Mistress Ursula , whom I have weekly sworn to marry since I perceived the first white hair on my chin . About it : you know where to find me .
+
+A pox of this gout ! or , a gout of this pox ! for the one or the other plays the rogue with my great toe . 'Tis no matter if I do halt ; I have the wars for my colour , and my pension shall seem the more reasonable . A good wit will make use of anything ; I will turn diseases to commodity .
+
+
+Thus have you heard our cause and known our means ;
+And , my most noble friends , I pray you all ,
+Speak plainly your opinions of our hopes :
+And first , Lord Marshal , what say you to it ?
+
+I well allow the occasion of our arms ;
+But gladly would be better satisfied
+How in our means we should advance ourselves
+To look with forehead bold and big enough
+Upon the power and puissance of the king .
+
+Our present musters grow upon the file
+To five-and-twenty thousand men of choice ;
+And our supplies live largely in the hope
+Of great Northumberland , whose bosom burns
+With an incensed fire of injuries .
+
+The question , then , Lord Hastings , standeth thus :
+Whether our present five-and-twenty thousand
+May hold up head without Northumberland .
+
+With him , we may .
+
+Ay , marry , there's the point :
+But if without him we be thought too feeble ,
+My judgment is , we should not step too far
+Till we had his assistance by the hand ;
+For in a theme so bloody-fao'd as this ,
+Conjecture , expectation , and surmise
+Of aids incertain should not be admitted .
+
+'Tis very true , Lord Bardolph ; for , indeed
+It was young Hotspur's case at Shrewsbury .
+
+It was , my lord ; who lin'd himself with hope ,
+Eating the air on promise of supply ,
+Flattering himself with project of a power
+Much smaller than the smallest of his thoughts ;
+And so , with great imagination
+Proper to madmen , led his powers to death ,
+And winking leap'd into destruction .
+
+But , by your leave , it never yet did hurt
+To lay down likelihoods and forms of hope .
+
+Yes , if this present quality of war ,
+Indeed the instant action ,a cause on foot ,
+Lives so in hope , as in an early spring
+We see the appearing buds ; which , to prove fruit ,
+Hope gives not so much warrant as despair
+That frosts will bite them . When we mean to build ,
+We first survey the plot , then draw the model ;
+And when we see the figure of the house ,
+Then must we rate the cost of the erection ;
+Which if we find outweighs ability ,
+What do we then but draw anew the model
+In fewer offices , or at last desist
+To build at all ? Much more , in this great work ,
+Which is almost to pluck a kingdom down
+And set another up ,should we survey
+The plot of situation and the model ,
+Consent upon a sure foundation ,
+Question surveyors , know our own estate ,
+How able such a work to undergo ,
+To weigh against his opposite ; or else ,
+We fortify in paper , and in figures ,
+Using the names of men instead of men :
+Like one that draws the model of a house
+Beyond his power to build it ; who , half through ,
+Gives o'er and leaves his part-created cost
+A naked-subject to the weeping clouds ,
+And waste for churlish winter's tyranny .
+
+Grant that our hopes , yet likely of fair birth ,
+Should be still-born , and that we now possess'd
+The utmost man of expectation ;
+I think we are a body strong enough ,
+Even as we are , to equal with the king .
+
+What ! is the king but five-and-twenty thousand ?
+
+To us no more ; nay , not so much , Lord Bardolph .
+For his divisions , as the times do brawl ,
+Are in three heads : one power against the French ,
+And one against Glendower ; perforce , a third
+Must take up us : so is the unfirm king
+In three divided , and his coffers sound
+With hollow poverty and emptiness .
+
+That he should draw his several strengths together
+And come against us in full puissance ,
+Need not be dreaded .
+
+If he should do so ,
+He leaves his back unarm'd , the French and Welsh
+Baying him at the heels : never fear that .
+
+Who is it like should lead his forces hither ?
+
+The Duke of Lancaster and Westmoreland ;
+Against the Welsh , himself and Harry Monmouth :
+But who is substituted 'gainst the French
+I have no certain notice .
+
+Let us on
+And publish the occasion of our arms .
+The commonwealth is sick of their own choice ;
+Their over-greedy love hath surfeited .
+A habitation giddy and unsure
+Hath he that buildeth on the vulgar heart .
+O thou fond many ! with what loud applause
+Didst thou beat heaven with blessing Bolingbroke
+Before he was what thou wouldst have him be :
+And being now trimm'd in thine own desires ,
+Thou , beastly feeder , art so full of him
+That thou provok'st thyself to cast him up .
+So , so , thou common dog , didst thou disgorge
+Thy glutton bosom of the royal Richard ,
+And now thou wouldst eat thy dead vomit up ,
+And howl'st to find it . What trust is in these times ?
+They that , when Richard liv'd , would have him die ,
+Are now become enamour'd on his grave :
+Thou , that threw'st dust upon his goodly head ,
+When through proud London he came sighing on
+After the admired heels of Bolingbroke ,
+Cry'st now , 'O earth ! yield us that king again ,
+And take thou this !' O , thoughts of men accurst !
+Past and to come seem best ; things present worst .
+
+Shall we go draw our numbers and set on ?
+
+We are time's subjects , and time bids be gone .
+
+Master Fang , have you entered the exion ?
+
+It is entered .
+
+Where's your yeoman ? Is it a lusty yeoman ? will a' stand to't ?
+
+Sirrah , where's Snare ?
+
+O Lord , ay ! good Master Snare .
+
+Here , here .
+
+Snare , we must arrest Sir John Falstaff .
+
+Yea , good Master Snare ; I have entered him and all .
+
+It may chance cost some of us our lives , for he will stab .
+
+Alas the day ! take heed of him : he stabbed me in mine own house , and that most beastly . In good faith , he cares not what mischief he doth if his weapon be out : he will foin like any devil , he will spare neither man , woman , nor child .
+
+If I can close with him I care not for his thrust .
+
+No , nor I neither : I'll be at your elbow .
+
+An I but fist him once ; an a' come but within my vice ,
+
+I am undone by his going ; I warrant you , he's an infinitive thing upon my score . Good Master Fang , hold him sure : good Master Snare , let him not 'scape . A' comes continuantly to Pie-corner saving your manhoods to buy a saddle , and he's indited to dinner to the Lubber's Head in Lumbert-Street , to Master Smooth's the silkman : I pray ye , since my exion is entered , and my case so openly known to the world , let him be brought in to his answer . A hundred mark is a long one for a poor lone woman to bear ; and I have borne , and borne , and borne ; and have been fubbed off , and fubbed off , and fubbed off , from this day to that day , that it is a shame to be thought on . There is no honesty in such dealing ; unless a woman should be made an ass , and a beast , to bear every knave's wrong . Yonder he comes ; and that arrant malmseynose knave , Bardolph , with him . Do your offices , do your offices , Master Fang and Master Snare ; do me , do me , do me your offices .
+
+
+How now ! whose mare's dead ? what's the matter ?
+
+Sir John , I arrest you at the suit of Mistress Quickly .
+
+Away , varlets ! Draw , Bardolph : cut me off the villain's head ; throw the quean in the channel .
+
+Throw me in the channel ! I'll throw thee in the channel . Wilt thou ? wilt thou ? thou bastardly rogue ! Murder , murder ! Ah , thou honey-suckle villain ! wilt thou kill God's officers and the king's ? Ah , thou honey-seed rogue ! thou art a honey-seed , a man-queller , and a woman-queller .
+
+Keep them off , Bardolph .
+
+A rescue ! a rescue !
+
+Good people , bring a rescue or two ! Thou wo't , wo't thou ? thou wo't , wo't ta ? do , do , thou rogue ! do , thou hemp-seed !
+
+Away , you scullion ! you rampallian ! you fustilarian ! I'll tickle your catastrophe .
+
+
+What is the matter ? keep the peace here , ho !
+
+Good my lord , be good to me ! I beseech you , stand to me !
+
+How now , Sir John ! what ! are you brawling here ?
+Doth this become your place , your time and business ?
+You should have been well on your way to York .
+Stand from him , fellow : wherefore hang'st upon him ?
+
+O , my most worshipful lord , an't please your grace , I am a poor widow of Eastcheap , and he is arrested at my suit .
+
+For what sum ?
+
+It is more than for some , my lord ; it is for all , all I have . He hath eaten me out of house and home ; he hath put all my substance into that fat belly of his : but I will have some of it out again , or I will ride thee o' nights like the mare .
+
+I think I am as like to ride the mare if I have any vantage of ground to get up .
+
+How comes this , Sir John ? Fie ! what man of good temper would endure this tempest of exclamation ? Are you not ashamed to enforce a poor widow to so rough a course to come by her own ?
+
+What is the gross sum that I owe thee ?
+
+Marry , if thou wert an honest man , thyself and the money too . Thou didst swear to me upon a parcel-gilt goblet , sitting in my Dolphin-chamber , at the round table , by a seacoal fire , upon Wednesday in Wheeson week , when the prince broke thy head for liking his father to a singing-man of Windsor , thou didst swear to me then , as I was washing thy wound , to marry me and make me my lady thy wife . Canst thou deny it ? Did not goodwife Keech , the butcher's wife , come in then and call me gossip Quickly ? coming in to borrow a mess of vinegar ; telling us she had a good dish of prawns ; whereby thou didst desire to eat some , whereby I told thee they were ill for a green wound ? And didst thou not , when she was gone down-stairs , desire me to be no more so familiarity with such poor people ; saying that ere long they should call me madam ? And didst thou not kiss me and bid me fetch thee thirty shillings ? I put thee now to thy book-oath : deny it if thou canst .
+
+My lord , this is a poor mad soul ; and she says up and down the town that her eldest son is like you . She hath been in good case , and the truth is , poverty hath distracted her . But for these foolish officers , I beseech you I may have redress against them .
+
+Sir John , Sir John , I am well acquainted with your manner of wrenching the true cause the false way . It is not a confident brow , nor the throng of words that come with such more than impudent sauciness from you , can thrust me from a level consideration ; you have , as it appears to me , practised upon the easy-yielding spirit of this woman , and made her serve your uses both in purse and in person .
+
+Yea , in troth , my lord .
+
+Prithee , peace . Pay her the debt you owe her , and unpay the villany you have done her : the one you may do with sterling money , and the other with current repentance .
+
+My lord , I will not undergo this sneap without reply . You call honourable boldness impudent sauciness : if a man will make curtsy , and say nothing , he is virtuous . No , my lord , my humble duty remembered , I will not be your suitor : I say to you , I do desire deliverance from these officers , being upon hasty employment in the king's affairs .
+
+You speak as having power to do wrong : but answer in the effect of your reputation , and satisfy the poor woman .
+
+Come hither , hostess .
+
+Now , Master Gower ! what news ?
+
+The king , my lord , and Harry Prince of Wales
+Are near at hand : the rest the paper tells .
+
+
+As I am a gentleman .
+
+Nay , you said so before .
+
+As I am a gentleman . Come , no more words of it .
+
+By this heavenly ground I tread on , I must be fain to pawn both my plate and the tapestry of my dining-chambers .
+
+Glasses , glasses , is the only drinking : and for thy walls , a pretty slight drollery , or the story of the Prodigal , or the German hunting in water-work , is worth a thousand of these bed-hangings and these fly-bitten tapestries . Let it be ten pound if thou canst . Come , an it were not for thy humours , there is not a better wench in England . Go , wash thy face , and draw thy action . Come , thou must not be in this humour with me ; dost not know me ? Come , come , I know thou wast set on to this .
+
+Prithee , Sir John , let it be but twenty nobles : i' faith , I am loath to pawn my plate , so God save me , la !
+
+Let it alone ; I'll make other shift : you'll be a fool still .
+
+Well , you shall have it , though I pawn my gown . I hope you'll come to supper . You'll pay me all together ?
+
+Will I live ?
+
+Go , with her , with her ; hook on , hook on .
+
+Will you have Doll Tearsheet meet you at supper ?
+
+No more words ; let's have her .
+
+
+I have heard better news .
+
+What's the news , my good lord ?
+
+Where lay the king last night ?
+
+At Basingstoke , my lord .
+
+I hope , my lord , all's well : what is the news , my lord ?
+
+Come all his forces back ?
+
+No ; fifteen hundred foot , five hundred horse ,
+Are march'd up to my Lord of Lancaster ,
+Against Northumberland and the archbishop .
+
+Comes the king back from Wales , my noble lord ?
+
+You shall have letters of me presently .
+Come , go along with me , good Master Gower .
+
+My lord !
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+Master Gower , shall I entreat you with me to dinner ?
+
+I must wait upon my good lord here ;
+I thank you , good Sir John .
+
+Sir John , you loiter here too long , being you are to take soldiers up in counties as you go .
+
+Will you sup with me , Master Gower ?
+
+What foolish master taught you these manners , Sir John ?
+
+Master Gower , if they become me not , he was a fool that taught them me . This is the right fencing grace , my lord ; tap for tap , and so part fair .
+
+Now the Lord lighten thee ! thou art a great fool .
+
+
+Before God , I am exceeding weary .
+
+Is it come to that ? I had thought weariness durst not have attached one of so high blood .
+
+Faith , it does me , though it discolours the complexion of my greatness to acknowledge it . Doth it not show vilely in me to desire small beer ?
+
+Why , a prince should not be so loosely studied as to remember so weak a composition .
+
+Belike then my appetite was not princely got ; for , by my troth , I do now remember the poor creature , small beer . But , indeed , these humble considerations make me out of love with my greatness . What a disgrace is it to me to remember thy name , or to know thy face to-morrow ! or to take note how many pair of silk stockings thou hast ; viz . these , and those that were thy peach-coloured ones ! or to bear the inventory of thy shirts ; as , one for superfluity , and one other for use ! But that the tennis-court-keeper knows better than I , for it is a low ebb of linen with thee when thou keepest not racket there ; as thou hast not done a great while , because the rest of thy low-countries have made a shift to eat up thy holland : and God knows whether those that bawl out the ruins of thy linen shall inherit his kingdom ; but the midwives say the children are not in the fault ; whereupon the world increases , and kindreds are mightily strengthened .
+
+How ill it follows , after you have laboured so hard , you should talk so idly ! Tell me , how many good young princes would do so , their fathers being so sick as yours at this time is ?
+
+Shall I tell thee one thing , Poins ?
+
+Yes , faith , and let it be an excellent good thing .
+
+It shall serve among wits of no higher breeding than thine .
+
+Go to ; I stand the push of your one thing that you will tell .
+
+Marry , I tell thee , it is not meet that I should be sad , now my father is sick : albeit I could tell to thee ,as to one it pleases me , for fault of a better , to call my friend ,I could be sad , and sad indeed too .
+
+Very hardly upon such a subject .
+
+By this hand , thou thinkest me as far in the devil's book as thou and Falstaff for obduracy and persistency : let the end try the man . But I tell thee my heart bleeds inwardly that my father is so sick ; and keeping such vile company as thou art hath in reason taken from me all ostentation of sorrow .
+
+The reason ?
+
+What wouldst thou think of me if I should weep ?
+
+I would think thee a most princely hypocrite .
+
+It would be every man's thought ; and thou art a blessed fellow to think as every man thinks : never a man's thought in the world keeps the road-way better than thine : every man would think me a hypocrite indeed . And what accites your most worshipful thought to think so ?
+
+Why , because you have been so lewd and so much engraffed to Falstaff .
+
+And to thee .
+
+By this light , I am well spoke on ; I can hear it with mine own ears : the worst that they can say of me is that I am a second brother and that I am a proper fellow of my hands ; and these two things I confess I cannot help . By the mass , here comes Bardolph .
+
+
+And the boy that I gave Falstaff : a' had him from me Christian ; and look , if the fat villain have not transformed him ape .
+
+God save your Grace !
+
+And yours , most noble Bardolph .
+
+Come , you virtuous ass , you bashful fool , must you be blushing ? wherefore blush you now ? What a maidenly man-at-arms are you become ! Is it such a matter to get a pottle-pot's maidenhead ?
+
+A' calls me even now , my lord , through a red lattice , and I could discern no part of his face from the window : at last , I spied his eyes , and methought he had made two holes in the ale-wife's new petticoat , and peeped through .
+
+Hath not the boy profited ?
+
+Away , you whoreson upright rabbit , away !
+
+Away , you rascally Althea's dream , away !
+
+Instruct us , boy ; what dream , boy ?
+
+Marry , my lord , Althea dreamed she was delivered of a firebrand ; and therefore I call him her dream .
+
+A crown's worth of good interpretation . There it is , boy .
+
+
+O ! that this good blossom could be kept from cankers . Well , there is sixpence to preserve thee .
+
+An you do not make him be hanged among you , the gallows shall have wrong .
+
+And how doth thy master , Bardolph ?
+
+Well , my lord . He heard of your Grace's coming to town : there's a letter for you .
+
+Delivered with good respect . And how doth the martlemas , your master ?
+
+In bodily health , sir .
+
+Marry , the immortal part needs a physician ; but that moves not him : though that be sick , it dies not .
+
+I do allow this wen to be as familiar with me as my dog ; and he holds his place , for look you how he writes .
+
+'John Falstaff , knight ,' every man must know that , as oft as he has occasion to name himself : even like those that are akin to the king , for they never prick their finger but they say , 'There is some of the king's blood spilt .' 'How comes that ?' says he that takes upon him not to conceive . The answer is as ready as a borrower's cap , 'I am the king's poor cousin , sir .'
+
+Nay , they will be kin to us , or they will fetch it from Japhet . But to the letter :
+
+Sir John Falstaff , knight , to the son of the king nearest his father , Harry Prince of Wales , greeting . Why , this is a certificate .
+
+Peace !
+
+I will imitate the honourable Romans in brevity : sure he means brevity in breath , short-winded .I commend me to thee , I commend thee , and I leave thee . Be not too familiar with Poins ; for he misuses thy favours so much that he swears thou art to marry his sister Nell . Repent at idle times as thou mayest , and so farewell .
+
+My lord , I'll steep this letter in sack and make him eat it .
+
+That's to make him eat twenty of his words . But do you use me thus , Ned ? must I marry your sister ?
+
+God send the wench no worse fortune ! but I never said so .
+
+Well , thus we play the fools with the time , and the spirits of the wise sit in the clouds and mock us . Is your master here in London ?
+
+Yes , my lord .
+
+Where sups he ? doth the old boar feed in the old frank ?
+
+At the old place , my lord , in Eastcheap .
+
+What company ?
+
+Ephesians , my lord , of the old church .
+
+Sup any women with him ?
+
+None , my lord , but old Mistress Quickly and Mistress Doll Tearsheet .
+
+What pagan may that be ?
+
+A proper gentlewoman , sir , and a kinswoman of my master's .
+
+Even such kin as the parish heifers are to the town bull . Shall we steal upon them , Ned , at supper ?
+
+I am your shadow , my lord ; I'll follow you .
+
+Sirrah , you boy , and Bardolph ; no word to your master that I am yet come to town : there's for your silence .
+
+
+I have no tongue , sir .
+
+And for mine , sir , I will govern it .
+
+Fare ye well ; go .
+
+This Doll Tearsheet should be some road .
+
+I warrant you , as common as the way between Saint Alban's and London .
+
+How might we see Falstaff bestow himself to-night in his true colours , and not ourselves be seen ?
+
+Put on two leathern jerkins and aprons , and wait upon him at his table as drawers .
+
+From a god to a bull ! a heavy descension ! it was Jove's case . From a prince to a prentice ! a low transformation ! that shall be mine ; for in every thing the purpose must weigh with the folly . Follow me , Ned .
+
+
+I pray thee , loving wife , and gentle daughter ,
+Give even way unto my rough affairs :
+Put not you on the visage of the times ,
+And be like them to Percy troublesome .
+
+I have given over , I will speak no more :
+Do what you will ; your wisdom be your guide .
+
+Alas ! sweet wife , my honour is at pawn ;
+And , but my going , nothing can redeem it .
+
+O ! yet for God's sake , go not to these wars .
+The time was , father , that you broke your word
+When you were more endear'd to it than now ;
+When your own Percy , when my heart's dear Harry ,
+Threw many a northward look to see his father
+Bring up his powers ; but he did long in vain .
+Who then persuaded you to stay at home ?
+There were two honours lost , yours and your son's :
+For yours , the God of heaven brighten it !
+For his , it stuck upon him as the sun
+In the grey vault of heaven ; and by his light
+Did all the chivalry of England move
+To do brave acts : he was indeed the glass
+Wherein the noble youth did dress themselves :
+He had no legs , that practis'd not his gait ;
+And speaking thick , which nature made his blemish ,
+Became the accents of the valiant ;
+For those that could speak low and tardily ,
+Would turn their own perfection to abuse ,
+To seem like him : so that , in speech , in gait ,
+In diet , in affections of delight ,
+In military rules , humours of blood ,
+He was the mark and glass , copy and book ,
+That fashion'd others . And him , O wondrous him !
+O miracle of men ! him did you leave ,
+Second to none , unseconded by you ,
+To look upon the hideous god of war
+In disadvantage ; to abide a field
+Where nothing but the sound of Hotspur's name
+Did seem defensible : so you left him .
+Never , O ! never , do his ghost the wrong
+To hold your honour more precise and nice
+With others than with him : let them alone .
+The marshal and the archbishop are strong :
+Had my sweet Harry had but half their numbers ,
+To-day might I , hanging on Hotspur's neck ,
+Have talk'd of Monmouth's grave .
+
+Beshrew your heart ,
+Fair daughter ! you do draw my spirits from me
+With new lamenting ancient oversights .
+But I must go and meet with danger there ,
+Or it will seek me in another place ,
+And find me worse provided .
+
+O ! fly to Scotland ,
+Till that the nobles and the armed commons
+Have of their puissance made a little taste .
+
+If they get ground and vantage of the king ,
+Then join you with them , like a rib of steel ,
+To make strength stronger ; but , for all our loves ,
+First let them try themselves . So did your son ;
+He was so suffer'd : so came I a widow ;
+And never shall have length of life enough
+To rain upon remembrance with mine eyes ,
+That it may grow and sprout as high as heaven ,
+For recordation to my noble husband .
+
+Come , come , go in with me . 'Tis with my mind
+As with the tide swell'd up unto its height ,
+That makes a still-stand , running neither way :
+Fain would I go to meet the archbishop ,
+But many thousand reasons hold me back .
+I will resolve for Scotland : there am I ,
+Till time and vantage crave my company .
+
+
+What the devil hast thou brought there ? apple-johns ? thou knowest Sir John cannot endure an apple-john .
+
+Mass , thou sayst true . The prince once set a dish of apple-johns before him , and told him there were five more Sir Johns ; and , putting off his hat , said , 'I will now take my leave of these six dry , round , old withered knights .' It angered him to the heart ; but he hath forgot that .
+
+Why then , cover , and set them down : and see if thou canst find out Sneak's noise ; Mistress Tearsheet would fain hear some music . Dispatch : the room where they supped is too hot ; they'll come in straight .
+
+Sirrah , here will be the prince and Master Poins anon ; and they will put on two of our jerkins and aprons ; and Sir John must not know of it : Bardolph hath brought word .
+
+By the mass , here will be old utis : it will be an excellent stratagem .
+
+I'll see if I can find out Sneak .
+
+I'faith , sweetheart , methinks now you are in an excellent good temperality : your pulsidge beats as extraordinarily as heart would desire ; and your colour , I warrant you , is as red as any rose ; in good truth , la ! But , i' faith , you have drunk too much canaries , and that's a marvellous searching wine , and it perfumes the blood ere one can say , What's this ? How do you now ?
+
+Better than I was : hem !
+
+Why , that's well said ; a good heart's worth gold . Lo ! here comes Sir John .
+
+
+When Arthur first in court Empty the jordan .
+
+And was a worthy king . How now , Mistress Doll !
+
+Sick of a calm : yea , good sooth .
+
+So is all her sect ; an they be once in a calm they are sick .
+
+You muddy rascal , is that all the comfort you give me ?
+
+You make fat rascals , Mistress Doll .
+
+I make them ! gluttony and diseases make them ; I make them not .
+
+If the cook help to make the gluttony , you help to make the diseases , Doll : we catch of you , Doll , we catch of you ; grant that , my poor virtue , grant that .
+
+Ay , marry ; our chains and our jewels .
+
+'Your brooches , pearls , and owches :' for to serve bravely is to come halting off you know : to come off the breach with his pike bent bravely , and to surgery bravely ; to venture upon the charged chambers bravely ,
+
+Hang yourself , you muddy conger , hang yourself !
+
+By my troth , this is the old fashion ; you two never meet but you fall to some discord : you are both , in good troth , as rheumatic as two dry toasts ; you cannot one bear with another's confirmities . What the good-year ! one must bear , and that must be you : you are the weaker vessel , as they say , the emptier vessel .
+
+Can a weak empty vessel bear such a huge full hogshead ? there's a whole merchant's venture of Bourdeaux stuff in him : you have not seen a hulk better stuffed in the hold . Come , I'll be friends with thee , Jack : thou art going to the wars ; and whether I shall ever see thee again or no , there is nobody cares .
+
+
+Sir , Ancient Pistol's below , and would speak with you .
+
+Hang him , swaggering rascal ! let him not come hither : it is the foul-mouthedest rogue in England .
+
+If he swagger , let him not come here : no , by my faith ; I must live amongst my neighbours ; I'll no swaggerers : I am in good name and fame with the very best . Shut the door ; there comes no swaggerers here : I have not lived all this while to have swaggering now : shut the door , I pray you .
+
+Dost thou hear , hostess ?
+
+Pray you , pacify yourself , Sir John : there comes no swaggerers here .
+
+Dost thou hear ? it is mine ancient .
+
+Tilly-fally , Sir John , never tell me : your ancient swaggerer comes not in my doors . I was before Master Tisick , the deputy , t'other day ; and , as he said to me ,'twas no longer ago than Wednesday last ,'Neighbour Quickly ,' says he ;Master Dumbe , our minister , was by then ;'Neighbour Quickly ,' says he , 'receive those that are civil , for ,' said he , 'you are in an ill name ;' now , a' said so , I can tell whereupon ; 'for ,' says he , 'you are an honest woman , and well thought on ; therefore take heed what guests you receive : receive ,' says he , 'no swaggering companions .' There comes none here :you would bless you to hear what he said . No , I'll no swaggerers .
+
+He's no swaggerer , hostess ; a tame cheater , i' faith ; you may stroke him as gently as a puppy greyhound : he will not swagger with a Barbary hen if her feathers turn back in any show of resistance . Call him up , drawer .
+
+
+Cheater , call you him ? I will bar no honest man my house , nor no cheater ; but I do not love swaggering , by my troth ; I am the worse , when one says swagger . Feel , masters , how I shake ; look you , I warrant you .
+
+So you do , hostess .
+
+Do I ? yea , in very truth , do I , an 'twere an aspen leaf : I cannot abide swaggerers .
+
+
+God save you , Sir John !
+
+Welcome , Ancient Pistol . Here , Pistol , I charge you with a cup of sack : do you discharge upon mine hostess .
+
+I will discharge upon her , Sir John , with two bullets .
+
+She is pistol-proof , sir ; you shall hardly offend her .
+
+Come , I'll drink no proofs nor no bullets : I'll drink no more than will do me good , for no man's pleasure , I .
+
+Then to you , Mistress Dorothy ; I will charge you .
+
+Charge me ! I scorn you , scurvy companion . What ! you poor , base , rascally , cheating , lack-linen mate ! Away , you mouldy rogue , away ! I am meat for your master .
+
+I know you , Mistress Dorothy .
+
+Away , you cut-purse rascal ! you filthy bung , away ! By this wine , I'll thrust my knife in your mouldy chaps an you play the saucy cuttle with me . Away , you bottle-ale rascal ! you basket-hilt stale juggler , you ! Since when , I pray you , sir ? God's light ! with two points on your shoulder ? much !
+
+God let me not live . I will murder your ruff for this !
+
+No more , Pistol : I would not have you go off here . Discharge yourself of our company , Pistol .
+
+No , good captain Pistol ; not here , sweet captain .
+
+Captain ! thou abominable damned cheater , art thou not ashamed to be called captain ? An captains were of my mind , they would truncheon you out for taking their names upon you before you have earned them . You a captain , you slave ! for what ? for tearing a poor whore's ruff in a bawdy-house ? He a captain ! Hang him , rogue ! He lives upon mouldy stewed prunes and dried cakes . A captain ! God's light , these villains will make the word captain as odious as the word 'occupy ,' which was an excellent good word before it was ill sorted : therefore captains had need look to it .
+
+Pray thee , go down , good ancient .
+
+Hark thee hither , Mistress Doll .
+
+Not I ; I tell thee what , Corporal Bardolph ; I could tear her . I'll be revenged of her .
+
+Pray thee , go down .
+
+I'll see her damned first ; to Pluto's damned lake , by this hand , to the infernal deep , with Erebus and tortures vile also . Hold hook and line , say I . Down , down , dogs ! down fates ! Have we not Hiren here ?
+
+Good Captain Peesel , be quiet ; it is very late , i' faith . I beseek you now , aggravate your choler .
+
+These be good humours , indeed ! Shall pack-horses ,
+And hollow pamper'd jades of Asia ,
+Which cannot go but thirty miles a day ,
+Compare with C sars , and with Cannibals ,
+And Trojan Greeks ? nay , rather damn them with
+King Cerberus ; and let the welkin roar .
+Shall we fall foul for toys ?
+
+By my troth , captain , these are very bitter words .
+
+Be gone , good ancient : this will grow to a brawl anon .
+
+Dio men like dogs ! give crowns like pins ! Have we not Hiren here ?
+
+O' my word , captain , there's none such here . What the good-year ! do you think I would deny her ? for God's sake ! be quiet .
+
+Then feed , and be fat , my fair Calipolis .
+Come , give's some sack .
+Si fortuna me tormente , sperato me contento .
+Fear we broadsides ? no , let the fiend give fire :
+Give me some sack ; and , sweetheart , lie thou there .
+
+Come we to full points here , and are et ceteras nothing ?
+
+Pistol , I would be quiet .
+
+Sweet knight , I kiss thy neif . What ! we have seen the seven stars .
+
+For God's sake , thrust him down stairs ! I cannot endure such a fustian rascal .
+
+'Thrust him down stairs !' know we not Galloway nags ?
+
+Quoit him down , Bardolph , like a shovegroat shilling : nay , an a' do nothing but speak nothing , a' shall be nothing here .
+
+Come , get you down stairs .
+
+What ! shall we have incision ? Shall we imbrue ?
+
+Then death rock me asleep , abridge my doleful days !
+Why then , let grievous , ghastly , gaping wounds
+Untwine the Sisters Three ! Come , Atropos , I say !
+
+Here's goodly stuff toward !
+
+Give me my rapier , boy .
+
+I pray thee , Jack , I pray thee , do not draw .
+
+Get you down stairs .
+
+
+Here's a goodly tumult ! I'll forswear keeping house , afore I'll be in these tirrits and frights . So ; murder , I warrant now . Alas , alas ! put up your naked weapons ; put up your naked weapons .
+
+
+I pray thee , Jack , be quiet ; the rascal's gone . Ah ! you whoreson little valiant villain , you !
+
+Are you not hurt i' the groin ? methought a' made a shrewd thrust at your belly .
+
+
+Have you turned him out o' doors ?
+
+Yes , sir : the rascal's drunk . You have hurt him , sir , i' the shoulder .
+
+A rascal , to brave me !
+
+Ah , you sweet little rogue , you ! Alas , poor ape , how thou sweatest ! Come , let me wipe thy face ; come on , you whoreson chops . Ah , rogue ! i' faith , I love thee . Thou art as valorous as Hector of Troy , worth five of Agamemnon , and ten times better than the Nine Worthies . Ah , villain !
+
+A rascally slave ! I will toss the rogue in a blanket .
+
+Do , an thou darest for thy heart : an thou dost , I'll canvass thee between a pair of sheets .
+
+
+The music is come , sir .
+
+Let them play . Play , sirs . Sit on my knee , Doll . A rascal bragging slave ! the rogue fled from me like quicksilver .
+
+I' faith , and thou followedst him like a church . Thou whoreson little tidy Bartholomew boar-pig , when wilt thou leave fighting o' days , and foining o' nights , and begin to patch up thine old body for heaven ?
+
+
+Peace , good Doll ! do not speak like a death's head : do not bid me remember mine end .
+
+Sirrah , what humour is the prince of ?
+
+A good shallow young fellow : a' would have made a good pantler , a' would have chipped bread well .
+
+They say , Poins has a good wit .
+
+He a good wit ! hang him , baboon ! his wit is as thick as Tewksbury mustard : there is no more conceit in him than is in a mallet .
+
+Why does the prince love him so , then ?
+
+Because their legs are both of a bigness , and he plays at quoits well , and eats conger and fennel , and drinks off candles' ends for flapdragons , and rides the wild mare with the boys , and jumps upon joint-stools , and swears with a good grace , and wears his boots very smooth , like unto the sign of the leg , and breeds no bate with telling of discreet stories ; and such other gambol faculties a' has , that show a weak mind and an able body , for the which the prince admits him : for the prince himself is such another ; the weight of a hair will turn the scales between their avoirdupois .
+
+Would not this nave of a wheel have his ears cut off ?
+
+Let's beat him before his whore .
+
+Look , whether the withered elder hath not his poll clawed like a parrot .
+
+Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance ?
+
+Kiss me , Doll .
+
+Saturn and Venus this year in conjunction ! what says the almanack to that ?
+
+And , look , whether the fiery Trigon , his man , be not lisping to his master's old tables , his note-book , his counsel-keeper .
+
+Thou dost give me flattering busses .
+
+By my troth , I kiss thee with a most constant heart .
+
+I am old , I am old .
+
+I love thee better than I love e'er a scurvy young boy of them all .
+
+What stuff wilt have a kirtle of ? I shall receive money o' Thursday ; thou shalt have a cap to-morrow . A merry song ! come : it grows late ; we'll to bed . Thou'lt forget me when I am gone .
+
+By my troth , thou'lt set me a-weeping an thou sayst so : prove that ever I dress myself handsome till thy return . Well , hearken at the end .
+
+Some sack , Francis !
+
+Anon , anon , sir .
+
+Anon , anon , sir .
+
+Ha ! a bastard son of the king's ? And art not thou Poins his brother ?
+
+Why , thou globe of sinful cntinents , what a life dost thou lead !
+
+A better than thou : I am a gentleman ; thou art a drawer .
+
+Very true , sir ; and I come to draw you out by the ears .
+
+O ! the Lord preserve thy good Grace ; by my troth , welcome to London . Now , the Lord bless that sweet face of thine ! O Jesu ! are you come from Wales ?
+
+Thou whoreson mad compound of majesty , by this light flesh and corrupt blood
+
+thou art welcome .
+
+How , you fat fool ! I scorn you .
+
+My lord , he will drive you out of your revenge and turn all to a merriment , if you take not the heat .
+
+You whoreson candle-mine , you , how vilely did you speak of me even now before this honest , virtuous , civil gentlewoman !
+
+Blessing on your good heart ! and so she is , by my troth .
+
+Didst thou hear me ?
+
+Yea ; and you knew me , as you did when you ran away by Gadshill : you knew I was at your back , and spoke it on purpose to try my patience .
+
+No , no , no ; not so ; I did not think thou wast within hearing .
+
+I shall drive you then to confess the wilful abuse ; and then I know how to handle you .
+
+No abuse , Hal , o' mine honour ; no abuse .
+
+Not to dispraise me , and call me pantler and bread-chipper and I know not what ?
+
+No abuse , Hal .
+
+No abuse !
+
+No abuse , Ned , in the world ; honest Ned , none . I dispraised him before the wicked , that the wicked might not fall in love with him ; in which doing I have done the part of a careful friend and a true subject , and thy father is to give me thanks for it . No abuse , Hal ; none , Ned , none : no , faith , boys , none .
+
+See now , whether pure fear and entire cowardice doth not make thee wrong this virtuous gentlewoman to close with us ? Is she of the wicked ? Is thine hostess here of the wicked ? Or is thy boy of the wicked ? Or honest Bardolph , whose zeal burns in his nose , of the wicked ?
+
+Answer , thou dead elm , answer .
+
+The fiend hath pricked down Bardolph irrecoverable ; and his face is Lucifer's privykitchen , where he doth nothing but roast maltworms . For the boy , there is a good angel about him ; but the devil outbids him too .
+
+For the women ?
+
+For one of them , she is in hell already , and burns poor souls . For the other , I owe her money ; and whether she be damned for that , I know not .
+
+No , I warrant you .
+
+No , I think thou art not ; I think thou art quit for that . Marry , there is another indictment upon thee , for suffering flesh to be eaten in thy house , contrary to the law ; for the which I think thou wilt howl .
+
+All victuallers do so : what's a joint of mutton or two in a whole Lent ?
+
+You , gentlewoman ,
+
+What says your Grace ?
+
+His Grace says that which his flesh rebels against .
+
+
+Who knocks so loud at door ? Look to the door there , Francis .
+
+
+Peto , how now ! what news ?
+
+The king your father is at Westminster ;
+And there are twenty weak and wearied posts
+Come from the north : and as I came along ,
+I met and overtook a dozen captains ,
+Bare-headed , sweating , knocking at the taverns ,
+And asking every one for Sir John Falstaff .
+
+By heaven , Poins , I feel me much to blame ,
+So idly to profane the precious time ,
+When tempest of commotion , like the south ,
+Borne with black vapour , doth begin to melt
+And drop upon our bare unarmed heads .
+Give me my sword and cloak . Falstaff , good night .
+
+
+Now comes in the sweetest morsel of the night , and we must hence and leave it unpicked .
+
+More knocking at the door !
+
+How now ! what's the matter ?
+
+You must away to court , sir , presently ;
+A dozen captains stay at door for you .
+
+Pay the musicians , sirrah . Farewell , hostess ; farewell , Doll . You see , my good wenches , how men of merit are sought after : the undeserver may sleep when the man of action is called on . Farewell , good wenches . If I be not sent away post , I will see you again ere I go .
+
+I cannot speak ; if my heart be not ready to burst ,well , sweet Jack , have a care of thyself .
+
+Farewell , farewell .
+
+
+Well , fare thee well : I have known thee these twenty-nine years , come peascod-time ; but an honester , and truer-hearted man ,well , fare thee well .
+
+Mistress Tearsheet !
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+Bid Mistress Tearsheet come to my master .
+
+O ! run , Doll , run ; run , good Doll .
+
+Go , call the Earls of Surrey and of Warwick ;
+But , ere they come , bid them o'er-read these letters ,
+And well consider of them . Make good speed .
+
+How many thousand of my poorest subjects
+Are at this hour asleep ! O sleep ! O gentle sleep !
+Nature's soft nurse , how have I frighted thee ,
+That thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down
+And steep my senses in forgetfulness ?
+Why rather , sleep , liest thou in smoky cribs ,
+Upon uneasy pallets stretching thee ,
+And hush'd with buzzing night-flies to thy slumber ,
+Than in the perfum'd chambers of the great ,
+Under the canopies of costly state ,
+And lull'd with sound of sweetest melody ?
+O thou dull god ! why liest thou with the vile
+In loathsome beds , and leav'st the kingly couch
+A watch-case or a common 'larum bell ?
+Wilt thou upon the high and giddy mast
+Seel up the ship-boy's eyes , and rock his brains
+In cradle of the rude imperious surge ,
+And in the visitation of the winds ,
+Who take the ruffian billows by the top ,
+Curling their monstrous heads , and hanging them
+With deaf'ning clamour in the slippery clouds ,
+That with the hurly death itself awakes ?
+Canst thou , O partial sleep ! give thy repose
+To the wet sea-boy in an hour so rude ,
+And in the calmest and most stillest night ,
+With all appliances and means to boot ,
+Deny it to a king ? Then , happy low , lie down !
+Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown .
+
+
+Many good morrows to your majesty !
+
+Is it good morrow , lords ?
+
+'Tis one o'clock , and past .
+
+Why then , good morrow to you all , my lords .
+Have you read o'er the letters that I sent you ?
+
+We have , my liege .
+
+Then you perceive the body of our kingdom ,
+How foul it is ; what rank diseases grow ,
+And with what danger , near the heart of it .
+
+It is but as a body , yet , distemper'd ,
+Which to his former strength may be restor'd
+With good advice and little medicine :
+My Lord Northumberland will soon be cool'd .
+
+O God ! that one might read the book of fate ,
+And see the revolution of the times
+Make mountains level , and the continent ,
+Weary of solid firmness ,melt itself
+Into the sea ! and , other times , to see
+The beachy girdle of the ocean
+Too wide for Neptune's hips ; how chances mock ,
+And changes fill the cup of alteration
+With divers liquors ! O ! if this were seen ,
+The happiest youth , viewing his progress through ,
+What perils past , what crosses to ensue ,
+Would shut the book , and sit him down and die .
+'Tis not ten years gone
+Since Richard and Northumberland , great friends ,
+Did feast together , and in two years after
+Were they at wars : it is but eight years since
+This Percy was the man nearest my soul ,
+Who like a brother toil'd in my affairs
+And laid his love and life under my foot ;
+Yea , for my sake , even to the eyes of Richard
+Gave him defiance . But which of you was by ,
+
+
+You , cousin Nevil , as I may remember ,
+When Richard , with his eye brimful of tears ,
+Then check'd and rated by Northumberland ,
+Did speak these words , now prov'd a prophecy ?
+'Northumberland , thou ladder , by the which
+My cousin Bolingbroke ascends my throne ;'
+Though then , God knows , I had no such intent ,
+But that necessity so bow'd the state
+That I and greatness were compelled to kiss :
+'The time shall come ,' thus did he follow it ,
+'The time will come , that foul sin , gathering head ,
+Shall break into corruption :' so went on ,
+Foretelling this same time's condition
+And the division of our amity .
+
+There is a history in all men's lives ,
+Figuring the nature of the times deceas'd ;
+The which observ'd , a man may prophesy ,
+With a near aim , of the main chance of things
+As yet not come to life , which in their seeds
+And weak leginnings lie intreasured .
+Such things become the hatch and brood of time ;
+And by the necessary form of this
+King Richard might create a perfect guess
+That great Northumberland , then false to him ,
+Would of that seed grow to a greater falseness ,
+Which should not find a ground to root upon ,
+Unless on you .
+
+Are these things then necessities ?
+Then let us meet them like necessities ;
+And that same word even now cries out on us .
+They say the bishop and Northumberland
+Are fifty thousand strong .
+
+It cannot be , my lord !
+Rumour doth double , like the voice and echo ,
+The numbers of the fear'd . Please it your Grace
+To go to bed : upon my soul , my lord ,
+The powers that you already have sent forth
+Shall bring this prize in very easily .
+To comfort you the more , I have receiv'd
+A certain instance that Glendower is dead .
+Your majesty hath been this fortnight ill ,
+And these unseason'd hours perforce must add
+Unto your sickness .
+
+I will take your counsel :
+And were these inward wars once out of hand ,
+We would , dear lords , unto the Holy Land .
+
+
+Come on , come on , come on , sir ; give me your hand , sir , give me your hand , sir : an early stirrer , by the rood ! And how doth my good cousin Silence ?
+
+Good morrow , good cousin Shallow .
+
+And how doth my cousin , your bed-fellow ? and your fairest daughter and mine , my god-daughter Ellen ?
+
+Alas ! a black ousel , cousin Shallow !
+
+By yea and nay , sir , I dare say my cousin William is become a good scholar . He is at Oxford still , is he not ?
+
+Indeed , sir , to my cost .
+
+A' must , then , to the inns o' court shortly . I was once of Clement's Inn ; where I think they will talk of mad Shallow yet .
+
+You were called 'lusty Shallow' then , cousin .
+
+By the mass , I was called any thing ; and I would have done any thing indeed too , and roundly too . There was I , and Little John Doit of Staffordshire , and black George Barnes , and Francis Pickbone , and Will Squele a Cotswold man ; you had not four such swinge-bucklers in all the inns of court again : and , I may say to you , we knew where the bona-robas were , and had the best of them all at commandment . Then was Jack Falstaff , now Sir John , a boy , and page to Thomas Mowbray , Duke of Norfolk .
+
+This Sir John , cousin , that comes hither anon about soldiers ?
+
+The same Sir John , the very same . I saw him break Skogan's head at the court gate , when a' was a crack not thus high : and the very same day did I fight with one Sampson Stockfish , a fruiterer , behind Gray's Inn . Jesu ! Jesu ! the mad days that I have spent ; and to see how many of mine old acquaintance are dead !
+
+We shall all follow , cousin .
+
+Certain , 'tis certain ; very sure , very sure : death , as the Psalmist saith , is certain to all ; all shall die . How a good yoke of bullocks at Stamford fair ?
+
+Truly , cousin , I was not there .
+
+Death is certain . Is old Double of your town living yet ?
+
+Dead , sir .
+
+Jesu ! Jesu ! dead ! a' drew a good bow ; and dead ! a' shot a fine shoot : John a Gaunt loved him well , and betted much money on his head . Dead ! a' would have clapped i' the clout at twelve score ; and carried you a forehand shaft a fourteen and fourteen and a half , that it would have done a man's heart good to see . How a score of ewes now ?
+
+Thereafter as they be : a score of good ewes may be worth ten pounds .
+
+And is old Double dead ?
+
+Here come two of Sir John Falstaff's men , as I think .
+
+
+Good morrow , honest gentlemen : I beseech you , which is Justice Shallow ?
+
+I am Robert Shallow , sir ; a poor esquire of this county , and one of the king's justices of the peace : what is your good pleasure with me ?
+
+My captain , sir , commends him to you ; my captain , Sir John Falstaff : a tall gentleman , by heaven , and a most gallant leader .
+
+He greets me well , sir . I knew him a good backsword man . How doth the good knight ? may I ask how my lady his wife doth ?
+
+Sir , pardon ; a soldier is better accommodated than with a wife .
+
+It is well said , in faith , sir ; and it is well said indeed too . 'Better accommodated !' it is good ; yea indeed , is it : good phrases are surely and ever were , very commendable . Accommodated ! it comes of accommodo : very good ; a good phrase .
+
+Pardon me , sir ; I have heard the word . 'Phrase ,' call you it ? By this good day , I know not the phrase ; but I will maintain the word with my sword to be a soldier-like word , and a word of exceeding good command , by heaven . Accommodated ; that is , when a man is , as they say , accommodated ; or , when a man is , being , whereby , a' may be thought to be accommodated , which is an excellent thing .
+
+
+It is very just . Look , here comes good Sir John . Give me your good hand , give me your worship's good hand . By my troth , you look well and bear your years very well : welcome , good Sir John .
+
+I am glad to see you well , good Master Robert Shallow . Master Surecard , as I think .
+
+No , Sir John ; it is my cousin , Silence , in commission with me .
+
+Good Master Silence , it well befits you should be of the peace .
+
+Your good worship is welcome .
+
+Fie ! this is hot weather , gentlemen .
+Have you provided me here half a dozen sufficient men ?
+
+Marry , have we , sir . Will you sit ?
+
+Let me see them , I beseech you .
+
+Where's the roll ? where's the roll ? where's the roll ? Let me see , let me see , let me see . So , so , so , so , so , so , so : yea , marry , sir : Ralph Mouldy ! let them appear as I call ; let them do so , let them do so . Let me see ; where is Mouldy ?
+
+Here , an't please you .
+
+What think you , Sir John ? a goodlimbed fellow ; young , strong , and of good friends .
+
+Is thy name Mouldy ?
+
+Yea , an't please you .
+
+'Tis the more time thou wert used .
+
+Ha , ha , ha ! most excellent , i' faith ! things that are mouldy lack use : very singular good . In faith , well said , Sir John ; very well said .
+
+Prick him .
+
+I was pricked well enough before , an you could have let me alone : my old dame will be undone now for one to do her husbandry and her drudgery : you need not to have pricked me ; there are other men fitter to go out than I .
+
+Go to : peace , Mouldy ! you shall go . Mouldy , it is time you were spent .
+
+Spent !
+
+Peace , fellow , peace ! stand aside : know you where you are ? For the other , Sir John : let me see . Simon Shadow !
+
+Yea , marry , let me have him to sit under : he's like to be a cold soldier .
+
+Where's Shadow ?
+
+Here , sir .
+
+Shadow , whose son art thou ?
+
+My mother's son , sir .
+
+Thy mother's son ! like enough , and thy father's shadow : so the son of the female is the shadow of the male : it is often so , indeed ; but not of the father's substance .
+
+Do you like him , Sir John ?
+
+Shadow will serve for summer ; prick him , for we have a number of shadows to fill up the muster-book .
+
+Thomas Wart ?
+
+Where's he ?
+
+Here , sir .
+
+Is thy name Wart ?
+
+Yea , sir .
+
+Thou art a very ragged wart .
+
+Shall I prick him , Sir John ?
+
+It were superfluous ; for his apparel is built upon his back , and the whole frame stands upon pins : prick him no more .
+
+Ha , ha , ha ! you can do it , sir ; you can do it : I commend you well . Francis Feeble !
+
+Here , sir .
+
+What trade art thou , Feeble ?
+
+A woman's tailor , sir .
+
+Shall I prick him , sir ?
+
+You may ; but if he had been a man's tailor he'd have pricked you . Wilt thou make as many holes in an enemy's battle as thou hast done in a woman's petticoat ?
+
+I will do my good will , sir : you can have no more .
+
+Well said , good woman's tailor ! well said , courageous Feeble ! Thou wilt be as valiant as the wrathful dove or most magnanimous mouse . Prick the woman's tailor ; well , Master Shallow ; deep , Master Shallow .
+
+I would Wart might have gone , sir .
+
+I would thou wert a man's tailor , that thou mightst mend him , and make him fit to go . I cannot put him to a private soldier that is the leader of so many thousands : let that suffice , most forcible Feeble .
+
+It shall suffice , sir .
+
+I am bound to thee , reverend Feeble .
+Who is next ?
+
+Peter Bullcalf o' the green !
+
+Yea , marry , let's see Bullcalf .
+
+Here , sir .
+
+'Fore God , a likely fellow ! Come , prick me Bullcalf till he roar again .
+
+O Lord ! good my lord captain ,
+
+What ! dost thou roar before thou art pricked ?
+
+O Lord , sir ! I am a diseased man .
+
+What disease hast thou ?
+
+A whoreson cold , sir ; a cough , sir , which I caught with ringing in the king's affairs upon his coronation day , sir .
+
+Come , thou shalt go to the wars in a gown ; we will have away thy cold ; and I will take such order that thy friends shall ring for thee . Is here all ?
+
+Here is two more called than your number ; you must have but four here , sir : and so , I pray you , go in with me to dinner .
+
+Come , I will go drink with you , but I cannot tarry dinner . I am glad to see you , by my troth , Master Shallow .
+
+O , Sir John , do you remember since we lay all night in the windmill in Saint George's fields ?
+
+No more of that , good Master Shallow , no more of that .
+
+Ha ! it was a merry night . And is Jane Nightwork alive ?
+
+She lives , Master Shallow .
+
+She never could away with me .
+
+Never , never ; she would always say she could not abide Master Shallow .
+
+By the mass , I could anger her to the heart . She was then a bona-roba . Doth she hold her own well ?
+
+Old , old , Master Shallow .
+
+Nay she must be old ; she cannot choose but be old ; certain she's old ; and had Robin Nightwork by old Nightwork before I came to Clement's Inn .
+
+That's fifty-five year ago .
+
+Ha ! cousin Silence , that thou hadst seen that that this knight and I have seen . Ha ! Sir John , said I well ?
+
+We have heard the chimes at midnight , Master Shallow .
+
+That we have , that we have , that we have ; in faith , Sir John , we have . Our watchword was , 'Hem , boys !' Come , let's to dinner ; come , let's to dinner . Jesus , the days that we have seen ! Come , come .
+
+
+Good Master Corporate Bardolph , stand my friend , and here's four Harry ten shillings in French crowns for you . In very truth , sir , I had as lief be hanged , sir , as go : and yet , for mine own part , sir , I do not care ; but rather , because I am unwilling , and , for mine own part , have a desire to stay with my friends : else , sir , I did not care , for mine own part , so much .
+
+Go to ; stand aside .
+
+And , good Master corporal captain , for my old dame's sake , stand my friend : she has nobody to do any thing about her , when I am gone ; and she is old , and cannot help herself . You shall have forty , sir .
+
+Go to ; stand aside .
+
+By my troth , I care not ; a man can die but once ; we owe God a death . I'll ne'er bear a base mind : an't be my destiny , so ; an't be not , so . No man's too good to serve's prince ; and let it go which way it will , he that dies this year is quit for the next .
+
+Well said ; thou'rt a good fellow .
+
+Faith , I'll bear no base mind .
+
+
+Come , sir , which men shall I have ?
+
+Four , of which you please .
+
+Sir , a word with you . I have three pound to free Mouldy and Bullcalf .
+
+Go to ; well .
+
+Come , Sir John , which four will you have ?
+
+Do you choose for me .
+
+Marry , then , Mouldy , Bullcalf , Feeble , and Shadow .
+
+Mouldy , and Bullcalf : for you , Mouldy , stay at home till you are past service : and for your part , Bullcalf , grow till you come unto it : I will none of you .
+
+Sir John , Sir John , do not yourself wrong : they are your likeliest men , and I would have you served with the best .
+
+Will you tell me , Master Shallow , how to choose a man ? Care I for the limb , the thewes , the stature , bulk , and big assemblance of a man ! Give me the spirit , Master Shallow . Here's Wart ; you see what a ragged appearance it is : a' shall charge you and discharge you with the motion of a pewterer's hammer , come off and on swifter than he that gibbets on the brewer's bucket . And this same half-faced fellow , Shadow , give me this man : he presents no mark to the enemy ; the foeman may with as great aim level at the edge of a penknife . And , for a retreat ; how swiftly will this Feeble the woman's tailor run off ! O ! give me the spare men , and spare me the great ones . Put me a caliver into Wart's hand , Bardolph .
+
+Hold , Wart , traverse ; thus , thus , thus .
+
+Come , manage me your caliver . So : very well : go to : very good : exceeding good . O , give me always a little , lean , old , chopp'd , bald shot . Well said , i' faith , Wart ; thou'rt a good scab : hold , there's a tester for thee .
+
+He is not his craft's master , he doth not do it right . I remember at Mile-end Green , when I lay at Clement's Inn ,I was then Sir Dagonet in Arthur's show ,there was a little quiver fellow , and a' would manage you his piece thus : and a' would about and about , and come you in , and come you in ; 'rah , tah , tah ,' would a' say ; 'bounce ,' would a' say ; and away again would a' go , and again would a' come : I shall never see such a fellow .
+
+These fellows will do well , Master Shallow . God keep you , Master Silence : I will not use many words with you . Fare you well , gentlemen both : I thank you : I must a dozen mile to-night . Bardolph , give the soldiers coats .
+
+Sir John , the Lord bless you ! and prosper your affairs ! God send us peace ! At your return visit our house ; let our old acquaintance be renewed : peradventure I will with ye to the court .
+
+'Fore God I would you would , Master Shallow .
+
+Go to ; I have spoke at a word . God keep you .
+
+Fare you well , gentle gentlemen .
+
+As I return , I will fetch off these justices : I do see the bottom of Justice Shallow . Lord , Lord ! how subject we old men are to this vice of lying . This same starved justice hath done nothing but prate to me of the wildness of his youth and the feats he hath done about Turnbull Street ; and every third word a lie , duer paid to the hearer than the Turk's tribute . I do remember him at Clement's Inn like a man made after supper of a cheese-paring : when a' was naked he was for all the world like a forked radish , with a head fantastically carved upon it with a knife : a' was so forlorn that his dimensions to any thick sight were invincible : a' was the very genius of famine ; yet lecherous as a monkey , and the whores called him mandrake : a' came ever in the rearward of the fashion and sung those tunes to the over-scutched huswives that he heard the carmen whistle , and sware they were his fancies or his good-nights . And now is this Vice's dagger become a squire , and talks as familiarly of John a Gaunt as if he had been sworn brother to him ; and I'll be sworn a' never saw him but once in the Tilt-yard , and then he burst his head for crowding among the marshal's men . I saw it and told John a Gaunt he beat his own name ; for you might have thrust him and all his apparel into an eel-skin ; the case of a treble hautboy was a mansion for him , a court ; and now has he land and beefs . Well , I will be acquainted with him , if I return ; and it shall go hard but I will make him a philosopher's two stones to me . If the young dace be a bait for the old pike , I see no reason in the law of nature but I may snap at him . Let time shape , and there an end .
+
+What is this forest call'd ?
+
+'Tis Gaultree Forest , an't shall please your Grace .
+
+Here stand , my lords , and send discovers forth ,
+To know the numbers of our enemies .
+
+We have sent forth already .
+
+'Tis well done .
+My friends and brethren in these great affairs ,
+I must acquaint you that I have receiv'd
+New-dated letters from Northumberland ;
+Their cold intent , tenour and substance , thus :
+Here doth he wish his person , with such powers
+As might hold sortance with his quality ;
+The which he could not levy ; whereupon
+He is retir'd , to ripe his growing fortunes ,
+To Scotland ; and concludes in hearty prayers
+That your attempts may overlive the hazard
+And fearful meeting of their opposite .
+
+Thus do the hopes we have in him touch ground
+And dash themselves to pieces .
+
+
+Now , what news ?
+
+West of this forest , scarcely off a mile ,
+In goodly form comes on the enemy ;
+And , by the ground they hide , I judge their number
+Upon or near the rate of thirty thousand .
+
+The just proportion that we gave them out .
+Let us sway on and face them in the field .
+
+
+What well-appointed leader fronts us here ?
+
+I think it is my Lord of Westmoreland .
+
+Health and fair greeting from our general .
+The Prince , Lord John and Duke of Lancaster .
+
+Say on , my Lord of Westmoreland , in peace ,
+What doth concern your coming .
+
+Then , my lord ,
+Unto your Grace do I in chief address
+The substance of my speech . If that rebellion
+Came like itself , in base and abject routs ,
+Led on by bloody youth , guarded with rags ,
+And countenanc'd by boys and beggary ;
+I say , if damn'd commotion so appear'd ,
+In his true , native , and most proper shape ,
+You , reverend father , and these noble lords
+Had not been here , to dress the ugly form
+Of base and bloody insurrection
+With your fair honours . You , lord archbishop ,
+Whose see is by a civil peace maintain'd ,
+Whose beard the silver hand of peace hath touch'd ,
+Whose learning and good letters peace hath tutor'd ,
+Whose white investments figure innocence ,
+The dove and very blessed spirit of peace ,
+Wherefore do you so ill translate yourself
+Out of the speech of peace that bears such grace
+Into the harsh and boisterous tongue of war ;
+Turning your books to greaves , your ink to blood ,
+Your pens to lances , and your tongue divine
+To a loud trumpet and a point of war ?
+
+Wherefore do I this ? so the question stands .
+Briefly to this end : we are all diseas'd ;
+And , with our surfeiting and wanton hours
+Have brought ourselves into a burning fever ,
+And we must bleed for it : of which disease
+Our late king , Richard , being infected , died .
+But , my most noble Lord of Westmoreland ,
+I take not on me here as a physician ,
+Nor do I as an enemy to peace
+Troop in the throngs of military men ;
+But rather show a while like fearful war ,
+To diet rank minds sick of happiness
+And purge the obstructions which begin to stop
+Our very veins of life . Hear me more plainly :
+I have in equal balance justly weigh'd
+What wrongs our arms may do , what wrongs we suffer ,
+And find our griefs heavier than our offences .
+We see which way the stream of time doth run
+And are enforc'd from our most quiet sphere
+By the rough torrent of occasion ;
+And have the summary of all our griefs ,
+When time shall serve , to show in articles ,
+Which long ere this we offer'd to the king ,
+And might by no suit gain our audience .
+When we are wrong'd and would unfold our griefs ,
+We are denied access unto his person
+Even by those men that most have done us wrong .
+The dangers of the days but newly gone ,
+Whose memory is written on the earth
+With yet appearing blood ,and the examples
+Of every minute's instance , present now ,
+Have put us in these ill-beseeming arms ;
+Not to break peace , or any branch of it ,
+But to establish here a peace indeed ,
+Concurring both in name and quality .
+
+When ever yet was your appeal denied ?
+Wherein have you been galled by the king ?
+What peer hath been suborn'd to grate on you ,
+That you should seal this lawless bloody book
+Of forg'd rebellion with a seal divine ,
+And consecrate commotion's bitter edge ?
+
+My brother general , the commonwealth ,
+To brother born an household cruelty ,
+I make my quarrel in particular .
+
+There is no need of any such redress ;
+Or if there were , it not belongs to you .
+
+Why not to him in part , and to us all
+That feel the bruises of the days before ,
+And suffer the condition of these times
+To lay a heavy and unequal hand
+Upon our honours ?
+
+O ! my good Lord Mowbray ,
+Construe the times to their necessities ,
+And you shall say indeed , it is the time ,
+And not the king , that doth you injuries .
+Yet , for your part , it not appears to me
+Either from the king or in the present time
+That you should have an inch of any ground
+To build a grief on : were you not restor'd
+To all the Duke of Norfolk's signories ,
+Your noble and right well-remember'd father's ?
+
+What thing , in honour , had my father lost ,
+That need to be reviv'd and breath'd in me ?
+The king that lov'd him as the state stood then ,
+Was force perforce compell'd to banish him :
+And then that Harry Bolingbroke and he ,
+Being mounted and both roused in their seats ,
+Their neighing coursers daring of the spur ,
+Their armed staves in charge , their beavers down ,
+Their eyes of fire sparkling through sights of steel ,
+And the loud trumpet blowing them together ,
+Then , then , when there was nothing could have stay'd
+My father from the breast of Bolingbroke ,
+O ! when the king did throw his warder down ,
+His own life hung upon the staff he threw ;
+Then threw he down himself and all their lives
+That by indictment and by dint of sword
+Have since miscarried under Bolingbroke .
+
+You speak , Lord Mowbray , now you know not what .
+The Earl of Hereford was reputed then
+In England the most valiant gentleman :
+Who knows on whom Fortune would then have smil'd ?
+But if your father had been victor there ,
+He ne'er had borne it out of Coventry ;
+For all the country in a general voice
+Cried hate upon him ; and all their prayers and love
+Were set on Hereford , whom they doted on
+And bless'd and grac'd indeed , more than the king .
+But this is mere digression from my purpose .
+Here come I from our princely general
+To know your griefs ; to tell you from his Grace
+That he will give you audience ; and wherein
+It shall appear that your demands are just ,
+You shall enjoy them ; every thing set off
+That might so much as think you enemies .
+
+But he hath forc'd us to compel this offer ,
+And it proceeds from policy , not love .
+
+Mowbray , you overween to take it so .
+This offer comes from mercy , not from fear :
+For , lo ! within a ken our army lies
+Upon mine honour , all too confident
+To give admittance to a thought of fear .
+Our battle is more full of names than yours ,
+Our men more perfect in the use of arms ,
+Our armour all as strong , our cause the best ;
+Then reason will our hearts should be as good :
+Say you not then our offer is compell'd .
+
+Well , by my will we shall admit no parley .
+
+That argues but the shame of your offence :
+A rotten case abides no handling .
+
+Hath the Prince John a full commission ,
+In very ample virtue of his father ,
+To hear and absolutely to determine
+Of what conditions we shall stand upon ?
+
+That is intended in the general's name .
+I muse you make so slight a question .
+
+Then take , my Lord of Westmoreland , this schedule ,
+For this contains our general grievances :
+Each several article herein redress'd ;
+All members of our cause , both here and hence ,
+That are insinew'd to this action ,
+Acquitted by a true substantial form
+And present execution of our wills
+To us and to our purposes consign'd ;
+We come within our awful banks again
+And knit our powers to the arm of peace .
+
+This will I show the general . Please you , lords ,
+In sight of both our battles we may meet ;
+And either end in peace , which God so frame !
+Or to the place of difference call the swords
+Which must decide it .
+
+My lord , we will do so .
+
+
+There is a thing within my bosom tells me
+That no conditions of our peace can stand .
+
+Fear you not that : if we can make our peace
+Upon such large terms , and so absolute
+As our condition shall consist upon ,
+Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains .
+
+Yea , but our valuation shall be such
+That every slight and false-derived cause ,
+Yea , every idle , nice , and wanton reason
+Shall to the king taste of this action ;
+That , were our royal faiths martyrs in love ,
+We shall be winnow'd with so rough a wind
+That even our corn shall seem as light as chaff
+And good from bad find no partition .
+
+No , no , my lord . Note this ; the king is weary
+Of dainty and such picking grievances :
+For he hath found to end one doubt by death
+Revives two greater in the heirs of life ;
+And therefore will he wipe his tables clean ,
+And keep no tell-tale to his memory
+That may repeat and history his loss
+To new remembrance ; for full well he knows
+He cannot so precisely weed this land
+As his misdoubts present occasion :
+His foes are so enrooted with his friends
+That , plucking to unfix an enemy ,
+He doth unfasten so and shake a friend .
+So that this land , like an offensive wife ,
+That hath enrag'd him on to offer strokes ,
+As he is striking , holds his infant up
+And hangs resolv'd correction in the arm
+That was uprear'd to execution .
+
+Besides , the king hath wasted all his rods
+On late offenders , that he now doth lack
+The very instruments of chastisement ;
+So that his power , like to a fangless lion ,
+May offer , but not hold .
+
+'Tis very true :
+And therefore be assur'd , my good lord marshal ,
+If we do now make our atonement well ,
+Our peace will , like a broken limb united ,
+Grow stronger for the breaking .
+
+Be it so .
+Here is return'd my Lord of Westmoreland .
+
+
+The prince is here at hand : pleaseth your lordship ,
+To meet his Grace just distance 'tween our armies ?
+
+Your Grace of York , in God's name then , set forward .
+
+Before , and greet his Grace : my lord , we come .
+
+You are well encounter'd here , my cousin Mowbray :
+Good day to you , gentle lord archbishop ;
+And so to you , Lord Hastings , and to all .
+My Lord of York , it better show'd with you ,
+When that your flock , assembled by the bell ,
+Encircled you to hear with reverence
+Your exposition on the holy text
+Than now to see you here an iron man ,
+Cheering a rout of rebels with your drum ,
+Turning the word to sword and life to death .
+That man that sits within a monarch's heart
+And ripens in the sunshine of his favour ,
+Would he abuse the countenance of the king ,
+Alack ! what mischief might he set abroach
+In shadow of such greatness . With you , lord bishop ,
+It is even so . Who hath not heard it spoken
+How deep you were within the books of God ?
+To us , the speaker in his parliament ;
+To us the imagin'd voice of God himself ;
+The very opener and intelligencer
+Between the grace , the sanctities of heaven ,
+And our dull workings . O ! who shall believe
+But you misuse the reverence of your place ,
+Employ the countenance and grace of heaven ,
+As a false favourite doth his prince's name ,
+In deeds dishonourable ? You have taken up ,
+Under the counterfeited zeal of God ,
+The subjects of his substitute , my father ;
+And both against the peace of heaven and him
+Have here upswarm'd them .
+
+Good my Lord of Lancaster ,
+I am not here against your father's peace ;
+But , as I told my Lord of Westmoreland ,
+The time misorder'd doth , in common sense ,
+Crowd us and crush us to this monstrous form ,
+To hold our safety up . I sent your Grace
+The parcels and particulars of our grief ,
+The which hath been with scorn shov'd from the court ,
+Whereon this Hydra son of war is born ;
+Whose dangerous eyes may well be charm'd asleep
+With grant of our most just and right desires ,
+And true obedience , of this madness cur'd ,
+Stoop tamely to the foot of majesty .
+
+If not , we ready are to try our fortunes
+To the last man .
+
+And though we here fall down ,
+We have supplies to second our attempt :
+If they miscarry , theirs shall second them ;
+And so success of mischief shall be born ,
+And heir from heir shall hold this quarrel up
+Whiles England shall have generation .
+
+You are too shallow , Hastings , much too shallow ,
+To sound the bottom of the after-times .
+
+Pleaseth your Grace , to answer them directly
+How far forth you do like their articles .
+
+I like them all , and do allow them well ;
+And swear here , by the honour of my blood ,
+My father's purposes have been mistook ,
+And some about him have too lavishly
+Wrested his meaning and authority .
+My lord , these griefs shall be with speed redress'd ;
+Upon my soul , they shall . If this may please you ,
+Discharge your powers unto their several counties ,
+As we will ours : and here between the armies
+Let's drink together friendly and embrace ,
+That all their eyes may bear those tokens home
+Of our restored love and amity .
+
+I take your princely word for these redresses .
+
+I give it you , and will maintain my word :
+And thereupon I drink unto your Grace .
+
+Go , captain , and deliver to the army
+This news of peace : let them have pay , and part :
+I know it will well please them : hie thee , captain .
+
+
+To you , my noble Lord of Westmoreland .
+
+I pledge your Grace : and , if you knew what pains
+I have bestow'd to breed this present peace ,
+You would drink freely ; but my love to you
+Shall show itself more openly hereafter .
+
+I do not doubt you .
+
+I am glad of it .
+Health to my lord and gentle cousin , Mowbray .
+
+You wish me health in very happy season ;
+For I am , on the sudden , something ill .
+
+Against ill chances men are ever merry ,
+But heaviness foreruns the good event .
+
+Therefore be merry , coz ; since sudden sorrow
+Serves to say thus , Some good thing comes to morrow .
+
+Believe me , I am passing light in spirit .
+
+So much the worse if your own rule be true .
+
+
+The word of peace is render'd : hark , how they shout !
+
+This had been cheerful , after victory .
+
+A peace is of the nature of a conquest ;
+For then both parties nobly are subdu'd ,
+And neither party loser .
+
+Go , my lord ,
+And let our army be discharged too .
+
+And , good my lord , so please you , let our trains
+March by us , that we may peruse the men
+We should have cop'd withal .
+
+Go , good Lord Hastings ,
+And , ere they be dismiss'd , let them march by .
+
+
+I trust , lords , we shall lie to-night together .
+
+Now , cousin , wherefore stands our army still ?
+
+The leaders , having charge from you to stand ,
+Will not go off until they hear you speak .
+
+They know their duties .
+
+
+My lord , our army is dispers'd already :
+Like youthful steers unyok'd , they take their courses
+East , west , north , south ; or , like a school broke up ,
+Each hurries toward his home and sporting-place .
+
+Good tidings , my Lord Hastings ; for the which
+I do arrest thee , traitor , of high treason :
+And you , lord archbishop , and you , Lord Mowbray ,
+Of capital treason I attach you both .
+
+Is this proceeding just and honourable ?
+
+Is your assembly so ?
+
+Will you thus break your faith ?
+
+I pawn'd thee none .
+I promis'd you redress of these same grievances
+Whereof you did complain ; which , by mine honour ,
+I will perform with a most Christian care .
+But for you , rebels , look to taste the due
+Meet for rebellion and such acts as yours .
+Most shallowly did you these arms commence ,
+Fondly brought here and foolishly sent hence .
+Strike up our drums ! pursue the scatter'd stray :
+God , and not we , hath safely fought to-day .
+Some guard these traitors to the block of death ;
+Treason's true bed , and yielder up of breath .
+
+
+What's your name , sir ? of what condition are you , and of what place , I pray ?
+
+I am a knight , sir ; and my name is Colevile of the dale .
+
+Well then , Colevile is your name , a knight is your degree , and your place the dale : Colevile shall still be your name , a traitor your degree , and the dungeon your place , a place deep enough ; so shall you be still Colevile of the dale .
+
+Are not you Sir John Falstaff ?
+
+As good a man as he , sir , whoe'er I am . Do ye yield , sir , or shall I sweat for you ? If I do sweat , they are the drops of thy lovers , and they weep for thy death : therefore rouse up fear and trembling , and do observance to my mercy .
+
+I think you are Sir John Falstaff , and in that thought yield me .
+
+I have a whole school of tongues in this belly of mine , and not a tongue of them all speaks any other word but my name . An I had but a belly of any indifferency , I were simply the most active fellow in Europe : my womb , my womb , my womb undoes me . Here comes our general .
+
+
+The heat is past , follow no further now .
+Call in the powers , good cousin Westmoreland .
+
+Now , Falstaff , where have you been all this while ?
+When everything is ended , then you come :
+These tardy tricks of yours will , on my life ,
+One time or other break some gallows' back .
+
+I would be sorry , my lord , but it should be thus : I never knew yet but rebuke and check was the reward of valour . Do you think me a swallow , an arrow , or a bullet ? have I , in my poor and old motion , the expedition of thought ? I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility ; I have foundered nine score and odd posts ; and here , travel-tainted as I am , have , in my pure and immaculate valour , taken Sir John Colevile of the dale , a most furious knight and valorous enemy . But what of that ? he saw me , and yielded ; that I may justly say with the hook-nosed fellow of Rome , 'I came , saw , and overcame .'
+
+It was more of his courtesy than your deserving .
+
+I know not : here he is , and here I yield him ; and I beseech your Grace , let it be booked with the rest of this day's deeds ; or , by the Lord , I will have it in a particular ballad else , with mine own picture on the top on't , Colevile kissing my foot . To the which course if I be enforced , if you do not all show like gilt two-pences to me , and I in the clear sky of fame o'ershine you as much as the full moon doth the cinders of the element , which show like pins' heads to her , believe not the word of the noble . Therefore let me have right , and let desert mount .
+
+Thine's too heavy to mount .
+
+Let it shine then .
+
+Thine's too thick to shine .
+
+Let it do something , my good lord , that may do me good , and call it what you will .
+
+Is thy name Colevile ?
+
+It is , my lord .
+
+A famous rebel art thou , Colevile .
+
+And a famous true subject took him .
+
+I am , my lord , but as my betters are
+That led me hither : had they been rul'd by me
+You should have won them dearer than you have .
+
+I know not how they sold themselves : but thou , like a kind fellow , gavest thyself away gratis , and I thank thee for thee .
+
+
+Have you left pursuit ?
+
+Retreat is made and execution stay'd .
+
+Send Colevile with his confederates
+To York , to present execution .
+Blunt , lead him hence , and see you guard him sure .
+
+And now dispatch we toward the court , my lords :
+I hear , the king my father is sore sick :
+Our news shall go before us to his majesty ,
+Which , cousin
+
+, you shall bear , to comfort him ;
+And we with sober speed will follow you .
+
+My lord , I beseech you , give me leave to go ,
+Through Gloucestershire , and when you come to court
+Stand my good lord , pray , in your good report .
+
+Fare you well , Falstaff : I , in my condition ,
+Shall better speak of you than you deserve .
+
+
+I would you had but the wit : 'twere better than your dukedom . Good faith , this same young sober-blooded boy doth not love me ; nor a man cannot make him laugh ; but that's no marvel , he drinks no wine . There's never none of these demure boys come to any proof ; for thin drink doth so over-cool their blood , and making many fish-meals , that they fall into a kind of male green-sickness ; and then , when they marry , they get wenches . They are generally fools and cowards , which some of us should be too but for inflammation . A good sherris-sack hath a two-fold operation in it . It ascends me into the brain ; dries me there all the foolish and dull and crudy vapours which environ it ; makes it apprehensive , quick , forgetive , full of nimble fiery and delectable shapes ; which , deliver'd o'er to the voice , the tongue , which is the birth , becomes excellent wit . The second property of your excellent sherris is , the warming of the blood ; which , before cold and settled , left the liver white and pale , which is the badge of pusillanimity and cowardice : but the sherris warms it and makes it course from the inwards to the parts extreme . It illumineth the face , which , as a beacon , gives warning to all the rest of this little kingdom , man , to arm ; and then the vital commoners and inland petty spirits muster me all to their captain , the heart , who , great and puffed up with this retinue , doth any deed of courage ; and this valour comes of sherris . So that skill in the weapon is nothing without sack , for that sets it a-work ; and leaining , a mere hoard of gold kept by a devil till sack commences it and sets it in act and use . Hereof comes it that Prince Harry is valiant ; for the cold blood he did naturally inherit of his father , he hath , like lean , sterile , and bare land , manured , husbanded , and tilled , with excellent endeavour of drinking good and good store of fertile sherris , that he is become very hot and valiant . If I had a thousand sons , the first human principle I would teach them should be , to forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack .
+
+How now , Bardolph ?
+
+The army is discharged all and gone .
+
+Let them go . I'll through Gloucestershire ; and there will I visit Master Robert Shallow , esquire : I have him already tempering between my finger and my thumb , and shortly will I seal with him . Come away .
+
+
+Now , lords , if God doth give successful end
+To this debate that bleedeth at our doors ,
+We will our youth lead on to higher fields
+And draw no swords but what are sanctified .
+Our navy is address'd , our power collected ,
+Our substitutes in absence well invested ,
+And everything lies level to our wish :
+Only , we want a little personal strength ;
+And pause us , till these rebels , now afoot ,
+Come underneath the yoke of government .
+
+Both which we doubt not but your majesty
+Shall soon enjoy .
+
+Humphrey , my son of Gloucester ,
+Where is the prince your brother ?
+
+I think he's gone to hunt , my lord , at Windsor .
+
+And how accompanied ?
+
+I do not know , my lord .
+
+Is not his brother Thomas of Clarence with him ?
+
+No , my good lord ; he is in presence here .
+
+What would my lord and father ?
+
+Nothing but well to thee , Thomas of Clarence .
+How chance thou art not with the prince thy brother ?
+He loves thee , and thou dost neglect him , Thomas ;
+Thou hast a better place in his affection
+Than all thy brothers : cherish it , my boy ,
+And noble offices thou mayst effect
+Of mediation , after I am dead ,
+Between his greatness and thy other brethren :
+Therefore omit him not ; blunt not his love ,
+Nor lose the good advantage of his grace
+By seeming cold or careless of his will ;
+For he is gracious , if he be observ'd :
+He hath a tear for pity and a hand
+Open as day for melting charity ;
+Yet , notwithstanding , being incens'd , he's flint ;
+As humorous as winter , and as sudden
+As flaws congealed in the spring of day .
+His temper therefore must be well observ'd :
+Chide him for faults , and do it reverently ,
+When you perceive his blood inclin'd to mirth ;
+But , being moody , give him line and scope ,
+Till that his passions , like a whale on ground ,
+Confound themselves with working . Learn this , Thomas ,
+And thou shalt prove a shelter to thy friends ,
+A hoop of gold to bind thy brothers in ,
+That the united vessel of their blood ,
+Mingled with venom of suggestion
+As , force perforce , the age will pour it in
+Shall never leak , though it do work as strong
+As aconitum or rash gunpowder .
+
+I shall observe him with all care and love .
+
+Why art thou not at Windsor with him , Thomas ?
+
+He is not there to-day ; he dines in London .
+
+And how accompanied ? canst thou tell that ?
+
+With Poins and other his continual followers .
+
+Most subject is the fattest soil to weeds ;
+And he , the noble image of my youth ,
+Is overspread with them : therefore my grief
+Stretches itself beyond the hour of death :
+The blood weeps from my heart when I do shape
+In forms imaginary the unguided days
+And rotten times that you shall look upon
+When I am sleeping with my ancestors .
+For when his headstrong riot hath no curb ,
+When rage and hot blood are his counsellors ,
+When means and lavish manners meet together ,
+O ! with what wings shall his affections fly
+Towards fronting peril and oppos'd decay .
+
+My gracious lord , you look beyond him quite :
+The prince but studies his companions
+Like a strange tongue , wherein , to gain the language ,
+'Tis needful that the most immodest word
+Be look'd upon , and learn'd ; which once attain'd ,
+Your highness knows , comes to no further use
+But to be known and hated . So , like gross terms ,
+The prince will in the perfectness of time
+Cast off his followers ; and their memory
+Shall as a pattern or a measure live ,
+By which his Grace must mete the lives of others ,
+Turning past evils to advantages .
+
+'Tis seldom when the bee doth leave her comb
+In the dead carrion .
+
+Who's here ? Westmoreland !
+
+Health to my sovereign , and new happiness
+Added to that that I am to deliver !
+Prince John your son doth kiss your Grace's hand :
+Mowbray , the Bishop Scroop , Hastings and all
+Are brought to the correction of your law .
+There is not now a rebel's sword unsheath'd ,
+But Peace puts forth her olive everywhere .
+The manner how this action hath been borne
+Here at more leisure may your highness read ,
+With every course in his particular .
+
+O Westmoreland ! thou art a summer bird ,
+Which ever in the haunch of winter sings
+The lifting up of day .
+
+Look ! here's more news .
+
+From enemies heaven keep your majesty ;
+And , when they stand against you , may they fall
+As those that I am come to tell you of !
+The Earl Northumberland , and the Lord Bardolph ,
+With a great power of English and of Scots ,
+Are by the sheriff of Yorkshire overthrown .
+The manner and true order of the fight
+This packet , please it you , contains at large .
+
+And wherefore should these good news make me sick ?
+Will Fortune never come with both hands full
+But write her fair words still in foulest letters ?
+She either gives a stomach and no food ;
+Such are the poor , in health ; or else a feast
+And takes away the stomach ; such are the rich ,
+That have abundance and enjoy it not .
+I should rejoice now at this happy news ,
+And now my sight fails , and my brain is giddy .
+O me ! come near me , now I am much ill .
+
+Comfort , your majesty !
+
+O my royal father !
+
+My sovereign lord , cheer up yourself : look up !
+
+Be patient , princes : you do know these fits
+Are with his highness very ordinary :
+Stand from him , give him air ; he'll straight be well .
+
+No , no ; he cannot long hold out these pangs :
+The incessant care and labour of his mind
+Hath wrought the mure that should confine it in
+So thin , that life looks through and will break out .
+
+The people fear me ; for they do observe
+Unfather'd heirs and loathly births of nature :
+The seasons change their manners , as the year
+Had found some months asleep and leap'd them over .
+
+The river hath thrice flow'd , no ebb between ;
+And the old folk , time's doting chronicles ,
+Say it did so a little time before
+That our great-grandsire , Edward , sick'd and died .
+
+Speak lower , princes , for the king recovers .
+
+This apoplexy will certain be his end .
+
+I pray you take me up , and bear me hence
+Into some other chamber : softly , pray .
+
+Let there be no noise made , my gentle friends ;
+Unless some dull and favourable hand
+Will whisper music to my weary spirit .
+
+Call for the music in the other room .
+
+Set me the crown upon my pillow here .
+
+His eye is hollow , and he changes much .
+
+Less noise , less noise !
+
+
+Who saw the Duke of Clarence ?
+
+I am here , brother , full of heaviness .
+
+How now ! rain within doors , and none abroad !
+How doth the king ?
+
+Exceeding ill .
+
+Heard he the good news yet ?
+Tell it him .
+
+He alter'd much upon the hearing it .
+
+If he be sick with joy , he will recover without physic .
+
+Not so much noise , my lords . Sweet prince , speak low ;
+The king your father is dispos'd to sleep .
+
+Let us withdraw into the other room .
+
+Will't please your Grace to go along with us ?
+
+No ; I will sit and watch here by the king .
+
+Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow ,
+Being so troublesome a bedfellow ?
+O polish'd perturbation ! golden care !
+That keep'st the ports of slumber open wide
+To many a watchful night ! Sleep with it now !
+Yet not so sound , and half so deeply sweet
+As he whose brow with homely biggin bound
+Snores out the watch of night . O majesty !
+When thou dost pinch thy bearer , thou dost sit
+Like a rich armour worn in heat of day ,
+That scalds with safety . By his gates of breath
+There lies a downy feather which stirs not :
+Did he suspire , that light and weightless down
+Perforce must move . My gracious lord ! my father !
+This sleep is sound indeed ; this is a sleep
+That from this golden rigol hath divorc'd
+So many English kings . Thy due from me
+Is tears and heavy sorrows of the blood ,
+Which nature , love , and filial tenderness
+Shall , O dear father ! pay thee plenteously :
+My due from thee is this imperial crown ,
+Which , as immediate from thy place and blood ,
+Derives itself to me . Lo ! here it sits ,
+
+Which heaven shall guard ; and put the world's whole strength
+Into one giant arm , it shall not force
+This lineal honour from me . This from thee
+Will I to mine leave , as 'tis left to me .
+
+
+Warwick ! Gloucester ! Clarence !
+
+
+Doth the king call ?
+
+What would your majesty ? How fares your Grace ?
+
+Why did you leave me here alone , my lords ?
+
+We left the prince my brother here , my liege ,
+Who undertook to sit and watch by you .
+
+The Prince of Wales ! Where is he ? let me see him :
+He is not here .
+
+This door is open ; he is gone this way .
+
+He came not through the chamber where we stay'd .
+
+Where is the crown ? who took it from my pillow ?
+
+When we withdrew , my liege , we left it here .
+
+The prince hath ta'en it hence : go , seek him out .
+Is he so hasty that he doth suppose
+My sleep my death ?
+Find him , my Lord of Warwick ; chide him hither .
+
+This part of his conjoins with my disease ,
+And helps to end me . See , sons , what things you are !
+How quickly nature falls into revolt
+When gold becomes her object !
+For this the foolish over-careful fathers
+Have broke their sleeps with thoughts ,
+Their brains with care , their bones with industry ;
+For this they have engrossed and pil'd up
+The canker'd heaps of strange-achieved gold ;
+For this they have been thoughtful to invest
+Their sons with arts and martial exercises :
+When , like the bee , culling from every flower
+The virtuous sweets ,
+Our thighs packed with wax , our mouths with honey ,
+We bring it to the hive , and like the bees ,
+Are murder'd for our pains . This bitter taste
+Yield his engrossments to the ending father .
+
+
+Now , where is he that will not stay so long
+
+Till his friend sickness hath determin'd me ?
+
+My lord , I found the prince in the next room ,
+Washing with kindly tears his gentle cheeks ,
+With such a deep demeanour in great sorrow
+That tyranny , which never quaff'd but blood ,
+Would , by beholding him , have wash'd his knife
+With gentle eye-drops . He is coming hither .
+
+But wherefore did he take away the crown ?
+
+
+Lo , where he comes . Come hither to me , Harry .
+Depart the chamber , leave us here alone .
+
+I never thought to hear you speak again .
+
+Thy wish was father , Harry , to that thought :
+I stay too long by thee , I weary thee .
+Dost thou so hunger for my empty chair
+That thou wilt needs invest thee with mine honours
+Before thy hour be ripe ? O foolish youth !
+Thou seek'st the greatness that will overwhelm thee .
+Stay but a little ; for my cloud of dignity
+Is held from falling with so weak a wind
+That it will quickly drop : my day is dim .
+Thou hast stol'n that which after some few hours
+Were thine without offence ; and at my death
+Thou hast seal'd up my expectation :
+Thy life did manifest thou lov'dst me not ,
+And thou wilt have me die assur'd of it .
+Thou hid'st a thousand daggers in thy thoughts ,
+Which thou hast whetted on thy stony heart ,
+To stab at half an hour of my life .
+What ! canst thou not forbear me half an hour ?
+Then get thee gone and dig my grave thyself ,
+And bid the merry bells ring to thine ear
+That thou art crowned , not that I am dead .
+Let all the tears that should bedew my hearse
+Be drops of balm to sanctify thy head :
+Only compound me with forgotten dust ;
+Give that which gave thee life unto the worms .
+Pluck down my officers , break my decrees ;
+For now a time is come to mock at form .
+Harry the Fifth is crown'd ! Up , vanity !
+Down , royal state ! all you sage counsellors , hence !
+And to the English court assemble now ,
+From every region , apes of idleness !
+Now , neighbour confines , purge you of your scum :
+Have you a ruffian that will swear , drink , dance ,
+Revel the night , rob , murder , and commit
+The oldest sins the newest kind of ways ?
+Be happy , he will trouble you no more :
+England shall double gild his treble guilt .
+England shall give him office , honour , might ;
+For the fifth Harry from curb'd licence plucks
+The muzzle of restraint , and the wild dog
+Shall flesh his tooth in every innocent .
+O my poor kingdom ! sick with civil blows .
+When that my care could not withhold thy riots ,
+What wilt thou do when riot is thy care ?
+O ! thou wilt be a wilderness again ,
+Peopled with wolves , thy old inhabitants .
+
+O ! pardon me , my liege ; but for my tears ,
+The moist impediments unto my speech ,
+I had forestall'd this dear and deep rebuke
+Ere you with grief had spoke and I had heard
+The course of it so far . There is your crown ;
+And he that wears the crown immortally
+Long guard it yours ! If I affect it more
+Than as your honour and as your renown ,
+Let me no more from this obedience rise ,
+Which my most true and inward duteous spirit
+Teacheth ,this prostrate and exterior bending .
+God witness with me , when I here came in ,
+And found no course of breath within your majesty ,
+How cold it struck my heart ! if I do feign ,
+O ! let me in my present wildness die
+And never live to show the incredulous world
+The noble change that I have purposed .
+Coming to look on you , thinking you dead ,
+And dead almost , my liege , to think you were ,
+I spake unto the crown as having sense ,
+And thus upbraided it : 'The care on thee depending
+Hath fed upon the body of my father ;
+Therefore , thou best of gold art worst of gold :
+Other , less fine in carat , is more precious ,
+Preserving life in medicine potable :
+But thou most fine , most honour'd , most renown'd ,
+Hast eat thy bearer up .' Thus , my most royal liege ,
+Accusing it , I put it on my head ,
+To try with it , as with an enemy
+That had before my face murder'd my father ,
+The quarrel of a true inheritor .
+But if it did infect my blood with joy ,
+Or swell my thoughts to any strain of pride ;
+If any rebel or vain spirit of mine
+Did with the least affection of a welcome
+Give entertainment to the might of it ,
+Let God for ever keep it from my head ,
+And make me as the poorest vassal is
+That doth with awe and terror kneel to it !
+
+O my son !
+God put it in thy mind to take it hence ,
+That thou mightst win the more thy father's love ,
+Pleading so wisely in excuse of it .
+Come hither , Harry : sit thou by my bed ;
+And hear , I think , the very latest counsel
+That ever I shall breathe . God knows , my son ,
+By what by-paths and indirect crook'd ways
+I met this crown ; and I myself know well
+How troublesome it sat upon my head :
+To thee it shall descend with better quiet ,
+Better opinion , better confirmation ;
+For all the soil of the achievement goes
+With me into the earth . It seem'd in me
+But as an honour snatch'd with boisterous hand ,
+And I had many living to upbraid
+My gain of it by their assistances ;
+Which daily grew to quarrel and to bloodshed ,
+Wounding supposed peace . All these bold fears
+Thou seest with peril I have answered ;
+For all my reign hath been but as a scene
+Acting that argument ; and now my death
+Changes the mode : for what in me was purchas'd ,
+Falls upon thee in a more fairer sort ;
+So thou the garment wear'st successively .
+Yet , though thou stand'st more sure than I could do ,
+Thou art not firm enough , since griefs are green ;
+And all my friends , which thou must make thy friends ,
+Have but their stings and teeth newly ta'en out ;
+By whose fell working I was first advanc'd ,
+And by whose power I well might lodge a fear
+To be again displac'd : which to avoid ,
+I cut them off ; and had a purpose now
+To lead out many to the Holy Land ,
+Lest rest and lying still might make them look
+Too near unto my state . Therefore , my Harry ,
+Be it thy course to busy giddy minds
+With foreign quarrels ; that action , hence borne out ,
+May waste the memory of the former days .
+More would I , but my lungs are wasted so
+That strength of speech is utterly denied me .
+How I came by the crown , O God , forgive !
+And grant it may with thee in true peace live .
+
+My gracious liege ,
+You won it , wore it , kept it , gave it me ;
+Then plain and right must my possession be :
+Which I with more than with a common pain
+'Gainst all the world will rightfully maintain .
+
+
+Look , look , here comes my John of Lancaster .
+
+Health , peace , and happiness to my royal father !
+
+Thou bring'st me happiness and peace , son John ;
+But health , alack , with youthful wings is flown
+From this bare wither'd trunk : upon thy sight
+My worldly business makes a period .
+Where is my Lord of Warwick ?
+
+My Lord of Warwick !
+
+
+Doth any name particular belong
+Unto the lodging where I first did swound ?
+
+'Tis call'd Jerusalem , my noble lord .
+
+Laud be to God ! even there my life must end .
+It hath been prophesied to me many years
+I should not die but in Jerusalem ,
+Which vainly I suppos'd the Holy Land .
+But bear me to that chamber ; there I'll lie :
+In that Jerusalem shall Harry die .
+
+By cock and pie , sir , you shall not away to-night . What ! Davy , I say .
+
+You must excuse me , Master Robert Shallow .
+
+I will not excuse you ; you shall not be excused ; excuses shall not be admitted ; there is no excuse shall serve ; you shall not be excused . Why , Davy !
+
+
+Here , sir .
+
+Davy , Davy , Davy , Davy , let me see , Davy ; let me see : yea , marry , William cook , bid him come hither . Sir John , you shall not be excused .
+
+Marry , sir , thus ; those precepts cannot be served : and again , sir , shall we sow the headland with wheat ?
+
+With red wheat , Davy . But for William cook : are there no young pigeons ?
+
+Yes , sir . Here is now the smith's note for shoeing and plough-irons .
+
+Let it be cast and paid . Sir John , you shall not be excused .
+
+Now , sir , a new link to the bucket must needs be had : and , sir , do you mean to stop any of William's wages , about the sack he lost the other day at Hinckley fair ?
+
+A' shall answer it . Some pigeons , Davy , a couple of short-legged hens , a joint of mutton , and any pretty little tiny kickshaws , tell William cook .
+
+Doth the man of war stay all night , sir ?
+
+Yea , Davy . I will use him well . A friend i' the court is better than a penny in purse . Use his men well , Davy , for they are arrant knaves , and will backbite .
+
+No worse than they are back-bitten , sir ; for they have marvellous foul linen .
+
+Well conceited , Davy : about thy business , Davy .
+
+I beseech you , sir , to countenance William Visor of Wincot against Clement Perkes of the hill .
+
+There are many complaints , Davy , against that Visor : that Visor is an arrant knave , on my knowledge .
+
+I grant your worship that he is a knave , sir ; but yet , God forbid , sir , but a knave should have some countenance at his friend's request . An honest man , sir , is able to speak for himself , when a knave is not . I have served your worship truly , sir , this eight years ; and if I cannot once or twice in a quarter bear out a knave against an honest man , I have but a very little credit with your worship . The knave is mine honest friend , sir ; therefore , I beseech your worship , let him be countenanced .
+
+Go to ; I say he shall have no wrong . Look about , Davy .
+
+Where are you , Sir John ? Come , come , come ; off with your boots . Give me your hand , Master Bardolph .
+
+I am glad to see your worship .
+
+I thank thee with all my heart , kind Master Bardolph :
+
+and welcome , my tall fellow . Come , Sir John .
+
+I'll follow you , good Master Robert Shallow .
+
+If I were sawed into quantities , I should make four dozen of such bearded hermit's staves as Master Shallow . It is a wonderful thing to see the semblable coherence of his men's spirits and his : they , by observing him , do bear themselves like foolish justices ; he , by conversing with them , is turned into a justice-like serving-man . Their spirits are so married in conjunction with the participation of society that they flock together in consent , like so many wild-geese . If I had a suit to Master Shallow , I would humour his men with the imputation of being near their master : if to his men , I would curry with Master Shallow that no man could better command his servants . It is certain that either wise bearing or ignorant carriage is caught , as men take diseases , one of another : therefore let men take heed of their company . I will devise matter enough out of this Shallow to keep Prince Harry in continual laughter the wearing out of six fashions ,which is four terms , or two actions ,and a' shall laugh without intervallums . O ! it is much that a lie with a slight oath and a jest with a sad brow will do with a fellow that never had the ache in his shoulders . O ! you shall see him laugh till his face be like a wet cloak ill laid up !
+
+Sir John !
+
+I come , Master Shallow : I come , Master Shallow .
+
+
+How now , my Lord Chief Justice ! whither away ?
+
+How doth the king ?
+
+Exceeding well : his cares are now all ended .
+
+I hope not dead .
+
+He's walk'd the way of nature ;
+And to our purposes he lives no more .
+
+I would his majesty had call'd me with him :
+The service that I truly did his life
+Hath left me open to all injuries .
+
+Indeed I think the young king loves you not .
+
+I know he doth not , and do arm myself ,
+To welcome the condition of the time ;
+Which cannot look more hideously upon me
+Than I have drawn it in my fantasy .
+
+
+Here come the heavy issue of dead Harry :
+O ! that the living Harry had the temper
+Of him , the worst of these three gentlemen .
+How many nobles then should hold their places ,
+That must strike sail to spirits of vile sort !
+
+O God ! I fear all will be overturn'd .
+
+Good morrow , cousin Warwick , good morrow .
+
+Good morrow , cousin .
+
+Good morrow , cousin .
+
+We meet like men that had forgot to speak .
+
+We do remember ; but our argument
+Is all too heavy to admit much talk .
+
+Well , peace be with him that hath made us heavy !
+
+Peace be with us , lest we be heavier !
+
+O ! good my lord , you have lost a friend indeed ;
+And I dare swear you borrow not that face
+Of seeming sorrow ; it is sure your own .
+
+Though no man be assur'd what grace to find ,
+You stand in coldest expectation .
+I am the sorrier ; would 'twere otherwise .
+
+Well , you must now speak Sir John Falstaff fair ,
+Which swims against your stream of quality .
+
+Sweet princes , what I did , I did in honour ,
+Led by the impartial conduct of my soul ;
+And never shall you see that I will beg
+A ragged and forestall'd remission .
+If truth and upright innocency fail me ,
+I'll to the king my master that is dead ,
+And tell him who hath sent me after him .
+
+Here comes the prince .
+
+
+Good morrow , and God save your majesty !
+
+This new and gorgeous garment , majesty ,
+Sits not so easy on me as you think .
+Brothers , you mix your sadness with some fear :
+This is the English , not the Turkish court ;
+Not Amurath an Amurath succeeds ,
+But Harry Harry . Yet be sad , good brothers ,
+For , to speak truth , it very well becomes you :
+Sorrow so royally in you appears
+That I will deeply put the fashion on
+And wear it in my heart . Why then , be sad ;
+But entertain no more of it , good brothers ,
+Than a joint burden laid upon us all .
+For me , by heaven , I bid you be assur'd ,
+I'll be your father and your brother too ;
+Let me but bear your love , I'll bear your cares :
+Yet weep that Harry's dead , and so will I ;
+But Harry lives that shall convert those tears
+By number into hours of happiness .
+
+We hope no other from your majesty .
+
+You all look strangely on me :
+
+and you most ;
+You are , I think , assur'd I love you not .
+
+I am assur'd , if I be measur'd rightly ,
+Your majesty hath no just cause to hate me .
+
+No !
+How might a prince of my great hopes forget
+So great indignities you laid upon me ?
+What ! rate , rebuke , and roughly send to prison
+The immediate heir of England ! Was this easy ?
+May this be wash'd in Lethe , and forgotten ?
+
+I then did use the person of your father ;
+The image of his power lay then in me :
+And , in the administration of his law ,
+Whiles I was busy for the commonwealth ,
+Your highness pleased to forget my place ,
+The majesty and power of law and justice ,
+The image of the king whom I presented ,
+And struck me in my very seat of judgment ;
+Whereon , as an offender to your father ,
+I gave bold way to my authority ,
+And did commit you . If the deed were ill ,
+Be you contented , wearing now the garland ,
+To have a son set your decrees at nought ,
+To pluck down justice from your awful bench ,
+To trip the course of law , and blunt the sword
+That guards the peace and safety of your person :
+Nay , more , to spurn at your most royal image
+And mock your workings in a second body .
+Question your royal thoughts , make the case yours ;
+Be now the father and propose a son ,
+Hear your own dignity so much profan'd ,
+See your most dreadful laws so loosely slighted ,
+Behold yourself so by a son disdain'd ;
+And then imagine me taking your part ,
+And in your power soft silencing your son :
+After this cold considerance , sentence me ;
+And , as you are a king , speak in your state
+What I have done that misbecame my place ,
+My person , or my liege's sov'reignty .
+
+You are right , justice ; and you weigh this well ;
+Therefore still bear the balance and the sword :
+And I do wish your honours may increase
+Till you do live to see a son of mine
+Offend you and obey you , as I did .
+So shall I live to speak my father's words :
+'Happy am I , that have a man so bold
+That dares do justice on my proper son ;
+And not less happy , having such a son ,
+That would deliver up his greatness so
+Into the hands of justice .' You did commit me :
+For which , I do commit into your hand
+The unstained sword that you have us'd to bear ;
+With this remembrance , that you use the same
+With the like bold , just , and impartial spirit
+As you have done 'gainst me . There is my hand :
+You shall be as a father to my youth ;
+My voice shall sound as you do prompt mine ear ,
+And I will stoop and humble my intents
+To your well-practis'd wise directions .
+And , princes all , believe me , I beseech you ;
+My father is gone wild into his grave ,
+For in his tomb lie my affections ;
+And with his spirit sadly I survive ,
+To mock the expectation of the world ,
+To frustrate prophecies , and to raze out
+Rotten opinion , who hath writ me down
+After my seeming . The tide of blood in me
+Hath proudly flow'd in vanity till now :
+Now doth it turn and ebb back to the sea ,
+Where it shall mingle with the state of floods
+And flow henceforth in formal majesty .
+Now call we our high court of parliament ;
+And let us choose such limbs of noble counsel ,
+That the great body of our state may go
+In equal rank with the best govern'd nation ;
+That war or peace , or both at once , may be
+As things acquainted and familiar to us ;
+In which you , father , shall have foremost hand .
+Our coronation done , we will accite ,
+As I before remember'd , all our state :
+And , God consigning to my good intents ,
+No prince nor peer shall have just cause to say ,
+God shorten Harry's happy life one day .
+
+
+Nay , you shall see mine orchard , where , in an arbour , we will eat a last year's pippin of my own graffing , with a dish of caraways , and so forth ; come , cousin Silence ; and then to bed .
+
+'Fore God , you have here a goodly dwelling , and a rich .
+
+Barren , barren , barren ; beggars all , beggars all , Sir John : marry , good air . Spread , Davy ; spread , Davy : well said , Davy .
+
+This Davy serves you for good uses ; he is your serving-man and your husband .
+
+A good varlet , a good varlet , a very good varlet , Sir John : by the mass , I have drunk too much sack at supper : a good varlet . Now sit down , now sit down . Come , cousin .
+
+Ah , sirrah ! quoth a' , we shall
+
+Do nothing but eat , and make good cheer ,
+And praise God for the merry year ;
+When flesh is cheap and females dear ,
+And lusty lads roam here and there ,
+So merrily
+And ever among so merrily .
+
+
+There's a merry heart ! Good Master Silence , I'll give you a health for that anon .
+
+Give Master Bardolph some wine , Davy .
+
+Sweet sir , sit ; I'll be with you anon : most sweet sir , sit . Master page , good master page , sit . Proface ! What you want in meat we'll have in drink : but you must bear : the heart's all .
+
+
+Be merry , Master Bardolph ; and my little soldier there , be merry .
+
+
+Be merry , be merry , my wife has all ;
+For women are shrews , both short and tall :
+'Tis merry in hall when beards wag all ,
+And welcome merry Shrove-tide .
+Be merry , be merry .
+
+
+I did not think Master Silence had been a man of this mettle .
+
+Who , I ? I have been merry twice and once ere now .
+
+
+There's a dish of leather-coats for you .
+
+
+Davy !
+
+Your worship ! I'll be with you straight . A cup of wine , sir ?
+
+
+A cup of wine that's brisk and fine
+And drink unto the leman mine ;
+And a merry heart lives long-a .
+
+
+Well said , Master Silence .
+
+And we shall be merry , now comes in the sweet o' the night .
+
+Health and long life to you , Master Silence .
+
+
+Fill the cup , and let it come ;
+I'll pledge you a mile to the bottom .
+
+
+Honest Bardolph , welcome : if thou wantest anything and wilt not call , beshrew thy heart .
+
+Welcome , my little tiny thief ; and welcome indeed too . I'll drink to Master Bardolph and to all the cavaleiroes about London .
+
+I hope to see London once ere I die .
+
+An I might see you there , Davy ,
+
+By the mass , you'll crack a quart together : ha ! will you not , Master Bardolph ?
+
+Yea , sir , in a pottle-pot .
+
+By God's liggens , I thank thee . The knave will stick by thee , I can assure thee that : a' will not out ; he is true bred .
+
+And I'll stick by him , sir .
+
+Why , there spoke a king . Lack nothing : be merry .
+
+Look who's at door there . Ho ! who knocks ?
+
+Why , now you have done me right .
+
+
+Do me right ,
+And dub me knight :
+Samingo
+
+Is't not so ?
+
+'Tis so .
+
+Is't so ? Why , then , say an old man can do somewhat .
+
+
+An't please your worship , there's one Pistol come from the court with news .
+
+From the court ! let him come in .
+
+How now , Pistol !
+
+Sir John , God save you , sir !
+
+What wind blew you hither , Pistol ?
+
+Not the ill wind which blows no man to good .
+Sweet knight , thou art now one of the greatest men in this realm .
+
+By'r lady , I think a' be , but goodman Puff of Barson .
+
+Puff !
+Puff in thy teeth , most recreant coward base !
+Sir John , I am thy Pistol and thy friend ,
+And helter-skelter have I rode to thee ,
+And tidings do I bring and lucky joys
+And golden times and happy news of price .
+
+I prithee now , deliver them like a man of this world .
+
+A foutra for the world and worldlings base !
+I speak of Africa and golden joys .
+
+O base Assyrian knight , what is thy news ?
+Let King Cophetua know the truth thereof .
+
+
+And Robin Hood , Scarlet , and John .
+
+
+Shall dunghill curs confront the Helicons ?
+And shall good news be baffled ?
+Then , Pistol , lay thy head in Furies' lap .
+
+Honest gentleman , I know not your breeding .
+
+Why then , lament therefore .
+
+Give me pardon , sir : if , sir , you come with news from the court , I take it there is but two ways : either to utter them , or to conceal them . I am , sir , under the king , in some authority .
+
+Under which king , Bezonian ? speak , or die .
+
+Under King Harry .
+
+Harry the Fourth ? or Fifth ?
+
+Harry the Fourth .
+
+A foutra for thine office !
+Sir John , thy tender lambkin now is king ;
+Harry the Fifth's the man . I speak the truth :
+When Pistol lies , do this ; and fig me , like
+The bragging Spaniard .
+
+What ! is the old king dead ?
+
+As nail in door : the things I speak are just .
+
+Away , Bardolph ! saddle my horse . Master Robert Shallow , choose what office thou wilt in the land , 'tis thine . Pistol , I will double-charge thee with dignities .
+
+O joyful day !
+I would not take a knighthood for my fortune .
+
+What ! I do bring good news .
+
+Carry Master Silence to bed . Master Shallow , my Lord Shallow , be what thou wilt , I am Fortune's steward . Get on thy boots : we'll ride all night . O sweet Pistol ! Away , Bardolph !
+
+Come , Pistol , utter more to me ; and , withal devise something to do thyself good . Boot , boot , Master Shallow : I know the young king is sick for me . Let us take any man's horses ; the laws of England are at my commandment . Happy are they which have been my friends , and woe unto my lord chief justice !
+
+Let vultures vile seize on his lungs also !
+'Where is the life that late I led ?' say they :
+Why , here it is : welcome these pleasant days !
+
+
+No , thou arrant knave : I would to God I might die that I might have thee hanged ; thou hast drawn my shoulder out of joint .
+
+The constables have delivered her over to me , and she shall have whipping-cheer enough , I warrant her : there hath been a man or two lately killed about her .
+
+Nut-hook , nut-hook , you lie . Come on ; I'll tell thee what , thou damned tripe-visaged rascal , an the child I now go with do miscarry , thou hadst better thou hadst struck thy mother , thou paper-faced villain .
+
+O the Lord ! that Sir John were come ; he would make this a bloody day to somebody . But I pray God the fruit of her womb miscarry !
+
+If it do , you shall have a dozen of cushions again ; you have but eleven now . Come , I charge you both go with me ; for the man is dead that you and Pistol beat among you .
+
+I'll tell thee what , thou thin man in a censer , I will have you as soundly swinged for this , you blue-bottle rogue ! you filthy famished correctioner ! if you be not swinged , I'll forswear half-kirtles .
+
+Come , come , you she knighterrant , come .
+
+O , that right should thus overcome might ! Well , of sufferance comes ease .
+
+Come , you rogue , come : bring me to a justice .
+
+Ay ; come , you starved blood-hound .
+
+Goodman death ! goodman bones !
+
+Thou atomy , thou !
+
+Come , you thin thing ; come , you rascal !
+
+Very well .
+
+
+More rushes , more rushes .
+
+The trumpets have sounded twice .
+
+It will be two o'clock ere they come from the coronation . Dispatch , dispatch .
+
+Stand here by me , Master Robert Shallow ; I will make the king do you grace . I will leer upon him , as a' comes by ; and do but mark the countenance that he will give me .
+
+God bless thy lungs , good knight .
+
+Come here , Pistol ; stand behind me . O ! if I had had time to have made new liveries , I would have bestowed the thousand pound I borrowed of you . But 'tis no matter ; this poor show doth better : this doth infer the zeal I had to see him .
+
+It doth so .
+
+It shows my earnestness of affection .
+
+It doth so .
+
+My devotion .
+
+It doth , it doth , it doth .
+
+As it were , to ride day and night ; and not to deliberate , not to remember , not to have patience to shift me .
+
+It is most certain .
+
+But to stand stained with travel , and sweating with desire to see him ; thinking of nothing else ; putting all affairs else in oblivion , as if there were nothing else to be done but to see him .
+
+'Tis semper idem , for absque hoc nihil est :
+'Tis all in every part .
+
+'Tis so , indeed .
+
+My knight , I will inflame thy noble liver ,
+And make thee rage .
+Thy Doll , and Helen of thy noble thoughts ,
+Is in base durance and contagious prison ;
+Hal'd thither
+By most mechanical and dirty hand :
+Rouse up revenge from ebon den with fell Alecto's snake ,
+For Doll is in : Pistol speaks nought but truth .
+
+I will deliver her .
+
+
+There roar'd the sea , and trumpetclangor sounds .
+
+
+God save thy grace , King Hal ! my royal Hal !
+
+The heavens thee guard and keep , most royal imp of fame !
+
+God save thee , my sweet boy !
+
+My lord chief justice , speak to that vain man .
+
+Have you your wits ? know you what 'tis you speak ?
+
+My king ! my Jove ! I speak to thee , my heart !
+
+I know thee not , old man : fall to thy prayers ;
+How ill white hairs become a fool and jester !
+I have long dream'd of such a kind of man ,
+So surfeit-swell'd , so old , and so profane ;
+But , being awak'd , I do despise my dream .
+Make less thy body hence , and more thy grace ;
+Leave gormandising ; know the grave doth gape
+For thee thrice wider than for other men .
+Reply not to me with a fool-born jest :
+Presume not that I am the thing I was ;
+For God doth know , so shall the world perceive ,
+That I have turn'd away my former self ;
+So will I those that kept me company .
+When thou dost hear I am as I have been ,
+Approach me , and thou shalt be as thou wast ,
+The tutor and the feeder of my riots :
+Till then , I banish thee , on pain of death ,
+As I have done the rest of my misleaders ,
+Not to come near our person by ten mile .
+For competence of life I will allow you ,
+That lack of means enforce you not to evil :
+And , as we hear you do reform yourselves ,
+We will , according to your strength and qualities ,
+Give you advancement . Be it your charge , my lord ,
+To see perform'd the tenour of our word .
+Set on .
+
+
+Master Shallow , I owe you a thousand pound .
+
+Ay , marry , Sir John ; which I beseech you to let me have home with me .
+
+That can hardly be , Master Shallow . Do not you grieve at this : I shall be sent for in private to him . Look you , he must seem thus to the world . Fear not your advancements ; I will be the man yet that shall make you great .
+
+I cannot perceive how , unless you should give me your doublet and stuff me out with straw . I beseech you , good Sir John , let me have five hundred of my thousand .
+
+Sir , I will be as good as my word : this that you heard was but a colour .
+
+A colour that I fear you will die in , Sir John .
+
+Fear no colours : go with me to dinner . Come , Lieutenant Pistol ; come , Bardolph : I shall be sent for soon at night .
+
+
+Go , carry Sir John Falstaff to the Fleet ;
+Take all his company along with him .
+
+My lord , my lord !
+
+I cannot now speak : I will hear you soon .
+Take them away .
+
+Si fortuna me tormenta , spero contenta .
+
+
+I like this fair proceeding of the king's .
+He hath intent his wonted followers
+Shall all be very well provided for ;
+But all are banish'd till their conversations
+Appear more wise and modest to the world .
+
+And so they are .
+
+The king hath call'd his parliament , my lord .
+
+He hath .
+
+I will lay odds , that , ere this year expire ,
+We bear our civil swords and native fire
+As far as France . I heard a bird so sing ,
+Whose music , to my thinking , pleas'd the king .
+Come , will you hence ?
+
+
+First , my fear ; then , my curtsy ; last my speech . My fear is , your displeasure , my curtsy , my duty , and my speech , to beg your pardon . If you look for a good speech now , you undo me ; for what I have to say is of mine own making ; and what indeed I should say will , I doubt , prove mine own marring . But to the purpose , and so to the venture . Be it known to you ,as it is very well ,I was lately here in the end of a displeasing play , to pray your patience for it and to promise you a better . I did mean indeed to pay you with this ; which , if like an ill venture it come unluckily home , I break , and you , my gentle creditors , lose . Here , I promised you I would be , and here I commit my body to your mercies : bate me some and I will pay you some ; and , as most debtors do , promise you infinitely .
+If my tongue cannot entreat you to acquit me , will you command me to use my legs ? and yet that were but light payment , to dance out of your debt . But a good conscience will make any possible satisfaction , and so will I . All the gentlewomen here have forgiven me : if the gentlemen will not , then the gentlemen do not agree with the gentlewomen , which was never seen before in such an assembly .
+One word more , I beseech you . If you be not too much cloyed with fat meat , our humble author will continue the story , with Sir John in it , and make you merry with fair Katharine of France : where , for anything I know , Falstaff shall die of a sweat , unless already a' be killed with your hard opinions ; for Oldcastle died a martyr , and this is not the man . My tongue is weary ; when my legs are too , I will bid you good night : and so kneel down before you ; but , indeed , to pray for the queen .
+
+THE SECOND PART OF KING HENRY VI
+
+
+As by your high imperial majesty
+I had in charge at my depart for France ,
+As procurator to your excellence ,
+To marry Princess Margaret for your Grace ;
+So , in the famous ancient city , Tours ,
+In presence of the Kings of France and Sicil ,
+The Dukes of Orleans , Calaber , Britaine , and Alen on ,
+Seven earls , twelve barons , and twenty reverend bishops ,
+I have perform'd my task , and was espous'd :
+And humbly now upon my bended knee ,
+In sight of England and her lordly peers ,
+Deliver up my title in the queen
+To your most gracious hands , that are the substance
+Of that great shadow I did represent ;
+The happiest gift that ever marquess gave ,
+The fairest queen that ever king receiv'd .
+
+Suffolk , arise . Welcome , Queen Margaret :
+I can express no kinder sign of love
+Than this kind kiss . O Lord ! that lends me life ,
+Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness !
+For thou hast given me in this beauteous face
+A world of earthly blessings to my soul ,
+If sympathy of love unite our thoughts .
+
+Great King of England and my gracious lord ,
+The mutual conference that my mind hath had
+By day , by night , waking , and in my dreams ,
+In courtly company , or at my beads ,
+With you , mine alderliefest sovereign ,
+Makes me the bolder to salute my king
+With ruder terms , such as my wit affords ,
+And over-joy of heart doth minister .
+
+Her sight did ravish , but her grace in speech ,
+Her words y-clad with wisdom's majesty ,
+Makes me from wondering fall to weeping joys ;
+Such is the fulness of my heart's content .
+Lords , with one cheerful voice welcome my love .
+
+Long live Queen Margaret , England's happiness !
+
+We thank you all .
+
+
+My Lord Protector , so it please your Grace ,
+Here are the articles of contracted peace
+Between our sovereign and the French King Charles ,
+For eighteen months concluded by consent .
+
+Imprimis , It is agreed between the French king , Charles , and William De la Pole , Marquess of Suffolk , ambassador for Henry King of England , that the said Henry shall espouse the Lady Margaret , daughter unto Reignier King of Naples , Sicilia , and Jerusalem , and crown her Queen of England ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing .
+Item , That the duchy of Anjou and the county of Maine shall be released and delivered to the king her father .
+
+
+Uncle , how now !
+
+Pardon me , gracious lord ;
+Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heart
+And dimm'd mine eyes , that I can read no further .
+
+Uncle of Winchester , I pray , read on .
+
+Item , It is further agreed between them , that the duchies of Anjou and Maine shall be released and delivered over to the king her father ; and she sent over of the King of England's own proper cost and charges , without having any dowry .
+
+They please us well . Lord marquess , kneel down :
+We here create thee the first Duke of Suffolk ,
+And girt thee with the sword . Cousin of York ,
+We here discharge your Grace from being regent
+I' the parts of France , till term of eighteen months
+Be full expir'd . Thanks , uncle Winchester ,
+Gloucester , York , Buckingham , Somerset ,
+Salisbury , and Warwick ;
+We thank you all for this great favour done ,
+In entertainment to my princely queen .
+Come , let us in , and with all speed provide
+To see her coronation be perform'd .
+
+
+Brave peers of England , pillars of the state ,
+To you Duke Humphrey must unload his grief ,
+Your grief , the common grief of all the land .
+What ! did my brother Henry spend his youth ,
+His valour , coin , and people , in the wars ?
+Did he so often lodge in open field ,
+In winter's cold , and summer's parching heat ,
+To conquer France , his true inheritance ?
+And did my brother Bedford toil his wits ,
+To keep by policy what Henry got ?
+Have you yourselves , Somerset , Buckingham ,
+Brave York , Salisbury , and victorious Warwick ,
+Receiv'd deep scars in France and Normandy ?
+Or hath mine uncle Beaufort and myself ,
+With all the learned council of the realm ,
+Studied so long , sat in the council-house
+Early and late , debating to and fro
+How France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe ?
+And hath his highness in his infancy
+Been crown'd in Paris , in despite of foes ?
+And shall these labours and these honours die ?
+Shall Henry's conquest , Bedford's vigilance ,
+Your deeds of war and all our counsel die ?
+O peers of England ! shameful is this league ,
+Fatal this marriage , cancelling your fame ,
+Blotting your names from books of memory ,
+Razing the characters of your renown ,
+Defacing monuments of conquer'd France ,
+Undoing all , as all had never been .
+
+Nephew , what means this passionate discourse ,
+This peroration with such circumstance ?
+For France , 'tis ours ; and we will keep it still .
+
+Ay , uncle ; we will keep it , if we can ;
+But now it is impossible we should .
+Suffolk , the new-made duke that rules the roast ,
+Hath given the duchies of Anjou and Maine
+Unto the poor King Reignier , whose large style
+Agrees not with the leanness of his purse .
+
+Now , by the death of him who died for all ,
+These counties were the keys of Normandy .
+But wherefore weeps Warwick , my valiant son ?
+
+For grief that they are past recovery :
+For , were there hope to conquer them again ,
+My sword should shed hot blood , mine eyes no tears .
+Anjou and Maine ! myself did win them both ;
+Those provinces these arms of mine did conquer :
+And are the cities , that I got with wounds ,
+Deliver'd up again with peaceful words ?
+Mort Dieu !
+
+For Suffolk's duke , may he be suffocate ,
+That dims the honour of this war-like isle !
+France should have torn and rent my very heart
+Before I would have yielded to this league .
+I never read but England's kings have had
+Large sums of gold and dowries with their wives ;
+And our King Henry gives away his own ,
+To match with her that brings no vantages .
+
+A proper jest , and never heard before ,
+That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth
+For costs and charges in transporting her !
+She should have stay'd in France , and starv'd in France ,
+Before
+
+My Lord of Gloucester , now you grow too hot :
+It was the pleasure of my lord the king .
+
+My Lord of Winchester , I know your mind :
+'Tis not my speeches that you do mislike ,
+But 'tis my presence that doth trouble ye .
+Rancour will out : proud prelate , in thy face
+I see thy fury . If I longer stay
+We shall begin our ancient bickerings .
+Lordings , farewell ; and say , when I am gone ,
+I prophesied France will be lost ere long .
+
+
+So , there goes our protector in a rage .
+'Tis known to you he is mine enemy ,
+Nay , more , an enemy unto you all ,
+And no great friend , I fear me , to the king .
+Consider lords , he is the next of blood ,
+And heir apparent to the English crown :
+Had Henry got an empire by his marriage ,
+And all the wealthy kingdoms of the west ,
+There's reason he should be displeas'd at it .
+Look to it , lords ; let not his smoothing words
+Bewitch your hearts ; be wise and circumspect .
+What though the common people favour him ,
+Calling him , 'Humphrey , the good Duke of Gloucester ;'
+Clapping their hands , and crying with loud voice ,
+'Jesu maintain your royal excellence !'
+With 'God preserve the good Duke Humphrey !'
+I fear me , lords , for all this flattering gloss ,
+He will be found a dangerous protector .
+
+Why should he then protect our sovereign ,
+He being of age to govern of himself ?
+Cousin of Somerset , join you with me ,
+And all together , with the Duke of Suffolk ,
+We'll quickly hoise Duke Humphrey from his seat .
+
+This weighty business will not brook delay ;
+I'll to the Duke of Suffolk presently .
+
+
+Cousin of Buckingham , though Humphrey's pride
+And greatness of his place be grief to us ,
+Yet let us watch the haughty cardinal :
+His insolence is more intolerable
+Than all the princes in the land beside :
+If Gloucester be displac'd , he'll be protector .
+
+Or thou , or I , Somerset , will be protector ,
+Despite Duke Humphrey or the cardinal .
+
+
+Pride went before , ambition follows him .
+While these do labour for their own preferment ,
+Behoves it us to labour for the realm .
+I never saw but Humphrey , Duke of Gloucester ,
+Did bear him like a noble gentleman .
+Oft have I seen the haughty cardinal
+More like a soldier than a man o' the church ,
+As stout and proud as he were lord of all ,
+Swear like a ruffian and demean himself
+Unlike the ruler of a commonweal .
+Warwick , my son , the comfort of my age ,
+Thy deeds , thy plainness , and thy house-keeping ,
+Have won the greatest favour of the commons ,
+Excepting none but good Duke Humphrey :
+And , brother York , thy acts in Ireland ,
+In bringing them to civil discipline ,
+Thy late exploits done in the heart of France ,
+When thou wert regent for our sovereign ,
+Have made thee fear'd and honour'd of the people .
+Join we together for the public good ,
+In what we can to bridle and suppress
+The pride of Suffolk and the cardinal ,
+With Somerset's and Buckingham's ambition ;
+And , as we may , cherish Duke Humphrey's deeds ,
+While they do tend the profit of the land .
+
+So God help Warwick , as he loves the land ,
+And common profit of his country !
+
+And so says York , for he hath greatest cause .
+
+Then let's make haste away , and look unto the main .
+
+Unto the main ! O father , Maine is lost !
+That Maine which by main force Warwick did win ,
+And would have kept so long as breath did last :
+Main chance , father , you meant ; but I meant Maine ,
+Which I will win from France , or else be slain .
+
+
+Anjou and Maine are given to the French ;
+Paris is lost ; the state of Normandy
+Stands on a tickle point now they are gone .
+Suffolk concluded on the articles ,
+The peers agreed , and Henry was well pleas'd
+To change two dukedoms for a duke's fair daughter .
+I cannot blame them all : what is't to them ?
+'Tis thine they give away , and not their own .
+Pirates may make cheap pennyworths of their pillage ,
+And purchase friends , and give to courtezans ,
+Still revelling like lords till all be gone ;
+While as the silly owner of the goods
+Weeps over them , and wrings his hapless hands ,
+And shakes his head , and trembling stands aloof ,
+While all is shar'd and all is borne away ,
+Ready to starve and dare not touch his own :
+So York must sit and fret and bite his tongue
+While his own lands are bargain'd for and sold .
+Methinks the realms of England , France , and Ireland
+Bear that proportion to my flesh and blood
+As did the fatal brand Alth a burn'd
+Unto the prince's heart of Calydon .
+Anjou and Maine both given unto the French !
+Cold news for me , for I had hope of France ,
+Even as I have of fertile England's soil .
+A day will come when York shall claim his own ;
+And therefore I will take the Nevils' parts
+And make a show of love to proud Duke Humphrey ,
+And , when I spy advantage , claim the crown ,
+For that's the golden mark I seek to hit .
+Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right .
+Nor hold the sceptre in his childish fist ,
+Nor wear the diadem upon his head ,
+Whose church-like humours fit not for a crown .
+Then , York , be still awhile , till time do serve :
+Watch thou and wake when others be asleep ,
+To pry into the secrets of the state ;
+Till Henry , surfeiting in joys of love ,
+With his new bride and England's dear-bought queen ,
+And Humphrey with the peers be fall'n at jars :
+Then will I raise aloft the milk-white rose ,
+With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfum'd ,
+And in my standard bear the arms of York ,
+To grapple with the house of Lancaster ;
+And , force perforce , I'll make him yield the crown ,
+Whose bookish rule hath pull'd fair England down .
+
+
+Why droops my lord , like over-ripen'd corn
+Hanging the head at Ceres' plenteous load ?
+Why doth the great Duke Humphrey knit his brows ,
+As frowning at the favours of the world ?
+Why are thine eyes fix'd to the sullen earth ,
+Gazing on that which seems to dim thy sight ?
+What seest thou there ? King Henry's diadem
+Enchas'd with all the honours of the world ?
+If so , gaze on , and grovel on thy face ,
+Until thy head be circled with the same .
+Put forth thy hand , reach at the glorious gold :
+What ! is't too short ? I'll lengthen it with mine ;
+And having both together heav'd it up ,
+We'll both together lift our heads to heaven ,
+And never more abase our sight so low
+As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground .
+
+O Nell , sweet Nell , if thou dost love thy lord ,
+Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts :
+And may that thought , when I imagine ill
+Against my king and nephew , virtuous Henry ,
+Be my last breathing in this mortal world !
+My troublous dream this night doth make me sad .
+
+What dream'd my lord ? tell me , and I'll requite it
+With sweet rehearsal of my morning's dream .
+
+Methought this staff , mine office-badge in court ,
+Was broke in twain ; by whom I have forgot ,
+But , as I think , it was by the cardinal ;
+And on the pieces of the broken wand
+Were plac'd the heads of Edmund Duke of Somerset ,
+And William De la Pole , first Duke of Suffolk .
+This was my dream : what it doth bode , God knows .
+
+Tut ! this was nothing but an argument
+That he that breaks a stick of Gloucester's grove
+Shall lose his head for his presumption .
+But list to me , my Humphrey , my sweet duke :
+Methought I sat in seat of majesty
+In the cathedral church of Westminster ,
+And in that chair where kings and queens are crown'd ;
+Where Henry and Dame Margaret kneel'd to me ,
+And on my head did set the diadem .
+
+Nay , Eleanor , then must I chide outright :
+Presumptuous dame ! ill-nurtur'd Eleanor !
+Art thou not second woman in the realm ,
+And the protector's wife , belov'd of him ?
+Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command ,
+Above the reach or compass of thy thought ?
+And wilt thou still be hammering treachery ,
+To tumble down thy husband and thyself
+From top of honour to disgrace's feet ?
+Away from me , and let me hear no more .
+
+What , what , my lord ! are you so choleric
+With Eleanor , for telling but her dream ?
+Next time I'll keep my dreams unto myself ,
+And not be check'd .
+
+Nay , be not angry ; I am pleas'd again .
+
+
+My Lord Protector , 'tis his highness' pleasure
+You do prepare to ride unto Saint Alban's ,
+Whereas the king and queen do mean to hawk .
+
+I go . Come , Nell , thou wilt ride with us ?
+
+Yes , my good lord , I'll follow presently .
+
+Follow I must ; I cannot go before ,
+While Gloucester bears this base and humble mind .
+Were I a man , a duke , and next of blood ,
+I would remove these tedious stumbling-blocks
+And smooth my way upon their headless necks ;
+And , being a woman , I will not be slack
+To play my part in Fortune's pageant .
+Where are you there ? Sir John ! nay , fear not , man ,
+We are alone ; here's none but thee and I .
+
+
+Jesus preserve your royal majesty !
+
+What sayst thou ? majesty ! I am but Grace .
+
+But , by the grace of God , and Hume's advice ,
+Your Grace's title shall be multiplied .
+
+What sayst thou , man ? hast thou as yet conferr'd
+With Margery Jourdain , the cunning witch ,
+With Roger Bolingbroke , the conjurer ?
+And will they undertake to do me good ?
+
+This they have promised , to show your highness
+A spirit rais'd from depth of under ground ,
+That shall make answer to such questions
+As by your Grace shall be propounded him .
+
+It is enough : I'll think upon the questions .
+When from Saint Alban's we do make return
+We'll see these things effected to the full .
+Here , Hume , take this reward ; make merry , man ,
+With thy confed'rates in this weighty cause .
+
+
+Hume must make merry with the duchess' gold ;
+Marry and shall . But how now , Sir John Hume !
+Seal up your lips , and give no words but mum :
+The business asketh silent secrecy .
+Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch :
+Gold cannot come amiss , were she a devil .
+Yet have I gold flies from another coast :
+I dare not say from the rich cardinal
+And from the great and new-made Duke of Suffolk ;
+Yet I do find it so : for , to be plain ,
+They , knowing Dame Eleanor's aspiring humour ,
+Have hired me to undermine the duchess
+And buzz these conjurations in her brain .
+They say , 'A crafty knave does need no broker ;'
+Yet am I Suffolk and the cardinal's broker .
+Hume , if you take not heed , you shall go near
+To call them both a pair of crafty knaves .
+Well , so it stands ; and thus , I fear , at last
+Hume's knavery will be the duchess' wrack ,
+And her attainture will be Humphrey's fall .
+Sort how it will I shall have gold for all .
+
+
+My masters , let's stand close : my Lord Protector will come this way by and by , and then we may deliver our supplications in the quill .
+
+Marry , the Lord protect him , for he's a good man ! Jesu bless him !
+
+
+Here a' comes , methinks , and the queen with him . I'll be the first , sure .
+
+Come back , fool ! this is the Duke of Suffolk and not my Lord Protector .
+
+How now , fellow ! wouldst anything with me ?
+
+I pray , my lord , pardon me : I took ye for my Lord Protector .
+
+To my Lord Protector ! are your supplications to his lordship ? Let me see them : what is thine ?
+
+Mine is , an't please your Grace , against John Goodman , my Lord Cardinal's man , for keeping my house , and lands , my wife and all , from me .
+
+Thy wife too ! that is some wrong indeed . What's yours ? What's here ? Against the Duke of Suffolk , for enclosing the commons of Melford ! How now , sir knave !
+
+Alas ! sir , I am but a poor petitioner of our whole township .
+
+Against my master , Thomas Horner , for saying that the Duke of York was rightful heir to the crown .
+
+What sayst thou ? Did the Duke of York say he was rightful heir to the crown ?
+
+That my master was ? No , forsooth : my master said that he was ; and that the king was an usurper .
+
+Who is there ?
+
+
+Take this fellow in , and send for his master with a pursuivant presently . We'll hear more of your matter before the king .
+
+And as for you , that love to be protected
+Under the wings of our protector's grace ,
+Begin your suits anew and sue to him .
+
+Away , base cullions ! Suffolk , let them go .
+
+Come , let's be gone .
+
+
+My Lord of Suffolk , say , is this the guise ,
+Is this the fashion of the court of England ?
+Is this the government of Britain's isle ,
+And this the royalty of Albion's king ?
+What ! shall King Henry be a pupil still
+Under the surly Gloucester's governance ?
+Am I a queen in title and in style ,
+And must be made a subject to a duke ?
+I tell thee , Pole , when in the city Tours
+Thou ran'st a tilt in honour of my love ,
+And stol'st away the ladies' hearts of France ,
+I thought King Henry had resembled thee
+In courage , courtship , and proportion :
+But all his mind is bent to holiness ,
+To number Ave-Maries on his beads ;
+His champions are the prophets and apostles ;
+His weapons holy saws of sacred writ ;
+His study is his tilt-yard , and his loves
+Are brazen images of canoniz'd saints .
+I would the college of the cardinals
+Would choose him pope , and carry him to Rome ,
+And set the triple crown upon his head :
+That were a state fit for his holiness .
+
+Madam , be patient ; as I was cause
+Your highness came to England , so will I
+In England work your Grace's full content .
+
+Beside the haught protector , have we Beaufort
+The imperious churchman , Somerset , Buckingham ,
+And grumbling York ; and not the least of these
+But can do more in England than the king .
+
+And he of these that can do most of all
+Cannot do more in England than the Nevils :
+Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers .
+
+Not all these lords do vex me half so much
+As that proud dame , the Lord Protector's wife :
+She sweeps it through the court with troops of ladies ,
+More like an empress than Duke Humphrey's wife .
+Strangers in court do take her for the queen :
+She bears a duke's revenues on her back ,
+And in her heart she scorns our poverty .
+Shall I not live to be aveng'd on her ?
+Contemptuous base-born callot as she is ,
+She vaunted 'mongst her minions t'other day
+The very train of her worst wearing gown
+Was better worth than all my father's lands ,
+Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter .
+
+Madam , myself have lim'd a bush for her ,
+And plac'd a quire of such enticing birds
+That she will light to listen to the lays ,
+And never mount to trouble you again .
+So , let her rest : and , madam , list to me ;
+For I am bold to counsel you in this .
+Although we fancy not the cardinal ,
+Yet must we join with him and with the lords
+Till we have brought Duke Humphrey in disgrace .
+As for the Duke of York , this late complaint
+Will make but little for his benefit :
+So , one by one , we'll weed them all at last ,
+And you yourself shall steer the happy helm .
+
+For my part , noble lords , I care not which ;
+Or Somerset or York , all's one to me .
+
+If York have ill demean'd himself in France ,
+Then let him be denay'd the regentship .
+
+If Somerset be unworthy of the place ,
+Let York be regent ; I will yield to him .
+
+Whether your Grace be worthy , yea or no ,
+Dispute not that : York is the worthier .
+
+Ambitious Warwick , let thy betters speak .
+
+The cardinal's not my better in the field .
+
+All in this presence are thy betters , Warwick .
+
+Warwick may live to be the best of all .
+
+Peace , son ! and show some reason , Buckingham ,
+Why Somerset should be preferr'd in this .
+
+Because the king , forsooth , will have it so .
+
+Madam , the king is old enough himself
+To give his censure : these are no women's matters .
+
+If he be old enough , what needs your Grace
+To be protector of his excellence ?
+
+Madam , I am protector of the realm ;
+And at his pleasure will resign my place .
+
+Resign it then and leave thine insolence .
+Since thou wertking ,as who is king but thou ?
+The commonwealth hath daily run to wrack ;
+The Dauphin hath prevail'd beyond the seas ;
+And all the peers and nobles of the realm
+Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty .
+
+The commons hast thou rack'd ; the clergy's bags
+Are lank and lean with thy extortions .
+
+Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wife's attire
+Have cost a mass of public treasury .
+
+Thy cruelty in execution
+Upon offenders hath exceeded law ,
+And left thee to the mercy of the law .
+
+Thy sale of offices and towns in France ,
+If they were known , as the suspect is great ,
+Would make thee quickly hop without thy head .
+
+Give me my fan : what , minion ! can ye not ?
+
+I cry you mercy , madam , was it you ?
+
+Was't I ? yea , I it was , proud Frenchwoman :
+Could I come near your beauty with my nails
+I'd set my ten commandments in your face .
+
+Sweet aunt , be quiet ; 'twas against her will .
+
+Against her will ! Good king , look to't in time ;
+She'll hamper thee and dandle thee like a baby :
+Though in this place most master wear no breeches ,
+She shall not strike Dame Eleanor unreveng'd .
+
+
+Lord Cardinal , I will follow Eleanor ,
+And listen after Humphrey , how he proceeds :
+She's tickled now ; her fume can need no spurs ,
+She'll gallop far enough to her destruction .
+
+Now , lords , my choler being over-blown
+With walking once about the quadrangle ,
+I come to talk of commonwealth affairs .
+As for your spiteful false objections ,
+Prove them , and I lie open to the law :
+But God in mercy so deal with my soul
+As I in duty love my king and country !
+But to the matter that we have in hand .
+I say , my sov'reign , York is meetest man
+To be your regent in the realm of France .
+
+Before we make election , give me leave
+To show some reason , of no little force ,
+That York is most unmeet of any man .
+
+I'll tell thee , Suffolk , why I am unmeet :
+First , for I cannot flatter thee in pride ;
+Next , if I be appointed for the place ,
+My Lord of Somerset will keep me here ,
+Without discharge , money , or furniture ,
+Till France be won into the Dauphin's hands .
+Last time I danc'd attendance on his will
+Till Paris was besieg'd , famish'd , and lost .
+
+That can I witness ; and a fouler fact
+Did never traitor in the land commit .
+
+Peace , headstrong Warwick !
+
+Image of pride , why should I hold my peace ?
+
+
+Because here is a man accus'd of treason :
+Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself !
+
+Doth any one accuse York for a traitor ?
+
+What mean'st thou , Suffolk ? tell me , what are these ?
+
+Please it your majesty , this is the man
+That doth accuse his master of high treason .
+His words were these : that Richard , Duke of York ,
+Was rightful heir unto the English crown ,
+And that your majesty was a usurper .
+
+Say , man , were these thy words ?
+
+An't shall please your majesty , I never said nor thought any such matter : God is my witness , I am falsely accused by the villain .
+
+By these ten bones , my lords , he did speak them to me in the garret one night , as we were scouring my Lord of York's armour .
+
+Base dunghill villain , and mechanical ,
+I'll have thy head for this thy traitor's speech .
+I do beseech your royal majesty
+Let him have all the rigour of the law .
+
+Alas ! my lord , hang me if ever I spake the words . My accuser is my prentice ; and when I did correct him for his fault the other day , he did vow upon his knees he would be even with me : I have good witness of this : therefore I beseech your majesty , do not cast away an honest man for a villain's accusation .
+
+Uncle , what shall we say to this in law ?
+
+This doom , my lord , if I may judge .
+Let Somerset be regent o'er the French ,
+Because in York this breeds suspicion ;
+And let these have a day appointed them
+For single combat in convenient place ;
+For he hath witness of his servant's malice .
+This is the law , and this Duke Humphrey's doom .
+
+Then be it so . My Lord of Somerset ,
+We make your Grace lord regent o'er the French .
+
+I humbly thank your royal majesty .
+
+And I accept the combat willingly .
+
+Alas ! my lord , I cannot fight : for God's sake , pity my case ! the spite of man prevaileth against me . O Lord , have mercy upon me ! I shall never be able to fight a blow . O Lord , my heart !
+
+Sirrah , or you must fight , or else be hang'd .
+
+Away with them to prison ; and the day
+Of combat shall be the last of the next month .
+Come , Somerset , we'll see thee sent away .
+
+
+Come , my masters ; the duchess , I tell you , expects performance of your promises .
+
+Master Hume , we are therefore provided . Will her ladyship behold and hear our exorcisms ?
+
+Ay ; what else ? fear you not her courage .
+
+I have heard her reported to be a woman of invincible spirit : but it shall be convenient , Master Hume , that you be by her aloft while we be busy below ; and so , I pray you , go in God's name , and leave us .
+
+Mother Jourdain , be you prostrate , and grovel on the earth ; John Southwell , read you ; and let us to our work .
+
+
+Well said , my masters , and welcome all .
+To this gear the sooner the better .
+
+Patience , good lady ; wizards know their times :
+Deep night , dark night , the silent of the night ,
+The time of night when Troy was set on fire ;
+The time when screech-owls cry , and ban-dogs howl ,
+And spirits walk , and ghosts break up their graves ,
+That time best fits the work we have in hand .
+Madam , sit you , and fear not : whom we raise
+We will make fast within a hallow'd verge .
+
+
+Adsum .
+
+Asmath !
+By the eternal God , whose name and power
+Thou tremblest at , answer that I shall ask ;
+For till thou speak , thou shalt not pass from hence .
+
+Ask what thou wilt . That I had said and done !
+
+First , of the king : what shall of him become ?
+
+The Duke yet lives that Henry shall depose ;
+But him outlive , and die a violent death .
+
+
+What fate awaits the Duke of Suffolk ?
+
+By water shall he die and take his end .
+
+What shall befall the Duke of Somerset ?
+
+Let him shun castles :
+Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains
+Than where castles mounted stand .
+Have done , for more I hardly can endure .
+
+Descend to darkness and the burning lake !
+False fiend , avoid !
+
+Lay hands upon these traitors and their trash .
+Beldam , I think we watch'd you at an inch .
+What ! madam , are you there ? the king and commonweal
+Are deeply indebted for this piece of pains :
+My Lord Protector will , I doubt it not ,
+See you well guerdon'd for these good deserts .
+
+Not half so bad as thine to England's king ,
+Injurious duke , that threat'st where is no cause .
+
+True , madam , none at all . What call you this ?
+
+Away with them ! let them be clapp'd up close
+And kept asunder . You , madam , shall with us :
+Stafford , take her to thee .
+
+We'll see your trinkets here all forthcoming .
+All , away !
+
+
+Lord Buckingham , methinks you watch'd her well :
+A pretty plot , well chosen to build upon !
+Now , pray , my lord , let's see the devil's writ .
+What have we here ?
+The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose ;
+But him outlive , and die a violent death .
+Why , this is just ,
+Aio te , acida , Romanos vincere posse .
+Well , to the rest :
+Tell me what fate awaits the Duke of Suffolk ?
+By water shall he die and take his end .
+What shall betide the Duke of Somerset ?
+Let him shun castles :
+Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains
+Than where castles mounted stand .
+Come , come , my lords ; these oracles
+Are hardly attain'd , and hardly understood .
+The king is now in progress towards Saint Alban's ;
+With him , the husband of this lovely lady :
+Thither go these news as fast as horse can carry them ,
+A sorry breakfast for my Lord Protector .
+
+Your Grace shall give me leave , my Lord of York ,
+To be the post , in hope of his reward .
+
+At your pleasure , my good lord . Who's within there , ho !
+
+
+Invite my Lords of Salisbury and Warwick
+To sup with me to-morrow night . Away !
+
+
+Believe me , lords , for flying at the brook ,
+I saw not better sport these seven years' day :
+Yet , by your leave , the wind was very high ,
+And , ten to one , old Joan had not gone out .
+
+But what a point , my lord , your falcon made ,
+And what a pitch she flew above the rest !
+To see how God in all his creatures works !
+Yea , man and birds are fain of climbing high .
+
+No marvel , an it like your majesty ,
+My Lord Protector's hawks do tower so well ;
+They know their master loves to be aloft ,
+And bears his thoughts above his falcon's pitch .
+
+My lord , 'tis but a base ignoble mind
+That mounts no higher than a bird can soar .
+
+I thought as much ; he'd be above the clouds .
+
+Ay , my Lord Cardinal ; how think you by that ?
+Were it not good your Grace could fly to heaven ?
+
+The treasury of everlasting joy .
+
+Thy heaven is on earth ; thine eyes and thoughts
+Beat on a crown , the treasure of thy heart ;
+Pernicious protector , dangerous peer ,
+That smooth'st it so with king and commonweal !
+
+What ! cardinal , is your priesthood grown peremptory ?
+Tant ne animis c lestibus ir ?
+Churchmen so hot ? good uncle , hide such malice ;
+With such holiness can you do it ?
+
+No malice , sir ; no more than well becomes
+So good a quarrel and so bad a peer .
+
+As who , my lord ?
+
+Why , as you , my lord ,
+An't like your lordly lord-protectorship .
+
+Why , Suffolk , England knows thine insolence .
+
+And thy ambition , Gloucester .
+
+I prithee , peace ,
+Good queen , and whet not on these furious peers ;
+For blessed are the peacemakers on earth .
+
+Let me be blessed for the peace I make
+Against this proud protector with my sword !
+
+Faith , holy uncle , would 'twere come to that !
+
+Marry , when thou dar'st .
+
+Make up no factious numbers for the matter ;
+In thine own person answer thy abuse .
+
+Ay , where thou dar'st not peep : an if thou dar'st ,
+This evening on the east side of the grove .
+
+How now , my lords !
+
+Believe me , cousin Gloucester ,
+Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly ,
+We had had more sport .
+
+Come with thy two-hand sword .
+
+True , uncle .
+
+Are you advis'd ?
+
+the east side of the grove .
+
+Cardinal , I am with you .
+
+Why , how now , uncle Gloucester !
+
+Talking of hawking ; nothing else , my lord .
+
+
+Now , by God's mother , priest , I'll shave your crown
+For this , or all my fence shall fail .
+
+Medice teipsum ;
+Protector , see to't well , protect yourself .
+
+The winds grow high ; so do your stomachs , lords .
+How irksome is this music to my heart !
+When such strings jar , what hope of harmony ?
+I pray , my lords , let me compound this strife .
+
+
+What means this noise ?
+Fellow , what miracle dost thou proclaim ?
+
+A miracle ! a miracle !
+
+Come to the king , and tell him what miracle .
+
+Forsooth , a blind man at Saint Alban's shrine ,
+Within this half hour hath receiv'd his sight ;
+A man that ne'er saw in his life before .
+
+Now , God be prais'd , that to believing souls
+Gives light in darkness , comfort in despair !
+
+Here comes the townsmen on procession ,
+To present your highness with the man .
+
+Great is his comfort in this earthly vale ,
+Although by his sight his sin be multiplied .
+
+Stand by , my masters ; bring him near the king :
+His highness' pleasure is to talk with him .
+
+Good fellow , tell us here the circumstance ,
+That we for thee may glorify the Lord .
+What ! hast thou been long blind , and now restor'd ?
+
+Born blind , an't please your Grace .
+
+Ay , indeed , was he .
+
+What woman is this ?
+
+His wife , an't like your worship .
+
+Hadst thou been his mother , thou couldst have better told .
+
+Where wert thou born ?
+
+At Berwick in the north , an't like your Grace .
+
+Poor soul ! God's goodness hath been great to thee :
+Let never day nor night unhallow'd pass ,
+But still remember what the Lord hath done .
+
+Tell me , good fellow , cam'st thou here by chance ,
+Or of devotion , to this holy shrine ?
+
+God knows , of pure devotion ; being call'd
+A hundred times and oft'ner in my sleep ,
+By good Saint Alban ; who said , 'Simpcox , come ;
+Come , offer at my shrine , and I will help thee .'
+
+Most true , forsooth ; and many time and oft
+Myself have heard a voice to call him so .
+
+What ! art thou lame ?
+
+Ay , God Almighty help me !
+
+How cam'st thou so ?
+
+A fall off of a tree .
+
+A plum-tree , master .
+
+How long hast thou been blind ?
+
+O ! born so , master .
+
+What ! and wouldst climb a tree ?
+
+But that in all my life , when I was a youth .
+
+Too true ; and bought his climbing very dear .
+
+Mass , thou lov'dst plums well , that wouldst venture so .
+
+Alas ! master , my wife desir'd some damsons ,
+And made me climb with danger of my life .
+
+A subtle knave ! but yet it shall not serve .
+Let me see thine eyes : wink now : now open them :
+In my opinion yet thou seest not well .
+
+Yes , master , clear as day ; I thank God and Saint Alban .
+
+Sayst thou me so ? What colour is this cloak of ?
+
+Red , master ; red as blood .
+
+Why , that's well said . What colour is my gown of ?
+
+Black , forsooth ; coal-black , as jet .
+
+Why then , thou know'st what colour jet is of ?
+
+And yet , I think , jet did he never see .
+
+But cloaks and gowns before this day a many .
+
+Never , before this day , in all his life .
+
+Tell me , sirrah , what's my name ?
+
+Alas ! master , I know not .
+
+What's his name ?
+
+I know not .
+
+Nor his ?
+
+No , indeed , master .
+
+What's thine own name ?
+
+Saunder Simpcox , an if it please you , master .
+
+Then , Saunder , sit there , the lyingest knave in Christendom . If thou hadst been born blind , thou mightst as well have known all our names as thus to name the several colours we do wear . Sight may distinguish of colours , but suddenly to nominate them all , it is impossible . My lords , Saint Alban here hath done a miracle ; and would ye not think that cunning to be great , that could restore this cripple to his legs again ?
+
+O , master , that you could !
+
+My masters of Saint Alban's , have you not beadles in your town , and things called whips ?
+
+Yes , my lord , if it please your Grace .
+
+Then send for one presently .
+
+Sirrah , go fetch the beadle hither straight .
+
+
+Now fetch me a stool hither by and by .
+
+
+Now , sirrah , if you mean to save yourself from whipping , leap me over this stool and run away .
+
+Alas ! master , I am not able to stand alone :
+You go about to torture me in vain .
+
+
+Well , sir , we must have you find your legs . Sirrah beadle , whip him till he leap over that same stool .
+
+I will , my lord . Come on , sirrah ; off with your doublet quickly .
+
+Alas ! master , what shall I do ? I am not able to stand .
+
+O God ! seest thou this , and bear'st so long ?
+
+It made me laugh to see the villain run .
+
+Follow the knave ; and take this drab away .
+
+Alas ! sir , we did it for pure need .
+
+Let them be whipp'd through every market town
+Till they come to Berwick , from whence they came .
+
+
+Duke Humphrey has done a miracle to-day .
+
+True ; made the lame to leap and fly away .
+
+But you have done more miracles than I ;
+You made in a day , my lord , whole towns to fly .
+
+
+What tidings with our cousin Buckingham ?
+
+Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold .
+A sort of naughty persons , lewdly bent ,
+Under the countenance and confederacy
+Of Lady Eleanor , the protector's wife ,
+The ringleader and head of all this rout ,
+Have practis'd dangerously against your state ,
+Dealing with witches and with conjurers :
+Whom we have apprehended in the fact ;
+Raising up wicked spirits from under-ground ,
+Demanding of King Henry's life and death ,
+And other of your highness' privy council ,
+As more at large your Grace shall understand .
+
+And so , my Lord Protector , by this means
+Your lady is forthcoming yet at London .
+This news , I think , hath turn'd your weapon's edge ;
+'Tis like , my lord , you will not keep your hour .
+
+Ambitious churchman , leave to afflict my heart :
+Sorrow and grief have vanquish'd all my powers ;
+And , vanquish'd as I am , I yield to thee ,
+Or to the meanest groom .
+
+O God ! what mischiefs work the wicked ones ,
+Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby .
+
+Gloucester , see here the tainture of thy nest ;
+And look thyself be faultless , thou wert best .
+
+Madam , for myself , to heaven I do appeal ,
+How I have lov'd my king and commonweal ;
+And , for my wife , I know not how it stands .
+Sorry I am to hear what I have heard :
+Noble she is , but if she have forgot
+Honour and virtue , and convers'd with such
+As , like to pitch , defile nobility ,
+I banish her my bed and company ,
+And give her , as a prey , to law and shame ,
+That hath dishonour'd Gloucester's honest name .
+
+Well , for this night we will repose us here :
+To-morrow toward London back again ,
+To look into this business thoroughly ,
+And call these foul offenders to their answers ;
+And poise the cause in justice' equal scales ,
+Whose beam stands sure , whose rightful cause prevails .
+
+
+Now , my good Lords of Salisbury and Warwick ,
+Our simple supper ended , give me leave ,
+In this close walk to satisfy myself ,
+In craving your opinion of my title ,
+Which is infallible to England's crown .
+
+My lord , I long to hear it at full .
+
+Sweet York , begin ; and if thy claim be good ,
+The Nevils are thy subjects to command .
+
+Then thus :
+Edward the Third , my lords , had seven sons :
+The first , Edward the Black Prince , Prince of Wales ;
+The second , William of Hatfield ; and the third ,
+Lionel , Duke of Clarence ; next to whom
+Was John of Gaunt , the Duke of Lancaster ;
+The fifth was Edmund Langley , Duke of York ;
+The sixth was Thomas of Woodstock , Duke of Gloucester ;
+William of Windsor was the seventh and last .
+Edward the Black Prince died before his father ,
+And left behind him Richard , his only son ,
+Who after Edward the Third's death , reign'd as king ;
+Till Henry Bolingbroke , Duke of Lancaster ,
+The eldest son and heir of John of Gaunt ,
+Crown'd by the name of Henry the Fourth ,
+Seiz'd on the realm , depos'd the rightful king ,
+Sent his poor queen to France , from whence she came ,
+And him to Pomfret ; where as all you know ,
+Harmless Richard was murder'd traitorously .
+
+Father , the duke hath told the truth ;
+Thus got the house of Lancaster the crown .
+
+Which now they hold by force and not by right ;
+For Richard , the first son's heir , being dead ,
+The issue of the next son should have reign'd .
+
+But William of Hatfield died without an heir .
+
+The third son , Duke of Clarence , from whose line
+I claim the crown , had issue , Philippe a daughter ,
+Who married Edmund Mortimer , Earl of March :
+Edmund had issue Roger , Earl of March :
+Roger had issue Edmund , Anne , and Eleanor .
+
+This Edmund , in the reign of Bolingbroke ,
+As I have read , laid claim unto the crown ;
+And but for Owen Glendower , had been king ,
+Who kept him in captivity till he died .
+But , to the rest .
+
+His eldest sister , Anne ,
+My mother , being heir unto the crown ,
+Married Richard , Earl of Cambridge , who was son
+To Edmund Langley , Edward the Third's fifth son .
+By her I claim the kingdom : she was heir
+To Roger , Earl of March ; who was the son
+Of Edmund Mortimer ; who married Philippe ,
+Sole daughter unto Lionel , Duke of Clarence :
+So , if the issue of the eldest son
+Succeed before the younger , I am king .
+
+What plain proceeding is more plain than this ?
+Henry doth claim the crown from John of Gaunt ,
+The fourth son ; York claims it from the third .
+Till Lionel's issue fails , his should not reign :
+It fails not yet , but flourishes in thee ,
+And in thy sons , fair slips of such a stock .
+Then , father Salisbury , kneel we together ,
+And in this private plot be we the first
+That shall salute our rightful sovereign
+With honour of his birthright to the crown .
+
+Long live our sovereign Richard , England's king !
+
+We thank you , lords ! But I am not your king
+Till I be crown'd , and that my sword be stain'd
+With heart-blood of the house of Lancaster ;
+And that's not suddenly to be perform'd ,
+But with advice and silent secrecy .
+Do you as I do in these dangerous days ,
+Wink at the Duke of Suffolk's insolence ,
+At Beaufort's pride , at Somerset's ambition ,
+At Buckingham and all the crew of them ,
+Till they have snar'd the shepherd of the flock ,
+That virtuous prince , the good Duke Humphrey :
+'Tis that they seek ; and they , in seeking that
+Shall find their deaths , if York can prophesy .
+
+My lord , break we off ; we know your mind at full .
+
+My heart assures me that the Earl of Warwick
+Shall one day make the Duke of York a king .
+
+And , Nevil , this I do assure myself ,
+Richard shall live to make the Earl of Warwick
+The greatest man in England but the king .
+
+
+Stand forth , Dame Eleanor Cobham , Gloucester's wife .
+In sight of God and us , your guilt is great :
+Receive the sentence of the law for sins
+Such as by God's book are adjudg'd to death .
+You four , from hence to prison back again ;
+From thence , unto the place of execution :
+The witch in Smithfield shall be burn'd to ashes ,
+And you three shall be strangled on the gallows .
+You , madam , for you are more nobly born ,
+Despoiled of your honour in your life ,
+Shall , after three days' open penance done ,
+Live in your country here , in banishment ,
+With Sir John Stanley , in the Isle of Man .
+
+Welcome is banishment ; welcome were my death .
+
+Eleanor , the law , thou seest , hath judged thee :
+I cannot justify whom the law condemns .
+
+Mine eyes are full of tears , my heart of grief .
+Ah , Humphrey ! this dishonour in thine age
+Will bring thy head with sorrow to the ground .
+I beseech your majesty , give me leave to go ;
+Sorrow would solace and mine age would ease .
+
+Stay , Humphrey , Duke of Gloucester : ere thou go ,
+Give up thy staff : Henry will to himself
+Protector be ; and God shall be my hope ,
+My stay , my guide , and lantern to my feet .
+And go in peace , Humphrey ; no less belov'd
+Than when thou wert protector to thy king .
+
+I see no reason why a king of years
+Should be to be protected like a child .
+God and King Henry govern England's helm !
+Give up your staff , sir , and the king his realm .
+
+My staff ! here , noble Henry , is my staff :
+As willingly do I the same resign
+As e'er thy father Henry made it mine ;
+And even as willingly at thy feet I leave it
+As others would ambitiously receive it .
+Farewell , good king ! when I am dead and gone ,
+May honourable peace attend thy throne .
+
+
+Why , now is Henry king , and Margaret queen ;
+And Humphrey , Duke of Gloucester , scarce himself ,
+That bears so shrewd a maim : two pulls at once ;
+His lady banish'd , and a limb lopp'd off ;
+This staff of honour raught : there let it stand ,
+Where it best fits to be , in Henry's hand .
+
+Thus droops this lofty pine and hangs his sprays ;
+Thus Eleanor's pride dies in her youngest days .
+
+Lords , let him go . Please it your majesty
+This is the day appointed for the combat ;
+And ready are the appellant and defendant ,
+The armourer and his man , to enter the lists ,
+So please your highness to behold the fight .
+
+Ay , good my lord ; for purposely therefore
+Left I the court , to see this quarrel tried .
+
+O' God's name , see the lists and all things fit :
+Here let them end it ; and God defend the right !
+
+I never saw a fellow worse bested ,
+Or more afraid to fight , than is the appellant ,
+The servant of this armourer , my lords .
+
+
+Here , neighbour Horner , I drink to you in a cup of sack : and fear not , neighbour , you shall do well enough .
+
+And here , neighbour , here's a cup of charneco .
+
+And here's a pot of good double beer , neighbour : drink , and fear not your man .
+
+Let it come , i' faith , and I'll pledge you all ; and a fig for Peter !
+
+Here , Peter , I drink to thee ; and be not afraid .
+
+Be merry , Peter , and fear not thy master : fight for credit of the prentices .
+
+I thank you all : drink , and pray for me , I pray you ; for , I think , I have taken my last draught in this world . Here , Robin , an if I die , I give thee my apron : and , Will , thou shalt have my hammer : and here , Tom , take all the money that I have . O Lord bless me ! I pray God , for I am never able to deal with my master , he hath learnt so much fence already .
+
+Come , leave your drinking and fall to blows . Sirrah , what's thy name ?
+
+Peter , forsooth .
+
+Peter ! what more ?
+
+Thump .
+
+Thump ! then see thou thump thy master well .
+
+Masters , I am come hither , as it were , upon my man's instigation , to prove him a knave , and myself an honest man : and touching the Duke of York , I will take my death I never meant him any ill , nor the king , nor the queen ; and therefore , Peter , have at thee with a downright blow !
+
+Dispatch : this knave's tongue begins to double .
+Sound , trumpets , alarum to the combatants .
+
+
+Hold , Peter , hold ! I confess , I confess treason .
+
+
+Take away his weapon . Fellow , thank
+God , and the good wine in thy master's way .
+
+O God ! have I overcome mine enemies in this presence ? O Peter ! thou hast prevailed in right !
+
+Go , take hence that traitor from our sight ;
+For by his death we do perceive his guilt :
+And God in justice hath reveal'd to us
+The truth and innocence of this poor fellow ,
+Which he had thought to have murder'd wrongfully .
+Come , fellow , follow us for thy reward .
+
+
+Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud ;
+And after summer evermore succeeds
+Barren winter , with his wrathful nipping cold :
+So cares and joys abound , as seasons fleet .
+Sirs , what's o'clock ?
+
+Ten , my lord .
+
+Ten is the hour that was appointed me
+To watch the coming of my punish'd duchess :
+Uneath may she endure the flinty streets ,
+To tread them with her tender-feeling feet .
+Sweet Nell , ill can thy noble mind abrook
+The abject people , gazing on thy face
+With envious looks still laughing at thy shame ,
+That erst did follow thy proud chariot wheels
+When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets .
+But , soft ! I think she comes ; and I'll prepare
+My tear-stain'd eyes to see her miseries .
+
+
+So please your Grace , we'll take her from the sheriff .
+
+No , stir not , for your lives ; let her pass by .
+
+Come you , my lord , to see my open shame ?
+Now thou dost penance too . Look ! how they gaze .
+See ! how the giddy multitude do point ,
+And nod their heads , and throw their eyes on thee .
+Ah , Gloucester , hide thee from their hateful looks ,
+And , in thy closet pent up , rue my shame ,
+And ban thine enemies , both mine and thine !
+
+Be patient , gentle Nell ; forget this grief .
+
+Ay , Gloucester , teach me to forget myself ;
+For whilst I think I am thy wedded wife ,
+And thou a prince , protector of this land ,
+Methinks I should not thus be led along ,
+Mail'd up in shame , with papers on my back ,
+And follow'd with a rabble that rejoice
+To see my tears and hear my deep-fet groans .
+The ruthless flint doth cut my tender feet ,
+And when I start , the envious people laugh ,
+And bid me be advised how I tread .
+Ah , Humphrey ! can I bear this shameful yoke ?
+Trow'st thou that e'er I'll look upon the world ,
+Or count them happy that enjoy the sun ?
+No ; dark shall be my light , and night my day ;
+To think upon my pomp shall be my hell .
+Sometime I'll say , I am Duke Humphrey's wife ;
+And he a prince and ruler of the land :
+Yet so he rul'd and such a prince he was
+As he stood by whilst I , his forlorn duchess ,
+Was made a wonder and a pointing-stock
+To every idle rascal follower .
+But be thou mild and blush not at my shame ;
+Nor stir at nothing till the axe of death
+Hang over thee , as , sure , it shortly will ;
+For Suffolk , he that can do all in all
+With her that hateth thee , and hates us all ,
+And York , and impious Beaufort , that false priest ,
+Have all lim'd bushes to betray thy wings ;
+And , fly thou how thou canst , they'll tangle thee :
+But fear not thou , until thy foot be snar'd ,
+Nor never seek prevention of thy foes .
+
+Ah , Nell ! forbear : thou aimest all awry ;
+I must offend before I be attainted ;
+And had I twenty times so many foes ,
+And each of them had twenty times their power ,
+All these could not procure me any scath ,
+So long as I am loyal , true , and crimeless .
+Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach ?
+Why , yet thy scandal were not wip'd away ,
+But I in danger for the breach of law .
+Thy greatest help is quiet , gentle Nell :
+I pray thee , sort thy heart to patience ;
+These few days' wonder will be quickly worn .
+
+
+I summon your Grace to his majesty's parliament , holden at Bury the first of this next month .
+
+And my consent ne'er ask'd herein before !
+This is close dealing . Well , I will be there .
+
+My Nell , I take my leave : and , master sheriff ,
+Let not her penance exceed the king's commission .
+
+An't please your Grace , here my commission stays ;
+And Sir John Stanley is appointed now
+To take her with him to the Isle of Man .
+
+Must you , Sir John , protect my lady here ?
+
+So am I given in charge , may't please your Grace .
+
+Entreat her not the worse in that I pray
+You use her well . The world may laugh again ;
+And I may live to do you kindness if
+You do it her : and so , Sir John , farewell .
+
+What ! gone , my lord , and bid me not farewell !
+
+Witness my tears , I cannot stay to speak .
+
+
+Art thou gone too ? All comfort go with thee !
+For none abides with me : my joy is death ;
+Death , at whose name I oft have been afear'd ,
+Because I wish'd this world's eternity .
+Stanley , I prithee , go , and take me hence ;
+I care not whither , for I beg no favour ,
+Only convey me where thou art commanded .
+
+Why , madam , that is to the Isle of Man ;
+There to be us'd according to your state .
+
+That's bad enough , for I am but reproach :
+And shall I then be us'd reproachfully ?
+
+Like to a duchess , and Duke Humphrey's lady :
+According to that state you shall be us'd .
+
+Sheriff , farewell , and better than I fare ,
+Although thou hast been conduct of my shame .
+
+It is my office ; and , madam , pardon me .
+
+Ay , ay , farewell ; thy office is discharg'd .
+Come , Stanley , shall we go ?
+
+Madam , your penance done , throw off this sheet ,
+And go we to attire you for our journey .
+
+My shame will not be shifted with my sheet :
+No ; it will hang upon my richest robes ,
+And show itself , attire me how I can .
+Go , lead the way ; I long to see my prison .
+
+
+I muse my Lord of Gloucester is not come :
+'Tis not his wont to be the hindmost man ,
+Whate'er occasion keeps him from us now .
+
+Can you not see ? or will ye not observe
+The strangeness of his alter'd countenance ?
+With what a majesty he bears himself ,
+How insolent of late he is become ,
+How proud , how peremptory , and unlike himself ?
+We know the time since he was mild and affable ,
+An if we did but glance a far-off look ,
+Immediately he was upon his knee ,
+That all the court admir'd him for submission :
+But meet him now , and , be it in the morn ,
+When everyone will give the time of day ,
+He knits his brow and shows an angry eye ,
+And passeth by with stiff unbowed knee ,
+Disdaining duty that to us belongs .
+Small curs are not regarded when they grin ,
+But great men tremble when the lion roars ;
+And Humphrey is no little man in England .
+First note that he is near you in descent ,
+And should you fall , he is the next will mount .
+Me seemeth then it is no policy ,
+Respecting what a rancorous mind he bears ,
+And his advantage following your decease ,
+That he should come about your royal person
+Or be admitted to your highness' council .
+By flattery hath he won the commons' hearts ,
+And when he please to make commotion ,
+'Tis to be fear'd they all will follow him .
+Now 'tis the spring , and weeds are shallow-rooted ;
+Suffer them now and they'll o'ergrow the garden ,
+And choke the herbs for want of husbandry .
+The reverent care I bear unto my lord
+Made me collect these dangers in the duke .
+If it be fond , call it a woman's fear ;
+Which fear if better reasons can supplant ,
+I will subscribe and say I wrong'd the duke .
+My Lord of Suffolk , Buckingham , and York ,
+Reprove my allegation if you can
+Or else conclude my words effectual .
+
+Well hath your highness seen into this duke ;
+And had I first been put to speak my mind ,
+I think I should have told your Grace's tale .
+The duchess , by his subornation ,
+Upon my life , began her devilish practices :
+Or if he were not privy to those faults ,
+Yet , by reputing of his high descent ,
+As , next the king he was successive heir ,
+And such high vaunts of his nobility ,
+Did instigate the bedlam brain-sick duchess ,
+By wicked means to frame our sovereign's fall .
+Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep ,
+And in his simple show he harbours treason .
+The fox barks not when he would steal the lamb :
+No , no , my sov'reign ; Gloucester is a man
+Unsounded yet , and full of deep deceit .
+
+Did he not , contrary to form of law ,
+Devise strange deaths for small offences done ?
+
+And did he not , in his protectorship ,
+Levy great sums of money through the realm
+For soldiers' pay in France , and never sent it ?
+By means whereof the towns each day revolted .
+
+Tut ! these are petty faults to faults unknown ,
+Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey .
+
+My lords , at once : the care you have of us ,
+To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot ,
+Is worthy praise ; but shall I speak my conscience ,
+Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent
+From meaning treason to our royal person ,
+As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove .
+The duke is virtuous , mild , and too well given
+To dream on evil , or to work my downfall .
+
+Ah ! what's more dangerous than this fond affiance !
+Seems he a dove ? his feathers are but borrow'd ,
+For he's disposed as the hateful raven :
+Is he a lamb ? his skin is surely lent him ,
+For he's inclin'd as is the ravenous wolf .
+Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit ?
+Take heed , my lord ; the welfare of us all
+Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man .
+
+
+All health unto my gracious sovereign !
+
+Welcome , Lord Somerset . What news from France ?
+
+That all your interest in those territories
+Is utterly bereft you ; all is lost .
+
+Cold news , Lord Somerset : but God's will be done !
+
+Cold news for me ; for I had hope of France ,
+As firmly as I hope for fertile England .
+Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud ,
+And caterpillars eat my leaves away ;
+But I will remedy this gear ere long ,
+Or sell my title for a glorious grave .
+
+
+All happiness unto my lord the king !
+Pardon , my liege , that I have stay'd so long .
+
+Nay , Gloucester , know that thou art come too soon ,
+Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art :
+I do arrest thee of high treason here .
+
+Well , Suffolk's duke , thou shalt not see me blush ,
+Nor change my countenance for this arrest :
+A heart unspotted is not easily daunted .
+The purest spring is not so free from mud
+As I am clear from treason to my sovereign .
+Who can accuse me ? wherein am I guilty ?
+
+'Tis thought , my lord , that you took bribes of France ,
+And , being protector , stay'd the soldiers' pay ;
+By means whereof his highness hath lost France .
+
+Is it but thought so ? What are they that think it ?
+I never robb'd the soldiers of their pay ,
+Nor ever had one penny bribe from France .
+So help me God , as I have watch'd the night ,
+Ay , night by night , in studying good for England ,
+That doit that e'er I wrested from the king ,
+Or any groat I hoarded to my use ,
+Be brought against me at my trial-day !
+No ; many a pound of mine own proper store ,
+Because I would not tax the needy commons ,
+Have I disbursed to the garrisons ,
+And never ask'd for restitution .
+
+It serves you well , my lord , to say so much .
+
+I say no more than truth , so help me God !
+
+In your protectorship you did devise
+Strange tortures for offenders , never heard of ,
+That England was defam'd by tyranny .
+
+Why , 'tis well known that , whiles I was protector ,
+Pity was all the fault that was in me ;
+For I should melt at an offender's tears ,
+And lowly words were ransom for their fault .
+Unless it were a bloody murderer ,
+Or foul felonious thief that fleec'd poor passengers ,
+I never gave them condign punishment :
+Murder , indeed , that bloody sin , I tortur'd
+Above the felon or what trespass else .
+
+My lord , these faults are easy , quickly answer'd :
+But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge ,
+Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself .
+I do arrest you in his highness' name ;
+And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal
+To keep until your further time of trial .
+
+My Lord of Gloucester , 'tis my special hope
+That you will clear yourself from all suspect :
+My conscience tells me you are innocent .
+
+Ah ! gracious lord , these days are dangerous .
+Virtue is chok'd with foul ambition ,
+And charity chas'd hence by rancour's hand ;
+Foul subornation is predominant ,
+And equity exil'd your highness' land .
+I know their complot is to have my life ;
+And if my death might make this island happy ,
+And prove the period of their tyranny ,
+I would expend it with all willingness ;
+But mine is made the prologue to their play ;
+For thousands more , that yet suspect no peril ,
+Will not conclude their plotted tragedy .
+Beaufort's red sparkling eyes blab his heart's malice ,
+And Suffolk's cloudy brow his stormy hate ;
+Sharp Buckingham unburdens with his tongue
+The envious load that lies upon his heart ;
+And dogged York , that reaches at the moon ,
+Whose overweening arm I have pluck'd back ,
+By false accuse doth level at my life :
+And you , my sov'reign lady , with the rest ,
+Causeless have laid disgraces on my head ,
+And with your best endeavour have stirr'd up
+My liefest liege to be mine enemy .
+Ay , all of you have laid your heads together ;
+Myself had notice of your conventicles ;
+And all to make away my guiltless life .
+I shall not want false witness to condemn me ,
+Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt ;
+The ancient proverb will be well effected :
+'A staff is quickly found to beat a dog .'
+
+My liege , his railing is intolerable .
+If those that care to keep your royal person
+From treason's secret knife and traitor's rage
+Be thus upbraided , chid , and rated at ,
+And the offender granted scope of speech ,
+'Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace .
+
+Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here
+With ignominious words , though clerkly couch'd ,
+As if she had suborned some to swear
+False allegations to o'erthrow his state ?
+
+But I can give the loser leave to chide .
+
+Far truer spoke than meant : I lose , indeed ;
+Beshrew the winners , for they play'd me false !
+And well such losers may have leave to speak .
+
+He'll wrest the sense and hold us here all day .
+Lord Cardinal , he is your prisoner .
+
+Sirs , take away the duke , and guard him sure .
+
+Ah ! thus King Henry throws away his crutch
+Before his legs be firm to bear his body :
+Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side ,
+And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first .
+Ah ! that my fear were false , ah ! that it were ;
+For , good King Henry , thy decay I fear .
+
+
+My lords , what to your wisdoms seemeth best
+Do or undo , as if ourself were here .
+
+What ! will your highness leave the parliament ?
+
+Ay , Margaret ; my heart is drown'd with grief ,
+Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes ,
+My body round engirt with misery ,
+For what's more miserable than discontent ?
+Ah ! uncle Humphrey , in thy face I see
+The map of honour , truth , and loyalty ;
+And yet , good Humphrey , is the hour to come
+That e'er I prov'd thee false , or fear'd thy faith .
+What low'ring star now envies thy estate ,
+That these great lords , and Margaret our queen ,
+Do seek subversion of thy harmless life ?
+Thou never didst them wrong , nor no man wrong ;
+And as the butcher takes away the calf ,
+And binds the wretch , and beats it when it strays ,
+Bearing it to the bloody slaughter-house ,
+Even so , remorseless , have they borne him hence ;
+And as the dam runs lowing up and down ,
+Looking the way her harmless young one went ,
+And can do nought but wail her darling's loss ;
+Even so myself bewails good Gloucester's case ,
+With sad unhelpful tears , and with dimm'd eyes
+Look after him , and cannot do him good ;
+So mighty are his vowed enemies .
+His fortunes I will weep ; and , 'twixt each groan ,
+Say 'Who's a traitor , Gloucester he is none .'
+
+
+Fair lords , cold snow melts with the sun's hot beams .
+Henry my lord is cold in great affairs ,
+Too full of foolish pity ; and Gloucester's show
+Beguiles him as the mournful crocodile
+With sorrow snares relenting passengers ;
+Or as the snake , roll'd in a flow'ring bank ,
+With shining checker'd slough , doth sting a child
+That for the beauty thinks it excellent .
+Believe me , lords , were none more wise than I ,
+And yet herein I judge mine own wit good ,
+This Gloucester should be quickly rid the world ,
+To rid us from the fear we have of him .
+
+That he should die is worthy policy ;
+And yet we want a colour for his death .
+'Tis meet he be condemn'd by course of law .
+
+But in my mind that were no policy :
+The king will labour still to save his life ;
+The commons haply rise to save his life ;
+And yet we have but trivial argument ,
+More than mistrust , that shows him worthy death .
+
+So that , by this , you would not have him die .
+
+Ah ! York , no man alive so fain as I .
+
+'Tis York that hath more reason for his death .
+But my Lord Cardinal , and you , my Lord of Suffolk ,
+Say as you think , and speak it from your souls ,
+Were't not all one an empty eagle were set
+To guard the chicken from a hungry kite ,
+As place Duke Humphrey for the king's protector ?
+
+So the poor chicken should be sure of death .
+
+Madam , 'tis true : and were't not madness , then ,
+To make the fox surveyor of the fold ?
+Who , being accus'd a crafty murderer ,
+His guilt should be but idly posted over
+Because his purpose is not executed .
+No ; let him die , in that he is a fox ,
+By nature prov'd an enemy to the flock ,
+Before his chaps be stain'd with crimson blood ,
+As Humphrey , prov'd by reasons , to my liege .
+And do not stand on quillets how to slay him :
+Be it by gins , by snares , by subtilty ,
+Sleeping or waking , 'tis no matter how ,
+So he be dead ; for that is good deceit
+Which mates him first that first intends deceit .
+
+Thrice noble Suffolk , 'tis resolutely spoke .
+
+Not resolute , except so much were done ,
+For things are often spoke and seldom meant ;
+But , that my heart accordeth with my tongue ,
+Seeing the deed is meritorious ,
+And to preserve my sovereign from his foe ,
+Say but the word and I will be his priest .
+
+But I would have him dead , my Lord of Suffolk ,
+Ere you can take due orders for a priest :
+Say you consent and censure well the deed ,
+And I'll provide his executioner ;
+I tender so the safety of my liege .
+
+Here is my hand , the deed is worthy doing .
+
+And so say I .
+
+And I : and now we three have spoke it ,
+It skills not greatly who impugns our doom .
+
+
+Great lords , from Ireland am I come amain ,
+To signify that rebels there are up ,
+And put the Englishmen unto the sword .
+Send succours , lords , and stop the rage betime ,
+Before the wound do grow uncurable ;
+For , being green , there is great hope of help .
+
+A breach that craves a quick expedient stop !
+What counsel give you in this weighty cause ?
+
+That Somerset be sent as regent thither .
+'Tis meet that lucky ruler be employ'd ;
+Witness the fortune he hath had in France .
+
+If York , with all his far-fet policy ,
+Had been the regent there instead of me ,
+He never would have stay'd in France so long .
+
+No , not to lose it all , as thou hast done :
+I rather would have lost my life betimes
+Than bring a burden of dishonour home ,
+By staying there so long till all were lost .
+Show me one scar character'd on thy skin :
+Men's flesh preserv'd so whole do seldom win .
+
+Nay then , this spark will prove a raging fire ,
+If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with .
+No more , good York ; sweet Somerset , be still :
+Thy fortune , York , hadst thou been regent there ,
+Might happily have prov'd far worse than his .
+
+What ! worse than nought ? nay , then a shame take all .
+
+And in the number thee , that wishest shame .
+
+My Lord of York , try what your fortune is .
+The uncivil kerns of Ireland are in arms
+And temper clay with blood of Englishmen :
+To Ireland will you lead a band of men ,
+Collected choicely , from each county some ,
+And try your hap against the Irishmen ?
+
+I will , my lord , so please his majesty .
+
+Why , our authority is his consent ,
+And what we do establish he confirms :
+Then , noble York , take thou this task in hand .
+
+I am content : provide me soldiers , lords ,
+Whiles I take order for mine own affairs .
+
+A charge , Lord York , that I will see perform'd .
+But now return we to the false Duke Humphrey .
+
+No more of him ; for I will deal with him
+That henceforth he shall trouble us no more .
+And so break off ; the day is almost spent .
+Lord Suffolk , you and I must talk of that event .
+
+My Lord of Suffolk , within fourteen days
+At Bristol I expect my soldiers ;
+For there I'll ship them all for Ireland .
+
+I'll see it truly done , my Lord of York .
+
+
+Now , York , or never , steel thy fearful thoughts ,
+And change misdoubt to resolution :
+Be that thou hop'st to be , or what thou art
+Resign to death ; it is not worth the enjoying .
+Let pale-fac'd fear keep with the mean-born man ,
+And find no harbour in a royal heart .
+Faster than spring-time showers comes thought on thought ,
+And not a thought but thinks on dignity .
+My brain , more busy than the labouring spider ,
+Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies .
+Well , nobles , well ; 'tis politicly done ,
+To send me packing with a host of men :
+I fear me you but warm the starved snake ,
+Who , cherish'd in your breasts , will sting your hearts .
+'Twas men I lack'd , and you will give them me :
+I take it kindly ; yet be well assur'd
+You put sharp weapons in a madman's hands .
+Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band ,
+I will stir up in England some black storm
+Shall blow ten thousand souls to heaven or hell ;
+And this fell tempest shall not cease to rage
+Until the golden circuit on my head ,
+Like to the glorious sun's transparent beams ,
+Do calm the fury of this mad-bred flaw .
+And , for a minister of my intent ,
+I have seduc'd a headstrong Kentishman ,
+John Cade of Ashford ,
+To make commotion , as full well he can ,
+Under the title of John Mortimer .
+In Ireland have I seen this stubborn Cade
+Oppose himself against a troop of kerns ,
+And fought so long , till that his thighs with darts
+Were almost like a sharp-quill'd porpentine :
+And , in the end being rescu'd , I have seen
+Him caper upright like a wild Morisco ,
+Shaking the bloody darts as he his bells .
+Full often , like a shag-hair'd crafty kern ,
+Hath he conversed with the enemy ,
+And undiscover'd come to me again ,
+And given me notice of their villanies .
+This devil here shall be my substitute ;
+For that John Mortimer , which now is dead ,
+In face , in gait , in speech , he doth resemble ;
+By this I shall perceive the commons' mind ,
+How they affect the house and claim of York .
+Say he be taken , rack'd , and tortured ,
+I know no pain they can inflict upon him
+Will make him say I mov'd him to those arms .
+Say that he thrive ,as 'tis great like he will ,
+Why , then from Ireland come I with my strength ,
+And reap the harvest which that rascal sow'd ;
+For , Humphrey being dead , as he shall be ,
+And Henry put apart , the next for me .
+
+
+Run to my Lord of Suffolk ; let him know
+We have dispatch'd the duke , as he commanded .
+
+O ! that it were to do . What have we done ?
+Didst ever hear a man so penitent ?
+
+
+Here comes my lord .
+
+Now , sirs , have you dispatch'd this thing ?
+
+Ay , my good lord , he's dead .
+
+Why , that's well said . Go , get you to my house ;
+I will reward you for this venturous deed .
+The king and all the peers are here at hand .
+Have you laid fair the bed ? is all things well ,
+According as I gave directions ?
+
+'Tis , my good lord .
+
+Away ! be gone .
+
+Go , call our uncle to our presence straight ;
+Say , we intend to try his Grace to-day ,
+If he be guilty , as 'tis published .
+
+I'll call him presently , my noble lord .
+
+
+Lords , take your places ; and , I pray you all ,
+Proceed no straiter 'gainst our uncle Gloucester
+Than from true evidence , of good esteem ,
+He be approv'd in practice culpable .
+
+God forbid any malice should prevail
+That faultless may condemn a nobleman !
+Pray God , he may acquit him of suspicion !
+
+I thank thee , Meg ; these words content me much .
+
+
+How now ! why look'st thou pale ? why tremblest thou ?
+
+Where is our uncle ? what's the matter , Suffolk ?
+
+Dead in his bed , my lord ; Gloucester is dead .
+
+Marry , God forfend !
+
+God's secret judgment : I did dream to-night
+The duke was dumb , and could not speak a word .
+
+
+How fares my lord ? Help , lords ! the king is dead .
+
+Rear up his body ; wring him by the nose .
+
+Run , go , help , help ! O Henry , ope thine eyes !
+
+He doth revive again . Madam , be patient .
+
+O heavenly God !
+
+How fares my gracious lord ?
+
+Comfort , my sovereign ! grocious Henry , comfort !
+
+What ! doth my Lord of Suffolk comfort me ?
+Came he right now to sing a raven's note ,
+Whose dismal tune bereft my vital powers ,
+And thinks he that the chirping of a wren ,
+By crying comfort from a hollow breast ,
+Can chase away the first-conceived sound ?
+Hide not thy poison with such sugar'd words :
+Lay not thy hands on me ; forbear , I say :
+Their touch affrights me as a serpent's sting .
+Thou baleful messenger , out of my sight !
+Upon thy eyeballs murderous tyranny
+Sits in grim majesty to fright the world .
+Look not upon me , for thine eyes are wounding :
+Yet do not go away ; come , basilisk ,
+And kill the innocent gazer with thy sight ;
+For in the shade of death I shall find joy ,
+In life but double death , now Gloucester's dead .
+
+Why do you rate my Lord of Suffolk thus ?
+Although the duke was enemy to him ,
+Yet he , most Christian-like , laments his death :
+And for myself , foe as he was to me ,
+Might liquid tears or heart-offending groans
+Or blood-consuming sighs recall his life ,
+I would be blind with weeping , sick with groans ,
+Look pale as primrose with blood-drinking sighs ,
+And all to have the noble duke alive .
+What know I how the world may deem of me ?
+For it is known we were but hollow friends :
+It may be judg'd I made the duke away :
+So shall my name with slander's tongue be wounded ,
+And princes' courts be fill'd with my reproach .
+This get I by his death . Ay me , unhappy !
+To be a queen , and crown'd with infamy !
+
+Ah ! woe is me for Gloucester , wretched man .
+
+Be woe for me , more wretched than he is .
+What ! dost thou turn away and hide thy face ?
+I am no loathsome leper ; look on me .
+What ! art thou , like the adder , waxen deaf ?
+Be poisonous too and kill thy forlorn queen .
+Is all thy comfort shut in Gloucester's tomb ?
+Why , then , Dame Margaret was ne'er thy joy :
+Erect his statua and worship it ,
+And make my image but an alehouse sign .
+Was I for this nigh wrack'd upon the sea ,
+And twice by awkward wind from England's bank
+Drove back again unto my native clime ?
+What boded this , but well forewarning wind
+Did seem to say , 'Seek not a scorpion's nest ,
+Nor set no footing on this unkind shore ?'
+What did I then , but curs'd the gentle gusts
+And he that loos'd them forth their brazen caves ;
+And bid them blow towards England's blessed shore ,
+Or turn our stern upon a dreadful rock ?
+Yet olus would not be a murderer ,
+But left that hateful office unto thee :
+The pretty vaulting sea refus'd to drown me ,
+Knowing that thou wouldst have me drown'd on shore
+With tears as salt as sea through thy unkindness :
+The splitting rocks cower'd in the sinking sands ,
+And would not dash me with their ragged sides ,
+Because thy flinty heart , more hard than they ,
+Might in thy palace perish Margaret .
+As far as I could ken thy chalky cliffs ,
+When from thy shore the tempest beat us back ,
+I stood upon the hatches in the storm ,
+And when the dusky sky began to rob
+My earnest-gaping sight of thy land's view ,
+I took a costly jewel from my neck ,
+A heart it was , bound in with diamonds ,
+And threw it towards thy land : the sea receiv'd it ,
+And so I wish'd thy body might my heart :
+And even with this I lost fair England's view ,
+And bid mine eyes be packing with my heart ,
+And call'd them blind and dusky spectacles
+For losing ken of Albion's wished coast .
+How often have I tempted Suffolk's tongue
+The agent of thy foul inconstancy
+To sit and witch me , as Ascanius did
+When he to madding Dido would unfold
+His father's acts , commenc'd in burning Troy !
+Am I not witch'd like her ? or thou not false like him ?
+Ay me ! I can no more . Die , Margaret !
+For Henry weeps that thou dost live so long .
+
+It is reported , mighty sovereign ,
+That good Duke Humphrey trait'rously is murder'd
+By Suffolk and the Cardinal Beaufort's means .
+The commons , like an angry hive of bees
+That want their leader , scatter up and down ,
+And care not who they sting in his revenge .
+Myself have calm'd their spleenful mutiny ,
+Until they hear the order of his death .
+
+That he is dead , good Warwick , 'tis too true ;
+But how he died God knows , not Henry .
+Enter his chamber , view his breathless corpse ,
+And comment then upon his sudden death .
+
+That shall I do , my liege . Stay , Salisbury ,
+With the rude multitude till I return .
+
+
+O ! Thou that judgest all things , stay my thoughts ,
+My thoughts that labour to persuade my soul
+Some violent hands were laid on Humphrey's life .
+If my suspect be false , forgive me , God ,
+For judgment only doth belong to thee .
+Fain would I go to chafe his paly lips
+With twenty thousand kisses , and to drain
+Upon his face an ocean of salt tears ,
+To tell my love unto his deaf dumb trunk ,
+And with my fingers feel his hand unfeeling :
+But all in vain are these mean obsequies ,
+And to survey his dead and earthly image
+What were it but to make my sorrow greater ?
+
+
+Come hither , gracious sovereign , view this body .
+
+That is to see how deep my grave is made ;
+For with his soul fled all my worldly solace ,
+For seeing him I see my life in death .
+
+As surely as my soul intends to live
+With that dread King that took our state upon him
+To free us from his Father's wrathful curse ,
+I do believe that violent hands were laid
+Upon the life of this thrice-famed duke .
+
+A dreadful oath , sworn with a solemn tongue !
+What instance gives Lord Warwick for his vow ?
+
+See how the blood is settled in his face .
+Oft have I seen a timely-parted ghost ,
+Of ashy semblance , meagre , pale , and bloodless ,
+Being all descended to the labouring heart ;
+Who , in the conflict that it holds with death ,
+Attracts the same for aidance 'gainst the enemy ;
+Which with the heart there cools , and ne'er returneth
+To blush and beautify the cheek again .
+But see , his face is black and full of blood ,
+His eyeballs further out than when he liv'd ,
+Staring full ghastly like a strangled man ;
+His hair uprear'd , his nostrils stretch'd with struggling :
+His hands abroad display'd , as one that grasp'd
+And tugg'd for life , and was by strength subdu'd .
+Look on the sheets , his hair , you see , is sticking ;
+His well-proportion'd beard made rough and rugged ,
+Like to the summer's corn by tempest lodg'd .
+It cannot be but he was murder'd here ;
+The least of all these signs were probable .
+
+Why , Warwick , who should do the duke to death ?
+Myself and Beaufort had him in protection ;
+And we , I hope , sir , are no murderers .
+
+But both of you were vow'd Duke Humphrey's foes ,
+And you , forsooth , had the good duke to keep :
+'Tis like you would not feast him like a friend ,
+And 'tis well seen he found an enemy .
+
+Then you , belike , suspect these noblemen
+As guilty of Duke Humphrey's timeless death .
+
+Who finds the heifer dead , and bleeding fresh ,
+And sees fast by a butcher with an axe ,
+But will suspect 'twas he that made the slaughter ?
+Who finds the partridge in the puttock's nest ,
+But may imagine how the bird was dead ,
+Although the kite soar with unbloodied beak ?
+Even so suspicious is this tragedy .
+
+Are you the butcher , Suffolk ? where's your knife ?
+Is Beaufort term'd a kite ? where are his talons ?
+
+I wear no knife to slaughter sleeping men ;
+But here's a vengeful sword , rusted with ease ,
+That shall be scoured in his rancorous heart
+That slanders me with murder's crimson badge .
+Say , if thou dar'st , proud Lord of Warwickshire ,
+That I am faulty in Duke Humphrey's death .
+
+
+What dares not Warwick , if false Suffolk dare him ?
+
+He dares not calm his contumelious spirit ,
+Nor cease to be an arrogant controller ,
+Though Suffolk dare him twenty thousand times .
+
+Madam , be still , with reverence may I say ;
+For every word you speak in his behalf
+Is slander to your royal dignity .
+
+Blunt-witted lord , ignoble in demeanour !
+If ever lady wrong'd her lord so much ,
+Thy mother took into her blameful bed
+Some stern untutor'd churl , and noble stock
+Was graft with crab-tree slip ; whose fruit thou art ,
+And never of the Nevils' noble race .
+
+But that the guilt of murder bucklers thee ,
+And I should rob the deathsman of his fee ,
+Quitting thee thereby of ten thousand shames ,
+And that my sov'reign's presence makes me mild ,
+I would , false murd'rous coward , on thy knee
+Make thee beg pardon for thy passed speech ,
+And say it was thy mother that thou meant'st ;
+That thou thyself wast born in bastardy :
+And after all this fearful homage done ,
+Give thee thy hire , and send thy soul to hell ,
+Pernicious blood-sucker of sleeping men .
+
+Thou shalt be waking while I shed thy blood ,
+If from this presence thou dar'st go with me .
+
+Away even now , or I will drag thee hence :
+Unworthy though thou art , I'll cope with thee ,
+And do some service to Duke Humphrey's ghost .
+
+
+What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted !
+Thrice is he arm'd that hath his quarrel just ,
+And he but naked , though lock'd up in steel ,
+Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted .
+
+What noise is this ?
+
+Why , how now , lords ! your wrathful weapons drawn
+Here in our presence ! dare you be so bold ?
+Why , what tumultuous clamour have we here ?
+
+The traitorous Warwick , with the men of Bury ,
+Set all upon me , mighty sovereign .
+
+
+Sirs , stand apart ; the king shall know your mind .
+Dread lord , the commons send you word by me ,
+Unless false Suffolk straight be done to death ,
+Or banished fair England's territories ,
+They will by violence tear him from your palace
+And torture him with grievous lingering death .
+They say , by him the good Duke Humphrey died ;
+They say , in him they fear your highness' death ;
+And mere instinct of love and loyalty ,
+Free from a stubborn opposite intent ,
+As being thought to contradict your liking ,
+Makes them thus forward in his banishment .
+They say , in care of your most royal person ,
+That if your highness should intend to sleep ,
+And charge that no man should disturb your rest
+In pain of your dislike or pain of death ,
+Yet , notwithstanding such a strait edict ,
+Were there a serpent seen , with forked tongue ,
+That slily glided towards your majesty ,
+It were but necessary you were wak'd ,
+Lest , being suffer'd in that harmful slumber ,
+The mortal worm might make the sleep eternal :
+And therefore do they cry , though you forbid ,
+That they will guard you , whe'r you will or no ,
+From such fell serpents as false Suffolk is ;
+With whose envenomed and fatal sting ,
+Your loving uncle , twenty times his worth ,
+They say , is shamefully bereft of life .
+
+An answer from the king , my Lord of Salisbury !
+
+'Tis like the commons , rude unpolish'd hinds ,
+Could send such message to their sovereign ;
+But you , my lord , were glad to be employ'd ,
+To show how quaint an orator you are :
+But all the honour Salisbury hath won
+Is that he was the lord ambassador ,
+Sent from a sort of tinkers to the king .
+
+An answer from the king , or we will all break in !
+
+Go , Salisbury , and tell them all from me ,
+I thank them for their tender loving care ;
+And had I not been cited so by them ,
+Yet did I purpose as they do entreat ;
+For , sure , my thoughts do hourly prophesy
+Mischance unto my state by Suffolk's means :
+And therefore , by his majesty I swear ,
+Whose far unworthy deputy I am ,
+He shall not breathe infection in this air
+But three days longer , on the pain of death .
+
+
+O Henry ! let me plead for gentle Suffolk .
+
+Ungentle queen , to call him gentle Suffolk !
+No more , I say ; if thou dost plead for him
+Thou wilt but add increase unto my wrath .
+Had I but said , I would have kept my word ,
+But when I swear , it is irrevocable .
+
+
+If after three days' space thou here be'st found
+On any ground that I am ruler of ,
+The world shall not be ransom for thy life .
+Come , Warwick , come , good Warwick , go with me ;
+I have great matters to impart to thee .
+
+
+Mischance and sorrow go along with you !
+Heart's discontent and sour affliction
+Be playfellows to keep you company !
+There's two of you ; the devil make a third ,
+And threefold vengeance tend upon your steps !
+
+Cease , gentle queen , these execrations ,
+And let thy Suffolk take his heavy leave .
+
+Fie , coward woman and soft-hearted wretch !
+Hast thou not spirit to curse thine enemy ?
+
+A plague upon them ! Wherefore should I curse them ?
+Would curses kill , as doth the mandrake's groan ,
+I would invent as bitter-searching terms ,
+As curst , as harsh and horrible to hear ,
+Deliver'd strongly through my fixed teeth ,
+With full as many signs of deadly hate ,
+As lean-fac'd Envy in her loathsome cave .
+My tongue should stumble in mine earnest words ;
+Mine eyes should sparkle like the beaten flint ;
+My hair be fix'd on end , as one distract ;
+Ay , every joint should seem to curse and ban :
+And even now my burden'd heart would break
+Should I not curse them . Poison be their drink !
+Gall , worse than gall , the daintiest that they taste !
+Their sweetest shade a grove of cypress trees !
+Their chiefest prospect murdering basilisks !
+Their softest touch as smart as lizard's stings !
+Their music frightful as the serpent's hiss ,
+And boding screech-owls make the concert full !
+All the foul terrors in dark-seated hell
+
+Enough , sweet Suffolk ; thou torment'st thyself ;
+And these dread curses , like the sun 'gainst glass ,
+Or like an over-charged gun , recoil ,
+And turn the force of them upon thyself .
+
+You bade me ban , and will you bid me leave ?
+Now , by the ground that I am banish'd from ,
+Well could I curse away a winter's night ,
+Though standing naked on a mountain top ,
+Where biting cold would never let grass grow ,
+And think it but a minute spent in sport .
+
+O ! let me entreat thee , cease ! Give me thy hand ,
+That I may dew it with my mournful tears ;
+Nor let the rain of heaven wet this place ,
+To wash away my woeful monuments .
+O ! could this kiss be printed in thy hand ,
+
+That thou mightst think upon these by the seal ,
+Through whom a thousand sighs are breath'd for thee .
+So , get thee gone , that I may know my grief ;
+'Tis but surmis'd whiles thou art standing by ,
+As one that surfeits thinking on a want .
+I will repeal thee , or , be well assur'd ,
+Adventure to be banished myself ;
+And banished I am , if but from thee .
+Go ; speak not to me ; even now be gone .
+O ! go not yet . Even thus two friends condemn'd
+Embrace and kiss , and take ten thousand leaves ,
+Loather a hundred times to part than die .
+Yet now farewell ; and farewell life with thee !
+
+Thus is poor Suffolk ten times banished ,
+Once by the king , and three times thrice by thee .
+'Tis not the land I care for , wert thou thence ;
+A wilderness is populous enough ,
+So Suffolk had thy heavenly company :
+For where thou art , there is the world itself ,
+With every several pleasure in the world ,
+And where thou art not , desolation .
+I can no more : live thou to joy thy life ;
+Myself to joy in nought but that thou liv'st .
+
+
+Whither goes Vaux so fast ? what news , I prithee ?
+
+To signify unto his majesty
+That Cardinal Beaufort is at point of death ;
+For suddenly a grievous sickness took him ,
+That makes him gasp and stare , and catch the air ,
+Blaspheming God , and cursing men on earth .
+Sometime he talks as if Duke Humphrey's ghost
+Were by his side ; sometime he calls the king ,
+And whispers to his pillow , as to him ,
+The secrets of his overcharged soul :
+And I am sent to tell his majesty
+That even now he cries aloud for him .
+
+Go tell this heavy message to the king .
+
+Ay me ! what is this world ! what news are these !
+But wherefore grieve I at an hour's poor loss ,
+Omitting Suffolk's exile , my soul's treasure ?
+Why only , Suffolk , mourn I not for thee ,
+And with the southern clouds contend in tears ,
+Theirs for the earth's increase , mine for my sorrows ?
+Now get thee hence : the king , thou know'st , is coming ;
+If thou be found by me thou art but dead .
+
+If I depart from thee I cannot live ;
+And in thy sight to die , what were it else
+But like a pleasant slumber in thy lap ?
+Here could I breathe my soul into the air ,
+As mild and gentle as the cradle babe ,
+Dying with mother's dug between its lips ;
+Where , from thy sight , I should be raging mad ,
+And cry out for thee to close up mine eyes ,
+To have thee with thy lips to stop my mouth :
+So shouldst thou either turn my flying soul ,
+Or I should breathe it so into thy body ,
+And then it liv'd in sweet Elysium .
+To die by thee , were but to die in jest ;
+From thee to die were torture more than death .
+O ! let me stay , befall what may befall !
+
+Away ! though parting be a fretful corsive ,
+It is applied to a deathful wound .
+To France , sweet Suffolk : let me hear from thee ;
+For wheresoe'er thou art in this world's globe ,
+I'll have an Iris that shall find thee out .
+
+I go .
+
+And take my heart with thee .
+
+A jewel , lock'd into the woefull'st cask
+That ever did contain a thing of worth .
+Even as a splitted bark , so sunder we :
+This way fall I to death .
+
+This way for me .
+
+
+How fares my lord ? speak , Beaufort , to thy sovereign .
+
+If thou be'st death , I'll give thee England's treasure ,
+Enough to purchase such another island ,
+So thou wilt let me live , and feel no pain .
+
+Ah ! what a sign it is of evil life
+Where death's approach is seen so terrible .
+
+Beaufort , it is thy sov'reign speaks to thee .
+
+Bring me unto my trial when you will .
+Died he not in his bed ? where should he die ?
+Can I make men live whe'r they will or no ?
+O ! torture me no more , I will confess .
+Alive again ? then show me where he is :
+I'll give a thousand pound to look upon him .
+He hath no eyes , the dust hath blinded them .
+Comb down his hair ; look ! look ! it stands upright ,
+Like lime-twigs set to catch my winged soul .
+Give me some drink ; and bid the apothecary
+Bring the strong poison that I bought of him .
+
+O thou eternal Mover of the heavens !
+Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch ;
+O ! beat away the busy meddling fiend
+That lays strong siege unto this wretch's soul ,
+And from his bosom purge this black despair .
+
+See how the pangs of death do make him grin !
+
+Disturb him not ! let him pass peaceably .
+
+Peace to his soul , if God's good pleasure be !
+Lord Cardinal , if thou think'st on heaven's bliss ,
+Hold up thy hand , make signal of thy hope .
+He dies , and makes no sign . O God , forgive him !
+
+So bad a death argues a monstrous life .
+
+Forbear to judge , for we are sinners all .
+Close up his eyes , and draw the curtain close ;
+And let us all to meditation .
+
+The gaudy , blabbing , and remorseful day
+Is crept into the bosom of the sea ,
+And now loud-howling wolves arouse the jades
+That drag the tragic melancholy night ;
+Who with their drowsy , slow , and flagging wings
+Clip dead men's graves , and from their misty jaws
+Breathe foul contagious darkness in the air .
+Therefore bring forth the soldiers of our prize ,
+For , whilst our pinnace anchors in the Downs
+Here shall they make their ransom on the sand ,
+Or with their blood stain this discolour'd shore .
+Master , this prisoner freely give I thee :
+And thou that art his mate make boot of this ;
+The other
+
+, Walter Whitmore , is thy share .
+
+What is my ransom , master ? let me know .
+
+A thousand crowns , or else lay down your head .
+
+And so much shall you give , or off goes yours .
+
+What ! think you much to pay two thousand crowns ,
+And bear the name and port of gentlemen ?
+Cut both the villains' throats ! for die you shall :
+The lives of those which we have lost in fight
+Cannot be counterpois'd with such a petty sum !
+
+I'll give it , sir ; and therefore spare my life .
+
+And so will I , and write home for it straight .
+
+I lost mine eye in laying the prize aboard ,
+
+
+And therefore to revenge it shalt thou die ;
+And so should these if I might have my will .
+
+Be not so rash : take ransom ; let him live .
+
+Look on my George ; I am a gentleman :
+Rate me at what thou wilt , thou shalt be paid .
+
+And so am I ; my name is Walter Whitmore .
+How now ! why start'st thou ? what ! doth death affright ?
+
+Thy name affrights me , in whose sound is death .
+A cunning man did calculate my birth ,
+And told me that by Water I should die :
+Yet let not this make thee be bloody-minded ;
+Thy name is Gaultier , being rightly sounded .
+
+Gaultier , or Walter , which it is I care not ;
+Never yet did base dishonour blur our name
+But with our sword we wip'd away the blot :
+Therefore , when merchant-like I sell revenge ,
+Broke be my sword , my arms torn and defac'd ,
+And I proclaim'd a coward through the world !
+
+
+Stay , Whitmore ; for thy prisoner is a prince ,
+The Duke of Suffolk , William de la Pole .
+
+The Duke of Suffolk muffled up in rags !
+
+Ay , but these rags are no part of the duke :
+Jove sometimes went disguis'd , and why not I ?
+
+But Jove was never slain , as thou shalt be .
+
+Obscure and lowly swain , King Henry's blood ,
+The honourable blood of Lancaster ,
+Must not be shed by such a jaded groom .
+Hast thou not kiss'd thy hand and held my stirrup ?
+Bare-headed plodded by my foot-cloth mule ,
+And thought thee happy when I shook my head ?
+How often hast thou waited at my cup ,
+Fed from my trencher , kneel'd down at the board ,
+When I have feasted with Queen Margaret ?
+Remember it and let it make thee crest-fall'n ;
+Ay , and allay this thy abortive pride .
+How in our voiding lobby hast thou stood
+And duly waited for my coming forth ?
+This hand of mine hath writ in thy behalf ,
+And therefore shall it charm thy riotous tongue .
+
+Speak , captain , shall I stab the forlorn swain ?
+
+First let my words stab him , as he hath me .
+
+Base slave , thy words are blunt , and so art thou .
+
+Convey him hence , and on our longboat's side
+Strike off his head .
+
+Thou dar'st not for thy own .
+
+Yes , Pole .
+
+Pole !
+
+Pool ! Sir Pool ! lord !
+Ay , kennel , puddle , sink ; whose filth and dirt
+Troubles the silver spring where England drinks .
+Now will I dam up this thy yawning mouth
+For swallowing the treasure of the realm :
+Thy lips , that kiss'd the queen , shall sweep the ground ;
+And thou , that smil'dst at good Duke Humphrey's death ,
+Against the senseless winds shall grin in vain ,
+Who in contempt shall hiss at thee again :
+And wedded be thou to the hags of hell ,
+For daring to affy a mighty lord
+Unto the daughter of a worthless king ,
+Having neither subject , wealth , nor diadem .
+By devilish policy art thou grown great ,
+And , like ambitious Sylla , overgorg'd
+With gobbets of thy mother's bleeding heart .
+By thee Anjou and Maine were sold to France ,
+The false revolting Normans thorough thee
+Disdain to call us lord , and Picardy
+Hath slain their governors , surpris'd our forts ,
+And sent the ragged soldiers wounded home .
+The princely Warwick , and the Nevils all ,
+Whose dreadful swords were never drawn in vain ,
+As hating thee , are rising up in arms :
+And now the house of York , thrust from the crown
+By shameful murder of a guiltless king ,
+And lofty proud encroaching tyranny ,
+Burns with revenging fire ; whose hopeful colours
+Advance our half-fac'd sun , striving to shine ,
+Under the which is writ Invitis nubibus .
+The commons here in Kent are up in arms ;
+And to conclude , reproach and beggary
+Is crept into the palace of our king ,
+And all by thee . Away ! convey him hence .
+
+O ! that I were a god , to shoot forth thunder
+Upon these paltry , servile , abject drudges .
+Small things make base men proud : this villain here ,
+Being captain of a pinnace , threatens more
+Than Bargulus the strong Illyrian pirate .
+Drones suck not eagles' blood , but rob beehives .
+It is impossible that I should die
+By such a lowly vassal as thyself .
+Thy words move rage , and not remorse in me :
+I go of message from the queen to France ;
+I charge thee , waft me safely cross the Channel .
+
+Walter !
+
+Come , Suffolk , I must waft thee to thy death .
+
+Gelidus timor occupat artus : 'tis thee I fear .
+
+Thou shalt have cause to fear before I leave thee .
+What ! are ye daunted now ? now will ye stoop ?
+
+My gracious lord , entreat him , speak him fair .
+
+Suffolk's imperial tongue is stern and rough ,
+Us'd to command , untaught to plead for favour .
+Far be it we should honour such as these
+With humble suit : no , rather let my head
+Stoop to the block than these knees bow to any
+Save to the God of heaven , and to my king ;
+And sooner dance upon a bloody pole
+Than stand uncover'd to the vulgar groom .
+True nobility is exempt from fear :
+More can I bear than you dare execute .
+
+Hale him away , and let him talk no more .
+
+Come , soldiers , show what cruelty ye can ,
+That this my death may never be forgot .
+Great men oft die by vile bezonians .
+A Roman sworder and banditto slave
+Murder'd sweet Tully ; Brutus' bastard hand
+Stabb'd Julius C sar ; savage islanders
+Pompey the Great ; and Suffolk dies by pirates .
+
+
+And as for these whose ransom we have set ,
+It is our pleasure one of them depart :
+Therefore come you with us and let him go .
+
+There let his head and lifeless body lie ,
+Until the queen his mistress bury it .
+
+
+O barbarous and bloody spectacle !
+His body will I bear unto the king :
+If he revenge it not , yet will his friends ;
+So will the queen , that living held him dear .
+
+
+Come , and get thee a sword , though made of a lath : they have been up these two days .
+
+They have the more need to sleep now then .
+
+I tell thee , Jack Cade the clothier means to dress the commonwealth , and turn it , and set a new nap upon it .
+
+So he had need , for 'tis threadbare . Well , I say it was never merry world in England since gentlemen came up .
+
+O miserable age ! Virtue is not regarded in handicrafts-men .
+
+The nobility think scorn to go in leather aprons .
+
+Nay , more ; the king's council are no good workmen .
+
+True ; and yet it is said , 'Labour in thy vocation :' which is as much to say as , let the magistrates be labouring men ; and therefore should we be magistrates .
+
+Thou hast hit it ; for there's no better sign of a brave mind than a hard hand .
+
+I see them ! I see them ! There's Best's son , the tanner of Wingham ,
+
+He shall have the skins of our enemies to make dog's-leather of .
+
+And Dick the butcher ,
+
+Then is sin struck down like an ox , and iniquity's throat cut like a calf .
+
+And Smith the weaver ,
+
+Argo , their thread of life is spun .
+
+Come , come , let's fall in with them .
+
+
+We John Cade , so termed of our supposed father ,
+
+Or rather , of stealing a cade of herrings .
+
+For our enemies shall fall before us , inspired with the spirit of putting down kings and princes ,Command silence .
+
+Silence !
+
+My father was a Mortimer .
+
+He was an honest man , and a good bricklayer .
+
+My mother a Plantagenet ,
+
+I knew her well ; she was a midwife .
+
+My wife descended of the Lacies ,
+
+She was , indeed , a pedlar's daughter , and sold many laces .
+
+But now of late , not able to travel with her furred pack , she washes bucks here at home .
+
+Therefore am I of an honourable house .
+
+Ay , by my faith , the field is honourable ; and there was he born , under a hedge ; for his father had never a house but the cage .
+
+Valiant I am .
+
+A' must needs , for beggary is valiant .
+
+I am able to endure much .
+
+No question of that , for I have seen him whipped three market-days together .
+
+I fear neither sword nor fire .
+
+He need not fear the sword , for his coat is of proof .
+
+But methinks he should stand in fear of fire , being burnt i' the hand for stealing of sheep .
+
+Be brave , then ; for your captain is brave , and vows reformation . There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny ; the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops ; and I will make it felony to drink small beer . All the realm shall be in common , and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass . And when I am king ,as king I will be ,
+
+God save your majesty !
+
+I thank you , good people : there shall be no money ; all shall eat and drink on my score , and I will apparel them all in one livery , that they may agree like brothers , and worship me their lord .
+
+The first thing we do , let's kill all the lawyers .
+
+Nay , that I mean to do . Is not this a lamentable thing , that of the skin of an innocent lamb should be made parchment ? that parchment , being scribbled o'er , should undo a man ? Some say the bee stings ; but I say , 'tis the bee's wax , for I did but seal once to a thing , and I was never mine own man since . How now ! who's there ?
+
+
+The clerk of Chatham : he can write and read and cast accompt .
+
+O monstrous !
+
+We took him setting of boys' copies .
+
+Here's a villain !
+
+Has a book in his pocket with red letters in't .
+
+Nay , then he is a conjurer .
+
+Nay , he can make obligations , and write court-hand .
+
+I am sorry for't : the man is a proper man , of mine honour ; unless I find him guilty , he shall not die . Come hither , sirrah , I must examine thee . What is thy name ?
+
+Emmanuel .
+
+They use to write it on the top of letters . 'Twill go hard with you .
+
+Let me alone . Dost thou use to write thy name , or hast thou a mark to thyself , like an honest plain-dealing man ?
+
+Sir , I thank God , I have been so well brought up , that I can write my name .
+
+He hath confessed : away with him ! he's a villain and a traitor .
+
+Away with him ! I say : hang him with his pen and ink-horn about his neck .
+
+Where's our general ?
+
+Here I am , thou particular fellow .
+
+Fly , fly , fly ! Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother are hard by , with the king's forces .
+
+Stand , villain , stand , or I'll fell thee down . He shall be encountered with a man as good as himself : he is but a knight , is a' ?
+
+No .
+
+To equal him , I will make myself a knight presently .
+
+Rise up Sir John Mortimer . [Rises .] Now have at him .
+
+
+Rebellious hinds , the filth and scum of Kent ,
+Mark'd for the gallows , lay your weapons down ;
+Home to your cottages , forsake this groom :
+The king is merciful , if you revolt .
+
+But angry , wrathful , and inclin'd to blood ,
+If you go forward : therefore yield , or die .
+
+As for these silken-coated slaves , I pass not :
+It is to you , good people , that I speak ,
+O'er whom , in time to come I hope to reign ;
+For I am rightful heir unto the crown .
+
+Villain ! thy father was a plasterer ;
+And thou thyself a shearman , art thou not ?
+
+And Adam was a gardener .
+
+And what of that ?
+
+Marry , this : Edmund Mortimer , Earl of March ,
+Married the Duke of Clarence' daughter , did he not ?
+
+Ay , sir .
+
+By her he had two children at one birth .
+
+That's false .
+
+Ay , there's the question ; but I say , 'tis true :
+The elder of them , being put to nurse ,
+Was by a beggar-woman stol'n away ;
+And , ignorant of his birth and parentage ,
+Became a bricklayer when he came to age :
+His son am I ; deny it if you can .
+
+Nay , 'tis too true ; therefore he shall be king .
+
+Sir , he made a chimney in my father's house , and the bricks are alive at this day to testify it ; therefore deny it not .
+
+And will you credit this base drudge's words ,
+That speaks he knows not what ?
+
+Ay , marry , will we ; therefore get ye gone .
+
+Jack Cade , the Duke of York hath taught you this .
+
+He lies , for I invented it myself . Go to , sirrah ; tell the king from me , that , for his father's sake , Henry the Fifth , in whose time boys went to span-counter for French crowns , I am content he shall reign ; but I'll be protector over him .
+
+And furthermore , we'll have the Lord Say's head for selling the dukedom of Maine .
+
+And good reason ; for thereby is England mained , and fain to go with a staff , but that my puissance holds it up . Fellow kings , I tell you that that Lord Say hath gelded the commonwealth , and made it a eunuch ; and more than that , he can speak French ; and therefore he is a traitor .
+
+O gross and miserable ignorance !
+
+Nay , answer , if you can : the Frenchmen are our enemies ; go to then , I ask but this , can he that speaks with the tongue of an enemy be a good counsellor , or no ?
+
+No , no ; and therefore we'll have his head .
+
+Well , seeing gentle words will not prevail ,
+Assail them with the army of the king .
+
+Herald , away ; and throughout every town
+Proclaim them traitors that are up with Cade ;
+That those which fly before the battle ends
+May , even in their wives' and children's sight ,
+Be hang'd up for example at their doors :
+And you , that be the king's friends , follow me .
+
+
+And you , that love the commons , follow me .
+Now show yourselves men ; 'tis for liberty .
+We will not leave one lord , one gentleman :
+Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon ,
+For they are thrifty honest men , and such
+As would , but that they dare not take our parts .
+
+They are all in order , and march toward us .
+
+But then are we in order when we are most out of order . Come , march ! forward !
+
+
+Where's Dick , the butcher of Ashford ?
+
+Here , sir .
+
+They fell before thee like sheep and oxen , and thou behavedst thyself as if thou hadst been in thine own slaughter-house : therefore thus will I reward thee , the Lent shall be as long again as it is ; and thou shalt have a licence to kill for a hundred lacking one .
+
+I desire no more .
+
+And , to speak truth , thou deservest no less . This monument of the victory will I bear ;
+
+and the bodies shall be dragged at my horse' heels , till I do come to London , where we will have the Mayor's sword borne before us .
+
+If we mean to thrive and do good , break open the gaols and let out the prisoners .
+
+Fear not that , I warrant thee . Come ; let's march towards London .
+
+
+Oft have I heard that grief softens the mind ,
+And makes it fearful and degenerate ;
+Think therefore on revenge , and cease to weep .
+But who can cease to weep and look on this ?
+Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast ;
+But where's the body that I should embrace ?
+
+What answer makes your Grace to the rebels' supplication ?
+
+I'll send some holy bishop to entreat ;
+For God forbid so many simple souls
+Should perish by the sword ! And I myself ,
+Rather than bloody war shall cut them short ,
+Will parley with Jack Cade their general .
+But stay , I'll read it over once again .
+
+Ah , barbarous villains ! hath this lovely face
+Rul'd like a wandering planet over me ,
+And could it not enforce them to relent ,
+That were unworthy to behold the same ?
+
+Lord Say , Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head .
+
+Ay , but I hope your highness shall have his .
+
+How now , madam !
+Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolk's death ?
+I fear me , love , if that I had been dead ,
+Thou wouldest not have mourn'd so much for me .
+
+No , my love ; I should not mourn , but die for thee .
+
+
+How now ! what news ? why com'st thou in such haste ?
+
+The rebels are in Southwark ; fly , my lord !
+Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer ,
+Descended from the Duke of Clarence' house ,
+And calls your Grace usurper openly ,
+And vows to crown himself in Westminster .
+His army is a ragged multitude
+Of hinds and peasants , rude and merciless :
+Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother's death
+Hath given them heart and courage to proceed .
+All scholars , lawyers , courtiers , gentlemen ,
+They call false caterpillars , and intend their death .
+
+O graceless men ! they know not what they do .
+
+My gracious lord , retire to Killingworth ,
+Until a power be rais'd to put them down .
+
+Ah ! were the Duke of Suffolk now alive ,
+These Kentish rebels would be soon appeas'd .
+
+Lord Say , the traitors hate thee ,
+Therefore away with us to Killingworth .
+
+So might your Grace's person be in danger .
+The sight of me is odious in their eyes ;
+And therefore in this city will I stay ,
+And live alone as secret as I may .
+
+
+Jack Cade hath gotten London bridge ;
+The citizens fly and forsake their houses ;
+The rascal people , thirsting after prey ,
+Join with the traitor ; and they jointly swear
+To spoil the city and your royal court .
+
+Then linger not , my lord ; away ! take horse .
+
+Come , Margaret ; God , our hope , will succour us .
+
+My hope is gone , now Suffolk is deceas'd .
+
+Farewell , my lord : trust not the Kentish rebels .
+
+Trust nobody , for fear you be betray'd .
+
+The trust I have is in mine innocence ,
+And therefore am I bold and resolute .
+
+
+How now ! is Jack Cade slain ?
+
+No , my lord , nor likely to be slain ; for they have won the bridge , killing all those that withstand them . The Lord Mayor craves aid of your honour from the Tower , to defend the city from the rebels .
+
+Such aid as I can spare you shall command ;
+But I am troubled here with them myself ;
+The rebels have assay'd to win the Tower .
+But get you to Smithfield and gather head ,
+And thither I will send you Matthew Goffe :
+Fight for your king , your country , and your lives ;
+And so , farewell , for I must hence again .
+
+
+Now is Mortimer lord of this city . And here , sitting upon London-stone , I charge and command that , of the city's cost , the pissing-conduit run nothing but claret wine this first year of our reign . And now , henceforward , it shall be treason for any that calls me other than Lord Mortimer .
+
+
+Jack Cade ! Jack Cade !
+
+Knock him down there .
+
+
+If this fellow be wise , he'll never call you Jack Cade more : I think he hath a very fair warning .
+
+My lord , there's an army gathered together in Smithfield .
+
+Come then , let's go fight with them . But first , go and set London-bridge on fire , and , if you can , burn down the Tower too . Come , let's away .
+
+
+So , sirs :Now go some and pull down the Savoy ; others to the inns of court : down with them all .
+
+I have a suit unto your lordship .
+
+Be it a lordship , thou shalt have it for that word .
+
+Only that the laws of England may come out of your mouth .
+
+Mass , 'twill be sore law then ; for he was thrust in the mouth with a spear , and 'tis not whole yet .
+
+Nay , John , it will be stinking law ; for his breath stinks with eating toasted cheese .
+
+I have thought upon it ; it shall be so . Away ! burn all the records of the realm : my mouth shall be the parliament of England .
+
+Then we are like to have biting statutes , unless his teeth be pulled out .
+
+And henceforward all things shall be in common .
+
+
+My lord , a prize , a prize ! here's the Lord Say , which sold the towns in France ; he that made us pay one-and-twenty fifteens , and one shilling to the pound , the last subsidy .
+
+
+Well , he shall be beheaded for it ten times . Ah ! thou say , thou serge , nay , thou buckram lord ; now art thou within pointblank of our jurisdiction regal . What canst thou answer to my majesty for giving up of Normandy unto Monsieur Basimecu , the Dauphin of France ? Be it known unto thee by these presence , even the presence of Lord Mortimer , that I am the besom that must sweep the court clean of such filth as thou art . Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm in erecting a grammar-school ; and whereas , before , our fore-fathers had no other books but the score and the tally , thou hast caused printing to be used ; and , contrary to the king , his crown , and dignity , thou hast built a paper-mill . It will be proved to thy face that thou hast men about thee that usually talk of a noun and a verb , and such abominable words as no Christian car can endure to hear . Thou hast appointed justices of peace , to call poor men before them about matters they were not able to answer . Moreover , thou hast put them in prison ; and because they could not read , thou hast hanged them ; when indeed only for that cause they have been most worthy to live . Thou dost ride on a foot-cloth , dost thou not ?
+
+What of that ?
+
+Marry , thou oughtest not to let thy horse wear a cloak , when honester men than thou go in their hose and doublets .
+
+And work in their shirt too ; as myself , for example , that am a butcher .
+
+You men of Kent ,
+
+What say you of Kent ?
+
+Nothing but this : 'tis bona terra , mala gens .
+
+Away with him ! away with him ! he speaks Latin .
+
+Hear me but speak , and bear me where you will .
+Kent , in the Commentaries C sar writ ,
+Is term'd the civil'st place of all this isle :
+Sweet is the country , because full of riches ;
+The people liberal , valiant , active , wealthy ;
+Which makes me hope you are not void of pity .
+I sold not Maine , I lost not Normandy ;
+Yet , to recover them , would lose my life .
+Justice with favour have I always done ;
+Prayers and tears have mov'd me , gifts could never .
+When have I aught exacted at your hands ,
+But to maintain the king , the realm , and you ?
+Large gifts have I bestow'd on learned clerks ,
+Because my book preferr'd me to the king ,
+And seeing ignorance is the curse of God ,
+Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven ,
+Unless you be possess'd with devilish spirits ,
+You cannot but forbear to murder me :
+This tongue hath parley'd unto foreign kings
+For your behoof ,
+
+Tut ! when struck'st thou one blow in the field ?
+
+Great men have reaching hands : oft have I struck
+Those that I never saw , and struck them dead .
+
+O monstrous coward ! what , to come behind folks !
+
+These cheeks are pale for watching for your good .
+
+Give him a box o' the ear , and that will make 'em red again .
+
+Long sitting , to determine poor men's causes ,
+Hath made me full of sickness and diseases .
+
+Ye shall have a hempen caudle then , and the help of hatchet .
+
+Why dost thou quiver , man ?.
+
+The palsy , and not fear , provokes me .
+
+Nay , he nods at us ; as who should say , I'll be even with you : I'll see if his head will stand steadier on a pole , or no . Take him away and behead him .
+
+Tell me wherein have I offended most ?
+Have I affected wealth , or honour ? speak .
+Are my chests fill'd up with extorted gold ?
+Is my apparel sumptuous to behold ?
+Whom have I injur'd , that ye seek my death ?
+These hands are free from guiltless bloodshedding ,
+This breast from harbouring foul deceitful thoughts .
+O ! let me live .
+
+I feel remorse in myself with his words ; but I'll bridle it : he shall die , an it be but for pleading so well for his life . Away with him ! he has a familiar under his tongue ; he speaks not o' God's name . Go , take him away , I say , and strike off his head presently ; and then break into his son-in-law's house , Sir James Cromer , and strike off his head , and bring them both upon two poles hither .
+
+It shall be done .
+
+Ah , countrymen ! if when you make your prayers ,
+God should be so obdurate as yourselves ,
+How would it fare with your departed souls ?
+And therefore yet relent , and save my life .
+
+Away with him ! and do as I command ye .
+
+The proudest peer in the realm shall not wear a head on his shoulders , unless he pay me tribute ; there shall not a maid be married , but she shall pay to me her maidenhead , ere they have it ; men shall hold of me in capite ; and we charge and command that their wives be as free as heart can wish or tongue can tell .
+
+My lord , when shall we go to Cheapside and take up commodities upon our bills ?
+
+Marry , presently .
+
+O ! brave !
+
+
+But is not this braver ? Let them kiss one another , for they loved well when they were alive . Now part them again , lest they consult about the giving up of some more towns in France . Soldiers , defer the spoil of the city until night : for with these borne before us , instead of maces , will we ride through the streets ; and at every corner have them kiss . Away !
+
+
+Up Fish Street ! down St . Magnus' corner ! kill and knock down ! throw them into Thames ! [A parley sounded , then a retreat .] What noise is this I hear ? Dare any be so bold to sound retreat or parley , when I command them kill ?
+
+
+Ay , here they be that dare and will disturb thee .
+Know , Cade , we come ambassadors from the king
+Unto the commons whom thou hast misled ;
+And here pronounce free pardon to them all
+That will forsake thee and go home in peace .
+
+What say ye , countrymen ? will ye relent ,
+And yield to mercy , whilst 'tis offer'd you ,
+Or let a rebel lead you to your deaths ?
+Who loves the king , and will embrace his pardon ,
+Fling up his cap , and say 'God save his majesty !'
+Who hateth him , and honours not his father ,
+Henry the Fifth , that made all France to quake ,
+Shake he his weapon at us , and pass by .
+
+God save the king ! God save the king !
+
+What ! Buckingham and Clifford , are ye so brave ? And you , base peasants , do ye believe him ? will you needs be hanged with your pardons about your necks ? Hath my sword therefore broke through London Gates , that you should leave me at the White Hart in Southwark ? I thought ye would never have given out these arms till you had recovered your ancient freedom ; but you are all recreants and dastards , and delight to live in slavery to the nobility . Let them break your backs with burdens , take your houses over your heads , ravish your wives and daughters before your faces : for me , I will make shift for one , and so , God's curse light upon you all !
+
+We'll follow Cade , we'll follow Cade !
+
+Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth ,
+That thus you do exclaim you'll go with him ?
+Will he conduct you through the heart of France ,
+And make the meanest of you earls and dukes ?
+Alas ! he hath no home , no place to fly to ;
+Nor knows he how to live but by the spoil ,
+Unless by robbing of your friends and us .
+Were't not a shame , that whilst you live at jar ,
+The fearful French , whom you late vanquished ,
+Should make a start o'er seas and vanquish you ?
+Methinks already in this civil broil
+I see them lording it in London streets ,
+Crying Villiago ! unto all they meet .
+Better ten thousand base-born Cades miscarry ,
+Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman's mercy .
+To France , to France ! and get what you have lost ;
+Spare England , for it is your native coast .
+Henry hath money , you are strong and manly ;
+God on our side , doubt not of victory .
+
+A Clifford ! a Clifford ! we'll follow the king and Clifford .
+
+Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro as this multitude ? The name of Henry the Fifth hales them to a hundred mischiefs , and makes them leave me desolate . I see them lay their heads together to surprise me . My sword make way for me , for here is no staying . In despite of the devils and hell , have through the very middest of you ! and heavens and honour be witness , that no want of resolution in me , but only my followers' base and ignominious treasons , makes me betake me to my heels .
+
+
+What , is he fled ? go some , and follow him ;
+And he that brings his head unto the king
+Shall have a thousand crowns for his reward .
+
+Follow me , soldiers : we'll devise a mean
+To reconcile you all unto the king .
+
+
+Was ever king that joy'd an earthly throne ,
+And could command no more content than I ?
+No sooner was I crept out of my cradle
+But I was made a king at nine months old :
+Was never subject long'd to be a king
+As I do long and wish to be a subject .
+
+
+Health , and glad tidings , to your majesty !
+
+Why , Buckingham , is the traitor Cade surpris'd ?
+Or is he but retir'd to make him strong ?
+
+
+He's fled , my lord , and all his powers do yield ;
+And humbly thus , with halters on their necks ,
+Expect your highness' doom , of life , or death .
+
+Then , heaven , set ope thy everlasting gates ,
+To entertain my vows of thanks and praise !
+Soldiers , this day have you redeem'd your lives ,
+And show'd how well you love your prince and country :
+Continue still in this so good a mind ,
+And Henry , though he be infortunate ,
+Assure yourselves , will never be unkind :
+And so , with thanks and pardon to you all ,
+I do dismiss you to your several countries .
+
+God save the king ! God save the king !
+
+
+Please it your Grace to be advertised ,
+The Duke of York is newly come from Ireland ;
+And with a puissant and a mighty power
+Of Gallowglasses , and stout kerns ,
+Is marching hitherward in proud array ;
+And still proclaimeth , as he comes along ,
+His arms are only to remove from thee
+The Duke of Somerset , whom he terms a traitor .
+
+Thus stands my state , 'twixt Cade and York distress'd ;
+Like to a ship , that , having scap'd a tempest ,
+Is straight way calm'd , and boarded with a pirate .
+But now is Cade driven back , his men dispers'd ;
+And now is York in arms to second him .
+I pray thee , Buckingham , go and meet him ,
+And ask him what's the reason of these arms .
+Tell him I'll send Duke Edmund to the Tower ;
+And , Somerset , we will commit thee thither ,
+Until his army be dismiss'd from him .
+
+My lord ,
+I'll yield myself to prison willingly ,
+Or unto death , to do my country good .
+
+In any case , be not too rough in terms ;
+For he is fierce and cannot brook hard language .
+
+I will , my lord ; and doubt not so to deal
+As all things shall redound unto your good .
+
+Come , wife , let's in , and learn to govern better ;
+For yet may England curse my wretched reign .
+
+Fie on ambition ! fie on myself , that have a sword , and yet am ready to famish ! These five days have I hid me in these woods and durst not peep out , for all the country is laid for me ; but now I am so hungry , that if I might have a lease of my life for a thousand years I could stay no longer . Wherefore , on a brick wall have I climbed into this garden , to see if I can eat grass , or pick a sallet another while , which is not amiss to cool a man's stomach this hot weather . And I think this word 'sallet' was born to do me good : for many a time , but for a sallet , my brain-pan had been cleft with a brown bill ; and many a time , when I have been dry , and bravely marching , it hath served me instead of a quart-pot to drink in ; and now the word 'sallet' must serve me to feed on .
+
+
+Lord ! who would live turmoiled in the court ,
+And may enjoy such quiet walks as these ?
+This small inheritance my father left me
+Contenteth me , and worth a monarchy .
+I seek not to wax great by others' waning ,
+Or gather wealth I care not with what envy :
+Sufficeth that I have maintains my state ,
+And sends the poor well pleased from my gate .
+
+Here's the lord of the soil come to seize me for a stray , for entering his fee-simple without leave . Ah , villain ! thou wilt betray me , and get a thousand crowns of the king by carrying my head to him ; but I'll make thee eat iron like an ostrich , and swallow my sword like a great pin , ere thou and I part .
+
+Why , rude companion , whatsoe'er thou be ,
+I know thee not ; why then should I betray thee ?
+Is't not enough to break into my garden ,
+And like a thief to come to rob my grounds ,
+Climbing my walls in spite of me the owner ,
+But thou wilt brave me with these saucy terms ?
+
+Brave thee ! ay , by the best blood that ever was broached , and beard thee too . Look on me well : I have eat no meat these five days ; yet , come thou and thy five men , and if I do not leave you all as dead as a door-nail , I pray God I may never eat grass more .
+
+Nay , it shall ne'er be said , while England stands ,
+That Alexander Iden , an esquire of Kent ,
+Took odds to combat a poor famish'd man .
+Oppose thy steadfast-gazing eyes to mine ,
+See if thou canst out-face me with thy looks :
+Set limb to limb , and thou art far the lesser ;
+Thy hand is but a finger to my fist ;
+Thy leg a stick compared with this truncheon ;
+My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast ;
+And if mine arm be heaved in the air
+Thy grave is digg'd already in the earth .
+As for more words , whose greatness answers words ,
+Let this my sword report what speech forbears .
+
+By my valour , the most complete champion that ever I heard ! Steel , if thou turn the edge , or cut not out the burly-boned clown in chines of beef ere thou sleep in thy sheath , I beseech Jove on my knees , thou mayst be turned to hobnails .
+
+O , I am slain ! Famine and no other hath slain me : let ten thousand devils come against me , and give me but the ten meals I have lost , and I'll defy them all . Wither , garden ; and be henceforth a burying-place to all that do dwell in this house , because the unconquered soul of Cade is fled .
+
+Is't Cade that I have slain , that monstrous traitor ?
+Sword , I will hallow thee for this thy deed ,
+And hang thee o'er my tomb when I am dead :
+Ne'er shall this blood be wiped from thy point ,
+But thou shalt wear it as a herald's coat ,
+To emblaze the honour that thy master got .
+
+Iden , farewell ; and be proud of thy victory . Tell Kent from me , she hath lost her best man , and exhort all the world to be cowards ; for I , that never feared any , am vanquished by famine , not by valour .
+
+
+How much thou wrong'st me , heaven be my judge .
+Die , damned wretch , the curse of her that bare thee !
+And as I thrust thy body in with my sword ,
+So wish I I might thrust thy soul to hell .
+Hence will I drag thee headlong by the heels
+Unto a dunghill which shall be thy grave ,
+And there cut off thy most ungracious head ;
+Which I will bear in triumph to the king ,
+Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon .
+
+
+From Ireland thus comes York to claim his right ,
+And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head :
+Ring , bells , aloud ; burn , bonfires , clear and bright ,
+To entertain great England's lawful king .
+Ah sancta majestas , who would not buy thee dear ?
+Let them obey that know not how to rule ;
+This hand was made to handle nought but gold :
+I cannot give due action to my words ,
+Except a sword , or sceptre balance it .
+A sceptre shall it have , have I-a soul ,
+On which I'll toss the flower-de-luce of France .
+
+
+Whom have we here ? Buckingham , to disturb me ?
+
+The king hath sent him , sure : I must dissemble .
+
+York , if thou meanest well , I greet thee well .
+
+Humphrey of Buckingham , I accept thy greeting .
+Art thou a messenger , or come of pleasure ?
+
+A messenger from Henry , our dread hege ,
+To know the reason of these arms in peace ;
+Or why thou ,being a subject as I am ,
+Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn ,
+Shouldst raise so great a power without his leave ,
+Or dare to bring thy force so near the court .
+
+Scarce can I speak , my choler is so great :
+O ! I could hew up rocks and fight with flint ,
+I am so angry at these abject terms ;
+And now , like Ajax Telamonius ,
+On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury .
+I am far better born than is the king ,
+More like a king , more kingly in my thoughts ;
+But I must make fair weather yet awhile ,
+Till Henry be more weak , and I more strong .
+
+
+Buckingham , I prithee , pardon me ,
+That I have given no answer all this while ;
+My mind was troubled with deep melancholy .
+The cause why I have brought this army hither
+Is to remove proud Somerset from the king ,
+Seditious to his Grace and to the state .
+
+That is too much presumption on thy part :
+But if thy arms be to no other end ,
+The king hath yielded unto thy demand :
+The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower .
+
+Upon thine honour , is he a prisoner ?
+
+Upon mine honour , he is a prisoner .
+
+Then , Buckingham , I do dismiss my powers .
+Soldiers , I thank you all ; disperse yourselves ;
+Meet me to-morrow in Saint George's field ,
+You shall have pay , and everything you wish ,
+And let my sov'reign , virtuous Henry ,
+Command my eldest son , nay , all my sons ,
+As pledges of my fealty and love ;
+I'll send them all as willing as I live :
+Lands , goods , horse , armour , anything I have
+Is his to use , so Somerset may die .
+
+York , I commend this kind submission :
+We twain will go into his highness' tent .
+
+
+Buckingham , doth York intend no harm to us ,
+That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm ?
+
+In all submission and humility
+York doth present himself unto your highness .
+
+Then what intend these forces thou dost bring ?
+
+To heave the traitor Somerset from hence ,
+And fight against that monstrous rebel , Cade ,
+Who since I heard to be discomfited .
+
+
+If one so rude and of so mean condition
+May pass into the presence of a king ,
+Lo ! I present your Grace a traitor's head ,
+The head of Cade , whom I in combat slew .
+
+The head of Cade ! Great God , how just art thou !
+O ! let me view his visage , being dead ,
+That living wrought me such exceeding trouble .
+Tell me , my friend , art thou the man that slew him ?
+
+I was , an't like your majesty .
+
+How art thou call'd , and what is thy degree ?
+
+Alexander Iden , that's my name ;
+A poor esquire of Kent , that loves his king .
+
+So please it you , my lord , 'twere not amiss
+He were created knight for his good service .
+
+Iden , kneel down .
+
+Rise up a knight .
+We give thee for reward a thousand marks ;
+And will , that thou henceforth attend on us .
+
+May Iden live to merit such a bounty ,
+And never live but true unto his liege !
+
+See ! Buckingham ! Somerset comes with the queen :
+Go , bid her hide him quickly from the duke .
+
+
+For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head ,
+But boldly stand and front him to his face .
+
+How now ! is Somerset at liberty ?
+Then , York , unloose thy long-imprison'd thoughts
+And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart .
+Shall I endure the sight of Somerset ?
+False king ! why hast thou broken faith with me ,
+Knowing how hardly I can brook abuse ?
+King did I call thee ? no , thou art not king ;
+Not fit to govern and rule multitudes ,
+Which dar'st not , no , nor canst not rule a traitor .
+That head of thine doth not become a crown ;
+Thy hand is made to grasp a palmer's staff ,
+And not to grace an awful princely sceptre .
+That gold must round engirt these brows of mine ,
+Whose smile and frown , like to Achilles' spear ,
+Is able with the change to kill and cure .
+Here is a hand to hold a sceptre up ,
+And with the same to act controlling laws .
+Give place : by heaven , thou shalt rule no more
+O'er him whom heaven created for thy ruler .
+
+O monstrous traitor :I arrest thee , York ,
+Of capital treason 'gainst the king and crown .
+Obey , audacious traitor ; kneel for grace .
+
+Wouldst have me kneel ? first let me ask of these
+If they can brook I bow a knee to man .
+Sirrah , call in my sons to be my bail :
+
+I know ere they will have me go to ward ,
+They'll pawn their swords for my enfranchisement .
+
+Call hither Clifford ; bid him come amain ,
+To say if that the bastard boys of York
+Shall be the surety for their traitor father .
+
+
+O blood-bespotted Neapolitan ,
+Outcast of Naples , England's bloody scourge !
+The sons of York , thy betters in their birth ,
+Shall be their father's bail ; and bane to those
+That for my surety will refuse the boys !
+
+
+See where they come : I'll warrant they'll make it good .
+
+And here comes Clifford , to deny their bail .
+
+Health and all happiness to my lord the king !
+
+I thank thee , Clifford : say , what news with thee ?
+Nay , do not fright us with an angry look :
+We are thy sov'reign , Clifford , kneel again ;
+For thy mistaking so , we pardon thee .
+
+This is my king , York , I do not mistake ;
+But thou mistak'st me much to think I do .
+To Bedlam with him ! is the man grown mad ?
+
+Ay , Clifford ; a bedlam and ambitious humour
+Makes him oppose himself against his king .
+
+He is a traitor ; let him to the Tower ,
+And chop away that factious pate of his .
+
+He is arrested , but will not obey :
+His sons , he says , shall give their words for him .
+
+Will you not , sons ?
+
+Ay , noble father , if our words will serve .
+
+And if words will not , then our weapons shall .
+
+Why , what a brood of traitors have we here !
+
+Look in a glass , and call thy image so :
+I am thy king , and thou a false-heart traitor .
+Call hither to the stake my two brave bears ,
+That with the very shaking of their chains
+They may astonish these fell-lurking curs :
+Bid Salisbury and Warwick come to me .
+
+
+Are these thy bears ? we'll bait thy bears to death ,
+And manacle the bear-ward in their chains ,
+If thou dar'st bring them to the baiting-place .
+
+Oft have I seen a hot o'erweening cur
+Run back and bite , because he was withheld ;
+Who , being suffer'd with the bear's fell paw ,
+Hath clapp'd his tail between his legs , and cried :
+And such a piece of service will you do ,
+If you oppose yourselves to match Lord Warwick .
+
+Hence , heap of wrath , foul indigested lump ,
+As crooked in thy manners as thy shape !
+
+Nay , we shall heat you thoroughly anon .
+
+Take heed , lest by your heat you burn yourselves .
+
+Why , Warwick , hath thy knee forgot to bow ?
+Old Salisbury , shame to thy silver hair ,
+Thou mad misleader of thy brain-sick son !
+What ! wilt thou on thy death-bed play the ruffian ,
+And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles ?
+O ! where is faith ? O , where is loyalty ?
+If it be banish'd from the frosty head ,
+Where shall it find a harbour in the earth ?
+Wilt thou go dig a grave to find out war ,
+And shame thine honourable age with blood ?
+Why art thou old , and want'st experience ?
+Or wherefore dost abuse it , if thou hast it ?
+For shame ! in duty bend thy knee to me ,
+That bows unto the grave with mickle age .
+
+My lord , I have consider'd with myself
+The title of this most renowned duke ;
+And in my conscience do repute his Grace
+The rightful heir to England's royal seat .
+
+Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me ?
+
+I have .
+
+Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath ?
+
+It is great sin to swear unto a sin ,
+But greater sin to keep a sinful oath .
+Who can be bound by any solemn vow
+To do a murderous deed , to rob a man ,
+To force a spotless virgin's chastity ,
+To reave the orphan of his patrimony ,
+To wring the widow from her custom'd right ,
+And have no other reason for this wrong
+But that he was bound by a solemn oath ?
+
+A subtle traitor needs no sophister .
+
+Call Buckingham , and bid him arm himself .
+
+Call Buckingham , and all the friends thou hast ,
+I am resolv'd for death , or dignity .
+
+The first I warrant thee , if dreams prove true .
+
+You were best to go to bed and dream again ,
+To keep thee from the tempest of the field .
+
+I am resolv'd to bear a greater storm
+Than any thou canst conjure up to-day ;
+And that I'll write upon thy burgonet ,
+Might I but know thee by thy household badge .
+
+Now , by my father's badge , old Nevil's crest ,
+The rampant bear chain'd to the ragged staff ,
+This day I'll wear aloft my burgonet ,
+As on a mountain-top the cedar shows ,
+That keeps his leaves in spite of any storm ,
+Even to affright thee with the view thereof .
+
+And from thy burgonet I'll rend thy bear ,
+And tread it underfoot with all contempt ,
+Despite the bear-ward that protects the bear .
+
+And so to arms , victorious father ,
+To quell the rebels and their complices .
+
+Fie ! charity ! for shame ! speak not in spite ,
+For you shall sup with Jesu Christ to-night .
+
+Foul stigmatic , that's more than thou canst tell .
+
+If not in heaven , you'll surely sup in hell .
+
+
+Clifford of Cumberland , 'tis Warwick calls :
+And if thou dost not hide thee from the bear ,
+Now , when the angry trumpet sounds alarm ,
+And dead men's cries do fill the empty air ,
+Clifford , I say , come forth , and fight with me !
+Proud northern lord , Clifford of Cumberland ,
+Warwick is hoarse with calling thee to arms .
+
+How now , my noble lord ! what ! all afoot ?
+
+The deadly-handed Clifford slew my steed ;
+But match to match I have encounter'd him ,
+And made a prey for carrion kites and crows
+Even of the bonny beast he lov'd so well .
+
+
+Of one or both of us the time is come .
+
+Hold , Warwick ! seek thee out some other chase ,
+For I myself must hunt this deer to death .
+
+Then , nobly , York ; 'tis for a crown thou fight'st .
+As I intend , Clifford , to thrive to-day ,
+It grieves my soul to leave thee unassail'd .
+
+
+What seest thou in me , York ? why dost thou pause ?
+
+With thy brave bearing should I be in love ,
+But that thou art so fast mine enemy .
+
+Nor should thy prowess want praise and esteem ,
+But that 'tis shown ignobly and in treason .
+
+So let it help me now against thy sword
+As I in justice and true right express it .
+
+My soul and body on the action both !
+
+A dreadful lay ! address thee instantly .
+
+La fin couronne les uvres .
+
+
+Thus war hath given thee peace , for thou art still .
+Peace with his soul , heaven , if it be thy will !
+
+Shame and confusion ! all is on the rout :
+Fear frames disorder , and disorder wounds
+Where it should guard . O war ! thou son of hell ,
+Whom angry heavens do make their minister ,
+Throw in the frozen bosoms of our part
+Hot coals of vengeance ! Let no soldier fly :
+He that is truly dedicate to war
+Hath no self-love ; nor he that loves himself
+Hath not essentially , but by circumstance ,
+The name of valour .
+
+O ! let the vile world end ,
+And the premised flames of the last day
+Knit heaven and earth together ;
+Now let the general trumpet blow his blast ,
+Particularities and petty sounds
+To cease !Wast thou ordain'd , dear father ,
+To lose thy youth in peace , and to achieve
+The silver livery of advised age ,
+And , in thy reverence and thy chair-days thus
+To die in ruffian battle ? Even at this sight
+My heart is turn'd to stone : and while 'tis mine
+It shall be stony . York not our old men spares :
+No more will I their babes : tears virginal
+Shall be to me even as the dew to fire ;
+And beauty , that the tyrant oft reclaims ,
+Shall to my flaming wrath be oil and flax .
+Henceforth I will not have to do with pity :
+Meet I an infant of the house of York ,
+Into as many gobbets will I cut it
+As wild Medea young Absyrtus did :
+In cruelty will I seek out my fame .
+Come , thou new ruin of old Clifford's house :
+
+As did neas old Anchises bear ,
+So bear I thee upon my manly shoulders ;
+But then neas bare a living load ,
+Nothing so heavy as these woes of mine .
+
+So , lie thou there ;
+For underneath an alehouse' paltry sign ,
+The Castle in Saint Alban's , Somerset
+Hath made the wizard famous in his death .
+Sword , hold thy temper ; heart , be wrathful still :
+Priests pray for enemies , but princes kill .
+
+Away , my lord ! you are slow : for shame , away !
+
+Can we outrun the heavens ? good Margaret , stay .
+
+What are you made of ? you'll nor fight nor fly :
+Now is it manhood , wisdom , and defence ,
+To give the enemy way , and to secure us
+By what we can , which can no more but fly .
+
+If you be ta'en , we then should see the bottom
+Of all our fortunes : but if we haply scape ,
+As well we may , if not through your neglect ,
+We shall to London get , where you are lov'd ,
+And where this breach now in our fortunes made
+May readily be stopp'd .
+
+
+But that my heart's on future mischief set ,
+I would speak blasphemy ere bid you fly ;
+But fly you must : uncurable discomfit
+Reigns in the hearts of all our present parts .
+Away , for your relief ! and we will live
+To see their day and them our fortune give .
+Away , my lord , away !
+
+
+Of Salisbury , who can report of him ;
+That winter lion , who in rage forgets
+Aged contusions and all brush of time ,
+And , like a gallant in the brow of youth ,
+Repairs him with occasion ? this happy day
+Is not itself , nor have we won one foot ,
+If Salisbury be lost .
+
+My noble father ,
+Three times to-day I holp him to his horse ,
+Three times bestrid him ; thrice I led him off ,
+Persuaded him from any further act :
+But still , where danger was , still there I met him ;
+And like rich hangings in a homely house ,
+So was his will in his old feeble body .
+But , noble as he is , look where he comes .
+
+
+Now , by my sword , well hast thou fought to-day ;
+By the mass , so did we all . I thank you , Richard :
+God knows how long it is I have to live ;
+And it hath pleas'd him that three times to-day
+You have defended me from imminent death .
+Well , lords , we have not got that which we have :
+'Tis not enough our foes are this time fled ,
+Being opposites of such repairing nature .
+
+I know our safety is to follow them ;
+
+For , as I hear , the king is fled to London ,
+To call a present court of parliament :
+Let us pursue him ere the writs go forth :
+What says Lord Warwick ? shall we after them ?
+
+After them ! nay , before them , if we can .
+Now , by my hand , lords , 'twas a glorious day :
+Saint Alban's battle , won by famous York ,
+Shall be eterniz'd in all age to come .
+Sound , drums and trumpets , and to London all :
+And more such days as these to us befall !
+
+THE THIRD PART OF KING HENRY VI
+
+I wonder how the king escap'd our hands .
+
+While we pursu'd the horsemen of the north ,
+He slily stole away and left his men :
+Whereat the great Lord of Northumberland ,
+Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat ,
+Cheer'd up the drooping army ; and himself ,
+Lord Clifford , and Lord Stafford , all abreast ,
+Charg'd our main battle's front , and breaking in
+Were by the swords of common soldiers slain .
+
+Lord Stafford's father , Duke of Buckingham ,
+Is either slain or wounded dangerously ;
+I cleft his beaver with a downright blow :
+That this is true , father , behold his blood .
+
+
+And , brother , here's the Earl of Wiltshire's blood ,
+
+Whom I encounter'd as the battles join'd .
+
+Speak thou for me , and tell them what I did .
+
+
+Richard hath best deserv'd of all my sons .
+But , is your Grace dead , my Lord of Somerset ?
+
+Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt !
+
+Thus do I hope to shake King Henry's head .
+
+And so do I . Victorious Prince of York ,
+Before I see thee seated in that throne
+Which now the house of Lancaster usurps ,
+I vow by heaven these eyes shall never close .
+This is the palace of the fearful king ,
+And this the regal seat : possess it , York ;
+For this is thine , and not King Henry's heirs' .
+
+Assist me , then , sweet Warwick , and I will ;
+For hither we have broken in by force .
+
+We'll all assist you ; he that flies shall die .
+
+Thanks , gentle Norfolk . Stay by me , my lords ;
+And , soldiers , stay and lodge by me this night .
+
+And when the king comes , offer him no violence ,
+Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce .
+
+
+The queen this day here holds her parliament ,
+But little thinks we shall be of her council :
+By words or blows here let us win our right .
+
+Arm'd as we are , let's stay within this house .
+
+The bloody parliament shall this be call'd ,
+Unless Plantagenet , Duke of York , be king ,
+And bashful Henry depos'd , whose cowardice
+Hath made us by-words to our enemies .
+
+Then leave me not , my lords ; be resolute ;
+I mean to take possession of my right .
+
+Neither the king , nor he that loves him best ,
+The proudest he that holds up Lancaster ,
+Dares stir a wing if Warwick shake his bells .
+I'll plant Plantagenet , root him up who dares .
+Resolve thee , Richard ; claim the English crown .
+
+
+My lords , look where the sturdy rebel sits ,
+Even in the chair of state ! belike he means
+Back'd by the power of Warwick , that false peer
+To aspire unto the crown and reign as king .
+Earl of Northumberland , he slew thy father ,
+And thine , Lord Clifford ; and you both have vow'd revenge
+On him , his sons , his favourites , and his friends .
+
+If I be not , heavens be reveng'd on me !
+
+The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel .
+
+What ! shall we suffer this ? let's pluck him down :
+My heart for anger burns ; I cannot brook it .
+
+Be patient , gentle Earl of Westmoreland .
+
+Patience is for poltroons , such as he :
+He durst not sit there had your father liv'd .
+My gracious lord , here in the parliament
+Let us assail the family of York .
+
+Well hast thou spoken , cousin : be it so .
+
+Ah ! know you not the city favours them ,
+And they have troops of soldiers at their beck ?
+
+But when the duke is slain they'll quickly fly .
+
+Far be the thought of this from Henry's heart ,
+To make a shambles of the parliament-house !
+Cousin of Exeter , frowns , words , and threats ,
+Shall be the war that Henry means to use .
+
+Thou factious Duke of York , descend my throne ,
+And kneel for grace and mercy at my feet ;
+I am thy sovereign .
+
+I am thine .
+
+For shame ! come down : he made thee Duke of York .
+
+'Twas my inheritance , as the earldom was .
+
+Thy father was a traitor to the crown .
+
+Exeter , thou art a traitor to the crown
+In following this usurping Henry .
+
+Whom should he follow but his natural king ?
+
+True , Clifford ; and that's Richard , Duke of York .
+
+And shall I stand , and thou sit in my throne ?
+
+It must and shall be so : content thyself .
+
+Be Duke of Lancaster : let him be king .
+
+He is both king and Duke of Lancaster ;
+And that the Lord of Westmoreland shall maintain .
+
+And Warwick shall disprove it . You forget
+That we are those which chas'd you from the field
+And slew your fathers , and with colours spread
+March'd through the city to the palace gates .
+
+Yes , Warwick , I remember it to my grief ;
+And , by his soul , thou and thy house shall rue it .
+
+Plantagenet , of thee , and these thy sons ,
+Thy kinsmen and thy friends , I'll have more lives
+Than drops of blood were in my father's veins .
+
+Urge it no more ; lest that instead of words ,
+I send thee , Warwick , such a messenger
+As shall revenge his death before I stir .
+
+Poor Clifford ! how I scorn his worthless threats .
+
+Will you we show our title to the crown ?
+If not , our swords shall plead it in the field .
+
+What title hast thou , traitor , to the crown ?
+Thy father was , as thou art , Duke of York ;
+Thy grandfather , Roger Mortimer , Earl of March ;
+I am the son of Henry the Fifth ,
+Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop ,
+And seiz'd upon their towns and provinces .
+
+Talk not of France , sith thou hast lost it all .
+
+The Lord Protector lost it , and not I :
+When I was crown'd I was but nine months old .
+
+You are old enough now , and yet , methinks , you lose .
+Father , tear the crown from the usurper's head .
+
+Sweet father , do so ; set it on your head .
+
+Good brother , as thou lov'st and honour'st arms ,
+Let's fight it out and not stand cavilling thus .
+
+Sound drums and trumpets , and the king will fly .
+
+Sons , peace !
+
+Peace thou ! and give King Henry leave to speak .
+
+Plantagenet shall speak first : hear him , lords ;
+And be you silent and attentive too ,
+For he that interrupts him shall not live .
+
+Think'st thou that I will leave my kingly throne ,
+Wherein my grandsire and my father sat ?
+No : first shall war unpeople this my realm ;
+Ay , and their colours , often borne in France ,
+And now in England to our heart's great sorrow ,
+Shall be my winding-sheet . Why faint you , lords ?
+My title's good , and better far than his .
+
+Prove it , Henry , and thou shalt be king .
+
+Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown .
+
+'Twas by rebellion against his king .
+
+I know not what to say : my title's weak .
+
+
+Tell me , may not a king adopt an heir ?
+
+What then ?
+
+An if he may , then am I lawful king ;
+For Richard , in the view of many lords ,
+Resign'd the crown to Henry the Fourth ,
+Whose heir my father was , and I am his .
+
+He rose against him , being his sovereign ,
+And made him to resign his crown perforce .
+
+Suppose , my lords , he did it unconstrain'd ,
+Think you 'twere prejudicial to his crown ?
+
+No ; for he could not so resign his crown
+But that the next heir should succeed and reign .
+
+Art thou against us , Duke of Exeter ?
+
+His is the right , and therefore pardon me .
+
+Why whisper you , my lords , and answer not ?
+
+My conscience tells me he is lawful king .
+
+All will revolt from me , and turn to him .
+
+Plantagenet , for all the claim thou lay'st ,
+Think not that Henry shall be so depos'd .
+
+Depos'd he shall be in despite of all .
+
+Thou art deceiv'd : 'tis not thy southern power ,
+Of Essex , Norfolk , Suffolk , nor of Kent ,
+Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud ,
+Can set the duke up in despite of me .
+
+King Henry , be thy title right or wrong ,
+Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence :
+May that ground gape and swallow me alive ,
+Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father !
+
+O Clifford , how thy words revive my heart !
+
+Henry of Lancaster , resign thy crown .
+What mutter you , or what conspire you , lords ?
+
+Do right unto this princely Duke of York ,
+Or I will fill the house with armed men ,
+And o'er the chair of state , where now he sits ,
+Write up his title with usurping blood .
+
+
+My Lord of Warwick , hear me but one word :
+Let me for this my life-time reign as king .
+
+Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs ,
+And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou liv'st .
+
+I am content : Richard Plantagenet ,
+Enjoy the kingdom after my decease .
+
+What wrong is this unto the prince your son !
+
+What good is this to England and himself !
+
+Base , fearful , and despairing Henry !
+
+How hast thou injur'd both thyself and us !
+
+I cannot stay to hear these articles .
+
+Nor I .
+
+Come , cousin , let us tell the queen these news .
+
+Farewell , faint-hearted and degenerate king ,
+In whose cold blood no spark of honour bides .
+
+Be thou a prey unto the house of York ,
+And die in bands for this unmanly deed !
+
+In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome ,
+Or live in peace abandon'd and despis'd !
+
+
+Turn this way , Henry , and regard them not .
+
+They seek revenge and therefore will not yield .
+
+Ah ! Exeter .
+
+Why should you sigh , my lord ?
+
+Not for myself , Lord Warwick , but my son ,
+Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit .
+But be it as it may ; I here entail
+The crown to thee and to thine heirs for ever ;
+Conditionally , that here thou take an oath
+To cease this civil war , and , whilst I live ,
+To honour me as thy king and sovereign ;
+And neither by treason nor hostility
+To seek to put me down and reign thyself .
+
+This oath I willingly take and will perform .
+
+
+Long live King Henry ! Plantagenet , embrace him .
+
+And long live thou and these thy forward sons !
+
+Now York and Lancaster are reconcil'd .
+
+Accurs'd be he that seeks to make them foes !
+
+
+Farewell , my gracious lord ; I'll to my castle .
+
+And I'll keep London with my soldiers .
+
+And I to Norfolk with my followers .
+
+And I unto the sea from whence I came .
+
+
+And I , with grief and sorrow , to the court .
+
+
+Here comes the queen , whose looks bewray her anger :
+I'll steal away .
+
+
+Exeter , so will I .
+
+
+Nay , go not from me ; I will follow thee .
+
+Be patient , gentle queen , and I will stay .
+
+Who can be patient in such extremes ?
+Ah ! wretched man ; would I had died a maid ,
+And never seen thee , never borne thee son ,
+Seeing thou hast prov'd so unnatural a father .
+Hath he deserv'd to lose his birthright thus ?
+Hadst thou but lov'd him half so well as I ,
+Or felt that pain which I did for him once ,
+Or nourish'd him as I did with my blood ,
+Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there ,
+Rather than have made that savage duke thine heir ,
+And disinherited thine only son .
+
+Father , you cannot disinherit me :
+If you be king , why should not I succeed ?
+
+Pardon me , Margaret ; pardon me , sweet son ;
+The Earl of Warwick , and the duke , enforc'd me .
+
+Enforc'd thee ! art thou king , and wilt be forc'd ?
+I shame to hear thee speak . Ah ! timorous wretch ;
+Thou hast undone thyself , thy son , and me ;
+And given unto the house of York such head
+As thou shalt reign but by their sufferance .
+To entail him and his heirs unto the crown ,
+What is it but to make thy sepulchre ,
+And creep into it far before thy time ?
+Warwick is chancellor and the Lord of Calais ;
+Stern Faulconbridge commands the narrow seas ;
+The duke is made protector of the realm ;
+And yet shalt thou be safe ? such safety finds
+The trembling lamb environed with wolves .
+Had I been there , which am a silly woman ,
+The soldiers should have toss'd me on their pikes
+Before I would have granted to that act ;
+But thou preferr'st thy life before thine honour :
+And seeing thou dost , I here divorce myself ,
+Both from thy table , Henry , and thy bed ,
+Until that act of parliament be repeal'd
+Whereby my son is disinherited .
+The northern lords that have forsworn thy colours
+Will follow mine , if once they see them spread ;
+And spread they shall be , to thy foul disgrace ,
+And utter ruin of the house of York .
+Thus do I leave thee . Come , son , let's away ;
+Our army is ready ; come , we'll after them .
+
+Stay , gentle Margaret , and hear me speak .
+
+Thou hast spoke too much already : get thee gone .
+
+Gentle son Edward , thou wilt stay with me ?
+
+Ay , to be murder'd by his enemies .
+
+When I return with victory from the field
+I'll see your Grace : till then , I'll follow her .
+
+Come , son , away ; we may not linger thus .
+
+
+Poor queen ! how love to me and to her son
+Hath made her break out into terms of rage .
+Reveng'd may she be on that hateful duke ,
+Whose haughty spirit , winged with desire ,
+Will cost my crown , and like an empty eagle
+Tire on the flesh of me and of my son !
+The loss of those three lords torments my heart :
+I'll write unto them , and entreat them fair .
+Come , cousin ; you shall be the messenger .
+
+And I , I hope , shall reconcile them all .
+
+
+Brother , though I be youngest , give me leave .
+
+No , I can better play the orator .
+
+But I have reasons strong and forcible .
+
+
+Why , how now , sons and brother ! at a strife ?
+What is your quarrel ? how began it first ?
+
+No quarrel , but a slight contention .
+
+About what ?
+
+About that which concerns your Grace and us ;
+The crown of England , father , which is yours .
+
+Mine , boy ? not till King Henry be dead .
+
+Your right depends not on his life or death .
+
+Now you are heir , therefore enjoy it now :
+By giving the house of Lancaster leave to breathe ,
+It will outrun you , father , in the end .
+
+I took an oath that he should quietly reign .
+
+But for a kingdom any oath may be broken :
+I would break a thousand oaths to reign one year .
+
+No ; God forbid your Grace should be forsworn .
+
+I shall be , if I claim by open war .
+
+I'll prove the contrary , if you'll hear me speak .
+
+Thou canst not , son ; it is impossible .
+
+An oath is of no moment , being not took
+Before a true and lawful magistrate
+That hath authority over him that swears :
+Henry had none , but did usurp the place ;
+Then , seeing 'twas he that made you to depose ,
+Your oath , my lord , is vain and frivolous .
+Therefore , to arms ! And , father , do but think
+How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown ,
+Within whose circuit is Elysium ,
+And all that poets feign of bliss and joy .
+Why do we linger thus ? I cannot rest
+Until the white rose that I wear be dy'd
+Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry's heart .
+
+Richard , enough , I will be king , or die .
+Brother , thou shalt to London presently ,
+And whet on Warwick to this enterprise .
+Thou , Richard , shalt unto the Duke of Norfolk ,
+And tell him privily of our intent .
+You , Edward , shall unto my Lord Cobham ,
+With whom the Kentishmen will willingly rise :
+In them I trust ; for they are soldiers ,
+Witty , courteous , liberal , full of spirit .
+While you are thus employ'd , what resteth more ,
+But that I seek occasion how to rise ,
+And yet the king not privy to my drift ,
+Nor any of the house of Lancaster ?
+
+But , stay : what news ? why com'st thou in such post ?
+
+The queen with all the northern earls and lords
+Intend here to besiege you in your castle .
+She is hard by with twenty thousand men ,
+And therefore fortify your hold , my lord .
+
+Ay , with my sword . What ! think'st thou that we fear them ?
+Edward and Richard , you shall stay with me ;
+My brother Montague shall post to London :
+Let noble Warwick , Cobham , and the rest ,
+Whom we have left protectors of the king ,
+With powerful policy strengthen themselves ,
+And trust not simple Henry nor his oaths .
+
+Brother , I go ; I'll win them , fear it not :
+And thus most humbly I do take my leave .
+
+Sir John , and Sir Hugh Mortimer , mine uncles !
+You are come to Sandal in a happy hour ;
+The army of the queen mean to besiege us .
+
+She shall not need , we'll meet her in the field .
+
+What ! with five thousand men ?
+
+Ay , with five hundred , father , for a need :
+A woman's general ; what should we fear ?
+
+
+I hear their drums ; let's set our men in order ,
+And issue forth and bid them battle straight .
+
+Five men to twenty ! though the odds be great ,
+I doubt not , uncle , of our victory .
+Many a battle have I won in France ,
+When as the enemy hath been ten to one :
+Why should I not now have the like success ?
+
+
+Ah , whither shall I fly to 'scape their hands ?
+Ah ! tutor , look , where bloody Clifford comes !
+
+
+Chaplain , away ! thy priesthood saves thy life .
+As for the brat of this accursed duke ,
+Whose father slew my father , he shall die .
+
+And I , my lord , will bear him company .
+
+Soldiers , away with him .
+
+Ah ! Clifford , murder not this innocent child ,
+Lest thou be hated both of God and man !
+
+
+How now ! is he dead already ? Or is it fear
+That makes him close his eyes ? I'll open them .
+
+So looks the pent-up lion o'er the wretch
+That trembles under his devouring paws ;
+And so he walks , insulting o'er his prey ,
+And so he comes to rend his limbs asunder .
+Ah ! gentle Clifford , kill me with thy sword ,
+And not with such a cruel threatening look .
+Sweet Clifford ! hear me speak before I die :
+I am too mean a subject for thy wrath ;
+Be thou reveng'd on men , and let me live .
+
+In vain thou speak'st , poor boy ; my father's blood
+Hath stopp'd the passage where thy words should enter .
+
+Then let my father's blood open it again :
+He is a man , and , Clifford , cope with him .
+
+Had I thy brethren here , their lives and thine
+Were not revenge sufficient for me ;
+No , if I digg'd up thy forefathers' graves ,
+And hung their rotten coffins up in chains ,
+It could not slake mine ire , nor ease my heart .
+The sight of any of the house of York
+Is as a fury to torment my soul ;
+And till I root out their accursed line ,
+And leave not one alive , I live in hell .
+Therefore
+
+
+O ! let me pray before I take my death .
+To thee I pray ; sweet Clifford , pity me !
+
+Such pity as my rapier's point affords .
+
+I never did thee harm : why wilt thou slay me ?
+
+Thy father hath .
+
+But 'twas ere I was born .
+Thou hast one son ; for his sake pity me ,
+Lest in revenge thereof , sith God is just ,
+He be as miserably slain as I .
+Ah ! let me live in prison all my days ;
+And when I give occasion of offence ,
+Then let me die , for now thou hast no cause .
+
+No cause !
+Thy father slew my father ; therefore , die .
+
+
+Dii faciant laudis summa sit ista tu !
+
+
+Plantagenet ! I come , Plantagenet !
+And this thy son's blood cleaving to my blade
+Shall rust upon my weapon , till thy blood ,
+Congeal'd with this , do make me wipe off both .
+
+
+The army of the queen hath got the field :
+My uncles both are slain in rescuing me ;
+And all my followers to the eager foe
+Turn back and fly , like ships before the wind ,
+Or lambs pursu'd by hunger-starved wolves .
+My sons , God knows what hath bechanced them :
+But this I know , they have demean'd themselves
+Like men born to renown by life or death .
+Three times did Richard make a lane to me ,
+And thrice cried , 'Courage , father ! fight it out !'
+And full as oft came Edward to my side ,
+With purple falchion , painted to the hilt
+In blood of those that had encounter'd him :
+And when the hardiest warriors did retire ,
+Richard cried , 'Charge ! and give no foot of ground !'
+And cried , 'A crown , or else a glorious tomb !
+A sceptre , or an earthly sepulchre !'
+With this , we charg'd again ; but , out , alas !
+We bodg'd again : as I have seen a swan
+With bootless labour swim against the tide ,
+And spend her strength with over-matching waves .
+
+Ah , hark ! the fatal followers do pursue ;
+And I am faint and cannot fly their fury ;
+And were I strong I would not shun their fury :
+The sands are number'd that make up my life ;
+Here must I stay , and here my life must end .
+
+
+Come , bloody Clifford , rough Northumberland ,
+I dare your quenchless fury to more rage :
+
+I am your butt , and I abide your shot .
+
+Yield to our mercy , proud Plantagenet .
+
+Ay , to such mercy as his ruthless arm
+With downright payment show'd unto my father .
+Now Ph thon hath tumbled from his car ,
+And made an evening at the noontide prick .
+
+My ashes , as the ph nix , may bring forth
+A bird that will revenge upon you all ;
+And in that hope I throw mine eyes to heaven ,
+Scorning whate'er you can afflict me with .
+Why come you not ? what ! multitudes , and fear ?
+
+So cowards fight when they can fly no further ;
+So doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons ;
+So desperate thieves , all hopeless of their lives ,
+Breathe out invectives 'gainst the officers .
+
+O Clifford ! but bethink thee once again ,
+And in thy thought o'er-run my former time ;
+And , if thou canst for blushing , view this face ,
+And bite thy tongue , that slanders him with cowardice
+Whose frown hath made thee faint and fly ere this .
+
+I will not bandy with thee word for word ,
+But buckle with thee blows , twice two for one .
+
+
+Hold , valiant Clifford ! for a thousand causes
+I would prolong awhile the traitor's life .
+Wrath makes him deaf : speak thou , Northumberland .
+
+Hold , Clifford ! do not honour him so much
+To prick thy finger , though to wound his heart .
+What valour were it , when a cur doth grin ,
+For one to thrust his hand between his teeth ,
+When he might spurn him with his foot away ?
+It is war's prize to take all vantages ,
+And ten to one is no impeach of valour .
+
+
+Ay , ay ; so strives the woodcock with the gin .
+
+So doth the cony struggle in the net .
+
+
+So triumph thieves upon their conquer'd booty ;
+So true men yield , with robbers so o'er-matched .
+
+What would your Grace have done unto him now ?
+
+Brave warriors , Clifford and Northumberland ,
+Come , make him stand upon this molehill here ,
+That raught at mountains with outstretched arms ,
+Yet parted but the shadow with his hand .
+What ! was it you that would be England's king ?
+Was't you that revell'd in our parliament ,
+And made a preachment of your high descent ?
+Where are your mess of sons to back you now ?
+The wanton Edward , and the lusty George ?
+And where's that valiant crook-back prodigy ,
+Dicky your boy , that with his grumbling voice
+Was wont to cheer his dad in mutinies ?
+Or , with the rest , where is your darling Rutland ?
+Look , York : I stain'd this napkin with the blood
+That valiant Clifford with his rapier's point
+Made issue from the bosom of the boy ;
+And if thine eyes can water for his death ,
+I give thee this to dry thy cheeks withal .
+Alas , poor York ! but that I hate thee deadly ,
+I should lament thy miserable state .
+I prithee grieve , to make me merry , York .
+What ! hath thy fiery heart so parch'd thine entrails
+That not a tear can fall for Rutland's death ?
+Why art thou patient , man ? thou shouldst be mad ;
+And I , to make thee mad , do mock thee thus .
+Stamp , rave , and fret , that I may sing and dance .
+Thou wouldst be fee'd , I see , to make me sport :
+York cannot speak unless he wear a crown .
+A crown for York ! and , lords , bow low to him :
+Hold you his hands whilst I do set it on .
+
+Ay , marry , sir , now looks he like a king !
+Ay , this is he that took King Henry's chair ;
+And this is he was his adopted heir .
+But how is it that great Plantagenet
+Is crown'd so soon , and broke his solemn oath ?
+As I bethink me , you should not be king
+Till our King Henry had shook hands with death .
+And will you pale your head in Henry's glory ,
+And rob his temples of the diadem ,
+Now in his life , against your holy oath ?
+O ! 'tis a fault too-too unpardonable .
+Off with the crown ; and , with the crown , his head ;
+And , whilst we breathe , take time to do him dead .
+
+That is my office , for my father's sake .
+
+Nay , stay ; let's hear the orisons he makes .
+
+She-wolf of France , but worse than wolves of France ,
+Whose tongue more poisons than the adder's tooth !
+How ill-beseeming is it in thy sex
+To triumph , like an Amazonian trull ,
+Upon their woes whom fortune captivates !
+But that thy face is , visor-like , unchanging ,
+Made impudent with use of evil deeds ,
+I would assay , proud queen , to make thee blush :
+To tell thee whence thou cam'st , of whom deriv'd ,
+Were shame enough to shame thee , wert thou not shameless .
+Thy father bears the type of King of Naples ,
+Of both the Sicils and Jerusalem ;
+Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman .
+Hath that poor monarch taught thee to insult ?
+It needs not , nor it boots thee not , proud queen ,
+Unless the adage must be verified ,
+That beggars mounted run their horse to death .
+'Tis beauty that doth oft make women proud ;
+But , God he knows , thy share thereof is small :
+'Tis virtue that doth make them most admir'd ;
+The contrary doth make thee wonder'd at :
+'Tis government that makes them seem divine ;
+The want thereof makes thee abominable .
+Thou art as opposite to every good
+As the Antipodes are unto us ,
+Or as the south to the septentrion .
+O tiger's heart wrapp'd in a woman's hide !
+How couldst thou drain the life-blood of the child ,
+To bid the father wipe his eyes withal ,
+And yet be seen to bear a woman's face ?
+Women are soft , mild , pitiful , and flexible ;
+Thou stern , obdurate , flinty , rough , remorseless .
+Bidd'st thou me rage ? why , now thou hast thy wish :
+Wouldst have me weep ? why , now thou hast thy will ;
+For raging wind blows up incessant showers ,
+And when the rage allays , the rain begins .
+These tears are my sweet Rutland's obsequies ,
+And every drop cries vengeance for his death ,
+'Gainst thee , fell Clifford , and thee , false Frenchwoman .
+
+Beshrew me , but his passion moves me so
+That hardly can I check my eyes from tears .
+
+That face of his the hungry cannibals
+Would not have touch'd , would not have stain'd with blood ;
+But you are more inhuman , more inexorable ,
+O ! ten times more , than tigers of Hyrcania .
+See , ruthless queen , a hapless father's tears :
+This cloth thou dipp'dst in blood of my sweet boy ,
+And I with tears do wash the blood away .
+Keep thou the napkin , and go boast of this ;
+
+And if thou tell'st the heavy story right ,
+Upon my soul , the hearers will shed tears ;
+Yea , even my foes will shed fast-falling tears ,
+And say , 'Alas ! it was a piteous deed !'
+There , take the crown , and , with the crown my curse ,
+And in thy need such comfort come to thee
+As now I reap at thy too cruel hand !
+Hard-hearted Clifford , take me from the world ;
+My soul to heaven , my blood upon your heads !
+
+Had he been slaughter-man to all my kin ,
+I should not for my life but weep with him ,
+To see how inly sorrow gripes his soul .
+
+What ! weeping-ripe , my Lord Northumberland ?
+Think but upon the wrong he did us all ,
+And that will quickly dry thy melting tears .
+
+Here's for my oath ; here's for my father's death .
+
+
+And here's to right our gentlehearted king .
+
+
+Open thy gate of mercy , gracious God !
+My soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee .
+
+
+Off with his head , and set it on York gates ;
+So York may overlook the town of York .
+
+I wonder how our princely father 'scap'd ,
+Or whether he be 'scap'd away or no
+From Clifford's and Northumberland's pursuit .
+Had he been ta'en we should have heard the news ;
+Had he been slain we should have heard the news ;
+Or had he 'scap'd , methinks we should have heard
+The happy tidings of his good escape .
+How fares my brother ? why is he so sad ?
+
+I cannot joy until I be resolv'd
+Where our right valiant father is become .
+I saw him in the battle range about ,
+And watch'd him how he singled Clifford forth .
+Methought he bore him in the thickest troop
+As doth a lion in a herd of neat ;
+Or as a bear , encompass'd round with dogs ,
+Who having pinch'd a few and made them cry ,
+The rest stand all aloof and bark at him .
+So far'd our father with his enemies ;
+So fled his enemies my war-like father :
+Methinks , 'tis prize enough to be his son .
+See how the morning opes her golden gates ,
+And takes her farewell of the glorious sun ;
+How well resembles it the prime of youth ,
+Trimm'd like a younker prancing to his love .
+
+Dazzle mine eyes , or do I see three suns ?
+
+Three glorious suns , each one a perfect sun ;
+Not separated with the racking clouds ,
+But sever'd in a pale clear-shining sky .
+See , see ! they join , embrace , and seem to kiss ,
+As if they vow'd some league inviolable :
+Now are they but one lamp , one light , one sun .
+In this the heaven figures some event .
+
+'Tis wondrous strange , the like yet never heard of .
+I think it cites us , brother , to the field ;
+That we , the sons of brave Plantagenet ,
+Each one already blazing by our meeds ,
+Should notwithstanding join our lights together ,
+And over-shine the earth , as this the world .
+Whate'er it bodes , henceforward will I bear
+Upon my target three fair-shining suns .
+
+Nay , bear three daughters : by your leave I speak it ,
+You love the breeder better than the male .
+
+
+But what art thou , whose heavy looks foretell
+
+Some dreadful story hanging on thy tongue ?
+
+Ah ! one that was a woeful looker-on ,
+When as the noble Duke of York was slain ,
+Your princely father , and my loving lord .
+
+O ! speak no more , for I have heard too much .
+
+Say how he died , for I will hear it all .
+
+Environed he was with many foes ,
+And stood against them , as the hope of Troy
+Against the Greeks that would have enter'd Troy .
+But Hercules himself must yield to odds ;
+And many strokes , though with a little axe ,
+Hew down and fell the hardest-timber'd oak .
+By many hands your father was subdu'd ;
+But only slaughter'd by the ireful arm
+Of unrelenting Clifford and the queen ,
+Who crown'd the gracious duke in high despite ;
+Laugh'd in his face ; and when with grief he wept ,
+The ruthless queen gave him to dry his cheeks ,
+A napkin steeped in the harmless blood
+Of sweet young Rutland , by rough Clifford slain :
+And after many scorns , many foul taunts ,
+They took his head , and on the gates of York
+They set the same ; and there it doth remain ,
+The saddest spectacle that e'er I view'd .
+
+Sweet Duke of York ! our prop to lean upon ,
+Now thou art gone , we have no staff , no stay !
+O Clifford ! boist'rous Clifford ! thou hast slain
+The flower of Europe for his chivalry ;
+And treacherously hast thou vanquish'd him ,
+For hand to hand he would have vanquish'd thee .
+Now my soul's palace is become a prison :
+Ah ! would she break from hence , that this my body
+Might in the ground be closed up in rest ,
+For never henceforth shall I joy again ,
+Never , O ! never , shall I see more joy .
+
+I cannot weep , for all my body's moisture
+Scarce serves to quench my furnace-burning heart :
+Nor can my tongue unload my heart's great burden ;
+For self-same wind , that I should speak withal
+Is kindling coals that fire all my breast ,
+And burn me up with flames , that tears would quench .
+To weep is to make less the depth of grief :
+Tears then , for babes ; blows and revenge for me !
+Richard , I bear thy name ; I'll venge thy death ,
+Or die renowned by attempting it .
+
+His name that valiant duke hath left with thee ;
+His dukedom and his chair with me is left .
+
+Nay , if thou be that princely eagle's bird ,
+Show thy descent by gazing 'gainst the sun :
+For chair and dukedom , throne and kingdom say ;
+Either that is thine , or else thou wert not his .
+
+
+How now , fair lords ! What fare ? what news abroad ?
+
+Great Lord of Warwick , if we should recount
+Our baleful news , and at each word's deliv'rance
+Stab poniards in our flesh till all were told ,
+The words would add more anguish than the wounds .
+O valiant lord ! the Duke of York is slain .
+
+O Warwick ! Warwick ! that Plantagenet
+Which held thee dearly as his soul's redemption ,
+Is by the stern Lord Clifford done to death .
+
+Ten days ago I drown'd these news in tears ,
+And now , to add more measure to your woes ,
+I come to tell you things sith then befallen .
+After the bloody fray at Wakefield fought ,
+Where your brave father breath'd his latest gasp ,
+Tidings , as swiftly as the posts could run ,
+Were brought me of your loss and his depart .
+I , then in London , keeper of the king ,
+Muster'd my soldiers , gather'd flocks of friends ,
+And very well appointed , as I thought ,
+March'd towards Saint Alban's to intercept the queen ,
+Bearing the king in my behalf along ;
+For by my scouts I was advertised
+That she was coming with a full intent
+To dash our late decree in parliament ,
+Touching King Henry's oath and your succession .
+Short tale to make , we at Saint Alban's met ,
+Our battles join'd , and both sides fiercely fought :
+But whether 'twas the coldness of the king ,
+Who look'd full gently on his war-like queen ,
+That robb'd my soldiers of their heated spleen ;
+Or whether 'twas report of her success ;
+Or more than common fear of Clifford's rigour ,
+Who thunders to his captives blood and death ,
+I cannot judge : but , to conclude with truth ,
+Their weapons like to lightning came and went ;
+Our soldiers' like the night-owl's lazy flight ,
+Or like a lazy thresher with a flail
+Fell gently down , as if they struck their friends .
+I cheer'd them up with justice of our cause ,
+With promise of high pay , and great rewards :
+But all in vain ; they had no heart to fight ,
+And we in them no hope to win the day ;
+So that we fled : the king unto the queen ;
+Lord George your brother , Norfolk , and myself ,
+In haste , post-haste , are come to join with you ;
+For in the marches here we heard you were ,
+Making another head to fight again .
+
+Where is the Duke of Norfolk , gentle Warwick ?
+And when came George from Burgundy to England ?
+
+Some six miles off the duke is with the soldiers ;
+And for your brother , he was lately sent
+From your kind aunt , Duchess of Burgundy ,
+With aid of soldiers to this needful war .
+
+'Twas odds , belike , when valiant Warwick fled :
+Oft have I heard his praises in pursuit ,
+But ne'er till now his scandal of retire .
+
+Nor now my scandal , Richard , dost thou hear ;
+For thou shalt know , this strong right hand of mine
+Can pluck the diadem from faint Henry's head ,
+And wring the awful sceptre from his fist ,
+Were he as famous , and as bold in war
+As he is fam'd for mildness , peace , and prayer .
+
+I know it well , Lord Warwick ; blame me not :
+'Tis love I bear thy glories makes me speak .
+But , in this troublous time what's to be done ?
+Shall we go throw away our coats of steel ,
+And wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns ,
+Numb'ring our Ave-Maries with our beads ?
+Or shall we on the helmets of our foes
+Tell our devotion with revengeful arms ?
+If for the last , say 'Ay ,' and to it , lords .
+
+Why , therefore Warwick came to seek you out ;
+And therefore comes my brother Montague .
+Attend me , lords . The proud insulting queen ,
+With Clifford and the haught Northumberland ,
+And of their feather many more proud birds ,
+Have wrought the easy-melting king like wax .
+He swore consent to your succession ,
+His oath enrolled in the parliament ;
+And now to London all the crew are gone ,
+To frustrate both his oath and what beside
+May make against the house of Lancaster .
+Their power , I think , is thirty thousand strong :
+Now , if the help of Norfolk and myself ,
+With all the friends that thou , brave Earl of March ,
+Amongst the loving Welshmen canst procure ,
+Will but amount to five and twenty thousand ,
+Why , Via ! to London will we march amain ,
+And once again bestride our foaming steeds ,
+And once again cry , 'Charge upon our foes !'
+But never once again turn back and fly .
+
+Ay , now methinks I hear great Warwick speak :
+Ne'er may he live to see a sunshine day ,
+That cries 'Retire ,' if Warwick bid him stay .
+
+Lord Warwick , on thy shoulder will I lean ;
+And when thou fail'st as God forbid the hour !
+Must Edward fall , which peril heaven forfend !
+
+No longer Earl of March , but Duke of York :
+The next degree is England's royal throne ;
+For King of England shalt thou be proclaim'd
+In every borough as we pass along ;
+And he that throws not up his cap for joy
+Shall for the fault make forfeit of his head .
+King Edward , valiant Richard , Montague ,
+Stay we no longer dreaming of renown ,
+But sound the trumpets , and about our task .
+
+Then , Clifford , were thy heart as hard as steel ,
+As thou hast shown it flinty by thy deeds ,
+I come to pierce it , or to give thee mine .
+
+Then strike up , drums ! God , and Saint George for us !
+
+
+How now ! what news ?
+
+The Duke of Norfolk sends you word by me ,
+The queen is coming with a puissant host ;
+And craves your company for speedy counsel .
+
+Why then it sorts ; brave warriors , let's away .
+
+Welcome , my lord , to this brave town of York .
+Yonder's the head of that arch-enemy ,
+That sought to be encompass'd with your crown :
+Doth not the object cheer your heart , my lord ?
+
+Ay , as the rocks cheer them that fear their wrack :
+To see this sight , it irks my very soul .
+Withhold revenge , dear God ! 'tis not my fault ,
+Nor wittingly have I infring'd my vow .
+
+My gracious liege , this too much lenity
+And harmful pity must be laid aside .
+To whom do lions cast their gentle looks ?
+Not to the beast that would usurp their den .
+Whose hand is that the forest bear doth lick ?
+Not his that spoils her young before her face .
+Who 'scapes the lurking serpent's mortal sting ?
+Not he that sets his foot upon her back .
+The smallest worm will turn being trodden on ,
+And doves will peck in safeguard of their brood .
+Ambitious York did level at thy crown ;
+Thou smiling while he knit his angry brows :
+He , but a duke , would have his son a king ,
+And raise his issue like a loving sire ;
+Thou , being a king , bless'd with a goodly son ,
+Didst yield consent to disinherit him ,
+Which argu'd thee a most unloving father .
+Unreasonable creatures feed their young ;
+And though man's face be fearful to their eyes ,
+Yet , in protection of their tender ones ,
+Who hath not seen them , even with those wings
+Which sometime they have us'd with fearful flight ,
+Make war with him that climb'd unto their nest ,
+Offering their own lives in their young's defence ?
+For shame , my liege ! make them your precedent .
+Were it not pity that this goodly boy
+Should lose his birthright by his father's fault ,
+And long hereafter say unto his child ,
+'What my great grandfather and grandsire got ,
+My careless father fondly gave away ?'
+Ah ! what a shame were this . Look on the boy ;
+And let his manly face , which promiseth
+Successful fortune , steel thy melting heart
+To hold thine own and leave thine own with him .
+
+Full well hath Clifford play'd the orator ,
+Inferring arguments of mighty force .
+But , Clifford , tell me , didst thou never hear
+That things ill got had ever bad success ?
+And happy always was it for that son
+Whose father for his hoarding went to hell ?
+I'll leave my son my virtuous deeds behind ;
+And would my father had left me no more !
+For all the rest is held at such a rate
+As brings a thousand-fold more care to keep
+Than in possession any jot of pleasure .
+Ah ! cousin York , would thy best friends did know
+How it doth grieve me that thy head is here !
+
+My lord , cheer up your spirits : our foes are nigh ,
+And this soft courage makes your followers faint .
+You promis'd knighthood to our forward son :
+Unsheathe your sword , and dub him presently .
+Edward , kneel down .
+
+Edward Plantagenet , arise a knight ;
+And learn this lesson , draw thy sword in right .
+
+My gracious father , by your kingly leave ,
+I'll draw it as apparent to the crown ,
+And in that quarrel use it to the death .
+
+Why , that is spoken like a toward prince .
+
+
+Royal commanders , be in readiness :
+For with a band of thirty thousand men
+Comes Warwick , backing of the Duke of York ;
+And in the towns , as they do march along ,
+Proclaims him king , and many fly to him :
+Darraign your battle , for they are at hand .
+
+I would your highness would depart the field :
+The queen hath best success when you are absent .
+
+Ay , good my lord , and leave us to our fortune .
+
+Why , that's my fortune too ; therefore I'll stay .
+
+Be it with resolution then to fight .
+
+My royal father , cheer these noble lords ,
+And hearten those that fight in your defence :
+Unsheathe your sword , good father : cry , 'Saint George !'
+
+
+Now , perjur'd Henry , wilt thou kneel for grace ,
+And set thy diadem upon my head ;
+Or bide the mortal fortune of the field ?
+
+Go , rate thy minions , proud insulting boy !
+Becomes it thee to be thus bold in terms
+Before thy sovereign and thy lawful king ?
+
+I am his king , and he should bow his knee ;
+I was adopted heir by his consent :
+Since when , his oath is broke ; for , as I hear ,
+You , that are king , though he do wear the crown ,
+Have caus'd him , by new act of parliament ,
+To blot out me , and put his own son in .
+
+And reason too :
+Who should succeed the father but the son ?
+
+Are you there , butcher ? O ! I cannot speak .
+
+Ay , crook-back ; here I stand to answer thee ,
+Or any he the proudest of thy sort .
+
+'Twas you that kill'd young Rutland , was it not ?
+
+Ay , and old York , and yet not satisfied .
+
+For God's sake , lords , give signal to the fight .
+
+What sayst thou , Henry , wilt thou yield the crown ?
+
+Why , how now , long-tongu'd Warwick ! dare you speak ?
+When you and I met at Saint Alban's last ,
+Your legs did better service than your hands .
+
+Then 'twas my turn to fly , and now 'tis thine .
+
+You said so much before , and yet you fled .
+
+'Twas not your valour , Clifford , drove me thence .
+
+No , nor your manhood that durst make you stay .
+
+Northumberland , I hold thee reverently .
+Break off the parley ; for scarce I can refrain
+The execution of my big-swoln heart
+Upon that Clifford , that cruel child-killer .
+
+I slew thy father : call'st thou him a child ?
+
+Ay , like a dastard and a treacherous coward ,
+As thou didst kill our tender brother Rutland ;
+But ere sun-set I'll make thee curse the deed .
+
+Have done with words , my lords , and hear me speak .
+
+Defy them , then , or else hold close thy lips .
+
+I prithee , give no limits to my tongue :
+I am a king , and privileg'd to speak .
+
+My liege , the wound that bred this meeting here
+Cannot be cur'd by words ; therefore be still .
+
+Then , executioner , unsheathe thy sword .
+By him that made us all , I am resolv'd
+That Clifford's manhood lies upon his tongue .
+
+Say , Henry , shall I have my right or no ?
+A thousand men have broke their fasts to-day ,
+That ne'er shall dine unless thou yield the crown .
+
+If thou deny , their blood upon thy head ;
+For York in justice puts his armour on .
+
+If that be right which Warwick says is right ,
+There is no wrong , but everything is right .
+
+Whoever got thee , there thy mother stands ;
+For well I wot thou hast thy mother's tongue .
+
+But thou art neither like thy sire nor dam ,
+But like a foul misshapen stigmatic ,
+Mark'd by the destinies to be avoided ,
+As venom toads , or lizards' dreadful stings .
+
+Iron of Naples hid with English gilt ,
+Whose father bears the title of a king ,
+As if a channel should be call'd the sea ,
+Sham'st thou not , knowing whence thou art extraught ,
+To let thy tongue detect thy base-born heart ?
+
+A wisp of straw were worth a thousand crowns ,
+To make this shameless callet know herself .
+Helen of Greece was fairer far than thou ,
+Although thy husband may be Menelaus ;
+And ne'er was Agamemnon's brother wrong'd
+By that false woman as this king by thee .
+His father revell'd in the heart of France ,
+And tam'd the king , and made the Dauphin stoop ;
+And had he match'd according to his state ,
+He might have kept that glory to this day ;
+But when he took a beggar to his bed ,
+And grac'd thy poor sire with his bridal day ,
+Even then that sunshine brew'd a shower for him ,
+That wash'd his father's fortunes forth of France ,
+And heap'd sedition on his crown at home .
+For what hath broach'd this tumult but thy pride ?
+Hadst thou been meek our title still had slept ,
+And we , in pity of the gentle king ,
+Had slipp'd our claim until another age .
+
+But when we saw our sunshine made thy spring ,
+And that thy summer bred us no increase ,
+We set the axe to thy usurping root ;
+And though the edge hath something hit ourselves ,
+Yet know thou , since we have begun to strike ,
+We'll never leave , till we have hewn thee down ,
+Or bath'd thy growing with our heated bloods .
+
+And in this resolution I defy thee ;
+Not willing any longer conference ,
+Since thou deny'st the gentle king to speak .
+Sound trumpets !let our bloody colours wave !
+And either victory , or else a grave .
+
+Stay , Edward .
+
+No , wrangling woman , we'll no longer stay :
+These words will cost ten thousand lives this day
+
+
+Forspent with toil , as runners with a race ,
+I lay me down a little while to breathe ;
+For strokes receiv'd , and many blows repaid ,
+Have robb'd my strong-knit sinews of their strength ,
+And spite of spite needs must I rest a while .
+
+
+Smile , gentle heaven ! or strike , ungentle death !
+For this world frowns , and Edward's sun is clouded .
+
+How now , my lord ! what hap ? what hope of good ?
+
+
+Our hap is loss , our hope but sad despair ,
+Our ranks are broke , and ruin follows us .
+What counsel give you ? whither shall we fly ?
+
+Bootless is flight , they follow us with wings ;
+And weak we are and cannot shun pursuit .
+
+
+Ah ! Warwick , why hast thou withdrawn thyself ?
+Thy brother's blood the thirsty earth hath drunk ,
+Broach'd with the steely point of Clifford's lance ;
+And in the very pangs of death he cried ,
+Like to a dismal clangor heard from far ,
+'Warwick , revenge ! brother , revenge my death !'
+So , underneath the belly of their steeds ,
+That stain'd their fetlocks in his smoking blood ,
+The noble gentleman gave up the ghost .
+
+Then let the earth be drunken with our blood :
+I'll kill my horse because I will not fly .
+Why stand we like soft-hearted women here ,
+Wailing our losses , whiles the foe doth rage ;
+And look upon , as if the tragedy
+Were play'd in jest by counterfeiting actors ?
+Here on my knee I vow to God above ,
+I'll never pause again , never stand still
+Till either death hath clos'd these eyes of mine ,
+Of fortune given me measure of revenge .
+
+O Warwick ! I do bend my knee with thine ;
+And in this vow do chain my soul to thine .
+And , ere my knee rise from the earth's cold face ,
+I throw my hands , mine eyes , my heart to thee ,
+Thou setter up and plucker down of kings ,
+Beseeching thee , if with thy will it stands
+That to my foes this body must be prey ,
+Yet that thy brazen gates of heaven may ope ,
+And give sweet passage to my sinful soul !
+Now , lords , take leave until we meet again ,
+Where'er it be , in heaven or in earth .
+
+Brother , give me thy hand ; and , gentle Warwick ,
+Let me embrace thee in my weary arms :
+I , that did never weep , now melt with woe
+That winter should cut off our spring-time so .
+
+Away , away ! Once more , sweet lords , farewell .
+
+Yet let us all together to our troops ,
+And give them leave to fly that will not stay ,
+And call them pillars that will stand to us ;
+And if we thrive , promise them such rewards
+As victors wear at the Olympian games .
+This may plant courage in their quailing breasts ;
+For yet is hope of life and victory .
+Forslow no longer ; make we hence amain .
+
+
+Now , Clifford , I have singled thee alone .
+Suppose this arm is for the Duke of York ,
+And this for Rutland ; both bound to revenge ,
+Wert thou environ'd with a brazen wall .
+
+Now , Richard , I am with thee here alone .
+This is the hand that stabb'd thy father York ,
+And this the hand that slew thy brother Rutland ;
+And here's the heart that triumphs in their death
+And cheers these hands that slew thy sire and brother ,
+To execute the like upon thyself ;
+And so , have at thee !
+
+
+Nay , Warwick , single out some other chase ;
+For I myself will hunt this wolf to death .
+
+
+This battle fares like to the morning's war ,
+When dying clouds contend with growing light ,
+What time the shepherd , blowing of his nails ,
+Can neither call it perfect day nor night .
+Now sways it this way , like a mighty sea
+Forc'd by the tide to combat with the wind ;
+Now sways it that way , like the self-same sea
+Forc'd to retire by fury of the wind :
+Sometime the flood prevails , and then the wind ;
+Now one the better , then another best ;
+Both tugging to be victors , breast to breast ,
+Yet neither conqueror nor conquered :
+So is the equal poise of this fell war .
+Here on this molehill will I sit me down .
+To whom God will , there be the victory !
+For Margaret my queen , and Clifford too ,
+Have chid me from the battle ; swearing both
+They prosper best of all when I am thence .
+Would I were dead ! if God's good will were so ;
+For what is in this world but grief and woe ?
+O God ! methinks it were a happy life ,
+To be no better than a homely swain ;
+To sit upon a hill , as I do now ,
+To carve out dials quaintly , point by point ,
+Thereby to see the minutes how they run ,
+How many make the hour full complete ;
+How many hours bring about the day ;
+How many days will finish up the year ;
+How many years a mortal man may live .
+When this is known , then to divide the times :
+So many hours must I tend my flock ;
+So many hours must I take my rest ;
+So many hours must I contemplate ;
+So many hours must I sport myself ;
+So many days my ewes have been with young ;
+So many weeks ere the poor fools will ean ;
+So many years ere I shall shear the fleece :
+So minutes , hours , days , months , and years ,
+Pass'd over to the end they were created ,
+Would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave .
+Ah ! what a life were this ! how sweet ! how lovely !
+Gives not the hawthorn bush a sweeter shade
+To shepherds , looking on their silly sheep ,
+Than doth a rich embroider'd canopy
+To kings , that fear their subjects' treachery ?
+O , yes ! it doth ; a thousand-fold it doth .
+And to conclude , the shepherd's homely curds ,
+His cold thin drink out of his leather bottle ,
+His wonted sleep under a fresh tree's shade ,
+All which secure and sweetly he enjoys ,
+Is far beyond a prince's delicates ,
+His viands sparkling in a golden cup ,
+His body couched in a curious bed ,
+When care , mistrust , and treason wait on him .
+
+
+Ill blows the wind that profits nobody .
+This man whom hand to hand I slew in fight ,
+May be possessed with some store of crowns ;
+And I , that haply take them from him now ,
+May yet ere night yield both my life and them
+To some man else , as this dead man doth me .
+Who's this ? O God ! it is my father's face ,
+Whom in this conflict I unwares have kill'd .
+O heavy times , begetting such events !
+From London by the king was I press'd forth ;
+My father , being the Earl of Warwick's man ,
+Came on the part of York , press'd by his master ;
+And I , who at his hands receiv'd my life ,
+Have by my hands of life bereaved him .
+Pardon me , God , I knew not what I did !
+And pardon , father , for I knew not thee !
+My tears shall wipe away these bloody marks ;
+And no more words till they have flow'd their fill .
+
+O piteous spectacle ! O bloody times !
+Whiles lions war and battle for their dens ,
+Poor harmless lambs abide their enmity .
+Weep , wretched man , I'll aid thee tear for tear ;
+And let our hearts and eyes , like civil war ,
+Be blind with tears , and break o'ercharg'd with grief .
+
+
+Thou that so stoutly hast resisted me ,
+Give me thy gold , if thou hast any gold ,
+For I have bought it with a hundred blows .
+But let me see : is this our foeman's face ?
+Ah ! no , no , no , it is mine only son .
+Ah ! boy , if any life be left in thee ,
+Throw up thine eye : see , see ! what showers arise ,
+Blown with the windy tempest of my heart ,
+Upon thy wounds , that kill mine eye and heart .
+O ! pity , God , this miserable age .
+What stratagems , how fell , how butcherly ,
+Erroneous , mutinous , and unnatural ,
+This deadly quarrel daily doth beget !
+O boy ! thy father gave thee life too soon ,
+And hath bereft thee of thy life too late .
+
+Woe above woe ! grief more than common grief !
+O ! that my death would stay these ruthful deeds .
+O ! pity , pity ; gentle heaven , pity .
+The red rose and the white are on his face ,
+The fatal colours of our striving houses :
+The one his purple blood right well resembles ;
+The other his pale cheeks , methinks , presenteth :
+Wither one rose , and let the other flourish !
+If you contend , a thousand lives must wither .
+
+How will my mother for a father's death
+Take on with me and ne'er be satisfied !
+
+How will my wife for slaughter of my son
+Shed seas of tears and ne'er be satisfied !
+
+How will the country for these woeful chances
+Misthink the king and not be satisfied !
+
+Was ever son so ru'd a father's death ?
+
+Was ever father so bemoan'd a son ?
+
+Was ever king so griev'd for subjects' woe ?
+Much is your sorrow ; mine , ten times so much .
+
+I'll bear thee hence , where I may weep my fill .
+
+
+These arms of mine shall be thy winding-sheet ;
+My heart , sweet boy , shall be thy sepulchre ,
+For from my heart thine image ne'er shall go :
+My sighing breast shall be thy funeral bell ;
+And so obsequious will thy father be ,
+E'en for the loss of thee , having no more ,
+As Priam was for all his valiant sons .
+I'll bear thee hence ; and let them fight that will ,
+For I have murder'd where I should not kill .
+
+
+Sad-hearted men ,' much overgone with care ,
+Here sits a king more woeful than you are .
+
+
+Fly , father , fly ! for all your friends are fled ,
+And Warwick rages like a chafed bull .
+Away ! for death doth hold us in pursuit .
+
+Mount you , my lord ; towards Berwick post amain .
+Edward and Richard , like a brace of greyhounds
+Having the fearful flying hare in sight ,
+With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath ,
+And bloody steel grasp'd in their ireful hands ,
+Are at our backs ; and therefore hence amain .
+
+Away ! for vengeance comes along with them .
+Nay , stay not to expostulate ; make speed ,
+Or else come after : I'll away before .
+
+Nay , take me with thee , good sweet Exeter :
+Not that I fear to stay , but love to go
+Whither the queen intends . Forward ! away !
+
+
+Here burns my candle out ; ay , here it dies ,
+Which , while it lasted , gave King Henry light .
+O Lancaster ! I fear thy overthrow
+More than my body's parting with my soul .
+My love and fear glu'd many friends to thee ;
+And , now I fall , thy tough commixtures melt ,
+Impairing Henry , strengthening misproud York :
+The common people swarm like summer flies ;
+And whither fly the gnats but to the sun ?
+And who shines now but Henry's enemies ?
+O Ph bus ! hadst thou never given consent
+That Ph thon should check thy fiery steeds ,
+Thy burning car never had scorch'd the earth ;
+And , Henry , hadst thou sway'd as kings should do ,
+Or as thy father and his father did ,
+Giving no ground unto the house of York ,
+They never then had sprung like summer flies ;
+I and ten thousand in this luckless realm
+Had left no mourning widows for our death ,
+And thou this day hadst kept thy chair in peace .
+For what doth cherish weeds but gentle air ?
+And what makes robbers bold but too much lenity ?
+Bootless are plaints , and cureless are my wounds ;
+No way to fly , nor strength to hold out flight :
+The foe is merciless , and will not pity ;
+For at their hands I have deserv'd no pity .
+The air hath got into my deadly wounds ,
+And much effuse of blood doth make me faint .
+Come , York and Richard , Warwick and the rest ;
+I stabb'd your fathers' bosoms , split my breast .
+
+Now breathe we , lords : good fortune bids us pause ,
+And smooth the frowns of war with peaceful looks .
+Some troops pursue the bloody-minded queen ,
+That led calm Henry , though he were a king ,
+As doth a sail , fill'd with a fretting gust ,
+Command an argosy to stern the waves .
+But think you , lords , that Clifford fled with them ?
+
+No , 'tis impossible he should escape ;
+For , though before his face I speak the words ,
+Your brother Richard mark'd him for the grave ;
+And wheresoe'er he is , he's surely dead .
+
+
+Whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave ?
+
+A deadly groan , like life and death's departing .
+
+See who it is : and now the battle's ended ,
+If friend or foe let him be gently us'd .
+
+Revoke that doom of mercy , for 'tis Clifford ;
+Who not contented that he lopp'd the branch
+In hewing Rutland when his leaves put forth ,
+But set his murd'ring knife unto the root
+From whence that tender spray did sweetly spring ,
+I mean our princely father , Duke of York .
+
+From off the gates of York fetch down the head ,
+Your father's head , which Clifford placed there ;
+Instead whereof let this supply the room :
+Measure for measure must be answered .
+
+Bring forth that fatal screech-owl to our house ,
+That nothing sung but death to us and ours :
+Now death shall stop his dismal threatening sound ,
+And his ill-boding tongue no more shall speak .
+
+
+I think his understanding is bereft .
+Speak , Clifford ; dost thou know who speaks to thee ?
+Dark cloudy death o'ershades his beams of life ,
+And he nor sees , nor hears us what we say .
+
+O ! would he did ; and so perhaps he doth :
+'Tis but his policy to counterfeit ,
+Because he would avoid such bitter taunts
+Which in the time of death he gave our father .
+
+If so thou think'st , vex him with eager words .
+
+Clifford ! ask mercy and obtain no grace .
+
+Clifford , repent in bootless penitence .
+
+Clifford ! devise excuses for thy faults .
+
+While we devise fell tortures for thy faults .
+
+Thou didst love York , and I am son to York .
+
+Thou pitiedst Rutland , I will pity thee .
+
+Where's Captain Margaret , to fence you now ?
+
+They mock thee , Clifford : swear as thou wast wont .
+
+What ! not an oath ? nay , then the world goes hard
+When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath .
+I know by that he's dead ; and , by my soul ,
+If this right hand would buy two hours' life ,
+That I in all despite might rail at him ,
+This hand should chop it off , and with the issuing blood
+Stifle the villain whose unstaunched thirst
+York and young Rutland could not satisfy .
+
+Ay , but he's dead : off with the traitor's head ,
+And rear it in the place your father's stands .
+And now to London with triumphant march ,
+There to be crowned England's royal king :
+From whence shall Warwick cut the sea to France ,
+And ask the Lady Bona for thy queen .
+So shalt thou sinew both these lands together ;
+And , having France thy friend , thou shalt not dread
+The scatter'd foe that hopes to rise again ;
+For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt ,
+Yet look to have them buzz to offend thine ears .
+First will I see the coronation ;
+And then to Brittany I'll cross the sea ,
+To effect this marriage , so it please my lord .
+
+Even as thou wilt , sweet Warwick , let it be ;
+For on thy shoulder do I build my seat ,
+And never will I undertake the thing
+Wherein thy counsel and consent is wanting .
+Richard , I will create thee Duke of Gloucester ;
+And George , of Clarence ; Warwick , as ourself ,
+Shall do and undo as him pleaseth best .
+
+Let me be Duke of Clarence , George of Gloucester ,
+For Gloucester's dukedom is too ominous .
+
+Tut ! that's a foolish observation :
+Richard , be Duke of Gloucester . Now to London ,
+To see these honours in possession .
+
+Under this thick-grown hrake we'll shroud ourselves ;
+For through this laund anon the deer will come ;
+And in this covert will we make our stand ,
+Culling the principal of all the deer .
+
+I'll stay above the hill , so both may shoot .
+
+That cannot be ; the noise of thy cross-bow
+Will scare the herd , and so my shoot is lost .
+Here stand we both , and aim we at the best :
+And , for the time shall not seem tedious ,
+I'll tell thee what befell me on a day
+In this self place where now we mean to stand .
+
+Here comes a man ; let's stay till he be past .
+
+
+From Scotland am I stol'n , even of pure love ,
+To greet mine own land with my wishful sight .
+No , Harry , Harry , 'tis no land of thine ;
+Thy place is fill'd , thy sceptre wrung from thee ,
+Thy balm wash'd off wherewith thou wast anointed :
+No bending knee will call thee C sar now ,
+No humble suitors press to speak for right ,
+No , not a man comes for redress of thee ;
+For how can I help them , and not myself ?
+
+Ay , here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's fee :
+This is the quondam king ; let's seize upon him .
+
+Let me embrace thee , sour adversity ,
+For wise men say it is the wisest course .
+
+Why linger we ? let us lay hands upon him .
+
+Forbear awhile ; we'll hear a little more .
+
+My queen and son are gone to France for aid ;
+And , as I hear , the great commanding Warwick
+Is thither gone , to crave the French king's sister
+To wife for Edward . If this news be true ,
+Poor queen and son , your labour is but lost ;
+For Warwick is a subtle orator ,
+And Lewis a prince soon won with moving words .
+By this account then Margaret may win him ,
+For she's a woman to be pitied much :
+Her sighs will make a battery in his breast ;
+Her tears will pierce into a marble heart ;
+The tiger will be mild whiles she doth mourn ;
+And Nero will be tainted with remorse ,
+To hear and see her plaints , her brinish tears .
+Ay , but she's come to beg ; Warwick , to give :
+She on his left side craving aid for Henry ;
+He on his right asking a wife for Edward .
+She weeps , and says her Henry is depos'd ;
+He smiles , and says his Edward is install'd ;
+That she , poor wretch , for grief can speak no more :
+Whiles Warwick tells his title , smooths the wrong ,
+Inferreth arguments of mighty strength ,
+And in conclusion wins the king from her ,
+With promise of his sister , and what else ,
+To strengthen and support King Edward's place .
+O Margaret ! thus 'twill be ; and thou , poor soul ,
+Art then forsaken , as thou went'st forlorn .
+
+Say , what art thou , that talk'st of kings and queens ?
+
+More than I seem , and less than I was born to :
+A man at least , for less I should not be ;
+And men may talk of kings , and why not I ?
+
+Ay , but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king .
+
+Why , so I am , in mind ; and that's enough .
+
+But , if thou be a king , where is thy crown ?
+
+My crown is in my heart , not on my head ;
+Not deck'd with diamonds and Indian stones ,
+Nor to be seen : my crown is call'd content ;
+A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy .
+
+Well , if you be a king crown'd with content ,
+Your crown content and you must be contented
+To go along with us ; for , as we think ,
+You are the king King Edward hath depos'd ;
+And we his subjects , sworn in all allegiance ,
+Will apprehend you as his enemy .
+
+But did you never swear , and break an oath ?
+
+No , never such an oath ; nor will not now .
+
+Where did you dwell when I was King of England ?
+
+Here in this country , where we now remain .
+
+I was anointed king at nine months old ;
+My father and my grandfather were kings ,
+And you were sworn true subjects unto me :
+And tell me , then , have you not broke your oaths ?
+
+No ;
+For we were subjects but while you were king .
+
+Why , am I dead ? do I not breathe a man ?
+Ah ! simple men , you know not what you swear .
+Look , as I blow this feather from my face ,
+And as the air blows it to me again ,
+Obeying with my wind when I do blow ,
+And yielding to another when it blows ,
+Commanded always by the greater gust ;
+Such is the lightness of you common men .
+But do not break your oaths ; for of that sin
+My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty .
+Go where you will , the king shall be commanded ;
+And be you kings : command , and I'll obey .
+
+We are true subjects to the king , King Edward .
+
+So would you be again to Henry ,
+If he were seated as King Edward is .
+
+We charge you , in God's name , and in the king's ,
+To go with us unto the officers .
+
+In God's name , lead ; your king's name be obey'd :
+And what God will , that let your king perform ;
+And what he will , I humbly yield unto .
+
+
+Brother of Gloucester , at Saint Alban's field
+This lady's husband , Sir John Grey , was slain ,
+His lands then seiz'd on by the conqueror :
+Her suit is now , to repossess those lands ;
+Which we in justice cannot well deny ,
+Because in quarrel of the house of York
+The worthy gentleman did lose his life .
+
+Your highness shall do well to grant her suit ;
+It were dishonour to deny it her .
+
+It were no less : but yet I'll make a pause .
+
+Yea ; is it so ?
+I see the lady hath a thing to grant
+Before the king will grant her humble suit .
+
+He knows the game : how true he keeps the wind !
+
+Silence !
+
+Widow , we will consider of your suit ,
+And come some other time to know our mind .
+
+Right gracious lord , I cannot brook delay :
+May it please your highness to resolve me now ,
+And what your pleasure is shall satisfy me .
+
+Ay , widow ? then I'll warrant you all your lands ,
+An if what pleases him shall pleasure you ,
+Fight closer , or , good faith , you'll catch a blow .
+
+I fear her not , unless she chance to fall .
+
+God forbid that ! for he'll take vantages .
+
+How many children hast thou , widow ? tell me .
+
+I think he means to beg a child of her .
+
+Nay , whip me , then ; he'll rather give her two .
+
+Three , my most gracious lord .
+
+You shall have four , if you'll be rul'd by him .
+
+'Twere pity they should lose their father's lands .
+
+Be pitiful , dread lord , and grant it then .
+
+Lords , give us leave : I'll try this widow's wit .
+
+Ay , good leave have you ; for you will have leave ,
+Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch .
+
+
+Now , tell me , madam , do you love your children ?
+
+Ay , full as dearly as I love myself .
+
+And would you not do much to do them good ?
+
+To do them good I would sustain some harm .
+
+Then get your husband's lands , to do them good .
+
+Therefore I came unto your majesty .
+
+I'll tell you how these lands are to be got .
+
+So shall you bind me to your highness' service .
+
+What service wilt thou do me , if I give them ?
+
+What you command , that rests in me to do .
+
+But you will take exceptions to my boon .
+
+No , gracious lord , except I cannot do it .
+
+Ay , but thou canst do what I mean to ask .
+
+Why , then I will do what your Grace commands .
+
+He plies her hard ; and much rain wears the marble .
+
+As red as fire ! nay , then her wax must melt .
+
+Why stops my lord ? shall I not hear my task ?
+
+An easy task : 'tis but to love a king .
+
+That's soon perform'd , because I am a subject .
+
+Why then , thy husband's lands I freely give thee .
+
+I take my leave with many thousand thanks .
+
+The match is made ; she seals it with a curtsy .
+
+But stay thee ; 'tis the fruits of love I mean .
+
+The fruits of love I mean , my loving liege .
+
+Ay , but , I fear me , in another sense .
+What love think'st thou I sue so much to get ?
+
+My love till death , my humble thanks , my prayers :
+That love which virtue begs and virtue grants .
+
+No , by my troth , I did not mean such love .
+
+Why , then you mean not as I thought you did .
+
+But now you partly may perceive my mind .
+
+My mind will never grant what I perceive
+Your highness aims at , if I aim aright .
+
+To tell thee plain , I aim to lie with thee .
+
+To tell you plain , I had rather lie in prison .
+
+Why , then thou shalt not have thy husband's lands .
+
+Why , then mine honesty shall be my dower ;
+For by that loss I will not purchase them .
+
+Therein thou wrong'st thy children mightily .
+
+Herein your highness wrongs both them and me .
+But , mighty lord , this merry inclination
+Accords not with the sadness of my suit :
+Please you dismiss me , either with 'ay ,' or 'no .'
+
+Ay , if thou wilt say 'ay' to my request ;
+No , if thou dost say 'no' to my demand .
+
+Then , no , my lord . My suit is at an end .
+
+The widow likes him not , she knits her brows .
+
+He is the bluntest wooer in Christendom .
+
+Her looks do argue her replete with modesty ;
+Her words do show her wit incomparable ;
+All her perfections challenge sovereignty :
+One way or other , she is for a king ;
+And she shall be my love , or else my queen .
+Say that King Edward take thee for his queen ?
+
+'Tis better said than done , my gracious lord :
+I am a subject fit to jest withal ,
+But far unfit to be a sovereign .
+
+Sweet widow , by my state I swear to thee ,
+I speak no more than what my soul intends ;
+And that is , to enjoy thee for my love .
+
+And that is more than I will yield unto .
+I know I am too mean to be your queen ,
+And yet too good to be your concubine .
+
+You cavil , widow : I did mean , my queen .
+
+'Twill grieve your Grace my sons should call you father .
+
+No more than when my daughters call thee mother .
+Thou art a widow , and thou hast some children ;
+And , by God's mother , I , being but a bachelor ,
+Have other some : why , 'tis a happy thing
+To be the father unto many sons .
+Answer no more , for thou shalt be my queen .
+
+The ghostly father now hath done his shrift .
+
+When he was made a shriver , 'twas for shift .
+
+Brothers , you muse what chat we two have had .
+
+The widow likes it not , for she looks very sad .
+
+You'd think it strange if I should marry her .
+
+To whom , my lord ?
+
+Why , Clarence , to myself .
+
+That would be ten days' wonder at the least .
+
+That's a day longer than a wonder lasts .
+
+By so much is the wonder in extremes .
+
+Well , jest on , brothers : I can tell you both
+Her suit is granted for her husband's lands .
+
+
+My gracious lord , Henry your foe is taken ,
+And brought as prisoner to your palace gate .
+
+See that he be convey'd unto the Tower :
+And go we , brothers , to the man that took him ,
+To question of his apprehension .
+Widow , go you along . Lords , use her honourably .
+
+
+Ay , Edward will use women honourably .
+Would he were wasted , marrow , bones , and all ,
+That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring ,
+To cross me from the golden time I look for !
+And yet , between my soul's desire and me
+The lustful Edward's title buried ,
+Is Clarence , Henry , and his son young Edward ,
+And all the unlook'd for issue of their bodies ,
+To take their rooms , ere I can place myself :
+A cold premeditation for my purpose !
+Why then , I do but dream on sovereignty ;
+Like one that stands upon a promontory ,
+And spies a far-off shore where he would tread ,
+Wishing his foot were equal with his eye ;
+And chides the sea that sunders him from thence ,
+Saying , he'll lade it dry to have his way :
+So do I wish the crown , being so far off ,
+And so I chide the means that keep me from it ,
+And so I say I'll cut the causes off ,
+Flattering me with impossibilities .
+My eye's too quick , my heart o'erweens too much ,
+Unless my hand and strength could equal them .
+Well , say there is no kingdom then for Richard ;
+What other pleasure can the world afford ?
+I'll make my heaven in a lady's lap ,
+And deck my body in gay ornaments ,
+And witch sweet ladies with my words and looks .
+O miserable thought ! and more unlikely
+Than to accomplish twenty golden crowns .
+Why , love forswore me in my mother's womb :
+And , for I should not deal in her soft laws ,
+She did corrupt frail nature with some bribe ,
+To shrink mine arm up like a wither'd shrub ;
+To make an envious mountain on my back ,
+Where sits deformity to mock my body ;
+To shape my legs of an unequal size ;
+To disproportion me in every part ,
+Like to a chaos , or an unlick'd bear-whelp
+That carries no impression like the dam .
+And am I then a man to be belov'd ?
+O monstrous fault ! to harbour such a thought .
+Then , since this earth affords no joy to me
+But to command , to check , to o'erbear such
+As are of better person than myself ,
+I'll make my heaven to dream upon the crown ;
+And , whiles I live , to account this world but hell ,
+Until my mis-shap'd trunk that bears this head
+Be round impaled with a glorious crown .
+And yet I know not how to get the crown ,
+For many lives stand between me and home :
+And I , like one lost in a thorny wood ,
+That rents the thorns and is rent with the thorns ,
+Seeking a way and straying from the way ;
+Not knowing how to find the open air ,
+But toiling desperately to find it out ,
+Torment myself to catch the English crown :
+And from that torment I will free myself ,
+Or hew my way out with a bloody axe .
+Why , I can smile , and murder while I smile ,
+And cry , 'Content ,' to that which grieves my heart ,
+And wet my cheeks with artificial tears ,
+And frame my face to all occasions .
+I'll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall ;
+I'll slay more gazers than the basilisk ;
+I'll play the orator as well as Nestor ,
+Deceive more slily than Ulysses could ,
+And , like a Sinon , take another Troy .
+I can add colours to the chameleon ,
+Change shapes with Proteus for advantages ,
+And set the murd'rous Machiavel to school .
+Can I do this , and cannot get a crown ?
+Tut ! were it further off , I'll pluck it down .
+
+Fair Queen of England , worthy Margaret ,
+Sit down with us : it ill befits thy state
+And birth , that thou shouldst stand while Lewis doth sit .
+
+No , mighty King of France : now Margaret
+Must strike her sail , and learn a while to serve
+Where kings command . I was , I must confess ,
+Great Albion's queen in former golden days ;
+But now mischance hath trod my title down ,
+And with dishonour laid me on the ground ,
+Where I must take like seat unto my fortune ,
+And to my humble seat conform myself .
+
+Why , say , fair queen , whence springs this deep despair ?
+
+From such a cause as fills mine eyes with tears
+And stops my tongue , while heart is drown'd in cares .
+
+Whate'er it be , be thou still like thyself ,
+And sit thee by our side .
+
+Yield not thy neck
+To fortune's yoke , but let thy dauntless mind
+Still ride in triumph over all mischance .
+Be plain , Queen Margaret , and tell thy grief ;
+It shall be eas'd , if France can yield relief .
+
+Those gracious words revive my drooping thoughts ,
+And give my tongue-tied sorrows leave to speak .
+Now , therefore , be it known to noble Lewis ,
+That Henry , sole possessor of my love ,
+Is of a king become a banish'd man ,
+And forc'd to live in Scotland a forlorn ;
+While proud ambitious Edward Duke of York
+Usurps the regal title and the seat
+Of England's true-anointed lawful king .
+This is the cause that I , poor Margaret ,
+With this my son , Prince Edward , Henry's heir ,
+Am come to crave thy just and lawful aid ;
+And if thou fail us , all our hope is done .
+Scotland hath will to help , but cannot help ;
+Our people and our peers are both misled ,
+Our treasure seiz'd , our soldiers put to flight ,
+And , as thou seest , ourselves in heavy plight .
+
+Renowned queen , with patience calm the storm ,
+While we bethink a means to break it off .
+
+The more we stay , the stronger grows our foe .
+
+The more I stay , the more I'll succour thee .
+
+O ! but impatience waiteth on true sorrow :
+And see where comes the breeder of my sorrow .
+
+
+What's he , approacheth boldly to our presence ?
+
+Our Earl of Warwick , Edward's greatest friend .
+
+Welcome , brave Warwick ! What brings thee to France ?
+
+
+Ay , now begins a second storm to rise ;
+For this is he that moves both wind and tide .
+
+From worthy Edward , King of Albion ,
+My lord and sovereign , and thy vowed friend ,
+I come , in kindness and unfeigned love ,
+First , to do greetings to thy royal person ;
+And then to crave a league of amity ;
+And lastly to confirm that amity
+With nuptial knot , if thou vouchsafe to grant
+That virtuous Lady Bona , thy fair sister ,
+To England's king in lawful marriage .
+
+If that go forward , Henry's hope is done .
+
+And , gracious madam , in our king's behalf ,
+I am commanded , with your leave and favour ,
+Humbly to kiss your hand , and with my tongue
+To tell the passion of my sov'reign's heart ;
+Where fame , late entering at his heedful ears ,
+Hath plac'd thy beauty's image and thy virtue .
+
+King Lewis and Lady Bona , hear me speak ,
+Before you answer Warwick . His demand
+Springs not from Edward's well-meant honest love ,
+But from deceit bred by necessity ;
+For how can tyrants safely govern home ,
+Unless abroad they purchase great alliance ?
+To prove him tyrant this reason may suffice ,
+That Henry liveth still ; but were he dead ,
+Yet here Prince Edward stands , King Henry's son .
+Look , therefore , Lewis , that by this league and marriage
+Thou draw not on thy danger and dishonour ;
+For though usurpers sway the rule awhile ,
+Yet heavens are just , and time suppresseth wrongs .
+
+Injurious Margaret !
+
+And why not queen ?
+
+Because thy father Henry did usurp ,
+And thou no more art prince than she is queen .
+
+Then Warwick disannuls great John of Gaunt ,
+Which did subdue the greatest part of Spain ;
+And , after John of Gaunt , Henry the Fourth ,
+Whose wisdom was a mirror to the wisest ;
+And , after that wise prince , Henry the Fifth ,
+Who by his prowess conquered all France :
+From these our Henry lineally descends .
+
+Oxford , how haps it , in this smooth discourse ,
+You told not how Henry the Sixth hath lost
+All that which Henry the Fifth had gotten ?
+Methinks these peers of France should smile at that .
+But for the rest , you tell a pedigree
+Of threescore and two years ; a silly time
+To make prescription for a kingdom's worth .
+
+Why , Warwick , canst thou speak against thy liege ,
+Whom thou obeyedst thirty and six years ,
+And not bewray thy treason with a blush ?
+
+Can Oxford , that did ever fence the right ,
+Now buckler falsehood with a pedigree ?
+For shame ! leave Henry , and call Edward king .
+
+Call him my king , by whose injurious doom
+My elder brother , the Lord Aubrey Vere ,
+Was done to death ? and more than so , my father ,
+Even in the downfall of his mellow'd years ,
+When nature brought him to the door of death ?
+No , Warwick , no ; while life upholds this arm ,
+This arm upholds the house of Lancaster .
+
+And I the house of York .
+
+Queen Margaret , Prince Edward , and Oxford ,
+Vouchsafe at our request to stand aside ,
+While I use further conference with Warwick .
+
+
+Heaven grant that Warwick's words bewitch him not !
+
+Now , Warwick , tell me , even upon thy conscience ,
+Is Edward your true king ? for I were loath
+To link with him that were not lawful chosen .
+
+Thereon I pawn my credit and mine honour .
+
+But is he gracious in the people's eye ?
+
+The more that Henry was unfortunate .
+
+Then further , all dissembling set aside ,
+Tell me for truth the measure of his love
+Unto our sister Bona .
+
+Such it seems
+As may beseem a monarch like himself .
+Myself have often heard him say and swear
+That this his love was an eternal plant ,
+Whereof the root was fix'd in virtue's ground ,
+The leaves and fruit maintain'd with beauty's sun ,
+Exempt from envy , but not from disdain ,
+Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain .
+
+Now , sister , let us hear your firm resolve .
+
+Your grant , or your denial , shall be mine :
+
+
+Yet I confess that often ere this day ,
+When I have heard your king's desert recounted ,
+Mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire .
+
+Then , Warwick , thus : our sister shall be Edward's ;
+And now forthwith shall articles be drawn
+Touching the jointure that your king must make ,
+Which with her dowry shall be counterpois'd .
+Draw near , Queen Margaret , and be a witness
+That Bona shall be wife to the English king .
+
+To Edward , but not to the English king .
+
+Deceitful Warwick ! it was thy device
+By this alliance to make void my suit :
+Before thy coming Lewis was Henry's friend .
+
+And still is friend to him and Margaret :
+But if your title to the crown be weak ,
+As may appear by Edward's good success ,
+Then 'tis but reason that I be releas'd
+From giving aid which late I promised .
+Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand
+That your estate requires and mine can yield .
+
+Henry now lives in Scotland at his ease ,
+Where having nothing , nothing can he lose .
+And as for you yourself , our quondam queen ,
+You have a father able to maintain you ,
+And better 'twere you troubled him than France .
+
+Peace ! impudent and shameless Warwick , peace ;
+Proud setter up and puller down of kings ;
+I will not hence , till , with my talk and tears ,
+Both full of truth , I make King Lewis behold
+Thy sly conveyance and thy lord's false love ;
+For both of you are birds of self-same feather .
+
+
+Warwick , this is some post to us or thee .
+
+
+My lord ambassador , these letters are for you ,
+Sent from your brother , Marquess Montague :
+These from our king unto your majesty ;
+
+
+And , madam , these for you ; from whom I know not .
+
+
+I like it well that our fair queen and mistress
+Smiles at her news , while Warwick frowns at his .
+
+Nay , mark how Lewis stamps as he were nettled :
+I hope all's for the best .
+
+Warwick , what are thy news ? and yours , fair queen ?
+
+Mine , such as fill my heart with unhop'd joys .
+
+Mine , full of sorrow and heart's discontent .
+
+What ! has your king married the Lady Grey ?
+And now , to soothe your forgery and his ,
+Sends me a paper to persuade me patience ?
+Is this the alliance that he seeks with France ?
+Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner ?
+
+I told your majesty as much before :
+This proveth Edward's love and Warwick's honesty .
+
+King Lewis , I here protest , in sight of heaven ,
+And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss ,
+That I am clear from this misdeed of Edward's ;
+No more my king , for he dishonours me ;
+But most himself , if he could see his shame .
+Did I forget that by the house of York
+My father came untimely to his death ?
+Did I let pass the abuse done to my niece ?
+Did I impale him with the regal crown ?
+Did I put Henry from his native right ?
+And am I guerdon'd at the last with shame ?
+Shame on himself ! for my desert is honour :
+And , to repair my honour , lost for him ,
+I here renounce him and return to Henry .
+My noble queen , let former grudges pass ,
+And henceforth I am thy true servitor .
+I will revenge his wrong to Lady Bona ,
+And replant Henry in his former state .
+
+Warwick , these words have turn'd my hate to love ;
+And I forgive and quite forget old faults ,
+And joy that thou becom'st King Henry's friend .
+
+So much his friend , ay , his unfeigned friend ,
+That , if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us
+With some few bands of chosen soldiers ,
+I'll undertake to land them on our coast ,
+And force the tyrant from his seat by war .
+'Tis not his new-made bride shall succour him :
+And as for Clarence , as my letters tell me ,
+He's very likely now to fall from him ,
+For matching more for wanton lust than honour ,
+Or than for strength and safety of our country .
+
+Dear brother , how shall Bona be reveng'd ,
+But by thy help to this distressed queen ?
+
+Renowned prince , how shall poor Henry live ,
+Unless thou rescue him from foul despair ?
+
+My quarrel and this English queen's are one .
+
+And mine , fair Lady Bona , joins with yours .
+
+And mine with hers , and thine and Margaret's .
+Therefore , at last , I firmly am resolv'd
+You shall have aid .
+
+Let me give humble thanks for all at once .
+
+Then , England's messenger , return in post ,
+And tell false Edward , thy supposed king ,
+That Lewis of France is sending over masquers ,
+To revel it with him and his new bride .
+Thou seest what's past ; go fear thy king withal .
+
+Tell him , in hope he'll prove a widower shortly ,
+I'll wear the willow garland for his sake .
+
+Tell him , my mourning weeds are laid aside ,
+And I am ready to put armour on .
+
+Tell him from me , that he hath done me wrong ,
+And therefore I'll uncrown him ere't be long .
+There's thy reward : be gone .
+
+
+But , Warwick ,
+Thou and Oxford , with five thousand men ,
+Shall cross the seas , and bid false Edward battle ;
+And , as occasion serves , this noble queen
+And prince shall follow with a fresh supply .
+Yet ere thou go , but answer me one doubt :
+What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty ?
+
+This shall assure my constant loyalty :
+That if our queen and this young prince agree ,
+I'll join mine eldest daughter and my joy
+To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands .
+
+Yes , I agree , and thank you for your motion .
+Son Edward , she is fair and virtuous ,
+Therefore delay not , give thy hand to Warwick ;
+And , with thy hand , thy faith irrevocable ,
+That only Warwick's daughter shall be thine .
+
+Yes , I accept her , for she well deserves it ;
+And here , to pledge my vow , I give my hand .
+
+
+Why stay we now ? These soldiers shall be levied ,
+And thou , Lord Bourbon , our high admiral ,
+Shall waft them over with our royal fleet .
+I long till Edward fall by war's mischance ,
+For mocking marriage with a dame of France .
+
+
+I came from Edward as ambassador ,
+But I return his sworn and mortal foe :
+Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me ,
+But dreadful war shall answer his demand .
+Had he none else to make a stale but me ?
+Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow .
+I was the chief that rais'd him to the crown ,
+And I'll be chief to bring him down again :
+Not that I pity Henry's misery ,
+But seek revenge on Edward's mockery .
+
+Now tell me , brother Clarence , what think you
+Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey ?
+Hath not our brother made a worthy choice ?
+
+Alas ! you know , 'tis far from hence to France ;
+How could he stay till Warwick made return ?
+
+My lords , forbear this talk ; here comes the king .
+
+And his well-chosen bride .
+
+I mind to tell him plainly what I think .
+
+Now , brother Clarence , how like you our choice ,
+That you stand pensive , as half malcontent ?
+
+As well as Lewis of France , or the Earl of Warwick ;
+Which are so weak of courage and in judgment
+That they'll take no offence at our abuse .
+
+Suppose they take offence without a cause ,
+They are but Lewis and Warwick : I am Edward ,
+Your king and Warwick's , and must have my will .
+
+And you shall have your will , because our king :
+Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well .
+
+Yea , brother Richard , are you offended too ?
+
+Not I :
+No , God forbid , that I should wish them sever'd
+Whom God hath join'd together ; ay , and 'twere pity
+To sunder them that yoke so well together .
+
+Setting your scorns and your mislike aside ,
+Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey
+Should not become my wife and England's queen :
+And you too , Somerset and Montague ,
+Speak freely what you think .
+
+Then this is mine opinion : that King Lewis
+Becomes your enemy for mocking him
+About the marriage of the Lady Bona .
+
+And Warwick , doing what you gave in charge ,
+Is now dishonoured by this new marriage .
+
+What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeas'd
+By such invention as I can devise ?
+
+Yet to have join'd with France in such alliance
+Would more have strengthen'd this our commonwealth
+'Gainst foreign storms , than any home-bred marriage .
+
+Why , knows not Montague , that of itself
+England is safe , if true within itself ?
+
+Yes ; but the safer when 'tis back'd with France .
+
+'Tis better using France than trusting France :
+Let us be back'd with God and with the seas
+Which he hath given for fence impregnable ,
+And with their helps only defend ourselves :
+In them and in ourselves our safety lies .
+
+For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves
+To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford .
+
+Ay , what of that ? it was my will and grant ;
+And for this once my will shall stand for law .
+
+And yet methinks your Grace hath not done well ,
+To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales
+Unto the brother of your loving bride :
+She better would have fitted me or Clarence :
+But in your bride you bury brotherhood .
+
+Or else you would not have bestow'd the heir
+Of the Lord Bonville on your new wife's son ,
+And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere .
+
+Alas , poor Clarence , is it for a wife
+That thou art malcontent ? I will provide thee .
+
+In choosing for yourself you show'd your judgment ,
+Which being shallow , you shall give me leave
+To play the broker on mine own behalf ;
+And to that end I shortly mind to leave you .
+
+Leave me , or tarry , Edward will be king ,
+And not be tied unto his brother's will .
+
+My lords , before it pleas'd his majesty
+To raise my state to title of a queen ,
+Do me but right , and you must all-confess
+That I was not ignoble of descent ;
+And meaner than myself have had like fortune .
+But as this title honours me and mine ,
+So your dislikes , to whom I would be pleasing ,
+Do cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow .
+
+My love , forbear to fawn upon their frowns :
+What danger or what sorrow can befall thee ,
+So long as Edward is thy constant friend ,
+And their true sovereign , whom they must obey ?
+Nay , whom they shall obey , and love thee too ,
+Unless they seek for hatred at my hands ;
+Which if they do , yet will I keep thee safe ,
+And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath .
+
+I hear , yet say not much , but think the more .
+
+
+Now , messenger , what letters or what news
+From France ?
+
+My sovereign liege , no letters ; and few words ;
+But such as I , without your special pardon ,
+Dare not relate .
+
+Go to , we pardon thee : therefore , in brief ,
+Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them .
+What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters ?
+
+At my depart these were his very words :
+'Go tell false Edward , thy supposed king ,
+That Lewis of France is sending over masquers ,
+To revel it with him and his new bride .'
+
+Is Lewis so brave ? belike he thinks me Henry .
+But what said Lady Bona to my marriage ?
+
+These were her words , utter'd with mild disdain :
+'Tell him , in hope he'll prove a widower shortly ,
+I'll wear the willow garland for his sake .'
+
+I blame not her , she could say little less ;
+She had the wrong . But what said Henry's queen ?
+For I have heard that she was there in place .
+
+'Tell him ,' quoth she , 'my mourning weeds are done ,
+And I am ready to put armour on .'
+
+Belike she minds to play the Amazon .
+But what said Warwick to these injuries ?
+
+He , more incens'd against your majesty
+Than all the rest , discharg'd me with these words :
+'Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong ,
+And therefore I'll uncrown him ere't be long .'
+
+Ha ! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words ?
+Well , I will arm me , being thus forewarn'd :
+They shall have wars , and pay for their presumption .
+But say , is Warwick friends with Margaret ?
+
+Ay , gracious sovereign ; they are so link'd in friendship ,
+That young Prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter .
+
+Belike the elder ; Clarence will have the younger .
+Now , brother king , farewell , and sit you fast ,
+For I will hence to Warwick's other daughter ;
+That , though I want a kingdom , yet in marriage
+I may not prove inferior to yourself .
+You , that love me and Warwick , follow me .
+
+
+Not I .
+My thoughts aim at a further matter ; I
+Stay not for love of Edward , but the crown .
+
+Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick !
+Yet am I arm'd against the worst can happen ,
+And haste is needful in this desperate case .
+Pembroke and Stafford , you in our behalf
+Go levy men , and make prepare for war :
+They are already , or quickly will be landed :
+Myself in person will straight follow you ,
+
+But ere I go , Hastings and Montague ,
+Resolve my doubt . You twain , of all the rest ,
+Are near to Warwick by blood , and by alliance :
+Tell me if you love Warwick more than me ?
+If it be so , then both depart to him ;
+I rather wish you foes than hollow friends :
+But if you mind to hold your true obedience ,
+Give me assurance with some friendly vow
+That I may never have you in suspect .
+
+So God help Montague as he proves true !
+
+And Hastings as he favours Edward's cause !
+
+Now , brother Richard , will you stand by us ?
+
+Ay , in despite of all that shall withstand you .
+
+Why , so ! then am I sure of victory .
+Now therefore let us hence ; and lose no hour
+Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power .
+
+
+Trust me , my lord , all hitherto goes well ;
+The common people by numbers swarm to us .
+
+
+But see where Somerset and Clarence come !
+
+Speak suddenly , my lords , are we all friends ?
+
+Fear not that , my lord .
+
+Then , gentle Clarence , welcome unto Warwick ;
+And welcome , Somerset : I hold it cowardice ,
+To rest mistrustful where a noble heart
+Hath pawn'd an open hand in sign of love ;
+Else might I think that Clarence , Edward's brother ,
+Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings :
+But welcome , sweet Clarence ; my daughter shall be thine .
+And now what rests , but in night's coverture ,
+Thy brother being carelessly encamp'd ,
+His soldiers lurking in the towns about ,
+And but attended by a simple guard ,
+We may surprise and take him at our pleasure ?
+Our scouts have found the adventure very easy .
+That as Ulysses , and stout Diomede ,
+With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus' tents ,
+And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds ;
+So we , well cover'd with the night's black mantle ,
+At unawares may beat down Edward's guard ,
+And seize himself ; I say not , slaughter him ,
+For I intend but only to surprise him .
+You , that will follow me to this attempt ,
+Applaud the name of Henry with your leader .
+
+Why , then , let's on our way in silent sort .
+For Warwick and his friends , God and Saint George !
+
+
+Come on , my masters , each man take his stand ;
+The king , by this , is set him down to sleep .
+
+What , will he not to bed ?
+
+Why , no : for he hath made a solemn vow
+Never to lie and take his natural rest
+Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress'd .
+
+To-morrow then belike shall be the day ,
+If Warwick be so near as men report .
+
+But say , I pray , what nobleman is that
+That with the king here resteth in his tent ?
+
+'Tis the Lord Hastings , the king's chiefest friend .
+
+O ! is it so ? But why commands the king
+That his chief followers lodge in towns about him ,
+While he himself keeps in the cold field ?
+
+'Tis the more honour , because the more dangerous .
+
+Ay , but give me worship and quietness ;
+I like it better than a dangerous honour .
+If Warwick knew in what estate he stands ,
+'Tis to be doubted he would waken him .
+
+Unless our halberds did shut up his passage .
+
+Ay ; wherefore else guard we his royal tent ,
+But to defend his person from night-foes ?
+
+
+This is his tent ; and see where stand his guard .
+Courage , my masters ! honour now or never !
+But follow me , and Edward shall be ours .
+
+Who goes there ?
+
+Stay , or thou diest .
+
+
+What are they that fly there ?
+
+Richard and Hastings : let them go ; here's the duke .
+
+The duke ! Why , Warwick , when we parted last ,
+Thou call'dst me king !
+
+Ay , but the case is alter'd :
+When you disgrac'd me in my embassade ,
+Then I degraded you from being king ,
+And come now to create you Duke of York .
+Alas ! how should you govern any kingdom ,
+That know not how to use ambassadors ,
+Nor how to be contented with one wife ,
+Nor how to use your brothers brotherly ,
+Nor how to study for the people's welfare ,
+Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies ?
+
+Yea , brother of Clarence , art thou here too ?
+Nay , then , I see that Edward needs must down .
+Yet , Warwick , in despite of all mischance ,
+Of thee thyself , and all thy complices ,
+Edward will always bear himself as king :
+Though Fortune's malice overthrow my state ,
+My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel .
+
+Then , for his mind , be Edward England's king :
+
+But Henry now shall wear the English crown ,
+And be true king indeed , thou but the shadow .
+My Lord of Somerset , at my request ,
+See that forthwith Duke Edward be convey'd
+Unto my brother , Archbishop of York .
+When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows ,
+I'll follow you , and tell what answer
+Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him :
+Now , for a while farewell , good Duke of York .
+
+What fates impose , that men must needs abide ;
+It boots not to resist both wind and tide .
+
+
+What now remains , my lords , for us to do ,
+But march to London with our soldiers ?
+
+Ay , that's the first thing that we have to do ;
+To free King Henry from imprisonment ,
+And see him seated in the regal throne .
+
+
+Madam , what makes you in this sudden change ?
+
+Why , brother Rivers , are you yet to learn ,
+What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward ?
+
+What ! loss of some pitch'd battle against Warwick ?
+
+No , but the loss of his own royal person .
+
+Then is my sovereign slain ?
+
+Ay , almost slain , for he is taken prisoner ;
+Either betray'd by falsehood of his guard
+Or by his foe surpris'd at unawares :
+And , as I further have to understand ,
+Is new committed to the Bishop of York ,
+Fell Warwick's brother , and by that our foe .
+
+These news , I must confess , are full of grief ;
+Yet , gracious madam , bear it as you may :
+Warwick may lose , that now hath won the day .
+
+Till then fair hope must hinder life's decay .
+And I the rather wean me from despair
+For love of Edward's offspring in my womb :
+This is it that makes me bridle passion ,
+And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross ;
+Ay , ay , for this I draw in many a tear ,
+And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs ,
+Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown
+King Edward's fruit , true heir to the English crown .
+
+But , madam , where is Warwick then become ?
+
+I am inform'd that he comes towards London ,
+To set the crown once more on Henry's head :
+Guess thou the rest ; King Edward's friends must down .
+But , to prevent the tyrant's violence ,
+For trust not him that hath once broken faith ,
+I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary ,
+To save at least the heir of Edward's right :
+There shall I rest secure from force and fraud .
+Come , therefore ; let us fly while we may fly :
+If Warwick take us we are sure to die .
+
+
+Now , my Lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley ,
+Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither ,
+Into this chiefest thicket of the park .
+Thus stands the case . You know , our king , my brother ,
+Is prisoner to the bishop here , at whose hands
+He hath good usage and great liberty ,
+And often but attended with weak guard ,
+Comes hunting this way to disport himself .
+I have advertis'd him by secret means ,
+That if about this hour he make this way ,
+Under the colour of his usual game ,
+He shall here find his friends , with horse and men
+To set him free from his captivity .
+
+
+This way , my lord , for this way lies the game .
+
+Nay , this way , man : see where the huntsmen stand .
+Now , brother of Gloucester , Lord Hastings , and the rest ,
+Stand you thus close , to steal the bishop's deer ?
+
+Brother , the time and case requireth haste .
+Your horse stands ready at the park corner .
+
+But whither shall we then ?
+
+To Lynn , my lord ; and ship from thence to Flanders .
+
+Well guess'd , believe me ; for that was my meaning .
+
+Stanley , I will requite thy forwardness .
+
+But wherefore stay we ? 'tis no time to talk .
+
+Huntsman , what sayst thou ? wilt thou go along ?
+
+Better do so than tarry and be hang'd .
+
+Come then , away ; let's ha' no more ado .
+
+Bishop , farewell : shield thee from Warwick's frown ,
+And pray that I may repossess the crown .
+
+Master lieutenant , now that God and friends
+Have shaken Edward from the regal seat ,
+And turn'd my captive state to liberty ,
+My fear to hope , my sorrows unto joys ,
+At our enlargement what are thy due fees ?
+
+Subjects may challenge nothing of their sovereigns ;
+But if a humble prayer may prevail ,
+I then crave pardon of your majesty .
+
+For what , lieutenant ? for well using me ?
+Nay , be thou sure , I'll well requite thy kindness ,
+For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure ;
+Ay , such a pleasure as encaged birds
+Conceive , when , after many moody thoughts
+At last by notes of household harmony
+They quite forget their loss of liberty .
+But , Warwick , after God , thou set'st me free ,
+And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee ;
+He was the author , thou the instrument .
+Therefore , that I may conquer Fortune's spite
+By living low , where Fortune cannot hurt me ,
+And that the people of this blessed land
+May not be punish'd with my thwarting stars ,
+Warwick , although my head still wear the crown ,
+I here resign my government to thee ,
+For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds .
+
+Your Grace hath still been fam'd for virtuous ;
+And now may seem as wise as virtuous ,
+By spying and avoiding Fortune's malice ;
+For few men rightly temper with the stars :
+Yet in this one thing let me blame your Grace ,
+For choosing me when Clarence is in place .
+
+No , Warwick , thou art worthy of the sway ,
+To whom the heavens , in thy nativity
+Adjudg'd an olive branch and laurel crown ,
+As likely to be blest in peace , and war ;
+And therefore I yield thee my free consent .
+
+And I choose Clarence only for protector .
+
+Warwick and Clarence , give me both your hands :
+Now join your hands , and with your hands your hearts ,
+That no dissension hinder government :
+I make you both protectors of this land ,
+While I myself will lead a private life ,
+And in devotion spend my latter days ,
+To sin's rebuke and my Creator's praise .
+
+What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will ?
+
+That he consents , if Warwick yield consent ;
+For on thy fortune I repose myself .
+
+Why then , though loath , yet must I be content :
+We'll yoke together , like a double shadow
+To Henry's body , and supply his place ;
+I mean , in bearing weight of government ,
+While he enjoys the honour and his ease .
+And , Clarence , now then it is more than needful
+Forthwith that Edward be pronounc'd a traitor ,
+And all his lands and goods be confiscate .
+
+What else ? and that succession be determin'd .
+
+Ay , therein Clarence shall not want his part .
+
+But , with the first of all your chief affairs ,
+Let me entreat , for I command no more ,
+That Margaret your queen , and my son Edward ,
+Be sent for , to return from France with speed :
+For , till I see them here , by doubtful fear
+My joy of liberty is half eclips'd .
+
+It shall be done , my sov'reign , with all speed .
+
+My Lord of Somerset , what youth is that
+Of whom you seem to have so tender care ?
+
+My liege , it is young Henry , Earl of Richmond .
+
+Come hither , England's hope :
+
+If secret powers
+Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts ,
+This pretty lad will prove our country's bliss .
+His looks are full of peaceful majesty ,
+His head by nature fram'd to wear a crown ,
+His hand to wield a sceptre , and himself
+Likely in time to bless a regal throne .
+Make much of him , my lords ; for this is he
+Must help you more than you are hurt by me .
+
+
+What news , my friend ?
+
+That Edward is escaped from your brother ,
+And fled , as he hears since , to Burgundy .
+
+Unsavoury news ! but how made he escape ?
+
+He was convey'd by Richard Duke of Gloucester ,
+And the Lord Hastings , who attended him
+In secret ambush on the forest side ,
+And from the bishop's huntsmen rescu'd him :
+For hunting was his daily exercise .
+
+My brother was too careless of his charge .
+But let us hence , my sovereign , to provide
+A salve for any sore that may betide .
+
+
+My lord , I like not of this flight of Edward's ;
+For doubtless Burgundy will yield him help ,
+And we shall have more wars before't be long .
+As Henry's late presaging prophecy
+Did glad my heart with hope of this young Richmond ,
+So doth my heart misgive me , in these conflicts
+What may befall him to his harm and ours :
+Therefore , Lord Oxford , to prevent the worst ,
+Forthwith we'll send him hence to Brittany ,
+Till storms be past of civil enmity .
+
+Ay , for if Edward repossess the crown ,
+'Tis like that Richmond with the rest shall down .
+
+It shall be so ; he shall to Brittany .
+Come , therefore , let's about it speedily .
+
+
+Now , brother Richard , Lord Hastings , and the rest ,
+Yet thus far Fortune maketh us amends ,
+And says , that once more I shall interchange
+My waned state for Henry's regal crown .
+Well have we pass'd , and now repass'd the seas ,
+And brought desired help from Burgundy :
+What then remains , we being thus arriv'd
+From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York ,
+But that we enter , as into our dukedom ?
+
+The gates made fast ! Brother , I like not this ;
+For many men that stumble at the threshold
+Are well foretold that danger lurks within .
+
+Tush , man ! abodements must not now affright us .
+By fair or foul means we must enter in ,
+For hither will our friends repair to us .
+
+My liege , I'll knock once more to summon them .
+
+
+My lords , we were forewarned of your coming ,
+And shut the gates for safety of ourselves ;
+For now we owe allegiance unto Henry .
+
+But , Master Mayor , if Henry be your king ,
+Yet Edward , at the least , is Duke of York .
+
+True , my good lord , I know you for no less .
+
+Why , and I challenge nothing but my dukedom ,
+As being well content with that alone .
+
+But when the fox hath once got in his nose ,
+He'll soon find means to make the body follow .
+
+Why , Master Mayor , why stand you in a doubt ?
+Open the gates ; we are King Henry's friends .
+
+Ay , say you so ? the gates shall then be open'd .
+
+
+A wise stout captain , and soon persuaded .
+
+The good old man would fain that all were well ,
+So 'twere not 'long of him ; but being enter'd ,
+I doubt not , I , but we shall soon persuade
+Both him and all his brothers unto reason .
+
+
+So , Master Mayor : these gates must not be shut
+But in the night , or in the time of war .
+What ! fear not , man , but yield me up the keys ;
+
+For Edward will defend the town and thee ,
+And all those friends that deign to follow me .
+
+
+Brother , this is Sir John Montgomery ,
+Our trusty friend , unless I be deceiv'd .
+
+Welcome , Sir John ! but why come you in arms ?
+
+To help King Edward in his time of storm ,
+As every loyal subject ought to do .
+
+Thanks , good Montgomery ; but we now forget
+Our title to the crown , and only claim
+Our dukedom till God please to send the rest .
+
+Then fare you well , for I will hence again :
+I came to serve a king and not a duke .
+Drummer , strike up , and let us march away .
+
+
+Nay , stay , Sir John , awhile ; and we'll debate
+By what safe means the crown may be recover'd .
+
+What talk you of debating ? in few words ,
+If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king .
+I'll leave you to your fortune , and be gone
+To keep them back that come to succour you .
+Why shall we fight , if you pretend no title ?
+
+Why , brother , wherefore stand you on nice points ?
+
+When we grow stronger then we'll make our claim ;
+Till then , 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning .
+
+Away with scrupulous wit ! now arms must rule .
+
+And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns .
+Brother , we will proclaim you out of hand ;
+The bruit thereof will bring you many friends .
+
+Then be it as you will ; for 'tis my right ,
+And Henry but usurps the diadem .
+
+Ay , now my sov'reign speaketh like himself ;
+And now will I be Edward's champion .
+
+Sound , trumpet ! Edward shall be here proclaim'd ;
+Come , fellow soldier , make thou proclamation .
+
+
+Edward the Fourth , by the grace of God , King of England and France , and Lord of Ireland , &c .
+
+And whosoe'er gainsays King Edward's right ,
+By this I challenge him to single fight .
+
+
+Long live Edward the Fourth !
+
+Thanks , brave Montgomery ;and thanks unto you all :
+If Fortune serve me , I'll requite this kindness .
+Now , for this night , let's harbour here in York ;
+And when the morning sun shall raise his car
+Above the border of this horizon ,
+We'll forward towards Warwick , and his mates ;
+For well I wot that Henry is no soldier .
+Ah , froward Clarence , how evil it beseems thee
+To flatter Henry , and forsake thy brother !
+Yet , as we may , we'll meet both thee and Warwick .
+Come on , brave soldiers : doubt not of the day ;
+And , that once gotten , doubt not of large pay .
+
+
+What counsel , lords ? Edward from Belgia ,
+With hasty Germans and blunt Hollanders ,
+Hath pass'd in safety through the narrow seas ,
+And with his troops doth march amain to London ;
+And many giddy people flock to him .
+
+Let's levy men , and beat him back again .
+
+A little fire is quickly trodden out ,
+Which , being suffer'd , rivers cannot quench .
+
+In Warwickshire I have true-hearted friends ,
+Not mutinous in peace , yet bold in war ;
+Those will I muster up : and thou , son Clarence ,
+Shalt stir up in Suffolk , Norfolk , and in Kent ,
+The knights and gentlemen to come with thee :
+Thou , brother Montague , in Buckingham ,
+Northampton , and in Leicestershire , shalt find
+Men well inclin'd to hear what thou command'st :
+And thou , brave Oxford , wondrous well belov'd
+In Oxfordshire , shalt muster up thy friends .
+My sov'reign , with the loving citizens ,
+Like to his island girt in with the ocean ,
+Or modest Dian circled with her nymphs ,
+Shall rest in London till we come to him .
+Fair lords , take leave , and stand not to reply .
+Farewell , my sovereign .
+
+Farewell , my Hector , and my Troy's true hope .
+
+In sign of truth , I kiss your highness' hand .
+
+Well-minded Clarence , be thou fortunate !
+
+Comfort , my lord ; and so , I take my leave .
+
+And thus I seal my truth , and bid adieu .
+
+Sweet Oxford , and my loving Montague ,
+And all at once , once more a happy farewell .
+
+Farewell , sweet lords : let's meet at Coventry .
+
+
+Here at the palace will I rest awhile .
+Cousin of Exeter , what thinks your lordship ?
+Methinks the power that Edward hath in field
+Should not be able to encounter mine .
+
+The doubt is that he will seduce the rest .
+
+That's not my fear ; my meed hath got me fame :
+I have not stopp'd mine ears to their demands ,
+Nor posted off their suits with slow delays ;
+My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds ,
+My mildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs ,
+My mercy dried their water-flowing tears ;
+I have not been desirous of their wealth ;
+Nor much oppress'd them with great subsidies ,
+Nor forward of revenge , though they much err'd .
+Then why should they love Edward more than me ?
+No , Exeter , these graces challenge grace :
+And , when the lion fawns upon the lamb ,
+The lamb will never cease to follow him .
+
+
+Hark , hark , my lord ! what shouts are these ?
+
+
+Seize on the shame-fac'd Henry ! bear him hence :
+And once again proclaim us King of England .
+You are the fount that makes small brooks to flow :
+Now stops thy spring ; my sea shall suck them dry ,
+And swell so much the higher by their ebb .
+Hence with him to the Tower ! let him not speak .
+
+And , lords , towards Coventry bend we our course ,
+Where peremptory Warwick now remains :
+The sun shines hot ; and , if we use delay ,
+Cold biting winter mars our hop'd-for hay .
+
+Away betimes , before his forces join ,
+And take the great-grown traitor unawares :
+Brave warriors , march amain towards Coventry .
+
+Where is the post that came from valiant Oxford ?
+How far hence is thy lord , mine honest fellow ?
+
+By this at Dunsmore , marching hitherward .
+
+How far off is our brother Montague ?
+Where is the post that came from Montague ?
+
+By this at Daintry , with a puissant troop .
+
+
+Say , Somerville , what says my loving son ?
+And , by thy guess , how nigh is Clarence now ?
+
+At Southam I did leave him with his forces ,
+And do expect him here some two hours hence .
+
+
+Then Clarence is at hand , I hear his drum .
+
+It is not his , my lord ; here Southam lies :
+The drum your honour hears marcheth from Warwick .
+
+Who should that be ? belike , unlook'd for friends .
+
+They are at hand , and you shall quickly know .
+
+
+Go , trumpet , to the walls , and sound a parle .
+
+See how the surly Warwick mans the wall .
+
+O , unbid spite ! is sportful Edward come ?
+Where slept our scouts , or how are they seduc'd ,
+That we could hear no news of his repair ?
+
+Now , Warwick , wilt thou ope the city gates ,
+Speak gentle words , and humbly bend thy knee ?
+Call Edward king , and at his hands beg mercy ?
+And he shall pardon thee these outrages .
+
+Nay , rather , wilt thou draw thy forces hence ,
+Confess who set thee up and pluck'd thee down ?
+Call Warwick patron , and be penitent ;
+And thou shalt still remain the Duke of York .
+
+I thought , at least , he would have said the king ;
+Or did he make the jest against his will ?
+
+Is not a dukedom , sir , a goodly gift ?
+
+Ay , by my faith , for a poor earl to give :
+I'll do thee service for so good a gift .
+
+'Twas I that gave the kingdom to thy brother .
+
+Why then 'tis mine , if but by Warwick's gift .
+
+Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight :
+And , weakling , Warwick takes his gift again ;
+And Henry is my king , Warwick his subject .
+
+But Warwick's king is Edward's prisoner ;
+And , gallant Warwick , do but answer this ,
+What is the body , when the head is off ?
+
+Alas ! that Warwick had no more forecast ,
+But , whiles he thought to steal the single ten ,
+The king was slily finger'd from the deck .
+You left poor Henry at the bishop's palace ,
+And , ten to one , you'll meet him in the Tower .
+
+'Tis even so : yet you are Warwick still .
+
+Come , Warwick , take the time ; kneel down , kneel down :
+Nay , when ? strike now , or else the iron cools .
+
+I had rather chop this hand off at a blow ,
+And with the other fling it at thy face ,
+Than bear so low a sail to strike to thee .
+
+Sail how thou canst , have wind and tide thy friend ;
+This hand , fast wound about thy coal-black hair ,
+Shall , whiles thy head is warm and new cut off ,
+Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood :
+'Wind-changing Warwick now can change no more .'
+
+
+O cheerful colours ! see where Oxford comes !
+
+Oxford , Oxford , for Lancaster !
+
+
+The gates are open , let us enter too .
+
+So other foes may set upon our backs .
+Stand we in good array ; for they no doubt
+Will issue out again and bid us battle :
+If not , the city being but of small defence ,
+We'll quickly rouse the traitors in the same .
+
+O ! welcome , Oxford ! for we want thy help .
+
+
+Montague , Montague , for Lancaster !
+
+
+Thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason
+Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear .
+
+The harder match'd , the greater victory :
+My mind presageth happy gain , and conquest .
+
+
+Somerset , Somerset , for Lancaster !
+
+
+Two of thy name , both Dukes of Somerset ,
+Have sold their lives unto the house of York ;
+And thou shalt be the third , if this sword hold .
+
+
+And lo ! where George of Clarence sweeps along ,
+Of force enough to bid his brother battle ;
+With whom an upright zeal to right prevails
+More than the nature of a brother's love .
+Come , Clarence , come ; thou wilt , if Warwick call .
+
+Father of Warwick , know you what this means ?
+
+Look here , I throw my infamy at thee :
+I will not ruinate my father's house ,
+Who gave his blood to lime the stones together ,
+And set up Lancaster . Why , trow'st thou , Warwick ,
+That Clarence is so harsh , so blunt , unnatural ,
+To bend the fatal instruments of war
+Against his brother and his lawful king ?
+Perhaps thou wilt object my holy oath :
+To keep that oath were more impiety
+Than Jephthah's , when he sacrific'd his daughter .
+I am so sorry for my trespass made
+That , to deserve well at my brother's hands ,
+I here proclaim myself thy mortal foe ;
+With resolution , wheresoe'er I meet thee
+As I will meet thee if thou stir abroad
+To plague thee for thy foul misleading me .
+And so , proud-hearted Warwick , I defy thee ,
+And to my brother turn my blushing cheeks .
+Pardon me , Edward , I will make amends ;
+And , Richard , do not frown upon my faults ,
+For I will henceforth be no more unconstant .
+
+Now welcome more , and ten times more belov'd ,
+Than if thou never hadst deserv'd our hate .
+
+Welcome , good Clarence ; this is brother-like .
+
+O passing traitor , perjur'd , and unjust !
+
+What , Warwick , wilt thou leave the town , and fight ?
+Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears ?
+
+Alas ! I am not coop'd here for defence :
+I will away towards Barnet presently ,
+And bid thee battle , Edward , if thou dar'st .
+
+Yes , Warwick , Edward dares , and leads the way .
+Lords , to the field ; Saint George and victory !
+
+
+So , lie thou there : die thou , and die our fear ;
+For Warwick was a bug that fear'd us all .
+Now Montague , sit fast ; I seek for thee ,
+That Warwick's bones may keep thine company .
+
+
+Ah ! who is nigh ? come to me , friend or foe ,
+And tell me who is victor , York or Warwick ?
+Why ask I that ? my mangled body shows ,
+My blood , my want of strength , my sick heart shows ,
+That I must yield my body to the earth ,
+And , by my fall , the conquest to my foe .
+Thus yields the cedar to the axe's edge ,
+Whose arms gave shelter to the princely eagle ,
+Under whose shade the ramping lion slept ,
+Whose top branch overpeer'd Jove's spreading tree ,
+And kept low shrubs from winter's powerful wind .
+These eyes , that now are dimm'd with death's black veil ,
+Have been as piercing as the mid-day sun ,
+To search the secret treasons of the world :
+The wrinkles in my brows , now fill'd with blood ,
+Were liken'd oft to kingly sepulchres ;
+For who liv'd king , but I could dig his grave ?
+And who durst smile when Warwick bent his brow ?
+Lo ! now my glory smear'd in dust and blood ;
+My parks , my walks , my manors that I had ,
+Even now forsake me ; and , of all my lands
+Is nothing left me but my body's length .
+Why , what is pomp , rule , reign , but earth and dust ?
+And , live we how we can , yet die we must .
+
+
+Ah ! Warwick , Warwick , wert thou as we are ,
+We might recover all our loss again .
+The queen from France hath brought a puissant power ;
+Even now we heard the news . Ah ! couldst thou fly .
+
+Why , then , I would not fly . Ah ! Montague ,
+If thou be there , sweet brother , take my hand ,
+And with thy lips keep in my soul awhile .
+Thou lov'st me not ; for , brother , if thou didst ,
+Thy tears would wash this cold congealed blood
+That glues my lips and will not let me speak .
+Come quickly , Montague , or I am dead .
+
+Ah ! Warwick , Montague hath breath'd his last ;
+And to the latest gasp , cried out for Warwick ,
+And said , 'Commend me to my valiant brother .'
+And more he would have said ; and more he spoke ,
+Which sounded like a clamour in a vault ,
+That mought not be distinguish'd : but at last
+I well might hear , deliver'd with a groan ,
+'O ! farewell , Warwick !'
+
+Sweet rest his soul ! Fly , lords , and save yourselves ;
+For Warwick bids you all farewell , to meet in heaven .
+
+
+Away , away , to meet the queen's great power .
+
+
+Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course ,
+And we are grac'd with wreaths of victory .
+But in the midst of this bright-shining day ,
+I spy a black , suspicious , threat'ning cloud ,
+That will encounter with our glorious sun ,
+Ere he attain his easeful western bed :
+I mean , my lords , those powers that the queen
+Hath rais'd in Gallia , have arriv'd our coast ,
+And , as we hear , march on to fight with us .
+
+A little gale will soon disperse that cloud ,
+And blow it to the source from whence it came :
+Thy very beams will dry those vapours up ,
+For every cloud engenders not a storm .
+
+The queen is valu'd thirty thousand strong ,
+And Somerset , with Oxford , fled to her :
+If she have time to breathe , be well assur'd
+Her faction will be full as strong as ours .
+
+We are advertis'd by our loving friends
+That they do hold their course toward Tewksbury .
+We , having now the best at Barnet field ,
+Will thither straight , for willingness rids way ;
+And , as we march , our strength will be augmented
+In every county as we go along .
+Strike up the drum ! cry 'Courage !' and away .
+
+
+Great lords , wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss ,
+But cheerly seek how to redress their harms .
+What though the mast be now blown over-board ,
+The cable broke , the holding anchor lost ,
+And half our sailors swallow'd in the flood ?
+Yet lives our pilot still : is't meet that he
+Should leave the helm and like a fearful lad
+With tearful eyes add water to the sea ,
+And give more strength to that which hath too much ;
+Whiles in his moan the ship splits on the rock ,
+Which industry and courage might have sav'd ?
+Ah ! what a shame ! ah , what a fault were this .
+Say , Warwick was our anchor ; what of that ?
+And Montague our top-mast ; what of him ?
+Our slaughter'd friends the tackles ; what of these ?
+Why , is not Oxford here another anchor ?
+And Somerset , another goodly mast ?
+The friends of France our shrouds and tacklings ?
+And , though unskilful , why not Ned and I
+For once allow'd the skilful pilot's charge ?
+We will not from the helm , to sit and weep ,
+But keep our course , though the rough wind say no ,
+From shelves and rocks that threaten us with wrack .
+As good to chide the waves as speak them fair .
+And what is Edward but a ruthless sea ?
+What Clarence but a quicksand of deceit ?
+And Richard but a ragged fatal rock ?
+All those the enemies to our poor bark .
+Say you can swim ; alas ! 'tis but a while :
+Tread on the sand ; why , there you quickly sink :
+Bestride the rock ; the tide will wash you off ,
+Or else you famish ; that's a threefold death .
+This speak I , lords , to let you understand ,
+In case some one of you would fly from us ,
+That there's no hop'd-for mercy with the brothers
+More than with ruthless waves , with sands and rocks .
+Why , courage , then ! what cannot be avoided
+'Twere childish weakness to lament or fear .
+
+Methinks a woman of this valiant spirit
+Should , if a coward heard her speak these words ,
+Infuse his breast with magnanimity ,
+And make him , naked , foil a man at arms .
+I speak not this , as doubting any here ;
+For did I but suspect a fearful man ,
+He should have leave to go away betimes ,
+Lest in our need he might infect another ,
+And make him of like spirit to himself .
+If any such be here , as God forbid !
+Let him depart before we need his help .
+
+Women and children of so high a courage ,
+And warriors faint ! why , 'twere perpetual shame .
+O brave young prince ! thy famous grandfather
+Doth live again in thee : long mayst thou live
+To bear his image and renew his glories !
+
+And he , that will not fight for such a hope ,
+Go home to bed , and , like the owl by day ,
+If he arise , be mock'd and wonder'd at .
+
+Thanks , gentle Somerset : sweet Oxford , thanks .
+
+And take his thanks that yet hath nothing else .
+
+
+Prepare you , lords , for Edward is at hand ,
+Ready to fight ; therefore be resolute .
+
+I thought no less : it is his policy
+To haste thus fast , to find us unprovided .
+
+But he's deceiv'd ; we are in readiness .
+
+This cheers my heart to see your forwardness .
+
+Here pitch our battle ; hence we will not budge .
+
+
+Brave followers , yonder stands the thorny wood ,
+Which , by the heavens' assistance , and your strength ,
+Must by the roots be hewn up yet ere night .
+I need not add more fuel to your fire ,
+For well I wot ye blaze to burn them out :
+Give signal to the fight , and to it , lords .
+
+Lords , knights , and gentlemen , what I should say
+My tears gainsay ; for every word I speak ,
+Ye see , I drink the water of mine eyes .
+Therefore , no more but this : Henry , your sovereign ,
+Is prisoner to the foe ; his state usurp'd ,
+His realm a slaughter house , his subjects slain ,
+His statutes cancell'd , and his treasure spent ;
+And yonder is the wolf that makes this spoil .
+You fight in justice : then , in God's name , lords ,
+Be valiant , and give signal to the fight .
+
+
+Now , here a period of tumultuous broils .
+Away with Oxford to Hames Castle straight :
+For Somerset , off with his guilty head .
+Go , bear them hence ; I will not hear them speak .
+
+For my part , I'll not trouble thee with words .
+
+Nor I , but stoop with patience to my fortune .
+
+
+So part we sadly in this troublous world ,
+To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem .
+
+Is proclamation made , that who finds Edward
+Shall have a high reward , and he his life ?
+
+It is : and lo , where youthful Edward comes .
+
+
+Bring forth the gallant : let us hear him speak .
+What ! can so young a thorn begin to prick ?
+Edward , what satisfaction canst thou make ,
+For bearing arms , for stirring up my subjects ,
+And all the trouble thou hast turn'd me to ?
+
+Speak like a subject , proud ambitious York !
+Suppose that I am now my father's mouth :
+Resign thy chair , and where I stand kneel thou ,
+Whilst I propose the self-same words to thee ,
+Which , traitor , thou wouldst have me answer to .
+
+Ah ! that thy father had been so resolv'd .
+
+That you might still have worn the petticoat ,
+And ne'er have stol'n the breech from Lancaster .
+
+Let sop fable in a winter's night ;
+His currish riddles sort not with this place .
+
+By heaven , brat , I'll plague you for that word .
+
+Ay , thou wast born to be a plague to men .
+
+For God's sake , take away this captive scold .
+
+Nay , take away this scolding crookback rather .
+
+Peace , wilful boy , or I will charm your tongue .
+
+Untutor'd lad , thou art too malapert .
+
+I know my duty ; you are all undutiful :
+Lascivious Edward , and thou perjur'd George ,
+And thou mis-shapen Dick , I tell ye all ,
+I am your better , traitors as ye are ;
+And thou usurp'st my father's right and mine .
+
+Take that , the likeness of this railer here .
+
+
+Sprawl'st thou ? take that , to end thy agony .
+
+
+And there's for twitting me with perjury .
+
+
+O , kill me too !
+
+Marry , and shall .
+
+
+Hold , Richard , hold ! for we have done too much .
+
+Why should she live , to fill the world with words ?
+
+What ! doth she swoon ? use means for her recovery .
+
+Clarence , excuse me to the king , my brother ;
+I'll hence to London on a serious matter :
+Ere ye come there , be sure to hear some news .
+
+What ? what ?
+
+The Tower ! the Tower !
+
+
+O Ned , sweet Ned ! speak to thy mother , boy !
+Canst thou not speak ? O traitors ! murderers !
+They that stabb'd C sar shed no blood at all ,
+Did not offend , nor were not worthy blame ,
+If this foul deed were by , to equal it :
+He was a man ; this , in respect , a child ;
+And men ne'er spend their fury on a child .
+What's worse than murderer , that I may name it ?
+No , no , my heart will burst , an if I speak :
+And I will speak , that so my heart may burst .
+Butchers and villains ! bloody cannibals !
+How sweet a plant have you untimely cropp'd !
+You have no children , butchers ! if you had ,
+The thought of them would have stirr'd up remorse :
+But if you ever chance to have a child ,
+Look in his youth to have him so cut off
+As , deathsmen , you have rid this sweet young prince !
+
+Away with her ! go , bear her hence perforce .
+
+Nay , never bear me hence , dispatch me here :
+Here sheathe thy sword , I'll pardon thee my death .
+What ! wilt thou not ? then , Clarence , do it thou .
+
+By heaven , I will not do thee so much ease .
+
+Good Clarence , do ; sweet Clarence , do thou do it .
+
+Didst thou not hear me swear I would not do it ?
+
+Ay , but thou usest to forswear thyself :
+'Twas sin before , but now 'tis charity .
+What ! wilt thou not ? Where is that devil's butcher ,
+Hard-favour'd Richard ? Richard , where art thou ?
+Thou art not here : murder is thy alms-deed ;
+Petitioners for blood thou ne'er put'st back .
+
+Away , I say ! I charge ye , bear her hence .
+
+So come to you and yours , as to this prince !
+
+
+Where's Richard gone ?
+
+To London , all in post ; and , as I guess ,
+To make a bloody supper in the Tower .
+
+He's sudden if a thing comes in his head .
+Now march we hence : discharge the common sort
+With pay and thanks , and let's away to London
+And see our gentle queen how well she fares ;
+By this , I hope , she hath a son for me .
+
+Good day , my lord . What ! at your book so hard ?
+
+Ay , my good lord :my lord , I should say rather ;
+'Tis sin to flatter , 'good' was little better :
+'Good Gloucester' and 'good devil' were alike ,
+And both preposterous ; therefore , not 'good lord .'
+
+Sirrah , leave us to ourselves : we must confer .
+
+
+So flies the reckless shepherd from the wolf ;
+So first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece ,
+And next his throat unto the butcher's knife .
+What scene of death hath Roscius now to act ?
+
+Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind ;
+The thief doth fear each bush an officer .
+
+The bird that hath been limed in a bush ,
+With trembling wings misdoubteth every bush ;
+And I , the hapless male to one sweet bird ,
+Have now the fatal object in my eye
+Where my poor young was lim'd , was caught , and kill'd .
+
+Why , what a peevish fool was that of Crete ,
+That taught his son the office of a fowl !
+And yet , for all his wings , the fool was drown'd .
+
+I , D dalus ; my poor boy , Icarus ;
+Thy father , Minos , that denied our course ;
+The sun , that sear'd the wings of my sweet boy ,
+Thy brother Edward , and thyself the sea ,
+Whose envious gulf did swallow up his life .
+Ah ! kill me with thy weapon , not with words .
+My breast can better brook thy dagger's point
+Than can my ears that tragic history .
+But wherefore dost thou come ? is't for my life ?
+
+Think'st thou I am an executioner ?
+
+A persecutor , I am sure , thou art :
+If murd'ring innocents be executing ,
+Why , then thou art an executioner .
+
+Thy son I kill'd for his presumption .
+
+Hadst thou been kill'd , when first thou didst presume ,
+Thou hadst not liv'd to kill a son of mine .
+And thus I prophesy : that many a thousand ,
+Which now mistrust no parcel of my fear ,
+And many an old man's sigh , and many a widow's ,
+And many an orphan's water-standing eye ,
+Men for their sons' , wives for their husbands' ,
+And orphans for their parents' timeless death ,
+Shall rue the hour that ever thou wast born .
+The owl shriek'd at thy birth , an evil sign ;
+The night-crow cried , aboding luckless time ;
+Dogs howl'd , and hideous tempest shook down trees !
+The raven rook'd her on the chimney's top ,
+And chattering pies in dismal discords sung .
+Thy mother felt more than a mother's pain ,
+And yet brought forth less than a mother's hope ;
+To wit an indigest deformed lump ,
+Not like the fruit of such a goodly tree .
+Teeth hadst thou in thy head when thou wast born ,
+To signify thou cam'st to bite the world :
+And , if the rest be true which I have heard ,
+Thou cam'st
+
+I'll hear no more : die , prophet , in thy speech :
+
+For this , amongst the rest , was I ordain'd .
+
+Ay , and for much more slaughter after this .
+O , God forgive my sins , and pardon thee !
+
+
+What ! will the aspiring blood of Lancaster
+Sink in the ground ? I thought it would have mounted .
+See how my sword weeps for the poor king's death !
+O ! may such purple tears be always shed
+From those that wish the downfall of our house .
+If any spark of life be yet remaining ,
+Down , down to hell ; and say I sent thee thither ,
+
+I , that have neither pity , love , nor fear .
+Indeed , 'tis true , that Henry told me of ;
+For I have often heard my mother say
+I came into the world with my legs forward .
+Had I not reason , think ye , to make haste ,
+And seek their ruin that usurp'd our right ?
+The midwife wonder'd , and the women cried
+'O ! Jesus bless us , he is born with teeth .'
+And so I was ; which plainly signified
+That I should snarl and bite and play the dog .
+Then , since the heavens have shap'd my body so ,
+Let hell make crook'd my mind to answer it .
+I have no brother , I am like no brother ;
+And this word 'love ,' which greybeards call divine ,
+Be resident in men like one another
+And not in me : I am myself alone .
+Clarence , beware ; thou keep'st me from the light :
+But I will sort a pitchy day for thee ;
+For I will buzz abroad such prophecies
+That Edward shall be fearful of his life ;
+And then , to purge his fear , I'll be thy death .
+King Henry and the prince his son are gone :
+Clarence , thy turn is next , and then the rest ,
+Counting myself but bad till I be best .
+I'll throw thy body in another room ,
+And triumph , Henry , in thy day of doom .
+
+Once more we sit in England's royal throne ,
+Re-purchas'd with the blood of enemies .
+What valiant foemen like to autumn's corn ,
+Have we mow'd down , in tops of all their pride !
+Three Dukes of Somerset , threefold renown'd
+For hardy and undoubted champions ;
+Two Cliffords , as the father and the son ;
+And two Northumberlands : two braver men
+Ne'er spurr'd their coursers at the trumpet's sound ;
+With them , the two brave bears , Warwick and Montague ,
+That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion ,
+And made the forest tremble when they roar'd .
+Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat ,
+And made our footstool of security .
+Come hither , Bess , and let me kiss my boy .
+Young Ned , for thee thine uncles and myself
+Have in our armours watch'd the winter's night ;
+Went all a-foot in summer's scalding heat ,
+That thou might'st repossess the crown in peace ;
+And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain .
+
+I'll blast his harvest , if your head were laid ;
+For yet I am not look'd on in the world .
+This shoulder was ordain'd so thick to heave ;
+And heave it shall some weight , or break my back :
+Work thou the way , and thou shalt execute .
+
+Clarence and Gloucester , love my lovely queen ;
+And kiss your princely nephew , brothers both .
+
+The duty , that I owe unto your majesty ,
+I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe .
+
+Thanks , noble Clarence ; worthy brother , thanks .
+
+And , that I love the tree from whence thou sprang'st ,
+Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit .
+
+
+To say the truth , so Judas kiss'd his master ,
+And cried 'all hail !' when as he meant all harm .
+
+Now am I seated as my soul delights ,
+Having my country's peace and brothers' loves .
+
+What will your Grace have done with Margaret ?
+Reignier , her father , to the King of France
+Hath pawn'd the Sicils and Jerusalem ,
+And hither have they sent it for her ransom .
+
+Away with her , and waft her hence to France .
+And now what rests but that we spend the time
+With stately triumphs , mirthful comic shows ,
+Such as befit the pleasure of the court ?
+Sound , drums and trumpets ! farewell , sour annoy !
+For here , I hope , begins our lasting joy .
+
+THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD II
+
+Old John of Gaunt , time-honour'd Lancaster ,
+Hast thou , according to thy oath and band ,
+Brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold son ,
+Here to make good the boisterous late appeal ,
+Which then our leisure would not let us hear ,
+Against the Duke of Norfolk , Thomas Mowbray ?
+
+I have , my liege .
+
+Tell me , moreover , hast thou sounded him ,
+If he appeal the duke on ancient malice ,
+Or worthily , as a good subject should ,
+On some known ground of treachery in him ?
+
+As near as I could sift him on that argument ,
+On some apparent danger seen in him
+Aim'd at your highness , no inveterate malice .
+
+Then call them to our presence : face to face ,
+And frowning brow to brow , ourselves will hear
+The accuser and the accused freely speak :
+
+High-stomach'd are they both , and full of ire ,
+In rage deaf as the sea , hasty as fire .
+
+
+Many years of happy days befall
+My gracious sovereign , my most loving liege !
+
+Each day still better other's happiness ;
+Until the heavens , envying earth's good hap ,
+Add an immortal title to your crown !
+
+We thank you both : yet one but flatters us ,
+As well appeareth by the cause you come ;
+Namely , to appeal each other of high treason .
+Cousin of Hereford , what dost thou object
+Against the Duke of Norfolk , Thomas Mowbray ?
+
+First ,heaven be the record to my speech !
+In the devotion of a subject's love ,
+Tendering the precious safety of my prince ,
+And free from other misbegotten hate ,
+Come I appellant to this princely presence .
+Now , Thomas Mowbray , do I turn to thee ,
+And mark my greeting well ; for what I speak
+My body shall make good upon this earth ,
+Or my divine soul answer it in heaven .
+Thou art a traitor and a miscreant ;
+Too good to be so and too bad to live ,
+Since the more fair and crystal is the sky ,
+The uglier seem the clouds that in it fly .
+Once more , the more to aggravate the note ,
+With a foul traitor's name stuff I thy throat ;
+And wish , so please my sovereign , ere I move ,
+What my tongue speaks , my right drawn sword may prove .
+
+Let not my cold words here accuse my zeal :
+'Tis not the trial of a woman's war ,
+The bitter clamour of two eager tongues ,
+Can arbitrate this cause betwixt us twain ;
+The blood is hot that must be cool'd for this :
+Yet can I not of such tame patience boast
+As to be hush'd and nought at all to say .
+First , the fair reverence of your highness curbs me
+From giving reins and spurs to my free speech ;
+Which else would post until it had return'd
+These terms of treason doubled down his throat .
+Setting aside his high blood's royalty ,
+And let him be no kinsman to my liege ,
+I do defy him , and I spit at him ;
+Call him a slanderous coward and a villain :
+Which to maintain I would allow him odds ,
+And meet him , were I tied to run afoot
+Even to the frozen ridges of the Alps ,
+Or any other ground inhabitable ,
+Wherever Englishman durst set his foot .
+Meantime let this defend my loyalty :
+By all my hopes , most falsely doth he lie .
+
+Pale trembling coward , there I throw my gage ,
+Disclaiming here the kindred of the king ;
+And lay aside my high blood's royalty ,
+Which fear , not reverence , makes thee to except :
+If guilty dread have left thee so much strength
+As to take up mine honour's pawn , then stoop :
+By that , and all the rites of knighthood else ,
+Will I make good against thee , arm to arm ,
+What I have spoke , or thou canst worse devise .
+
+I take it up ; and by that sword I swear ,
+Which gently laid my knighthood on my shoulder ,
+I'll answer thee in any fair degree ,
+Or chivalrous design of knightly trial :
+And when I mount , alive may I not light ,
+If I be traitor or unjustly fight !
+
+What doth our cousin lay to Mowbray's charge ?
+It must be great that can inherit us
+So much as of a thought of ill in him .
+
+Look , what I speak , my life shall prove it true ;
+That Mowbray hath receiv'd eight thousand nobles
+In name of lendings for your highness' soldiers ,
+The which he hath detain'd for lewd employments ,
+Like a false traitor and injurious villain .
+Besides I say and will in battle prove ,
+Or here or elsewhere to the furthest verge
+That ever was survey'd by English eye ,
+That all the treasons for these eighteen years
+Complotted and contrived in this land ,
+Fetch from false Mowbray their first head and spring .
+Further I say and further will maintain
+Upon his bad life to make all this good ,
+That he did plot the Duke of Gloucester's death ,
+Suggest his soon believing adversaries ,
+And consequently , like a traitor coward ,
+Sluic'd out his innocent soul through streams of blood :
+Which blood , like sacrificing Abel's , cries ,
+Even from the tongueless caverns of the earth ,
+To me for justice and rough chastisement ;
+And , by the glorious worth of my descent ,
+This arm shall do it , or this life be spent .
+
+How high a pitch his resolution soars !
+Thomas of Norfolk , what sayst thou to this ?
+
+O ! let my sovereign turn away his face
+And bid his ears a little while be deaf ,
+Till I have told this slander of his blood
+How God and good men hate so foul a liar .
+
+Mowbray , impartial are our eyes and ears :
+Were he my brother , nay , my kingdom's heir ,
+As he is but my father's brother's son ,
+Now , by my sceptre's awe I make a vow ,
+Such neighbour nearness to our sacred blood
+Should nothing privilege him , nor partialize
+The unstooping firmness of my upright soul .
+He is our subject , Mowbray ; so art thou :
+Free speech and fearless I to thee allow .
+
+Then , Bolingbroke , as low as to thy heart ,
+Through the false passage of thy throat , thou liest .
+Three parts of that receipt I had for Calais
+Disburs'd I duly to his highness' soldiers ;
+The other part reserv'd I by consent ,
+For that my sovereign liege was in my debt
+Upon remainder of a dear account ,
+Since last I went to France to fetch his queen .
+Now swallow down that lie . For Gloucester's death ,
+I slew him not ; but to mine own disgrace
+Neglected my sworn duty in that case .
+For you , my noble Lord of Lancaster ,
+The honourable father to my foe ,
+Once did I lay an ambush for your life ,
+A trespass that doth vex my grieved soul ;
+But ere I last receiv'd the sacrament
+I did confess it , and exactly begg'd
+Your Grace's pardon , and I hope I had it .
+This is my fault : as for the rest appeal'd ,
+It issues from the rancour of a villain ,
+A recreant and most degenerate traitor ;
+Which in myself I boldly will defend ,
+And interchangeably hurl down my gage
+Upon this overweening traitor's foot ,
+To prove myself a loyal gentleman
+Even in the best blood chamber'd in his bosom .
+In haste whereof , most heartily I pray
+Your highness to assign our trial day .
+
+Wrath-kindled gentlemen , be rul'd by me ;
+Let's purge this choler without letting blood :
+This we prescribe , though no physician ;
+Deep malice makes too deep incision :
+Forget , forgive ; conclude and be agreed ,
+Our doctors say this is no month to bleed .
+Good uncle , let this end where it begun ;
+We'll calm the Duke of Norfolk , you your son .
+
+To be a make-peace shall become my age :
+Throw down , my son , the Duke of Norfolk's gage .
+
+And , Norfolk , throw down his .
+
+When , Harry , when ?
+Obedience bids I should not bid again .
+
+Norfolk , throw down , we bid ; there is no boot .
+
+Myself I throw , dread sovereign , at thy foot .
+My life thou shalt command , but not my shame :
+The one my duty owes ; but my fair name ,
+Despite of death that lives upon my grave ,
+To dark dishonour's use thou shalt not have .
+I am disgrac'd , impeach'd , and baffled here ,
+Pierc'd to the soul with slander's venom'd spear ,
+The which no balm can cure but his heart-blood
+Which breath'd this poison .
+
+Rage must be withstood :
+Give me his gage : lions make leopards tame .
+
+Yea , but not change his spots : take but my shame ,
+And I resign my gage . My dear dear lord ,
+The purest treasure mortal times afford
+Is spotless reputation ; that away ,
+Men are but gilded loam or painted clay .
+A jewel in a ten-times-barr'd-up chest
+Is a bold spirit in a loyal breast .
+Mine honour is my life ; both grow in one ;
+Take honour from me , and my life is done :
+Then , dear my liege , mine honour let me try ;
+In that I live and for that will I die .
+
+Cousin , throw down your gage : do you begin .
+
+O ! God defend my soul from such deep sin .
+Shall I seem crest fall'n in my father's sight ,
+Or with pale beggar-fear impeach my height
+Before this out-dar'd dastard ? Ere my tongue
+Shall wound mine honour with such feeble wrong ,
+Or sound so base a parle , my teeth shall tear
+The slavish motive of recanting fear ,
+And spit it bleeding in his high disgrace ,
+Where shame doth harbour , even in Mowbray's face .
+
+
+We were not born to sue , but to command :
+Which since we cannot do to make you friends ,
+Be ready , as your lives shall answer it ,
+At Coventry , upon Saint Lambert's day :
+There shall your swords and lances arbitrate
+The swelling difference of your settled hate :
+Since we cannot atone you , we shall see
+Justice design the victor's chivalry .
+Marshal , command our officers-at-arms
+Be ready to direct these home alarms .
+
+
+Alas ! the part I had in Woodstock's blood
+Doth more solicit me than your exclaims ,
+To stir against the butchers of his life .
+But since correction lieth in those hands
+Which made the fault that we cannot correct ,
+Put we our quarrel to the will of heaven ;
+Who , when they see the hours ripe on earth ,
+Will rain hot vengeance on offenders' heads .
+
+Finds brotherhood in thee no sharper spur ?
+Hath love in thy old blood no living fire ?
+Edward's seven sons , whereof thyself art one ,
+Were as seven vials of his sacred blood ,
+Or seven fair branches springing from one root :
+Some of those seven are dried by nature's course ,
+Some of those branches by the Destinies cut ;
+But Thomas , my dear lord , my life , my Gloucester ,
+One vial full of Edward's sacred blood ,
+One flourishing branch of his most royal root ,
+Is crack'd , and all the precious liquor spilt ;
+Is hack'd down , and his summer leaves all vaded ,
+By envy's hand and murder's bloody axe .
+Ah , Gaunt ! his blood was thine : that bed , that womb ,
+That metal , that self-mould , that fashion'd thee
+Made him a man ; and though thou liv'st and breath'st ,
+Yet art thou slain in him : thou dost consent
+In some large measure to thy father's death
+In that thou seest thy wretched brother die ,
+Who was the model of thy father's life .
+Call it not patience , Gaunt ; it is despair :
+In suffering thus thy brother to be slaughter'd
+Thou show'st the naked pathway to thy life ,
+Teaching stern murder how to butcher thee :
+That which in mean men we entitle patience
+Is pale cold cowardice in noble breasts .
+What shall I say ? to safeguard thine own life ,
+The best way is to venge my Gloucester's death .
+
+God's is the quarrel ; for God's substitute ,
+His deputy anointed in his sight ,
+Hath caus'd his death ; the which if wrongfully ,
+Let heaven revenge , for I may never lift
+An angry arm against his minister .
+
+Where then , alas ! may I complain myself ?
+
+To God , the widow's champion and defence .
+
+Why then , I will . Farewell , old Gaunt .
+Thou go'st to Coventry , there to behold
+Our cousin Hereford and fell Mowbray fight :
+O ! sit my husband's wrongs on Hereford's spear ,
+That it may enter butcher Mowbray's breast .
+Or if misfortune miss the first career ,
+Be Mowbray's sins so heavy in his bosom
+That they may break his foaming courser's back ,
+And throw the rider headlong in the lists ,
+A caitiff recreant to my cousin Hereford !
+Farewell , old Gaunt : thy sometimes brother's wife
+With her companion grief must end her life .
+
+Sister , farewell ; I must to Coventry .
+As much good stay with thee as go with me !
+
+Yet one word more . Grief boundeth where it falls ,
+Not with the empty hollowness , but weight :
+I take my leave before I have begun ,
+For sorrow ends not when it seemeth done .
+Commend me to my brother , Edmund York .
+Lo ! this is all : nay , yet depart not so ;
+Though this be all , do not so quickly go ;
+I shall remember more . Bid him ah , what ?
+With all good speed at Plashy visit me .
+Alack ! and what shall good old York there see
+But empty lodgings and unfurnish'd walls ,
+Unpeopled offices , untrodden stones ?
+And what hear there for welcome but my groans ?
+Therefore commend me ; let him not come there ,
+To seek out sorrow that dwells every where .
+Desolate , desolate will I hence , and die :
+The last leave of thee takes my weeping eye .
+
+
+My Lord Aumerle , is Harry Hereford arm'd ?
+
+Yea , at all points , and longs to enter in .
+
+The Duke of Norfolk , sprightfully and bold ,
+Stays but the summons of the appellant's trumpet .
+
+Why then , the champions are prepar'd , and stay
+For nothing but his majesty's approach .
+
+
+Marshal , demand of yonder champion
+The cause of his arrival here in arms :
+Ask him his name , and orderly proceed
+To swear him in the justice of his cause .
+
+In God's name , and the king's , say who thou art ,
+And why thou com'st thus knightly clad in arms ,
+Against what man thou com'st , and what thy quarrel .
+Speak truly , on thy knighthood and thine oath :
+As so defend thee heaven and thy valour !
+
+My name is Thomas Mowbray , Duke of Norfolk ,
+Who hither come engaged by my oath ,
+Which God defend a knight should violate !
+Both to defend my loyalty and truth
+To God , my king , and his succeeding issue ,
+Against the Duke of Hereford that appeals me ;
+And , by the grace of God and this mine arm ,
+To prove him , in defending of myself ,
+A traitor to my God , my king , and me :
+And as I truly fight , defend me heaven !
+
+Marshal , ask yonder knight in arms ,
+Both who he is and why he cometh hither
+Thus plated in habiliments of war ;
+And formally , according to our law ,
+Depose him in the justice of his cause .
+
+What is thy name ? and wherefore com'st thou hither ,
+Before King Richard in his royal lists ?
+Against whom comest thou ? and what's thy quarrel ?
+Speak like a true knight , so defend thee heaven !
+
+Harry of Hereford , Lancaster , and Derby ,
+Am I ; who ready here do stand in arms ,
+To prove by God's grace and my body's valour ,
+In lists , on Thomas Mowbray , Duke of Norfolk ,
+That he's a traitor foul and dangerous ,
+To God of heaven , King Richard , and to me :
+And as I truly fight , defend me heaven !
+
+On pain of death , no person be so bold
+Or daring-hardy as to touch the lists ,
+Except the marshal and such officers
+Appointed to direct these fair designs .
+
+Lord marshal , let me kiss my sovereign's hand ,
+And bow my knee before his majesty :
+For Mowbray and myself are like two men
+That vow a long and weary pilgrimage ;
+Then let us take a ceremonious leave
+And loving farewell of our several friends .
+
+The appellant in all duty greets your highness ,
+And craves to kiss your hand and take his leave .
+
+We will descend and fold him in our arms .
+Cousin of Hereford , as thy cause is right ,
+So be thy fortune in this royal fight !
+Farewell , my blood ; which if to-day thou shed ,
+Lament we may , but not revenge thee dead .
+
+O ! let no noble eye profane a tear
+For me , if I be gor'd with Mowbray's spear .
+As confident as is the falcon's flight
+Against a bird , do I with Mowbray fight .
+My loving lord , I take my leave of you ;
+Of you , my noble cousin , Lord Aumerle ;
+Not sick , although I have to do with death ,
+But lusty , young , and cheerly drawing breath .
+Lo ! as at English feasts , so I regreet
+The daintiest last , to make the end most sweet :
+O thou , the earthly author of my blood ,
+Whose youthful spirit , in me regenerate ,
+Doth with a two-fold vigour lift me up
+To reach at victory above my head ,
+Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers ,
+And with thy blessings steel my lance's point ,
+That it may enter Mowbray's waxen coat ,
+And furbish new the name of John a Gaunt ,
+Even in the lusty haviour of his son .
+
+God in thy good cause make thee prosperous !
+Be swift like lightning in the execution ;
+And let thy blows , doubly redoubled ,
+Fall like amazing thunder on the casque
+Of thy adverse pernicious enemy :
+Rouse up thy youthful blood , be valiant and live .
+
+Mine innocency and Saint George to thrive !
+
+
+However God or fortune cast my lot ,
+There lives or dies , true to King Richard's throne ,
+A loyal , just , and upright gentleman .
+Never did captive with a freer heart
+Cast off his chains of bondage and embrace
+His golden uncontroll'd enfranchisement ,
+More than my dancing soul doth celebrate
+This feast of battle with mine adversary .
+Most mighty liege , and my companion peers ,
+Take from my mouth the wish of happy years .
+As gentle and as jocund as to jest ,
+Go I to fight : truth has a quiet breast .
+
+Farewell , my lord : securely I espy
+Virtue with valour couched in thine eye .
+Order the trial , marshal , and begin .
+
+
+Harry of Hereford , Lancaster , and Derby ,
+Receive thy lance ; and God defend the right !
+
+Strong as a tower in hope , I cry 'amen .'
+
+Go bear this lance to Thomas , Duke of Norfolk .
+
+Harry of Hereford , Lancaster , and Derby ,
+Stands here for God , his sovereign , and himself ,
+On pain to be found false and recreant ,
+To prove the Duke of Norfolk , Thomas Mowbray ,
+A traitor to his God , his king , and him ;
+And dares him to set forward to the fight .
+
+Here standeth Thomas Mowbray , Duke of Norfolk ,
+On pain to be found false and recreant ,
+Both to defend himself and to approve
+Henry of Hereford , Lancaster , and Derby ,
+To God , his sovereign , and to him , disloyal ;
+Courageously and with a free desire ,
+Attending but the signal to begin .
+
+Sound , trumpets ; and set forward , combatants .
+
+Stay , stay , the king hath thrown his warderdown .
+
+Let them lay by their helmets and their spears ,
+And both return back to their chairs again :
+Withdraw with us ; and let the trumpets sound
+While we return these dukes what we decree .
+
+Draw near ,
+And list what with our council we have done .
+For that our kingdom's earth should not be soil'd
+With that dear blood which it hath fostered ;
+And for our eyes do hate the dire aspect
+Of civil wounds plough'd up with neighbours' swords ;
+And for we think the eagle-winged pride
+Of sky-aspiring and ambitious thoughts ,
+With rival-hating envy , set on you
+To wake our peace , which in our country's cradle
+Draws the sweet infant breath of gentle sleep ;
+Which so rous'd up with boist'rous untun'd drums ,
+With harsh-resounding trumpets' dreadful bray ,
+And grating shock of wrathful iron arms ,
+Might from our quiet confines fright fair peace
+And make us wade even in our kindred's blood :
+Therefore , we banish you our territories :
+You , cousin Hereford , upon pain of life ,
+Till twice five summers have enrich'd our fields ,
+Shall not regreet our fair dominions ,
+But tread the stranger paths of banishment .
+
+Your will be done : this must my comfort be ,
+That sun that warms you here shall shine on me ;
+And those his golden beams to you here lent
+Shall point on me and gild my banishment .
+
+Norfolk , for thee remains a heavier doom ,
+Which I with some unwillingness pronounce :
+The sly slow hours shall not determinate
+The dateless limit of thy dear exile ;
+The hopeless word of 'never to return'
+Breathe I against thee , upon pain of life .
+
+A heavy sentence , my most sovereign liege ,
+And all unlook'd for from your highness' mouth :
+A dearer merit , not so deep a maim
+As to be cast forth in the common air ,
+Have I deserved at your highness' hands .
+The language I have learn'd these forty years ,
+My native English , now I must forego ;
+And now my tongue's use is to me no more
+Than an unstringed viol or a harp ,
+Or like a cunning instrument cas'd up ,
+Or , being open , put into his hands
+That knows no touch to tune the harmony :
+Within my mouth you have engaol'd my tongue ,
+Doubly portcullis'd with my teeth and lips ;
+And dull , unfeeling , barren ignorance
+Is made my gaoler to attend on me .
+I am too old to fawn upon a nurse ,
+Too far in years to be a pupil now :
+What is thy sentence then but speechless death ,
+Which robs my tongue from breathing native breath ?
+
+It boots thee not to be compassionate :
+After our sentence plaining comes too late .
+
+Then , thus I turn me from my country's light ,
+To dwell in solemn shades of endless night .
+
+
+Return again , and take an oath with thee .
+Lay on our royal sword your banish'd hands ;
+Swear by the duty that you owe to God
+Our part therein we banish with yourselves
+To keep the oath that we administer .
+You never shall ,so help you truth and God !
+Embrace each other's love in banishment ;
+Nor never look upon each other's face ;
+Nor never write , regreet , nor reconcile
+This low'ring tempest of your home-bred hate ;
+Nor never by advised purpose meet
+To plot , contrive , or complot any ill
+'Gainst us , our state , our subjects , or our land .
+
+I swear .
+
+And I , to keep all this .
+
+Norfolk , so far , as to mine enemy :
+By this time , had the king permitted us ,
+One of our souls had wander'd in the air ,
+Banish'd this frail sepulchre of our flesh ,
+As now our flesh is banish'd from this land :
+Confess thy treasons ere thou fly the realm ;
+Since thou hast far to go , bear not along
+The clogging burden of a guilty soul .
+
+No , Bolingbroke : if ever I were traitor ,
+My name be blotted from the book of life ,
+And I from heaven banish'd as from hence !
+But what thou art , God , thou , and I do know ;
+And all too soon , I fear , the king shall rue .
+Farewell , my liege . Now no way can I stray ;
+Save back to England , all the world's my way .
+
+
+Uncle , even in the glasses of thine eyes
+I see thy grieved heart : thy sad aspect
+Hath from the number of his banish'd years
+Pluck'd four away .
+
+Six frozen winters spent ,
+Return with welcome home from banishment .
+
+How long a time lies in one little word !
+Four lagging winters and four wanton springs
+End in a word : such is the breath of kings .
+
+I thank my liege , that in regard of me
+He shortens four years of my son's exile ;
+But little vantage shall I reap thereby :
+For , ere the six years that he hath to spend
+Can change their moons and bring their times about ,
+My oil-dried lamp and time-bewasted light
+Shall be extinct with age and endless night ;
+My inch of taper will be burnt and done ,
+And blindfold death not let me see my son .
+
+Why , uncle , thou hast many years to live .
+
+But not a minute , king , that thou canst give :
+Shorten my days thou canst with sullen sorrow ,
+And pluck nights from me , but not lend a morrow ;
+Thou canst help time to furrow me with age .
+But stop no wrinkle in his pilgrimage ;
+Thy word is current with him for my death ,
+But dead , thy kingdom cannot buy my breath .
+
+Thy son is banish'd upon good advice ,
+Whereto thy tongue a party-verdict gave :
+Why at our justice seem'st thou then to lower ?
+
+Things sweet to taste prove in digestion sour .
+You urg'd me as a judge ; but I had rather
+You would have bid me argue like a father .
+O ! had it been a stranger , not my child ,
+To smooth his fault I should have been more mild :
+A partial slander sought I to avoid ,
+And in the sentence my own life destroy'd .
+Alas ! I look'd when some of you should say ,
+I was too strict to make mine own away ;
+But you gave leave to my unwilling tongue
+Against my will to do myself this wrong .
+
+Cousin , farewell ; and , uncle , bid him so :
+Six years we banish him , and he shall go .
+
+
+Cousin , farewell : what presence must not know ,
+From where you do remain let paper show .
+
+My lord , no leave take I ; for I will ride ,
+As far as land will let me , by your side .
+
+O ! to what purpose dost thou hoard thy words ,
+That thou return'st no greeting to thy friends ?
+
+I have too few to take my leave of you ,
+When the tongue's office should be prodigal
+To breathe the abundant dolour of the heart .
+
+Thy grief is but thy absence for a time .
+
+Joy absent , grief is present for that time .
+
+What is six winters ? they are quickly gone .
+
+To men in joy ; but grief makes one hour ten .
+
+Call it a travel that thou tak'st for pleasure .
+
+My heart will sigh when I miscall it so ,
+Which finds it an inforced pilgrimage .
+
+The sullen passage of thy weary steps
+Esteem as foil wherein thou art to set
+The precious jewel of thy home return .
+
+Nay , rather , every tedious stride I make
+Will but remember me what a deal of world
+I wander from the jewels that I love .
+Must I not serve a long apprenticehood
+To foreign passages , and in the end ,
+Having my freedom , boast of nothing else
+But that I was a journeyman to grief ?
+
+All places that the eye of heaven visits
+Are to a wise man ports and happy havens .
+Teach thy necessity to reason thus ;
+There is no virtue like necessity .
+Think not the king did banish thee ,
+But thou the king . Woe doth the heavier sit ,
+Where it perceives it is but faintly borne .
+Go , say I sent thee forth to purchase honour ,
+And not the king exil'd thee ; or suppose
+Devouring pestilence hangs in our air ,
+And thou art flying to a fresher clime .
+Look , what thy soul holds dear , imagine it
+To lie that way thou go'st , not whence thou com'st .
+Suppose the singing birds musicians ,
+The grass whereon thou tread'st the presence strew'd ,
+The flowers fair ladies , and thy steps no more
+Than a delightful measure or a dance ;
+For gnarling sorrow hath less power to bite
+The man that mocks at it and sets it light .
+
+O ! who can hold a fire in his hand
+By thinking on the frosty Caucasus ?
+Or cloy the hungry edge of appetite
+By bare imagination of a feast ?
+Or wallow naked in December snow
+By thinking on fantastic summer's heat ?
+O , no ! the apprehension of the good
+Gives but the greater feeling to the worse :
+Fell sorrow's tooth doth never rankle more
+Than when it bites , but lanceth not the sore .
+
+Come , come , my son , I'll bring thee on thy way .
+Had I thy youth and cause , I would not stay .
+
+Then , England's ground , farewell ; sweet soil , adieu :
+My mother , and my nurse , that bears me yet !
+Where'er I wander , boast of this I can ,
+Though banish'd , yet a true-born Englishman .
+
+
+We did observe . Cousin Aumerle ,
+How far brought you high Hereford on his way ?
+
+I brought high Hereford , if you call him so ,
+But to the next highway , and there I left him .
+
+And say , what store of parting tears were shed ?
+
+Faith , none for me ; except the northeast wind ,
+Which then blew bitterly against our faces ,
+Awak'd the sleeping rheum , and so by chance
+Did grace our hollow parting with a tear .
+
+What said our cousin when you parted with him ?
+
+'Farewell :'
+And , for my heart disdained that my tongue
+Should so profane the word , that taught me craft
+To counterfeit oppression of such grief
+That words seem'd buried in my sorrow's grave .
+Marry , would the word 'farewell' have lengthen'd hours
+And added years to his short banishment ,
+He should have had a volume of farewells ;
+But , since it would not , he had none of me .
+
+He is our cousin , cousin ; but 'tis doubt ,
+When time shall call him home from banishment ,
+Whether our kinsman come to see his friends .
+Ourself and Bushy , Bagot here and Green
+Observ'd his courtship to the common people ,
+How he did seem to dive into their hearts
+With humble and familiar courtesy ,
+What reverence he did throw away on slaves ,
+Wooing poor craftsmen with the craft of smiles
+And patient underbearing of his fortune ,
+As 'twere to banish their affects with him .
+Off goes his bonnet to an oyster-wench ;
+A brace of draymen bid God speed him well ,
+And had the tribute of his supple knee ,
+With 'Thanks , my countrymen , my loving friends ;'
+As were our England in reversion his ,
+And he our subjects' next degree in hope .
+
+Well , he is gone ; and with him go these thoughts .
+Now for the rebels which stand out in Ireland ;
+Expedient manage must be made , my liege ,
+Ere further leisure yield them further means
+For their advantage and your highness' loss .
+
+We will ourself in person to this war .
+And , for our coffers with too great a court
+And liberal largess are grown somewhat light ,
+We are enforc'd to farm our royal realm ;
+The revenue whereof shall furnish us
+For our affairs in hand . If that come short ,
+Our substitutes at home shall have blank charters ;
+Whereto , when they shall know what men are rich ,
+They shall subscribe them for large sums of gold ,
+And send them after to supply our wants ;
+For we will make for Ireland presently .
+
+Bushy , what news ?
+
+Old John of Gaunt is grievous sick , my lord ,
+Suddenly taken , and hath sent post-haste
+To entreat your majesty to visit him .
+
+Where lies he ?
+
+At Ely House .
+
+Now , put it , God . in his physician's mind
+To help him to his grave immediately !
+The lining of his coffers shall make coats
+To deck our soldiers for these Irish wars .
+Come , gentlemen , let's all go visit him :
+Pray God we may make haste , and come too late .
+
+Amen .
+
+Will the king come , that I may breathe my last
+In wholesome counsel to his unstaid youth ?
+
+Vex not yourself , nor strive not with your breath ;
+For all in vain comes counsel to his ear .
+
+O ! but they say the tongues of dying men
+Enforce attention like deep harmony :
+Where words are scarce , they are seldom spent in vain ,
+For they breathe truth that breathe their words in pain .
+He that no more must say is listen'd more
+Than they whom youth and ease have taught to glose ;
+More are men's ends mark'd than their lives before :
+The setting sun , and music at the close ,
+As the last taste of sweets , is sweetest last ,
+Writ in remembrance more than things long past :
+Though Richard my life's counsel would not hear ,
+My death's sad tale may yet undeaf his ear .
+
+No ; it is stopp'd with other flattering sounds ,
+As praises of his state : then there are fond
+Lascivious metres , to whose venom sound
+The open ear of youth doth always listen :
+Report of fashions in proud Italy ,
+Whose manners still our tardy apish nation
+Limps after in base imitation .
+Where doth the world thrust forth a vanity ,
+So it be new there's no respect how vile ,
+That is not quickly buzz'd into his ears ?
+Then all too late comes counsel to be heard ,
+Where will doth mutiny with wit's regard .
+Direct not him whose way himself will choose :
+'Tis breath thou lack'st , and that breath wilt thou lose .
+
+Methinks I am a prophet new inspir'd ,
+And thus expiring do foretell of him :
+His rash fierce blaze of riot cannot last ,
+For violent fires soon burn out themselves ;
+Small showers last long , but sudden storms are short ;
+He tires betimes that spurs too fast betimes ;
+With eager feeding food doth choke the feeder :
+Light vanity , insatiate cormorant ,
+Consuming means , soon preys upon itself .
+This royal throne of kings , this scepter'd isle ,
+This earth of majesty , this seat of Mars ,
+This other Eden , demi-paradise ,
+This fortress built by Nature for herself
+Against infection and the hand of war ,
+This happy breed of men , this little world ,
+This precious stone set in the silver sea ,
+Which serves it in the office of a wall ,
+Or as a moat defensive to a house ,
+Against the envy of less happier lands ,
+This blessed plot , this earth , this realm , this England ,
+This nurse , this teeming womb of royal kings ,
+Fear'd by their breed and famous by their birth ,
+Renowned for their deeds as far from home ,
+For Christian service and true chivalry ,
+As is the sepulchre in stubborn Jewry
+Of the world's ransom , blessed Mary's Son :
+This land of such dear souls , this dear , dear land ,
+Dear for her reputation through the world ,
+Is now leas'd out ,I die pronouncing it ,
+Like to a tenement , or pelting farm :
+England , bound in with the triumphant sea ,
+Whose rocky shore beats back the envious siege
+Of watery Neptune , is now bound in with shame ,
+With inky blots , and rotten parchment bonds :
+That England , that was wont to conquer others ,
+Hath made a shameful conquest of itself .
+Ah ! would the scandal vanish with my life ,
+How happy then were my ensuing death .
+
+
+The king is come : deal mildly with his youth ;
+For young hot colts , being rag'd , do rage the more .
+
+How fares our noble uncle , Lancaster ?
+
+What comfort , man ? How is't with aged Gaunt ?
+
+O ! how that name befits my composition ;
+Old Gaunt indeed , and gaunt in being old :
+Within me grief hath kept a tedious fast ;
+And who abstains from meat that is not gaunt ?
+For sleeping England long time have I watch'd ;
+Watching breeds leanness , leanness is all gaunt .
+The pleasure that some fathers feed upon
+Is my strict fast , I mean my children's looks ;
+And therein fasting hast thou made me gaunt .
+Gaunt am I for the grave , gaunt as a grave ,
+Whose hollow womb inherits nought but bones .
+
+Can sick men play so nicely with their names ?
+
+No ; misery makes sport to mock itself :
+Since thou dost seek to kill my name in me ,
+I mock my name , great king , to flatter thee .
+
+Should dying men flatter with those that live ?
+
+No , no ; men living flatter those that die .
+
+Thou , now a-dying , sayst thou flatter'st me .
+
+O , no ! thou diest , though I the sicker be .
+
+I am in health , I breathe , and see thee ill .
+
+Now , he that made me knows I see thee ill ;
+Ill in myself to see , and in thee seeing ill .
+Thy death-bed is no lesser than thy land
+Wherein thou liest in reputation sick :
+And thou , too careless patient as thou art ,
+Committ'st thy anointed body to the cure
+Of those physicians that first wounded thee :
+A thousand flatterers sit within thy crown ,
+Whose compass is no bigger than thy head ;
+And yet , incaged in so small a verge ,
+The waste is no whit lesser than thy land .
+O ! had thy grandsire , with a prophet's eye ,
+Seen how his son's son should destroy his sons ,
+From forth thy reach he would have laid thy shame ,
+Deposing thee before thou wert possess'd ,
+Which art possess'd now to depose thyself .
+Why , cousin , wert thou regent of the world ,
+It were a shame to let this land by lease ;
+But for thy world enjoying but this land ,
+Is it not more than shame to shame it so ?
+Landlord of England art thou now , not king :
+Thy state of law is bond-slave to the law ,
+And
+
+And thou a lunatic lean-witted fool ,
+Presuming on an ague's privilege ,
+Dar'st with thy frozen admonition
+Make pale our cheek , chasing the royal blood
+With fury from his native residence .
+Now , by my seat's right royal majesty ,
+Wert thou not brother to great Edward's son ,
+This tongue that runs so roundly in thy head
+Should run thy head from thy unreverent shoulders .
+
+O ! spare me not , my brother Edward's son ,
+For that I was his father Edward's son .
+That blood already , like the pelican ,
+Hast thou tapp'd out and drunkenly carous'd :
+My brother Gloucester , plain well-meaning soul ,
+Whom fair befall in heaven 'mongst happy souls !
+May be a precedent and witness good
+That thou respect'st not spilling Edward's blood :
+Join with the present sickness that I have ;
+And thy unkindness be like crooked age ,
+To crop at once a too-long wither'd flower .
+Live in thy shame , but die not shame with thee !
+These words hereafter thy tormentors be !
+Convey me to my bed , then to my grave :
+Love they to live that love and honour have .
+
+
+And let them die that age and sullens have ;
+For both hast thou , and both become the grave .
+
+I do beseech your majesty , impute his words
+To wayward sickliness and age in him :
+He loves you , on my life , and holds you dear
+As Harry , Duke of Hereford , were he here .
+
+Right , you say true : as Hereford's love , so his ;
+As theirs , so mine ; and all be as it is .
+
+
+My liege , old Gaunt commends him to your majesty .
+
+What says he ?
+
+Nay , nothing ; all is said :
+His tongue is now a stringless instrument ;
+Words , life , and all , old Lancaster hath spent .
+
+Be York the next that must be bankrupt so !
+Though death be poor , it ends a mortal woe .
+
+The ripest fruit first falls , and so doth he :
+His time is spent ; our pilgrimage must be .
+So much for that . Now for our Irish wars .
+We must supplant those rough rug-headed kerns ,
+Which live like venom where no venom else
+But only they have privilege to live .
+And for these great affairs do ask some charge ,
+Towards our assistance we do seize to us
+The plate , coin , revenues , and moveables ,
+Whereof our uncle Gaunt did stand possess'd .
+
+How long shall I be patient ? Ah ! how long
+Shall tender duty make me suffer wrong ?
+Not Gloucester's death , nor Hereford's banishment ,
+Not Gaunt's rebukes , nor England's private wrongs ,
+Nor the prevention of poor Bolingbroke
+About his marriage , nor my own disgrace ,
+Have ever made me sour my patient cheek ,
+Or bend one wrinkle on my sovereign's face .
+I am the last of noble Edward's sons ,
+Of whom thy father , Prince of Wales , was first ;
+In war was never lion rag'd more fierce ,
+In peace was never gentle lamb more mild ,
+Than was that young and princely gentleman .
+His face thou hast , for even so look'd he ,
+Accomplish'd with the number of thy hours ;
+But when he frown'd , it was against the French ,
+And not against his friends ; his noble hand
+Did win what he did spend , and spent not that
+Which his triumphant father's hand had won :
+His hands were guilty of no kindred's blood ,
+But bloody with the enemies of his kin .
+O , Richard ! York is too far gone with grief ,
+Or else he never would compare between .
+
+Why , uncle , what's the matter ?
+
+O ! my liege .
+Pardon me , if you please ; if not , I , pleas'd
+Not to be pardon'd , am content withal .
+Seek you to seize and gripe into your hands
+The royalties and rights of banish'd Hereford ?
+Is not Gaunt dead , and doth not Hereford live ?
+Was not Gaunt just , and is not Harry true ?
+Did not the one deserve to have an heir ?
+Is not his heir a well-deserving son ?
+Take Hereford's rights away , and take from Time
+His charters and his customary rights ;
+Let not to-morrow then ensue to-day ;
+Be not thyself ; for how art thou a king
+But by fair sequence and succession ?
+Now , afore God ,God forbid I say true !
+If you do wrongfully seize Hereford's rights ,
+Call in the letters-patent that he hath
+By his attorneys-general to sue
+His livery , and deny his offer'd homage ,
+You pluck a thousand dangers on your head ,
+You lose a thousand well-disposed hearts ,
+And prick my tender patience to those thoughts
+Which honour and allegiance cannot think .
+
+Think what you will : we seize into our hands
+His plate , his goods , his money , and his lands .
+
+I'll not be by the while : my liege , farewell :
+What will ensue hereof , there's none can tell ;
+But by bad courses may be understood
+That their events can never fall out good .
+
+
+Go , Bushy , to the Earl of Wiltshire straight :
+Bid him repair to us to Ely House
+To see this business . To-morrow next
+We will for Ireland ; and 'tis time , I trow :
+And we create , in absence of ourself ,
+Our uncle York lord governor of England ;
+For he is just , and always lov'd us well .
+Come on , our queen : to-morrow must we part ;
+Be merry , for our time of stay is short .
+
+Well , lords , the Duke of Lancaster is dead .
+
+And living too ; for now his son is duke .
+
+Barely in title , not in revenue .
+
+Richly in both , if justice had her right .
+
+My heart is great ; but it must break with silence ,
+Ere't be disburden'd with a liberal tongue .
+
+Nay , speak thy mind ; and let him ne'er speak more
+That speaks thy words again to do thee harm !
+
+Tends that thou'dst speak to the Duke of Hereford ?
+If it be so , out with it boldly , man ;
+Quick is mine ear to hear of good towards him .
+
+No good at all that I can do for him ,
+Unless you call it good to pity him ,
+Bereft and gelded of his patrimony .
+
+Now , afore God , 'tis shame such wrongs are borne
+In him , a royal prince , and many more
+Of noble blood in this declining land .
+The king is not himself , but basely led
+By flatterers ; and what they will inform ,
+Merely in hate , 'gainst any of us all ,
+That will the king severely prosecute
+'Gainst us , our lives , our children , and our heirs .
+
+The commons hath he pill'd with grievous taxes ,
+And quite lost their hearts : the nobles hath he fin'd
+For ancient quarrels , and quite lost their hearts .
+
+And daily new exactions are devis'd ;
+As blanks , benevolences , and I wot not what :
+But what , o' God's name , doth become of this ?
+
+Wars have not wasted it , for warr'd he hath not ,
+But basely yielded upon compromise
+That which his ancestors achiev'd with blows .
+More hath he spent in peace than they in wars .
+
+The Earl of Wiltshire hath the realm in farm .
+
+The king's grown bankrupt , like a broken man .
+
+Reproach and dissolution hangeth over him .
+
+He hath not money for these Irish wars ,
+His burdenous taxations notwithstanding ,
+But by the robbing of the banish'd duke .
+
+His noble kinsman : most degenerate king !
+But , lords , we hear this fearful tempest sing ,
+Yet seek no shelter to avoid the storm ;
+We see the wind sit sore upon our sails ,
+And yet we strike not , but securely perish .
+
+We see the very wrack that we must suffer ;
+And unavoided is the danger now ,
+For suffering so the causes of our wrack .
+
+Not so : even through the hollow eyes of death
+Ispy life peering ; but I dare not say
+How near the tidings of our comfort is .
+
+Nay , let us share thy thoughts , as thou dost ours .
+
+Be confident to speak , Northumberland :
+We three are but thyself : and , speaking so ,
+Thy words are but as thoughts ; therefore , be bold .
+
+Then thus : I have from Port le Blanc , a bay
+In Brittany , receiv'd intelligence
+That Harry Duke of Hereford , Rainold Lord Cobham ,
+That late broke from the Duke of Exeter ,
+His brother , Archbishop late of Canterbury ,
+Sir Thomas Erpingham , Sir John Ramston ,
+Sir John Norbery , Sir Robert Waterton , and Francis Quoint ,
+All these well furnish'd by the Duke of Britaine ,
+With eight tall ships , three thousand men of war ,
+Are making hither with all due expedience ,
+And shortly mean to touch our northern shore .
+Perhaps they had ere this , but that they stay
+The first departing of the king for Ireland .
+If then we shall shake off our slavish yoke ,
+Imp out our drooping country's broken wing ,
+Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown ,
+Wipe off the dust that hides our sceptre's gilt ,
+And make high majesty look like itself ,
+Away with me in post to Ravenspurgh ;
+But if you faint , as fearing to do so ,
+Stay and be secret , and myself will go .
+
+To horse , to horse ! urge doubts to them that fear .
+
+Hold out my horse , and I will first be there .
+
+
+Madam , your majesty is too much sad :
+You promis'd , when you parted with the king ,
+To lay aside life-harming heaviness ,
+And entertain a cheerful disposition .
+
+To please the king I did ; to please myself
+I cannot do it ; yet I know no cause
+Why I should welcome such a guest as grief ,
+Save bidding farewell to so sweet a guest
+As my sweet Richard : yet , again , methinks ,
+Some unborn sorrow , ripe in fortune's womb ,
+Is coming towards me , and my inward soul
+With nothing trembles ; at some thing it grieves
+More than with parting from my lord the king .
+
+Each substance of a grief hath twenty shadows ,
+Which show like grief itself , but are not so .
+For sorrow's eye , glazed with blinding tears ,
+Divides one thing entire to many objects ;
+Like perspectives , which rightly gaz'd upon
+Show nothing but confusion ; ey'd awry
+Distinguish form : so your sweet majesty ,
+Looking awry upon your lord's departure ,
+Finds shapes of grief more than himself to wail ;
+Which , look'd on as it is , is nought but shadows
+Of what it is not . Then , thrice-gracious queen ,
+More than your lord's departure weep not : more's not seen ;
+Or if it be , 'tis with false sorrow's eye ,
+Which for things true weeps things imaginary .
+
+It may be so ; but yet my inward soul
+Persuades me it is otherwise : howe'er it be ,
+I cannot but be sad , so heavy sad ,
+As , though in thinking on no thought I think ,
+Makes me with heavy nothing faint and shrink .
+
+'Tis nothing but conceit , my gracious lady .
+
+'Tis nothing less : conceit is still deriv'd
+From some forefather grief ; mine is not so ,
+For nothing hath begot my something grief ;
+Or something hath the nothing that I grieve :
+'Tis in reversion that I do possess ;
+But what it is , that is not yet known ; what
+I cannot name ; 'tis nameless woe , I wot .
+
+
+God save your majesty ! and well met , gentlemen :
+I hope the king is not yet shipp'd for Ireland .
+
+Why hop'st thou so ? 'tis better hope he is ,
+For his designs crave haste , his haste good hope :
+Then wherefore dost thou hope he is not shipp'd ?
+
+That he , our hope , might have retir'd his power ,
+And driven into despair an enemy's hope ,
+Who strongly hath set footing in this land :
+The banish'd Bolingbroke repeals himself ,
+And with uplifted arms is safe arriv'd
+At Ravenspurgh .
+
+Now God in heaven forbid !
+
+Ah ! madam , 'tis too true : and that is worse ,
+The Lord Northumberland , his son young Henry Percy ,
+The Lords of Ross , Beaumond , and Willoughby ,
+With all their powerful friends , are fled to him .
+
+Why have you not proclaim'd Northumberland
+And all the rest of the revolted faction traitors ?
+
+We have : whereupon the Earl of Worcester
+Hath broke his staff , resign'd his stewardship ,
+And all the household servants fled with him
+To Bolingbroke .
+
+So , Green , thou art the midwife to my woe ,
+And Bolingbroke my sorrow's dismal heir :
+Now hath my soul brought forth her prodigy ,
+And I , a gasping new-deliver'd mother ,
+Have woe to woe , sorrow to sorrow join'd .
+
+Despair not , madam .
+
+Who shall hinder me ?
+I will despair , and be at enmity
+With cozening hope : he is a flatterer ,
+A parasite , a keeper-back of death ,
+Who gently would dissolve the bands of life ,
+Which false hope lingers in extremity .
+
+
+Here comes the Duke of York .
+
+With signs of war about his aged neck :
+O ! full of careful business are his looks .
+Uncle , for God's sake , speak comfortable words .
+
+Should I do so , I should belie my thoughts :
+Comfort's in heaven ; and we are on the earth ,
+Where nothing lives but crosses , cares , and grief .
+Your husband , he is gone to save far off ,
+Whilst others come to make him lose at home :
+Here am I left to underprop his land ,
+Who , weak with age , cannot support myself .
+Now comes the sick hour that his surfeit made ;
+Now shall he try his friends that flatter'd him .
+
+
+My lord , your son was gone before I came .
+
+He was ? Why , so ! go all which way it will !
+The nobles they are fled , the commons they are cold ,
+And will , I fear , revolt on Hereford's side .
+Sirrah , get thee to Plashy , to my sister Gloucester ;
+Bid her send me presently a thousand pound .
+Hold , take my ring .
+
+My lord , I had forgot to tell your lordship :
+To-day , as I came by , I called there ;
+But I shall grieve you to report the rest .
+
+What is't , knave ?
+
+An hour before I came the duchess died .
+
+God for his mercy ! what a tide of woes
+Comes rushing on this woeful land at once !
+I know not what to do : I would to God ,
+So my untruth had not provok'd him to it ,
+The king had cut off my head with my brother's .
+What ! are there no posts dispatch'd for Ireland ?
+How shall we do for money for these wars ?
+Come , sister ,cousin , I would say ,pray , pardon me .
+Go , fellow , get thee home ; provide some carts
+And bring away the armour that is there .
+
+Gentlemen , will you go muster men ? If I know
+How or which way to order these affairs
+Thus thrust disorderly into my hands ,
+Never believe me . Both are my kinsmen :
+The one is my sovereign , whom both my oath
+And duty bids defend ; the other again
+Is my kinsman , whom the king hath wrong'd ,
+Whom conscience and my kindred bids to right .
+Well , somewhat we must do . Come , cousin ,
+I'll dispose of you . Gentlemen , go muster up your men ,
+And meet me presently at Berkeley Castle .
+I should to Plashy too :
+But time will not permit . All is uneven ,
+And every thing is left at six and seven .
+
+
+The wind sits fair for news to go to Ireland ,
+But none returns . For us to levy power
+Proportionable to the enemy
+Is all unpossible .
+
+Besides , our nearness to the king in love
+Is near the hate of those love not the king .
+
+And that's the wavering commons ; for their love
+Lies in their purses , and whoso empties them ,
+By so much fills their hearts with deadly hate .
+
+Wherein the king stands generally condemn'd .
+
+If judgment lie in them , then so do we ,
+Because we ever have been near the king .
+
+Well , I'll for refuge straight to Bristol Castle ;
+The Earl of Wiltshire is already there .
+
+Thither will I with you ; for little office
+Will the hateful commons perform for us ,
+Except like curs to tear us all to pieces .
+Will you go along with us ?
+
+No ; I will to Ireland to his majesty .
+Farewell : if heart's presages be not vain ,
+We three here part that ne'er shall meet again .
+
+That's as York thrives to beat back Bolingbroke .
+
+Alas , poor duke ! the task he undertakes
+Is numbering sands and drinking oceans dry :
+Where one on his side fights , thousands will fly .
+Farewell at once ; for once , for all , and ever .
+
+Well , we may meet again .
+
+I fear me , never .
+
+
+How far is it , my lord , to Berkeley now ?
+
+Believe me , noble lord ,
+I am a stranger here in Gloucestershire :
+These high wild hills and rough uneven ways
+Draw out our miles and make them wearisome ;
+But yet your fair discourse hath been as sugar ,
+Making the hard way sweet and delectable .
+But I bethink me what a weary way
+From Ravenspurgh to Cotswold will be found
+In Ross and Willoughby , wanting your company ,
+Which , I protest , hath very much beguil'd
+The tediousness and process of my travel :
+But theirs is sweeten'd with the hope to have
+The present benefit which I possess ;
+And hope to joy is little less in joy
+Than hope enjoy'd : by this the weary lords
+Shall make their way seem short , as mine hath done
+By sight of what I have , your noble company .
+
+Of much less value is my company
+Than your good words . But who comes here ?
+
+
+It is my son , young Harry Percy ,
+Sent from my brother Worcester , whencesoever .
+Harry , how fares your uncle ?
+
+I had thought , my lord , to have learn'd his health of you .
+
+Why , is he not with the queen ?
+
+No , my good lord ; he hath forsook the court ,
+Broken his staff of office , and dispers'd
+The household of the king .
+
+What was his reason ?
+He was not so resolv'd when last we spake together .
+
+Because your lordship was proclaimed traitor .
+But he , my lord , is gone to Ravenspurgh ,
+To offer service to the Duke of Hereford ,
+And sent me over by Berkeley to discover
+What power the Duke of York had levied there ;
+Then with direction to repair to Ravenspurgh .
+
+Have you forgot the Duke of Hereford , boy ?
+
+No , my good lord ; for that is not forgot
+Which ne'er I did remember : to my knowledge
+I never in my life did look on him .
+
+Then learn to know him now : this is the duke .
+
+My gracious lord , I tender you my service ,
+Such as it is , being tender , raw , and young ,
+Which elder days shall ripen and confirm
+To more approved service and desert .
+
+I thank thee , gentle Percy ; and be sure
+I count myself in nothing else so happy
+As in a soul remembering my good friends ;
+And as my fortune ripens with thy love ,
+It shall be still thy true love's recompense :
+My heart this covenant makes , my hand thus seals it .
+
+How far is it to Berkeley ? and what stir
+Keeps good old York there with his men of war ?
+
+There stands the castle , by yon tuft of trees ,
+Mann'd with three hundred men , as I have heard ;
+And in it are the Lords of York , Berkeley , and Seymour ;
+None else of name and noble estimate .
+
+
+Here come the Lords of Ross and Willoughby ,
+Bloody with spurring , fiery-red with haste .
+
+Welcome , my lords . I wot your love pursues
+A banish'd traitor ; all my treasury
+Is yet but unfelt thanks , which , more enrich'd ,
+Shall be your love and labour's recompense .
+
+Your presence makes us rich , most noble lord .
+
+And far surmounts our labour to attain it .
+
+Evermore thanks , the exchequer of the poor ;
+Which , till my infant fortune comes to years ,
+Stands for my bounty . But who comes here ?
+
+
+It is my Lord of Berkeley , as I guess .
+
+My lord of Hereford , my message is to you .
+
+My lord , my answer is to Lancaster ;
+And I am come to seek that name in England ;
+And I must find that title in your tongue
+Before I make reply to aught you say .
+
+Mistake me not , my lord ; 'tis not my meaning
+To raze one title of your honour out :
+To you , my lord , I come , what lord you will ,
+From the most gracious regent of this land ,
+The Duke of York , to know what pricks you on
+To take advantage of the absent time
+And fright our native peace with self-born arms .
+
+
+I shall not need transport my words by you :
+Here comes his Grace in person .
+My noble uncle !
+
+
+Show me thy humble heart , and not thy knee ,
+Whose duty is deceivable and false .
+
+My gracious uncle
+
+Tut , tut !
+Grace me no grace , nor uncle me no uncle :
+I am no traitor's uncle ; and that word 'grace'
+In an ungracious mouth is but profane .
+Why have those banish'd and forbidden legs
+Dar'd once to touch a dust of England's ground ?
+But then , more 'why ?' why have they dar'd to march
+So many miles upon her peaceful bosom ,
+Frighting her pale-fac'd villages with war
+And ostentation of despised arms ?
+Com'st thou because the anointed king is hence ?
+Why , foolish boy , the king is left behind ,
+And in my loyal bosom lies his power .
+Were I but now the lord of such hot youth
+As when brave Gaunt thy father , and myself ,
+Rescu'd the Black Prince , that young Mars of men ,
+From forth the ranks of many thousand French ,
+O ! then , how quickly should this arm of mine ,
+Now prisoner to the palsy , chastise thee
+And minister correction to thy fault !
+
+My gracious uncle , let me know my fault :
+On what condition stands it and wherein ?
+
+Even in condition of the worst degree ,
+In gross rebellion and detested treason :
+Thou art a banish'd man , and here art come
+Before the expiration of thy time ,
+In braving arms against thy sovereign .
+
+As I was banish'd , I was banish'd Hereford ;
+But as I come , I come for Lancaster .
+And , noble uncle , I beseech your Grace
+Look on my wrongs with an indifferent eye :
+You are my father , for methinks in you
+I see old Gaunt alive : O ! then , my father ,
+Will you permit that I shall stand condemn'd
+A wandering vagabond ; my rights and royalties
+Pluck'd from my arms perforce and given away
+To upstart unthrifts ? Wherefore was I born ?
+If that my cousin king be King of England ,
+It must be granted I am Duke of Lancaster .
+You have a son , Aumerle , my noble kinsman ;
+Had you first died , and he been thus trod down ,
+He should have found his uncle Gaunt a father ,
+To rouse his wrongs and chase them to the bay .
+I am denied to sue my livery here ,
+And yet my letters-patent give me leave :
+My father's goods are all distrain'd and sold ,
+And these and all are all amiss employ'd .
+What would you have me do ? I am a subject ,
+And challenge law : attorneys are denied me ,
+And therefore personally I lay my claim
+To my inheritance of free descent .
+
+The noble duke hath been too much abus'd .
+
+It stands your Grace upon to do him right .
+
+Base men by his endowments are made great .
+
+My lords of England , let me tell you this :
+I have had feeling of my cousin's wrongs ,
+And labour'd all I could to do him right ;
+But in this kind to come , in braving arms ,
+Be his own carver and cut out his way ,
+To find out right with wrong , it may not be ;
+And you that do abet him in this kind
+Cherish rebellion and are rebels all .
+
+The noble duke hath sworn his coming is
+But for his own ; and for the right of that
+We all have strongly sworn to give him aid ;
+And let him ne'er see joy that breaks that oath !
+
+Well , well , I see the issue of these arms :
+I cannot mend it , I must needs confess ,
+Because my power is weak and all ill left ;
+But if I could , by him that gave me life ,
+I would attach you all and make you stoop
+Unto the sovereign mercy of the king ;
+But since I cannot , be it known to you
+I do remain as neuter . So , fare you well ;
+Unless you please to enter in the castle
+And there repose you for this night .
+
+An offer , uncle , that we will accept :
+But we must win your Grace to go with us
+To Bristol Castle ; which they say is held
+By Bushy , Bagot , and their complices ,
+The caterpillars of the commonwealth ,
+Which I have sworn to weed and pluck away .
+
+It may be I will go with you ; but yet I'll pause ;
+For I am loath to break our country's laws .
+Nor friends nor foes , to me welcome you are :
+Things past redress are now with me past care .
+
+
+My Lord of Salisbury , we have stay'd ten days ,
+And hardly kept our countrymen together ,
+And yet we hear no tidings from the king ;
+Therefore we will disperse ourselves : farewell .
+
+Stay yet another day , thou trusty Welshman :
+The king reposeth all his confidence in thee .
+
+'Tis thought the king is dead : we will not stay .
+The bay-trees in our country are all wither'd
+And meteors fright the fixed stars of heaven ,
+The pale-fac'd moon looks bloody on the earth
+And lean-look'd prophets whisper fearful change ,
+Rich men look sad and ruffians dance and leap ,
+The one in fear to lose what they enjoy ,
+The other to enjoy by rage and war :
+These signs forerun the death or fall of kings .
+Farewell : our countrymen are gone and fled ,
+As well assur'd Richard their king is dead .
+
+
+Ah , Richard ! with the eyes of heavy mind
+I see thy glory like a shooting star
+Fall to the base earth from the firmament .
+Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west ,
+Witnessing storms to come , woe , and unrest .
+Thy friends are fled to wait upon thy foes ,
+And crossly to thy good all fortune goes .
+
+
+Bring forth these men .
+Bushy and Green , I will not vex your souls
+Since presently your souls must part your bodies
+With too much urging your pernicious lives ,
+For 'twere no charity ; yet , to wash your blood
+From off my hands , here in the view of men
+I will unfold some causes of your deaths .
+You have misled a prince , a royal king ,
+A happy gentleman in blood and lineaments ,
+By you unhappied and disfigur'd clean :
+You have in manner with your sinful hours
+Made a divorce betwixt his queen and him ,
+Broke the possession of a royal bed ,
+And stain'd the beauty of a fair queen's cheeks
+With tears drawn from her eyes by your foul wrongs .
+Myself , a prince by fortune of my birth ,
+Near to the king in blood , and near in love
+Till you did make him misinterpret me ,
+Have stoop'd my neck under your injuries ,
+And sigh'd my English breath in foreign clouds ,
+Eating the bitter bread of banishment ;
+Whilst you have fed upon my signories ,
+Dispark'd my parks , and felled my forest woods ,
+From mine own windows torn my household coat ,
+Raz'd out my impress , leaving me no sign ,
+Save men's opinions and my living blood ,
+To show the world I am a gentleman .
+This and much more , much more than twice all this ,
+Condemns you to the death . See them deliver'd over
+To execution and the hand of death .
+
+More welcome is the stroke of death to me
+Than Bolingbroke to England . Lords , farewell .
+
+My comfort is , that heaven will take our souls
+And plague injustice with the pains of hell .
+
+My Lord Northumberland , see them dispatch'd .
+
+Uncle , you say the queen is at your house ;
+For God's sake , fairly let her be entreated :
+Tell her I send to her my kind commends ;
+Take special care my greetings be deliver'd .
+
+A gentleman of mine I have dispatch'd
+With letters of your love to her at large .
+
+Thanks , gentle uncle . Come , lords , away ,
+To fight with Glendower and his complices :
+Awhile to work , and after holiday .
+
+
+Barkloughly Castle call they this at hand ?
+
+Yea , my lord . How brooks your Grace the air ,
+After your late tossing on the breaking seas ?
+
+Needs must I like it well : I weep for joy
+To stand upon my kingdom once again .
+Dear earth , I do salute thee with my hand ,
+Though rebels wound thee with their horses' hoofs :
+As a long-parted mother with her child
+Plays fondly with her tears and smiles in meeting ,
+So , weeping , smiling , greet I thee , my earth ,
+And do thee favour with my royal hands .
+Feed not thy sovereign's foe , my gentle earth ,
+Nor with thy sweets comfort his revenous sense ;
+But let thy spiders , that suck up thy venom ,
+And heavy-gaited toads lie in their way ,
+Doing annoyance to the treacherous feet
+Which with usurping steps do trample thee .
+Yield stinging nettles to mine enemies ;
+And when they from thy bosom pluck a flower ,
+Guard it , I pray thee , with a lurking adder
+Whose double tongue may with a mortal touch
+Throw death upon thy sovereign's enemies .
+Mock not my senseless conjuration , lords :
+This earth shall have a feeling and these stones
+Prove armed soldiers , ere her native king
+Shall falter under foul rebellion's arms .
+
+Fear not , my lord : that power that made you king
+Hath power to keep you king in spite of all .
+The means that heaven yields must be embrac'd ,
+And not neglected ; else , if heaven would ,
+And we will not , heaven's offer we refuse ,
+The proffer'd means of succour and redress .
+
+He means , my lord , that we are too remiss ;
+Whilst Bolingbroke , through our security ,
+Grows strong and great in substance and in friends .
+
+Discomfortable cousin ! know'st thou not
+That when the searching eye of heaven is hid
+Behind the globe , and lights the lower world ,
+Then thieves and robbers range abroad unseen ,
+In murders and in outrage bloody here ;
+But when , from under this terrestrial ball
+He fires the proud tops of the eastern pines
+And darts his light through every guilty hole ,
+Then murders , treasons , and detested sins ,
+The cloak of night being pluck'd from off their backs ,
+Stand bare and naked , trembling at themselves ?
+So when this thief , this traitor , Bolingbroke ,
+Who all this while hath revell'd in the night
+Whilst we were wandering with the antipodes ,
+Shall see us rising in our throne , the east ,
+His treasons will sit blushing in his face ,
+Not able to endure the sight of day ,
+But self-affrighted tremble at his sin .
+Not all the water in the rough rude sea
+Can wash the balm from an anointed king ;
+The breath of worldly men cannot depose
+The deputy elected by the Lord .
+For every man that Bolingbroke hath press'd
+To lift shrewd steel against our golden crown ,
+God for his Richard hath in heavenly pay
+A glorious angel : then , if angels fight ,
+Weak men must fall , for heaven still guards the right .
+
+Welcome , my lord : how far off lies your power ?
+
+Nor near nor further off , my gracious lord ,
+Than this weak arm : discomfort guides my tongue
+And bids me speak of nothing but despair .
+One day too late , I fear me , noble lord ,
+Hath clouded all thy happy days on earth .
+O ! call back yesterday , bid time return ,
+And thou shalt have twelve thousand fighting men :
+To-day , to-day , unhappy day too late ,
+O'erthrows thy joys , friends , fortune , and thy state ;
+For all the Welshmen , hearing thou wert dead ,
+Are gone to Bolingbroke , dispers'd , and fled .
+
+Comfort , my liege ! why looks your Grace so pale ?
+
+But now , the blood of twenty thousand men
+Did triumph in my face , and they are fled ;
+And till so much blood thither come again
+Have I not reason to look pale and dead ?
+All souls that will be safe , fly from my side ;
+For time hath set a blot upon my pride .
+
+Comfort , my liege ! remember who you are .
+
+I had forgot myself . Am I not king ?
+Awake , thou sluggard majesty ! thou sleepest .
+Is not the king's name twenty thousand names ?
+Arm , arm , my name ! a puny subject strikes
+At thy great glory . Look not to the ground ,
+Ye favourites of a king : are we not high ?
+High be our thoughts : I know my uncle York
+Hath power enough to serve our turn . But who comes here ?
+
+
+More health and happiness betide my liege
+Than can my care-tun'd tongue deliver him !
+
+Mine ear is open and my heart prepar'd :
+The worst is worldly loss thou canst unfold .
+Say , is my kingdom lost ? why , 'twas my care ;
+And what loss is it to be rid of care ?
+Strives Bolingbroke to be as great as we ?
+Greater he shall not be : if he serve God
+We'll serve him too , and be his fellow so :
+Revolt our subjects ? that we cannot mend ;
+They break their faith to God as well as us :
+Cry woe , destruction , ruin , loss , decay ;
+The worst is death , and death will have his day .
+
+Glad am I that your highness is so arm'd
+To bear the tidings of calamity .
+Like an unseasonable stormy day
+Which makes the silver rivers drown their shores ,
+As if the world were all dissolv'd to tears ,
+So high above his limits swells the rage
+Of Bolingbroke , covering your fearful land
+With hard bright steel and hearts harder than steel .
+White-beards have arm'd their thin and hairless scalps
+Against thy majesty ; and boys , with women's voices ,
+Strive to speak big , and clap their female joints
+In stiff unwieldy arms against thy crown ;
+Thy very beadsmen learn to bend their bows
+Of double-fatal yew against thy state ;
+Yea , distaff-women manage rusty bills
+Against thy seat : both young and old rebel ,
+And all goes worse than I have power to tell .
+
+Too well , too well thou tell'st a tale so ill .
+Where is the Earl of Wiltshire ? where is Bagot ?
+What is become of Bushy ? where is Green ?
+That they have let the dangerous enemy
+Measure our confines with such peaceful steps ?
+If we prevail , their heads shall pay for it .
+I warrant they have made peace with Bolingbroke .
+
+Peace have they made with him , indeed , my lord .
+
+O villains , vipers , damn'd without redemption !
+Dogs , easily won to fawn on any man !
+Snakes , in my heart-blood warm'd , that sting my heart !
+Three Judases , each one thrice worse than Judas !
+Would they make peace ? terrible hell make war
+Upon their spotted souls for this offence !
+
+Sweet love , I see , changing his property ,
+Turns to the sourest and most deadly hate .
+Again uncurse their souls ; their peace is made
+With heads and not with hands : those whom you curse
+Have felt the worst of death's destroying wound
+And lie full low , grav'd in the hollow ground .
+
+Is Bushy , Green , and the Earl of Wiltshire dead ?
+
+Yea , all of them at Bristol lost their heads .
+
+Where is the duke my father with his power ?
+
+No matter where . Of comfort no man speak :
+Let's talk of graves , of worms , and epitaphs ;
+Make dust our paper , and with rainy eyes
+Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth ;
+Let's choose executors and talk of wills :
+And yet not so for what can we bequeath
+Save our deposed bodies to the ground ?
+Our lands , our lives , and all are Bolingbroke's ,
+And nothing can we call our own but death ,
+And that small model of the barren earth
+Which serves as paste and cover to our bones .
+For God's sake , let us sit upon the ground
+And tell sad stories of the death of kings :
+How some have been depos'd , some slain in war ,
+Some haunted by the ghosts they have depos'd ,
+Some poison'd by their wives , some sleeping kill'd ;
+All murder'd : for within the hollow crown
+That rounds the mortal temples of a king
+Keeps Death his court , and there the antick sits ,
+Scoffing his state and grinning at his pomp ;
+Allowing him a breath , a little scene ,
+To monarchize , be fear'd , and kill with looks ,
+Infusing him with self and vain conceit
+As if this flesh which walls about our life
+Were brass impregnable ; and humour'd thus
+Comes at the last , and with a little pin
+Bores through his castle wall , and farewell king !
+Cover your heads , and mock not flesh and blood
+With solemn reverence : throw away respect ,
+Tradition , form , and ceremonious duty ,
+For you have but mistook me all this while :
+I live with bread like you , feel want ,
+Taste grief , need friends : subjected thus ,
+How can you say to me I am a king ?
+
+My lord , wise men ne'er sit and wail their woes ,
+But presently prevent the ways to wail .
+To fear the foe , since fear oppresseth strength ,
+Gives in your weakness strength unto your foe ,
+And so your follies fight against yourself .
+Fear and be slain ; no worse can come to fight :
+And fight and die is death destroying death ;
+Where fearing dying pays death servile breath .
+
+My father hath a power ; inquire of him
+And learn to make a body of a limb .
+
+Thou chid'st me well . Proud Boling broke , I come
+To change blows with thee for our day of doom .
+This ague-fit of fear is over-blown ;
+An easy task it is , to win our own .
+Say , Scroop , where lies our uncle with his power ?
+Speak sweetly , man , although thy looks be sour .
+
+Men judge by the complexion of the sky
+The state and inclination of the day ;
+So may you by my dull and heavy eye ,
+My tongue hath but a heavier tale to say .
+I play the torturer , by small and small
+To lengthen out the worst that must be spoken .
+Your uncle York is join'd with Bolingbroke ,
+And all your northern castles yielded up ,
+And all your southern gentlemen in arms
+Upon his party .
+
+Thou hast said enough .
+
+
+Beshrew thee , cousin , which didst lead me forth
+Of that sweet way I was in to despair !
+What say you now ? What comfort have we now ?
+By heaven , I'll hate him everlastingly
+That bids me be of comfort any more .
+Go to Flint Castle : there I'll pine away ;
+A king , woe's slave , shall kingly woe obey .
+That power I have , discharge ; and let them go
+To ear the land that hath some hope to grow ,
+For I have none : let no man speak again
+To alter this , for counsel is but vain .
+
+My liege , one word .
+
+He does me double wrong ,
+That wounds me with the flatteries of his tongue .
+Discharge my followers : let them hence away ,
+From Richard's night to Bolingbroke's fair day .
+
+
+So that by this intelligence we learn
+The Welshmen are dispers'd and Salisbury
+Is gone to meet the king , who lately landed
+With some few private friends upon this coast .
+
+The news is very fair and good , my lord :
+Richard not far from hence hath hid his head .
+
+It would beseem the Lord Northumberland
+To say , 'King Richard :' alack the heavy day
+When such a sacred king should hide his head !
+
+Your Grace mistakes ; only to be brief
+Left I his title out .
+
+The time hath been ,
+Would you have been so brief with him , he would
+Have been so brief with you , to shorten you ,
+For taking so the head , your whole head's length .
+
+Mistake not , uncle , further than you should .
+
+Take not , good cousin , further than you should ,
+Lest you mistake the heavens are o'er our heads .
+
+I know it , uncle ; and oppose not myself
+Against their will . But who comes here ?
+
+Welcome , Harry : what , will not this castle yield ?
+
+The castle royally is mann'd , my lord ,
+Against thy entrance .
+
+Royally !
+Why , it contains no king ?
+
+Yes , my good lord ,
+It doth contain a king : King Richard lies
+Within the limits of yon lime and stone ;
+And with him are the Lord Aumerle , Lord Salisbury ,
+Sir Stephen Scroop ; besides a clergyman
+Of holy reverence ; who , I cannot learn .
+
+O ! belike it is the Bishop of Carlisle .
+
+Noble lord ,
+Go to the rude ribs of that ancient castle ,
+Through brazen trumpet send the breath of parley
+Into his ruin'd ears , and thus deliver :
+Henry Bolingbroke
+On both his knees doth kiss King Richard's hand ,
+And sends allegiance and true faith of heart
+To his most royal person ; hither come
+Even at his feet to lay my arms and power ,
+Provided that my banishment repeal'd ,
+And lands restor'd again be freely granted .
+If not , I'll use the advantage of my power ,
+And lay the summer's dust with showers of blood
+Rain'd from the wounds of slaughter'd Englishmen :
+The which , how far off from the mind of Bolingbroke
+It is , such crimson tempest should bedrench
+The fresh green lap of fair King Richard's land ,
+My stooping duty tenderly shall show .
+Go , signify as much , while here we march
+Upon the grassy carpet of this plain .
+Let's march without the noise of threat'ning drum ,
+That from the castle's totter'd battlements
+Our fair appointments may be well perus'd .
+Methinks King Richard and myself should meet
+With no less terror than the elements
+Of fire and water , when their thundering shock
+At meeting tears the cloudy cheeks of heaven .
+Be he the fire , I'll be the yielding water :
+The rage be his , while on the earth I rain
+My waters ; on the earth , and not on him .
+March on , and mark King Richard how he looks .
+
+
+See , see , King Richard doth himself appear ,
+As doth the blushing discontented sun
+From out the fiery portal of the east ,
+When he perceives the envious clouds are bent
+To dim his glory and to stain the track
+Of his bright passage to the occident .
+
+Yet looks he like a king : behold , his eye ,
+As bright as is the eagle's , lightens forth
+Controlling majesty : alack , alack , for woe ,
+That any harm should stain so fair a show !
+
+We are amaz'd ; and thus long have we stood
+To watch the fearful bending of thy knee ,
+Because we thought ourself thy lawful king :
+And if we be , how dare thy joints forget
+To pay their awful duty to our presence ?
+If we be not , show us the hand of God
+That hath dismiss'd us from our stewardship ;
+For well we know , no hand of blood and bone
+Can gripe the sacred handle of our sceptre ,
+Unless he do profane , steal , or usurp .
+And though you think that all , as you have done ,
+Have torn their souls by turning them from us ,
+And we are barren and bereft of friends ;
+Yet know , my master , God omnipotent ,
+Is mustering in his clouds on our behalf
+Armies of pestilence ; and they shall strike
+Your children yet unborn and unbegot ,
+That lift your vassal hands against my head
+And threat the glory of my precious crown .
+Tell Bolingbroke ,for yond methinks he is ,
+That every stride he makes upon my land
+Is dangerous treason : he is come to open
+The purple testament of bleeding war ;
+But ere the crown he looks for live in peace ,
+Ten thousand bloody crowns of mothers' sons
+Shall ill become the flower of England's face ,
+Change the complexion of her maid-pale peace
+To scarlet indignation , and bedew
+Her pastures' grass with faithful English blood .
+
+The king of heaven forbid our lord the king
+Should so with civil and uncivil arms
+Be rush'd upon ! Thy thrice-noble cousin ,
+Harry Bolingbroke , doth humbly kiss thy hand ;
+And by the honourable tomb he swears ,
+That stands upon your royal grandsire's bones ,
+And by the royalties of both your bloods ,
+Currents that spring from one most gracious head ,
+And by the buried hand of war-like Gaunt ,
+And by the worth and honour of himself ,
+Comprising all that may be sworn or said ,
+His coming hither hath no further scope
+Than for his lineal royalties and to beg
+Enfranchisement immediate on his knees :
+Which on thy royal party granted once ,
+His glittering arms he will commend to rust ,
+His barbed steeds to stables , and his heart
+To faithful service of your majesty .
+This swears he , as he is a prince , is just ;
+And , as I am a gentleman , I credit him .
+
+Northumberland , say , thus the king returns :
+His noble cousin is right welcome hither ;
+And all the number of his fair demands
+Shall be accomplish'd without contradiction :
+With all the gracious utterance thou hast
+Speak to his gentle hearing kind commends .
+
+We do debase ourself , cousin , do we not ,
+To look so poorly and to speak so fair ?
+Shall we call back Northumberland and send
+Defiance to the traitor , and so die ?
+
+No , good my lord ; let's fight with gentle words ,
+Till time lend friends and friends their helpful swords .
+
+O God ! O God ! that e'er this tongue of mine ,
+That laid the sentence of dread banishment
+On yond proud man , should take it off again
+With words of sooth . O ! that I were as great
+As is my grief , or lesser than my name ,
+Or that I could forget what I have been ,
+Or not remember what I must be now .
+Swell'st thou , proud heart ? I'll give thee scope to beat ,
+Since foes have scope to beat both thee and me .
+
+Northumberland comes back from Bolingbroke .
+
+What must the king do now ? Must he submit ?
+The king shall do it : must he be depos'd ?
+The king shall be contented : must he lose
+The name of king ? o' God's name , let it go :
+I'll give my jewels for a set of beads ,
+My gorgeous palace for a hermitage ,
+My gay apparel for an almsman's gown ,
+My figur'd goblets for a dish of wood ,
+My sceptre for a palmer's walking-staff ,
+My subjects for a pair of carved saints ,
+And my large kingdom for a little grave ,
+A little little grave , an obscure grave ;
+Or I'll be buried in the king's highway ,
+Some way of common trade , where subjects' feet
+May hourly trample on their sovereign's head ;
+For on my heart they tread now whilst I live ;
+And buried once , why not upon my head ?
+Aumerle , thou weep'st , my tender-hearted cousin !
+We'll make foul weather with despised tears ;
+Our sighs and they shall lodge the summer corn ,
+And make a dearth in this revolting land .
+Or shall we play the wantons with our woes ,
+And make some pretty match with shedding tears ?
+As thus ; to drop them still upon one place ,
+Till they have fretted us a pair of graves
+Within the earth ; and , there inlaid : 'There lies
+Two kinsmen digg'd their graves with weeping eyes .'
+Would not this ill do well ? Well , well , I see
+I talk but idly and you laugh at me .
+Most mighty prince , my Lord Northumberland ,
+What says King Bolingbroke ? will his majesty
+Give Richard leave to live till Richard die ?
+You make a leg , and Bolingbroke says ay .
+
+My lord , in the base court he doth attend
+To speak with you ; may't please you to come down ?
+
+Down , down , I come ; like glistering Phaethon ,
+Wanting the manage of unruly jades .
+In the base court ? Base court , where kings grow base ,
+To come at traitors' calls and do them grace .
+In the base court ? Come down ? Down , court ! down , king !
+For night-owls shriek where mounting larks should sing .
+
+
+What says his majesty ?
+
+Sorrow and grief of heart
+Makes him speak fondly , like a frantic man :
+Yet he is come .
+
+
+Stand all apart ,
+And show fair duty to his majesty .
+
+My gracious lord ,
+
+Fair cousin , you debase your princely knee
+To make the base earth proud with kissing it :
+Me rather had my heart might feel your love
+Than my unpleas'd eye see your courtesy .
+Up , cousin , up ; your heart is up , I know ,
+Thus high at least , although your knee be low .
+
+My gracious lord , I come but for mine own .
+
+Your own is yours , and I am yours , and all .
+
+So far be mine , my most redoubted lord ,
+As my true service shall deserve your love .
+
+Well you deserve : they well deserve to have
+That know the strong'st and surest way to get .
+Uncle , give me your hand : nay , dry your eyes ;
+Tears show their love , but want their remedies .
+Cousin , I am too young to be your father ,
+Though you are old enough to be my heir .
+What you will have I'll give , and willing too ;
+For do we must what force will have us do .
+Set on towards London . Cousin , is it so ?
+
+Yea , my good lord .
+
+Then I must not say no .
+
+
+What sport shall we devise here in this garden ,
+To drive away the heavy thought of care ?
+
+Madam , we'll play at bowls .
+
+'Twill make me think the world is full of rubs ;
+And that my fortune runs against the bias .
+
+Madam , we'll dance .
+
+My legs can keep no measure in delight
+When my poor heart no measure keeps in grief :
+Therefore , no dancing , girl ; some other sport .
+
+Madam , we'll tell tales .
+
+Of sorrow or of joy ?
+
+Of either , madam .
+
+Of neither , girl :
+For if of joy , being altogether wanting ,
+It doth remember me the more of sorrow ;
+Or if of grief , being altogether had ,
+It adds more sorrow to my want of joy :
+For what I have I need not to repeat ,
+And what I want it boots not to complain .
+
+Madam , I'll sing .
+
+'Tis well that thou hast cause ;
+But thou shouldst please me better wouldst thou weep .
+
+I could weep , madam , would it do you good .
+
+And I could sing would weeping do me good ,
+And never borrow any tear of thee .
+But stay , here come the gardeners :
+Let's step into the shadow of these trees .
+My wretchedness unto a row of pins ,
+They'll talk of state ; for every one doth so
+Against a change : woe is forerun with woe .
+
+Go , bind thou up yon dangling apricocks ,
+Which , like unruly children , make their sire
+Stoop with oppression of their prodigal weight :
+Give some supportance to the bending twigs .
+Go thou , and like an executioner ,
+Cut off the heads of too fast growing sprays ,
+That look too lofty in our commonwealth :
+All must be even in our government .
+You thus employ'd , I will go root away
+The noisome weeds , that without profit suck
+The soil's fertility from wholesome flowers .
+
+Why should we in the compass of a pale
+Keep law and form and due proportion ,
+Showing , as in a model , our firm estate ,
+When our sea-walled garden , the whole land ,
+Is full of weeds , her fairest flowers chok'd up ,
+Her fruit-trees all unprun'd , her hedges ruin'd ,
+Her knots disorder'd , and her wholesome herbs
+Swarming with caterpillars ?
+
+Hold thy peace :
+He that hath suffer'd this disorder'd spring
+Hath now himself met with the fall of leaf ;
+The weeds that his broad-spreading leaves did shelter ,
+That seem'd in eating him to hold him up ,
+Are pluck'd up root and all by Bolingbroke ;
+I mean the Earl of Wiltshire , Bushy , Green .
+
+What ! are they dead ?
+
+They are ; and Bolingbroke
+Hath seiz'd the wasteful king . O ! what pity is it
+That he hath not so trimm'd and dress'd his land
+As we this garden . We at time of year
+Do wound the bark , the skin of our fruit-trees ,
+Lest , being over-proud with sap and blood ,
+With too much riches it confound itself :
+Had he done so to great and growing men ,
+They might have liv'd to bear and he to taste
+Their fruits of duty : superfluous branches
+We lop away that bearing boughs may live :
+Had he done so , himself had borne the crown ,
+Which waste of idle hours hath quite thrown down .
+
+What ! think you then the king shall be depos'd ?
+
+Depress'd he is already , and depos'd
+'Tis doubt he will be : letters came last night
+To a dear friend of the good Duke of York's ,
+That tell black tidings .
+
+O ! I am press'd to death through want of speaking .
+
+Thou , old Adam's likeness , set to dress this garden ,
+How dares thy harsh rude tongue sound this unpleasing news ?
+What Eve , what serpent , hath suggested thee
+To make a second fall of cursed man ?
+Why dost thou say King Richard is depos'd ?
+Dar'st thou , thou little better thing than earth ,
+Divine his downfall ? Say , where , when , and how
+Cam'st thou by these ill tidings ? speak , thou wretch .
+
+Pardon me , madam : little joy have I
+To breathe these news , yet what I say is true .
+King Richard , he is in the mighty hold
+Of Bolingbroke ; their fortunes both are weigh'd :
+In your lord's scale is nothing but himself ,
+And some few vanities that make him light ;
+But in the balance of great Bolingbroke ,
+Besides himself , are all the English peers ,
+And with that odds he weighs King Richard down .
+Post you to London and you'll find it so ;
+I speak no more than every one doth know .
+
+Nimble mischance . that art so light of foot ,
+Doth not thy embassage belong to me ,
+And am I last that knows it ? O ! thou think'st
+To serve me last , that I may longest keep
+Thy sorrow in my breast . Come , ladies , go ,
+To meet at London London's king in woe .
+What ! was I born to this , that my sad look
+Should grace the triumph of great Bolingbroke ?
+Gardener , for telling me these news of woe ,
+Pray God the plants thou graft'st may never grow .
+
+
+Poor queen ! so that thy state might be no worse ,
+I would my skill were subject to thy curse .
+Here did she fall a tear ; here , in this place ,
+I'll set a bank of rue , sour herb of grace ;
+Rue , even for ruth , here shortly shall be seen ,
+In the remembrance of a weeping queen .
+
+Call forth Bagot .
+Now , Bagot , freely speak thy mind ;
+What thou dost know of noble Gloucester's death ,
+Who wrought it with the king , and who perform'd
+The bloody office of his timeless end .
+
+Then set before my face the Lord Aumerle .
+
+Cousin , stand forth , and look upon that man .
+
+My Lord Aumerle , I know your daring tongue
+Scorns to unsay what once it hath deliver'd .
+In that dead time when Gloucester's death was plotted ,
+I heard you say , 'Is not my arm of length ,
+That reacheth from the restful English court
+As far as Calais , to my uncle's head ?'
+Amongst much other talk , that very time ,
+I heard you say that you had rather refuse
+The offer of a hundred thousand crowns
+Than Bolingbroke's return to England ;
+Adding withal , how blest this land would be
+In this your cousin's death .
+
+Princes and noble lords ,
+What answer shall I make to this base man ?
+Shall I so much dishonour my fair stars ,
+On equal terms to give him chastisement ?
+Either I must , or have mine honour soil'd
+With the attainder of his slanderous lips .
+There is my gage , the manual seal of death ,
+That marks thee out for hell : I say thou liest ,
+And will maintain what thou hast said is false
+In thy heart-blood , though being all too base
+To stain the temper of my knightly sword .
+
+Bagot , forbear ; thou shalt not take it up .
+
+Excepting one , I would he were the best
+In all this presence that hath mov'd me so .
+
+If that thy valour stand on sympathies ,
+There is my gage , Aumerle , in gage to thine :
+By that fair sun which shows me where thou stand'st ,
+I heard thee say , and vauntingly thou spak'st it ,
+That thou wert cause of noble Gloucester's death .
+If thou deny'st it twenty times , thou liest ;
+And I will turn thy falsehood to thy heart ,
+Where it was forged , with my rapier's point .
+
+Thou dar'st not , coward , live to see that day .
+
+Now , by my soul , I would it were this hour .
+
+Fitzwater , thou art damn'd to hell for this .
+
+Aumerle , thou liest ; his honour is as true
+In this appeal as thou art all unjust ;
+And that thou art so , there I throw my gage ,
+To prove it on thee to the extremest point
+Of mortal breathing : seize it if thou dar'st .
+
+And if I do not may my hands rot off
+And never brandish more revengeful steel
+Over the glittering helmet of my foe !
+
+I task the earth to the like , forsworn Aumerle ;
+And spur thee on with full as many lies
+As may be holla'd in thy treacherous ear
+From sun to sun : there is my honour's pawn ;
+Engage it to the trial if thou dar'st .
+
+Who sets me else ? by heaven , I'll throw at all :
+I have a thousand spirits in one breast ,
+To answer twenty thousand such as you .
+
+My Lord Fitzwater , I do remember well
+The very time Aumerle and you did talk .
+
+'Tis very true : you were in presence then ;
+And you can witness with me this is true .
+
+As false , by heaven , as heaven itself is true .
+
+Surrey , thou best .
+
+Dishonourable boy !
+That he shall lie so heavy on my sword
+That it shall render vengeance and revenge ,
+Till thou the lie-giver and that lie do lie
+In earth as quiet as thy father's skull .
+In proof whereof , there is my honour's pawn :
+Engage it to the trial if thou dar'st .
+
+How fondly dost thou spur a forward horse !
+If I dare eat , or drink , or breathe , or live ,
+I dare meet Surrey in a wilderness ,
+And spit upon him , whilst I say he lies ,
+And lies , and lies : there is my bond of faith
+To tie thee to my strong correction .
+As I intend to thrive in this new world ,
+Aumerle is guilty of my true appeal :
+Besides , I heard the banish'd Norfolk say
+That thou , Aumerle , didst send two of thy men
+To execute the noble duke at Calais .
+
+Some honest Christian trust me with a gage .
+That Norfolk lies , here do I throw down this ,
+If he may be repeal'd to try his honour .
+
+These differences shall all rest under gage
+Till Norfolk be repeal'd : repeal'd he shall be ,
+And though mine enemy , restor'd again
+To all his lands and signories ; when he's return'd ,
+Against Aumerle we will enforce his trial .
+
+That honourable day shall ne'er be seen .
+Many a time hath banish'd Norfolk fought
+For Jesu Christ in glorious Christian field ,
+Streaming the ensign of the Christian cross
+Against black pagans , Turks , and Saracens ;
+And toil'd with works of war , retir'd himself
+To Italy ; and there at Venice gave
+His body to that pleasant country's earth ,
+And his pure soul unto his captain Christ ,
+Under whose colours he had fought so long .
+
+Why , bishop , is Norfolk dead ?
+
+As surely as I live , my lord .
+
+Sweet peace conduct his sweet soul to the bosom
+Of good old Abraham ! Lords appellants ,
+Your differences shall all rest under gage
+Till we assign you to your days of trial .
+
+
+Great Duke of Lancaster , I come to thee
+From plume-pluck'd Richard ; who with willing soul
+Adopts thee heir , and his high sceptre yields
+To the possession of thy royal hand .
+Ascend his throne , descending now from him ;
+And long live Henry , of that name the fourth !
+
+In God's name , I'll ascend the regal throne .
+
+Marry , God forbid !
+Worst in this royal presence may I speak ,
+Yet best beseeming me to speak the truth .
+Would God that any in this noble presence
+Were enough noble to be upright judge
+Of noble Richard ! then , true noblesse would
+Learn him forbearance from so foul a wrong .
+What subject can give sentence on his king ?
+And who sits here that is not Richard's subject ?
+Thieves are not judg'd but they are by to hear ,
+Although apparent guilt be seen in them ;
+And shall the figure of God's majesty ,
+His captain , steward , deputy elect ,
+Anointed , crowned , planted many years ,
+Be judg'd by subject and inferior breath ,
+And he himself not present ? O ! forfend it , God ,
+That in a Christian climate souls refin'd
+Should show so heinous , black , obscene a deed .
+I speak to subjects , and a subject speaks ,
+Stirr'd up by God thus boldly for his king .
+My Lord of Hereford here , whom you call king ,
+Is a foul traitor to proud Hereford's king ;
+And if you crown him , let me prophesy ,
+The blood of English shall manure the ground
+And future ages groan for this foul act ;
+Peace shall go sleep with Turks and infidels ,
+And in this seat of peace tumultuous wars
+Shall kin with kin and kind with kind confound ;
+Disorder , horror , fear and mutiny
+Shall here inhabit , and this land be call'd
+The field of Golgotha and dead men's skulls .
+O ! if you rear this house against this house ,
+It will the woefullest division prove
+That ever fell upon this cursed earth .
+Prevent it , resist it , let it not be so ,
+Lest child , child's children , cry against you 'woe !'
+
+Well have you argu'd , sir ; and , for your pains ,
+Of capital treason we arrest you here .
+My Lord of Westminster , be it your charge
+To keep him safely till his day of trial .
+May it please you , lords , to grant the commons' suit ?
+
+Fetch hither Richard , that in common view
+He may surrender ; so we shall proceed
+Without suspicion .
+
+I will be his conduct .
+
+
+Lords , you that here are under our arrest ,
+Procure your sureties for your days of answer .
+
+
+Little are we beholding to your love ,
+And little look'd for at your helping hands .
+
+
+Alack ! why am I sent for to a king
+Before I have shook off the regal thoughts
+Wherewith I reign'd ? I hardly yet have learn'd
+To insinuate , flatter , bow , and bend my limbs :
+Give sorrow leave awhile to tutor me
+To this submission . Yet I well remember
+The favours of these men : were they not mine ?
+Did they not sometime cry , 'All haill' to me ?
+So Judas did to Christ : but he , in twelve ,
+Found truth in all but one ; I , in twelve thousand , none .
+God save the king ! Will no man say , amen ?
+Am I both priest and clerk ? well then , amen .
+God save the king ! although I be not he ;
+And yet , amen , if heaven do think him me .
+To do what service am I sent for hither ?
+
+To do that office of thine own good will
+Which tired majesty did make thee offer ,
+The resignation of thy state and crown
+To Henry Bolingbroke .
+
+Give me the crown . Here , cousin , seize the crown ;
+Here cousin ,
+On this side my hand and on that side thine .
+Now is this golden crown like a deep well
+That owes two buckets filling one another ;
+The emptier ever dancing in the air ,
+The other down , unseen and full of water :
+That bucket down and full of tears am I ,
+Drinking my griefs , whilst you mount up on high .
+
+I thought you had been willing to resign .
+
+My crown , I am ; but still my griefs are mine .
+You may my glories and my state depose ,
+But not my griefs ; still am I king of those .
+
+Part of your cares you give me with your crown .
+
+Your cares set up do not pluck my cares down .
+My care is loss of care , by old care done ;
+Your care is gain of care , by new care won .
+The cares I give I have , though given away ;
+They tend the crown , yet still with me they stay .
+
+Are you contented to resign the crown ?
+
+Ay , no ; no , ay ; for I must nothing be ;
+Therefore no no , for I resign to thee .
+Now mark me how I will undo myself :
+I give this heavy weight from off my head ,
+And this unwieldy sceptre from my hand ,
+The pride of kingly sway from out my heart ;
+With mine own tears I wash away my balm ,
+With mine own hands I give away my crown ,
+With mine own tongue deny my sacred state ,
+With mine own breath release all duteous rites :
+All pomp and majesty I do forswear ;
+My manors , rents , revenues , I forego ;
+My acts , decrees , and statutes I deny :
+God pardon all oaths that are broke to me !
+God keep all vows unbroke are made to thee !
+Make me , that nothing have , with nothing griev'd ,
+And thou with all pleas'd , that hast all achiev'd !
+Long mayst thou live in Richard's seat to sit ,
+And soon lie Richard in an earthy pit !
+God save King Henry , unking'd Richard says ,
+And send him many years of sunshine days !
+What more remains ?
+
+No more , but that you read
+These accusations and these grievous crimes
+Committed by your person and your followers
+Against the state and profit of this land ;
+That , by confessing them , the souls of men
+May deem that you are worthily depos'd .
+
+Must I do so ? and must I ravel out
+My weav'd-up follies ? Gentle Northumberland ,
+If thy offences were upon record ,
+Would it not shame thee in so fair a troop
+To read a lecture of them ? If thou wouldst ,
+There shouldst thou find one heinous article ,
+Containing the deposing of a king ,
+And cracking the strong warrant of an oath ,
+Mark'd with a blot , damn'd in the book of heaven .
+Nay , all of you that stand and look upon me ,
+Whilst that my wretchedness doth bait myself ,
+Though some of you with Pilate wash your hands ,
+Showing an outward pity ; yet you Pilates
+Have here deliver'd me to my sour cross ,
+And water cannot wash away your sin .
+
+My lord , dispatch ; read o'er these articles .
+
+Mine eyes are full of tears , I cannot see :
+And yet salt water blinds them not so much
+But they can see a sort of traitors here .
+Nay , if I turn mine eyes upon myself ,
+I find myself a traitor with the rest ;
+For I have given here my soul's consent
+To undeck the pompous body of a king ;
+Made glory base and sovereignty a slave ,
+Proud majesty a subject , state a peasant ,
+
+My lord ,
+
+No lord of thine , thou haught insulting man ,
+Nor no man's lord ; I have no name , no title ,
+No , not that name was given me at the font ,
+But 'tis usurp'd : alack the heavy day !
+That I have worn so many winters out ,
+And know not now what name to call myself .
+O ! that I were a mockery king of snow ,
+Standing before the sun of Bolingbroke ,
+To melt myself away in water-drops .
+Good king , great king ,and yet not greatly good ,
+An if my word be sterling yet in England ,
+Let it command a mirror hither straight ,
+That it may show me what a face I have ,
+Since it is bankrupt of his majesty .
+
+Go some of you and fetch a looking-glass .
+
+
+Read o'er this paper while the glass doth come .
+
+Fiend ! thou torment'st me ere I come to hell .
+
+Urge it no more , my Lord Northumberland .
+
+The commons will not then be satisfied .
+
+They shall be satisfied : I'll read enough
+When I do see the very book indeed
+Where all my sins are writ , and that's myself .
+
+
+Give me the glass , and therein will I read .
+No deeper wrinkles yet ? Hath sorrow struck
+So many blows upon this face of mine
+And made no deeper wounds ? O , flattering glass !
+Like to my followers in prosperity ,
+Thou dost beguile me . Was this face the face
+That every day under his household roof
+Did keep ten thousand men ? Was this the face
+That like the sun did make beholders wink ?
+Was this the face that fac'd so many follies ,
+And was at last out-fac'd by Bolingbroke ?
+A brittle glory shineth in this face :
+As brittle as the glory is the face ;
+
+For there it is , crack'd in a hundred shivers .
+Mark , silent king , the moral of this sport ,
+
+How soon my sorrow hath destroy'd my face .
+
+The shadow of your sorrow hath destroy'd
+The shadow of your face .
+
+Say that again .
+The shadow of my sorrow ! Ha ! let's see :
+'Tis very true , my grief lies all within ;
+And these external manners of laments
+Are merely shadows to the unseen grief
+That swells with silence in the tortur'd soul ;
+There lies the substance : and I thank thee , king ,
+For thy great bounty , that not only giv'st
+Me cause to wail , but teachest me the way
+How to lament the cause . I'll beg one boon ,
+And then be gone and trouble you no more .
+Shall I obtain it ?
+
+Name it , fair cousin .
+
+'Fair cousin !' I am greater than a king ;
+For when I was a king , my flatterers
+Were then but subjects ; being now a subject ,
+I have a king here to my flatterer .
+Being so great , I have no need to beg .
+
+Yet ask .
+
+And shall I have ?
+
+You shall .
+
+Then give me leave to go .
+
+Whither ?
+
+Whither you will , so I were from your sights .
+
+Go , some of you convey him to the Tower .
+
+O , good ! convey ? conveyers are you all ,
+That rise thus nimbly by a true king's fall .
+
+
+On Wednesday next we solemnly set down
+Our coronation : lords , prepare yourselves .
+
+
+A woeful pageant have we here beheld .
+
+The woe's to come ; the children yet unborn
+Shall feel this day as sharp to them as thorn .
+
+You holy clergymen , is there no plot
+To rid the realm of this pernicious blot ?
+
+My lord ,
+Before I freely speak my mind herein ,
+You shall not only take the sacrament
+To bury mine intents , but also to effect
+Whatever I shall happen to devise .
+I see your brows are full of discontent ,
+Your hearts of sorrow , and your eyes of tears :
+Come home with me to supper ; I will lay
+A plot shall show us all a merry day .
+
+This way the king will come ; this is the way
+To Julius C sar's ill-erected tower ,
+To whose flint bosom my condemned lord
+Is doom'd a prisoner by proud Bolingbroke .
+Here let us rest , if this rebellious earth
+Have any resting for her true king's queen .
+
+
+But soft , but see , or rather do not see ,
+My fair rose wither : yet look up , behold ,
+That you in pity may dissolve to dew ,
+And wash him fresh again with true-love tears .
+Ah ! thou , the model where old Troy did stand ,
+Thou map of honour , thou King Richard's tomb ,
+And not King Richard ; thou most beauteous inn ,
+Why should hard-favour'd grief be lodg'd in thee ,
+
+When triumph is become an alehouse guest ?
+
+Join not with grief , fair woman , do not so ,
+To make my end too sudden : learn , good soul ,
+To think our former state a happy dream ;
+From which awak'd , the truth of what we are
+Shows us but this . I am sworn brother , sweet ,
+To grim Necessity , and he and I
+Will keep a league till death . Hie thee to France ,
+And cloister thee in some religious house :
+Our holy lives must win a new world's crown ,
+Which our profane hours here have stricken down .
+
+What ! is my Richard both in shape and mind
+Transform'd and weaken'd ! Hath Bolingbroke depos'd
+Thine intellect ? hath he been in thy heart ?
+The lion dying thrusteth forth his paw
+And wounds the earth , if nothing else , with rage
+To be o'erpower'd ; and wilt thou , pupil-like ,
+Take thy correction mildly , kiss the rod ,
+And fawn on rage with base humility ,
+Which art a lion and a king of beasts ?
+
+A king of beasts indeed ; if aught but beasts ,
+I had been still a happy king of men .
+Good sometime queen , prepare thee hence for France ,
+Think I am dead , and that even here thou tak'st ,
+As from my death-bed , my last living leave .
+In winter's tedious nights sit by the fire
+With good old folks , and let them tell thee tales
+Of woeful ages , long ago betid ;
+And ere thou bid good night , to quit their grief ,
+Tell thou the lamentable tale of me ,
+And send the hearers weeping to their beds :
+For why the senseless brands will sympathize
+The heavy accent of thy moving tongue ,
+And in compassion weep the fire out ;
+And some will mourn in ashes , some coal-black ,
+For the deposing of a rightful king .
+
+
+My lord , the mind of Bolingbroke is chang'd ;
+You must to Pomfret , not unto the Tower .
+And , madam , there is order ta'en for you ;
+With all swift speed you must away to France .
+
+Northumberland , thou ladder wherewithal
+The mounting Bolingbroke ascends my throne ,
+The time shall not be many hours of age
+More than it is , ere foul sin gathering head
+Shall break into corruption . Thou shalt think ,
+Though he divide the realm and give thee half ,
+It is too little , helping him to all ;
+And he shall think that thou , which know'st the way
+To plant unrightful kings , wilt know again ,
+Being ne'er so little urg'd , another way
+To pluck him headlong from the usurped throne .
+The love of wicked friends converts to fear ;
+That fear to hate , and hate turns one or both
+To worthy danger and deserved death .
+
+My guilt be on my head , and there an end .
+Take leave and part ; for you must part forthwith .
+
+Doubly divorc'd ! Bad men , ye violate
+A two-fold marriage ; 'twixt my crown and me ,
+And then , betwixt me and my married wife .
+Let me unkiss the oath 'twixt thee and me ;
+And yet not so , for with a kiss 'twas made .
+Part us , Northumberland : I towards the north ,
+Where shivering cold and sickness pines the clime ;
+My wife to France : from whence , set forth in pomp ,
+She came adorned hither like sweet May ,
+Sent back like Hallowmas or short'st of day .
+
+And must we be divided ? must we part ?
+
+Ay , hand from hand , my love , and heart from heart .
+
+Banish us both and send the king with me .
+
+That were some love but little policy .
+
+Then whither he goes , thither let me go .
+
+So two , together weeping , make one woe .
+Weep thou for me in France , I for thee here ;
+Better far off , than near , be ne'er the near .
+Go , count thy way with sighs , I mine with groans .
+
+So longest way shall have the longest moans .
+
+Twice for one step I'll groan , the way being short ,
+And piece the way out with a heavy heart .
+Come , come , in wooing sorrow let's be brief ,
+Since , wedding it , thero is such length in grief .
+One kiss shall stop our mouths , and dumbly part ;
+Thus give I mine , and thus take I thy heart .
+
+
+Give me mine own again ; 'twere no good part
+To take on me to keep and kill thy heart .
+
+So , now I have mine own again , be gone ,
+That I may strive to kill it with a groan .
+
+We make woe wanton with this fond delay :
+Once more , adieu ; the rest let sorrow say .
+
+
+My lord , you told me you would tell the rest ,
+When weeping made you break the story off ,
+Of our two cousins coming into London .
+
+Where did I leave ?
+
+At that sad stop , my lord ,
+Where rude misgovern'd hands , from windows' tops ,
+Threw dust and rubbish on King Richard's head .
+
+Then , as I said , the duke , great Bolingbroke ,
+Mounted upon a hot and fiery steed ,
+Which his aspiring rider seem'd to know ,
+With slow but stately pace kept on his course ,
+While all tongues cried , 'God save thee , Bolingbroke !'
+You would have thought the very windows spake ,
+So many greedy looks of young and old
+Through casements darted their desiring eyes
+Upon his visage , and that all the walls
+With painted imagery had said at once
+'Jesu preserve thee ! welcome , Bolingbroke !'
+Whilst he , from one side to the other turning ,
+Bare-headed , lower than his proud steed's neck ,
+Bespake them thus , 'I thank you , countrymen :'
+And thus still doing , thus he pass'd along .
+
+Alack , poor Richard ! where rode he the whilst ?
+
+As in a theatre , the eyes of men ,
+After a well-grac'd actor leaves the stage ,
+Are idly bent on him that enters next ,
+Thinking his prattle to be tedious ;
+Even so , or with much more contempt , men's eyes
+Did scowl on Richard : no man cried , 'God save him ;'
+No joyful tongue gave him his welcome home ;
+But dust was thrown upon his sacred head ,
+Which with such gentle sorrow he shook off ,
+His face still combating with tears and smiles ,
+The badges of his grief and patience ,
+That had not God , for some strong purpose , steel'd
+The hearts of men , they must perforce have melted ,
+And barbarism itself have pitied him .
+But heaven hath a hand in these events ,
+To whose high will we bound our calm contents .
+To Bolingbroke are we sworn subjects now ,
+Whose state and honour I for aye allow .
+
+Here comes my son Aumerle .
+
+Aumerle that was ;
+But that is lost for being Richard's friend ,
+And , madam , you must call him Rutland now .
+I am in parliament pledge for his truth
+And lasting fealty to the new-made king .
+
+
+Welcome , my son : who are the violets now
+That strew the green lap of the new come spring ?
+
+Madam , I know not , nor I greatly care not :
+God knows I had as lief be none as one .
+
+Well , bear you well in this new spring of time ,
+Lest you be cropp'd before you come to prime .
+What news from Oxford ? hold those justs and triumphs ?
+
+For aught I know , my lord , they do .
+
+You will be there , I know .
+
+If God prevent it not , I purpose so .
+
+What seal is that that hangs without thy bosom ?
+Yea , look'st thou pale ? let me see the writing .
+
+My lord , 'tis nothing .
+
+No matter then , who sees it :
+I will be satisfied ; let me see the writing .
+
+I do beseech your Grace to pardon me :
+It is a matter of small consequence ,
+Which for some reasons I would not have seen .
+
+Which for some reasons , sir , I mean to see .
+I fear , I fear ,
+
+What should you fear ?
+'Tis nothing but some bond he's enter'd into
+For gay apparel 'gainst the triumph day .
+
+Bound to himself ! what doth he with a bond
+That he is bound to ? Wife , thou art a fool .
+Boy , let me see the writing .
+
+I do beseech you , pardon me ; I may not show it .
+
+I will be satisfied ; let me see it , I say .
+
+Treason ! foul treason ! villain ! traitor ! slave !
+
+What is the matter , my lord ?
+
+Ho ! who is within there ?
+
+
+Saddle my horse .
+
+God for his mercy ! what treachery is here !
+
+Why , what is it , my lord ?
+
+Give me my boots , I say ; saddle my horse .
+Now , by mine honour , by my life , my troth ,
+I will appeach the villain .
+
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+Peace , foolish woman .
+
+I will not peace . What is the matter , Aumerle ?
+
+Good mother , be content ; it is no more
+Than my poor life must answer .
+
+Thy life answer !
+
+Bring me my boots : I will unto the king .
+
+
+Strike him , Aumerle . Poor boy , thou art amaz'd .
+
+
+Hence , villain ! never more come in my sight .
+
+
+Give me my boots , I say .
+
+Why , York , what wilt thou do ?
+Wilt thou not hide the trespass of thine own ?
+Have we more sons , or are we like to have ?
+Is not my teeming date drunk up with time ?
+And wilt thou pluck my fair son from mine age ,
+And rob me of a happy mother's name ?
+Is he not like thee ? is he not thine own ?
+
+Thou fond , mad woman ,
+Wilt thou conceal this dark conspiracy ?
+A dozen of them here have ta'en the sacrament ,
+And interchangeably set down their hands ,
+To kill the king at Oxford .
+
+He shall be none ;
+We'll keep him here : then , what is that to him ?
+
+Away , fond woman ! were he twenty times
+My son , I would appeach him .
+
+Hadst thou groan'd for him
+As I have done , thou'dst be more pitiful .
+But now I know thy mind : thou dost suspect
+That I have been disloyal to thy bed ,
+And that he is a bastard , not thy son :
+Sweet York , sweet husband , be not of that mind :
+He is as like thee as a man may be ,
+Not like to me , nor any of my kin ,
+And yet I love him .
+
+Make way , unruly woman !
+
+
+After , Aumerle ! Mount thee upon his horse ;
+Spur post , and get before him to the king ,
+And beg thy pardon ere he do accuse thee .
+I'll not be long behind ; though I be old ,
+I doubt not but to ride as fast as York :
+And never will I rise up from the ground
+Till Bolingbroke have pardon'd thee . Away ! be gone .
+
+
+Can no man tell of my unthrifty son ?
+'Tis full three months since I did see him last .
+If any plague hang over us , 'tis he .
+I would to God , my lords , he might be found :
+Inquire at London , 'mongst the taverns there ,
+For there , they say , he daily doth frequent ,
+With unrestrained loose companions ,
+Even such , they say , as stand in narrow lanes
+And beat our watch and rob our passengers ;
+While he , young wanton and effeminate boy ,
+Takes on the point of honour to support
+So dissolute a crew .
+
+My lord , some two days since I saw the prince ,
+And told him of these triumphs held at Oxford .
+
+And what said the gallant ?
+
+His answer was : he would unto the stews ,
+And from the common'st creature pluck a glove ,
+And wear it as a favour ; and with that
+He would unhorse the lustiest challenger .
+
+As dissolute as desperate ; yet , through both ,
+I see some sparkles of a better hope ,
+Which elder days may happily bring forth .
+But who comes here ?
+
+
+Where is the king ?
+
+What means
+Our cousin , that he stares and looks so wildly ?
+
+God save your Grace ! I do beseech your majesty ,
+To have some conference with your Grace alone .
+
+Withdraw yourselves , and leave us here alone .
+
+What is the matter with our cousin now ?
+
+For ever may my knees grow to the earth ,
+My tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth ,
+Unless a pardon ere I rise or speak .
+
+Intended or committed was this fault ?
+If on the first , how heinous e'er it be ,
+To win thy after-love I pardon thee .
+
+Then give me leave that I may turn the key ,
+That no man enter till my tale be done .
+
+Have thy desire .
+
+
+My liege , beware ! look to thyself ;
+Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there .
+
+Villain , I'll make thee safe .
+
+Stay thy revengeful hand ; thou hast no cause to fear .
+
+Open the door , secure , foolhardy king :
+Shall I for love speak treason to thy face ?
+Open the door , or I will break it open .
+
+What is the matter , uncle ? speak ;
+Recover breath ; tell us how near is danger ,
+That we may arm us to encounter it .
+
+Peruse this writing here , and thou shalt know
+The treason that my haste forbids me show .
+
+Remember , as thou read'st , thy promise pass'd :
+I do repent me ; read not my name there ;
+My heart is not confederate with my hand .
+
+'Twas , villain , ere thy hand did set it down .
+I tore it from the traitor's bosom , king ;
+Fear , and not love , begets his penitence .
+Forget to pity him , lest thy pity prove
+A serpent that will sting thee to the heart .
+
+O heinous , strong , and bold conspiracy !
+O loyal father of a treacherous son !
+Thou sheer , immaculate , and silver fountain ,
+From whence this stream through muddy passages
+Hath held his current and defil'd himself !
+Thy overflow of good converts to bad ,
+And thy abundant goodness shall excuse
+This deadly blot in thy digressing son .
+
+So shall my virtue be his vice's bawd ,
+And he shall spend mine honour with his shame ,
+As thriftless sons their scraping fathers' gold .
+Mine honour lives when his dishonour dies ,
+Or my sham'd life in his dishonour lies :
+Thou kill'st me in his life ; giving him breath ,
+The traitor lives , the true man's put to death .
+
+What ho , my liege ! for God's sake let me in .
+
+What shrill-voic'd suppliant makes this eager cry ?
+
+A woman , and thine aunt , great king ; 'tis I .
+Speak with me , pity me , open the door :
+A beggar begs , that never begg'd before .
+
+Our scene is alter'd from a serious thing ,
+And now chang'd to 'The Beggar and the King .'
+My dangerous cousin , let your mother in :
+I know she's come to pray for your foul sin .
+
+
+If thou do pardon , whosoever pray ,
+More sins , for this forgiveness , prosper may .
+This fester'd joint cut off , the rest rests sound ;
+This , let alone , will all the rest confound .
+
+
+O king ! believe not this hard-hearted man :
+Love , loving not itself , none other can .
+
+Thou frantic woman , what dost thou make here ?
+Shall thy old dugs once more a traitor rear ?
+
+Sweet York , be-patient .
+
+Hear me , gentle liege .
+
+Rise up , good aunt .
+
+Not yet , I thee beseech .
+For ever will I walk upon my knees ,
+And never see day that the happy sees ,
+Till thou give joy ; until thou bid me joy ,
+By pardoning Rutland , my transgressing boy .
+
+Unto my mother's prayers I bend my knee .
+
+
+Against them both my true joints bended be .
+
+Ill mayst thou thrive if thou grant any grace !
+
+Pleads he in earnest ? look upon his face ;
+His eyes do drop no tears , his prayers are in jest ;
+His words come from his mouth , ours from our breast :
+He prays but faintly and would be denied ;
+We pray with heart and soul and all beside :
+His weary joints would gladly rise , I know ;
+Our knees shall kneel till to the ground they grow :
+His prayers are full of false hypocrisy ;
+Ours of true zeal and deep integrity .
+Our prayers do out-pray his ; then let them have
+That mercy which true prayer ought to have .
+
+Good aunt , stand up .
+
+Nay , do not say 'stand up ;'
+But 'pardon' first , and afterwards 'stand up .'
+An if I were thy nurse , thy tongue to teach ,
+'Pardon' should be the first word of thy speech .
+I never long'd to hear a word till now ;
+Say 'pardon ,' king ; let pity teach thee how :
+The word is short , but not so short as sweet ;
+No word like 'pardon ,' for kings' mouths so meet .
+
+Speak it in French , king ; say , 'pardonnez moy .'
+
+Dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy ?
+Ah ! my sour husband , my hard-hearted lord ,
+That sett'st the word itself against the word .
+Speak 'pardon' as 'tis current in our land ;
+The chopping French we do not understand .
+Thine eye begins to speak , set thy tongue there ,
+Or in thy piteous heart plant thou thine ear ,
+That hearing how our plants and prayers do pierce ,
+Pity may move thee pardon to rehearse .
+
+Good aunt , stand up .
+
+I do not sue to stand ;
+Pardon is all the suit I have in hand .
+
+I pardon him , as God shall pardon me .
+
+O happy vantage of a kneeling knee !
+Yet am I sick for fear : speak it again ;
+Twice saying 'pardon' doth not pardon twain ,
+But makes one pardon strong .
+
+With all my heart
+I pardon him .
+
+A god on earth thou art .
+
+But for our trusty brother-in-law and the abbot ,
+With all the rest of that consorted crew ,
+Destruction straight shall dog them at the heels .
+Good uncle , help to order several powers
+To Oxford , or where'er these traitors are :
+They shall not live within this world , I swear ,
+But I will have them , if I once know where .
+Uncle , farewell : and cousin too , adieu :
+Your mother well hath pray'd , and prove you true .
+
+Come , my old son : I pray God make thee new .
+
+
+Didst thou not mark the king , what words he spake ?
+'Have I no friend will rid me of this living fear ?'
+Was it not so ?
+
+Those were his very words .
+
+'Have I no friend ?' quoth he : he spake it twice ,
+And urg'd it twice together , did he not ?
+
+He did .
+
+And speaking it , he wistly looked on me ,
+As who should say , 'I would thou wert the man
+That would divorce this terror from my heart ;'
+Meaning the king at Pomfret . Come , let's go :
+I am the king's friend , and will rid his foe .
+
+
+I have been studying how I may compare
+This prison where I live unto the world :
+And for because the world is populous ,
+And here is not a creature but myself ,
+I cannot do it ; yet I'll hammer it out .
+My brain I'll prove the female to my soul ;
+My soul the father : and these two beget
+A generation of still-breeding thoughts ,
+And these same thoughts people this little world
+In humours like the people of this world ,
+For no thought is contented . The better sort ,
+As thoughts of things divine , are intermix'd
+With scruples , and do set the word itself
+Against the word :
+As thus , 'Come , little ones ;' and then again ,
+'It is as hard to come as for a camel
+To thread the postern of a needle's eye .'
+Thoughts tending to ambition , they do plot
+Unlikely wonders ; how these vain weak nails
+May tear a passage through the flinty ribs
+Of this hard world , my ragged prison walls ;
+And , for they cannot , die in their own pride .
+Thoughts tending to content flatter themselves
+That they are not the first of fortune's slaves ,
+Nor shall not be the last ; like silly beggars
+Who sitting in the stocks refuge their shame ,
+That many have and others must sit there :
+And in this thought they find a kind of ease ,
+Bearing their own misfortune on the back
+Of such as have before endur'd the like .
+Thus play I in one person many people ,
+And none contented : sometimes am I king ;
+Then treason makes me wish myself a beggar ,
+And so I am : then crushing penury
+Persuades me I was better when a king ;
+Then am I king'd again ; and by and by
+Think that I am unking'd by Bolingbroke ,
+And straight am nothing : but whate'er I be ,
+Nor I nor any man that but man is
+With nothing shall be pleas'd , till he be eas'd
+With being nothing . Music do I hear ?
+
+Ha , ha ! keep time . How sour sweet music is
+When time is broke and no proportion kept !
+So is it in the music of men's lives .
+And here have I the daintiness of ear
+To check time broke in a disorder'd string ;
+But for the concord of my state and time
+Had not an ear to hear my true time broke .
+I wasted time , and now doth time waste me ;
+For now hath time made me his numbering clock :
+My thoughts are minutes , and with sighs they jar
+Their watches on unto mine eyes , the outward watch ,
+Whereto my finger , like a dial's point ,
+Is pointing still , in cleansing them from tears .
+Now sir , the sound that tells what hour it is
+Are clamorous groans , that strike upon my heart
+Which is the bell : so sighs and tears and groans
+Show minutes , times , and hours ; but my time
+Runs posting on in Bolingbroke's proud joy ,
+While I stand fooling here , his Jack o' the clock .
+This music mads me : let it sound no more ;
+For though it have holp madmen to their wits ,
+In me it seems it will make wise men mad .
+Yet blessing on his heart that gives it me !
+For 'tis a sign of love , and love to Richard
+Is a strange brooch in this all-hating world .
+
+
+Hail , royal prince !
+
+Thanks , noble peer ;
+The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear .
+What art thou ? and how comest thou hither , man ,
+Where no man never comes but that sad dog
+That brings me food to make misfortune live ?
+
+I was a poor groom of thy stable , king ,
+When thou wert king ; who , travelling towards York ,
+With much ado at length have gotten leave
+To look upon my sometimes royal master's face .
+O ! how it yearn'd my heart when I beheld
+In London streets , that coronation day
+When Bolingbroke rode on roan Barbary ,
+That horse that thou so often hast bestrid ,
+That horse that I so carefully have dress'd .
+
+Rode he on Barbary ? Tell me , gentle friend ,
+How went he under him ?
+
+So proudly as if he disdain'd the ground .
+
+So proud that Bolingbroke was on his back !
+That jade hath eat bread from my royal hand ;
+This hand hath made him proud with clapping him .
+Would he not stumble ? Would he not fall down ,
+Since pride must have a fall ,and break the neck
+Of that proud man that did usurp his back ?
+Forgiveness , horse ! why do I rail on thee ,
+Since thou , created to be aw'd by man ,
+Wast born to bear ? I was not made a horse ;
+And yet I bear a burden like an ass ,
+Spur-gall'd and tir'd by jauncing Bolingbroke .
+
+
+Fellow , give place ; here is no longer stay .
+
+If thou love me , 'tis time thou wert away .
+
+What my tongue dares not , that my heart shall say .
+
+
+My lord , will't please you to fall to ?
+
+Taste of it first , as thou art wont to do .
+
+My lord , I dare not : Sir Pierce of Exton , who lately came from the king , commands the contrary .
+
+The devil take Henry of Lancaster , and thee !
+Patience is stale , and I am weary of it .
+
+
+Help , help , help !
+
+
+How now ! what means death in this rude assault ?
+Villain , thine own hand yields thy death's instrument .
+
+Go thou and fill another room in hell .
+
+That hand shall burn in never-quenching fire
+That staggers thus my person . Exton , thy fierce hand
+Hath with the king's blood stain'd the king's own land .
+Mount , mount , my soul ! thy seat is up on high ,
+Whilst my gross flesh sinks downward , here to die .
+
+
+As full of valour as of royal blood :
+Both have I spilt ; O ! would the deed were good ;
+For now the devil , that told me I did well ,
+Says that this deed is chronicled in hell .
+This dead king to the living king I'll bear .
+Take hence the rest and give them burial here .
+
+
+Kind uncle York , the latest news we hear
+Is that the rebels have consum'd with fire
+Our town of Cicester in Gloucestershire ;
+But whether they be ta'en or slain we hear not .
+
+Welcome , my lord . What is the news ?
+
+First , to thy sacred state wish I all happiness .
+The next news is : I have to London sent
+The heads of Salisbury , Spencer , Blunt , and Kent .
+The manner of their taking may appear
+At large discoursed in this paper here .
+
+We thank thee , gentle Percy , for thy pains ,
+And to thy worth will add right worthy gains .
+
+
+My lord , I have from Oxford sent to London
+The heads of Brocas and Sir Bennet Seely ,
+Two of the dangerous consorted traitors
+That sought at Oxford thy dire overthrow .
+
+Thy pains , Fitzwater , shall not be forgot ;
+Right noble is thy merit , well I wot .
+
+
+The grand conspirator , Abbot of Westminster ,
+With clog of conscience and sour melancholy ,
+Hath yielded up his body to the grave ;
+But here is Carlisle living , to abide
+Thy kingly doom and sentence of his pride .
+
+Carlisle , this is your doom :
+Choose out some secret place , some reverend room ,
+More than thou hast , and with it joy thy life ;
+So , as thou livest in peace , die free from strife :
+For though mine enemy thou hast ever been ,
+High sparks of honour in thee have I seen .
+
+
+Great king , within this coffin I present
+Thy buried fear : herein all breathless lies
+The mightiest of thy greatest enemies ,
+Richard of Bordeaux , by me hither brought .
+
+Exton , I thank thee not ; for thou hast wrought
+A deed of slander with thy fatal hand
+Upon my head and all this famous land .
+
+From your own mouth , my lord , did I this deed .
+
+They love not poison that do poison need ,
+Nor do I thee : though I did wish him dead ,
+I hate the murderer , love him murdered .
+The guilt of conscience take thou for thy labour ,
+But neither my good word nor princely favour :
+With Cain go wander through the shade of night ,
+And never show thy head by day nor light .
+Lords , I protest , my soul is full of woe ,
+That blood should sprinkle me to make me grow :
+Come , mourn with me for that I do lament ,
+And put on sullen black incontinent .
+I'll make a voyage to the Holy Land ,
+To wash this blood off from my guilty hand .
+March sadly after ; grace my mournings here ,
+In weeping after this untimely bier .
+
+THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD III
+
+Now is the winter of our discontent
+Made glorious summer by this sun of York ;
+And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house
+In the deep bosom of the ocean buried .
+Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths ;
+Our bruised arms hung up for monuments ;
+Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings ;
+Our dreadful marches to delightful measures .
+Grim-visag'd war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front ;
+And now ,instead of mounting barbed steeds ,
+To fright the souls of fearful adversaries ,
+He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber
+To the lascivious pleasing of a lute .
+But I , that am not shap'd for sportive tricks ,
+Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass ;
+I , that am rudely stamp'd , and want love's majesty
+To strut before a wanton ambling nymph ;
+I , that am curtail'd of this fair proportion ,
+Cheated of feature by dissembling nature ,
+Deform'd , unfinish'd , sent before my time
+Into this breathing world , scarce half made up ,
+And that so lamely and unfashionable
+That dogs bark at me , as I halt by them ;
+Why , I , in this weak piping time of peace ,
+Have no delight to pass away the time ,
+Unless to see my shadow in the sun
+And descant on mine own deformity :
+And therefore , since I cannot prove a lover ,
+To entertain these fair well-spoken days ,
+I am determined to prove a villain ,
+And hate the idle pleasures of these days .
+Plots have I laid , inductions dangerous ,
+By drunken prophecies , libels , and dreams ,
+To set my brother Clarence and the king
+In deadly hate the one against the other :
+And if King Edward be as true and just
+As I am subtle , false , and treacherous ,
+This day should Clarence closely be mew'd up ,
+About a prophecy , which says , that G
+Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be .
+Dive , thoughts , down to my soul : here Clarence comes .
+
+
+Brother , good day : what means this armed guard
+
+That waits upon your Grace ?
+
+His majesty ,
+Tendering my person's safety , hath appointed
+This conduct to convey me to the Tower .
+
+Upon what cause ?
+
+Because my name is George .
+
+Alack ! my lord , that fault is none of yours ;
+He should , for that , commit your godfathers .
+O ! belike his majesty hath some intent
+That you should be new-christen'd in the Tower .
+But what's the matter , Clarence ? may I know ?
+
+Yea , Richard , when I know ; for I protest
+As yet I do not : but , as I can learn ,
+He hearkens after prophecies and dreams ;
+And from the cross-row plucks the letter G ,
+And says a wizard told him that by G
+His issue disinherited should be ;
+And , for my name of George begins with G ,
+It follows in his thought that I am he .
+These , as I learn , and such like toys as these ,
+Have mov'd his highness to commit me now .
+
+Why , this it is , when men are rul'd by women :
+'Tis not the king that sends you to the Tower ;
+My Lady Grey , his wife , Clarence , 'tis she
+That tempers him to this extremity .
+Was it not she and that good man of worship ,
+Antony Woodville , her brother there ,
+That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower ,
+From whence this present day he is deliver'd ?
+We are not safe , Clarence ; we are not safe .
+
+By heaven , I think there is no man secure
+But the queen's kindred and night-walking heralds
+That trudge betwixt the king and Mistress Shore .
+Heard you not what a humble suppliant
+Lord Hastings was to her for his delivery ?
+
+Humbly complaining to her deity
+Got my lord chamberlain his liberty .
+I'll tell you what ; I think it is our way ,
+If we will keep in favour with the king ,
+To be her men and wear her livery :
+The jealous o'er-worn widow and herself ,
+Since that our brother dubb'd them gentlewomen ,
+Are mighty gossips in our monarchy .
+
+I beseech your Graces both to pardon me ;
+His majesty hath straitly given in charge
+That no man shall have private conference ,
+Of what degree soever , with your brother .
+
+Even so ; an please your worship , Brakenbury ,
+You may partake of anything we say :
+We speak no treason , man : we say the king
+Is wise and virtuous , and his noble queen
+Well struck in years , fair , and not jealous ;
+We say that Shore's wife hath a pretty foot ,
+A cherry lip , a bonny eye , a passing pleasing tongue ;
+And that the queen's kindred are made gentlefolks .
+How say you , sir ? can you deny all this ?
+
+With this , my lord , myself have nought to do .
+
+Naught to do with Mistress Shore ! I tell thee , fellow ,
+He that doth naught with her , excepting one ,
+Were best to do it secretly , alone .
+
+What one , my lord ?
+
+Her husband , knave . Wouldst thou betray me ?
+
+I beseech your Grace to pardon me ; and withal
+Forbear your conference with the noble duke .
+
+We know thy charge , Brakenbury , and will obey .
+
+We are the queen's abjects , and must obey .
+Brother , farewell : I will unto the king ;
+And whatsoe'er you will employ me in ,
+Were it to call King Edward's widow sister ,
+I will perform it to enfranchise you .
+Meantime , this deep disgrace in brotherhood
+Touches me deeper than you can imagine .
+
+I know it pleaseth neither of us well .
+
+Well , your imprisonment shall not be long ;
+I will deliver you , or else lie for you :
+Meantime , have patience .
+
+I must perforce : farewell .
+
+
+Go , tread the path that thou shalt ne'er return ,
+Simple , plain Clarence ! I do love thee so
+That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven ,
+If heaven will take the present at our hands .
+But who comes here ? the new-deliver'd Hastings !
+
+
+Good time of day unto my gracious lord !
+
+As much unto my good lord chamberlain !
+Well are you welcome to this open air .
+How hath your lordship brook'd imprisonment ?
+
+With patience , noble lord , as prisoners must :
+But I shall live , my lord , to give them thanks
+That were the cause of my imprisonment .
+
+No doubt , no doubt ; and so shall Clarence too ;
+For they that were your enemies are his ,
+And have prevail'd as much on him as you .
+
+More pity that the eagles should be mew'd ,
+While kites and buzzards prey at liberty .
+
+What news abroad ?
+
+No news so bad abroad as this at home ;
+The king is sickly , weak , and melancholy ,
+And his physicians fear him mightily .
+
+Now by Saint Paul , this news is bad indeed .
+O ! he hath kept an evil diet long ,
+And over-much consum'd his royal person :
+'Tis very grievous to be thought upon .
+What , is he in his bed ?
+
+He is .
+
+Go you before , and I will follow you .
+
+He cannot live , I hope ; and must not die
+Till George be pack'd with post-horse up to heaven .
+I'll in , to urge his hatred more to Clarence ,
+With lies well steel'd with weighty arguments ;
+And , if I fail not in my deep intent ,
+Clarence hath not another day to live :
+Which done , God take King Edward to his mercy ,
+And leave the world for me to bustle in !
+For then I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter .
+What though I kill'd her husband and her father ,
+The readiest way to make the wench amends
+Is to become her husband and her father :
+The which will I ; not all so much for love
+As for another secret close intent ,
+By marrying her , which I must reach unto .
+But yet I run before my horse to market :
+Clarence still breathes ; Edward still lives and reigns :
+When they are gone , then must I count my gains .
+
+Set down , set down your honourable load ,
+If honour may be shrouded in a hearse ,
+Whilst I a while obsequiously lament
+The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster .
+Poor key-cold figure of a holy king !
+Pale ashes of the house of Lancaster !
+Thou bloodless remnant of that royal blood !
+Be it lawful that I invocate thy ghost ,
+To hear the lamentations of poor Anne ,
+Wife to thy Edward , to thy slaughter'd son ,
+Stabb'd by the self-same hand that made these wounds !
+Lo , in these windows that let forth thy life ,
+I pour the helpless balm of my poor eyes .
+O ! cursed be the hand that made these holes ;
+Cursed the heart that had the heart to do it !
+Cursed the blood that let this blood from hence !
+More direful hap betide that hated wretch ,
+That makes us wretched by the death of thee ,
+Than I can wish to adders , spiders , toads ,
+Or any creeping venom'd thing that lives !
+If ever he have child , abortive be it ,
+Prodigious , and untimely brought to light ,
+Whose ugly and unnatural aspect
+May fright the hopeful mother at the view ;
+And that be heir to his unhappiness !
+If ever he have wife , let her be made
+More miserable by the death of him
+Than I am made by my young lord and thee !
+Come , now toward Chertsey with your holy load ,
+Taken from Paul's to be interred there ;
+And still , as you are weary of the weight ,
+Rest you , whiles I lament King Henry's corse .
+
+Stay , you that bear the corse , and set it down .
+
+What black magician conjures up this fiend ,
+To stop devoted charitable deeds ?
+
+Villains ! set down the corse ; or , by Saint Paul ,
+I'll make a corse of him that disobeys .
+
+My lord , stand back , and let the coffin pass .
+
+Unmanner'd dog ! stand thou when I command :
+Advance thy halberd higher than my breast ,
+Or , by Saint Paul , I'll strike thee to my foot ,
+And spurn upon thee , beggar , for thy boldness .
+
+
+What ! do you tremble ? are you all afraid ?
+Alas ! I blame you not ; for you are mortal ,
+And mortal eyes cannot endure the devil .
+Avaunt ! thou dreadful minister of hell ,
+Thou hadst but power over his mortal body ,
+His soul thou canst not have : therefore , be gone .
+
+Sweet saint , for charity , be not so curst .
+
+Foul devil , for God's sake hence , and trouble us not ;
+For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell ,
+Fill'd it with cursing cries and deep exclaims .
+If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds ,
+Behold this pattern of thy butcheries .
+O ! gentlemen ; see , see ! dead Henry's wounds
+Open their congeal'd mouths and bleed afresh .
+Blush , blush , thou lump of foul deformity ,
+For 'tis thy presence that exhales this blood
+From cold and empty veins , where no blood dwells :
+Thy deed , inhuman and unnatural ,
+Provokes this deluge most unnatural .
+O God ! which this blood mad'st , revenge his death ;
+O earth ! which this blood drink'st , revenge his death ;
+Either heaven with lightning strike the murderer dead ,
+Or earth , gape open wide , and eat him quick ,
+As thou dost swallow up this good king's blood ,
+Which his hell-govern'd arm hath butchered !
+
+Lady , you know no rules of charity ,
+Which renders good for bad , blessings for curses .
+
+Villain , thou know'st no law of God nor man :
+No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity .
+
+But I know none , and therefore am no beast .
+
+O ! wonderful , when devils tell the truth .
+
+More wonderful when angels are so angry .
+Vouchsafe , divine perfection of a woman ,
+Of these supposed evils , to give me leave ,
+By circumstance , but to acquit myself .
+
+Vouchsafe , diffus'd infection of a man ,
+For these known evils , but to give me leave ,
+By circumstance , to curse thy cursed self .
+
+Fairer than tongue can name thee , let me have
+Some patient leisure to excuse myself .
+
+Fouler than heart can think thee , thou canst make
+No excuse current , but to hang thyself .
+
+By such despair I should accuse myself .
+
+And by despairing shouldst thou stand excus'd
+For doing worthy vengeance on thyself ,
+Which didst unworthy slaughter upon others .
+
+Say that I slew them not .
+
+Then say they were not slain :
+But dead they are , and , devilish slave , by thee .
+
+I did not kill your husband .
+
+Why , then he is alive .
+
+Nay , he is dead ; and slain by Edward's hand .
+
+In thy foul throat thou liest : Queen Margaret saw
+Thy murderous falchion smoking in his blood ;
+The which thou once didst bend against her breast ,
+But that thy brothers beat aside the point .
+
+I was provoked by her sland'rous tongue ,
+That laid their guilt upon my guiltless shoulders .
+
+Thou wast provoked by thy bloody mind ,
+That never dreamt on aught but butcheries .
+Didst thou not kill this king ?
+
+I grant ye .
+
+Dost grant me , hedge-hog ? Then , God grant me too
+Thou mayst be damned for that wicked deed !
+O ! he was gentle , mild , and virtuous .
+
+The fitter for the King of heaven , that hath him .
+
+He is in heaven , where thou shalt never come .
+
+Let him thank me , that help'd to send him thither ;
+For he was fitter for that place than earth .
+
+And thou unfit for any place but hell .
+
+Yes , one place else , if you will bear me name it .
+
+Some dungeon .
+
+Your bed-chamber .
+
+Ill rest betide the chamber where thou liest !
+
+So will it , madam , till I lie with you .
+
+I hope so .
+
+I know so . But , gentle Lady Anne ,
+To leave this keen encounter of our wits ,
+And fall somewhat into a slower method ,
+Is not the causer of the timeless deaths
+Of these Plantagenets , Henry and Edward ,
+As blameful as the executioner ?
+
+Thou wast the cause , and most accurs'd effect .
+
+Your beauty was the cause of that effect ;
+Your beauty , that did haunt me in my sleep
+To undertake the death of all the world ,
+So might I live one hour in your sweet bosom .
+
+If I thought that , I tell thee , homicide ,
+These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks .
+
+These eyes could not endure that beauty's wrack ;
+You should not blemish it if I stood by :
+As all the world is cheered by the sun ,
+So I by that ; it is my day , my life .
+
+Black night o'ershade thy day , and death thy life !
+
+Curse not thyself , fair creature ; thou art both .
+
+I would I were , to be reveng'd on thee .
+
+It is a quarrel most unnatural ,
+To be reveng'd on him that loveth thee .
+
+It is a quarrel just and reasonable ,
+To be reveng'd on him that kill'd my husband .
+
+He that bereft thee , lady , of thy husband ,
+Did it to help thee to a better husband .
+
+His better doth not breathe upon the earth .
+
+He lives that loves thee better than he could .
+
+Name him .
+
+Plantagenet .
+
+Why , that was he .
+
+The self-same name , but one of better nature .
+
+Where is he ?
+
+Here .
+
+Why dost thou spit at me ?
+
+Would it were mortal poison , for thy sake !
+
+Never came poison from so sweet a place .
+
+Never hung poison on a fouler toad .
+Out of my sight ! thou dost infect mine eyes .
+
+Thine eyes , sweet lady , have infected mine .
+
+Would they were basilisks , to strike thee dead !
+
+I would they were , that I might die at once ;
+For now they kill me with a living death .
+Those eyes of thine from mine have drawn salt tears ,
+Sham'd their aspects with store of childish drops ;
+These eyes , which never shed remorseful tear ;
+No , when my father York and Edward wept
+To hear the piteous moan that Rutland made
+When black-fac'd Clifford shook his sword at him ;
+Nor when thy war-like father like a child ,
+Told the sad story of my father's death ,
+And twenty times made pause to sob and weep ,
+That all the standers-by had wet their cheeks ,
+Like trees bedash'd with rain : in that sad time ,
+My manly eyes did scorn an humble tear ;
+And what these sorrows could not thence exhale ,
+Thy beauty hath , and made them blind with weeping .
+I never su'd to friend , nor enemy ;
+My tongue could never learn sweet smoothing words ;
+But , now thy beauty is propos'd my fee ,
+My proud heart sues , and prompts my tongue to speak .
+
+Teach not thy lip such scorn , for it was made
+For kissing , lady , not for such contempt .
+If thy revengeful heart cannot forgive ,
+Lo ! here I lend thee this sharp-pointed sword ;
+Which if thou please to hide in this true breast ,
+And let the soul forth that adoreth thee ,
+I lay it open to the deadly stroke ,
+And humbly beg the death upon my knee .
+
+Nay , do not pause ; for I did kill King Henry ;
+But 'twas thy beauty that provoked me .
+Nay , now dispatch ; 'twas I that stabb'd young Edward ;
+
+But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on .
+
+Take up the sword again , or take up me .
+
+Arise , dissembler : though I wish thy death ,
+I will not be thy executioner .
+
+Then bid me kill myself , and I will do it .
+
+I have already .
+
+That was in thy rage :
+Speak it again , and , even with the word ,
+This hand , which for thy love did kill thy love ,
+Shall , for thy love , kill a far truer love :
+To both their deaths shalt thou be accessary .
+
+I would I knew thy heart .
+
+'Tis figur'd in my tongue .
+
+I fear me both are false .
+
+Then never man was true .
+
+Well , well , put up your sword .
+
+Say , then , my peace is made .
+
+That shalt thou know hereafter .
+
+But shall I live in hope ?
+
+All men , I hope , live so .
+
+Vouchsafe to wear this ring .
+
+To take is not to give .
+
+
+Look , how my ring encompasseth thy finger ,
+Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart ;
+Wear both of them , for both of them are thine .
+And if thy poor devoted servant may
+But beg one favour at thy gracious hand ,
+Thou dost confirm his happiness for ever .
+
+What is it ?
+
+That it may please you leave these sad designs
+To him that hath most cause to be a mourner ,
+And presently repair to Crosby-place ;
+Where , after I have solemnly interr'd
+At Chertsey monastery this noble king ,
+And wet his grave with my repentant tears ,
+I will with all expedient duty see you :
+For divers unknown reasons , I beseech you ,
+Grant me this boon .
+
+With all my heart ; and much it joys me too
+To see you are become so penitent .
+Tressel and Berkeley , go along with me .
+
+Bid me farewell .
+
+'Tis more than you deserve ;
+But since you teach me how to flatter you ,
+Imagine I have said farewell already .
+
+
+Sirs , take up the corse .
+
+Toward Chertsey , noble lord ?
+
+No , to White-Friars ; there attend my coming .
+
+Was ever woman in this humour woo'd ?
+Was ever woman in this humour won ?
+I'll have her ; but I will not keep her long .
+What ! I , that kill'd her husband , and his father ,
+To take her in her heart's extremest hate ;
+With curses in her mouth , tears in her eyes ,
+The bleeding witness of her hatred by ;
+Having God , her conscience , and these bars against me ,
+And nothing I to back my suit withal
+But the plain devil and dissembling looks ,
+And yet to win her , all the world to nothing !
+Ha !
+Hath she forgot already that brave prince ,
+Edward , her lord , whom I , some three months since ,
+Stabb'd in my angry mood at Tewksbury ?
+A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman ,
+Fram'd in the prodigality of nature ,
+Young , valiant , wise , and , no doubt , right royal ,
+The spacious world cannot again afford :
+And will she yet abase her eyes on me ,
+That cropp'd the golden prime of this sweet prince ,
+And made her widow to a woeful bed ?
+On me , whose all not equals Edward's moiety ?
+On me , that halt and am misshapen thus ?
+My dukedom to a beggarly denier
+I do mistake my person all this while :
+Upon my life , she finds , although I cannot ,
+Myself to be a marvellous proper man .
+I'll be at charges for a looking-glass ,
+And entertain a score or two of tailors ,
+To study fashions to adorn my body :
+Since I am crept in favour with myself ,
+I will maintain it with some little cost .
+But first I'll turn yon fellow in his grave ,
+And then return lamenting to my love .
+Shine out , fair sun , till I have bought a glass ,
+That I may see my shadow as I pass .
+
+
+Have patience , madam : there's no doubt his majesty
+Will soon recover his accustom'd health .
+
+In that you brook it ill , it makes him worse :
+Therefore , for God's sake , entertain good comfort ,
+And cheer his Grace with quick and merry words .
+
+If he were dead , what would betide on me ?
+
+No other harm but loss of such a lord .
+
+The loss of such a lord includes all harms .
+
+The heavens have bless'd you with a goodly son ,
+To be your comforter when he is gone .
+
+Ah ! he is young ; and his minority
+Is put into the trust of Richard Gloucester ,
+A man that loves not me , nor none of you .
+
+Is it concluded he shall be protector ?
+
+It is determin'd , not concluded yet :
+But so it must be if the king miscarry .
+
+
+Here come the Lords of Buckingham and Stanley .
+
+Good time of day unto your royal Grace !
+
+God make your majesty joyful as you have been !
+
+The Countess Richmond , good my Lord of Stanley ,
+To your good prayer will scarcely say amen .
+Yet , Stanley , notwithstanding she's your wife ,
+And loves not me , be you , good lord , assur'd
+I hate not you for her proud arrogance .
+
+I do beseech you , either not believe
+The envious slanders of her false accusers ;
+Or , if she be accus'd on true report ,
+Bear with her weakness , which , I think , proceeds
+From wayward sickness , and no grounded malice .
+
+Saw you the king to-day , my Lord of Stanley ?
+
+But now the Duke of Buckingham and I ,
+Are come from visiting his majesty .
+
+What likelihood of his amendment , lords ?
+
+Madam , good hope ; his Grace speaks cheerfully .
+
+God grant him health ! did you confer with him ?
+
+Ay , madam : he desires to make atonement
+Between the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers ,
+And between them and my lord chamberlain ;
+And sent to warn them to his royal presence .
+
+Would all were well ! But that will never be .
+I fear our happiness is at the highest .
+
+
+They do me wrong , and I will not endure it :
+Who are they that complain unto the king ,
+That I , forsooth , am stern and love them not ?
+By holy Paul , they love his Grace but lightly
+That fill his ears with such dissentious rumours .
+Because I cannot flatter and speak fair ,
+Smile in men's faces , smooth , deceive , and cog ,
+Duck with French nods and apish courtesy ,
+I must be held a rancorous enemy .
+Cannot a plain man live and think no harm ,
+But thus his simple truth must be abus'd
+By silken , sly , insinuating Jacks ?
+
+To whom in all this presence speaks your Grace ?
+
+To thee , that hast nor honesty nor grace .
+When have I injur'd thee ? when done thee wrong ?
+Or thee ? or thee ? or any of your faction ?
+A plague upon you all ! His royal person ,
+Whom God preserve better than you would wish !
+Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing-while ,
+But you must trouble him with lewd complaints .
+
+Brother of Gloucester , you mistake the matter .
+The king , on his own royal disposition ,
+And not provok'd by any suitor else ,
+Aiming , belike , at your interior hatred ,
+That in your outward action shows itself
+Against my children , brothers , and myself ,
+Makes him to send ; that thereby he may gather
+The ground of your ill-will , and so remove it .
+
+I cannot tell ; the world is grown so bad
+That wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch :
+Since every Jack became a gentleman
+There's many a gentle person made a Jack .
+
+Come , come , we know your meaning , brother Gloucester ;
+You envy my advancement and my friends' .
+God grant we never may have need of you !
+
+Meantime , God grants that we have need of you :
+Our brother is imprison'd by your means ,
+Myself disgrac'd , and the nobility
+Held in contempt ; while great promotions
+Are daily given to ennoble those
+That scarce , some two days since , were worth a noble .
+
+By him that rais'd me to this careful height
+From that contented hap which I enjoy'd ,
+I never did incense his majesty
+Against the Duke of Clarence , but have been
+An earnest advocate to plead for him .
+My lord , you do me shameful injury ,
+Falsely to draw me in these vile suspects .
+
+You may deny that you were not the mean
+Of my Lord Hastings' late imprisonment .
+
+She may , my lord ; for
+
+She may , Lord Rivers ! why , who knows not so ?
+She may do more , sir , than denying that :
+She may help you to many fair preferments ,
+And then deny her aiding hand therein ,
+And lay those honours on your high deserts .
+What may she not ? She may ,ay , marry , may she ,
+
+What , marry , may she ?
+
+What , marry , may she ! marry with a king ,
+A bachelor , a handsome stripling too .
+I wis your grandam had a worser match .
+
+My Lord of Gloucester , I have too long borne
+Your blunt upbraidings and your bitter scoffs ;
+By heaven , I will acquaint his majesty
+Of those gross taunts that oft I have endur'd .
+I had rather be a country servantmaid
+Than a great queen , with this condition ,
+To be so baited , scorn'd , and stormed at :
+Small joy have I in being England's queen .
+
+
+And lessen'd be that small , God , I beseech him !
+Thy honour , state , and seat is due to me .
+
+What ! threat you me with telling of the king ?
+Tell him , and spare not : look , what I have said
+I will avouch in presence of the king :
+I dare adventure to be sent to the Tower .
+'Tis time to speak ; my pains are quite forgot .
+
+Out , devil ! I remember them too well :
+Thou kill'dst my husband Henry in the Tower ,
+And Edward , my poor son , at Tewksbury .
+
+Ere you were queen , ay , or your husband king ,
+I was a pack-horse in his great affairs ,
+A weeder-out of his proud adversaries ,
+A liberal rewarder of his friends ;
+To royalize his blood I split mine own .
+
+Ay , and much better blood than his , or thine .
+
+In all which time you and your husband Grey
+Were factious for the house of Lancaster ;
+And , Rivers , so were you . Was not your husband
+In Margaret's battle at Saint Alban's slain ?
+Let me put in your minds , if you forget ,
+What you have been ere now , and what you are ;
+Withal , what I have been , and what I am .
+
+A murderous villain , and so still thou art .
+
+Poor Clarence did forsake his father , Warwick ,
+Ay , and forswore himself ,which Jesu pardon !
+
+Which God revenge !
+
+To fight on Edward's party for the crown ;
+And for his meed , poor lord , he is mew'd up .
+I would to God my heart were flint , like Edward's ;
+Or Edward's soft and pitiful , like mine :
+I am too childish-foolish for this world .
+
+Hie thee to hell for shame , and leave this world ,
+Thou cacodemon ! there thy kingdom is .
+
+My Lord of Gloucester , in those busy days
+Which here you urge to prove us enemies ,
+We follow'd then our lord , our lawful king ;
+So should we you , if you should be our king .
+
+If I should be ! I had rather be a pedlar .
+Far be it from my heart the thought thereof !
+
+As little joy , my lord , as you suppose
+You should enjoy , were you this country's king ,
+As little joy you may suppose in me
+That I enjoy , being the queen thereof .
+
+As little joy enjoys the queen thereof ;
+For I am she , and altogether joyless .
+I can no longer hold me patient .
+
+Hear me , you wrangling pirates , that fall out
+In sharing that which you have pill'd from me !
+Which of you trembles not that looks on me ?
+If not , that , I being queen , you bow like subjects ,
+Yet that , by you depos'd , you quake like rebels ?
+Ah ! gentle villain , do not turn away .
+
+Foul wrinkled witch , what mak'st thou in my sight ?
+
+But repetition of what thou hast marr'd ;
+That will I make before I let thee go .
+
+Wert thou not banished on pain of death ?
+
+I was ; but I do find more pain in banishment
+Than death can yield me here by my abode .
+A husband and a son thou ow'st to me ;
+And thou , a kingdom ; all of you , allegiance :
+This sorrow that I have by right is yours ,
+And all the pleasures you usurp are mine .
+
+The curse my noble father laid on thee ,
+When thou didst crown his war-like brows with paper ,
+And with thy scorns drew'st rivers from his eyes ;
+And then , to dry them , gav'st the duke a clout
+Steep'd in the faultless blood of pretty Rutland ;
+His curses , then from bitterness of soul
+Denounc'd against thee , are all fall'n upon thee ;
+And God , not we , hath plagu'd thy bloody deed .
+
+So just is God , to right the innocent
+
+O ! 'twas the foulest deed to slay that babe ,
+And the most merciless , that e'er was heard of .
+
+Tyrants themselves wept when it was reported .
+
+No man but prophesied revenge for it .
+
+Northumberland , then present , wept to see it .
+
+What ! were you snarling all before I came ,
+Ready to catch each other by the throat ,
+And turn you all your hatred now on me ?
+Did York's dread curse prevail so much with heaven
+That Henry's death , my lovely Edward's death ,
+Their kingdom's loss , my woeful banishment ,
+Should all but answer for that peevish brat ?
+Can curses pierce the clouds and enter heaven ?
+Why then , give way , dull clouds , to my quick curses !
+Though not by war , by surfeit die your king ,
+As ours by murder , to make him a king !
+Edward , thy son , that now is Prince of Wales ,
+For Edward , my son , which was Prince of Wales ,
+Die in his youth by like untimely violence !
+Thyself a queen , for me that was a queen ,
+Outlive thy glory , like my wretched self !
+Long mayst thou live to wail thy children's loss ,
+And see another , as I see thee now ,
+Deck'd in thy rights , as thou art stall'd in mine !
+Long die thy happy days before thy death ;
+And , after many lengthen'd hours of grief ,
+Die neither mother , wife , nor England's queen !
+Rivers , and Dorset , you were standers by ,
+And so wast thou , Lord Hastings ,when my son
+Was stabb'd with bloody daggers : God , I pray him ,
+That none of you may live your natural age ,
+But by some unlook'd accident cut off .
+
+Have done thy charm , thou hateful wither'd hag !
+
+And leave out thee ? stay , dog , for thou shalt hear me .
+If heaven have any grievous plague in store
+Exceeding those that I can wish upon thee ,
+O ! let them keep it till thy sins be ripe ,
+And then hurl down their indignation
+On thee , the troubler of the poor world's peace .
+The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul !
+Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou liv'st
+And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends !
+No sleep close up that deadly eye of thine ,
+Unless it be while some tormenting dream
+Affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils !
+Thou elvish-mark'd , abortive , rooting hog !
+Thou that wast seal'd in thy nativity
+The slave of nature and the son of hell !
+Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb !
+Thou loathed issue of thy father's loins !
+Thou rag of honour ! thou detested
+
+Margaret !
+
+Richard !
+
+Ha !
+
+I call thee not .
+
+I cry thee mercy then , for I did think
+That thou hadst call'd me all these bitter names .
+
+Why , so I did ; but look'd for no reply .
+O ! let me make the period to my curse .
+
+'Tis done by me , and ends in 'Margaret .'
+
+Thus have you breath'd your curso against yourself .
+
+Poor painted queen , vain flourish of my fortune !
+Why strew'st thou sugar on that bottled spider ,
+Whose deadly web ensnareth thee about ?
+Fool , fool ! thou whet'st a knife to kill thyself .
+The day will come that thou shalt wish for me
+To help thee curse this pois'nous bunch-back'd toad .
+
+False-boding woman , end thy frantic curse ,
+Lest to thy harm thou move our patience .
+
+Foul shame upon you ! you have all mov'd mine .
+
+Were you well serv'd , you would be taught your duty .
+
+To serve me well , you all should do me duty ,
+Teach me to be your queen , and you my subjects :
+O ! serve me well , and teach yourselves that duty .
+
+Dispute not with her , she is lunatic .
+
+Peace ! Master marquess , you are malapert :
+Your fire-new stamp of honour is scarce current .
+O ! that your young nobility could judge
+What 'twere to lose it , and be miserable !
+They that stand high have many blasts to shake them ,
+And if they fall , they dash themselves to pieces .
+
+Good counsel , marry : learn it , learn it , marquess .
+
+It touches you , my lord , as much as me .
+
+Ay , and much more ; but I was born so high ,
+Our aery buildeth in the cedar's top ,
+And dallies with the wind , and scorns the sun .
+
+And turns the sun to shade ; alas ! alas !
+Witness my son , now in the shade of death ;
+Whose bright out-shining beams thy cloudy wrath
+Hath in eternal darkness folded up .
+Your aery buildeth in our aery's nest :
+O God ! that seest it , do not suffer it ;
+As it was won with blood , lost be it so !
+
+Peace , peace ! for shame , if not for charity .
+
+Urge neither charity nor shame to me :
+Uncharitably with me have you dealt ,
+And shamefully my hopes by you are butcher'd .
+My charity is outrage , life my shame ;
+And in that shame still live my sorrow's rage !
+
+Have done , have done .
+
+O princely Buckingham ! I'll kiss thy hand ,
+In sign of league and amity with thee :
+Now fair befall thee and thy noble house !
+Thy garments are not spotted with our blood ,
+Nor thou within the compass of my curse .
+
+Nor no one here ; for curses never pass
+The lips of those that breathe them in the air .
+
+I will not think but they ascend the sky ,
+And there awake God's gentle-sleeping peace .
+O Buckingham ! take heed of yonder dog :
+Look , when he fawns , he bites ; and when he bites
+His venom tooth will rankle to the death :
+Have not to do with him , beware of him ;
+Sin , death and hell have set their marks on him ,
+And all their ministers attend on him .
+
+What doth she say , my Lord of Buckingham ?
+
+Nothing that I respect , my gracious lord .
+
+What ! dost thou scorn me for my gentle counsel ,
+And soothe the devil that I warn thee from ?
+O ! but remember this another day ,
+When he shall split thy very heart with sorrow ,
+And say poor Margaret was a prophetess .
+Live each of you the subject to his hate ,
+And he to yours , and all of you to God's !
+
+
+My hair doth stand on end to hear her curses .
+
+And so doth mine . I muse why she's at liberty .
+
+I cannot blame her : by God's holy mother ,
+She hath had too much wrong , and I repent
+My part thereof that I have done to her .
+
+I never did her any , to my knowledge .
+
+Yet you have all the vantage of her wrong .
+I was too hot to do somebody good ,
+That is too cold in thinking of it now .
+Marry , as for Clarence , he is well repaid ;
+He is frank'd up to fatting for his pains :
+God pardon them that are the cause thereof !
+
+A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion ,
+To pray for them that have done scath to us .
+
+So do I ever
+
+being well-advis'd ;
+For had I curs'd now , I had curs'd myself .
+
+
+Madam , his majesty doth call for you ;
+And for your Grace ; and you , my noble lords .
+
+Catesby , I come . Lords , will you go with me ?
+
+We wait upon your Grace .
+
+
+I do the wrong , and first begin to brawl .
+The secret mischiefs that I set abroach
+I lay unto the grievous charge of others .
+Clarence , whom I , indeed , have cast in darkness ,
+I do beweep to many simple gulls ;
+Namely , to Stanley , Hastings , Buckingham ;
+And tell them 'tis the queen and her allies
+That stir the king against the duke my brother .
+Now they believe it ; and withal whet me
+To be reveng'd on Rivers , Vaughan , Grey ;
+But then I sigh , and , with a piece of scripture ,
+Tell them that God bids us do good for evil :
+And thus I clothe my naked villany
+With odd old ends stol'n forth of holy writ ,
+And seem a saint when most I play the devil .
+
+
+But soft ! here come my executioners .
+How now , my hardy , stout resolved mates !
+
+Are you now going to dispatch this thing ?
+
+We are , my lord ; and come to have the warrant ,
+That we may be admitted where he is .
+
+Well thought upon ; I have it here about me :
+
+When you have done , repair to Crosby-place .
+But , sirs , be sudden in the execution ,
+Withal obdurate , do not hear him plead ;
+For Clarence is well-spoken , and perhaps
+May move your hearts to pity , if you mark him .
+
+Tut , tut , my lord , we will not stand to prate ;
+Talkers are no good doers : be assur'd
+We go to use our hands and not our tongues .
+
+Your eyes drop millstones , when fools' eyes fall tears :
+I like you , lads ; about your business straight ;
+Go , go , dispatch .
+
+We will , my noble lord .
+
+
+Why looks your Grace so heavily to-day ?
+
+O , I have pass'd a miserable night ,
+So full of ugly sights , of ghastly dreams ,
+That , as I am a Christian faithful man ,
+I would not spend another such a night ,
+Though 'twere to buy a world of happy days ,
+So full of dismal terror was the time .
+
+What was your dream , my lord ? I pray you , tell me .
+
+Methought that I had broken from the Tower ,
+And was embark'd to cross to Burgundy ;
+And in my company my brother Gloucester ,
+Who from my cabin tempted me to walk
+Upon the hatches : thence we look'd toward England ,
+And cited up a thousand heavy times ,
+During the wars of York and Lancaster ,
+That had befall'n us . As we pac'd along
+Upon the giddy footing of the hatches ,
+Methought that Gloucester stumbled ; and , in falling ,
+Struck me , that thought to stay him , overboard ,
+Into the tumbling billows of the main .
+Lord , Lord ! methought what pain it was to drown :
+What dreadful noise of water in mine ears !
+What sights of ugly death within mine eyes !
+Methought I saw a thousand fearful wracks ;
+A thousand men that fishes gnaw'd upon ;
+Wedges of gold , great anchors , heaps of pearl ,
+Inestimable stones , unvalu'd jewels ,
+All scatter'd in the bottom of the sea .
+Some lay in dead men's skulls ; and in those holes
+Where eyes did once inhabit , there were crept ,
+As 'twere in scorn of eyes , reflecting gems ,
+That woo'd the slimy bottom of the deep ,
+And mock'd the dead bones that lay scatter'd by .
+
+Had you such leisure in the time of death
+To gaze upon those secrets of the deep ?
+
+Methought I had ; and often did I strive
+To yield the ghost ; but still the envious flood
+Stopt in my soul , and would not let it forth
+To find the empty , vast , and wandering air ;
+But smother'd it within my panting bulk ,
+Which almost burst to belch it in the sea .
+
+Awak'd you not with this sore agony ?
+
+No , no , my dream was lengthen'd after life ;
+O ! then began the tempest to my soul .
+I pass'd , methought , the melancholy flood ,
+With that grim ferryman which poets write of ,
+Unto the kingdom of perpetual night .
+The first that there did greet my stranger soul ,
+Was my great father-in-law , renowned Warwick ;
+Who cried aloud , 'What scourge for perjury
+Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence ?'
+And so he vanish'd : then came wandering by
+A shadow like an angel , with bright hair
+Dabbled in blood ; and he shriek'd out aloud ,
+'Clarence is come ,false , fleeting , perjur'd Clarence ,
+That stabb'd me in the field by Tewksbury ;
+Seize on him ! Furies , take him unto torment .'
+With that , methought , a legion of foul fiends
+Environ'd me , and howled in mine ears
+Such hideous cries , that , with the very noise
+I trembling wak'd , and , for a season after
+Could not believe but that I was in hell ,
+Such terrible impression made my dream .
+
+No marvel , lord , though it affrighted you ;
+I am afraid , methinks , to hear you tell it .
+
+O Brakenbury ! I have done these things
+That now give evidence against my soul ,
+For Edward's sake ; and see how he requites me .
+O God ! if my deep prayers cannot appease thee ,
+But thou wilt be aveng'd on my misdeeds ,
+Yet execute thy wrath on me alone :
+O ! spare my guiltless wife and my poor children .
+I pray thee , gentle keeper , stay by me ;
+My soul is heavy , and I fain would sleep .
+
+I will , my lord . God give your Grace good rest !
+
+Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours ,
+Makes the night morning , and the noon-tide night .
+Princes have but their titles for their glories ,
+An outward honour for an inward toil ;
+And , for unfelt imaginations ,
+They often feel a world of restless cares :
+So that , between their titles and low names ,
+There's nothing differs but the outward fame .
+
+
+Ho ! who's here ?
+
+What wouldst thou , fellow ? and how cam'st thou hither ?
+
+I would speak with Clarence , and I came hither on my legs .
+
+What ! so brief ?
+
+'Tis better , sir , than to be tedious .
+Let him see our commission , and talk no more .
+
+
+I am , in this , commanded to deliver
+The noble Duke of Clarence to your hands :
+I will not reason what is meant hereby ,
+Because I will be guiltless of the meaning .
+There lies the duke asleep , and there the keys .
+I'll to the king ; and signify to him
+That thus I have resign'd to you my charge .
+
+You may , sir ; 'tis a point of wisdom : fare you well .
+
+
+What ! shall we stab him as he sleeps ?
+
+No ; he'll say 'twas done cowardly , when he wakes .
+
+When he wakes ! why , fool , he shall never wake till the judgment-day .
+
+Why , then he'll say we stabbed him sleeping .
+
+The urging of that word 'judgment' hath bred a kind of remorse in me .
+
+What ! art thou afraid ?
+
+Not to kill him , having a warrant for it ; but to be damn'd for killing him , from the which no warrant can defend me .
+
+I thought thou hadst been resolute .
+
+So I am , to let him live .
+
+I'll back to the Duke of Gloucester , and tell him so .
+
+Nay , I prithee , stay a little : I hope my holy humour will change ; it was wont to hold me but while one tells twenty .
+
+How dost thou feel thyself now ?
+
+Some certain dregs of conscience are yet within me .
+
+Remember our reward when the deed's done .
+
+'Zounds ! he dies : I had forgot the reward .
+
+Where's thy conscience now ?
+
+In the Duke of Gloucester's purse .
+
+So when he opens his purse to give us our reward , thy conscience flies out .
+
+'Tis no matter ; let it go : there's few or none will entertain it .
+
+What if it come to thee again ?
+
+I'll not meddle with it ; it makes a man a coward ; a man cannot steal , but it accuseth him ; a man cannot swear , but it checks him ; a man cannot lie with his neighbour's wife , but it detects him : 'tis a blushing shamefast spirit , that mutinies in a man's bosom ; it fills one full of obstacles ; it made me once restore a purse of gold that I found ; it beggars any man that keeps it ; it is turned out of all towns and cities for a dangerous thing ; and every man that means to live well , endeavours to trust to himself and live without it .
+
+'Zounds ! it is even now at my elbow , persuading me not to kill the duke .
+
+Take the devil in thy mind , and believe him not : he would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh .
+
+Tut , I am strong-framed ; he cannot prevail with me .
+
+Spoke like a tall fellow that respects his reputation . Come , shall we to this gear ?
+
+Take him over the costard with the hilts of thy sword , and then throw him into the malmsey-butt in the next room .
+
+O , excellent device ! make a sop of him .
+
+Soft ! he wakes .
+
+Strike !
+
+No , we'll reason with him .
+
+Where art thou , keeper ? give me a cup of wine .
+
+You shall have wine enough , my lord , anon .
+
+In God's name , what art thou ?
+
+A man , as you are .
+
+But not , as I am , royal .
+
+Nor you , as we are , loyal .
+
+Thy voice is thunder , but thy looks are humble .
+
+My voice is now the king's , my looks mine own .
+
+How darkly , and how deadly dost thou speak !
+Your eyes do menace me : why look you pale ?
+Who sent you hither ? Wherefore do you come ?
+
+To , to , to
+
+To murder me ?
+
+Ay , ay .
+
+You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so ,
+And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it .
+Wherein , my friends , have I offended you ?
+
+Offended us you have not , but the king .
+
+I shall be reconcil'd to him again .
+
+Never , my lord ; therefore prepare to die .
+
+Are you call'd forth from out a world of men
+To slay the innocent ? What is my offence ?
+Where is the evidence that doth accuse me ?
+What lawful quest have given their verdict up
+Unto the frowning judge ? or who pronounc'd
+The bitter sentence of poor Clarence' death ?
+Before I be convict by course of law ,
+To threaten me with death is most unlawful .
+I charge you , as you hope to have redemption
+By Christ's dear blood shed for our grievous sins ,
+That you depart and lay no hands on me ;
+The deed you undertake is damnable .
+
+What we will do , we do upon command .
+
+And he that hath commanded is our king .
+
+Erroneous vassal ! the great King of kings
+Hath in the table of his law commanded
+That thou shalt do no murder : will you , then ,
+Spurn at his edict and fulfil a man's ?
+Take heed ; for he holds vengeance in his hand ,
+To hurl upon their heads that break his law .
+
+And that same vengeance doth he hurl on thee ,
+For false forswearing and for murder too :
+Thou didst receive the sacrament to fight
+In quarrel of the house of Lancaster .
+
+And , like a traitor to the name of God ,
+Didst break that vow , and , with thy treacherous blade
+Unripp'dst the bowels of thy sovereign's son .
+
+Whom thou wast sworn to cherish and defend .
+
+How canst thou urge God's dreadful law to us ,
+When thou hast broke it in such dear degree ?
+
+Alas ! for whose sake did I that ill deed ?
+For Edward , for my brother , for his sake :
+He sends you not to murder me for this ;
+For in that sin he is as deep as I .
+If God will be avenged for the deed ,
+O ! know you yet , he doth it publicly :
+Take not the quarrel from his powerful arm ;
+He needs no indirect or lawless course
+To cut off those that have offended him .
+
+Who made thee then a bloody minister ,
+When gallant-springing , brave Plantagenet ,
+That princely novice , was struck dead by thee ?
+
+My brother's love , the devil , and my rage .
+
+Thy brother's love , our duty , and thy fault ,
+Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee .
+
+If you do love my brother , hate not me ;
+I am his brother , and I love him well .
+If you are hir'd for meed , go back again ,
+And I will send you to my brother Gloucester ,
+Who shall reward you better for my life
+Than Edward will for tidings of my death .
+
+You are deceiv'd , your brother Gloucester hates you .
+
+O , no ! he loves me , and he holds me dear :
+Go you to him from me .
+
+Ay , so we will .
+
+Tell him , when that our princely father York
+Bless'd his three sons with his victorious arm ,
+And charg'd us from his soul to love each other ,
+He little thought of this divided friendship :
+Bid Gloucester think on this , and he will weep .
+
+Ay , millstones ; as he lesson'd us to weep .
+
+O ! do not slander him , for he is kind .
+
+Right ;
+As snow in harvest . Thou deceiv'st thyself :
+'Tis he that sends us to destroy you here .
+
+It cannot be ; for he bewept my fortune ,
+And hugg'd me in his arms , and swore , with sobs ,
+That he would labour my delivery .
+
+Why , so he doth , when he delivers you
+From this earth's thraldom to the joys of heaven .
+
+Make peace with God , for you must die , my lord .
+
+Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul ,
+To counsel me to make my peace with God ,
+And art thou yet to thy own soul so blind ,
+That thou wilt war with God by murdering me ?
+O ! sirs , consider , he that set you on
+To do this deed , will hate you for the deed .
+
+What shall we do ?
+
+Relent and save your souls .
+
+Relent ! 'tis cowardly , and womanish .
+
+Not to relent , is beastly , savage , devilish .
+Which of you , if you were a prince's son ,
+Being pent from liberty , as I am now ,
+If two such murd'rers as yourselves came to you ,
+Would not entreat for life ?
+My friend , I spy some pity in thy looks ;
+O ! if thine eye be not a flatterer ,
+Come thou on my side , and entreat for me ,
+As you would beg , were you in my distress :
+A begging prince what beggar pities not ?
+
+Look behind you , my lord .
+
+Take that , and that : if all this will not do ,
+I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within .
+
+
+A bloody deed , and desperately dispatch'd !
+How fain , like Pilate , would I wash my hands
+Of this most grievous murder .
+
+
+How now ! what mean'st thou , that thou help'st me not ?
+By heaven , the duke shall know how slack you have been .
+
+I would he knew that I had sav'd his brother !
+Take thou the fee , and tell him what I say ;
+For I repent me that the duke is slain .
+
+
+So do not I : go , coward as thou art .
+Well , I'll go hide the body in some hole ,
+Till that the duke give order for his burial :
+And when I have my meed , I will away ;
+For this will out , and here I must not stay .
+
+Why , so : now have I done a good day's work .
+You peers , continue this united league :
+I every day expect an embassage
+From my Redeemer to redeem me hence ;
+And more in peace my soul shall part to heaven ,
+Since I have made my friends at peace on earth .
+Rivers and Hastings , take each other's hand ;
+Dissemble not your hatred , swear your love .
+
+By heaven , my soul is purg'd from grudging hate ;
+And with my hand I seal my true heart's love .
+
+So thrive I , as I truly swear the like !
+
+Take heed , you dally not before your king ;
+Lest he that is the supreme King of kings
+Confound your hidden falsehood , and award
+Either of you to be the other's end .
+
+So prosper I , as I swear perfect love !
+
+And I , as I love Hastings with my heart !
+
+Madam , yourself are not exempt in this ,
+Nor you , son Dorset , Buckingham , nor you ;
+You have been factious one against the other .
+Wife , love Lord Hastings , let him kiss your hand ;
+And what you do , do it unfeignedly .
+
+There , Hastings ; I will never more remember
+Our former hatred , so thrive I and mine !
+
+Dorset , embrace him ; Hastings , love lord marquess .
+
+This interchange of love , I here protest ,
+Upon my part shall be inviolable .
+
+And so swear I .
+
+
+Now , princely Buckingham , seal thou this league
+With thy embracements to my wife's allies ,
+And make me happy in your unity .
+
+Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate
+Upon your Grace , but with all duteous love
+Doth cherish you and yours , God punish me
+With hate in those where I expect most love !
+When I have most need to employ a friend ,
+And most assured that he is a friend ,
+Deep , hollow , treacherous , and full of guile ,
+Be he unto me ! This do I beg of God ,
+When I am cold in love to you or yours .
+
+
+A pleasing cordial , princely Buckingham ,
+Is this thy vow unto my sickly heart .
+There wanteth now our brother Gloucester here
+To make the blessed period of this peace .
+
+And , in good time , here comes the noble duke .
+
+
+Good morrow to my sovereign king and queen ;
+And princely peers , a happy time of day !
+
+Happy , indeed , as we have spent the day .
+Gloucester , we have done deeds of charity ;
+Made peace of enmity , fair love of hate ,
+Between these swelling wrong-incensed peers .
+
+A blessed labour , my most sovereign lord .
+Among this princely heap , if any here ,
+By false intelligence , or wrong surmise ,
+Hold me a foe ;
+If I unwittingly , or in my rage ,
+Have aught committed that is hardly borne
+By any in this presence , I desire
+To reconcile me to his friendly peace :
+'Tis death to me to be at enmity ;
+I hate it , and desire all good men's love .
+First , madam , I entreat true peace of you ,
+Which I will purchase with my duteous service ;
+Of you , my noble cousin Buckingham ,
+If ever any grudge were lodg'd between us ;
+Of you , Lord Rivers , and Lord Grey , of you ,
+That all without desert have frown'd on me ;
+Of you , Lord Woodvile , and Lord Scales , of you ;
+Dukes , earls , lords , gentlemen ; indeed , of all .
+I do not know that Englishman alive
+With whom my soul is any jot at odds
+More than the infant that is born to-night :
+I thank my God for my humility .
+
+A holy day shall this be kept hereafter :
+I would to God all strifes were well compounded .
+My sov'reign lord , I do beseech your highness
+To take our brother Clarence to your grace .
+
+Why , madam , have I offer'd love for this ,
+To be so flouted in this royal presence ?
+Who knows not that the gentle duke is dead ?
+
+You do him injury to scorn his corse .
+
+Who knows not he is dead ! who knows he is ?
+
+All-seeing heaven , what a world is this !
+
+Look I so pale , Lord Dorset , as the rest ?
+
+Ay , my good lord ; and no man in the presence
+But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks .
+
+Is Clarence dead ? the order was revers'd .
+
+But he , poor man , by your first order died ,
+And that a winged Mercury did bear ;
+Some tardy cripple bore the countermand ,
+That came too lag to see him buried .
+God grant that some , less noble and less loyal ,
+Nearer in bloody thoughts , and not in blood ,
+Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did ,
+And yet go current from suspicion .
+
+
+A boon , my sov'reign , for my service done !
+
+I prithee , peace : my soul is full of sorrow .
+
+I will not rise , unless your highness hear me .
+
+Then say at once , what is it thou request'st .
+
+The forfeit , sovereign , of my servant's life ;
+Who slew to-day a riotous gentleman
+Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolk .
+
+Have I a tongue to doom my brother's death ,
+And shall that tongue give pardon to a slave ?
+My brother kill'd no man , his fault was thought ;
+And yet his punishment was bitter death .
+Who su'd to me for him ? who , in my wrath ,
+Kneel'd at my feet , and bade me be advis'd ?
+Who spoke of brotherhood ? who spoke of love ?
+Who told me how the poor soul did forsake
+The mighty Warwick , and did fight for me ?
+Who told me , in the field at Tewksbury ,
+When Oxford had me down , he rescu'd me ,
+And said , 'Dear brother , live , and be a king ?'
+Who told me , when we both lay in the field
+Frozen almost to death , how he did lap me
+Even in his garments ; and did give himself ,
+All thin and naked , to the numb cold night ?
+All this from my remembrance brutish wrath
+Sinfully pluck'd , and not a man of you
+Had so much grace to put it in my mind .
+But when your carters or your waiting-vassals
+Have done a drunken slaughter , and defac'd
+The precious image of our dear Redeemer ,
+You straight are on your knees for pardon , pardon ;
+And I , unjustly too , must grant it you ;
+But for my brother not a man would speak ,
+Nor I , ungracious , speak unto myself
+For him , poor soul . The proudest of you all
+Have been beholding to him in his life ,
+Yet none of you would once beg for his life .
+O God ! I fear , thy justice will take hold
+On me and you and mine and yours for this .
+Come , Hastings , help me to my closet . O ! poor Clarence !
+
+
+This is the fruit of rashness . Mark'd you not
+How that the guilty kindred of the queen
+Look'd pale when they did hear of Clarence' death ?
+O ! they did urge it still unto the king :
+God will revenge it . Come , lords ; will you go
+To comfort Edward with our company ?
+
+We wait upon your Grace .
+
+
+Good grandam , tell us , is our father dead ?
+
+No , boy .
+
+Why do you wring your hands , and beat your breast ,
+And cry 'O Clarence , my unhappy son ?'
+
+Why do you look on us , and shake your head ,
+And call us orphans , wretches , castaways ,
+If that our noble father be alive ?
+
+My pretty cousins , you mistake me much ;
+I do lament the sickness of the king ,
+As loath to lose him , not your father's death ;
+It were lost sorrow to wail one that's lost .
+
+Then , grandam , you conclude that he is dead .
+The king mine uncle is to blame for it :
+God will revenge it ; whom I will importune
+With earnest prayers all to that effect .
+
+And so will I .
+
+Peace , children , peace ! the king doth love you well :
+Incapable and shallow innocents ,
+You cannot guess who caus'd your father's death .
+
+Grandam , we can ; for my good uncle Gloucester
+Told me , the king , provok'd to't by the queen ,
+Devis'd impeachments to imprison him :
+And when my uncle told me so , he wept ,
+And pitied me , and kindly kiss'd my cheek ;
+Bade me rely on him , as on my father ,
+And he would love me dearly as his child .
+
+Ah ! that deceit should steal such gentle shape ,
+And with a virtuous vizard hide deep vice .
+He is my son , ay , and therein my shame ,
+Yet from my dugs he drew not this deceit .
+
+Think you my uncle did dissemble , grandam ?
+
+Ay , boy .
+
+I cannot think it . Hark ! what noise is this ?
+
+
+Oh ! who shall hinder me to wail and weep ,
+To chide my fortune , and torment myself ?
+I'll join with black despair against my soul ,
+And to myself become an enemy .
+
+What means this scene of rude impatience ?
+
+To make an act of tragic violence :
+Edward , my lord , thy son , our king , is dead !
+Why grow the branches now the root is wither'd ?
+Why wither not the leaves that want their sap ?
+If you will live , lament : if die , be brief ,
+That our swift-winged souls may catch the king's ;
+Or , like obedient subjects , follow him
+To his new kingdom of perpetual rest .
+
+Ah ! so much interest have I in thy sorrow
+As I had title in thy noble husband .
+I have bewept a worthy husband's death ,
+And liv'd with looking on his images ;
+But now two mirrors of his princely semblance
+Are crack'd in pieces by malignant death ,
+And I for comfort have but one false glass ,
+That grieves me when I see my shame in him .
+Thou art a widow ; yet thou art a mother ,
+And hast the comfort of thy children left thee :
+But death hath snatch'd my husband from mine arms ,
+And pluck'd two crutches from my feeble limbs ,
+Clarence and Edward . O ! what cause have I
+Thine being but a moiety of my grief
+To overgo thy plaints , and drown thy cries !
+
+Ah , aunt , you wept not for our father's death ;
+How can we aid you with our kindred tears ?
+
+Our fatherless distress was left unmoan'd ;
+Your widow-dolour likewise be unwept .
+
+Give me no help in lamentation ;
+I am not barren to bring forth complaints :
+All springs reduce their currents to mine eyes ,
+That I , being govern'd by the wat'ry moon ,
+May send forth plenteous tears to drown the world !
+Ah ! for my husband , for my dear Lord Edward !
+
+Ah ! for our father , for our dear Lord Clarence !
+
+Alas ! for both , both mine , Edward and Clarence !
+
+What stay had I but Edward ? and he's gone .
+
+What stay had we but Clarence ? and he's gone .
+
+What stays had I but they ? and they are gone .
+
+Was never widow had so dear a loss .
+
+Were never orphans had so dear a loss .
+
+Was never mother had so dear a loss .
+Alas ! I am the mother of these griefs :
+Their woes are parcell'd , mine are general .
+She for an Edward weeps , and so do I ;
+I for a Clarence weep , so doth not she :
+These babes for Clarence weep , and so do I ;
+I for an Edward weep , so do not they :
+Alas ! you three , on me , threefold distress'd ,
+Pour all your tears ; I am your sorrow's nurse ,
+And I will pamper it with lamentation .
+
+Comfort , dear mother : God is much displeas'd
+That you take with unthankfulness his doing .
+In common worldly things 'tis call'd ungrateful
+With dull unwillingness to repay a debt
+Which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent ;
+Much more to be thus opposite with heaven ,
+For it requires the royal debt it lent you .
+
+Madam , bethink you , like a careful mother ,
+Of the young prince your son : send straight for him ;
+Let him be crown'd ; in him your comfort lives .
+Drown desperate sorrow in dead Edward's grave ,
+And plant your joys in living Edward's throne .
+
+
+Sister , have comfort : all of us have cause
+To wail the dimming of our shining star ;
+But none can cure their harms by wailing them .
+Madam , my mother , I do cry you mercy ;
+I did not see your Grace : humbly on my knee
+I crave your blessing .
+
+God bless thee ! and put meekness in thy mind ,
+Love , charity , obedience , and true duty .
+
+Amen ;
+
+and make me die a good old man !
+That is the butt-end of a mother's blessing ;
+I marvel that her Grace did leave it out .
+
+You cloudy princes and heart-sorrowing peers ,
+That bear this heavy mutual load of moan ,
+Now cheer each other in each other's love :
+Though we have spent our harvest of this king ,
+We are to reap the harvest of his son .
+The broken rancour of your high-swoln hearts ,
+But lately splinter'd , knit , and join'd together ,
+Must gently be preserv'd , cherish'd , and kept :
+Me seemeth good , that , with some little train ,
+Forthwith from Ludlow the young prince be fetch'd
+Hither to London , to be crown'd our king .
+
+Why with some little train , my Lord of Buckingham ?
+
+Marry , my lord , lest , by a multitude ,
+The new-heal'd wound of malice should break out ;
+Which would be so much the more dangerous ,
+By how much the estate is green and yet ungovern'd ;
+Where every horse bears his commanding rein ,
+And may direct his course as please himself ,
+As well the fear of harm , as harm apparent ,
+In my opinion , ought to be prevented .
+
+I hope the king made peace with all of us ;
+And the compact is firm and true in me .
+
+And so in me ; and so , I think , in all :
+Yet , since it is but green , it should be put
+To no apparent likelihood of breach ,
+Which haply by much company might be urg'd :
+Therefore I say with noble Buckingham ,
+That it is meet so few should fetch the prince .
+
+And so say I .
+
+Then be it so ; and go we to determine
+Who they shall be that straight shall post to Ludlow .
+Madam , and you my mother , will you go
+To give your censures in this business ?
+
+
+My lord , whoever journeys to the prince ,
+For God's sake , let not us two stay at home :
+For by the way I'll sort occasion ,
+As index to the story we late talk'd of ,
+To part the queen's proud kindred from the prince .
+
+My other self , my counsel's consistory ,
+My oracle , my prophet ! My dear cousin ,
+I , as a child , will go by thy direction .
+Towards Ludlow then , for we'll not stay behind .
+
+
+Good morrow , neighbour : whither away so fast ?
+
+I promise you , I scarcely know myself :
+Hear you the news abroad ?
+
+Ay ; that the king is dead .
+
+Ill news , by'r lady ; seldom comes the better :
+I fear , I fear , 'twill prove a giddy world .
+
+
+Neighbours , God speed !
+
+Give you good morrow , sir .
+
+Doth the news hold of good King Edward's death ?
+
+Ay , sir , it is too true ; God help the while !
+
+Then , masters , look to see a troublous world .
+
+No , no ; by God's good grace , his son shall reign .
+
+Woe to that land that's govern'd by a child !
+
+In him there is a hope of government ,
+That in his nonage council under him ,
+And in his full and ripen'd years himself ,
+No doubt , shall then and till then govern well .
+
+So stood the state when Henry the Sixth
+Was crown'd at Paris but at nine months old .
+
+Stood the state so ? no , no , good friends , God wot ;
+For then this land was famously enrich'd
+With politic grave counsel ; then the king
+Had virtuous uncles to protect his Grace .
+
+Why , so hath this , both by his father and mother .
+
+Better it were they all came by his father ,
+Or by his father there were none at all ;
+For emulation , who shall now be nearest ,
+Will touch us all too near , if God prevent not .
+O ! full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester !
+And the queen's sons and brothers haught and proud ;
+And were they to be rul'd , and not to rule ,
+This sickly land might solace as before .
+
+Come , come , we fear the worst , all will be well .
+
+When clouds are seen , wise men put on their cloaks ;
+When great leaves fall , then winter is at hand ;
+When the sun sets , who doth not look for night ?
+Untimely storms make men expect a dearth .
+All may be well ; but , if God sort it so ,
+'Tis more than we deserve , or I expect .
+
+Truly , the hearts of men are full of fear :
+You cannot reason almost with a man
+That looks not heavily and full of dread .
+
+Before the days of change , still is it so :
+By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust
+Ensuing danger ; as , by proof , we see
+The waters swell before a boisterous storm .
+But leave it all to God . Whither away ?
+
+Marry , we were sent for to the justices .
+
+And so was I : I'll bear you company .
+
+
+Last night , I hear , they lay at Northampton ;
+At Stony-Stratford they do rest to-night :
+To-morrow , or next day , they will be here .
+
+I long with all my heart to see the prince .
+I hope he is much grown since last I saw him .
+
+But I hear , no ; they say my son of York
+Hath almost overta'en him in his growth .
+
+Ay , mother , but I would not have it so .
+
+Why , my young cousin , it is good to grow .
+
+Grandam , one night , as we did sit at supper ,
+My uncle Rivers talk'd how I did grow
+More than my brother : 'Ay ,' quoth my uncle Gloucester ,
+'Small herbs have grace , great weeds do grow apace :'
+And since , methinks , I would not grow so fast ,
+Because sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste .
+
+Good faith , good faith , the saying did not hold
+In him that did object the same to thee :
+He was the wretched'st thing when he was young ,
+So long a-growing , and so leisurely ,
+That , if his rule were true , he should be gracious .
+
+And so , no doubt , he is , my gracious madam .
+
+I hope he is ; but yet let mothers doubt .
+
+Now , by my troth , if I had been remember'd ,
+I could have given my uncle's grace a flout ,
+To touch his growth nearer than he touch'd mine .
+
+How , my young York ? I prithee , let me hear it .
+
+Marry , they say my uncle grew so fast ,
+That he could gnaw a crust at two hours old :
+'Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth .
+Grandam , this would have been a biting jest .
+
+I prithee , pretty York , who told thee this ?
+
+Grandam , his nurse .
+
+His nurse ! why , she was dead ere thou wast born .
+
+If 'twere not she , I cannot tell who told me .
+
+A parlous boy : go to , you are too shrewd .
+
+Good madam , be not angry with the child .
+
+Pitchers have ears .
+
+
+Here comes a messenger . What news ?
+
+Such news , my lord , as grieves me to report .
+
+How doth the prince ?
+
+Well , madam , and in health .
+
+What is thy news ?
+
+Lord Rivers and Lord Grey are sent to Pomfret ,
+With them Sir Thomas Vaughan , prisoners .
+
+Who hath committed them ?
+
+The mighty dukes ,
+Gloucester and Buckingham .
+
+For what offence ?
+
+The sum of all I can I have disclos'd :
+Why or for what the nobles were committed
+Is all unknown to me , my gracious lord .
+
+Ah me ! I see the ruin of my house !
+The tiger now hath seiz'd the gentle hind ;
+Insulting tyranny begins to jet
+Upon the innocent and aweless throne :
+Welcome , destruction , death , and massacre !
+I see , as in a map , the end of all .
+
+Accursed and unquiet wrangling days ,
+How many of you have mine eyes beheld !
+My husband lost his life to get the crown ,
+And often up and down my sons were toss'd ,
+For me to joy and weep their gain and loss :
+And being seated , and domestic broils
+Clean over-blown , themselves , the conquerors ,
+Make war upon themselves ; brother to brother ,
+Blood to blood , self against self : O ! preposterous
+And frantic outrage , end thy damned spleen ;
+Or let me die , to look on death no more .
+
+Come , come , my boy ; we will to sanctuary .
+Madam , farewell .
+
+Stay , I will go with you .
+
+You have no cause .
+
+My gracious lady , go ;
+And thither bear your treasure and your goods .
+For my part , I'll resign unto your Grace
+The seal I keep : and so betide to me
+As well I tender you and all of yours !
+Come ; I'll conduct you to the sanctuary .
+
+
+Welcome , sweet prince , to London , to your chamber .
+
+Welcome , dear cousin , my thoughts' sovereign ;
+The weary way hath made you melancholy .
+
+No , uncle ; but our crosses on the way
+Have made it tedious , wearisome , and heavy :
+I want more uncles here to welcome me .
+
+Sweet prince , the untainted virtue of your years
+Hath not yet div'd into the world's deceit :
+No more can you distinguish of a man
+Than of his outward show ; which , God he knows ,
+Seldom or never jumpeth with the heart .
+Those uncles which you want were dangerous ;
+Your Grace attended to their sugar'd words ,
+But look'd not on the poison of their hearts :
+God keep you from them , and from such false friends !
+
+God keep me from false friends ! but they were none .
+
+My lord , the Mayor of London comes to greet you .
+
+
+God bless your Grace with health and happy days !
+
+I thank you , good my lord ; and thank you all .
+I thought my mother and my brother York
+Would long ere this have met us on the way :
+Fie ! what a slug is Hastings , that he comes not
+To tell us whether they will come or no .
+
+
+And in good time here comes the sweating lord .
+
+Welcome , my lord . What , will our mother come ?
+
+On what occasion , God he knows , not I ,
+The queen your mother , and your brother York ,
+Have taken sanctuary : the tender prince
+Would fain have come with me to meet your Grace ,
+But by his mother was perforce withheld .
+
+Fie ! what an indirect and peevish course
+Is this of hers ! Lord Cardinal , will your Grace
+Persuade the queen to send the Duke of York
+Unto his princely brother presently ?
+If she deny , Lord Hastings , go with him ,
+And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce .
+
+My Lord of Buckingham , if my weak oratory
+Can from his mother win the Duke of York ,
+Anon expect him here ; but if she be obdurate
+To mild entreaties , God in heaven forbid
+We should infringe the holy privilege
+Of blessed sanctuary ! not for all this land
+Would I be guilty of so great a sin .
+
+You are too senseless-obstinate , my lord ,
+Too ceremonious and traditional :
+Weigh it but with the grossness of this age ,
+You break not sanctuary in seizing him .
+The benefit thereof is always granted
+To those whose dealings have deserv'd the place
+And those who have the wit to claim the place :
+This prince hath neither claim'd it , nor deserv'd it ;
+And therefore , in mine opinion , cannot have it :
+Then , taking him from thence that is not there ,
+You break no privilege nor charter there .
+Oft have I heard of sanctuary men ,
+But sanctuary children ne'er till now .
+
+My lord , you shall o'er-rule my mind for once .
+Come on , Lord Hastings , will you go with me ?
+
+I go , my lord .
+
+Good lords , make all the speedy haste you may .
+
+Say , uncle Gloucester , if our brother come ,
+Where shall we sojourn till our coronation ?
+
+Where it seems best unto your royal self .
+If I may counsel you , some day or two
+Your highness shall repose you at the Tower :
+Then where you please , and shall be thought most fit
+For your best health and recreation .
+
+I do not like the Tower , of any place :
+Did Julius C sar build that place , my lord ?
+
+He did , my gracious lord , begin that place ,
+Which , since , succeeding ages have re-edified .
+
+Is it upon record , or else reported
+Successively from age to age , he built it ?
+
+Upon record , my gracious lord .
+
+But say , my lord , it were not register'd ,
+Methinks the truth should live from age to age ,
+As 'twere retail'd to all posterity ,
+Even to the general all-ending day .
+
+So wise so young , they say , do never live long .
+
+What say you , uncle ?
+
+I say , without characters , fame lives long .
+
+
+Thus , like the formal Vice , Iniquity ,
+I moralize two meanings in one word .
+
+That Julius C sar was a famous man ;
+With what his valour did enrich his wit ,
+His wit set down to make his valour live :
+Death makes no conquest of this conqueror ,
+For now he lives in fame , though not in life .
+I'll tell you what , my cousin Buckingham ,
+
+What , my gracious lord ?
+
+An if I live until I be a man ,
+I'll win our ancient right in France again ,
+Or die a soldier , as I liv'd a king .
+
+Short summers lightly have a forward spring .
+
+
+Now , in good time , here comes the Duke of York .
+
+Richard of York ! how fares our loving brother ?
+
+Well , my dread lord ; so must I call you now .
+
+Ay , brother , to our grief , as it is yours :
+Too late he died that might have kept that title ,
+Which by his death hath lost much majesty .
+
+How fares our cousin , noble Lord of York ?
+
+I thank you , gentle uncle . O , my lord ,
+You said that idle weeds are fast in growth :
+The prince my brother hath outgrown me far .
+
+He hath , my lord .
+
+And therefore is he idle ?
+
+O , my fair cousin , I must not say so .
+
+Then he is more beholding to you than I .
+
+He may command me as my sovereign ;
+But you have power in me as in a kinsman .
+
+I pray you , uncle , give me this dagger .
+
+My dagger , little cousin ? with all my heart .
+
+A beggar , brother ?
+
+Of my kind uncle , that I know will give ;
+And , being but a toy , which is no grief to give .
+
+A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin .
+
+A greater gift ! O , that's the sword to it .
+
+Ay , gentle cousin , were it light enough .
+
+O , then , I see , you'll part but with light gifts ;
+In weightier things you'll say a beggar nay .
+
+It is too weighty for your Grace to wear .
+
+I weigh it lightly , were it heavier .
+
+What ! would you have my weapon , little lord ?
+
+I would , that I might thank you , as you call me .
+
+How ?
+
+Little .
+
+My Lord of York will still be cross in talk .
+Uncle , your Grace knows how to bear with him .
+
+You mean , to bear me , not to bear with me :
+Uncle , my brother mocks both you and me .
+Because that I am little , like an ape ,
+He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders .
+
+With what a sharp provided with he reasons !
+To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle ,
+He prettily and aptly taunts himself :
+So cunning and so young is wonderful .
+
+My lord , will't please you pass along ?
+Myself and my good cousin Buckingham
+Will to your mother , to entreat of her
+To meet you at the Tower and welcome you .
+
+What ! will you go unto the Tower , my lord ?
+
+My Lord Protector needs will have it so .
+
+I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower .
+
+Why , what would you fear ?
+
+Marry , my uncle Clarence' angry ghost :
+My grandam told me he was murder'd there .
+
+I fear no uncles dead .
+
+Nor none that live , I hope .
+
+An if they live , I hope , I need not fear .
+But come , my lord ; and , with a heavy heart ,
+Thinking on them , go I unto the Tower .
+
+
+Think you , my lord , this little prating York
+Was not incensed by his subtle mother
+To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously ?
+
+No doubt , no doubt : O ! 'tis a parlous boy ;
+Bold , quick , ingenious , forward , capable :
+He's all the mother's , from the top to toe .
+
+Well , let them rest . Come hither , Catesby ; thou art sworn
+As deeply to effect what we intend
+As closely to conceal what we impart .
+Thou know'st our reasons urg'd upon the way :
+What think'st thou ? is it not an easy matter
+To make William Lord Hastings of our mind ,
+For the instalment of this noble duke
+In the seat royal of this famous isle ?
+
+He for his father's sake so loves the prince
+That he will not be won to aught against him .
+
+What think'st thou then of Stanley ? what will he ?
+
+He will do all in all as Hastings doth .
+
+Well then , no more but this : go , gentle Catesby ,
+And , as it were far off , sound thou Lord Hastings ,
+How he doth stand affected to our purpose ;
+And summon him to-morrow to the Tower ,
+To sit about the coronation .
+If thou dost find him tractable to us ,
+Encourage him , and tell him all our reasons :
+If he be leaden , icy-cold , unwilling ,
+Be thou so too , and so break off the talk ,
+And give us notice of his inclination ;
+For we to-morrow hold divided councils ,
+Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ'd .
+
+Commend me to Lord William : tell him , Catesby ,
+His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries
+To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret Castle ;
+And bid my lord , for joy of this good news ,
+Give Mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more .
+
+Good Catesby , go , effect this business soundly .
+
+My good lords both , with all the heed I can .
+
+Shall we hear from you , Catesby , ere we sleep ?
+
+You shall , my lord .
+
+At Crosby-place , there shall you find us both .
+
+
+Now , my lord , what shall we do if we perceive
+Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots ?
+
+Chop off his head ; something we will determine :
+And , look , when I am king , claim thou of me
+The earldom of Hereford , and all the moveables
+Whereof the king my brother stood possess'd .
+
+I'll claim that promise at your Grace's hand .
+
+And look to have it yielded with all kindness .
+Come , let us sup betimes , that afterwards
+We may digest our complots in some form .
+
+
+My lord ! my lord !
+
+Who knocks ?
+
+One from the Lord Stanley .
+
+What is't o'clock ?
+
+Upon the stroke of four .
+
+
+Cannot my Lord Stanley sleep these tedious nights ?
+
+So it appears by that I have to say .
+First , he commends him to your noble self .
+
+What then ?
+
+Then certifies your lordship , that this night
+He dreamt the boar had razed off his helm :
+Besides , he says there are two councils held ;
+And that may be determin'd at the one
+Which may make you and him to rue at the other .
+Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure ,
+If you will presently take horse with him ,
+And with all speed post with him towards the north ,
+To shun the danger that his soul divines .
+
+Go , fellow , go , return unto thy lord ;
+Bid him not fear the separated councils :
+His honour and myself are at the one ,
+And at the other is my good friend Catesby ;
+Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us
+Whereof I shall not have intelligence .
+Tell him his fears are shallow , wanting instance :
+And for his dreams , I wonder he's so fond
+To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers .
+To fly the boar before the boar pursues ,
+Were to incense the boar to follow us
+And make pursuit where he did mean no chase .
+Go , bid thy master rise and come to me ;
+And we will both together to the Tower ,
+Where , he shall see , the boar will use us kindly .
+
+I'll go , my lord , and tell him what you say .
+
+Many good morrows to my noble lord !
+
+Good morrow , Catesby ; you are early stirring .
+What news , what news , in this our tottering state ?
+
+It is a reeling world , indeed , my lord ;
+And I believe will never stand upright
+Till Richard wear the garland of the realm .
+
+How ! wear the garland ! dost thou mean the crown ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders
+Before I'll see the crown so foul misplac'd .
+But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it ?
+
+Ay , on my life ; and hopes to find you forward
+Upon his party for the gain thereof :
+And thereupon he sends you this good news ,
+That this same very day your enemies ,
+The kindred of the queen , must die at Pomfret .
+
+Indeed , I am no mourner for that news ,
+Because they have been still my adversaries ;
+But that I'll give my voice on Richard's side ,
+To bar my master's heirs in true descent ,
+God knows I will not do it , to the death .
+
+God keep your lordship in that gracious mind !
+
+But I shall laugh at this a twelve-month hence ,
+That they which brought me in my master's hate ,
+I live to look upon their tragedy .
+Well , Catesby , ere a fortnight make me older ,
+I'll send some packing that yet think not on't .
+
+'Tis a vile thing to die , my gracious lord ,
+When men are unprepar'd and look not for it .
+
+O monstrous , monstrous ! and so falls it out
+With Rivers , Vaughan , Grey ; and so 'twill do
+With some men else , who think themselves as safe
+As thou and I ; who , as thou know'st , are dear
+To princely Richard and to Buckingham .
+
+The princes both make high account of you ;
+
+
+For they account his head upon the bridge .
+
+I know they do , and I have well deserv'd it .
+
+
+Come on , come on ; where is your boar-spear , man ?
+
+Fear you the boar , and go so unprovided ?
+
+My lord , good morrow ; good morrow Catesby :
+You may jest on , but by the holy rood ,
+I do not like these several councils , I .
+
+My lord , I hold my life as dear as you do yours ;
+And never , in my days , I do protest ,
+Was it so precious to me as 'tis now .
+Think you , but that I know our state secure ,
+I would be so triumphant as I am ?
+
+The lords at Pomfret , when they rode from London ,
+Were jocund and suppos'd their state was sure ,
+And they indeed had no cause to mistrust ;
+But yet you see how soon the day o'ercast .
+This sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt ;
+Pray God , I say , I prove a needless coward !
+What , shall we toward the Tower ? the day is spent .
+
+Come , come , have with you . Wot you what , my lord ?
+To-day the lords you talk of are beheaded .
+
+They , for their truth , might better wear their heads ,
+Than some that have accus'd them wear their hats .
+But come , my lord , let's away .
+
+
+Go on before ; I'll talk with this good fellow .
+
+How now , sirrah ! how goes the world with thee ?
+
+The better that your lordship please to ask .
+
+I tell thee , man , 'tis better with me now
+Than when I met thee last where now we meet :
+Then was I going prisoner to the Tower ,
+By the suggestion of the queen's allies ;
+But now , I tell thee ,keep it to thyself ,
+This day those enemies are put to death ,
+And I in better state than e'er I was .
+
+God hold it to your honour's good content !
+
+Gramercy , fellow : there , drink that for me .
+
+
+God save your lordship .
+
+Well met , my lord ; I am glad to see your honour .
+
+I thank thee , good Sir John , with all my heart .
+I am in your debt for your last exercise ;
+Come the next Sabbath , and I will content you .
+
+
+What , talking with a priest , lord chamberlain ?
+Your friends at Pomfret , they do need the priest :
+Your honour hath no shriving work in hand .
+
+Good faith , and when I met this holy man ,
+The men you talk of came into my mind .
+What , go you toward the Tower ?
+
+I do , my lord ; but long I shall not stay :
+I shall return before your lordship thence .
+
+Nay , like enough , for I stay dinner there .
+
+And supper too , although thou know'st it not .
+Come , will you go ?
+
+I'll wait upon your lordship .
+
+
+Sir Richard Ratcliff , let me tell thee this :
+To-day shalt thou behold a subject die
+For truth , for duty , and for loyalty .
+
+God bless the prince from all the pack of you !
+A knot you are of damned blood suckers .
+
+You live that shall cry woe for this hereafter .
+
+Dispatch ; the limit of your lives is out .
+
+O Pomfret , Pomfret ! O thou bloody prison !
+Fatal and ominous to noble peers !
+Within the guilty closure of thy walls
+Richard the Second here was hack'd to death ;
+And , for more slander to thy dismal seat ,
+We give thee up our guitless blood to drink .
+
+Now Margaret's curse is fall'n upon our heads ,
+When she exclaim'd on Hastings , you , and I ,
+For standing by when Richard stabb'd her son .
+
+Then curs'd she Richard , then curs'd she Buckingham ,
+Then curs'd she Hastings : O ! remember , God ,
+To hear her prayer for them , as now for us ;
+And for my sister and her princely sons ,
+Be satisfied , dear God , with our true blood ,
+Which , as thou know'st , unjustly must be spilt .
+
+Make haste ; the hour of death is expiate .
+
+Come , Grey , come , Vaughan ; let us here embrace :
+And take our leave until we meet in heaven .
+
+My lords , at once : the cause why we are met
+Is to determine of the coronation :
+In God's name , speak , when is the royal day ?
+
+Are all things ready for that royal time ?
+
+It is ; and wants but nomination .
+
+To-morrow then I judge a happy day .
+
+Who knows the Lord Protector's mind herein ?
+Who is most inward with the noble duke ?
+
+Your Grace , we think , should soonest know his mind .
+
+We know each other's faces ; for our hearts ,
+He knows no more of mine than I of yours ;
+Nor I of his , my lord , than you of mine .
+Lord Hastings , you and he are near in love .
+
+I thank his Grace , I know he loves me well ;
+But , for his purpose in the coronation ,
+I have not sounded him , nor he deliver'd
+His gracious pleasure any way therein :
+But you , my noble lords , may name the time ;
+And in the duke's behalf I'll give my voice ,
+Which , I presume , he'll take in gentle part .
+
+
+In happy time , here comes the duke himself .
+
+My noble lords and cousins all , good morrow .
+I have been long a sleeper ; but , I trust ,
+My absence doth neglect no great design ,
+Which by my presence might have been concluded .
+
+Had you not come upon your cue , my lord ,
+William Lord Hastings had pronounc'd your part ,
+I mean , your voice , for crowning of the king .
+
+Than my Lord Hastings no man might be bolder :
+His lordship knows me well , and loves me well .
+My Lord of Ely , when I was last in Holborn ,
+I saw good strawberries in your garden there ;
+I do beseech you send for some of them .
+
+Marry , and will , my lord , with all my heart .
+
+
+Cousin of Buckingham , a word with you .
+
+Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business ,
+And finds the testy gentleman so hot ,
+That he will lose his head ere give consent
+His master's child , as worshipfully he terms it ,
+Shall lose the royalty of England's throne .
+
+Withdraw yourself a while ; I'll go with you .
+
+
+We have not yet set down this day of triumph .
+To-morrow , in my judgment , is too sudden ;
+For I myself am not so well provided
+As else I would be , were the day prolong'd .
+
+
+Where is my lord , the Duke of Gloucester ?
+I have sent for these strawberries .
+
+His Grace looks cheerfully and smooth this morning :
+There's some conceit or other likes him well ,
+When that he bids good morrow with such spirit .
+I think there's never a man in Christendom
+Can lesser hide his hate or love than he ;
+For by his face straight shall you know his heart .
+
+What of his heart perceiv'd you in his face
+By any livelihood he show'd to-day ?
+
+Marry , that with no man here he is offended ;
+For , were he , he had shown it in his looks .
+
+
+I pray you all , tell me what they deserve
+That do conspire my death with devilish plots
+Of damned witchcraft , and that have prevail'd
+Upon my body with their hellish charms ?
+
+The tender love I bear your Grace , my lord ,
+Makes me most forward in this princely presence
+To doom th' offenders , whosoe'er they be :
+I say , my lord , they have deserved death .
+
+Then be your eyes the witness of their evil .
+Look how I am bewitch'd ; behold mine arm
+Is like a blasted sapling , wither'd up :
+And this is Edward's wife , that monstrous witch
+Consorted with that harlot strumpet Shore ,
+That by their witchcraft thus have marked me .
+
+If they have done this thing , my noble lord ,
+
+If ! thou protector of this damned strumpet ,
+Talk'st thou to me of ifs ? Thou art a traitor :
+Off with his head ! now , by Saint Paul , I swear ,
+I will not dine until I see the same .
+Lovel and Ratcliff , look that it be done :
+The rest , that love me , rise , and follow me .
+
+
+Woe , woe , for England ! not a whit for me ;
+For I , too fond , might have prevented this .
+Stanley did dream the boar did raze his helm ;
+And I did scorn it , and disdain'd to fly .
+Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble ,
+And startled when he looked upon the Tower ,
+As loath to bear me to the slaughter-house .
+O ! now I need the priest that spake to me :
+I now repent I told the pursuivant ,
+As too triumphing , how mine enemies
+To-day at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd
+And I myself secure in grace and favour .
+O Margaret , Margaret ! now thy heavy curse
+Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head .
+
+Come , come , dispatch ; the duke would be at dinner :
+Make a short shrift , he longs to see your head .
+
+O momentary grace of mortal man ,
+Which we more hunt for than the grace of God !
+Who builds his hope in air of your good looks ,
+Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast ;
+Ready with every nod to tumble down
+Into the fatal bowels of the deep .
+
+Come , come , dispatch ; 'tis bootless to exclaim .
+
+O bloody Richard ! miserable England !
+I prophesy the fearfull'st time to thee
+That ever wretched age hath look'd upon .
+Come , lead me to the block ; bear him my head :
+They smile at me who shortly shall be dead .
+
+
+Come , cousin , canst thou quake , and change thy colour ,
+Murder thy breath in middle of a word ,
+And then again begin , and stop again ,
+As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror ?
+
+Tut ! I can counterfeit the deep tragedian ,
+Speak and look back , and pry on every side ,
+Tremble and start at wagging of a straw ,
+Intending deep suspicion : ghastly looks
+Are at my service , like enforced smiles ;
+And both are ready in their offices ,
+At any time , to grace my stratagems .
+But what ! is Catesby gone ?
+
+He is ; and , see , he brings the mayor along .
+
+
+Lord Mayor ,
+
+Look to the drawbridge there !
+
+Hark ! a drum .
+
+Catesby , o'erlook the walls .
+
+Lord Mayor , the reason we have sent ,
+
+Look back , defend thee ; here are enemies .
+
+God and our innocency defend and guard us !
+
+
+Be patient , they are friends , Ratcliff and Lovel .
+
+Here is the head of that ignoble traitor ,
+The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings .
+
+So dear I lov'd the man , that I must weep .
+I took him for the plainest harmless creature
+That breath'd upon the earth a Christian ;
+Made him my book , wherein my soul recorded
+The history of all her secret thoughts :
+So smooth he daub'd his vice with show of virtue ,
+That , his apparent open guilt omitted ,
+I mean his conversation with Shore's wife ,
+He liv'd from all attainder of suspect .
+
+Well , well , he was the covert'st shelter'd traitor
+That ever liv'd .
+Would you imagine , or almost believe ,
+Were't not that by great preservation
+We live to tell it , that the subtle traitor
+This day had plotted , in the council-house ,
+To murder me and my good Lord of Gloucester ?
+
+Had he done so ?
+
+What ! think you we are Turks or infidels ?
+Or that we would , against the form of law ,
+Proceed thus rashly in the villain's death ,
+But that the extreme peril of the case ,
+The peace of England and our person's safety ,
+Enforc'd us to this execution ?
+
+Now , fair befall you ! he deserv'd his death ;
+And your good Graces both have well proceeded ,
+To warn false traitors from the like attempts .
+I never look'd for better at his hands ,
+After he once fell in with Mistress Shore .
+
+Yet had we not determin'd he should die ,
+Until your lordship came to see his end ;
+Which now the loving haste of these our friends ,
+Something against our meaning , hath prevented :
+Because , my lord , we would have had you heard
+The traitor speak , and timorously confess
+The manner and the purpose of his treason ;
+That you might well have signified the same
+Unto the citizens , who haply may
+Misconster us in him , and wail his death .
+
+But , my good lord , your Grace's word shall serve ,
+As well as I had seen and heard him speak :
+And do not doubt , right noble princes both ,
+But I'll acquaint our duteous citizens
+With all your just proceedings in this cause .
+
+And to that end we wish'd your lordship here ,
+To avoid the censures of the carping world .
+
+But since you come too late of our intent ,
+Yet witness what you hear we did intend :
+And so , my good Lord Mayor , we bid farewell .
+
+
+Go , after , after , cousin Buckingham .
+The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post :
+There , at your meetest vantage of the time ,
+Infer the bastardy of Edward's children :
+Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen ,
+Only for saying he would make his son
+Heir to the crown ; meaning indeed his house ,
+Which by the sign thereof was termed so .
+Moreover , urge his hateful luxury
+And bestial appetite in change of lust ;
+Which stretch'd unto their servants , daughters , wives ,
+Even where his raging eye or savage heart
+Without control lusted to make a prey .
+Nay , for a need , thus far come near my person :
+Tell them , when that my mother went with child
+Of that insatiate Edward , noble York
+My princely father then had wars in France ;
+And , by true computation of the time ,
+Found that the issue was not his begot ;
+Which well appeared in his lineaments ,
+Being nothing like the noble duke my father .
+Yet touch this sparingly , as 'twere far off ;
+Because , my lord , you know my mother lives .
+
+Doubt not , my lord , I'll play the orator
+As if the golden fee for which I plead
+Were for myself : and so , my lord , adieu .
+
+If you thrive well , bring them to Baynard's Castle ;
+Where you shall find me well accompanied
+With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops .
+
+I go ; and towards three or four o'clock
+Look for the news that the Guildhall affords .
+
+
+Go , Lovel , with all speed to Doctor Shaw ;
+
+
+Go thou to Friar Penker ; bid them both
+Meet me within this hour at Baynard's Castle .
+
+Now will I in , to take some privy order ,
+To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight ;
+And to give notice that no manner person
+Have any time recourse unto the princes .
+
+
+Here is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings ;
+Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd ,
+That it may be to-day read o'er in Paul's :
+And mark how well the sequel hangs together .
+Eleven hours I have spent to write it over ,
+For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me .
+The precedent was full as long a-doing ;
+And yet within these five hours Hastings liv'd ,
+Untainted , unexamin'd , free , at liberty .
+Here's a good world the while ! Who is so gross
+That cannot see this palpable device ?
+Yet who so bold but says he sees it not ?
+Bad is the world ; and all will come to naught ,
+When such ill dealing must be seen in thought .
+
+
+How , now , how now ! what say the citizens ?
+
+Now , by the holy mother of our Lord ,
+The citizens are mum , say not a word .
+
+Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children ?
+
+I did ; with his contract with Lady Lucy ,
+And his contract by deputy in France ;
+The insatiate greediness of his desires ,
+And his enforcement of the city wives ;
+His tyranny for trifles ; his own bastardy ,
+As being got , your father then in France ,
+And his resemblance , being not like the duke :
+Withal I did infer your lineaments ,
+Being the right idea of your father ,
+Both in your form and nobleness of mind ;
+Laid open all your victories in Scotland ,
+Your discipline in war , wisdom in peace ,
+Your bounty , virtue , fair humility ;
+Indeed , left nothing fitting for your purpose
+Untouch'd or slightly handled in discourse ;
+And when my oratory drew toward end ,
+I bade them that did love their country's good
+Cry 'God save Richard , England's royal king !'
+
+And did they so ?
+
+No , so God help me , they spake not a word ;
+But , like dumb statuas or breathing stones ,
+Star'd each on other , and look'd deadly pale .
+Which when I saw , I reprehended them ;
+And ask'd the mayor what meant this wilful silence :
+His answer was , the people were not wont
+To be spoke to but by the recorder .
+Then he was urg'd to tell my tale again :
+'Thus saith the duke , thus hath the duke inferr'd ;'
+But nothing spoke in warrant from himself .
+When he had done , some followers of mine own ,
+At lower end of the hall , hurl'd up their caps ,
+And some ten voices cried , 'God save King Richard !'
+And thus I took the vantage of those few ,
+'Thanks , gentle citizens and friends ,' quoth I ;
+'This general applause and cheerful shout
+Argues your wisdom and your love to Richard :'
+And even here brake off , and came away .
+
+What tongueless blocks were they ! would they not speak ?
+Will not the mayor then and his brethren come ?
+
+The mayor is here at hand . Intend some fear ;
+Be not you spoke with but by mighty suit :
+And look you get a prayer-book in your hand ,
+And stand between two churchmen , good my lord :
+For on that ground I'll make a holy descant :
+And be not easily won to our requests ;
+Play the maid's part , still answer nay , and take it .
+
+I go ; and if you plead as well for them
+As I can say nay to thee for myself ,
+No doubt we bring it to a happy issue .
+
+Go , go , up to the leads ! the Lord Mayor knocks .
+
+Welcome , my lord : I dance attendance here ;
+I think the duke will not be spoke withal .
+
+
+Now , Catesby ! what says your lord to my request ?
+
+He doth entreat your Grace , my noble lord ,
+To visit him to-morrow or next day .
+He is within , with two right reverend fathers ,
+Divinely bent to meditation ;
+And in no worldly suit would he be mov'd ,
+To draw him from his holy exercise .
+
+Return , good Catesby , to the gracious duke :
+Tell him , myself , the mayor and aldermen ,
+In deep designs in matter of great moment ,
+No less importing than our general good ,
+Are come to have some conference with his Grace .
+
+I'll signify so much unto him straight .
+
+
+Ah , ha , my lord , this prince is not an Edward !
+He is not lolling on a lewd day-bed ,
+But on his knees at meditation ;
+Not dallying with a brace of courtezans ,
+But meditating with two deep divines ;
+Not sleeping , to engross his idle body ,
+But praying , to enrich his watchful soul .
+Happy were England , would this virtuous prince
+Take on his Grace the sovereignty thereof :
+But sore , I fear , we shall not win him to it .
+
+Marry , God defend his Grace should say us nay !
+
+I fear he will . Here Catesby comes again .
+
+Now , Catesby , what says his Grace ?
+
+He wonders to what end you have assembled
+Such troops of citizens to come to him ,
+His Grace not being warn'd thereof before :
+My lord , he fears you mean no good to him .
+
+Sorry I am my noble cousin should
+Suspect me that I mean no good to him .
+By heaven , we come to him in perfect love ;
+And so once more return , and tell his Grace .
+
+When holy and devout religious men
+Are at their beads , 'tis much to draw them thence ;
+So sweet is zealous contemplation .
+
+
+See , where his Grace stands 'tween two clergymen !
+
+Two props of virtue for a Christian prince ,
+To stay him from the fall of vanity ;
+And , see , a book of prayer in his hand ;
+True ornament to know a holy man .
+Famous Plantagenet , most gracious prince ,
+Lend favourable ear to our requests ,
+And pardon us the interruption
+Of thy devotion , and right Christian zeal .
+
+My lord , there needs no such apology ;
+I do beseech your Grace to pardon me ,
+Who , earnest in the service of my God ,
+Deferr'd the visitation of my friends .
+But , leaving this , what is your Grace's pleasure ?
+
+Even that , I hope , which pleaseth God above ,
+And all good men of this ungovern'd isle .
+
+I do suspect I have done some offence
+That seems disgracious in the city's eye ;
+And that you come to reprehend my ignorance .
+
+You have , my lord : would it might please your Grace ,
+On our entreaties to amend your fault !
+
+Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land ?
+
+Know then , it is your fault that you resign
+The supreme seat , the throne majestical ,
+The sceptred office of your ancestors ,
+Your state of fortune and your due of birth ,
+The lineal glory of your royal house ,
+To the corruption of a blemish'd stock ;
+Whiles , in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts ,
+Which here we waken to our country's good ,
+This noble isle doth want her proper limbs ;
+Her face defac'd with scars of infamy ,
+Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants ,
+And almost shoulder'd in the swallowing gulf
+Of dark forgetfulness and deep oblivion .
+Which to recure we heartily solicit
+Your gracious self to take on you the charge
+And kingly government of this your land ;
+Not as protector , steward , substitute ,
+Or lowly factor for another's gain ;
+But as successively from blood to blood ,
+Your right of birth , your empery , your own .
+For this , consorted with the citizens ,
+Your very worshipful and loving friends ,
+And by their vehement instigation ,
+In this just cause come I to move your Grace .
+
+I cannot tell , if to depart in silence
+Or bitterly to speak in your reproof ,
+Best fitteth my degree or your condition :
+If not to answer , you might haply think
+Tongue-tied ambition , not replying , yielded
+To bear the golden yoke of sov'reignty ,
+Which fondly you would here impose on me ;
+If to reprove you for this suit of yours ,
+So season'd with your faithful love to me ,
+Then , on the other side , I check'd my friends .
+Therefore , to speak , and to avoid the first ,
+And then , in speaking , not to incur the last ,
+Definitively thus I answer you .
+Your love deserves my thanks ; but my desert
+Unmeritable shuns your high request .
+First , if all obstacles were cut away ,
+And that my path were even to the crown ,
+As the ripe revenue and due of birth ,
+Yet so much is my poverty of spirit ,
+So mighty and so many my defects ,
+That I would rather hide me from my greatness ,
+Being a bark to brook no mighty sea ,
+Than in my greatness covet to be hid ,
+And in the vapour of my glory smother'd .
+But , God be thank'd , there is no need of me ;
+And much I need to help you , were there need ;
+The royal tree hath left us royal fruit ,
+Which , mellow'd by the stealing hours of time ,
+Will well become the seat of majesty ,
+And make , no doubt , us happy by his reign .
+On him I lay that you would lay on me ,
+The right and fortune of his happy stars ;
+Which God defend that I should wring from him !
+
+My lord , this argues conscience in your Grace ;
+But the respects thereof are nice and trivial ,
+All circumstances well considered .
+You say that Edward is your brother's son :
+So say we too , but not by Edward's wife ;
+For first was he contract to Lady Lucy ,
+Your mother lives a witness to his vow ,
+And afterward by substitute betroth'd
+To Bona , sister to the King of France .
+These both put by , a poor petitioner ,
+A care-craz'd mother to a many sons ,
+A beauty-waning and distressed widow ,
+Even in the afternoon of her best days ,
+Made prize and purchase of his wanton eye ,
+Seduc'd the pitch and height of his degree
+To base declension and loath'd bigamy :
+By her , in his unlawful bed , he got
+This Edward , whom our manners call the prince .
+More bitterly could I expostulate ,
+Save that , for reverence to some alive ,
+I give a sparing limit to my tongue .
+Then , good my lord , take to your royal self
+This proffer'd benefit of dignity ;
+If not to bless us and the land withal ,
+Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry
+From the corruption of abusing times ,
+Unto a lineal true-derived course .
+
+Do , good my lord ; your citizens entreat you .
+
+Refuse not , mighty lord , this proffer'd love .
+
+O ! make them joyful : grant their lawful suit :
+
+Alas ! why would you heap those cares on me ?
+I am unfit for state and majesty :
+I do beseech you , take it not amiss ,
+I cannot nor I will not yield to you .
+
+If you refuse it , as , in love and zeal ,
+Loath to depose the child , your brother's son ;
+As well we know your tenderness of heart
+And gentle , kind , effeminate remorse ,
+Which we have noted in you to your kindred ,
+And egally , indeed , to all estates ,
+Yet whether you accept our suit or no ,
+Your brother's son shall never reign our king ;
+But we will plant some other in the throne ,
+To the disgrace and downfall of your house :
+And in this resolution here we leave you .
+Come , citizens , we will entreat no more .
+
+
+Call them again , sweet prince ; accept their suit :
+If you deny them , all the land will rue it .
+
+Will you enforce me to a world of cares ?
+Call them again : I am not made of stone ,
+But penetrable to your kind entreats ,
+
+Albeit against my conscience and my soul .
+
+
+Cousin of Buckingham , and sage , grave men ,
+Since you will buckle fortune on my back ,
+To bear her burden , whe'r I will or no ,
+I must have patience to endure the load :
+But if black scandal or foul-fac'd reproach
+Attend the sequel of your imposition ,
+Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me
+From all the impure blots and stains thereof ;
+For God doth know , and you may partly see ,
+
+How far I am from the desire of this .
+
+God bless your Grace ! we see it , and will say it .
+
+In saying so , you shall but say the truth .
+
+Then I salute you with this royal title :
+Long live King Richard , England's worthy king !
+
+Amen .
+
+To-morrow may it please you to be crown'd ?
+
+Even when you please , for you will have it so .
+
+To-morrow then we will attend your Grace :
+And so most joyfully we take our leave .
+
+Come , let us to our holy work again .
+Farewell , my cousin ;farewell , gentle friends .
+
+Who meets us here ? my niece Plantagenet ,
+Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Gloucester ?
+Now , for my life , she's wand'ring to the Tower ,
+On pure heart's love , to greet the tender princes .
+Daughter , well met .
+
+God give your Graces both
+A happy and a joyful time of day !
+
+As much to you , good sister ! whither away ?
+
+No further than the Tower ; and , as I guess ,
+Upon the like devotion as yourselves ,
+To gratulate the gentle princes there .
+
+Kind sister , thanks : we'll enter all together :
+
+
+And , in good time , here the lieutenant comes .
+Master lieutenant , pray you , by your leave ,
+
+How doth the prince , and my young son of York ?
+
+Right well , dear madam . By your patience ,
+I may not suffer you to visit them :
+The king hath strictly charg'd the contrary .
+
+The king ! who's that ?
+
+I mean the Lord Protector .
+
+The Lord protect him from that kingly title !
+Hath he set bounds between their love and me ?
+I am their mother ; who shall bar me from them ?
+
+I am their father's mother ; I will see them .
+
+Their aunt I am in law , in love their mother :
+Then bring me to their sights ; I'll bear thy blame ,
+And take thy office from thee , on my peril .
+
+No , madam , no , I may not leave it so :
+I am bound by oath , and therefore pardon me .
+
+Let me but meet you , ladies , one hour hence ,
+And I'll salute your Grace of York as mother ,
+And reverend looker-on of two fair queens .
+
+
+Come , madam , you must straight to Westminster ,
+There to be crowned Richard's royal queen .
+
+Ah ! cut my lace asunder ,
+That my pent heart may have some scope to beat ,
+Or else I swoon with this dead-killing news .
+
+Despiteful tidings ! O ! unpleasing news !
+
+Be of good cheer : mother , how fares your Grace ?
+
+O , Dorset ! speak not to me , get thee gone ;
+Death and destruction dog thee at the heels :
+Thy mother's name is ominous to children .
+If thou wilt outstrip death , go cross the seas ,
+And live with Richmond , from the reach of hell :
+Go , hie thee , hie thee , from this slaughter-house ,
+Lest thou increase the number of the dead ,
+And make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse ,
+Nor mother , wife , nor England's counted queen .
+
+Full of wise care is this your counsel , madam .
+
+
+Take all the swift advantage of the hours ;
+You shall have letters from me to my son
+In your behalf , to meet you on the way :
+Be not ta'en tardy by unwise delay .
+
+O ill-dispersing wind of misery !
+O ! my accursed womb , the bed of death ,
+A cockatrice hast thou hatch'd to the world ,
+Whose unavoided eye is murderous !
+
+Come , madam , come ; I in all haste was sent .
+
+And I with all unwillingness will go .
+O ! would to God that the inclusive verge
+Of golden metal that must round my brow
+Were red-hot steel to sear me to the brain .
+Anointed let me be with deadly venom ;
+And die , ere men can say 'God save the queen !'
+
+Go , go , poor soul , I envy not thy glory ;
+To feed my humour , wish thyself no harm .
+
+No ! why ? When he , that is my husband now
+Came to me , as I follow'd Henry's corse ;
+When scarce the blood was well wash'd from his hands ,
+Which issu'd from my other angel husband ,
+And that dead saint which then I weeping follow'd ;
+O ! when I say , I look'd on Richard's face ,
+This was my wish , 'Be thou ,' quoth I , 'accurs'd ,
+For making me so young , so old a widow !
+And , when thou wedd'st , let sorrow haunt thy bed ;
+And be thy wife if any be so mad
+More miserable by the life of thee
+Than thou hast made me by my dear lord's death !'
+Lo ! ere I can repeat this curse again ,
+Within so small a time , my woman's heart
+Grossly grew captive to his honey words ,
+And prov'd the subject of mine own soul's curse :
+Which hitherto hath held mine eyes from rest ;
+For never yet one hour in his bed
+Did I enjoy the golden dew of sleep ,
+But with his timorous dreams was still awak'd .
+Besides , he hates me for my father Warwick ,
+And will , no doubt , shortly be rid of me .
+
+Poor heart , adieu ! I pity thy complaining .
+
+No more than with my soul I mourn for yours .
+
+Farewell ! thou woeful welcomer of glory !
+
+Adieu , poor soul , that tak'st thy leave of it !
+
+Go thou to Richmond , and good fortune guide thee !
+
+
+Go thou to Richard , and good angels tend thee !
+
+
+Go thou to sanctuary , and good thoughts possess thee !
+I to my grave , where peace and rest lie with me !
+Eighty odd years of sorrow have I seen ,
+And each hour's joy wrack'd with a week of teen .
+
+Stay yet , look back with me unto the Tower .
+Pity , you ancient stones , those tender babes
+Whom envy hath immur'd within your walls ,
+Rough cradle for such little pretty ones !
+Rude ragged nurse , old sullen playfellow
+For tender princes , use my babies well .
+So foolish sorrow bids your stones farewell .
+
+
+Stand all apart . Cousin of Buckingham .
+
+My gracious sovereign !
+
+Give me thy hand .
+
+Thus high , by thy advice ,
+And thy assistance , is King Richard seated :
+But shall we wear these glories for a day ?
+Or shall they last , and we rejoice in them ?
+
+Still live they , and for ever let them last !
+
+Ah ! Buckingham , now do I play the touch ,
+To try if thou be current gold indeed :
+Young Edward lives : think now what I would speak .
+
+Say on , my loving lord .
+
+Why , Buckingham , I say , I would be king .
+
+Why , so you are , my thrice-renowned liege .
+
+Ha ! am I king ? 'Tis so : but Edward lives .
+
+True , noble prince .
+
+O bitter consequence ,
+That Edward still should live ! 'True , noble prince !'
+Cousin , thou wast not wont to be so dull :
+Shall I be plain ? I wish the bastards dead ;
+And I would have it suddenly perform'd .
+What sayst thou now ? speak suddenly , be brief .
+
+Your Grace may do your pleasure .
+
+Tut , tut ! thou art all ice , thy kindness freezes :
+Say , have I thy consent that they shall die ?
+
+Give me some little breath , some pause , dear lord ,
+Before I positively speak in this :
+I will resolve you herein presently .
+
+
+The king is angry : see , he gnaws his lip .
+
+I will converse with iron-witted fools
+And unrespective boys : none are for me
+That look into me with considerate eyes .
+High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect .
+Boy !
+
+My lord !
+
+Know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold
+Will tempt unto a close exploit of death ?
+
+I know a discontented gentleman ,
+Whose humble means match not his haughty spirit :
+Gold were as good as twenty orators ,
+And will , no doubt , tempt him to anything .
+
+What is his name ?
+
+His name , my lord , is Tyrrell .
+
+I partly know the man : go , call him hither .
+
+The deep-revolving witty Buckingham
+No more shall be the neighbour to my counsel .
+Hath he so long held out with me untir'd ,
+And stops he now for breath ? well , be it so .
+
+How now , Lord Stanley ! what's the news ?
+
+Know , my loving lord ,
+The Marquess Dorset , as I hear , is fled
+To Richmond , in the parts where he abides .
+
+Come hither , Catesby : rumour it abroad ,
+That Anne my wife is very grievous sick ;
+I will take order for her keeping close .
+Inquire me out some mean poor gentleman ,
+Whom I will marry straight to Clarence' daughter :
+The boy is foolish , and I fear not him .
+Look , how thou dream'st ! I say again , give out
+That Anne my queen is sick , and like to die :
+About it ; for it stands me much upon ,
+To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me .
+
+I must be married to my brother's daughter ,
+Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass .
+Murder her brothers , and then marry her !
+Uncertain way of gain ! But I am in
+So far in blood , that sin will pluck on sin :
+Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye .
+
+Is thy name Tyrrell ?
+
+James Tyrrell , and your most obedient subject .
+
+Art thou , indeed ?
+
+Prove me , my gracious lord .
+
+Dar'st thou resolve to kill a friend of mine ?
+
+Please you ; but I had rather kill two enemies .
+
+Why , then thou hast it : two deep enemies ,
+Foes to my rest , and my sweet sleep's disturbers ,
+Are they that I would have thee deal upon .
+Tyrrell , I mean those bastards in the Tower .
+
+Let me have open means to come to them ,
+And soon I'll rid you from the fear of them .
+
+Thou sing'st sweet music . Hark , come hither , Tyrrell :
+Go , by this token : rise , and lend thine ear .
+
+There is no more but so : say it is done ,
+And I will love thee , and prefer thee for it .
+
+I will dispatch it straight .
+
+My lord , I have consider'd in my mind
+The late demand that you did sound me in .
+
+Well , let that rest . Dorset is fled to Richmond .
+
+I hear the news , my lord .
+
+Stanley , he is your wife's son : well , look to it .
+
+My lord , I claim the gift , my due by promise ,
+For which your honour and your faith is pawn'd ;
+The earldom of Hereford and the moveables
+Which you have promised I shall possess .
+
+Stanley , look to your wife : if she convey
+Letters to Richmond , you shall answer it .
+
+What says your highness to my just request ?
+
+I do remember me , Henry the Sixth
+Did prophesy that Richmond should be king ,
+When Richmond was a little peevish boy .
+A king ! perhaps
+
+My lord !
+
+How chance the prophet could not at that time
+Have told me , I being by , that I should kill him ?
+
+My lord , your promise for the earldom ,
+
+Richmond ! When last I was at Exeter ,
+The mayor in courtesy show'd me the castle ,
+And call'd it Rougemont : at which name I started ,
+Because a bard of Ireland told me once
+I should not live long after I saw Richmond .
+
+My lord !
+
+Ay , what's o'clock ?
+
+I am thus bold to put your Grace in mind
+Of what you promis'd me .
+
+Well , but what is't o'clock ?
+
+Upon the stroke of ten .
+
+Well , let it strike .
+
+Why let it strike ?
+
+Because that , like a Jack , thou keep'st the stroke
+Betwixt thy begging and my meditation .
+I am not in the giving vein to-day .
+
+Why , then resolve me whe'r you will , or no .
+
+Thou troublest me : I am not in the vein .
+
+
+And is it thus ? repays he my deep service
+With such contempt ? made I him king for this ?
+O , let me think on Hastings , and be gone
+To Brecknock , while my fearful head is on .
+
+
+The tyrannous and bloody act is done ;
+The most arch deed of piteous massacre
+That ever yet this land was guilty of .
+Dighton and Forrest , whom I did suborn
+To do this piece of ruthless butchery ,
+Albeit they were flesh'd villains , bloody dogs ,
+Melting with tenderness and mild compassion ,
+Wept like to children in their death's sad story .
+'Oh ! thus ,' quoth Dighton , 'lay the gentle babes :'
+'Thus , thus ,' quoth Forrest , 'girdling one another
+Within their alabaster innocent arms :
+Their lips were four red roses on a stalk ,
+Which in their summer beauty kiss'd each other .
+A book of prayers on their pillow lay ;
+Which once ,' quoth Forrest , 'almost chang'd my mind ;
+But , O , the devil' there the villain stopp'd ;
+When Dighton thus told on : 'We smothered
+The most replenished sweet work of nature ,
+That from the prime creation e'er she fram'd .'
+Hence both are gone with conscience and remorse ;
+They could not speak ; and so I left them both ,
+To bear this tidings to the bloody king :
+And here he comes .
+
+All health , my sovereign lord !
+
+Kind Tyrrell , am I happy in thy news ?
+
+If to have done the thing you gave in charge
+Beget your happiness , be happy then ,
+For it is done .
+
+But didst thou see them dead ?
+
+I did , my lord .
+
+And buried , gentle Tyrrell ?
+
+The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them ;
+But how or in what place I do not know .
+
+Come to me , Tyrrell , soon at after-supper ,
+When thou shalt tell the process of their death .
+Meantime , but think how I may do thee good ,
+And be inheritor of thy desire .
+Farewell till then .
+
+I humbly take my leave .
+
+
+The son of Clarence have I pent up close ;
+His daughter meanly have I match'd in marriage ;
+The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham's bosom ,
+And Anne my wife hath bid the world good night .
+Now , for I know the Breton Richmond aims
+At young Elizabeth , my brother's daughter ,
+And , by that knot , looks proudly on the crown ,
+To her go I , a jolly thriving wooer .
+
+
+My lord !
+
+Good or bad news , that thou com'st in so bluntly ?
+
+Bad news , my lord : Morton is fled to Richmond ;
+And Buckingham , back'd with the hardy Welshmen ,
+Is in the field , and still his power increaseth .
+
+Ely with Richmond troubles me more near
+Than Buckingham and his rash-levied strength .
+Come ; I have learn'd that fearful commenting
+Is leaden servitor to dull delay :
+Delay leads impotent and snail-pac'd beggary :
+Then fiery expedition be my wing ,
+Jove's Mercury , and herald for a king !
+Go , muster men : my counsel is my shield ;
+We must be brief when traitors brave the field .
+
+
+So , now prosperity begins to mellow
+And drop into the rotten mouth of death .
+Here in these confines slily have I lurk'd
+To watch the waning of mine enemies .
+A dire induction am I witness to ,
+And will to France , hoping the consequence
+Will prove as bitter , black , and tragical .
+Withdraw thee , wretched Margaret : who comes here ?
+
+
+Ah ! my poor princes ! ah , my tender babes ,
+My unblown flowers , new-appearing sweets ,
+If yet your gentle souls fly in the air
+And be not fix'd in doom perpetual ,
+Hover about me with your airy wings ,
+And hear your mother's lamentation .
+
+Hover about her ; say , that right for right
+Hath dimm'd your infant morn to aged night .
+
+So many miseries have craz'd my voice ,
+That my woe-wearied tongue is still and mute .
+Edward Plantagenet , why art thou dead ?
+
+Plantagenet doth quit Plantagenet ;
+Edward for Edward pays a dying debt .
+
+Wilt thou , O God ! fly from such gentle lambs ,
+And throw them in the entrails of the wolf ?
+When didst thou sleep when such a deed was done ?
+
+When holy Harry died , and my sweet son .
+
+Dead life , blind sight , poor mortal living ghost ,
+Woe's scene , world's shame , grave's due by life usurp'd ,
+Brief abstract and record of tedious days ,
+Rest thy unrest on England's lawful earth ,
+
+Unlawfully made drunk with innocent blood !
+
+Ah ! that thou wouldst as soon afford a grave
+As thou canst yield a melancholy seat ;
+Then would I hide my bones , not rest them here .
+Ah ! who hath any cause to mourn but I ?
+
+
+If ancient sorrow be most reverend ,
+Give mine the benefit of seniory ,
+And let my griefs frown on the upper hand ,
+If sorrow can admit society .
+
+Tell o'er your woes again by viewing mine :
+I had an Edward , till a Richard kill'd him ;
+I had a Harry , till a Richard kill'd him :
+Thou hadst an Edward , till a Richard kill'd him ;
+Thou hadst a Richard , till a Richard kill'd him .
+
+I had a Richard too , and thou didst kill him ;
+I had a Rutland too , thou holp'st to kill him .
+
+Thou hadst a Clarence too , and Richard kill'd him .
+From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept
+A hellhound that doth hunt us all to death :
+That dog , that had his teeth before his eyes ,
+To worry lambs , and lap their gentle blood ,
+That foul defacer of God's handiwork ,
+That excellent grand-tyrant of the earth ,
+That reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls ,
+Thy womb let loose , to chase us to our graves .
+O ! upright , just , and true-disposing God ,
+How do I thank thee that this carnal cur
+Preys on the issue of his mother's body ,
+And makes her pew-fellow with others' moan .
+
+O ! Harry's wife , triumph not in my woes :
+God witness with me , I have wept for thine .
+
+Bear with me ; I am hungry for revenge ,
+And now I cloy me with beholding it .
+Thy Edward he is dead , that kill'd my Edward ;
+Thy other Edward dead , to quit my Edward ;
+Young York he is but boot , because both they
+Match not the high perfection of my loss :
+Thy Clarence he is dead that stabb'd my Edward ;
+And the beholders of this tragic play ,
+The adulterate Hastings , Rivers , Vaughan , Grey ,
+Untimely smother'd in their dusky graves .
+Richard yet lives , hell's black intelligencer ,
+Only reserv'd their factor , to buy souls
+And send them thither ; but at hand , at hand ,
+Ensues his piteous and unpitied end :
+Earth gapes , hell burns , fiends roar , saints pray ,
+To have him suddenly convey'd from hence .
+Cancel his bond of life , dear God ! I pray ,
+That I may live to say , The dog is dead .
+
+O ! thou didst prophesy the time would come
+That I should wish for thee to help me curse
+That bottled spider , that foul bunchback'd toad .
+
+I call'd thee then vain flourish of my fortune ;
+I call'd thee then poor shadow , painted queen ;
+The presentation of but what I was ;
+The flattering index of a direful pageant ;
+One heav'd a-high to be hurl'd down below ;
+A mother only mock'd with two fair babes ;
+A dream of what thou wert , a breath , a bubble ,
+A sign of dignity , a garish flag ,
+To be the aim of every dangerous shot ;
+A queen in jest , only to fill the scene .
+Where is thy husband now ? where be thy brothers ?
+Where are thy children ? wherein dost thou joy ?
+Who sues and kneels and cries God save the queen ?
+Where be the bending peers that flatter'd thee ?
+Where be the thronging troops that follow'd thee ?
+Decline all this , and see what now thou art :
+For happy wife , a most distressed widow ;
+For joyful mother , one that wails the name ;
+For one being su'd to , one that humbly sues ;
+For queen , a very caitiff crown'd with care ;
+For one that scorn'd at me , now scorn'd of me ;
+For one being fear'd of all , now fearing one ;
+For one commanding all , obey'd of none .
+Thus hath the course of justice whirl'd about ,
+And left thee but a very prey to time ;
+Having no more but thought of what thou wert ,
+To torture thee the more , being what thou art .
+Thou didst usurp my place , and dost thou not
+Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow ?
+Now thy proud neck bears half my burden'd yoke ;
+From which even here , I slip my wearied head ,
+And leave the burden of it all on thee .
+Farewell , York's wife , and queen of sad mischance :
+These English woes shall make me smile in France .
+
+O thou , well skill'd in curses , stay awhile ,
+And teach me how to curse mine enemies .
+
+Forbear to sleep the night , and fast the day ;
+Compare dead happiness with living woe ;
+Think that thy babes were fairer than they were ,
+And he that slew them fouler than he is :
+Bettering thy loss makes the bad causer worse :
+Revolving this will teach thee how to curse .
+
+My words are dull ; O ! quicken them with thine !
+
+Thy woes will make them sharp , and pierce like mine .
+
+
+Why should calamity be full of words ?
+
+Windy attorneys to their client woes ,
+Airy succeeders of intestate joys ,
+Poor breathing orators of miseries !
+Let them have scope : though what they do impart
+Help nothing else , yet do they ease the heart .
+
+If so , then be not tongue-tied : go with me ,
+And in the breath of bitter words let's smother
+My damned son , that thy two sweet sons smother'd .
+
+The trumpet sounds : be copious in exclaims .
+
+
+Who intercepts me in my expedition ?
+
+O ! she that might have intercepted thee ,
+By strangling thee in her accursed womb ,
+From all the slaughters , wretch , that thou hast done !
+
+Hid'st thou that forehead with a golden crown ,
+Where should be branded , if that right were right ,
+The slaughter of the prince that ow'd that crown ,
+And the dire death of my poor sons and brothers ?
+Tell me , thou villain slave , where are my children ?
+
+Thou toad , thou toad , where is thy brother Clarence
+And little Ned Plantagenet , his son ?
+
+Where is the gentle Rivers , Vaughan , Grey ?
+
+Where is kind Hastings ?
+
+A flourish , trumpets ! strike alarum , drums !
+Let not the heavens hear these tell-tale women
+Rail on the Lord's anointed . Strike , I say !
+
+Either be patient , and entreat me fair ,
+Or with the clamorous report of war
+Thus will I drown your exclamations .
+
+Art thou my son ?
+
+Ay ; I thank God , my father , and yourself .
+
+Then patiently hear my impatience .
+
+Madam , I have a touch of your condition ,
+That cannot brook the accent of reproof .
+
+O , let me speak !
+
+Do , then ; but I'll not hear .
+
+I will be mild and gentle in my words .
+
+And brief , good mother ; for I am in haste .
+
+Art thou so hasty ? I have stay'd for thee ,
+God knows , in torment and in agony .
+
+And came I not at last to comfort you ?
+
+No , by the holy rood , thou know'st it well ,
+Thou cam'st on earth to make the earth my hell .
+A grievous burden was thy birth to me ;
+Tetchy and wayward was thy infancy ;
+Thy school-days frightful , desperate , wild and furious ;
+Thy prime of manhood daring , bold , and venturous ;
+Thy age confirm'd , proud , subtle , sly , and bloody ,
+More mild , but yet more harmful , kind in hatred :
+What comfortable hour canst thou name
+That ever grac'd me in thy company ?
+
+Faith , none , but Humphrey Hour , that call'd your Grace
+To breakfast once forth of my company .
+If I be so disgracious in your eye ,
+Let me march on , and not offend you , madam .
+Strike up the drum !
+
+I prithee , hear me speak .
+
+You speak too bitterly .
+
+Hear me a word ;
+For I shall never speak to thee again .
+
+So !
+
+Either thou wilt die by God's just ordinance ,
+Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror ;
+Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish
+And never look upon thy face again .
+Therefore take with thee my most grievous curse ,
+Which , in the day of battle , tire thee more
+Than all the complete armour that thou wear'st !
+My prayers on the adverse party fight ;
+And there the little souls of Edward's children
+Whisper the spirits of thine enemies
+And promise them success and victory .
+Bloody thou art , bloody will be thy end ;
+Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend .
+
+
+Though far more cause , yet much less spirit to curse
+Abides in me : I say amen to her .
+
+
+Stay , madam ; I must talk a word with you .
+
+I have no moe sons of the royal blood
+For thee to slaughter : for my daughters , Richard ,
+They shall be praying nuns , not weeping queens ;
+And therefore level not to hit their lives .
+
+You have a daughter call'd Elizabeth ,
+Virtuous and fair , royal and gracious .
+
+And must she die for this ? O ! let her live ,
+And I'll corrupt her manners , stain her beauty ;
+Slander myself as false to Edward's bed ;
+Throw over her the veil of infamy :
+So she may live unscarr'd of bleeding slaughter ,
+I will confess she was not Edward's daughter .
+
+Wrong not her birth ; she is of royal blood .
+
+To save her life , I'll say she is not so .
+
+Her life is safest only in her birth .
+
+And only in that safety died her brothers .
+
+Lo ! at their births good stars were opposite !
+
+No , to their lives ill friends were contrary .
+
+All unavoided is the doom of destiny .
+
+True , when avoided grace makes destiny .
+My babes were destin'd to a fairer death ,
+If grace had bless'd thee with a fairer life .
+
+You speak as if that I had slain my cousins .
+
+Cousins , indeed ; and by their uncle cozen'd
+Of comfort , kingdom , kindred , freedom , life .
+Whose hands soever lanc'd their tender hearts
+Thy head , all indirectly , gave direction :
+No doubt the murderous knife was dull and blunt
+Till it was whetted on thy stone-hard heart ,
+To revel in the entrails of my lambs .
+But that still use of grief makes wild grief tame ,
+My tongue should to thy ears not name my boys
+Till that my nails were anchor'd in thine eyes ;
+And I , in such a desperate bay of death ,
+Like a poor bark , of sails and tackling reft ,
+Rush all to pieces on thy rocky bosom .
+
+Madam , so thrive I in my enterprise
+And dangerous success of bloody wars ,
+As I intend more good to you and yours
+Than ever you or yours by me were harm'd .
+
+What good is cover'd with the face of heaven ,
+To be discover'd , that can do me good ?
+
+The advancement of your children , gentle lady .
+
+Up to some scaffold , there to lose their heads ?
+
+No , to the dignity and height of fortune ,
+The high imperial type of this earth's glory .
+
+Flatter my sorrow with report of it :
+Tell me what state , what dignity , what honour ,
+Canst thou demise to any child of mine ?
+
+Even all I have ; ay , and myself and all ,
+Will I withal endow a child of thine ;
+So in the Lethe of thy angry soul
+Thou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongs
+Which thou supposest I have done to thee .
+
+Be brief , lest that the process of thy kindness
+Last longer telling than thy kindness' date .
+
+Then know , that from my soul I love thy daughter .
+
+My daughter's mother thinks it with her soul .
+
+What do you think ?
+
+That thou dost love my daughter from thy soul :
+So from thy soul's love didst thou love her brothers ;
+And from my heart's love I do thank thee for it .
+
+Be not too hasty to confound my meaning :
+I mean , that with my soul I love thy daughter ,
+And do intend to make her Queen of England .
+
+Well then , who dost thou mean shall be her king ?
+
+Even he that makes her queen : who else should be ?
+
+What ! thou ?
+
+Even so : what think you of it ?
+
+How canst thou woo her ?
+
+That I would learn of you ,
+As one being best acquainted with her humour .
+
+And wilt thou learn of me ?
+
+Madam , with all my heart .
+
+Send to her , by the man that slew her brothers ,
+A pair of bleeding hearts ; thereon engrave
+Edward and York ; then haply will she weep :
+Therefore present to her , as sometime Margaret
+Did to thy father , steep'd in Rutland's blood ,
+A handkerchief , which , say to her , did drain
+The purple sap from her sweet brother's body ,
+And bid her wipe her weeping eyes withal .
+If this inducement move her not to love ,
+Send her a letter of thy noble deeds ;
+Tell her thou mad'st away her uncle Clarence ,
+Her uncle Rivers ; ay , and for her sake ,
+Mad'st quick conveyance with her good aunt Anne .
+
+You mock me , madam ; this is not the way
+To win your daughter .
+
+There is no other way
+Unless thou couldst put on some other shape ,
+And not be Richard that hath done all this .
+
+Say , that I did all this for love of her ?
+
+Nay , then indeed , she cannot choose but hate thee ,
+Having bought love with such a bloody spoil .
+
+Look , what is done cannot be now amended :
+Men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes ,
+Which after-hours give leisure to repent .
+If I did take the kingdom from your sons ,
+To make amends I'll give it to your daughter .
+If I have kill'd the issue of your womb ,
+To quicken your increase , I will beget
+Mine issue of your blood upon your daughter :
+A grandam's name is little less in love
+Than is the doting title of a mother ;
+They are as children but one step below ,
+Even of your mettle , of your very blood ;
+Of all one pain , save for a night of groans
+Endur'd of her for whom you bid like sorrow .
+Your children were vexation to your youth ,
+But mine shall be a comfort to your age .
+The loss you have is but a son being king ,
+And by that loss your daughter is made queen .
+I cannot make you what amends I would ,
+Therefore accept such kindness as I can .
+Dorset your son , that with a fearful soul
+Leads discontented steps in foreign soil ,
+This fair alliance quickly shall call home
+To high promotions and great dignity :
+The king that calls your beauteous daughter wife ,
+Familiarly shall call thy Dorset brother ;
+Again shall you be mother to a king ,
+And all the ruins of distressful times
+Repair'd with double riches of content .
+What ! we have many goodly days to see :
+The liquid drops of tears that you have shed
+Shall come again , transform'd to orient pearl ,
+Advantaging their loan with interest
+Of ten times double gain of happiness .
+Go then , my mother ; to thy daughter go :
+Make bold her bashful years with your experience ;
+Prepare her ears to hear a wooer's tale ;
+Put in her tender heart the aspiring flame
+Of golden sovereignty ; acquaint the princess
+With the sweet silent hours of marriage joys :
+And when this arm of mine hath chastised
+The petty rebel , dull-brain'd Buckingham ,
+Bound with triumphant garlands will I come ,
+And lead thy daughter to a conqueror's bed ;
+To whom I will retail my conquest won ,
+And she shall be sole victress , C sar's C sar .
+
+What were I best to say ? her father's brother
+Would be her lord ? Or shall I say , her uncle ?
+Or , he that slew her brothers and her uncles ?
+Under what title shall I woo for thee ,
+That God , the law , my honour , and her love
+Can make seem pleasing to her tender years ?
+
+Infer fair England's peace by this alliance .
+
+Which she shall purchase with still lasting war .
+
+Tell her , the king , that may command , entreats .
+
+That at her hands which the king's King forbids .
+
+Say , she shall be a high and mighty queen .
+
+To wail the title , as her mother doth .
+
+Say , I will love her everlastingly .
+
+But how long shall that title 'ever' last ?
+
+Sweetly in force unto her fair life's end .
+
+But how long fairly shall her sweet life last ?
+
+As long as heaven and nature lengthens it .
+
+As long as hell and Richard likes of it .
+
+Say , I , her sovereign , am her subject low .
+
+But she , your subject , loathes such sovereignty .
+
+Be eloquent in my behalf to her .
+
+An honest tale speeds best being plainly told .
+
+Then plainly to her tell my loving tale .
+
+Plain and not honest is too harsh a style .
+
+Your reasons are too shallow and too quick .
+
+O , no ! my reasons are too deep and dead ;
+Too deep and dead , poor infants , in their graves .
+
+Harp not on that string , madam ; that is past .
+
+Harp on it still shall I till heart-strings break .
+
+Now , by my George , my garter , and my crown ,
+
+Profan'd , dishonour'd , and the third usurp'd .
+
+I swear ,
+
+By nothing ; for this is no oath .
+Thy George , profan'd , hath lost his holy honour ;
+Thy garter , blemish'd , pawn'd his knightly virtue ;
+Thy crown , usurp'd , disgrac'd his kingly glory .
+If something thou wouldst swear to be believ'd ,
+Swear , then , by something that thou hast not wrong'd .
+
+Now , by the world ,
+
+'Tis full of thy foul wrongs .
+
+My father's death ,
+
+Thy life hath that dishonour'd .
+
+Then , by myself ,
+
+Thyself is self-misus'd .
+
+Why , then , by God ,
+
+God's wrong is most of all .
+If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by him ,
+The unity the king my husband made
+Had not been broken , nor my brothers died :
+If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by him ,
+The imperial metal , circling now thy head ,
+Had grac'd the tender temples of my child ,
+And both the princes had been breathing here ,
+Which now , too tender bed-fellows for dust ,
+Thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms .
+What canst thou swear by now ?
+
+The time to come .
+
+That thou hast wronged in the time o'erpast ;
+For I myself have many tears to wash
+Hereafter time for time past wrong'd by thee .
+The children live , whose parents thou hast slaughter'd ,
+Ungovern'd youth , to wail it in their age :
+The parents live , whose children thou hast butcher'd ,
+Old barren plants , to wail it with their age .
+Swear not by time to come ; for that thou hast
+Misus'd ere us'd , by times ill-us'd o'erpast .
+
+As I intend to prosper , and repent ,
+So thrive I in my dangerous affairs
+Of hostile arms ! myself myself confound !
+Heaven and fortune bar me happy hours !
+Day , yield me not thy light ; nor , night , thy rest !
+Be opposite all planets of good luck
+To my proceeding , if , with pure heart's love ,
+Immaculate devotion , holy thoughts ,
+I tender not thy beauteous princely daughter !
+In her consists my happiness and thine ;
+Without her , follows to myself , and thee ,
+Herself , the land , and many a Christian soul ,
+Death , desolation , ruin , and decay :
+It cannot be avoided but by this ;
+It will not be avoided but by this .
+Therefore , dear mother ,I must call you so ,
+Be the attorney of my love to her :
+Plead what I will be , not what I have been ;
+Not my deserts , but what I will deserve :
+Urge the necessity and state of times ,
+And be not peevish-fond in great designs .
+
+Shall I be tempted of the devil thus ?
+
+Ay , if the devil tempt thee to do good .
+
+Shall I forget myself to be myself ?
+
+Ay , if your self's remembrance wrong yourself .
+
+Yet thou didst kill my children .
+
+But in your daughter's womb I bury them :
+Where , in that nest of spicery , they shall breed
+Selves of themselves , to your recomforture .
+
+Shall I go win my daughter to thy will ?
+
+And be a happy mother by the deed .
+
+I go . Write to me very shortly ,
+And you shall understand from me her mind .
+
+Bear her my true love's kiss ; and so farewell .
+
+Relenting fool , and shallow changing woman !
+
+How now ! what news ?
+
+Most mighty sovereign , on the western coast
+Rideth a puissant navy ; to the shores
+Throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends ,
+Unarm'd , and unresolv'd to beat them back .
+'Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral ;
+And there they hull , expecting but the aid
+Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore .
+
+Some light-foot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk :
+Ratcliff , thyself , or Catesby ; where is he ?
+
+Here , my good lord .
+
+Catesby , fly to the duke .
+
+I will , my lord , with all convenient haste .
+
+Ratcliff , come hither . Post to Salisbury :
+When thou com'st thither ,
+
+Dull , unmindful villain ,
+Why stay'st thou here , and go'st not to the duke ?
+
+First , mighty liege , tell me your highness' pleasure ,
+What from your Grace I shall deliver to him .
+
+O ! true , good Catesby : bid him levy straight
+The greatest strength and power he can make ,
+And meet me suddenly at Salisbury .
+
+I go .
+
+
+What , may it please you , shall I do at Salisbury ?
+
+Why , what wouldst thou do there before I go ?
+
+Your highness told me I should post before .
+
+
+My mind is chang'd . Stanley , what news with you ?
+
+None good , my liege , to please you with the hearing ;
+Nor none so bad but well may be reported .
+
+Hoyday , a riddle ! neither good nor bad !
+What need'st thou run so many miles about ,
+When thou mayst tell thy tale the nearest way ?
+Once more , what news ?
+
+Richmond is on the seas .
+
+There let him sink , and be the seas on him !
+White-liver'd runagate ! what doth he there ?
+
+I know not , mighty sovereign , but by guess .
+
+Well , as you guess ?
+
+Stirr'd up by Dorset , Buckingham , and Morton ,
+He makes for England , here to claim the crown .
+
+Is the chair empty ? is the sword unsway'd ?
+Is the king dead ? the empire unpossess'd ?
+What heir of York is there alive but we ?
+And who is England's king but great York's heir ?
+Then , tell me , what makes he upon the seas ?
+
+Unless for that , my liege , I cannot guess .
+
+Unless for that he comes to be your liege ,
+You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman comes .
+Thou wilt revolt and fly to him I fear .
+
+No , my good lord ; therefore mistrust me not .
+
+Where is thy power then to beat him back ?
+Where be thy tenants and thy followers ?
+Are they not now upon the western shore ,
+Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships ?
+
+No , my good lord , my friends are in the north .
+
+Cold friends to me : what do they in the north
+When they should serve their sovereign in the west ?
+
+They have not been commanded , mighty king :
+Pleaseth your majesty to give me leave ,
+I'll muster up my friends , and meet your Grace ,
+Where and what time your majesty shall please .
+
+Ay , ay , thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond :
+But I'll not trust thee .
+
+Most mighty sovereign ,
+You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful .
+I never was nor never will be false .
+
+Go then and muster men : but leave behind
+Your son , George Stanley : look your heart be firm ,
+Or else his head's assurance is but frail .
+
+So deal with him as I prove true to you .
+
+My gracious sovereign , now in Devonshire ,
+As I by friends am well advertised ,
+Sir Edward Courtney , and the haughty prelate ,
+Bishop of Exeter , his brother there ,
+With many moe confederates are in arms .
+
+
+In Kent , my liege , the Guildfords are in arms ;
+And every hour more competitors
+Flock to the rebels , and their power grows strong .
+
+
+My lord , the army of great Buckingham
+
+Out on ye , owls ! nothing but songs of death ?
+
+There , take thou that , till thou bring better news .
+
+The news I have to tell your majesty
+Is , that by sudden floods and fall of waters ,
+Buckingham's army is dispers'd and scatter'd ;
+And he himself wander'd away alone ,
+No man knows whither .
+
+I cry thee mercy :
+There is my purse , to cure that blow of thine .
+Hath any well-advised friend proclaim'd
+Reward to him that brings the traitor in ?
+
+Such proclamation hath been made , my liege .
+
+
+Sir Thomas Lovel , and Lord Marquess Dorset ,
+'Tis said , my liege , in Yorkshire are in arms :
+But this good comfort bring I to your highness ,
+The Breton navy is dispers'd by tempest .
+Richmond , in Dorsetshire , sent out a boat
+Unto the shore to ask those on the banks
+If they were his assistants , yea or no ;
+Who answer'd him , they came from Buckingham
+Upon his party : he , mistrusting them ,
+Hois'd sail , and made away for Brittany .
+
+March on , march on , since we are up in arms ;
+If not to fight with foreign enemies ,
+Yet to beat down these rebels here at home .
+
+
+My liege , the Duke of Buckingham is taken ,
+That is the best news : that the Earl of Richmond
+Is with a mighty power landed at Milford
+Is colder news , but yet they must be told .
+
+Away towards Salisbury ! while we reason here ,
+A royal battle might be won and lost .
+Some one take order Buckingham be brought
+To Salisbury ; the rest march on with me .
+
+
+Sir Christopher , tell Richmond this from me :
+That in the sty of this most bloody boar
+My son George Stanley is frank'd up in hold :
+If I revolt , off goes young George's head ;
+The fear of that holds off my present aid .
+So , get thee gone : commend me to thy lord .
+Withal , say that the queen hath heartily consented
+He should espouse Elizabeth her daughter .
+But , tell me , where is princely Richmond now ?
+
+At Pembroke , or at Ha'rford-west , in Wales .
+
+What men of name resort to him ?
+
+Sir Walter Herbert , a renowned soldier ,
+Sir Gilbert Talbot , Sir William Stanley ,
+Oxford , redoubted Pembroke , Sir James Blunt ,
+And Rice ap Thomas , with a valiant crew ;
+And many other of great name and worth :
+And towards London do they bend their power ,
+If by the way they be not fought withal .
+
+Well , hie thee to thy lord ; I kiss his hand :
+My letter will resolve him of my mind .
+Farewell .
+
+Will not King Richard let me speak with him ?
+
+No , my good lord ; therefore be patient .
+
+Hastings , and Edward's children , Grey and Rivers ,
+Holy King Henry , and thy fair son Edward ,
+Vaughan , and all that have miscarried
+By underhand corrupted foul injustice ,
+If that your moody discontented souls
+Do through the clouds behold this present hour ,
+Even for revenge mock my destruction !
+This is All-Souls' day , fellows , is it not ?
+
+It is , my lord .
+
+Why , then All-Souls' day is my body's doomsday .
+This is the day that , in King Edward's time ,
+I wish'd might fall on me , when I was found
+False to his children or his wife's allies ;
+This is the day wherein I wish'd to fall
+By the false faith of him whom most I trusted ;
+This , this All-Souls' day to my fearful soul
+Is the determin'd respite of my wrongs .
+That high All-Seer which I dallied with
+Hath turn'd my feigned prayer on my head ,
+And given in earnest what I begg'd in jest .
+Thus doth he force the swords of wicked men
+To turn their own points on their masters' bosoms :
+Thus Margaret's curse falls heavy on my neck :
+'When he ,' quoth she , 'shall split thy heart with sorrow ,
+Remember Margaret was a prophetess .'
+Come , lead me , officers , to the block of shame :
+Wrong hath but wrong , and blame the due of blame .
+
+Fellows in arms , and my most loving friends ,
+Bruis'd underneath the yoke of tyranny ,
+Thus far into the bowels of the land
+Have we march'd on without impediment :
+And here receive we from our father Stanley
+Lines of fair comfort and encouragement .
+The wretched , bloody , and usurping boar ,
+That spoil'd your summer fields and fruitful vines ,
+Swills your warm blood like wash , and makes his trough
+In your embowell'd bosoms , this foul swine
+Is now even in the centre of this isle ,
+Near to the town of Leicester , as we learn :
+From Tamworth thither is but one day's march .
+In God's name , cheerly on , courageous friends ,
+To reap the harvest of perpetual peace
+By this one bloody trial of sharp war .
+
+Every man's conscience is a thousand men ,
+To fight against this guilty homicide .
+
+I doubt not but his friends will turn to us .
+
+He hath no friends but what are friends for fear ,
+Which in his dearest need will fly from him .
+
+All for our vantage : then , in God's name , march :
+True hope is swift , and flies with swallow's wings ;
+Kings it makes gods , and meaner creatures kings .
+
+
+Here pitch our tent , even here in Bosworth field .
+My Lord of Surrey , why look you so sad ?
+
+My heart is ten times lighter than my looks .
+
+My Lord of Norfolk ,
+
+Here , most gracious liege .
+
+Norfolk , we must have knocks ; ha ! must we not ?
+
+We must both give and take , my loving lord .
+
+Up with my tent ! here will I lie to-night ;
+
+But where to-morrow ? Well , all's one for that .
+Who hath descried the number of the traitors ?
+
+Six or seven thousand is their utmost power .
+
+Why , our battalia trebles that account ;
+Besides , the king's name is a tower of strength ,
+Which they upon the adverse faction want .
+Up with the tent ! Come , noble gentlemen ,
+Let us survey the vantage of the ground ;
+Call for some men of sound direction :
+Let's lack no discipline , make no delay ;
+For , lords , to-morrow is a busy day .
+
+
+The weary sun hath made a golden set ,
+And , by the bright track of his fiery car ,
+Gives token of a goodly day to-morrow .
+Sir William Brandon , you shall bear my standard .
+Give me some ink and paper in my tent :
+I'll draw the form and model of our battle ,
+Limit each leader to his several charge ,
+And part in just proportion our small power .
+My Lord of Oxford , you , Sir William Brandon ,
+And you , Sir Walter Herbert , stay with me .
+The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment :
+Good Captain Blunt , bear my good-night to him ,
+And by the second hour in the morning
+Desire the earl to see me in my tent .
+Yet one thing more , good captain , do for me ;
+Where is Lord Stanley quarter'd , do you know ?
+
+Unless I have mista'en his colours much ,
+Which , well I am assur'd , I have not done ,
+His regiment lies half a mile at least
+South from the mighty power of the king .
+
+If without peril it be possible ,
+Good Captain Blunt , bear my good-night to him ,
+And give him from me this most needful note .
+
+Upon my life , my lord , I'll undertake it ;
+And so , God give you quiet rest to-night !
+
+Good-night , good Captain Blunt . Come , gentlemen ,
+Let us consult upon to-morrow's business ;
+In to my tent , the air is raw and cold .
+
+What is 't o'clock ?
+
+It's supper-time , my lord ;
+It's nine o'clock .
+
+I will not sup to-night .
+Give me some ink and paper .
+What , is my beaver easier than it was ,
+And all my armour laid into my tent ?
+
+It is , my liege ; and all things are in readiness .
+
+Good Norfolk , hie thee to thy charge ;
+Use careful watch ; choose trusty sentinels .
+
+I go , my lord .
+
+Stir with the lark to-morrow , gentle Norfolk .
+
+I warrant you , my lord .
+
+
+Ratcliff !
+
+My lord ?
+
+Send out a pursuivant at arms
+To Stanley's regiment ; bid him bring his power
+Before sun-rising , lest his son George fall
+Into the blind cave of eternal night .
+Fill me a bowl of wine . Give me a watch .
+Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow .
+Look that my staves be sound , and not too heavy .
+Ratcliff !
+
+My lord !
+
+Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland ?
+
+Thomas the Earl of Surrey , and himself ,
+Much about cock-shut time , from troop to troop
+Went through the army , cheering up the soldiers .
+
+So , I am satisfied . Give me a bowl of wine :
+I have not that alacrity of spirit ,
+Nor cheer of mind , that I was wont to have .
+Set it down . Is ink and paper ready ?
+
+It is , my lord .
+
+Bid my guard watch ; leave me .
+Ratcliff , about the mid of night come to my tent
+And help to arm me . Leave me , I say .
+
+
+Fortune and victory sit on thy helm !
+
+All comfort that the dark night can afford
+Be to thy person , noble father-in-law !
+Tell me , how fares our loving mother ?
+
+I , by attorney , bless thee from thy mother ,
+Who prays continually for Richmond's good :
+So much for that . The silent hours steal on ,
+And flaky darkness breaks within the east .
+In brief , for so the season bids us be ,
+Prepare thy battle early in the morning ,
+And put thy fortune to the arbitrement
+Of bloody strokes and mortal-staring war .
+I , as I may ,that which I would I cannot ,
+With best advantage will deceive the time ,
+And aid thee in this doubtful shock of arms :
+But on thy side I may not be too forward ,
+Lest , being seen , thy brother , tender George ,
+Be executed in his father's sight .
+Farewell : the leisure and the fearful time
+Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love
+And ample interchange of sweet discourse ,
+Which so long sunder'd friends should dwell upon :
+God give us leisure for these rites of love !
+Once more , adieu : be valiant , and speed well !
+
+Good lords , conduct him to his regiment .
+I'll strive , with troubled thoughts , to take a nap ,
+Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow ,
+When I should mount with wings of victory .
+Once more , good-night , kind lords and gentlemen .
+
+O ! thou , whose captain I account myself ,
+Look on my forces with a gracious eye ;
+Put in their hands thy bruising irons of wrath ,
+That they may crush down with a heavy fall
+The usurping helmets of our adversaries !
+Make us thy ministers of chastisement ,
+That we may praise thee in thy victory !
+To thee I do commend my watchful soul ,
+Ere I let fall the windows of mine eyes :
+Sleeping and waking , O ! defend me still !
+
+Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow !
+Think how thou stab'dst me in my prime of youth
+At Tewksbury : despair , therefore , and die !
+Be cheerful , Richmond ; for the wronged souls
+Of butcher'd princes fight in thy behalf :
+King Henry's issue , Richmond , comforts thee .
+
+
+When I was mortal , my anointed body
+By thee was punched full of deadly holes :
+Think on the Tower and me ; despair and die !
+Henry the Sixth bids thee despair and die .
+
+
+Virtuous and holy , be thou conqueror !
+Harry , that prophesied thou shouldst be the king ,
+Doth comfort thee in thy sleep : live thou and flourish !
+
+
+Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow !
+I , that was wash'd to death with fulsome wine ,
+Poor Clarence , by thy guile betray'd to death !
+To-morrow in the battle think on me ,
+And fall thy edgeless sword : despair , and die !
+
+
+Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster ,
+The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee :
+Good angels guard thy battle ! live , and flourish !
+
+
+Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow !
+Rivers , that died at Pomfret ! despair , and die !
+
+Think upon Grey , and let thy soul despair .
+
+Think upon Vaughan , and with guilty fear
+Let fall thy pointless lance : despair , and die !
+
+Awake ! and think our wrongs in Richard's bosom
+Will conquer him : awake , and win the day !
+
+
+Bloody and guilty , guiltily awake ;
+And in a bloody battle end thy days !
+Think on Lord Hastings , so despair , and die !
+
+
+Quiet , untroubled soul , awake , awake !
+Arm , fight , and conquer , for fair England's sake !
+
+
+Dream on thy cousins smother'd in the Tower :
+Let us be lead within thy bosom , Richard ,
+And weigh thee down to ruin , shame , and death !
+Thy nephews' souls bid thee despair , and die !
+
+
+Sleep , Richmond , sleep in peace , and wake in joy ;
+Good angels guard thee from the boar's annoy !
+Live , and beget a happy race of kings !
+Edward's unhappy sons do bid thee flourish .
+
+
+Richard , thy wife , that wretched Anne thy wife ,
+That never slept a quiet hour with thee ,
+Now fills thy sleep with perturbations :
+To-morrow in the battle think on me ,
+And fall thy edgeless sword : despair , and die !
+
+
+Thou quiet soul , sleep thou a quiet sleep ;
+Dream of success and happy victory !
+Thy adversary's wife doth pray for thee .
+
+
+The first was I that help'd thee to the crown ;
+The last was I that felt thy tyranny .
+O ! in the battle think on Buckingham ,
+And die in terror of thy guiltiness !
+Dream on , dream on , of bloody deeds and death :
+Fainting , despair ; despairing , yield thy breath !
+
+
+I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid :
+But cheer thy heart , and be thou not dismay'd :
+God and good angels fight on Richmond's side ;
+And Richard falls in height of all his pride .
+
+
+Give me another horse ! bind up my wounds !
+Have mercy , Jesu ! Soft ! I did but dream .
+O coward conscience , how dost thou afflict me !
+The lights burn blue . It is now dead midnight .
+Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh .
+What ! do I fear myself ? there's none else by :
+Richard loves Richard , that is , I am I .
+Is there a murderer here ? No . Yes , I am :
+Then fly : what ! from myself ? Great reason why :
+Lest I revenge . What ! myself upon myself ?
+Alack ! I love myself . Wherefore ? for any good
+That I myself have done unto myself ?
+O ! no : alas ! I rather hate myself
+For hateful deeds committed by myself .
+I am a villain . Yet I lie ; I am not .
+Fool , of thyself speak well : fool , do not flatter .
+My conscience hath a thousand several tongues ,
+And every tongue brings in a several tale ,
+And every tale condemns me for a villain .
+Perjury , perjury , in the high'st degree :
+Murder , stern murder , in the dir'st degree ;
+All several sins , all us'd in each degree ,
+Throng to the bar , crying all , 'Guilty ! guilty !'
+I shall despair . There is no creature loves me ;
+And if I die , no soul will pity me :
+Nay , wherefore should they , since that I myself
+Find in myself no pity to myself ?
+Methought the souls of all that I had murder'd
+Came to my tent ; and every one did threat
+To-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard .
+
+
+My lord !
+
+'Zounds ! who's there ?
+
+Ratcliff , my lord ; 'tis I . The early village cock
+Hath twice done salutation to the morn ;
+Your friends are up , and buckle on their armour .
+
+O Ratcliff ! I have dream'd a fearful dream .
+What thinkest thou , will our friends prove all true ?
+
+No doubt , my lord .
+
+O Ratcliff ! I fear , I fear ,
+
+Nay , good my lord , be not afraid of shadows .
+
+By the apostle Paul , shadows to-night
+Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard
+Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers
+Armed in proof , and led by shallow Richmond .
+It is not yet near day . Come , go with me ;
+Under our tents I'll play the eaves-dropper ,
+To hear if any mean to shrink from me .
+
+Good morrow , Richmond !
+
+Cry mercy , lords , and watchful gentlemen ,
+That you have ta'en a tardy sluggard here .
+
+How have you slept , my lord ?
+
+The sweetest sleep , the fairest-boding dreams
+That ever enter'd in a drowsy head ,
+Have I since your departure had , my lords .
+Methought their souls , whose bodies Richard murder'd ,
+Came to my tent and cried on victory :
+I promise you , my heart is very jocund
+In the remembrance of so fair a dream .
+How far into the morning is it , lords ?
+
+Upon the stroke of four .
+
+Why , then 'tis time to arm and give direction .
+His oration to his Soldiers .
+More than I have said , loving countrymen ,
+The leisure and enforcement of the time
+Forbids to dwell on : yet remember this ,
+God and our good cause fight upon our side ;
+The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls ,
+Like high-rear'd bulwarks , stand before our faces ;
+Richard except , those whom we fight against
+Had rather have us win than him they follow .
+For what is he they follow ? truly , gentlemen ,
+A bloody tyrant and a homicide ;
+One rais'd in blood , and one in blood establish'd ;
+One that made means to come by what he hath ,
+And slaughter'd those that were the means to help him ;
+A base foul stone , made precious by the foil
+Of England's chair , where he is falsely set ;
+One that hath ever been God's enemy .
+Then , if you fight against God's enemy ,
+God will in justice , ward you as his soldiers ;
+If you do sweat to put a tyrant down ,
+You sleep in peace , the tyrant being slain ;
+If you do fight against your country's foes ,
+Your country's fat shall pay your pains the hire ;
+If you do fight in safeguard of your wives ,
+Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors ;
+If you do free your children from the sword ,
+Your children's children quit it in your age .
+Then , in the name of God and all these rights ,
+Advance your standards , draw your willing swords .
+For me , the ransom of my bold attempt
+Shall be this cold corse on the earth's cold face ;
+But if I thrive , the gain of my attempt
+The least of your shall share his part thereof .
+Sound drums and trumpets , boldly and cheerfully ;
+God and Saint George ! Richmond and victory !
+
+What said Northumberland as touching Richmond ?
+
+That he was never trained up in arms .
+
+He said the truth : and what said Surrey then ?
+
+He smil'd , and said , 'The better for our purpose .'
+
+He was i' the right ; and so , indeed , it is .
+
+Tell the clock there . Give me a calendar .
+Who saw the sun to-day ?
+
+Not I , my lord .
+
+Then he disdains to shine ; for by the book
+He should have brav'd the east an hour ago :
+A black day will it be to somebody .
+Ratcliff !
+
+My lord ?
+
+The sun will not be seen to-day ;
+The sky doth frown and lower upon our army .
+I would these dewy tears were from the ground .
+Not shine to-day ! Why , what is that to me
+More than to Richmond ? for the self-same heaven
+That frowns on me looks sadly upon him .
+
+
+Arm , arm , my lord ! the foe vaunts in the field .
+
+Come , bustle , bustle ; caparison my horse .
+Call up Lord Stanley , bid him bring his power :
+I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain ,
+And thus my battle shall be ordered :
+My foreward shall be drawn out all in length
+Consisting equally of horse and foot ;
+Our archers shall be placed in the midst :
+John Duke of Norfolk , Thomas Earl of Surrey ,
+Shall have the leading of this foot and horse .
+They thus directed , we will follow
+In the main battle , whose puissance on either side
+Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse .
+This , and Saint George to boot ! What think'st thou , Norfolk ?
+
+A good direction , war-like sovereign .
+This found I on my tent this morning .
+
+
+Jockey of Norfolk , be not too bold ,
+For Dickon thy master is bought and sold .
+A thing devised by the enemy .
+Go , gentlemen ; every man to his charge :
+Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls ;
+Conscience is but a word that cowards use ,
+Devis'd at first to keep the strong in awe :
+Our strong arms be our conscience , swords our law .
+March on , join bravely , let us to 't pell-mell ;
+If not to heaven , then hand in hand to hell .
+His oration to his Army .
+What shall I say more than I have inferr'd ?
+Remember whom you are to cope withal :
+A sort of vagabonds , rascals , and run-aways ,
+A scum of Bretons and base lackey peasants ,
+Whom their o'er-cloyed country vomits forth
+To desperate adventures and assur'd destruction .
+You sleeping safe , they bring you to unrest ;
+You having lands , and bless'd with beauteous wives ,
+They would restrain the one , distain the other .
+And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow ,
+Long kept in Britaine at our mother's cost ?
+A milksop , one that never in his life
+Felt so much cold as over shoes in snow ?
+Let's whip these stragglers o'er the sea again ;
+Lash hence these overweening rags of France ,
+These famish'd beggars , weary of their lives ;
+Who , but for dreaming on this fond exploit ,
+For want of means , poor rats , had hang'd themselves :
+If we be conquer'd , let men conquer us ,
+And not these bastard Bretons ; whom our fathers
+Have in their own land beaten , bobb'd , and thump'd ,
+And , on record , left them the heirs of shame .
+Shall these enjoy our lands ? lie with our wives ?
+Ravish our daughters ?
+
+Hark ! I hear their drum .
+Fight , gentlemen of England ! fight , bold yeomen !
+Draw , archers , draw your arrows to the head !
+Spur your proud horses hard , and ride in blood ;
+Amaze the welkin with your broken staves !
+
+What says Lord Stanley ? will he bring his power ?
+
+My lord , he doth deny to come .
+
+Off with his son George's head !
+
+My lord , the enemy is pass'd the marsh :
+After the battle let George Stanley die .
+
+A thousand hearts are great within my bosom :
+Advance our standards ! set upon our foes !
+Our ancient word of courage , fair Saint George ,
+Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons !
+Upon them ! Victory sits upon our helms .
+
+
+Rescue , my Lord of Norfolk ! rescue , rescue !
+The king enacts more wonders than a man ,
+Daring an opposite to every danger :
+His horse is slain , and all on foot he fights ,
+Seeking for Richmond in the throat of death .
+Rescue , fair lord , or else the day is lost !
+
+
+A horse ! a horse ! my kingdom for a horse !
+
+Withdraw , my lord ; I'll help you to a horse .
+
+Slave ! I have set my life upon a cast ,
+And I will stand the hazard of the die .
+I think there be six Richmonds in the field ;
+Five have I slain to-day , instead of him .
+A horse ! a horse ! my kingdom for a horse !
+
+God and your arms be prais'd , victorious friends ;
+The day is ours , the bloody dog is dead .
+
+Courageous Richmond , well hast thou acquit thee !
+Lo ! here , this long-usurped royalty
+From the dead temples of this bloody wretch
+Have I pluck'd off , to grace thy brows withal :
+Wear it , enjoy it , and make much of it .
+
+Great God of heaven , say amen to all !
+But , tell me , is young George Stanley living ?
+
+He is , my lord , and safe in Leicester town ;
+Whither , if you please , we may withdraw us .
+
+What men of name are slain on either side ?
+
+John Duke of Norfolk , Walter Lord Ferrers ,
+Sir Robert Brakenbury , and Sir William Brandon .
+
+Inter their bodies as becomes their births :
+Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fied
+That in submission will return to us ;
+And then , as we have ta'en the sacrament ,
+We will unite the white rose and the red :
+Smile , heaven , upon this fair conjunction ,
+That long hath frown'd upon their enmity !
+What traitor hears me , and says not amen ?
+England hath long been mad , and scarr'd herself ;
+The brother blindly shed the brother's blood ,
+The father rashly slaughter'd his own son ,
+The son , compell'd , been butcher to the sire :
+All this divided York and Lancaster ,
+Divided in their dire division ,
+O ! now , let Richmond and Elizabeth ,
+The true succeeders of each royal house ,
+By God's fair ordinance conjoin together ;
+And let their heirs God , if thy will be so ,
+Enrich the time to come with smooth-fac'd peace ,
+With smiling plenty , and fair prosperous days !
+Abate the edge of traitors , gracious Lord ,
+That would reduce these bloody days again ,
+And make poor England weep in streams of blood !
+Let them not live to taste this land's increase ,
+That would with treason wound this fair land's peace !
+Now civil wounds are stopp'd , peace lives again :
+That she may long live here , God say amen !
+
+ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRA
+
+Nay , but this dotage of our general's
+O'erflows the measure ; those his goodly eyes ,
+That o'er the files and musters of the war
+Have glow'd like plated Mars , now bend , now turn
+The office and devotion of their view
+Upon a tawny front ; his captain's heart ,
+Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst
+The buckles on his breast , reneges all temper ,
+And is become the bellows and the fan
+To cool a gipsy's lust . Look ! where they come .
+
+
+Take but good note , and you shall see in him
+The triple pillar of the world transform'd
+
+Into a strumpet's fool ; behold and see .
+
+If it be love indeed , tell me how much .
+
+There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd .
+
+I'll set a bourn how far to be belov'd .
+
+Then must thou needs find out new heaven , new earth .
+
+
+News , my good lord , from Rome .
+
+Grates me ; the sum .
+
+Nay , hear them , Antony :
+Fulvia , perchance , is angry ; or , who knows
+If the scarce-bearded C sar have not sent
+His powerful mandate to you , 'Do this , or this ;
+Take in that kingdom , and enfranchise that ;
+Perform 't , or else we damn thee .'
+
+How , my love !
+
+Perchance ! nay , and most like ;
+You must not stay here longer ; your dismission
+Is come from C sar ; therefore hear it , Antony .
+Where's Fulvia's process ? C sar's I would say ? both ?
+Call in the messengers . As I am Egypt's queen ,
+Thou blushest , Antony , and that blood of thine
+Is C sar's homager ; else so thy cheek pays shame
+When shrill-tongu'd Fulvia scolds . The messengers !
+
+Let Rome in Tiber melt , and the wide arch
+Of the rang'd empire fall ! Here is my space .
+Kingdoms are clay ; our dungy earth alike
+Feeds beast as man ; the nobleness of life
+Is to do thus ; when such a mutual pair
+
+And such a twain can do 't , in which I bind ,
+On pain of punishment , the world to weet
+We stand up peerless .
+
+Excellent falsehood !
+Why did he marry Fulvia and not love her ?
+I'll seem the fool I am not ; Antony
+Will be himself .
+
+But stirr'd by Cleopatra .
+Now , for the love of Love and her soft hours ,
+Let's not confound the time with conference harsh :
+There's not a minute of our lives should stretch
+Without some pleasure now . What sport to-night ?
+
+Hear the ambassadors .
+
+Fie , wrangling queen !
+Whom every thing becomes , to chide , to laugh ,
+To weep ; whose every passion fully strives
+To make itself , in thee , fair and admir'd .
+No messenger , but thine ; and all alone ,
+To-night we'll wander through the streets and note
+The qualities of people . Come , my queen ;
+Last night you did desire it : speak not to us .
+
+
+Is C sar with Antonius priz'd so slight ?
+
+Sir , sometimes , when he is not Antony ,
+He comes too short of that great property
+Which still should go with Antony .
+
+I am full sorry
+That he approves the common liar , who
+Thus speaks of him at Rome ; but I will hope
+Of better deeds to-morrow . Rest you happy !
+
+
+Lord Alexas , sweet Alexas , most any thing Alexas , almost most absolute Alexas , where's the soothsayer that you praised so to the queen ? O ! that I knew this husband , which , you say , must charge his horns with garlands .
+
+Soothsayer !
+
+Your will ?
+
+Is this the man ? Is't you , sir , that know things ?
+
+In nature's infinite book of secrecy
+A little I can read .
+
+Show him your hand .
+
+
+Bring in the banquet quickly ; wine enough
+Cleopatra's health to drink .
+
+Good sir , give me good fortune .
+
+I make not , but foresee .
+
+Pray then , foresee me one .
+
+You shall be yet far fairer than you are .
+
+He means in flesh .
+
+No , you shall paint when you are old .
+
+Wrinkles forbid !
+
+Vex not his prescience ; be attentive .
+
+Hush !
+
+You shall be more beloving than belov'd .
+
+I had rather heat my liver with drinking .
+
+Nay , hear him .
+
+Good now , some excellent fortune ! Let me be married to three kings in a forenoon , and widow them all ; let me have a child at fifty , to whom Herod of Jewry may do homage ; find me to marry me with Octavius C sar , and companion me with my mistress .
+
+You shall outlive the lady whom you serve .
+
+O excellent ! I love long life better than figs .
+
+You have seen and prov'd a fairer former fortune
+Than that which is to approach .
+
+Then , belike , my children shall have no names ; prithee , how many boys and wenches must I have ?
+
+If every of your wishes had a womb ,
+And fertile every wish , a million .
+
+Out , fool ! I forgive thee for a witch .
+
+You think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes .
+
+Nay , come , tell Iras hers .
+
+We'll know all our fortunes .
+
+Mine , and most of our fortunes , to-night , shall be ,drunk to bed .
+
+There's a palm presages chastity , if nothing else .
+
+E'en as the overflowing Nilus presageth famine .
+
+Go , you wild bedfellow , you cannot soothsay .
+
+Nay , if an oily palm be not a fruitful prognostication , I cannot scratch mine ear .
+Prithee , tell her but a worky-day fortune .
+
+Your fortunes are alike .
+
+But how ? but how ? give me particulars .
+
+I have said .
+
+Am I not an inch of fortune better than she ?
+
+Well , if you were but an inch of fortune better than I , where would you choose it ?
+
+Not in my husband's nose .
+
+Our worser thoughts heaven mend ! Alexas ,come , his fortune , his fortune . O ! let him marry a woman that cannot go , sweet Isis , I beseech thee ; and let her die too , and give him a worse ; and let worse follow worse , till the worst of all follow him laughing to his grave , fifty-fold a cuckold ! Good Isis , hear me this prayer , though thou deny me a matter of more weight ; good Isis , I beseech thee !
+
+Amen . Dear goddess , hear that prayer of the people ! for , as it is a heart-breaking to see a handsome man loose-wived , so it is a deadly sorrow to behold a foul knave uncuckolded : therefore , dear Isis , keep decorum , and fortune him accordingly !
+
+Amen .
+
+Lo , now ! if it lay in their hands to make me acuckold , they would make themselves whores , but they'd do't !
+
+Hush ! here comes Antony .
+
+Not he ; the queen .
+
+
+Saw you my lord ?
+
+No , lady .
+
+Was he not here ?
+
+No , madam .
+
+He was dispos'd to mirth ; but on the sudden
+A Roman thought hath struck him . Enobarbus !
+
+Madam !
+
+Seek him , and bring him hither . Where's Alexas ?
+
+Here , at your service . My lord approaches .
+
+
+We will not look upon him ; go with us .
+
+
+Fulvia thy wife first came into the field .
+
+Against my brother Lucius ?
+
+Ay :
+But soon that war had end , and the time's state
+Made friends of them , jointing their force 'gainst C sar ,
+Whose better issue in the war , from Italy
+Upon the first encounter drave them .
+
+Well , what worst ?
+
+The nature of bad news infects the teller .
+
+When it concerns the fool , or coward . On ;
+Things that are past are done with me . 'Tis thus :
+Who tells me true , though in his tale lay death ,
+I hear him as he flatter'd .
+
+Labienus
+This is stiff news hath , with his Parthian force
+Extended Asia ; from Euphrates
+His conquering banner shook from Syria
+To Lydia and to Ionia : whilst
+
+Antony , thou wouldst say ,
+
+O ! my lord .
+
+Speak to me home , mince not the general tongue ;
+Name Cleopatra as she is call'd in Rome ;
+Rail thou in Fulvia's phrase ; and taunt my faults
+With such full licence as both truth and malice
+Have power to utter . O ! then we bring forth weeds
+When our quick winds lie still ; and our ills told us
+Is as our earing . Fare thee well awhile .
+
+At your noble pleasure .
+
+
+From Sicyon , ho , the news ! Speak there !
+
+The man from Sicyon , is there such an one ?
+
+He stays upon your will .
+
+Let him appear .
+These strong Egyptian fetters I must break ,
+Or lose myself in dotage .
+
+What are you ?
+
+Fulvia thy wife is dead .
+
+Where died she ?
+
+In Sicyon :
+Her length of sickness , with what else more serious
+Importeth thee to know , this bears .
+
+
+Forbear me .
+
+There's a great spirit gone ! Thus did I desire it :
+What our contempts do often hurl from us
+We wish it ours again ; the present pleasure ,
+By revolution lowering , does become
+The opposite of itself : she's good , being gone ;
+The hand could pluck her back that shov'd her on .
+I must from this enchanting queen break off ;
+Ten thousand harms , more than the ills I know ,
+My idleness doth hatch . How now ! Enobarbus !
+
+
+What's your pleasure , sir ?
+
+I must with haste from hence .
+
+Why , then , we kill all our women . We see how mortal an unkindness is to them ; if they suffer our departure , death's the word .
+
+I must be gone .
+
+Under a compelling occasion let women die ; it were pity to cast them away for nothing ; though between them and a great cause they should be esteemed nothing . Cleopatra , catching but the least noise of this , dies instantly ; I have seen her die twenty times upon far poorer moment . I do think there is mettle in death which commits some loving act upon her , she hath such a celerity in dying .
+
+She is cunning past man's thought .
+
+Alack ! sir , no ; her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love . We cannot call her winds and waters sighs and tears ; they are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report : this cannot be cunning in her ; if it be , she makes a shower of rain as well as Jove .
+
+Would I had never seen her !
+
+O , sir ! you had then left unseen a wonderful piece of work which not to have been blessed withal would have discredited your travel .
+
+Fulvia is dead .
+
+Sir ?
+
+Fulvia is dead .
+
+Fulvia !
+
+Dead .
+
+Why , sir , give the gods a thankful sacrifice . When it pleaseth their de ties to take the wife of a man from him , it shows to man the tailors of the earth ; comforting therein , that when old robes are worn out , there are members to make new . If there were no more women but Fulvia , then had you indeed a cut , and the case to be lamented : this grief is crowned with consolation ; your old smock brings forth a new petticoat ; and indeed the tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow .
+
+The business she hath broached in the state
+Cannot endure my absence .
+
+And the business you have broached here cannot be without you ; especially that of Cleopatra's , which wholly depends on your abode .
+
+No more light answers . Let our officers Have notice what we purpose . I shall break
+The cause of our expedience to the queen ,
+And get her leave to part . For not alone
+The death of Fulvia , with more urgent touches ,
+Do strongly speak to us , but the letters too
+Of many our contriving friends in Rome
+Petition us at home . Sextus Pompeius
+Hath given the dare to C sar , and commands
+The empire of the sea ; our slippery people
+Whose love is never link'd to the deserver
+Till his deserts are past begin to throw
+Pompey the Great and all his dignities
+Upon his son ; who , high in name and power ,
+Higher than both in blood and life , stands up
+For the main soldier , whose quality , going on ,
+The sides o' the world may danger . Much is breeding ,
+Which , like the courser's hair , hath yet but life ,
+And not a serpent's poison . Say , our pleasure ,
+To such whose place is under us , requires
+Our quick remove from hence .
+
+I shall do it .
+
+
+Where is he ?
+
+I did not see him since .
+
+See where he is , who's with him , what he does ;
+I did not send you : if you find him sad ,
+Say I am dancing ; if in mirth , report
+That I am sudden sick : quick , and return .
+
+
+Madam , methinks , if you did love him dearly ,
+You do not hold the method to enforce
+The like from him .
+
+What should I do I do not ?
+
+In each thing give him way , cross him in nothing .
+
+Thou teachest like a fool ; the way to lose him .
+
+Tempt him not so too far ; I wish , forbear :
+In time we hate that which we often fear .
+But here comes Antony .
+
+
+I am sick and sullen .
+
+I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose ,
+
+Help me away , dear Charmian , I shall fall :
+It cannot be thus long , the sides of nature
+Will not sustain it .
+
+Now , my dearest queen ,
+
+Pray you , stand further from me .
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+I know , by that same eye , there's some good news .
+What says the married woman ? You may go :
+Would she had never given you leave to come !
+Let her not say 'tis I that keep you here ;
+I have no power upon you ; hers you are .
+
+The gods best know ,
+
+O ! never was there queen
+So mightily betray'd ; yet at the first
+I saw the treasons planted .
+
+Cleopatra ,
+
+Why should I think you can be mine and true ,
+Though you in swearing shake the throned gods ,
+Who have been false to Fulvia ? Riotous madness ,
+To be entangled with those mouth-made vows ,
+Which break themselves in swearing !
+
+Most sweet queen ,
+
+Nay , pray you , seek no colour for your going ,
+But bid farewell , and go : when you su'd staying
+Then was the time for words ; no going then :
+Eternity was in our lips and eyes ,
+Bliss in our brows bent ; none our parts so poor
+But was a race of heaven ; they are so still ,
+Or thou , the greatest soldier of the world ,
+Art turn'd the greatest liar .
+
+How now , lady !
+
+I would I had thy inches ; thou shouldst know
+There were a heart in Egypt .
+
+Hear me , queen :
+The strong necessity of time commands
+Our services awhile , but my full heart
+Remains in use with you . Our Italy
+Shines o'er with civil swords ; Sextus Pompeius
+Makes his approaches to the port of Rome ;
+Equality of two domestic powers
+Breeds scrupulous faction . The hated , grown to strength ,
+Are newly grown to love ; the condemn'd Pompey ,
+Rich in his father's honour , creeps apace
+Into the hearts of such as have not thriv'd
+Upon the present state , whose numbers threaten ;
+And quietness , grown aick of rest , would purge
+By any desperate change . My more particular ,
+And that which most with you should safe my going ,
+Is Fulvia's death .
+
+Though age from folly could not give me freedom ,
+It does from childishness : can Fulvia die ?
+
+She's dead , my queen :
+Look here , and at thy sovereign leisure read
+The garboils she awak'd ; at the last , best ,
+See when and where she died .
+
+O most false love !
+Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill
+With sorrowful water ? Now I see , I see ,
+In Fulvia's death , how mine receiv'd shall be .
+
+Quarrel no more , but be prepar'd to know
+The purposes I bear , which are or cease
+As you shall give the advice . By the fire
+That quickens Nilus' slime , I go from hence
+Thy soldier , servant , making peace or war
+As thou affect'st .
+
+Cut my lace , Charmian , come ;
+But let it be : I am quickly ill , and well ;
+So Antony loves .
+
+My precious queen , forbear ,
+And give true evidence to his love which stands
+An honourable trial .
+
+So Fulvia told me .
+I prithee , turn aside and weep for her ;
+Then bid adieu to me , and say the tears
+Belong to Egypt : good now , play one scene
+Of excellent dissembling , and let it look
+Like perfect honour .
+
+You'll heat my blood ; no more .
+
+You can do better yet , but this is meetly .
+
+Now , by my sword ,
+
+And target . Still he mends ;
+But this is not the best . Look , prithee , Charmian ,
+How this Herculean Roman does become
+The carriage of his chafe .
+
+I'll leave you , lady .
+
+Courteous lord , one word .
+Sir , you and I must part , but that 's not it :
+Sir , you and I have lov'd , but there 's not it ;
+That you know well : something it is I would ,
+O ! my oblivion is a very Antony ,
+And I am all forgotten .
+
+But that your royalty
+Holds idleness your subject , I should take you
+For idleness itself .
+
+'Tis sweating labour
+To bear such idleness so near the heart
+As Cleopatra this . But , sir , forgive me ;
+Since my becomings kill me when they do not
+Eye well to you : your honour calls you hence ;
+Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly ,
+And all the gods go with you ! Upon your sword
+Sit laurel victory ! and smooth success
+Be strew'd before your feet !
+
+Let us go . Come ;
+Our separation so abides and flies ,
+That thou , residing here , go'st yet with me ,
+And I , hence fleeting , here remain with thee .
+Away !
+
+
+You may see , Lepidus , and henceforth know ,
+It is not C sar's natural vice to hate
+Our great competitor . From Alexandria
+This is the news : he fishes , drinks , and wastes
+The lamps of night in revel ; is not more manlike
+Than Cleopatra , nor the queen of Ptolemy
+More womanly than he ; hardly gave audience , or
+Vouchsaf'd to think he had partners : you shall find there
+A man who is the abstract of all faults
+That all men follow .
+
+I must not think there are
+Evils enow to darken all his goodness ;
+His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven ,
+More fiery by night's blackness ; hereditary
+Rather than purchas'd ; what he cannot change
+Than what he chooses .
+
+You are too indulgent . Let us grant it is not
+Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy ,
+To give a kingdom for a mirth , to sit
+And keep the turn of tippling with a slave ,
+To reel the streets at noon , and stand the buffet
+With knaves that smell of sweat ; say this becomes him ,
+As his composure must be rare indeed
+Whom these things cannot blemish ,yet must Antony
+No way excuse his soils , when we do bear
+So great weight in his lightness . If he fill'd
+His vacancy with his voluptuousness ,
+Full surfeits and the dryness of his bones
+Call on him for 't ; but to confound such time
+That drums him from his sport , and speaks as loud
+As his own state and ours , 'tis to be chid
+As we rate boys , who , being mature in knowledge ,
+Pawn their experience to their present pleasure ,
+And so rebel to judgment .
+
+
+Here's more news .
+
+Thy biddings have been done , and every hour ,
+Most noble C sar , shalt thou have report
+How 'tis abroad . Pompey is strong at sea ,
+And it appears he is belov'd of those
+That only have fear'd C sar ; to the ports
+The discontents repair , and men's reports
+Give him much wrong'd .
+
+I should have known no less .
+It hath been taught us from the primal state ,
+That he which is was wish'd until he were ;
+And the ebb'd man , ne'er lov'd till ne'er worth love ,
+Comes dear'd by being lack'd . This common body ,
+Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream ,
+Goes to and back , lackeying the varying tide ,
+To rot itself with motion .
+
+C sar , I bring thee word ,
+Menecrates and Menas , famous pirates ,
+Make the sea serve them , which they ear and wound
+With keels of every kind : many hot inroads
+They make in Italy ; the borders maritime
+Lack blood to think on't , and flush youth revolt ;
+No vessel can peep forth , but 'tis as soon
+Taken as seen ; for Pompey's name strikes more
+Than could his war resisted .
+
+Antony ,
+Leave thy lascivious wassails . When thou once
+Wast beaten from Modena , where thou slew'st
+Hirtius and Pansa , consuls , at thy heel
+Did famine follow , whom thou fought'st against ,
+Though daintily brought up , with patience more
+Than savages could suffer ; thou didst drink
+The stale of horses and the gilded puddle
+Which beasts would cough at ; thy palate then did deign
+The roughest berry on the rudest hedge ;
+Yea , like the stag , when snow the pasture sheets ,
+The barks of trees thou browsed'st ; on the Alps
+It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh ,
+Which some did die to look on ; and all this
+It wounds thy honour that I speak it now
+Was borne so like a soldier , that thy cheek
+So much as lank'd not .
+
+'Tis pity of him .
+
+Let his shames quickly
+Drive him to Rome . 'Tis time we twain
+Did show ourselves i' the field ; and to that end
+Assemble me immediate council ; Pompey
+Thrives in our idleness .
+
+To-morrow , C sar ,
+I shall be furnish'd to inform you rightly
+Both what by sea and land I can be able
+To front this present time .
+
+Till which encounter ,
+It is my business too . Farewell .
+
+Farewell , my lord . What you shall know meantime
+Of stirs abroad , I shall beseech you , sir ,
+To let me be partaker .
+
+Doubt not , sir ;
+I knew it for my bond .
+
+
+Charmian !
+
+Madam !
+
+Ha , ha !
+Give me to drink mandragora .
+
+Why , madam ?
+
+That I might sleep out this great gap of time
+My Antony is away .
+
+You think of him too much .
+
+O ! 'tis treason .
+
+Madam , I trust , not so .
+
+Thou , eunuch Mardian !
+
+What 's your highness' pleasure ?
+
+Not now to hear thee sing ; I take no pleasure
+In aught a eunuch has . 'Tis well for thee ,
+That , being unseminar'd , thy freer thoughts
+May not fly forth of Egypt . Hast thou affections ?
+
+Yes , gracious madam .
+
+Indeed !
+
+Not in deed , madam ; for I can do nothing
+But what in deed is honest to be done ;
+Yet have I fierce affections , and think
+What Venus did with Mars .
+
+O Charmian !
+Where think'st thou he is now ? Stands he , or sits he ?
+Or does he walk ? or is he on his horse ?
+O happy horse , to bear the weight of Antony !
+Do bravely , horse , for wot'st thou whom thou mov'st ?
+The demi-Atlas of this earth , the arm
+And burgonet of men . He's speaking now ,
+Or murmuring 'Where's my serpent of old Nile ?'
+For so he calls me . Now I feed myself
+With most delicious poison . Think on me ,
+That am with Ph bus' amorous pinches black ,
+And wrinkled deep in time ? Broad-fronted C sar ,
+When thou wast here above the ground I was
+A morsel for a monarch , and great Pompey
+Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow ;
+There would he anchor his aspect and die
+With looking on his life .
+
+
+Sovereign of Egypt , hail !
+
+How much unlike art thou Mark Antony !
+Yet , coming from him , that great medicine hath
+With his tinct gilded thee .
+How goes it with my brave Mark Antony ?
+
+Last thing he did , dear queen ,
+He kiss'd , the last of many doubled kisses ,
+This orient pearl . His speech sticks in my heart .
+
+Mine ear must pluck it thence .
+
+'Good friend ,' quoth he ,
+'Say , the firm Roman to great Egypt sends
+This treasure of an oyster ; at whose foot ,
+To mend the petty present , I will piece
+Her opulent throne with kingdoms ; all the east ,
+Say thou , shall call her mistress .' So he nodded ,
+And soberly did mount an arm-gaunt steed ,
+Who neigh'd so high that what I would have spoke
+Was beastly dumb'd by him .
+
+What ! was he sad or merry ?
+
+Like to the time o' the year between the extremes
+Of hot and cold ; he was nor sad nor merry .
+
+O well-divided disposition ! Note him ,
+Note him , good Charmian , 'tis the man ; but note him :
+He was not sad , for he would shire on those
+That make their looks by his ; he was not merry ,
+Which seem'd to tell them his remembrance lay
+In Egypt with his joy ; but between both :
+O heavenly mingle ! Be'st thou sad or merry ,
+The violence of either thee becomes ,
+So does it no man else . Mett'st thou my posts ?
+
+Ay , madam , twenty several messengers .
+Why do you send so thick ?
+
+Who's born that day
+When I forget to send to Antony ,
+Shall die a beggar . Ink and paper , Charmian .
+Welcome , my good Alexas . Did I , Charmian ,
+Ever love C sar so ?
+
+O ! that brave C sar .
+
+Be chok'd with such another emphasis !
+Say the brave Antony .
+
+The valiant C sar !
+
+By Isis , I will give thee bloody teeth ,
+If thou with C sar paragon again
+My man of men .
+
+By your most gracious pardon ,
+I sing but after you .
+
+My salad days ,
+When I was green in judgment , cold in blood ,
+To say as I said then ! But come , away ;
+Get me ink and paper :
+He shall have every day a several greeting ,
+Or I'll unpeople Egypt .
+
+If the great gods be just , they shall assist
+The deeds of justest men .
+
+Know , worthy Pompey ,
+That what they do delay , they not deny .
+
+Whiles we are suitors to their throne , decays
+The thing we sue for .
+
+We , ignorant of ourselves ,
+Beg often our own harms , which the wise powers
+Deny us for our good ; so find we profit
+By losing of our prayers .
+
+I shall do well :
+The people love me , and the sea is mine ;
+My powers are crescent , and my auguring hope
+Says it will come to the full . Mark Antony
+In Egypt sits at dinner , and will make
+No wars without doors ; C sar gets money where
+He loses hearts ; Lepidus flatters both ,
+Of both is flatter'd ; but he neither loves ,
+Nor either cares for him .
+
+C sar and Lepidus
+Are in the field ; a mighty strength they carry .
+
+Where have you this ? 'tis false .
+
+From Silvius , sir .
+
+He dreams ; I know they are in Rome together ,
+Looking for Antony . But all the charms of love ,
+Salt Cleopatra , soften thy wan'd lip !
+Let witchcraft join with beauty , lust with both !
+Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts ,
+Keep his brain fuming ; Epicurean cooks
+Sharpen with cloyless sance his appetite ,
+That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour
+Even till a Lethe'd dulness !
+
+How now , Varrius !
+
+This is most certain that I shall deliver :
+Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
+Expected ; since he went from Egypt 'tis
+A space for further travel .
+
+I could have given less matter
+A better ear . Menas , I did not think
+This amorous surfeiter would have donn'd his helm
+For such a petty war ; his soldiership
+Is twice the other twain . But let us rear
+The higher our opinion , that our stirring
+Can from the lap of Egypt's widow pluck
+The ne'er-lust-wearied Antony .
+
+I cannot hope
+C sar and Antony shall well greet together ;
+His wife that's dead did trespasses to C sar ,
+His brother warr'd upon him , although I think
+Not mov'd by Antony .
+
+I know not , Menas ,
+How lesser enmities may give way to greater .
+Were 't not that we stand up against them all
+'Twere pregnant they should square between themselves ,
+For they have entertained cause enough
+To draw their swords ; but how the fear of us
+May cement their divisions and bind up
+The petty difference , we yet not know .
+Be it as our gods will have 't ! It only stands
+Our lives upon , to use our strongest hands .
+Come , Menas .
+
+
+Good Enobarbus , 'tis a worthy deed ,
+And shall become you well , to entreat your captain
+To soft and gentle speech .
+
+I shall entreat him
+To answer like himself : if C sar move him ,
+Let Antony look over C sar's head ,
+And speak as loud as Mars . By Jupiter ,
+Were I the wearer of Antonius' beard ,
+I would not shave 't to-day .
+
+'Tis not a time
+For private stomaching .
+
+Every time
+Serves for the matter that is then born in 't .
+
+But small to greater matters must give way .
+
+Not if the small come first .
+
+Your speech is passion ;
+But , pray you , stir no embers up . Here comes
+The noble Antony .
+
+
+And yonder , C sar .
+
+
+If we compose well here , to Parthia :
+Hark ye , Ventidius .
+
+I do not know ,
+Mec nas ; ask Agrippa .
+
+Noble friends ,
+That which combin'd us was most great , and let not
+A leaner action rend us . What's amiss ,
+May it be gently heard ; when we debate
+Our trivial difference loud , we do commit
+Murder in healing wounds ; then , noble partners ,
+The rather for I earnestly beseech ,
+Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms ,
+Nor curstness grow to the matter .
+
+'Tis spoken well .
+Were we before our armies , and to fight ,
+I should do thus .
+
+Welcome to Rome .
+
+Thank you .
+
+Sit .
+
+Sit , sir .
+
+Nay , then .
+
+I learn , you take things ill which are not so ,
+Or being , concern you not .
+
+I must be laugh'd at
+If , or for nothing or a little , I
+Should say myself offended , and with you
+Chiefly i' the world ; more laugh'd at that I should
+Once name you derogately , when to sound your name
+It not concern'd me .
+
+My being in Egypt , C sar ,
+What was 't to you ?
+
+No more than my residing here at Rome
+Might be to you in Egypt ; yet , if you there
+Did practise on my state , your being in Egypt
+Might be my question .
+
+How intend you , practis'd ?
+
+You may be pleas'd to catch at mine intent
+By what did here befall me . Your wife and brother
+Made wars upon me , and their contestation
+Was theme for you , you were the word of war .
+
+You do mistake your business ; my brother never
+Did urge me in his act : I did inquire it ;
+And have my learning from some true reports ,
+That drew their swords with you . Did he not rather
+Discredit my authority with yours ,
+And make the wars alike against my stomach ,
+Having alike your cause ? Of this my letters
+Before did satisfy you . If you'll patch a quarrel ,
+As matter whole you n' have to make it with ,
+It must not be with this .
+
+You praise yourself
+By laying defects of judgment to me , but
+You patch'd up your excuses .
+
+Not so , not so ;
+I know you could not lack , I am certain on 't ,
+Very necessity of this thought , that I ,
+Your partner in the cause 'gainst which he fought ,
+Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars
+Which fronted mine own peace . As for my wife ,
+I would you had her spirit in such another :
+The third o' the world is yours , which with a snaffle
+You may pace easy , but not such a wife .
+
+Would we had all such wives , that the men might go to wars with the women !
+
+So much uncurbable , her garboils , C sar ,
+Made out of her impatience ,which not wanted
+Shrewdness of policy too ,I grieving grant
+Did you too much disquiet ; for that you must
+But say I could not help it .
+
+I wrote to you
+When rioting in Alexandria ; you
+Did pocket up my letters , and with taunts
+Did gibe my missive out of audience .
+
+Sir ,
+He fell upon me , ere admitted : then
+Three kings I had newly feasted , and did want
+Of what I was i' the morning ; but next day
+I told him of myself , which was as much
+As to have ask'd him pardon . Let this fellow
+Be nothing of our strife ; if we contend ,
+Out of our question wipe him .
+
+You have broken
+The article of your oath , which you shall never
+Have tongue to charge me with .
+
+Soft , C sar !
+
+No ,
+Lepidus , let him speak :
+The honour's sacred which he talks on now ,
+Supposing that I lack'd it . But on , C sar ;
+The article of my oath .
+
+To lend me arms and aid when I requir'd them ,
+The which you both denied .
+
+Neglected , rather ;
+And then , when poison'd hours had bound me up
+From mine own knowledge . As nearly as I may ,
+I'll play the penitent to you ; but mine honesty
+Shall not make poor my greatness , nor my power
+Work without it . Truth is , that Fulvia ,
+To have me out of Egypt , made wars here ;
+For which myself , the ignorant motive , do
+So far ask pardon as befits mine honour
+To stoop in such a case .
+
+'Tis noble spoken .
+
+If it might please you , to enforce no further
+The griefs between ye : to forget them quite
+Were to remember that the present need
+Speaks to atone you .
+
+Worthily spoken , Mec nas .
+
+Or , if you borrow one another's love for the instant , you may , when you hear no more words of Pompey , return it again : you shall have time to wrangle in when you have nothing else to do .
+
+Thou art a soldier only ; speak no more .
+
+That truth should be silent I had almost forgot .
+
+You wrong this presence ; therefore speak no more .
+
+Go to , then ; your considerate stone .
+
+I do not much dislike the matter , but
+The manner of his speech ; for it cannot be
+We shall remain in friendship , our conditions
+So differing in their acts . Yet , if I knew
+What hoop should hold us stanch , from edge to edge
+O' the world I would pursue it .
+
+Give me leave , C sar .
+
+Speak , Agrippa .
+
+Thou hast a sister by the mother's side ,
+Admir'd Octavia ; great Mark Antony
+Is now a widower .
+
+Say not so , Agrippa :
+If Cleopatra heard you , your reproof
+Were well deserv'd of rashness .
+
+I am not married , C sar ; let me hear
+Agrippa further speak .
+
+To hold you in perpetual amity ,
+To make you brothers , and to knit your hearts
+With an unslipping knot , take Antony
+Octavia to his wife ; whose beauty claims
+No worse a husband than the best of men ,
+Whose virtue and whose general graces speak
+That which none else can utter . By this marriage ,
+All little jealousies which now seem great ,
+And all great fears which now import their dangers ,
+Would then be nothing ; truths would be but tales
+Where now half tales be truths ; her love to both
+Would each to other and all loves to both
+Draw after her . Pardon what I have spoke ,
+For 'tis a studied , not a present thought ,
+By duty ruminated .
+
+Will C sar speak ?
+
+Not till he hears how Antony is touch'd
+With what is spoke already .
+
+What power is in Agrippa ,
+If I would say , 'Agrippa , be it so ,'
+To make this good ?
+
+The power of C sar , and
+His power unto Octavia .
+
+May I never
+To this good purpose , that so fairly shows ,
+Dream of impediment ! Let me have thy hand ;
+Further this act of grace , and from this hour
+The heart of brothers govern in our loves
+And sway our great designs !
+
+There is my hand .
+A sister I bequeath you , whom no brother
+Did ever love so dearly ; let her live
+To join our kingdoms and our hearts , and never
+Fly off our loves again !
+
+Happily , amen !
+
+I did not think to draw my sword 'gainst Pompey ,
+For he hath laid strange courtesies and great
+Of late upon me ; I must thank him only ,
+Lest my remembrance suffer ill report ;
+At heel of that , defy him .
+
+Time calls upon 's :
+Of us must Pompey presently be sought ,
+Or else he seeks out us .
+
+Where lies he ?
+
+About the Mount Misenum .
+
+What's his strength
+By land ?
+
+Great and increasing ; but by sea
+He is an absolute master .
+
+So is the fame .
+Would we had spoke together ! Haste we for it ;
+Yet , ere we put ourselves in arms , dispatch we
+The business we have talk'd of .
+
+With most gladness ;
+And do invite you to my sister's view ,
+Whither straight I'll lead you .
+
+Let us , Lepidus ,
+Not lack your company .
+
+Noble Antony ,
+Not sickness should detain me .
+
+
+Welcome from Egypt , sir .
+
+Half the heart of C sar , worthy Mec nas ! My honourable friend , Agrippa !
+
+Good Enobarbus !
+
+We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested . You stayed well by 't in
+Egypt .
+
+Ay , sir ; we did sleep day out of countenance , and made the night light with drinking .
+
+Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast , and but twelve persons there ; is this true ?
+
+This was but as a fly by an eagle ; we had much more monstrous matter of feast , which worthily deserved noting .
+
+She's a most triumphant lady , if report be square to her .
+
+When she first met Mark Antony she pursed up his heart , upon the river of Cydnus .
+
+There she appeared indeed , or my reporter devised well for her .
+
+I will tell you .
+The barge she sat in , like a burnish'd throne ,
+Burn'd on the water ; the poop was beaten gold ,
+Purple the sails , and so perfumed , that
+The winds were love-sick with them , the oars were silver ,
+Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke , and made
+The water which they beat to follow faster ,
+As amorous of their strokes . For her own person ,
+It beggar'd all description ; she did lie
+In her pavilion ,cloth-of-gold of tissue ,
+O'er-picturing that Venus where we see
+The fancy outwork nature ; on each side her
+Stood pretty-dimpled boys , like smiling Cupids ,
+With divers-colour'd fans , whose wind did seem
+To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool ,
+And what they undid did .
+
+O ! rare for Antony .
+
+Her gentlewomen , like the Nereides ,
+So many mermaids , tended her i' the eyes ,
+And made their bends adornings ; at the helm
+A seeming mermaid steers ; the silken tackle
+Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands ,
+That yarely frame the office . From the barge
+A strange invisible perfume hits the sense
+Of the adjacent wharfs . The city cast
+Her people out upon her , and Antony ,
+Enthron'd i' the market-place , did sit alone ,
+Whistling to the air ; which , but for vacancy ,
+Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too
+And made a gap in nature .
+
+Rare Egyptian !
+
+Upon her landing , Antony sent to her ,
+Invited her to supper ; she replied
+It should be better he became her guest ,
+Which she entreated . Our courteous Antony ,
+Whom ne'er the word of 'No' woman heard speak ,
+Being barber'd ten times o'er , goes to the feast ,
+And , for his ordinary pays his heart
+For what his eyes eat only .
+
+Royal wench !
+She made great C sar lay his sword to bed ;
+He plough'd her , and she cropp'd .
+
+I saw her once
+Hop forty paces through the public street ;
+And having lost her breath , she spoke , and panted
+That she did make defect perfection ,
+And , breathless , power breathe forth .
+
+Now Antony must leave her utterly .
+
+Never ; he will not :
+Age cannot wither her , nor custom stale
+Her infinite variety ; other women cloy
+The appetites they feed , but she makes hungry
+Where most she satisfies ; for vilest things
+Become themselves in her , that the holy priests
+Bless her when she is riggish .
+
+If beauty , wisdom , modesty , can settle
+The heart of Antony , Octavia is
+A blessed lottery to him .
+
+Let us go .
+Good Enobarbus , make yourself my guest
+Whilst you abide here .
+
+Humbly , sir , I thank you .
+
+
+The world and my great office will sometimes
+Divide me from your bosom .
+
+All which time
+Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
+To them for you .
+
+Good night , sir . My Octavia ,
+Read not my blemishes in the world's report ;
+I have not kept my square , but that to come
+Shall all be done by the rule . Good night , dear lady .
+
+Good night , sir .
+
+Good night .
+
+Now , sirrah ; you do wish yourself in Egypt ?
+
+Would I had never come from thence , nor you
+Thither !
+
+If you can , your reason ?
+
+I see it in
+My motion , have it not in my tongue : but yet
+Hie you to Egypt again .
+
+Say to me ,
+Whose fortunes shall rise higher , C sar's or mine ?
+
+C sar's .
+Therefore , O Antony ! stay not by his side ;
+Thy demon that's thy spirit which keeps thee ,is
+Noble , courageous , high , unmatchable ,
+Where C sar's is not ; but near him thy angel
+Becomes a fear , as being o'erpower'd ; therefore
+Make space enough between you .
+
+Speak this no more .
+
+To none but thee ; no more but when to thee .
+If thou dost play with him at any game
+Thou art sure to lose , and , of that natural luck ,
+He beats thee 'gainst the odds ; thy lustre thickens
+When he shines by . I say again , thy spirit
+Is all afraid to govern thee near him ,
+But he away , 'tis noble .
+
+Get thee gone :
+Say to Ventidius I would speak with him .
+
+He shall to Parthia . Be it art or hap
+He hath spoken true ; the very dice obey him .
+And in our sports my better cunning faints
+Under his chance ; if we draw lots he speeds ,
+His cocks do win the battle still of mine
+When it is all to nought , and his quails ever
+Beat mine , inhoop'd , at odds . I will to Egypt ;
+And though I make this marriage for my peace ,
+I' the east my pleasure lies .
+
+
+O ! come , Ventidius ,
+You must to Parthia ; your commission's ready ;
+Follow me , and receive 't .
+
+Trouble yourselves no further ; pray you hasten
+Your generals after .
+
+Sir , Mark Antony
+Will e'en but kiss Octavia , and we'll follow .
+
+Till I shall see you in your soldier's dress ,
+Which will become you both , farewell .
+
+We shall ,
+As I conceive the journey , be at the Mount
+Before you , Lepidus .
+
+Your way is shorter ;
+My purposes to draw me much about :
+You 'll win two days upon me .
+
+Sir , good success !
+
+Sir , good success !
+
+Farewell .
+
+
+Give me some music ; music , moody food
+Of us that trade in love .
+
+The music , ho !
+
+
+Let it alone ; let 's to billiards : come , Charmian .
+
+My arm is sore ; best play with Mardian .
+
+As well a woman with a eunuch play'd
+As with a woman . Come , you 'll play with me , sir ?
+
+As well as I can , madam .
+
+And when good will is show'd , though't come too short ,
+The actor may plead pardon . I 'll none now .
+Give me mine angle ; we'll to the river : there
+My music playing far off I will betray
+Tawny-finn'd fishes ; my bended hook shall pierce
+Their slimy jaws ; and , as I draw them up ,
+I'll think them every one an Antony ,
+And say , 'Ah , ha !' you're caught .
+
+'Twas merry when
+You wager'd on your angling ; when your diver
+Did hang a salt-fish on his hook , which he
+With fervency drew up .
+
+That time O times !
+I laugh'd him out of patience ; and that night
+I laugh'd him into patience : and next morn ,
+Ere the ninth hour , I drunk him to his bed ;
+Then put my tires and mantles on him , whilst
+I wore his sword Philippan .
+
+
+O ! from Italy ;
+Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears ,
+
+That long time have been barren .
+
+Madam , madam ,
+
+Antony's dead ! if thou say so , villain ,
+Thou kill'st thy mistress ; but well and free ,
+If thou so yield him , there is gold , and here
+My bluest veins to kiss ; a hand that kings
+Have lipp'd , and trembled kissing .
+
+First , madam , he is well .
+
+Why , there's more gold .
+But , sirrah , mark , we use
+To say the dead are well : bring it to that ,
+The gold I give thee will I melt , and pour
+Down thy ill-uttering throat .
+
+Good madam , hear me .
+
+Well , go to , I will ;
+But there's no goodness in thy face ; if Antony
+Be free and healthful , so tart a favour
+To trumpet such good tidings ! if not well ,
+Thou shouldst come like a Fury crown'd with snakes ,
+Not like a formal man .
+
+Will't please you hear me ?
+
+I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speak'st :
+Yet , if thou say Antony lives , is well ,
+Or friends with C sar , or not captive to him ,
+I'll set thee in a shower of gold , and hail
+Rich pearls upon thee .
+
+Madam , he's well .
+
+Well said .
+
+And friends with C sar .
+
+Thou'rt an honest man .
+
+C sar and he are greater friends than ever .
+
+Make thee a fortune from me .
+
+But yet , madam ,
+
+I do not like 'but yet ,' it does allay
+The good precedence ; fie upon 'but yet !'
+'But yet' is as a gaoler to bring forth
+Some monstrous malefactor . Prithee , friend ,
+Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear ,
+The good and bad together . He's friends with C sar ;
+In state of health , thou sayst ; and thou sayst , free .
+
+Free , madam ! no ; I made no such report :
+He's bound unto Octavia .
+
+For what good turn ?
+
+For the best turn i' the bed .
+
+I am pale , Charmian !
+
+Madam , he's married to Octavia .
+
+The most infectious pestilence upon thee !
+
+
+Good madam , patience .
+
+What say you ? Hence ,
+
+Horrible villain ! or I'll spurn thine eyes
+Like balls before me ; I'll unhair thy head :
+
+Thou shalt be whipp'd with wire , and stew'd in brine ,
+Smarting in lingering pickle .
+
+Gracious madam ,
+I , that do bring the news made not the match .
+
+Say 'tis not so , a province I will give thee ,
+And make thy fortunes proud ; the blow thou hadst
+Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage ,
+And I will boot thee with what gift beside
+Thy modesty can beg .
+
+He's married , madam .
+
+Rogue ! thou hast liv'd too long .
+
+
+Nay , then I'll run .
+What mean you , madam ? I have made no fault .
+
+
+Good madam , keep yourself within yourself ;
+The man is innocent .
+
+Some innocents 'scape not the thunderbolt .
+Melt Egypt into Nile ! and kindly creatures
+Turn all to serpents ! Call the slave again :
+Though I am mad , I will not bite him . Call .
+
+He is afeard to come .
+
+I will not hurt him .
+
+These hands do lack nobility , that they strike
+A meaner than myself ; since I myself
+Have given myself the cause .
+
+
+Come hither , sir .
+Though it be honest , it is never good
+To bring bad news ; give to a gracious message
+A host of tongues , but let ill tidings tell
+
+Themselves when they be felt .
+
+I have done my duty .
+
+Is he married ?
+I cannot hate thee worser than I do
+If thou again say 'Yes .'
+
+He's married , madam .
+
+The gods confound thee ! dost thou hold there still ?
+
+Should I lie , madam ?
+
+O ! I would thou didst ,
+So half my Egypt were submerg'd and made
+A cistern for scal'd snakes . Go , get thee hence ;
+Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face , to me
+Thou wouldst appear most ugly . He is married ?
+
+I crave your highness' pardon .
+
+He is married ?
+
+Take no offence that I would not offend you ;
+To punish me for what you make me do
+Seems much unequal ; he's married to Octavia .
+
+O ! that his fault should make a knave of thee ,
+That art not what thou'rt sure of . Get thee hence ;
+The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome
+Are all too dear for me ; lie they upon thy hand
+And be undone by 'em !
+
+
+Good your highness , patience .
+
+In praising Antony I have disprais'd C sar .
+
+Many times , madam .
+
+I am paid for 't now .
+Lead me from hence ;
+I faint . O Iras ! Charmian ! 'Tis no matter .
+Go to the fellow , good Alexas ; bid him
+Report the feature of Octavia , her years ,
+Her inclination , let him not leave out
+The colour of her hair : bring me word quickly .
+
+Let him forever go :let him not Charmian !
+Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon ,
+The other way's a Mars .
+
+Bid you Alexas
+Bring me word how tall she is . Pity me , Charmian ,
+But do not speak to me . Lead me to my chamber .
+
+
+Your hostages I have , so have you mine ;
+And we shall talk before we fight .
+
+Most meet
+That first we come to words , and therefore have we
+Our written purposes before us sent ;
+Which if thou hast consider'd , let us know
+If 'twill tie up thy discontented sword ,
+And carry back to Sicily much tall youth
+That else must perish here .
+
+To you all three ,
+The senators alone of this great world ,
+Chief factors for the gods , I do not know
+Wherefore my father should revengers want ,
+Having a son and friends ; since Julius C sar ,
+Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted ,
+There saw you labouring for him . What was 't
+That mov'd pale Cassius to conspire ? and what
+Made the all-honour'd , honest Roman , Brutus ,
+With the arm'd rest , courtiers of beauteous freedom ,
+To drench the Capitol , but that they would
+Have one man but a man ? And that is it
+Hath made me rig my navy , at whose burden
+The anger'd ocean foams , with which I meant
+To scourge the ingratitude that despiteful Rome
+Cast on my noble father .
+
+Take your time .
+
+Thou canst not fear us , Pompey , with thy sails ;
+We 'll speak with thee at sea : at land , thou know'st
+How much we do o'er-count thee .
+
+At land , indeed ,
+Thou dost o'er-count me of my father's house ;
+But , since the cuckoo builds not for himself ,
+Remain in 't as thou mayst .
+
+Be pleas'd to tell us
+For this is from the present how you take
+The offers we have sent you .
+
+There's the point .
+
+Which do not be entreated to , but weigh
+What it is worth embrac'd .
+
+And what may follow ,
+To try a larger fortune .
+
+You have made me offer
+Of Sicily , Sardinia ; and I must
+Rid all the sea of pirates ; then , to send
+Measures of wheat to Rome ; this 'greed upon ,
+To part with unhack'd edges , and bear back
+Our targets undinted .
+
+That's our offer .
+
+That's our offer .
+
+That's our offer .
+
+Know , then ,
+I came before you here a man prepar'd
+To take this offer ; but Mark Antony
+Put me to some impatience . Though I lose
+The praise of it by telling , you must know ,
+When C sar and your brother were at blows ,
+Your mother came to Sicily and did find
+Her welcome friendly .
+
+I have heard it , Pompey ;
+And am well studied for a liberal thanks
+Which I do owe you .
+
+Let me have your hand :
+I did not think , sir , to have met you here .
+
+The beds i' the east are soft ; and thanks to you ,
+That call'd me timelier than my purpose hither ,
+For I have gain'd by 't .
+
+Since I saw you last ,
+There is a change upon you .
+
+Well , I know not
+What counts harsh Fortune casts upon my face ,
+But in my bosom shall she never come
+To make my heart her vassal .
+
+Well met here .
+
+I hope so , Lepidus . Thus we are agreed .
+I crave our composition may be written
+And seal'd between us .
+
+That 's the next to do .
+
+We'll feast each other ere we part ; and let's
+Draw lots who shall begin .
+
+That will I , Pompey .
+
+No , Antony , take the lot :
+But , first or last , your fine Egyptian cookery
+Shall have the fame . I have heard that Julius C sar
+Grew fat with feasting there .
+
+You have heard much .
+
+I have fair meanings , sir .
+
+And fair words to them .
+
+Then , so much have I heard ;
+And I have heard Apollodorus carried
+
+No more of that : he did so .
+
+What , I pray you ?
+
+A certain queen to C sar in a mattress .
+
+I know thee now ; how far'st thou , soldier ?
+
+Well ;
+And well am like to do ; for I perceive
+Four feasts are toward .
+
+Let me shake thy hand ;
+I never hated thee . I have seen thee fight ,
+When I have envied thy behaviour .
+
+Sir ,
+I never lov'd you much , but I ha' prais'd ye
+When you have well deserv'd ten times as much
+As I have said you did .
+
+Enjoy thy plainness ,
+It nothing ill becomes thee .
+Aboard my galley I invite you all :
+Will you lead , lords ?
+
+Show us the way , sir .
+
+Show us the way , sir .
+
+Show us the way , sir .
+
+Come .
+
+
+Thy father , Pompey , would ne'er have made this treaty . You and I have known , sir .
+
+At sea , I think .
+
+We have , sir .
+
+You have done well by water .
+
+And you by land .
+
+I will praise any man that will praise me ; though it cannot be denied what I have done by land .
+
+Nor what I have done by water .
+
+Yes , something you can deny for your own safety ; you have been a great thief by sea .
+
+And you by land .
+
+There I deny my land service . But give me your hand , Menas ; if our eyes had authority , here they might take two thieves kissing .
+
+All men's faces are true , whatsoe'er their hands are .
+
+But there is never a fair woman has a true face .
+
+No slander ; they steal hearts .
+
+We came hither to fight with you .
+
+For my part , I am sorry it is turned to a drinking . Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune .
+
+If he do , sure , he cannot weep it back again .
+
+You have said , sir . We looked not for Mark Antony here : pray you , is he married to Cleopatra ?
+
+C sar's sister is called Octavia .
+
+True , sir ; she was the wife of Caius Marcellus .
+
+But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius .
+
+Pray ye , sir ?
+
+'Tis true .
+
+Then is C sar and he for ever knit together .
+
+If I were bound to divine of this unity , I would not prophesy so .
+
+I think the policy of that purpose made more in the marriage than the love of the parties .
+
+I think so too ; but you shall find the band that seems to tie their friendship together will be the very strangler of their amity . Octavia is of a holy , cold , and still conversation .
+
+Who would not have his wife so ?
+
+Not he that himself is not so ; which is Mark Antony . He will to his Egyptian dish again ; then , shall the sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in C sar , and , as I said before , that which is the strength of their amity shall prove the immediate author of their variance . Antony will use his affection where it is ; he married but his occasion here .
+
+And thus it may be . Come , sir , will you aboard ? I have a health for you .
+
+I shall take it , sir : we have used our throats in Egypt .
+
+Come ; let 's away .
+
+
+Here they'll be , man . Some o' their plants are ill-rooted already ; the least wind i' the world will blow them down .
+
+Lepidus is high-coloured .
+
+They have made him drink alms-drink .
+
+As they pinch one another by the disposition , he cries out , 'No more ;' reconciles them to his entreaty , and himself to the drink .
+
+But it raises the greater war between him and his discretion .
+
+Why , this it is to have a name in great men's fellowship ; I had as lief have a reed that will do me no service as a partisan I could not heave .
+
+To be called into a huge sphere , and not to be seen to move in't , are the holes where eyes should be , which pitifully disaster the cheeks .
+
+Thus do they , sir . They take the flow o' the Nile
+By certain scales i' the pyramid ; they know
+By the height , the lowness , or the mean , if dearth
+Or foison follow . The higher Nilus swells
+The more it promises ; as it ebbs , the seedsman
+Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain ,
+And shortly comes to harvest .
+
+You've strange serpents there .
+
+Ay , Lepidus .
+
+Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun ; so is your crocodile .
+
+They are so .
+
+Sit ,and some wine ! A health to Lepidus !
+
+I am not so well as I should be , but I'll ne'er out .
+
+Not till you have slept ; I fear me you'll be in till then .
+
+Nay , certainly , I have heard the Ptolemies' pyramises are very goodly things ; without contradiction , I have heard that .
+
+Pompey , a word .
+
+Say in mine ear ; what is't ?
+
+Forsake thy seat , I do beseech thee , captain ,
+And bear me speak a word .
+
+Forbear me till anon .
+This wine for Lepidus !
+
+What manner o' thing is your crocodile ?
+
+It is shaped , sir , like itself , and it is as broad as it hath breadth ; it is just so high as it is , and moves with it own organs ; it lives by that which nourisheth it ; and the elements once out of it , it transmigrates .
+
+What colour is it of ?
+
+Of it own colour too .
+
+'Tis a strange serpent .
+
+'Tis so ; and the tears of it are wet .
+
+Will this description satisfy him ?
+
+With the health that Pompey gives him , else he is a very epicure .
+
+Go hang , sir , hang ! Tell me of that ? away !
+Do as I bid you . Where's this cup I call'd for ?
+
+If for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me ,
+Rise from thy stool .
+
+I think thou'rt mad . The matter ?
+
+
+I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes .
+
+Thou hast serv'd me with much faith . What 's else to say ?
+Be jolly , lords .
+
+These quick-sands , Lepidus ,
+Keep off them , for you sink .
+
+Wilt thou be lord of all the world ?
+
+What sayst thou ?
+
+Wilt thou be lord of the whole world ? That 's twice .
+
+How should that be ?
+
+But entertain it ,
+And though thou think me poor , I am the man
+Will give thee all the world .
+
+Hast thou drunk well ?
+
+No , Pompey , I have kept me from the cup .
+Thou art , if thou dar'st be , the earthly Jove :
+Whate'er the ocean pales , or sky inclips ,
+Is thine , if thou wilt ha 't .
+
+Show me which way .
+
+These three world-sharers , these competitors ,
+Are in thy vessel : let me cut the cable ;
+And , when we are put off , fall to their throats :
+All there is thine .
+
+Ah ! this thou shouldst have done ,
+And not have spoke on 't . In me 'tis villany ;
+In thee 't had been good service . Thou must know
+'Tis not my profit that does lead mine honour ;
+Mine honour it . Repent that e'er thy tongue
+Hath so betray'd thine act ; being done unknown ,
+I should have found it afterwards well done ,
+But must condemn it now . Desist , and drink .
+
+For this ,
+I'll never follow thy pall'd fortunes more .
+Who seeks , and will not take when once 'tis offer'd ,
+Shall never find it more .
+
+This health to Lepidus !
+
+Bear him ashore . I'll pledge it for him , Pompey .
+
+Here's to thee , Menas !
+
+Enobarbus , welcome !
+
+Fill till the cup be hid .
+
+There's a strong fellow , Menas .
+
+
+Why ?
+
+A' bears the third part of the world , man ; see'st not ?
+
+The third part then is drunk ; would it were all ,
+That it might go on wheels !
+
+Drink thou ; increase the reels .
+
+Come .
+
+This is not yet an Alexandrian feast .
+
+It ripens towards it . Strike the vessels , ho !
+Here is to C sar !
+
+I could well forbear't .
+It's monstrous labour , when I wash my brain ,
+And it grows fouler .
+
+Be a child o' the time .
+
+Possess it , I'll make answer ;
+But I had rather fast from all four days
+Than drink so much in one .
+
+Ha ! my brave emperor ;
+Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals ,
+And celebrate our drink ?
+
+Let 's ha 't , good soldier .
+
+Come , let 's all take hands ,
+Till that the conquering wine hath steep'd our sense
+In soft and delicate Lethe .
+
+All take hands .
+Make battery to our ears with the loud music ;
+The while I'll place you ; then the boy shall sing ,
+The holding every man shall bear as loud
+As his strong sides can volley .
+
+
+Come , thou monarch of the vine ,
+Plumpy Bacchus , with pink eyne !
+In thy fats our cares be drown'd ,
+With thy grapes our hairs be crown'd :
+Cup us , till the world go round ,
+Cup us , till the world go round !
+
+What would you more ? Pompey , good night . Good brother ,
+Let me request you off ; our graver business
+Frowns at this levity . Gentle lords , let's part ;
+You see we have burnt our cheeks ; strong Enobarb
+Is weaker than the wine , and mine own tongue
+Splits what it speaks ; the wild disguise hath almost
+Antick'd us all . What needs more words ? Good night .
+Good Antony , your hand .
+
+I'll try you on the shore .
+
+And shall , sir . Give's your hand .
+
+O , Antony !
+You have my father s house ,But , what ? we are friends .
+Come down into the boat .
+
+Take heed you fall not .
+
+Menas , I'll not on shore .
+
+No , to my cabin .
+These drums ! these trumpets , flutes ! what !
+Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell
+To these great fellows : sound and be hang'd ! sound out !
+
+
+Hoo ! says a' . There's my cap .
+
+Hoo ! noble captain ! come .
+
+
+Now , darting Parthia , art thou struck ; and now
+Pleas'd fortune does of Marcus Crassus' death
+Make me revenger . Bear the king's son's body
+Before our army . Thy Pacorus , Orodes ,
+Pays this for Marcus Crassus .
+
+Noble Ventidius ,
+Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm ,
+The fugitive Parthians follow ; spur through Media ,
+Mesopotamia , and the shelters whither
+The routed fly ; so thy grand captain Antony
+Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and
+Put garlands on thy head .
+
+O Silius , Silius !
+I have done enough ; a lower place , note well ,
+May make too great an act ; for learn this , Silius ,
+Better to leave undone than by our deed
+Acquire too high a fame when him we serve's away .
+C sar and Antony have ever won
+More in their officer than person ; Sossius ,
+One of my place in Syria , his lieutenant ,
+For quick accumulation of renown ,
+Which he achiev'd by the minute , lost his favour .
+Who does i' the wars more than his captain can
+Becomes his captain's captain ; and ambition ,
+The soldier's virtue , rather makes choice of loss
+Than gain which darkens him .
+I could do more to do Antonius good ,
+But 'twould offend him ; and in his offence
+Should my performance perish .
+
+Thou hast , Ventidius , that
+Without the which a soldier , and his sword ,
+Grants scarce distinction . Thou wilt write to Antony ?
+
+I'll humbly signify what in his name ,
+That magical word of war , we have effected ;
+How , with his banners and his well-paid ranks ,
+The ne'er-yet-beaten horse of Parthia
+We have jaded out o' the field .
+
+Where is he now ?
+
+He purposeth to Athens ; whither , with what haste
+The weight we must convey with 's will permit ,
+We shall appear before him . On , there ; pass along .
+
+
+What ! are the brothers parted ?
+
+They have dispatch'd with Pompey ; he is gone ;
+The other three are sealing . Octavia weeps
+To part from Rome ; C sar is sad ; and Lepidus ,
+Since Pompey's feast , as Menas says , is troubled
+With the green sickness .
+
+'Tis a noble Lepidus .
+
+A very fine one . O ! how he loves C sar .
+
+Nay , but how dearly he adores Mark Antony !
+
+C sar ? Why , he's the Jupiter of men .
+
+What's Antony ? The god of Jupiter .
+
+Spake you of C sar ? How ! the non-pareil !
+
+O , Antony ! O thou Arabian bird !
+
+Would you praise C sar , say , 'C sar ,' go no further .
+
+Indeed , he plied them both with excellent praises .
+
+But he loves C sar best ; yet he loves Antony .
+Hoo ! hearts , tongues , figures , scribes , bards , poets , cannot
+Think , speak , cast , write , sing , number ; hoo !
+His love to Antony . But as for C sar ,
+Kneel down , kneel down , and wonder .
+
+Both he loves .
+
+They are his shards , and he their beetle .
+
+
+So ;
+This is to horse . Adieu , noble Agrippa .
+
+Good fortune , worthy soldier , and farewell .
+
+
+No further , sir .
+
+You take from me a great part of myself ;
+Use me well in't . Sister , prove such a wife
+As my thoughts make thee , and as my furthest band
+Shall pass on thy approof . Most noble Antony ,
+Let not the piece of virtue , which is set
+Betwixt us as the cement of our love
+To keep it builded , be the ram to batter
+The fortress of it ; for better might we
+Have lov'd without this mean , if on both parts
+This be not cherish'd .
+
+Make me not offended
+In your distrust .
+
+I have said .
+
+You shall not find ,
+Though you be therein curious , the least cause
+For what you seem to fear . So , the gods keep you ,
+And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends !
+We will here part .
+
+Farewell , my dearest sister , fare thee well :
+The elements be kind to thee , and make
+Thy spirits all of comfort ! fare thee well .
+
+My noble brother !
+
+The April's in her eyes ; it is love's spring ,
+And these the showers to bring it on . Be cheerful .
+
+Sir , look well to my husband's house ; and
+
+What ,
+Octavia ?
+
+I'll tell you in your ear .
+
+Her tongue will not obey her heart , nor can
+Her heart obey her tongue ; the swan's downfeather ,
+That stands upon the swell at full of tide ,
+And neither way inclines .
+
+Will C sar weep ?
+
+He has a cloud in's face .
+
+He were the worse for that were he a horse ;
+So is he , being a man .
+
+Why , Enobarbus ,
+When Antony found Julius C sar dead
+He cried almost to roaring ; and he wept
+When at Philippi he found Brutus slain .
+
+That year , indeed , he was troubled with a rheum ;
+What willingly he did confound he wail'd ,
+Believe 't , till I wept too .
+
+No , sweet Octavia ,
+You shall hear from me still ; the time shall not
+Out-go my thinking on you .
+
+Come , sir , come ;
+I'll wrestle with you in my strength of love :
+Look , here I have you ; thus I let you go ,
+And give you to the gods .
+
+Adieu ; be happy !
+
+Let all the number of the stars give light
+To thy fair way !
+
+Farewell , farewell !
+
+
+Farewell !
+
+
+Where is the fellow ?
+
+Half afeard to come .
+
+Go to , go to .
+
+Come hither , sir .
+
+Good majesty ,
+Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you
+But when you are well pleas'd .
+
+That Herod's head
+I'll have ; but how , when Antony is gone
+Through whom I might command it ? Come thou near .
+
+Most gracious majesty !
+
+Didst thou behold
+Octavia ?
+
+Ay , dread queen .
+
+Where ?
+
+Madam , in Rome ;
+I look'd her in the face , and saw her led
+Between her brother and Mark Antony .
+
+Is she as tall as me ?
+
+She is not , madam .
+
+Didst hear her speak ? is she shrill-tongu'd , or low ?
+
+Madam , I heard her speak ; she is low-voic'd .
+
+That's not so good . He cannot like her long .
+
+Like her ! O Isis ! 'tis impossible .
+
+I think so , Charmian : dull of tongue , and dwarfish !
+What majesty is in her gait ? Remember ,
+If e'er thou look'dst on majesty .
+
+She creeps ;
+Her motion and her station are as one ;
+She shows a body rather than a life ,
+A statue than a breather .
+
+Is this certain ?
+
+Or I have no observance .
+
+Three in Egypt
+Cannot make better note .
+
+He's very knowing ,
+I do perceive 't . There's nothing in her yet .
+The fellow has good judgment .
+
+Excellent .
+
+Guess at her years , I prithee .
+
+Madam ,
+She was a widow ,
+
+Widow ! Charmian , hark .
+
+And I do think she's thirty .
+
+Bear'st thou her face in mind ? is't long or round ?
+
+Round even to faultiness .
+
+For the most part , too , they are foolish that are so .
+Her hair , what colour ?
+
+Brown , madam ; and her forehead
+As low as she would wish it .
+
+There's gold for thee :
+Thou must not take my former sharpness ill .
+I will employ thee back again ; I find thee
+Most fit for business . Go , make thee ready ;
+Our letters are prepar'd .
+
+
+A proper man .
+
+Indeed , he is so ; I repent me much
+That so I harried him . Why , methinks , by him ,
+This creature's no such thing .
+
+Nothing , madam .
+
+The man hath seen some majesty , and should know .
+
+Hath he seen majesty ? Isis else defend ,
+And serving you so long !
+
+I have one thing more to ask him yet , good Charmian :
+But 'tis no matter ; thou shalt bring him to me
+Where I will write . All may be well enough .
+
+I warrant you , madam .
+
+
+Nay , nay , Octavia , not only that ,
+That were excusable , that , and thousands more
+Of semblable import , but he hath wag'd
+New wars 'gainst Pompey ; made his will , and read it
+To public ear :
+Spoke scantly of me ; when perforce he could not
+But pay me terms of honour , cold and sickly
+He vented them ; most narrow measure lent me ;
+When the best hint was given him , he not took 't ,
+Or did it from his teeth .
+
+O my good lord !
+Believe not all ; or , if you must believe ,
+Stomach not all . A more unhappy lady ,
+If this division chance , ne'er stood between ,
+Praying for both parts :
+The good gods will mock me presently ,
+When I shall pray , 'O ! bless my lord and husband ;'
+Undo that prayer , by crying out as loud ,
+'O ! bless my brother !' Husband win , win brother ,
+Prays , and destroys the prayer ; no midway
+'Twixt these extremes at all .
+
+Gentle Octavia ,
+Let your best love draw to that point which seeks
+Best to preserve it . If I lose mine honour
+I lose myself ; better I were not yours
+Than yours so branchless . But , as you requested ,
+Yourself shall go between's ; the mean time , lady ,
+I'll raise the preparation of a war
+Shall stain your brother ; make your soonest haste ,
+So your desires are yours .
+
+Thanks to my lord .
+The Jove of power make me most weak , most weak ,
+Your reconciler ! Wars 'twixt you twain would be
+As if the world should cleave , and that slain men
+Should solder up the rift .
+
+When it appears to you where this begins ,
+Turn your displeasure that way ; for our faults
+Can never be so equal that your love
+Can equally move with them . Provide your going ;
+Choose your own company , and command what cost
+Your heart has mind to .
+
+
+How now , friend Eros !
+
+There's strange news come , sir .
+
+What , man ?
+
+C sar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey .
+
+This is old : what is the success ?
+
+C sar , having made use of him in the wars 'gainst Pompey , presently denied him rivality , would not let him partake in the glory of the action ; and not resting here , accuses him of letters he had formerly wrote to Pompey ; upon his own appeal , seizes him : so the poor third is up , till death enlarge his confine .
+
+Then , world , thou hast a pair of chaps , no more ;
+And throw between them all the food thou hast ,
+They'll grind the one the other . Where's Antony ?
+
+He's walking in the garden thus : and spurns
+The rush that lies before him ; cries , 'Fool , Lepidus !'
+And threats the throat of that his officer
+That murder'd Pompey .
+
+Our great navy's rigg'd .
+
+For Italy and C sar . More , Domitius ;
+My lord desires you presently : my news
+I might have told hereafter .
+
+'Twill be naught ;
+But let it be . Bring me to Antony .
+
+Come , sir .
+
+
+Contemning Rome , he has done all this and more
+In Alexandria ; here's the manner of 't ;
+I' the market-place , on a tribunal silver'd ,
+Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold
+Were publicly enthron'd ; at the feet sat
+C sarion , whom they call my father's son ,
+And all the unlawful issue that their lust
+Since then hath made between them . Unto her
+He gave the 'stablishment of Egypt ; made her
+Of Lower Syria , Cyprus , Lydia ,
+Absolute queen .
+
+This in the public eye ?
+
+I' the common show-place , where they exercise .
+His sons he there proclaim'd the kings of kings ;
+Great Media , Parthia , and Armenia
+He gave to Alexander ; to Ptolemy he assign'd
+Syria , Cilicia , and Ph nicia . She
+In the habiliments of the goddess Isis
+That day appear'd ; and oft before gave audience ,
+As 'tis reported , so .
+
+Let Rome be thus
+Informed .
+
+Who , queasy with his insolence
+Already , will their good thoughts call from him .
+
+The people know it ; and have now receiv'd
+His accusations .
+
+Whom does he accuse ?
+
+C sar ; and that , having in Sicily
+Sextus Pompeius spoil'd , we had not rated him
+His part o' the isle ; then does he say , he lent me
+Some shipping unrestor'd ; lastly , he frets
+That Lepidus of the triumvirate
+Should be depos'd ; and , being , that we detain
+All his revenue .
+
+Sir , this should be answer'd .
+
+'Tis done already , and the messenger gone .
+I have told him , Lepidus was grown too cruel ;
+That he his high authority abus'd ,
+And did deserve his change : for what I have conquer'd ,
+I grant him part ; but then , in his Armenia ,
+And other of his conquer'd kingdoms , I
+Demand the like .
+
+He'll never yield to that .
+
+Nor must not then be yielded to in this .
+
+
+Hail , C sar , and my lord ! hail , most dear C sar !
+
+That ever I should call thee cast-away !
+
+You have not call'd me so , nor have you cause .
+
+Why have you stol'n upon us thus ? You come not
+Like C sar's sister ; the wife of Antony
+Should have an army for an usher , and
+The neighs of horse to tell of her approach
+Long ere she did appear ; the trees by the way
+Should have borne men ; and expectation fainted ,
+Longing for what it had not ; nay , the dust
+Should have ascended to the roof of heaven ,
+Rais'd by your populous troops . But you are come
+A market-maid to Rome , and have prevented
+The ostentation of our love , which , left unshown ,
+Is often left unlov'd : we should have met you
+By sea and land , supplying every stage
+With an augmented greeting .
+
+Good my lord ,
+To come thus was I not constrain'd , but did it
+On my free-will . My lord , Mark Antony ,
+Hearing that you prepar'd for war , acquainted
+My grieved ear withal ; whereon , I begg'd
+His pardon for return .
+
+Which soon he granted ,
+Being an obstruct 'tween his lust and him .
+
+Do not say so , my lord .
+
+I have eyes upon him ,
+And his affairs come to me on the wind .
+Where is he now ?
+
+My lord , in Athens .
+
+No , my most wrong'd sister ; Cleopatra
+Hath nodded him to her . He hath given his empire
+Up to a whore ; who now are levying
+The kings o' the earth for war . He hath assembled
+Bocchus , the King of Libya ; Archelaus ,
+Of Cappadocia ; Philadelphos , King
+Of Paphlagonia ; the Thracian king , Adallas ;
+King Malchus of Arabia ; King of Pont ;
+Herod of Jewry ; Mithridates , King
+Of Comagene ; Polemon and Amintas ,
+The Kings of Mede and Lycaonia ,
+With a more larger list of sceptres .
+
+Ay me , most wretched ,
+That have my heart parted betwixt two friends
+That do afflict each other !
+
+Welcome hither :
+Your letters did withhold our breaking forth ,
+Till we perceiv'd both how you were wrong led
+And we in negligent danger . Cheer your heart ;
+Be you not troubled with the time , which drives
+O'er your content these strong necessities ,
+But let determin'd things to destiny
+Hold unbewail'd their way . Welcome to Rome ;
+Nothing more dear to me . You are abus'd
+Beyond the mark of thought , and the high gods ,
+To do you justice , make their ministers
+Of us and those that love you . Best of comfort ,
+And ever welcome to us .
+
+Welcome , lady .
+
+Welcome , dear madam .
+Each heart in Rome does love and pity you ;
+Only the adulterous Antony , most large
+In his abominations , turns you off ,
+And gives his potent regiment to a trull ,
+That noises it against us .
+
+Is it so , sir ?
+
+Most certain . Sister , welcome ; pray you ,
+Be ever known to patience ; my dearest sister !
+
+
+I will be even with thee , doubt it not .
+
+But why , why , why ?
+
+Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars ,
+And sayst it is not fit .
+
+Well , is it , is it ?
+
+If not denounc'd against us , why should not we
+Be there in person ?
+
+Well , I could reply :
+If we should serve with horse and mares together ,
+The horse were merely lost ; the mares would bear
+A soldier and his horse .
+
+What is 't you say ?
+
+Your presence needs must puzzle Antony ;
+Take from his heart , take from his brain , from 's time ,
+What should not then be spar'd . He is already
+Traduc'd for levity , and 'tis said in Rome
+That Photinus a eunuch and your maids
+Manage this war .
+
+Sink Rome , and their tongues rot
+That speak against us ! A charge we bear i' the war ,
+And , as the president of my kingdom , will
+Appear there for a man . Speak not against it ;
+I will not stay behind .
+
+Nay , I have done .
+Here comes the emperor .
+
+
+Is it not strange , Canidius ,
+That from Tarentum and Brundusium
+He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea ,
+And take in Toryne ? You have heard on 't , sweet ?
+
+Celerity is never more admir'd
+Than by the negligent .
+
+A good rebuke ,
+Which might have well becom'd the best of men ,
+To taunt at slackness . Canidius , we
+Will fight with him by sea .
+
+By sea ! What else ?
+
+Why will my lord do so ?
+
+For that he dares us to 't .
+
+So hath my lord dar'd him to single fight .
+
+Ay , and to wage his battle at Pharsalia ,
+Where C sar fought with Pompey ; but these offers ,
+Which serve not for his vantage , he shakes off ;
+And so should you .
+
+Your ships are not well mann'd ;
+Your mariners are muleters , reapers , people
+Ingross'd by swift impress ; in C sar's fleet
+Are those that often have gainst Pompey fought :
+Their ships are yare ; yours , heavy . No disgrace
+Shall fall you for refusing him at sea ,
+Being prepar'd for land .
+
+By sea , by sea .
+
+Most worthy sir , you therein throw away
+The absolute soldiership you have by land ;
+Distract your army , which doth most consist
+Of war-mark'd footmen ; leave unexecuted
+Your own renowned knowledge ; quite forego
+The way which promises assurance ; and
+Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard
+From firm security .
+
+I'll fight at sea .
+
+I have sixty sails , C sar none better .
+
+Our overplus of shipping will we burn ;
+And with the rest , full-mann'd , from the head of Actium
+Beat the approaching C sar . But if we fail ,
+We then can do 't at land .
+
+Thy business ?
+
+The news is true , my lord ; he is descried ;
+C sar has taken Toryne .
+
+Can he be there in person ? 'tis impossible ;
+Strange that his power should be . Canidius ,
+Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land ,
+And our twelve thousand horse . We'll to our ship :
+Away , my Thetis !
+
+How now , worthy soldier !
+
+O noble emperor ! do not fight by sea ;
+Trust not to rotten planks : do you misdoubt
+This sword and these my wounds ? Let the Egyptians
+And the Ph nicians go a-ducking ; we
+Have used to conquer , standing on the earth ,
+And fighting foot to foot .
+
+Well , well : away !
+
+
+By Hercules , I think I am i' the right .
+
+Soldier , thou art ; but his whole action grows
+Not in the power on 't : so our leader's led ,
+And we are women's men .
+
+You keep by land
+The legions and the horse whole , do you not ?
+
+Marcus Octavius , Marcus Justeius ,
+Publicola , and C lius , are for sea ;
+But we keep whole by land . This speed of C sar's
+Carries beyond belief .
+
+While he was yet in Rome
+His power went out in such distractions as
+Beguil'd all spies .
+
+Who's his lieutenant , hear you ?
+
+They say , one Taurus .
+
+Well I know the man .
+
+
+The emperor calls Canidius .
+
+With news the time's with labour , and throes forth
+Each minute some .
+
+
+Taurus !
+
+My lord ?
+
+Strike not by land ; keep whole : provoke not battle .
+Till we have done at sea . Do not exceed
+The prescript of this scroll : our fortune lies
+Upon this jump .
+
+Set we our squadrons on yond side o' the hill ,
+In eye of C sar's battle ; from which place
+We may the number of the ships behold ,
+And so proceed accordingly .
+
+
+Naught , naught , all naught ! I can behold no longer .
+The Antoniad , the Egyptian admiral ,
+With all their sixty , fly , and turn the rudder ;
+To see 't mine eyes are blasted .
+
+
+Gods and goddesses ,
+All the whole synod of them !
+
+What's thy passion ?
+
+The greater cantle of the world is lost
+With very ignorance ; we have kiss'd away
+Kingdoms and provinces .
+
+How appears the fight ?
+
+On our side like the token'd pestilence ,
+Where death is sure . Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt ,
+Whom leprosy o'ertake ! i' the midst o' the fight ,
+When vantage like a pair of twins appear'd ,
+Both as the same , or rather ours the elder ,
+The breese upon her , like a cow in June ,
+Hoists sails and flies .
+
+That I beheld :
+Mine eyes did sicken at the sight , and could not
+Endure a further view .
+
+She once being loof'd ,
+The noble ruin of her magic , Antony ,
+Clapson his sea-wing , and like a doting mallard ,
+Leaving the fight in height , flies after her .
+I never saw an action of such shame ;
+Experience , manhood , honour , ne'er before
+Did violate so itself .
+
+Alack , alack !
+
+
+Our fortune on the sea is out of breath ,
+And sinks most lamentably . Had our general
+Been what he knew himself , it had gone well :
+O ! he has given example for our flight
+Most grossly by his own .
+
+Ay , are you thereabouts ?
+Why , then , good night , indeed .
+
+Towards Peloponnesus are they fled .
+
+'Tis easy to 't ; and there I will attend
+What further comes .
+
+To C sar will I render
+My legions and my horse ; six kings already
+Show me the way of yielding .
+
+I'll yet follow
+The wounded chance of Antony , though my reason
+Sits in the wind against me .
+
+
+Hark ! the land bids me tread no more upon 't ;
+It is asham'd to bear me . Friends , come hither :
+I am so lated in the world that I
+Have lost my way for ever . I have a ship
+Laden with gold ; take that , divide it ; fly ,
+And make your peace with C sar .
+
+Fly ! not we .
+
+I have fled myself , and have instructed cowards
+To run and show their shoulders . Friends , be gone ;
+I have myself resolv'd upon a course
+Which has no need of you ; be gone :
+My treasure's in the harbour , take it . O !
+I follow'd that I blush to look upon :
+My very hairs do mutiny , for the white
+Reprove the brown for rashness , and they them
+For fear and doting . Friends , be gone ; you shall
+Have letters from me to some friends that will
+Sweep your way for you . Pray you , look not sad ,
+Nor make replies of loathness ; take the hint
+Which my despair proclaims ; let that be left
+Which leaves itself ; to the sea-side straightway ;
+I will possess you of that ship and treasure .
+Leave me , I pray , a little ; pray you now :
+Nay , do so ; for , indeed , I have lost command ,
+Therefore I pray you . I'll see you by and by .
+
+Nay , gentle madam , to him , comfort him .
+
+Do , most dear queen .
+
+Do ! Why , what else ?
+
+Let me sit down . O Juno !
+
+No , no , no , no , no .
+
+See you here , sir ?
+
+O fie , fie , fie !
+
+Madam !
+
+Madam ; O good empress !
+
+Sir , sir !
+
+Yes , my lord , yes . He , at Philippi kept
+His sword e'en like a dancer , while I struck
+The lean and wrinkled Cassius ; and 'twas I
+That the mad Brutus ended : he alone
+Dealt on lieutenantry , and no practice had
+In the brave squares of war : yet now No matter .
+
+Ah ! stand by .
+
+The queen , my lord , the queen .
+
+Go to him , madam , speak to him ;
+He is unqualitied with very shame .
+
+Well then , sustain me : O !
+
+Most noble sir , arise ; the queen approaches :
+Her head's declin'd , and death will seize her , but
+Your comfort makes the rescue .
+
+I have offended reputation ,
+A most unnoble swerving .
+
+Sir , the queen .
+
+O ! whither hast thou led me , Egypt ? See ,
+How I convey my shame out of thine eyes
+By looking back what I have left behind
+'Stroy'd in dishonour .
+
+O my lord , my lord !
+Forgive my fearful sails : I little thought
+You would have follow'd .
+
+Egypt , thou knew'st too well
+My heart was to thy rudder tied by the strings ,
+And thou shouldst tow me after ; o'er my spirit
+Thy full supremacy thou knew'st , and that
+Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods
+Command me .
+
+O ! my pardon .
+
+Now I must
+To the young man send humble treaties , dodge
+And palter in the shifts of lowness , who
+With half the bulk o' the world play'd as I pleas'd ,
+Making and marring fortunes . You did know
+How much you were my conqueror , and that
+My sword , made weak by my affection , would
+Obey it on all cause .
+
+Pardon , pardon !
+
+Fall not a tear , I say ; one of them rates
+All that is won and lost . Give me a kiss ;
+Even this repays me . We sent our schoolmaster ;
+Is he come back ? Love , I am full of lead .
+Some wine , within there , and our viands ! Fortune knows ,
+We scorn her most when most she offers blows .
+
+Let him appear that's come from Antony .
+Know you him ?
+
+C sar , 'tis his schoolmaster :
+An argument that he is pluck'd , when hither
+He sends so poor a pinion of his wing ,
+Which had superfluous kings for messengers
+Not many moons gone by .
+
+
+Approach , and speak .
+
+Such as I am , I come from Antony :
+I was of late as petty to his ends
+As is the morn-dew on the myrtle-leaf
+To his grand sea .
+
+Be 't so . Declare thine office .
+
+Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee , and
+Requires to live in Egypt ; which not granted ,
+He lessens his requests , and to thee sues
+To let him breathe between the heavens and earth ,
+A private man in Athens ; this for him .
+Next , Cleopatra does confess thy greatness ,
+Submits her to thy might , and of thee craves
+The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs ,
+Now hazarded to thy grace .
+
+For Antony ,
+I have no ears to his request . The queen
+Of audience nor desire shall fail , so she
+From Egypt drive her all-disgraced friend ,
+Or take his life there ; this if she perform ,
+She shall not sue unheard . So to them both .
+
+Fortune pursue thee !
+
+Bring him through the bands .
+
+From Antony win Cleopatra ; promise ,
+And in our name , what she requires ; add more ,
+From thine invention , offers . Women are not
+In their best fortunes strong , but want will perjure
+The ne'er-touch'd vestal . Try thy cunning , Thyreus ;
+Make thine own edict for thy pains , which we
+
+Will answer as a law .
+
+C sar , I go .
+
+Observe how Antony becomes his flaw ,
+And what thou think'st his very action speaks
+In every power that moves .
+
+C sar , I shall .
+
+What shall we do , Enobarbus ?
+
+Think , and die .
+
+Is Antony or we , in fault for this ?
+
+Antony only , that would make his will
+Lord of his reason . What though you fled
+From that great face of war , whose several ranges
+Frighted each other , why should he follow ?
+The itch of his affection should not then
+Have nick'd his captainship ; at such a point ,
+When half to half the world oppos'd , he being
+The mered question . 'Twas a shame no less
+Than was his loss , to course your flying flags ,
+And leave his navy gazing .
+
+Prithee , peace .
+
+
+Is that his answer ?
+
+Ay , my lord .
+
+The queen shall then have courtesy , so she
+Will yield us up ?
+
+He says so .
+
+Let her know't .
+To the boy C sar send this grizzled head ,
+And he will fill thy wishes to the brim
+With principalities .
+
+That head , my lord ?
+
+To him again . Tell him he wears the rose
+Of youth upon him , from which the world should note
+Something particular ; his coin , ships , legions ,
+May be a coward's , whose ministers would prevail
+Under the service of a child as soon
+As i' the command of C sar : I dare him therefore
+To lay his gay comparisons apart ,
+And answer me declin'd , sword against sword ,
+Ourselves alone . I'll write it : follow me .
+
+
+Yes , like enough , high-battled C sar will
+Unstate his happiness , and be stag'd to the show
+Against a sworder ! I see men's judgments are
+A parcel of their fortunes , and things outward
+Do draw the inward quality after them ,
+To suffer all alike . That he should dream ,
+Knowing all measures , the full C sar will
+Answer his emptiness ! C sar , thou hast subdu'd
+His judgment too .
+
+
+A messenger from C sar .
+
+What ! no more ceremony ? See ! my women ;
+Against the blown rose may they stop their nose ,
+That kneel'd unto the buds . Admit him , sir .
+
+
+Mine honesty and I begin to square .
+The loyalty well held to fools does make
+Our faith mere folly ; yet he that can endure
+To follow with allegiance a fall'n lord ,
+Does conquer him that did his master conquer ,
+And earns a place i' the story .
+
+
+C sar's will ?
+
+Hear it apart .
+
+None but friends ; say boldly .
+
+So , haply , are they friends to Antony .
+
+He needs as many , sir , as C sar has ,
+Or needs not us . If C sar please , our master
+Will leap to be his friend ; for us , you know
+Whose he is we are , and that is C sar's .
+
+So .
+Thus then , thou most renown'd : C sar entreats ,
+Not to consider in what case thou stand'st ,
+Further than he is C sar .
+
+Go on ; right royal .
+
+He knows that you embrace not Antony
+As you did love , but as you fear'd him .
+
+O !
+
+The scars upon your honour therefore he
+Does pity , as constrained blemishes ,
+Not as deserv'd .
+
+He is a god , and knows
+What is most right . Mine honour was not yielded ,
+But conquer'd merely .
+
+To be sure of that ,
+I will ask Antony . Sir , sir , thou'rt so leaky ,
+That we must leave thee to thy sinking , for
+Thy dearest quit thee .
+
+
+Shall I say to C sar
+What you require of him ? for he partly begs
+To be desir'd to give . It much would please him ,
+That of his fortunes you should make a staff
+To lean upon ; but it would warm his spirits
+To hear from me you had left Antony ,
+And put yourself under his shroud ,
+The universal landlord .
+
+What's your name ?
+
+My name is Thyreus .
+
+Most kind messenger ,
+Say to great C sar this : in deputation
+I kiss his conqu'ring hand ; tell him , I am prompt
+To lay my crown at 's feet , and there to kneel ;
+Tell him , from his all-obeying breath I hear
+The doom of Egypt .
+
+'Tis your noblest course .
+Wisdom and fortune combating together ,
+If that the former dare but what it can ,
+No chance may shake it . Give me grace to lay
+My duty on your hand .
+
+Your C sar's father oft ,
+When he hath mus'd of taking kingdoms in ,
+Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place ,
+As it rain'd kisses .
+
+
+Favours , by Jove that thunders !
+What art thou , fellow ?
+
+One that but performs
+The bidding of the fullest man , and worthiest
+To have command obey'd .
+
+You will be whipp'd .
+
+Approach there ! Ah , you kite ! Now , gods and devils !
+Authority melts from me : of late , when I cried 'Ho !'
+Like boys unto a muss , kings would start forth ,
+And cry , 'Your will ?' Have you no ears ? I am
+Antony yet .
+
+Take hence this Jack and whip him .
+
+'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp
+Than with an old one dying .
+
+Moon and stars !
+Whip him . Were't twenty of the greatest tributaries
+That do acknowledge C sar , should I find them
+So saucy with the hand of she here , what's her name ,
+Since she was Cleopatra ? Whip him , fellows ,
+Till , like a boy , you see him cringe his face
+And whine aloud for mercy ; take him hence .
+
+Mark Antony ,
+
+Tug him away ; being whipp'd ,
+Bring him again ; this Jack of C sar's shall
+Bear us an errand to him .
+
+You were half blasted ere I knew you : ha !
+Have I my pillow left unpress'd in Rome ,
+Forborne the getting of a lawful race ,
+And by a gem of women , to be abus'd
+By one that looks on feeders ?
+
+Good my lord ,
+
+You have been a boggler ever :
+But when we in our viciousness grow hard ,
+O misery on 't !the wise gods seel our eyes ;
+In our own filth drop our clear judgments ; make us
+Adore our errors ; laugh at 's while we strut
+To our confusion .
+
+O ! is't come to this ?
+
+I found you as a morsel , cold upon
+Dead C sar's trencher ; nay , you were a fragment
+Of Cneius Pompey's ; besides what hotter hours ,
+Unregister'd in vulgar fame , you have
+Luxuriously pick'd out ; for , I am sure ,
+Though you can guess what temperance should be ,
+You know not what it is .
+
+Wherefore is this ?
+
+To let a fellow that will take rewards
+And say 'God quit you !' be familiar with
+My playfellow , your hand ; this kingly seal
+And plighter of high hearts . O ! that I were
+Upon the hill of Basan , to outroar
+The horned herd ; for I have savage cause ;
+And to proclaim it civilly were like
+A halter'd neck , which does the hangman thank
+For being yare about him .
+
+Is he whipp'd ?
+
+Soundly , my lord .
+
+Cried he ? and begg'd a' pardon ?
+
+He did ask favour .
+
+If that thy father live , let him repent
+Thou wast not made his daughter ; and be thou sorry
+To follow C sar in his triumph , since
+Thou hast been whipp'd for following him : henceforth ,
+The white hand of a lady fever thee ,
+Shake thou to look on 't . Get thee back to C sar ,
+Tell him thy entertainment ; look , thou say
+He makes me angry with him ; for he seems
+Proud and disdainful , harping on what I am ,
+Not what he knew I was : he makes me angry ;
+And at this time most easy 'tis to do 't ,
+When my good stars , that were my former guides ,
+Have empty left their orbs , and shot their fires
+Into the abysm of hell . If he mislike
+My speech and what is done , tell him he has
+Hipparchus , my enfranched bondman , whom
+He may at pleasure whip , or hang , or torture ,
+As he shall like , to quit me : urge it thou :
+Hence with thy stripes ; be gone !
+
+
+Have you done yet ?
+
+Alack ! our terrene moon
+Is now eclips'd ; and it portends alone
+The fall of Antony .
+
+I must stay his time .
+
+To flatter C sar , would you mingle eyes
+With one that ties his points ?
+
+Not know me yet ?
+
+Cold-hearted toward me ?
+
+Ah ! dear , if I be so ,
+From my cold heart let heaven engender hail ,
+And poison it in the source ; and the first stone
+Drop in my neck : as it determines , so
+Dissolve my life . The next C sarion smite ,
+Till by degrees the memory of my womb ,
+Together with my brave Egyptians all ,
+By the discandying of this pelleted storm ,
+Lie graveless , till the flies and gnats of Nile
+Have buried them for prey !
+
+I am satisfied .
+C sar sits down in Alexandria , where
+I will oppose his fate . Our force by land
+Hath nobly held ; our sever'd navy too
+Have knit again , and fleet , threat'ning most sea-like .
+Where hast thou been , my heart ? Dost thou hear , lady ?
+If from the field I shall return once more
+To kiss these lips , I will appear in blood ;
+I and my sword will earn our chronicle :
+There's hope in 't yet .
+
+That's my brave lord !
+
+I will betreble-sinew'd , hearted , breath'd ,
+And fight maliciously ; for when mine hours
+Were nice and lucky , men did ransom lives
+Of me for jests ; but now I'll set my teeth ,
+And send to darkness all that stop me . Come ,
+Let's have one other gaudy night : call to me
+All my sad captains ; fill our bowls once more ;
+Let's mock the midnight bell .
+
+It is my birth-day :
+I had thought to have held it poor ; but , since my lord
+Is Antony again , I will be Cleopatra .
+
+We will yet do well .
+
+Call all his noble captains to my lord .
+
+Do so , we'll speak to them ; and to-night I'll force
+The wine peep through their scars . Come on , my queen ;
+There's sap in 't yet . The next time I do fight
+I'll make death love me , for I will contend
+Even with his pestilent scythe .
+
+
+Now he'll outstare the lightning . To be furious
+Is to be frighted out of fear , and in that mood
+The dove will peck the estridge ; and I see still ,
+A diminution in our captain's brain
+Restores his heart . When valour preys on reason
+It eats the sword it fights with . I will seek
+Some way to leave him .
+
+He calls me boy , and chides as he had power
+To beat me out of Egypt ; my messenger
+He hath whipp'd with rods ; dares me to personal combat ,
+C sar to Antony . Let the old ruffian know
+I have many other ways to die ; meantime
+Laugh at his challenge .
+
+C sar must think ,
+When one so great begins to rage , he's hunted
+Even to falling . Give him no breath , but now
+Make boot of his distraction : never anger
+Made good guard for itself .
+
+Let our best heads
+Know that to-morrow the last of many battles
+We mean to fight . Within our files there are ,
+Of those that serv'd Mark Antony but late ,
+Enough to fetch him in . See it done ;
+And feast the army ; we have store to do 't ,
+And they have earn'd the waste . Poor Antony !
+
+
+He will not fight with me , Domitius .
+
+No .
+
+Why should he not ?
+
+He thinks , being twenty times of better fortune ,
+He is twenty men to one .
+
+To-morrow , soldier ,
+By sea and land I'll fight : or I will live ,
+Or bathe my dying honour in the blood
+Shall make it live again . Woo't thou fight well ?
+
+I'll strike , and cry , 'Take all .'
+
+Well said ; come on .
+Call forth my household servants ; let's to-night
+Be bounteous at our meal .
+
+
+Give me thy hand ,
+Thou hast been rightly honest ; so hast thou ;
+Thou ; and thou , and thou : you have serv'd me well ,
+
+And kings have been your fellows .
+
+What means this ?
+
+'Tis one of those odd tricks which sorrow shoots
+Out of the mind .
+
+And thou art honest too .
+I wish I could be made so many men ,
+And all of you clapp'd up together in
+An Antony , that I might do you service
+So good as you have done .
+
+The gods forbid !
+
+Well , my good fellows , wait on me to-night ,
+Scant not my cups , and make as much of me
+As when mine empire was your fellow too ,
+And suffer'd my command .
+
+What does he mean ?
+
+To make his followers weep .
+
+Tend me to-night ;
+May be it is the period of your duty :
+Haply , you shall not see me more ; or if ,
+A mangled shadow : perchance to-morrow
+You'll serve another master . I look on you
+As one that takes his leave . Mine honest friends ,
+I turn you not away ; but , like a master
+Married to your good service , stay till death .
+Tend me to-night two hours , I ask no more ,
+And the gods yield you for 't !
+
+What mean you , sir ,
+To give them this discomfort ? Look , they weep ;
+And I , an ass , am onion-ey'd : for shame ,
+Transform us not to women .
+
+Ho , ho , ho !
+Now , the witch take me , if I meant it thus !
+Grace grow where those drops fall ! My hearty friends ,
+You take me in too dolorous a sense ,
+For I spake to you for your comfort ; did desire you
+To burn this night with torches . Know , my hearts ,
+I hope well of to-morrow ; and will lead you
+Where rather I'll expect victorious life
+Than death and honour . Let's to supper , come ,
+And drown consideration .
+
+
+Brother , good night ; to-morrow is the day .
+
+It will determine one way ; fare you well .
+Heard you of nothing strange about the streets ?
+
+Nothing . What news ?
+
+Belike , 'tis but a rumour . Good night to you .
+
+Well , sir , good night .
+
+
+Soldiers , have careful watch .
+
+And you . Good night , good night .
+
+
+Here we :
+
+And if to-morrow
+Our navy thrive , I have an absolute hope
+Our landmen will stand up .
+
+'Tis a brave army ,
+And full of purpose .
+
+
+Peace ! what noise ?
+
+List , list !
+
+Hark !
+
+Music i' the air .
+
+Under the earth .
+
+It signs well , does it not ?
+
+No .
+
+Peace , I say !
+What should this mean ?
+
+'Tis the god Hercules , whom Antony lov'd ,
+Now leaves him .
+
+Walk ; let's see if other watchmen
+Do hear what we do .
+
+
+How now , masters !
+
+How now !
+How now !do you hear this ?
+
+Ay ; is 't not strange ?
+
+Do you hear , masters ? do you hear ?
+
+Follow the noise so far as we have quarter ;
+Let's see how 't will give off .
+
+Content .'Tis strange .
+
+
+Eros ! mine armour , Eros !
+
+Sleep a little .
+
+No , my chuck . Eros , come ; mine armour , Eros !
+
+Come , good fellow , put mine iron on :
+If Fortune be not ours to-day , it is
+Because we brave her . Come .
+
+Nay , I'll help too .
+What's this for ?
+
+Ah ! let be , let be ; thou art
+The armourer of my heart : false , false ; this , this .
+
+Sooth , la ! I'll help : thus it must be .
+
+Well , well ;
+We shall thrive now . Seest thou , my good fellow ?
+Go put on thy defences .
+
+Briefly , sir .
+
+Is not this buckled well ?
+
+Rarely , rarely :
+He that unbuckles this , till we do please
+To daff 't for our repose , shall hear a storm .
+Thou fumblest , Eros ; and my queen's a squire
+More tight at this than thou : dispatch . O love !
+That thou couldst see my wars to-day , and knew'st
+The royal occupation , thou shouldst see
+A workman in 't .
+
+
+Good morrow to thee ; welcome ;
+Thou look'st like him that knows a war-like charge :
+To business that we love we rise betime ,
+
+And go to 't with delight .
+
+A thousand , sir ,
+Early though 't be , have on their riveted trim ,
+And at the port expect you .
+
+The morn is fair . Good morrow , general .
+
+Good morrow , general .
+
+'Tis well blown , lads .
+This morning , like the spirit of a youth
+That means to be of note , begins betimes .
+So , so ; come , give me that : this way ; well said .
+Fare thee well , dame , whate'er becomes of me ;
+This is a soldier's kiss .
+
+Rebukeable
+And worthy shameful check it were , to stand
+On more mechanic compliment ; I'll leave thee
+Now , like a man of steel . You that will fight ,
+Follow me close ; I'll bring you to 't . Adieu .
+
+
+Please you , retire to your chamber .
+
+Lead me .
+He goes forth gallantly . That he and C sar might
+Determine this great war in single fight !
+Then , Antony ,but now .Well , on .
+
+
+The gods make this a happy day to Antony !
+
+Would thou and those thy scars had once prevail'd
+To make me fight at land !
+
+Hadst thou done so ,
+The kings that have revolted , and the soldier
+That has this morning left thee , would have still
+Follow'd thy heels .
+
+Who's gone this morning ?
+
+Who !
+One ever near thee : call for Enobarbus ,
+He shall not hear thee ; or from C sar's camp
+Say , 'I am none of thine .'
+
+What sayst thou ?
+
+Sir ,
+He is with C sar .
+
+Sir , his chests and treasure
+He has not with him .
+
+Is he gone ?
+
+Most certain .
+
+Go , Eros , send his treasure after ; do it ;
+Detain no jot , I charge thee . Write to him
+I will subscribe gentle adieus and greetings ;
+Say that I wish he never find more cause
+To change a master . O ! my fortunes have
+Corrupted honest men . Dispatch . Enobarbus !
+
+
+Go forth , Agrippa , and begin the fight :
+Our will is Antony be took alive ;
+Make it so known .
+
+C sar , I shall .
+
+
+The time of universal peace is near :
+Prove this a prosperous day , the three-nook'd world
+Shall bear the olive freely .
+
+
+Antony
+Is come into the field .
+
+Go charge Agrippa
+Plant those that have revolted in the van ,
+That Antony may seem to spend his fury
+Upon himself .
+
+
+Alexas did revolt , and went to Jewry on
+Affairs of Antony ; there did persuade
+Great Herod to incline himself to C sar ,
+And leave his master Antony : for this pains
+C sar hath hang'd him . Canidius and the rest
+That fell away have entertainment , but
+No honourable trust . I have done ill ,
+Of which I do accuse myself so sorely
+That I will joy no more .
+
+
+Enobarbus , Antony
+Hath after thee sent all thy treasure , with
+His bounty overplus : the messenger
+Came on my guard ; and at thy tent is now
+Unloading of his mules .
+
+I give it you .
+
+Mock not , Enobarbus .
+I tell you true : best you saf'd the bringer
+Out of the host ; I must attend mine office
+Or would have done 't myself . Your emperor
+Continues still a Jove .
+
+
+I am alone the villain of the earth ,
+And feel I am so most . O Antony !
+Thou mine of bounty , how wouldst thou have paid
+My better service , when my turpitude
+Thou dost so crown with gold ! This blows my heart :
+If swift thought break it not , a swifter mean
+Shall outstrike thought ; but thought will do 't , I feel .
+I fight against thee ! No : I will go seek
+Some ditch , wherein to die ; the foul'st best fits
+My latter part of life .
+
+
+Retire , we have engag'd ourselves too far .
+C sar himself has work , and our oppression
+Exceeds what we expected .
+
+O my brave emperor , this is fought indeed !
+Had we done so at first , we had droven them home
+With clouts about their heads .
+
+Thou bleed'st apace .
+
+I had a wound here that was like a T ,
+But now 'tis made an H .
+
+They do retire .
+
+We'll beat 'em into bench-holes : I have yet
+Room for six scotches more .
+
+
+They are beaten , sir ; and our advantage serves
+For a fair victory .
+
+Let us score their backs ,
+And snatch 'em up , as we take hares , behind :
+'Tis sport to maul a runner .
+
+I will reward thee
+Once for thy sprightly comfort , and ten-fold
+For thy good valour . Come thee on .
+
+I'll halt after .
+
+
+We have beat him to his camp ; run one before
+And let the queen know of our gests . To-morrow ,
+Before the sun shall see 's , we'll spill the blood
+That has to-day escap'd . I thank you all ;
+For doughty-handed are you , and have fought
+Not as you serv'd the cause , but as 't had been
+Each man's like mine ; you have shown all Hectors .
+Enter the city , clip your wives , your friends ,
+Tell them your feats ; whilst they with joyful tears
+Wash the congealment from your wounds , and kiss
+The honour'd gashes whole .
+
+Give me thy hand :
+
+
+To this great fairy I'll commend thy acts ,
+Make her thanks bless thee . O thou day o' the world !
+Chain mine arm'd neck ; leap thou , attire and all ,
+Through proof of harness to my heart , and there
+
+Ride on the pants triumphing .
+
+Lord of lords !
+O infinite virtue ! com'st thou smiling from
+The world's great snare uncaught ?
+
+My nightingale ,
+We have beat them to their beds . What , girl ! though grey
+Do something mingle with our younger brown , yet ha' we
+A brain that nourishes our nerves , and can
+Get goal for goal of youth . Behold this man ;
+Commend unto his lips thy favouring hand :
+Kiss it , my warrior : he hath fought to-day
+As if a god , in hate of mankind , had
+Destroy'd in such a shape .
+
+I'll give thee , friend ,
+An armour all of gold ; it was a king's .
+
+He has deserv'd it , were it carbuncled
+Like holy Ph bus' car . Give me thy hand :
+Through Alexandria make a jolly march ;
+Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe them :
+Had our great palace the capacity
+To camp this host , we all would sup together
+And drink carouses to the next day's fate ,
+Which promises royal peril . Trumpeters ,
+With brazen din blast you the city's ear ,
+Make mingle with our rattling tabourines ,
+That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together ,
+Applauding our approach .
+
+
+If we be not reliev'd within this hour ,
+We must return to the court of guard : the night
+Is shiny , and they say we shall embattle
+By the second hour i' the morn .
+
+This last day was
+A shrewd one to 's .
+
+
+O ! bear me witness , night ,
+
+What man is this ?
+
+Stand close and list him .
+
+Be witness to me , O thou blessed moon ,
+When men revolted shall upon record
+Bear hateful memory , poor Enobarbus did
+Before thy face repent !
+
+Enobarbus !
+
+Peace !
+Hark further .
+
+O sovereign mistress of true melancholy ,
+The poisonous damp of night disponge upon me ,
+That life , a very rebel to my will ,
+May hang no longer on me ; throw my heart
+Against the flint and hardness of my fault ,
+Which , being dried with grief , will break to powder ,
+And finish all foul thoughts . O Antony !
+Nobler than my revolt is infamous ,
+Forgive me in thine own particular ;
+But let the world rank me in register
+A master-leaver and a fugitive .
+O Antony ! O Antony !
+
+
+Let's speak to him .
+
+Let's hear him , for the things he speaks
+May concern C sar .
+
+Let's do so . But he sleeps .
+
+Swounds rather ; for so bad a prayer as his
+Was never yet for sleep .
+
+Go we to him .
+
+Awake , sir , awake ! speak to us .
+
+Hear you , sir ?
+
+The Land of death hath raught him .
+
+Hark ! the drums
+Demurely wake the sleepers . Let us bear him
+To the court of guard ; he is of note : our hour
+Is fully out .
+
+Come on , then ;
+He may recover yet .
+
+Their preparation is to-day by sea ;
+We please them not by land .
+
+For both , my lord .
+
+I would they'd fight i' the fire or i' the air ;
+We'd fight there too . But this it is ; our foot
+Upon the hills adjoining to the city
+Shall stay with us ; order for sea is given ,
+They have put forth the haven ,
+Where their appointment we may best discover
+And look on their endeavour .
+
+But being charg'd , we will be still by land ,
+Which , as I take 't , we shall ; for his best force
+Is forth to man his galleys . To the vales ,
+And hold our best advantage !
+
+Yet they are not join'd . Where yond pine does stand
+I shall discover all ; I'll bring thee word
+Straight how 'tis like to go .
+
+
+Swallows have built
+In Cleopatra's sails their nests ; the augurers
+Say they know not , they cannot tell ; look grimly ,
+And dare not speak their knowledge . Antony
+Is valiant , and dejected ; and , by starts ,
+His fretted fortunes give him hope and fear
+Of what he has and has not .
+
+All is lost !
+This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me ;
+My fleet hath yielded to the foe , and yonder
+They cast their caps up and carouse together
+Like friends long lost . Triple-turn'd whore ! 'tis thou
+Hast sold me to this novice , and my heart
+Makes only wars on thee . Bid them all fly ;
+For when I am reveng'd upon my charm ,
+I have done all . Bid them all fly ; be gone .
+
+O sun ! thy uprise shall I see no more ;
+Fortune and Antony part here ; even here
+Do we shake hands . All come to this ? The hearts
+That spaniel'd me at heels , to whom I gave
+Their wishes , do discandy , melt their sweets
+On blossoming C sar ; and this pine is bark'd ,
+That overtopp'd them all . Betray'd I am .
+O this false soul of Egypt ! this grave charm ,
+Whose eyes beck'd forth my wars , and call'd them home ,
+Whose bosom was my crownet , my chief end ,
+Like a right gipsy , hath , at fast and loose ,
+Beguil'd me to the very heart of loss .
+What , Eros ! Eros !
+
+Ah ! thou spell . Avaunt !
+
+Why is my lord enrag'd against his love ?
+
+Vanish , or I shall give thee thy deserving ,
+And blemish C sar's triumph . Let him take thee ,
+And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians ;
+Follow his chariot , like the greatest spot
+Of all thy sex ; most monster-like , be shown
+For poor'st diminutives , for doits ; and let
+Patient Octavia plough thy visage up
+With her prepared nails .
+
+'Tis well thou'rt gone ,
+If it be well to live ; but better 'twere
+Thou fell'st into my fury , for one death
+Might have prevented many . Eros , ho !
+The shirt of Nessus is upon me ; teach me ,
+Alcides , thou mine ancestor , thy rage ;
+Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o' the moon ;
+And with those hands , that grasp'd the heaviest club ,
+Subdue my worthiest self . The witch shall die :
+To the young Roman boy she hath sold me , and I fall
+Under this plot ; she dies for 't . Eros , ho !
+
+Help me , my women ! O ! he is more mad
+Than Telamon for his shield ; the boar of Thessaly
+Was never so emboss'd .
+
+To the monument !
+There lock yourself , and send him word you are dead .
+The soul and body rive not more in parting
+Than greatness going off .
+
+To the monument !
+Mardian , go tell him I have slain myself ;
+Say that the last I spoke was 'Antony ,'
+And word it , prithee , piteously . Hence ,
+Mardian , and bring me how he takes my death .
+To the monument !
+
+Eros , thou yet behold'st me ?
+
+Ay , noble lord .
+
+Sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish ;
+A vapour sometime like a bear or lion ,
+A tower'd citadel , a pendant rock ,
+A forked mountain , or blue promontory
+With trees upon 't , that nod unto the world
+And mock our eyes with air : thou hast seen these signs ;
+They are black vesper's pageants .
+
+Ay , my lord .
+
+That which is now a horse , even with a thought
+The rack dislimns , and makes it indistinct ,
+As water is in water .
+
+It does , my lord .
+
+My good knave , Eros , now thy captain is
+Even such a body : here I am Antony ;
+Yet cannot hold this visible shape , my knave .
+I made these wars for Egypt ; and the queen ,
+Whose heart I thought I had , for she had mine ,
+Which whilst it was mine had annex'd unto 't
+A million more , now lost ; she , Eros , has
+Pack'd cards with C sar , and false-play'd my glory
+Unto an enemy's triumph .
+Nay , weep not , gentle Eros ; there is left us
+Ourselves to end ourselves .
+
+
+O ! thy vile lady ;
+
+She has robb'd me of my sword .
+
+No , Antony ;
+My mistress lov'd thee , and her fortunes mingled
+With thine entirely .
+
+Hence , saucy eunuch ; peace !
+She hath betray'd me and shall die the death .
+
+Death of one person can be paid but once ,
+And that she has discharg'd . What thou wouldst do
+Is done unto thy hand ; the last she spake
+Was , 'Antony ! most noble Antony !'
+Then in the midst a tearing groan did break
+The name of Antony ; it was divided
+Between her heart and lips . She render'd life ,
+Thy name so buried in her .
+
+Dead , then ?
+
+Dead .
+
+Unarm , Eros ; the long day's task is done ,
+And we must sleep .
+
+That thou depart'st hence safe ,
+Does pay thy labour richly ; go .
+
+Off , pluck off :
+The seven-fold shield of Ajax cannot keep
+The battery from my heart . O ! cleave , my sides ;
+Heart , once be stronger than thy continent ,
+Crack thy frail case ! Apace , Eros , apace .
+No more a soldier ; bruised pieces , go ;
+You have been nobly borne . From me awhile .
+
+I will o'ertake thee , Cleopatra , and
+Weep for my pardon . So it must be , for now
+All length is torture ; since the torch is out ,
+Lie down , and stray no further . Now all labour
+Mars what it does ; yea , very force entangles
+Itself with strength ; seal then , and all is done .
+Eros !I come , my queen .Eros !Stay for me :
+Where souls do couch on flowers , we'll hand in hand ,
+And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze ;
+Dido and her neas shall want troops ,
+And all the haunt be ours . Come , Eros ! Eros !
+
+
+What would my lord ?
+
+Since Cleopatra died ,
+I have liv'd in such dishonour , that the gods
+Detest my baseness . I , that with my sword
+Quarter'd the world , and o'er green Neptune's back
+With ships made cities , condemn myself to lack
+The courage of a woman ; less noble mind
+Than she , which by her death our C sar tells
+'I am conqueror of myself .' Thou art sworn , Eros ,
+That , when the exigent should come ,which now
+Is come indeed ,when I should see behind me
+The inevitable prosecution of
+Disgrace and horror , that , on my command ,
+Thou then wouldst kill me : do 't ; the time is come .
+Thou strik'st not me , 'tis C sar thou defeat'st .
+Put colour in thy cheek .
+
+The gods withhold me !
+Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts ,
+Though enemy , lost aim and could not ?
+
+Eros ,
+Wouldst thou be window'd in great Rome , and see
+Thy master thus with pleach'd arms , bending down
+His corrigible neck , his face subdu'd
+To penetrative shame , whilst the wheel'd seat
+Of fortunate C sar , drawn before him , branded
+His baseness that ensu'd ?
+
+I would not see't .
+
+Come , then ; for with a wound I must be cur'd .
+Draw that thy honest sword , which thou hast worn
+Most useful for thy country .
+
+O , sir ! pardon me .
+
+When I did make thee free , swor'st thou not then
+To do this when I bade thee ? Do it at once ,
+Or thy precedent services are all
+But accidents unpurpos'd . Draw , and come .
+
+Turn from me then that noble countenance ,
+Wherein the worship of the whole world lies .
+
+Lo thee !
+
+
+My sword is drawn .
+
+Then let it do at once
+The thing why thou hast drawn it .
+
+My dear master ,
+My captain , and my emperor , let me say ,
+Before I strike this bloody stroke , farewell .
+
+'Tis said , man ; and farewell .
+
+Farewell , great chief . Shall I strike now ?
+
+Now , Eros .
+
+Why , there then ; thus do I escape the sorrow
+
+Of Antony's death .
+
+Thrice-nobler than myself !
+Thou teachest me , O valiant Eros , what
+I should , and thou couldst not . My queen and Eros
+Have by their brave instruction got upon me
+A nobleness in record ; but I will be
+A bridegroom in my death , and run into 't
+As to a lover's bed . Come , then ; and , Eros ,
+Thy master dies thy scholar : to do thus
+
+I learn'd of thee . How ! not dead ? not dead ?
+The guard , ho ! O ! dispatch me .
+
+
+What's the noise ?
+
+I have done my work ill , friends : O ! make an end
+Of what I have begun .
+
+The star is fallen .
+
+And time is at his period .
+
+Alas , and woe !
+
+Let him that loves me strike me dead .
+
+Not I .
+
+Nor I .
+
+Nor any one .
+
+
+Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly .
+This sword but shown to C sar , with this tidings ,
+Shall enter me with him .
+
+
+Where's Antony ?
+
+There , Diomed , there .
+
+Lives he ?
+Wilt thou not answer , man ?
+
+
+Art thou there , Diomed ? Draw thy sword , and give me
+Sufficing strokes for death .
+
+Most absolute lord ,
+My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee .
+
+When did she send thee ?
+
+Now , my lord .
+
+Where is she ?
+
+Lock'd in her monument . She had a prophesying fear
+Of what hath come to pass ; for when she saw
+Which never shall be found you did suspect
+She had dispos'd with C sar , and that your rage
+Would not be purg'd , she sent you word she was dead ;
+But , fearing since how it might work , hath sent
+Me to proclaim the truth ; and I am come ,
+I dread , too late .
+
+Too late , good Diomed . Call my guard , I prithee .
+
+What , ho ! the emperor's guard ! The guard , what , ho !
+Come , your lord calls !
+
+
+Bear me , good friends , where Cleopatra bides ;
+'Tis the last service that I shall command you .
+
+Woe , woe are we , sir , you may not live to wear
+All your true followers out .
+
+Most heavy day !
+
+Nay , good my fellows , do not please sharp fate
+To grace it with your sorrows ; bid that welcome
+Which comes to punish us , and we punish it
+Seeming to bear it lightly . Take me up ;
+I have led you oft ; carry me now , good friends ,
+And have my thanks for all .
+
+O Charmian ! I will never go from hence .
+
+Be comforted , dear madam .
+
+No , I will not .
+All strange and terrible events are welcome ,
+But comforts we despise ; our size of sorrow ,
+Proportion'd to our cause , must be as great
+As that which makes it .
+
+How now ! is he dead ?
+
+His death's upon him , but not dead .
+Look out o' the other side your monument ;
+His guard have brought him thither .
+
+
+O sun !
+Burn the great sphere thou mov'st in ; darkling stand
+The varying star o' the world . O Antony ,
+Antony , Antony ! Help , Charmian , help , Iras , help ;
+Help , friends below ! let's draw him hither .
+
+Peace !
+Not C sar's valour hath o'erthrown Antony ,
+But Antony's hath triumph'd on itself .
+
+So it should be , that none but Antony
+Should conquer Antony ; but woe 'tis so !
+
+I am dying , Egypt , dying ; only
+I here importune death awhile , until
+Of many thousand kisses the poor last
+I lay upon thy lips .
+
+I dare not , dear ,
+Dear my lord , pardon ,I dare not ,
+Lest I be taken : not the imperious show
+Of the full-fortun'd C sar ever shall
+Be brooch'd with me ; if knife , drugs , serpents , have
+Edge , sting , or operation , I am safe :
+Your wife Octavia , with her modest eyes
+And still conclusion , shall acquire no honour
+Demuring upon me . But come , come , Antony ,
+Help me , my women ,we must draw thee up .
+Assist , good friends .
+
+O ! quick , or I am gone .
+
+Here's sport indeed ! How heavy weighs my lord !
+Our strength is all gone into heaviness ,
+That makes the weight . Had I great Juno's power ,
+The strong-wing'd Mercury should fetch thee up ,
+And set thee by Jove's side . Yet come a little ,
+Wishers were ever fools . O ! come , come , come ;
+
+And welcome , welcome ! die where thou hastliv'd ;
+Quicken with kissing ; had my lips that power ,
+Thus would I wear them out .
+
+A heavy sight !
+
+I am dying , Egypt , dying :
+Give me some wine , and let me speak a little .
+
+No , let me speak ; and let me rail so high ,
+That the false housewife Fortune break her wheel ,
+Provok'd by my offence .
+
+One word , sweet queen .
+Of C sar seek your honour with your safety . O !
+
+They do not go together .
+
+Gentle , hear me :
+None about C sar trust , but Proculeius .
+
+My resolution and my hands I'll trust ;
+None about C sar .
+
+The miserable change now at my end
+Lament nor sorrow at ; but please your thoughts
+In feeding them with those my former fortunes
+Wherein I liv'd , the greatest prince o' the world ,
+The noblest ; and do now not basely die ,
+Not cowardly put off my helmet to
+My countryman ; a Roman by a Roman
+Valiantly vanquish'd . Now my spirit is going ;
+I can no more .
+
+Noblest of men , woo 't die ?
+Hast thou no care of me ? shall I abide
+In this dull world , which in thy absence is
+No better than a sty ? O ! see my women ,
+
+The crown o' the earth doth melt . My lord !
+O ! wither'd is the garland of the war ,
+The soldier's pole is fall'n ; young boys and girls
+Are level now with men ; the odds is gone ,
+And there is nothing left remarkable
+Beneath the visiting moon .
+
+
+O , quietness , lady !
+
+She is dead too , our sovereign .
+
+Lady !
+
+Madam !
+
+O madam , madam , madam !
+
+Royal Egypt !
+Empress !
+
+Peace , peace , Iras !
+
+No more , but e'en a woman , and commanded
+By such poor passion as the maid that milks
+And does the meanest chares . It were for me
+To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods ;
+To tell them that this world did equal theirs
+Till they had stol'n our jewel . All's but naught ;
+Patience is sottish , and impatience does
+Become a dog that's mad ; then is it sin
+To rush into the secret house of death ,
+Ere death dare come to us ? How do you , women ?
+What , what ! good cheer ! Why , how now , Charmian !
+My noble girls ! Ah , women , women , look !
+Our lamp is spent , it's out . Good sirs , take heart ;
+We'll bury him ; and then , what's brave , what's noble ,
+Let's do it after the high Roman fashion ,
+And make death proud to take us . Come , away ;
+This case of that huge spirit now is cold ;
+Ah ! women , women . Come ; we have no friend
+But resolution , and the briefest end .
+
+Go to him , Dolabella , bid him yield ;
+Being so frustrate , tell him he mocks
+The pauses that he makes .
+
+C sar , I shall .
+
+Wherefore is that ? and what art thou that dar'st
+Appear thus to us ?
+
+I am call'd Dercetas ;
+Mark Antony I serv'd , who best was worthy
+Best to be serv'd ; whilst he stood up and spoke
+He was my master , and I wore my life
+To spend upon his haters . If thou please
+To take me to thee , as I was to him
+I'll be to C sar ; if thou pleasest not ,
+I yield thee up my life .
+
+What is 't thou sayst ?
+
+I say , O C sar , Antony is dead .
+
+The breaking of so great a thing should make
+A greater crack ; the round world
+Should have shook lions into civil streets ,
+And citizens to their dens . The death of Antony
+Is not a single doom ; in the name lay
+A moiety of the world .
+
+He is dead , C sar ;
+Not by a public minister of justice ,
+Nor by a hired knife ; but that self hand ,
+Which writ his honour in the acts it did ,
+Hath , with the courage which the heart did lend it ,
+Splitted the heart . This is his sword ;
+I robb'd his wound of it ; behold it stain'd
+With his most noble blood .
+
+Look you sad , friends ?
+The gods rebuke me , but it is tidings
+To wash the eyes of kings .
+
+And strange it is ,
+That nature must compel us to lament
+Our most persisted deeds .
+
+His taints and honours
+Wag'd equal with him .
+
+A rarer spirit never
+Did steer humanity ; but you , gods , will give us
+Some faults to make us men . C sar is touch'd .
+
+When such a spacious mirror's set before him ,
+He needs must see himself .
+
+O Antony !
+I have follow'd thee to this ; but we do lance
+Diseases in our bodies : I must perforce
+Have shown to thee such a declining day ,
+Or look on thine ; we could not stall together
+In the whole world . But yet let me lament ,
+With tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts ,
+That thou , my brother , my competitor
+In top of all design , my mate in empire ,
+Friend and companion in the front of war ,
+The arm of mine own body , and the heart
+Where mine his thoughts did kindle , that our stars ,
+Unreconciliable , should divide
+Our equalness to this . Hear me , good friends ,
+
+
+But I will tell you at some meeter season :
+The business of this man looks out of him ;
+
+We'll hear him what he says . Whence are you ?
+
+A poor Egyptian yet . The queen my mistress ,
+Confin'd in all she has , her monument ,
+Of thy intents desires instruction ,
+That she preparedly may frame herself
+To the way she's forc'd to .
+
+Bid her have good heart ;
+She soon shall know of us , by some of ours ,
+How honourable and how kindly we
+Determine for her ; for C sar cannot live
+To be ungentle .
+
+So the gods preserve thee !
+
+
+Come hither , Proculeius . Go and say ,
+We purpose her no shame ; give her what comforts
+The quality of her passion shall require ,
+Lest , in her greatness , by some mortal stroke
+She do defeat us ; for her life in Rome
+Would be eternal in our triumph . Go ,
+And with your speediest bring us what she says ,
+And how you find of her .
+
+C sar , I shall .
+
+
+Gallus , go you along .
+
+To second Proculeius ?
+
+Dolabella !
+
+Dolabella !
+
+Let him alone , for I remember now
+How he's employ'd , he shall in time be ready .
+Go with me to my tent ; where you shall see
+How hardly I was drawn into this war ;
+How calm and gentle I proceeded still
+In all my writings . Go with me , and see
+What I can show in this .
+
+
+My desolation does begin to make
+A better life . 'Tis paltry to be C sar ;
+Not being Fortune , he's but Fortune's knave ,
+A minister of her will ; and it is great
+To do that thing that ends all other deeds ,
+Which shackles accidents , and bolts up change ,
+Which sleeps , and never palates more the dug ,
+The beggar's nurse and C sar's .
+
+
+C sar sends greeting to the Queen of Egypt ;
+And bids thee study on what fair demands
+Thou mean'st to have him grant thee .
+
+What's thy name ?
+
+My name is Proculeius .
+
+Antony
+Did tell me of you , bade me trust you ; but
+I do not greatly care to be deceiv'd ,
+That have no use for trusting . If your master
+Would have a queen his beggar , you must tell him ,
+That majesty , to keep decorum , must
+No less beg than a kingdom ; if he please
+To give me conquer'd Egypt for my son ,
+He gives me so much of mine own as I
+Will kneel to him with thanks .
+
+Be of good cheer ;
+You're fall'n into a princely hand , fear nothing .
+Make your full reference freely to my lord ,
+Who is so full of grace , that it flows over
+On all that need ; let me report to him
+Your sweet dependancy , and you shall find
+A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness
+Where he for grace is kneel'd to .
+
+Pray you , tell him
+I am his fortune's vassal , and I send him
+The greatness he has got . I hourly learn
+A doctrine of obedience , and would gladly
+Look him i' the face .
+
+This I'll report , dear lady :
+Have comfort , for I know your plight is pitied
+Of him that caus'd it .
+
+You see how easily she may be surpris'd .
+
+
+Guard her till C sar come .
+
+Royal queen !
+
+O Cleopatra ! thou art taken , queen .
+
+Quick , quick , good hands .
+
+
+Hold , worthy lady , hold !
+
+Do not yourself such wrong , who are in this
+Reliev'd , but not betray'd .
+
+What , of death too ,
+That rids our dogs of languish ?
+
+Cleopatra ,
+Do not abuse my master's bounty by
+The undoing of yourself ; let the world see
+His nobleness well acted , which your death
+Will never let come forth .
+
+Where art thou , death ?
+Come hither , come ! come , come , and take a queen
+Worth many babes and beggars !
+
+O ! temperance , lady .
+
+Sir , I will eat no meat , I'll not drink , sir ;
+If idle talk will once be necessary ,
+I'll not sleep neither . This mortal house I'll ruin ,
+Do C sar what he can . Know , sir , that I
+Will not wait pinion'd at your master's court ,
+Nor once be chastis'd with the sober eye
+Of dull Octavia . Shall they hoist me up
+And show me to the shouting varletry
+Of censuring Rome ? Rather a ditch in Egypt
+Be gentle grave unto me ! rather on Nilus' mud
+Lay me stark nak'd , and let the water-flies
+Blow me into abhorring ! rather make
+My country's high pyramides my gibbet ,
+And hang me up in chains !
+
+You do extend
+These thoughts of horror further than you shall
+Find cause in C sar .
+
+
+Proculeius ,
+What thou hast done thy master C sar knows ,
+And he hath sent for thee ; as for the queen ,
+I'll take her to my guard .
+
+So , Dolabella ,
+It shall content me best ; be gentle to her .
+
+
+To C sar I will speak what you shall please ,
+If you'll employ me to him .
+
+Say , I would die .
+
+
+Most noble empress , you have heard of me ?
+
+I cannot tell .
+
+Assuredly you know me .
+
+No matter , sir , what I have heard or known .
+You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams ;
+Is 't not your trick ?
+
+I understand not , madam .
+
+I dream'd there was an Emperor Antony :
+O ! such another sleep , that I might see
+But such another man .
+
+If it might please ye ,
+
+His face was as the heavens , and therein stuck
+A sun and moon , which kept their course , and lighted
+The little O , the earth .
+
+Most sovereign creature ,
+
+His legs besfrid the ocean ; his rear'd arm
+Crested the world ; his voice was propertied
+As all the tuned spheres , and that to friends ;
+But when he meant to quail and shake the orb ,
+He was as rattling thunder . For his bounty ,
+There was no winter in 't , an autumn 'twas
+That grew the more by reaping ; his delights
+Were dolphin-like , they show'd his back above
+The element they liv'd in ; in his livery
+Walk'd crowns and crownets , realms and islands were
+As plates dropp'd from his pocket .
+
+Cleopatra ,
+
+Think you there was , or might be , such a man
+As this I dream'd of ?
+
+Gentle madam , no .
+
+You lie , up to the hearing of the gods .
+But , if there be , or ever were , one such ,
+It's past the size of dreaming ; nature wants stuff
+To vie strange forms with fancy ; yet to imagine
+An Antony were nature's piece 'gainst fancy ,
+Condemning shadows quite .
+
+Hear me , good madam .
+Your loss is as yourself , great ; and you bear it
+As answering to the weight : would I might never
+O'ertake pursu'd success , but I do feel ,
+By the rebound of yours , a grief that smites
+My very heart at root .
+
+I thank you , sir .
+Know you what C sar means to do with me ?
+
+I am loath to tell you what I would you knew .
+
+Nay , pray you , sir ,
+
+Though he be honourable ,
+
+He'll lead me then in triumph ?
+
+Madam , he will ; I know 't .
+
+Which is the Queen of Egypt ?
+
+It is the emperor , madam .
+
+
+Arise , you shall not kneel .
+I pray you , rise ; rise , Egypt .
+
+Sir , the gods
+Will have it thus ; my master and my lord
+I must obey .
+
+Take to you no hard thoughts ;
+The record of what injuries you did us ,
+Though written in our flesh , we shall remember
+As things but done by chance .
+
+Sole sir o' the world ,
+I cannot project mine own cause so well
+To make it clear ; but do confess I have
+Been laden with like frailties which before
+Have often sham'd our sex .
+
+Cleopatra , know ,
+We will extenuate rather than enforce :
+If you apply yourself to our intents ,
+Which towards you are most gentle ,you shall find
+A benefit in this change ; but if you seek
+To lay on me a cruelty , by taking
+Antony's course , you shall bereave yourself
+Of my good purposes , and put your children
+To that destruction which I'll guard them from ,
+If thereon you rely . I'll take my leave .
+
+And may through all the world : 'tis yours ; and we ,
+Your scutcheons , and your signs of conquest , shall
+Hang in what place you please . Here , my good lord .
+
+You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra .
+
+This is the brief of money , plate , and jewels ,
+I am possess'd of : 'tis exactly valued ;
+Not petty things admitted . Where's Seleucus ?
+
+Here , madam .
+
+This is my treasurer ; let him speak , my lord ,
+Upon his peril , that I have reserv'd
+To myself nothing . Speak the truth , Seleucus .
+
+Madam ,
+I had rather seal my lips , than , to my peril ,
+Speak that which is not .
+
+What have I kept back ?
+
+Enough to purchase what you have made known .
+
+Nay , blush not , Cleopatra ; I approve
+Your wisdom in the deed .
+
+See ! C sar ! O , behold ,
+How pomp is follow'd ; mine will now be yours ;
+And , should we shift estates , yours would be mine .
+The ingratitude of this Seleucus does
+Even make me wild . O slave ! of no more trust
+Than love that's hir'd . What ! goest thou back ? thou shalt
+Go back , I warrant thee ; but I'll catch thine eyes ,
+Though they had wings : slave , soulless villain , dog !
+O rarely base !
+
+Good queen , let us entreat you .
+
+O C sar ! what a wounding shame is this ,
+That thou , vouchsafing here to visit me ,
+Doing the honour of thy lordliness
+To one so meek , that mine own servant should
+Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
+Addition of his envy . Say , good C sar ,
+That I some lady trifles have reserv'd ,
+Immoment toys , things of such dignity
+As we greet modern friends withal ; and say ,
+Some nobler token I have kept apart
+For Livia and Octavia , to induce
+Their mediation ; must I be unfolded
+With one that I have bred ? The gods ! it smites me
+Beneath the fall I have .
+
+Prithee , go hence ;
+Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
+Through the ashes of my chance . Wert thou a man ,
+Thou wouldst have mercy on me .
+
+Forbear , Seleucus .
+
+
+Be it known that we , the greatest , are misthought
+For things that others do ; and , when we fall ,
+We answer others' merits in our name ,
+Are therefore to be pitied .
+
+Cleopatra ,
+Not what you have reserv'd , nor what acknowledg'd ,
+Put we i' the roll of conquest : still be 't yours ,
+Bestow it at your pleasure ; and believe ,
+C sar's no merchant , to make prize with you
+Of things that merchants sold . Therefore be cheer'd ;
+Make not your thoughts your prisons : no , dear queen ;
+For we intend so to dispose you as
+Yourself shall give us counsel . Feed , and sleep :
+Our care and pity is so much upon you ,
+That we remain your friend ; and so , adieu .
+
+My master , and my lord !
+
+Not so . Adieu .
+
+
+He words me , girls , he words me , that I should not
+Be noble to myself : but , hark thee , Charmian .
+
+
+Finish , good lady ; the bright day is done ,
+And we are for the dark .
+
+Hie thee again :
+I have spoke already , and it is provided ;
+Go , put it to the haste .
+
+Madam , I will .
+
+
+Where is the queen ?
+
+Behold , sir .
+
+
+Dolabella !
+
+Madam , as thereto sworn by your command ,
+Which my love makes religion to obey ,
+I tell you this : C sar through Syria
+Intends his journey ; and within three days
+You with your children will be send before .
+Make your best use of this ; I have perform'd
+Your pleasure and my promise .
+
+Dolabella ,
+I shall remain your debtor .
+
+I your servant .
+Adieu , good queen ; I must attend on C sar .
+
+Farewell , and thanks .
+
+Now , Iras , what think'st thou ?
+Thou , an Egyptian puppet , shall be shown
+In Rome , as well as I ; mechanic slaves
+With greasy aprons , rules and hammers , shall
+Uplift us to the view ; in their thick breaths ,
+Rank of gross diet , shall we be enclouded ,
+And forc'd to drink their vapour .
+
+The gods forbid !
+
+Nay , 'tis most certain , Iras . Saucy lictors
+Will catch at us , like strumpets , and scald rimers
+Ballad us out o' tune ; the quick comedians
+Extemporally will stage us , and present
+Our Alexandrian revels . Antony
+Shall be brought drunken forth , and I shall see
+Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
+I' the posture of a whore .
+
+O , the good gods !
+
+Nay , that's certain .
+
+I'll never see it ; for , I am sure my nails
+Are stronger than mine eyes .
+
+Why , that's the way
+To fool their preparation , and to conquer
+Their most absurd intents .
+
+
+Now , Charmian ,
+Show me , my women , like a queen ; go fetch
+My best attires ; I am again for Cydnus ,
+To meet Mark Antony . Sirrah Iras , go .
+Now , noble Charmian , we'll dispatch indeed ;
+And , when thou hast done this chare , I'll give thee leave
+To play till doomsday . Bring our crown and all .
+
+Wherefore's this noise ?
+
+Here is a rural fellow
+That will not be denied your highness' presence :
+He brings you figs .
+
+Let him come in .
+
+What poor an instrument
+May do a noble deed ! he brings me liberty .
+My resolution's plac'd , and I have nothing
+Of woman in me ; now from head to foot
+I am marble-constant , now the fleeting moon
+No planet is of mine .
+
+
+This is the man .
+
+Avoid , and leave him .
+
+Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there ,
+That kills and pains not ?
+
+Truly , I have him ; but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him , for his biting is immortal ; those that do die of it do seldom or never recover .
+
+Remember'st thou any that have died on 't ?
+
+Very many , men and women too . I heard of one of them no longer than yesterday ; a very honest woman , but something given to lie , as a woman should not do but in the way of honesty , how she died of the biting of it , what pain she felt . Truly , she makes a very good report o' the worm ; but he that will believe all that they say shall never be saved by half that they do . But this is most fallible , the worm's an odd worm .
+
+Get thee hence ; farewell .
+
+I wish you all joy of the worm .
+
+
+Farewell .
+
+You must think this , look you , that the worm will do his kind .
+
+Ay , ay ; farewell .
+
+Look you , the worm is not to be trusted but in the keeping of wise people ; for indeed there is no goodness in the worm .
+
+Take thou no care ; it shall be heeded .
+
+Very good . Give it nothing , I pray you , for it is not worth the feeding .
+
+Will it eat me ?
+
+You must not think I am so simple but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman ; I know that a woman is a dish for the gods , if the devil dress her not . But , truly , these same whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women , for in every ten that they make , the devils mar five .
+
+Well , get thee gone ; farewell .
+
+Yes , forsooth ; I wish you joy of the worm .
+
+Give me my robe , put on my crown ; I have
+Immortal longings in me ; now no more
+The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip .
+Yare , yare , good Iras ; quick . Methinks I hear
+Antony call ; I see him rouse himself
+To praise my noble act ; I hear him mock
+The luck of C sar , which the gods give men
+To excuse their after wrath : husband , I come :
+Now to that name my courage prove my title !
+I am fire , and air ; my other elements
+I give to baser life . So ; have you done ?
+Come then , and take the last warmth of my lips .
+Farewell , kind Charmian ; Iras , long farewell .
+
+Have I the aspic in my lips ? Dost fall ?
+If thou and nature can so gently part ,
+The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch ,
+Which hurts , and is desir'd . Dost thou lie still ?
+If thus thou vanishest , thou tell'st the world
+It is not worth leave-taking .
+
+Dissolve , thick cloud , and rain ; that I may say ,
+The gods themselves do weep .
+
+This proves me base :
+If she first meet the curled Antony ,
+He'll make demand of her , and spend that kiss
+Which is my heaven to have . Come , thou mortal wretch ,
+
+With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
+Of life at once untie ; poor venomous fool ,
+Be angry , and dispatch . O ! couldst thou speak ,
+That I might hear thee call great C sar ass
+Unpolicied .
+
+O eastern star !
+
+Peace , peace !
+Dost thou not see my baby at my breast ,
+That sucks the nurse asleep ?
+
+O , break ! O , break !
+
+As sweet as balm , as soft as air , as gentle ,
+O Antony !Nay , I will take thee too .
+
+What should I stay
+
+
+In this vile world ? So , fare thee well .
+Now boast thee , death , in thy possession lies
+A lass unparallel'd . Downy windows , close ;
+And golden Ph bus never be beheld
+Of eyes again so royal ! Your crown's awry ;
+I'll mend it , and then play .
+
+
+Where is the queen ?
+
+Speak softly , wake her not .
+
+C sar hath sent
+
+Too slow a messenger .
+
+O ! come apace , dispatch ; I partly feel thee .
+
+Approach , ho ! All's not well ; C sar's beguil'd .
+
+There's Dolabella sent from C sar ; call him .
+
+What work is here ! Charmian , is this well done ?
+
+It is well done , and fitting for a princess
+Descended of so many royal kings .
+Ah ! soldier .
+
+How goes it here ?
+
+All dead .
+
+C sar , thy thoughts
+Touch their effects in this ; thyself art coming
+To see perform'd the dreaded act which thou
+So sought'st to hinder .
+
+O ! sir , you are too sure an augurer ;
+That you did fear is done .
+
+Bravest at the last ,
+She levell'd at our purposes , and , being royal ,
+Took her own way . The manner of their deaths ?
+I do not see them bleed .
+
+Who was last with them ?
+
+A simple countryman that brought her figs :
+This was his basket .
+
+Poison'd then .
+
+O C sar !
+This Charmian liv'd but now ; she stood , and spake :
+I found her trimming up the diadem
+On her dead mistress ; tremblingly she stood ,
+And on the sudden dropp'd .
+
+O noble weakness !
+If they had swallow'd poison 'twould appear
+By external swelling ; but she looks like sleep ,
+As she would catch another Antony
+In her strong toil of grace .
+
+Here , on her breast ,
+There is a vent of blood , and something blown ;
+The like is on her arm .
+
+This is an aspic's trail ; and these fig-leaves
+Have slime upon them , such as the aspic leaves
+Upon the caves of Nile .
+
+Most probable
+That so she died ; for her physician tells me
+She hath pursu'd conclusions infinite
+Of easy ways to die . Take up her bed ;
+And bear her women from the monument .
+She shall be buried by her Antony :
+No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
+A pair so famous . High events as these
+Strike those that make them ; and their story is
+No less in pity than his glory which
+Brought them to be lamented . Our army shall ,
+In solemn show , attend this funeral ,
+And then to Rome . Come , Dolabella , see
+High order in this great solemnity .
+
+CORIOLANUS
+
+Before we proceed any further , hear me speak .
+
+Speak , speak .
+
+You are all resolved rather to die than to famish ?
+
+Resolved , resolved .
+
+First , you know Caius Marcius is chief enemy to the people .
+
+We know't , we know't .
+
+Let us kill him , and we'll have corn at our own price . Is't a verdict ?
+
+No more talking on't ; let it be done .
+Away , away !
+
+One word , good citizens .
+
+We are accounted poor citizens , the patricians good . What authority surfeits on would relieve us . If they would yield us but the superfluity , while it were wholesome , we might guess they relieved us humanely ; but they think we are too dear : the leanness that afflicts us , the object of our misery , is as an inventory to particularise their abundance ; our sufferance is a gain to them . Let us revenge this with our pikes , ere we become rakes : for the gods know I speak this in hunger for bread , not in thirst for revenge .
+
+Would you proceed especially against Caius Marcius ?
+
+Against him first : he's a very dog to the commonalty .
+
+Consider you what services he has done for his country ?
+
+Very well ; and could be content to give him good report for't , but that he pays himself with being proud .
+
+Nay , but speak not maliciously .
+
+I say unto you , what he hath done famously , he did it to that end : though soft-conscienced men can be content to say it was for his country , he did it to please his mother , and to be partly proud ; which he is , even to the altitude of his virtue .
+
+What he cannot help in his nature , you account a vice in him . You must in no way say he is covetous .
+
+If I must not , I need not be barren of accusations : he hath faults , with surplus , to tire in repetition .
+
+What shouts are these ? The other side o' the city is risen : why stay we prating here ? to the Capitol !
+
+Come , come .
+
+Soft ! who comes here ?
+
+
+Worthy Menenius Agrippa ; one that hath always loved the people .
+
+He's one honest enough : would all the rest were so !
+
+What work's , my countrymen , in hand ? Where go you
+With bats and clubs ? The matter ? Speak , I pray you .
+
+Our business is not unknown to the senate ; they have had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do , which now we'll show 'em in deeds . They say poor suitors have strong breaths : they shall know we have strong arms too .
+
+Why , masters , my good friends , mine honest neighbours ,
+Will you undo yourselves ?
+
+We cannot , sir ; we are undone already .
+
+I tell you , friends , most charitable care
+Have the patricians of you . For your wants ,
+Your suffering in this dearth , you may as well
+Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them
+Against the Roman state , whose course will on
+The way it takes , cracking ten thousand curbs
+Of more strong link asunder than can ever
+Appear in your impediment . For the dearth ,
+The gods , not the patricians , make it , and
+Your knees to them , not arms , must help . Alack !
+You are transported by calamity
+Thither where more attends you ; and you slander
+The helms o' the state , who care for you like fathers ,
+When you curse them as enemies .
+
+Care for us ! True , indeed ! They ne'er cared for us yet : suffer us to famish , and their storehouses crammed with grain ; make edicts for usury , to support usurers ; repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich , and provide more piercing statutes daily to chain up and restrain the poor . If the wars eat us not up , they will ; and there's all the love they bear us .
+
+Either you must
+Confess yourselves wondrous malicious ,
+Or be accus'd of folly . I shall tell you
+A pretty tale : it may be you have heard it ;
+But , since it serves my purpose , I will venture
+To scale't a little more .
+
+Well , I'll hear it , sir ; yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace with a tale ; but , an't please you , deliver .
+
+There was a time when all the body's members
+Rebell'd against the belly ; thus accus'd it :
+That only like a gulf it did remain
+I' the midst o' the body , idle and unactive ,
+Still cupboarding the viand , never bearing
+Like labour with the rest , where the other instruments
+Did see and hear , devise , instruct , walk , feel ,
+And , mutually participate , did minister
+Unto the appetite and affection common
+Of the whole body . The belly answer'd ,
+
+Well , sir , what answer made the belly ?
+
+Sir , I shall tell you .With a kind of smile ,
+Which ne'er came from the lungs , but even thus
+For , look you , I may make the belly smile
+As well as speak it tauntingly replied
+To the discontented members , the mutinous parts
+That envied his receipt ; even so most fitly
+As you malign our senators for that
+They are not such as you .
+
+Your belly's answer ? What !
+The kingly crowned head , the vigilant eye ,
+The counsellor heart , the arm our soldier ,
+Our steed the leg , the tongue our trumpeter ,
+With other muniments and petty helps
+In this our fabric , if that they
+
+What then ?
+'Fore me , this fellow speaks ! what then ? what then ?
+
+Should by the cormorant belly be restrain'd ,
+Who is the sink o' the body ,
+
+Well , what then ?
+
+The former agents , if they did complain ,
+What could the belly answer ?
+
+I will tell you ;
+If you'll bestow a small , of what you have little ,
+Patience a while , you'll hear the belly's answer .
+
+You're long about it .
+
+Note me this , good friend ;
+Your most grave belly was deliberate ,
+Not rash like his accusers , and thus answer'd :
+'True is it , my incorporate friends ,' quoth he ,
+'That I receive the general food at first ,
+Which you do live upon ; and fit it is ;
+Because I am the store-house and the shop
+Of the whole body : but , if you do remember ,
+I send it through the rivers of your blood ,
+Even to the court , the heart , to the seat o' the brain ;
+And , through the cranks and offices of man ,
+The strongest nerves and small inferior veins
+From me receive that natural competency
+Whereby they live . And though that all at once ,
+You , my good friends ,' this says the belly , mark me ,
+
+Ay , sir ; well , well .
+
+'Though all at once cannot
+See what I do deliver out to each ,
+Yet I can make my audit up , that all
+From me do back receive the flour of all ,
+And leave me but the bran .' What say you to't ?
+
+It was an answer : how apply you this ?
+
+The senators of Rome are this good belly ,
+And you the mutinous members ; for , examine
+Their counsels and their cares , digest things rightly
+Touching the weal o' the common , you shall find
+No public benefit which you receive
+But it proceeds or comes from them to you ,
+And no way from yourselves . What do you think ,
+You , the great toe of this assembly ?
+
+I the great toe ? Why the great toe ?
+
+For that , being one o' the lowest , basest , poorest ,
+Of this most wise rebellion , thou go'st foremost :
+Thou rascal , that art worst in blood to run ,
+Lead'st first to win some vantage .
+But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs :
+Rome and her rats are at the point of battle ;
+The one side must have bale .
+
+Hail , noble Marcius !
+
+Thanks .What's the matter , you dissentious rogues ,
+That , rubbing the poor itch of your opinion ,
+Make yourselves scabs ?
+
+We have ever your good word .
+
+He that will give good words to thee will flatter
+Beneath abhorring . What would you have , you curs ,
+That like nor peace nor war ? the one affrights you ,
+The other makes you proud . He that trusts to you ,
+Where he should find you lions , finds you hares ;
+Where foxes , geese : you are no surer , no ,
+Than is the coal of fire upon the ice ,
+Or hailstone in the sun . Your virtue is ,
+To make him worthy whose offence subdues him ,
+And curse that justice did it . Who deserves greatness
+Deserves your hate ; and your affections are
+A sick man's appetite , who desires most that
+Which would increase his evil . He that depends
+Upon your favours swims with fins of lead
+And hews down oaks with rushes . Hang ye ! Trust ye ?
+With every minute you do change a mind ,
+And call him noble that was now your hate ,
+Him vile that was your garland . What's the matter ,
+That in these several places of the city
+You cry against the noble senate , who ,
+Under the gods , keep you in awe , which else
+Would feed on one another ? What's their seeking ?
+
+For corn at their own rates ; whereof they say
+The city is well stor'd .
+
+Hang 'em ! They say !
+They'll sit by the fire , and presume to know
+What's done i' the Capitol ; who's like to rise ,
+Who thrives , and who declines ; side factions , and give out
+Conjectural marriages ; making parties strong ,
+And feebling such as stand not in their liking ,
+Below their cobbled shoes . They say there's grain enough !
+Would the nobility lay aside their ruth ,
+And let me use my sword , I'd make a quarry
+With thousands of these quarter'd slaves , as high
+As I could pick my lance .
+
+Nay , these are almost thoroughly persuaded ;
+For though abundantly they lack discretion ,
+Yet are they passing cowardly . But , I beseech you ,
+What says the other troop ?
+
+They are dissolv'd : hang 'em !
+They said they were an-hungry ; sigh'd forth proverbs :
+That hunger broke stone walls ; that dogs must eat ;
+That meat was made for mouths ; that the gods sent not
+Corn for the rich men only . With these shreds
+They vented their complainings ; which being answer'd ,
+And a petition granted them , a strange one ,
+To break the heart of generosity ,
+And make bold power look pale ,they threw their caps
+As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon ,
+Shouting their emulation .
+
+What is granted them ?
+
+Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms ,
+Of their own choice : one's Junius Brutus ,
+Sicinius Velutus , and I know not 'Sdeath !
+The rabble should have first unroof'd the city ,
+Ere so prevail'd with me ; it will in time
+Win upon power , and throw forth greater themes
+For insurrection's arguing .
+
+This is strange .
+
+Go ; get you home , you fragments !
+
+
+Where's Caius Marcius ?
+
+Here : what's the matter ?
+
+The news is , sir , the Volsces are in arms .
+
+I am glad on't ; then we shall ha' means to vent
+Our musty superfluity . See , our best elders .
+
+
+Marcius , 'tis true that you have lately told us ;
+The Volsces are in arms .
+
+They have a leader ,
+Tullus Aufidius , that will put you to't .
+I sin in envying his nobility ,
+And were I anything but what I am ,
+I would wish me only he .
+
+You have fought together .
+
+Were half to half the world by the ears , and he
+Upon my party , I'd revolt , to make
+Only my wars with him : he is a lion
+That I am proud to hunt .
+
+Then , worthy Marcius ,
+Attend upon Cominius to these wars .
+
+It is your former promise .
+
+Sir , it is ;
+And I am constant . Titus Lartius , thou
+Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face .
+What ! art thou stiff ? stand'st out ?
+
+No , Caius Marcius ;
+I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other ,
+Ere stay behind this business .
+
+O ! true-bred .
+
+Your company to the Capitol ; where I know
+Our greatest friends attend us .
+
+Lead you on :
+
+
+Follow Cominius ; we must follow you ;
+Right worthy you priority .
+
+Noble Marcius !
+
+Hence ! to your homes ! be gone .
+
+Nay , let them follow :
+The Volsces have much corn ; take these rats thither
+To gnaw their garners . Worshipful mutiners ,
+Your valour puts well forth ; pray , follow .
+
+
+Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius ?
+
+He has no equal .
+
+When we were chosen tribunes for the people ,
+
+Mark'd you his lip and eyes ?
+
+Nay , but his taunts .
+
+Being mov'd , he will not spare to gird the gods .
+
+Bemock the modest moon .
+
+The present wars devour him ; he is grown
+Too proud to be so valiant .
+
+Such a nature ,
+Tickled with good success , disdains the shadow
+Which he treads on at noon . But I do wonder
+His insolence can brook to be commanded
+Under Cominius .
+
+Fame , at the which he aims ,
+In whom already he is well grac'd , cannot
+Better be held nor more attain'd than by
+A place below the first ; for what miscarries
+Shall be the general's fault , though he perform
+To the utmost of a man ; and giddy censure
+Will then cry out of Marcius 'O ! if he
+Had borne the business .'
+
+Besides , if things go well ,
+Opinion , that so sticks on Marcius , shall
+Of his demerits rob Cominius .
+
+Come :
+Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius ,
+Though Marcius earn'd them not ; and all his faults
+To Marcius shall be honours , though indeed
+In aught he merit not .
+
+Let's hence and hear
+How the dispatch is made ; and in what fashion ,
+More than his singularity , he goes
+Upon this present action .
+
+Let's along .
+
+
+So , your opinion is , Aufidius ,
+That they of Rome are enter'd in our counsels ,
+And know how we proceed .
+
+Is it not yours ?
+What ever have been thought on in this state ,
+That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
+Had circumvention ? 'Tis not four days gone
+Since I heard thence ; these are the words : I think
+I have the letter here ; yes , here it is .
+They have press'd a power , but it is not known
+Whether for east , or west : the dearth is great ;
+The people mutinous ; and it is rumour'd ,
+Cominius , Marcius , your old enemy ,
+Who is of Rome worse hated than of you ,
+And Titus Lartius , a most valiant Roman ,
+These three lead on this preparation
+Whither 'tis bent : most likely 'tis for you :
+Consider of it .
+
+Our army's in the field :
+We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
+To answer us .
+
+Nor did you think it folly
+To keep your great pretences veil'd till when
+They needs must show themselves ; which in the hatching ,
+It seem'd , appear'd to Rome . By the discovery
+We shall be shorten'd in our aim , which was
+To take in many towns ere almost Rome
+Should know we were afoot .
+
+Noble Aufidius ,
+Take your commission ; hie you to your bands ;
+Let us alone to guard Corioli :
+If they set down before's , for the remove
+Bring up your army ; but , I think you'll find
+They've not prepared for us .
+
+O ! doubt not that ;
+I speak from certainties . Nay , more ;
+Some parcels of their power are forth already ,
+And only hitherward . I leave your honours .
+If we and Caius Marcius chance to meet ,
+'Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike
+Till one can do no more .
+
+The gods assist you !
+
+And keep your honours safe !
+
+Farewell .
+
+Farewell .
+
+Farewell .
+
+
+I pray you , daughter , sing ; or express yourself in a more comfortable sort . If my son were my husband , I would freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than in the embracements of his bed where he would show most love . When yet he was but tender-bodied and the only son of my womb , when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way , when for a day of kings' entreaties a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding , I , considering how honour would become such a person , that it was no better than picture-like to hang by the wall , if renown made it not stir , was pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame . To a cruel war I sent him ; from whence he returned , his brows bound with oak . I tell thee , daughter , I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a man-child than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man .
+
+But had he died in the business , madam ; how then ?
+
+Then , his good report should have been my son ; I therein would have found issue . Hear me profess sincerely : had I a dozen sons , each in my love alike , and none less dear than thine and my good Marcius , I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action .
+
+
+Madam , the Lady Valeria is come to visit you .
+
+Beseech you , give me leave to retire myself .
+
+Indeed , you shall not .
+Methinks I hear hither your husband's drum ,
+See him pluck Aufidius down by the hair ,
+As children from a bear , the Volsces shunning him :
+Methinks I see him stamp thus , and call thus :
+'Come on , you cowards ! you were got in fear ,
+Though you were born in Rome .' His bloody brow
+With his mail'd hand then wiping , forth he goes ,
+Like to a harvestman that's task'd to mow
+Or all or lose his hire .
+
+His bloody brow ! O Jupiter ! no blood .
+
+Away , you fool ! it more becomes a man
+Than gilt his trophy : the breasts of Hecuba ,
+When she did suckle Hector , look'd not lovelier
+Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood
+At Grecian swords , contemning . Tell Valeria
+We are fit to bid her welcome .
+
+
+Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius !
+
+He'll beat Aufidius' head below his knee ,
+And tread upon his neck .
+
+
+My ladies both , good day to you .
+
+Sweet madam .
+
+I am glad to see your ladyship .
+
+How do you both ? you are manifest housekeepers . What are you sewing here ? A fine spot , in good faith . How does your little son ?
+
+I thank your ladyship ; well , good madam .
+
+He had rather see the swords and hear a drum , than look upon his schoolmaster .
+
+O' my word , the father's son ; I'll swear 'tis a very pretty boy . O' my troth , I looked upon him o' Wednesday half an hour together : he has such a confirmed countenance . I saw him run after a gilded butterfly ; and when he caught it , he let it go again ; and after it again ; and over and over he comes , and up again ; catched it again : or whether his fall enraged him , or how 'twas , he did so set his teeth and tear it ; O ! I warrant , how he mammocked it !
+
+One on's father's moods .
+
+Indeed , la , 'tis a noble child .
+
+A crack , madam .
+
+Come , lay aside your stitchery ; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon .
+
+No , good madam ; I will not out of doors .
+
+Not out of doors !
+
+She shall , she shall .
+
+Indeed , no , by your patience ; I'll not over the threshold till my lord return from the wars .
+
+Fie ! you confine yourself most unreasonably . Come ; you must go visit the good lady that lies in .
+
+I will wish her speedy strength , and visit her with my prayers ; but I cannot go thither .
+
+Why , I pray you ?
+
+'Tis not to save labour , nor that I want love .
+
+You would be another Penelope ; yet , they say , all the yarn she spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths . Come ; I would your cambric were sensible as your finger , that you might leave pricking it for pity . Come , you shall go with us .
+
+No , good madam , pardon me ; indeed , I will not forth .
+
+In truth , la , go with me ; and I'll tell you excellent news of your husband .
+
+O , good madam , there can be none yet .
+
+Verily , I do not jest with you ; there came news from him last night .
+
+Indeed , madam ?
+
+In earnest , it's true ; I heard a senator speak it . Thus it is : The Volsces have an army forth ; against whom Cominius the general is gone , with one part of our Roman power : your lord and Titus Lartius are set down before their city Corioli ; they nothing doubt prevailing and to make it brief wars . This is true , on mine honour ; and so , I pray , go with us .
+
+Give me excuse , good madam ; I will obey you in every thing hereafter .
+
+Let her alone , lady : as she is now she will but disease our better mirth .
+
+In troth , I think she would . Fare you well then . Come , good sweet lady . Prithee , Virgilia , turn thy solemness out o' door , and go along with us .
+
+No , at a word , madam ; indeed I must not . I wish you much mirth .
+
+Well then , farewell .
+
+
+Yonder comes news : a wager they have met .
+
+My horse to yours , no .
+
+'Tis done .
+
+Agreed .
+
+Say , has our general met the enemy ?
+
+They lie in view , but have not spoke as yet .
+
+So the good horse is mine .
+
+I'll buy him of you .
+
+No , I'll nor sell nor give him ; lend you him I will
+For half a hundred years . Summon the town .
+
+How far off lie these armies ?
+
+Within this mile and half .
+
+Then shall we hear their 'larum , and they ours .
+Now , Mars , I prithee , make us quick in work ,
+That we with smoking swords may march from hence ,
+To help our fielded friends ! Come , blow thy blast .
+
+Tullus Aufidius , is he within your walls ?
+
+No , nor a man that fears you less than he ,
+That's lesser than a little . Hark , our drums
+
+Are bringing forth our youth : we'll break our walls ,
+Rather than they shall pound us up : our gates ,
+Which yet seem shut , we have but pinn'd with rushes ;
+They'll open of themselves . Hark you , far off !
+
+There is Aufidius : list , what work he makes
+Amongst your cloven army .
+
+O ! they are at it !
+
+Their noise be our instruction . Ladders , ho !
+
+
+They fear us not , but issue forth their city .
+Now put your shields before your hearts , and fight
+With hearts more proof than shields . Advance , brave Titus :
+They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts ,
+Which makes me sweat with wrath . Come on , my fellows :
+He that retires , I'll take him for a Volsce ,
+And he shall feel mine edge .
+
+
+All the contagion of the south light on you ,
+You shames of Rome ! you herd of Boils and plagues
+Plaster you o'er , that you may be abhorr'd
+Further than seen , and one infect another
+Against the wind a mile ! You souls of geese ,
+That bear the shapes of men , how have you run
+From slaves that apes would beat ! Pluto and hell !
+All hurt behind ; backs red , and faces pale
+With flight and agu'd fear ! Mend and charge home ,
+Or , by the fires of heaven , I'll leave the foe
+And make my wars on you ; look to 't : come on ;
+If you'll stand fast , we'll beat them to their wives ,
+As they us to our trenches follow'd .
+
+
+So , now the gates are ope : now prove good seconds :
+'Tis for the followers Fortune widens them ,
+Not for the fliers : mark me , and do the like .
+
+
+Foolhardiness ! not I .
+
+Nor I .
+
+
+See , they have shut him in .
+
+To the pot , I warrant him .
+
+What is become of Marcius ?
+
+Slain , sir , doubtless .
+
+Following the fliers at the very heels ,
+With them he enters ; who , upon the sudden ,
+Clapp'd-to their gates ; he is himself alone ,
+To answer all the city .
+
+O noble fellow !
+Who , sensibly , outdares his senseless sword ,
+And , when it bows , stands up . Thou art left , Marcius :
+A carbuncle entire , as big as thou art ,
+Were not so rich a jewel . Thou wast a soldier
+Even to Cato's wish , not fierce and terrible
+Only in strokes ; but , with thy grim looks and
+The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds ,
+Thou mad'st thine enemies shake , as if the world
+Were feverous and did tremble .
+
+
+Look , sir !
+
+O ! 'tis Marcius !
+Let's fetch him off , or make remain alike .
+
+
+This will I carry to Rome .
+
+And I this .
+
+A murrain on't ! I took this for silver .
+
+See here these movers that do prize their hours
+At a crack'd drachme ! Cushions , leaden spoons ,
+Irons of a doit , doublets that hangmen would
+Bury with those that wore them , these base slaves ,
+Ere yet the fight be done , pack up . Down with them !
+And hark , what noise the general makes ! To him !
+There is the man of my soul's hate , Aufidius ,
+Piercing our Romans : then , valiant Titus , take
+Convenient numbers to make good the city ,
+Whilst I , with those that have the spirit , will haste
+To help Cominius .
+
+Worthy sir , thou bleed'st ;
+Thy exercise hath been too violent
+For a second course of fight .
+
+Sir , praise me not ;
+My work hath yet not warm'd me : fare you well :
+The blood I drop is rather physical
+Than dangerous to me : to Aufidius thus
+I will appear , and fight .
+
+Now the fair goddess , Fortune ,
+Fall deep in love with thee ; and her great charms
+Misguide thy opposers' swords ! Bold gentleman ,
+Prosperity be thy page !
+
+Thy friend no less
+Than those she places highest ! So , farewell .
+
+Thou worthiest Marcius !
+
+Go , sound thy trumpet in the market-place ;
+Call thither all the officers of the town ,
+Where they shall know our mind . Away !
+
+
+Breathe you , my friends : well fought ; we are come off
+Like Romans , neither foolish in our stands ,
+Nor cowardly in retire : believe me , sirs ,
+We shall be charg'd again . Whiles we have struck ,
+By interims and conveying gusts we have heard
+The charges of our friends . Ye Roman gods !
+Lead their successes as we wish our own ,
+That both our powers , with smiling fronts encountering ,
+May give you thankful sacrifice .
+
+Thy news ?
+
+The citizens of Corioli have issu'd ,
+And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle :
+I saw our party to their trenches driven ,
+And then I came away .
+
+Though thou speak'st truth ,
+Methinks thou speak'st not well . How long is't since ?
+
+Above an hour , my lord .
+
+'Tis not a mile ; briefly we heard their drums :
+How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour ,
+And bring thy news so late ?
+
+Spies of the Volsces
+Held me in chase , that I was forc'd to wheel
+Three or four miles about ; else had I , sir ,
+Half an hour since brought my report .
+
+Who's yonder ,
+That does appear as he were flay'd ? O gods !
+He has the stamp of Marcius ; and I have
+Before-time seen him thus .
+
+Come I too late ?
+
+The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor ,
+More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue
+From every meaner man .
+
+
+Come I too late ?
+
+Ay , if you come not in the blood of others ,
+But mantled in your own .
+
+O ! let me clip ye
+In arms as sound as when I woo'd , in heart
+As merry as when our nuptial day was done ,
+And tapers burn'd to bedward .
+
+Flower of warriors .
+How is't with Titus Lartius ?
+
+As with a man busied about decrees :
+Condemning some to death , and some to exile ;
+Ransoming him , or pitying , threat'ning the other ;
+Holding Corioli in the name of Rome ,
+Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash ,
+To let him slip at will .
+
+Where is that slave
+Which told me they had beat you to your trenches ?
+Where is he ? Call him hither .
+
+Let him alone ;
+He did inform the truth : but for our gentlemen ,
+The common file a plague ! tribunes for them !
+The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge
+From rascals worse than they .
+
+But how prevail'd you ?
+
+Will the time serve to tell ? I do not think .
+Where is the enemy ? Are you lords o' the field ?
+If not , why cease you till you are so ?
+
+Marcius , we have at disadvantage fought ,
+And did retire to win our purpose .
+
+How lies their battle ? Know you on which side
+They have plac'd their men of trust ?
+
+As I guess , Marcius ,
+Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates ,
+Of their best trust ; o'er them Aufidius ,
+Their very heart of hope .
+
+I do beseech you ,
+By all the battles wherein we have fought ,
+By the blood we have shed together , by the vows
+We have made to endure friends , that you directly
+Set me against Aufidius and his Antiates ;
+And that you not delay the present , but ,
+Filling the air with swords advanc'd and darts ,
+We prove this very hour .
+
+Though I could wish
+You were conducted to a gentle bath ,
+And balms applied to you , yet dare I never
+Deny your asking : take your choice of those
+That best can aid your action .
+
+Those are they
+That most are willing . If any such be here
+As it were sin to doubt that love this painting
+Wherein you see me smear'd ; if any fear
+Lesser his person than an ill report ;
+If any think brave death outweighs bad life ,
+And that his country's dearer than himself ;
+Let him , alone , or so many so minded ,
+Wave thus , to express his disposition ,
+And follow Marcius .
+
+O ! me alone ? Make you a sword of me ?
+If these shows be not outward , which of you
+But is four Volsces ? None of you but is
+Able to bear against the great Aufidius
+A shield as hard as his . A certain number ,
+Though thanks to all , must I select from all : the rest
+Shall bear the business in some other fight ,
+As cause will be obey'd . Please you to march ;
+And four shall quickly draw out my command ,
+Which men are best inclin'd .
+
+March on , my fellows :
+Make good this ostentation , and you shall
+Divide in all with us .
+
+
+So ; let the ports be guarded : keep your duties ,
+As I have set them down . If I do send , dispatch
+Those centuries to our aid ; the rest will serve
+For a short holding : if we lose the field ,
+We cannot keep the town .
+
+Fear not our care , sir .
+
+Hence , and shut your gates upon us .
+Our guider , come ; to the Roman camp conduct us .
+
+
+I'll fight with none but thee ; for I do hate thee
+Worse than a promise-breaker .
+
+We hate alike :
+Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor
+More than thy fame and envy . Fix thy foot .
+
+Let the first budger die the other's slave ,
+And the gods doom him after !
+
+If I fly , Marcius ,
+Halloo me like a hare .
+
+Within these three hours , Tullus ,
+Alone I fought in your Corioli walls ,
+And made what work I pleas'd ; 'tis not my blood
+Wherein thou seest me mask'd ; for thy revenge
+Wrench up thy power to the highest .
+
+Wert thou the Hector
+That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny ,
+Thou shouldst not 'scape me here .
+
+Officious , and not valiant , you have sham'd me
+In your condemned seconds .
+
+
+If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work ,
+Thou'lt not believe thy deeds : but I'll report it
+Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles ,
+Where great patricians shall attend and shrug ,
+I' the end , admire ; where ladies shall be frighted ,
+And , gladly quak'd , hear more ; where the dull Tribunes ,
+That , with the fusty plebeians , hate thine honours ,
+Shall say , against their hearts ,
+'We thank the gods our Rome hath such a soldier !'
+Yet cam'st thou to a morsel of this feast ,
+Having fully din'd before .
+
+
+O general ,
+Here is the steed , we the caparison :
+Hadst thou beheld
+
+Pray now , no more : my mother ,
+Who has a charter to extol her blood ,
+When she does praise me grieves me . I have done
+As you have done ; that's what I can ; induc'd
+As you have been ; that's for my country :
+He that has but effected his good will
+Hath overta'en mine act .
+
+You shall not be
+The grave of your deserving ; Rome must know
+The value of her own : 'twere a concealment
+Worse than a theft , no less than a traducement ,
+To hide your doings ; and to silence that ,
+Which , to the spire and top of praises vouch'd ,
+Would seem but modest . Therefore , I beseech you ,
+In sign of what you are , not to reward
+What you have done ,before our army hear me .
+
+I have some wounds upon me , and they smart
+To hear themselves remember'd .
+
+Should they not .
+Well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude ,
+And tent themselves with death . Of all the horses ,
+Whereof we have ta'en good , and good store , of all
+The treasure , in this field achiev'd and city ,
+We render you the tenth ; to be ta'en forth ,
+Before the common distribution ,
+At your only choice .
+
+I thank you , general ;
+But cannot make my heart consent to take
+A bribe to pay my sword : I do refuse it ;
+And stand upon my common part with those
+That have beheld the doing .
+
+May these same instruments , which you profane ,
+Never sound more ! When drums and trumpets shall
+I' the field prove flatterers , let courts and cities be
+Made all of false-fac'd soothing !
+When steel grows soft as is the parasite's silk ,
+Let him be made a coverture for the wars !
+No more , I say ! For that I have not wash'd
+My nose that bled , or foil'd some debile wretch ,
+Which , without note , here's many else have done ,
+You shout me forth
+In acclamations hyperbolical ;
+As if I lov'd my little should be dieted
+In praises sauc'd with lies .
+
+Too modest are you ;
+More cruel to your good report than grateful
+To us that give you truly . By your patience ,
+If 'gainst yourself you be incens'd , we'll put you ,
+Like one that means his proper harm , in manacles ,
+Then reason safely with you . Therefore , be it known ,
+As to us , to all the world , that Caius Marcius
+Wears this war's garland ; in token of the which ,
+My noble steed , known to the camp , I give him ,
+With all his trim belonging ; and from this time ,
+For what he did before Corioli , call him ,
+With all the applause and clamour of the host ,
+The addition nobly ever !
+
+Caius Marcius Coriolanus !
+
+
+I will go wash ;
+And when my face is fair , you shall perceive
+Whether I blush , or no : howbeit , I thank you .
+I mean to stride your steed , and at all times
+To undercrest your good addition
+To the fairness of my power .
+
+So , to our tent ;
+Where , ere we do repose us , we will write
+To Rome of our success . You , Titus Lartius ,
+Must to Corioli back : send us to Rome
+The best , with whom we may articulate ,
+For their own good and ours .
+
+I shall , my lord .
+
+The gods begin to mock me . I , that now
+Refus'd most princely gifts , am bound to beg
+Of my lord general .
+
+Take it ; 'tis yours . What is't ?
+
+I sometime lay here in Corioli
+At a poor man's house ; he us'd me kindly :
+He cried to me ; I saw him prisoner ;
+But then Aufidius was within my view ,
+And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity : I request you
+To give my poor host freedom .
+
+O ! well begg'd !
+Were he the butcher of my son , he should
+Be free as is the wind . Deliver him , Titus .
+
+Marcius , his name ?
+
+By Jupiter ! forgot .
+I am weary ; yea , my memory is tir'd .
+Have we no wine here ?
+
+Go we to our tent :
+The blood upon your visage dries ; 'tis time
+It should be look'd to : come .
+
+The town is ta'en !
+
+'Twill be deliver'd back on good condition .
+
+Condition !
+I would I were a Roman ; for I cannot ,
+Being a Volsce , be that I am . Condition !
+What good condition can a treaty find
+I' the part that is at mercy ? Five times , Marcius ,
+I have fought with thee ; so often hast thou beat me ,
+And wouldst do so , I think , should we encounter
+As often as we eat . By the elements ,
+If e'er again I meet him beard to beard ,
+He is mine , or I am his : mine emulation
+Hath not that honour in't it had ; for where
+I thought to crush him in an equal force
+True sword to sword I'll potch at him some way
+Or wrath or craft may get him .
+
+He's the devil .
+
+Bolder , though not so subtle . My valour's poison'd
+With only suffering stain by him ; for him
+Shall fly out of itself . Nor sleep nor sanctuary ,
+Being naked , sick , nor fane nor Capitol ,
+The prayers of priests , nor times of sacrifice ,
+Embarquements all of fury , shall lift up
+Their rotten privilege and custom 'gainst
+My hate to Marcius . Where I find him , were it
+At home , upon my brother's guard , even there
+Against the hospitable canon , would I
+Wash my fierce hand in 's heart . Go you to the city ;
+Learn how 'tis held , and what they are that must
+Be hostages for Rome .
+
+Will not you go ?
+
+I am attended at the cypress grove : I pray you
+'Tis south the city mills bring me word thither
+How the world goes , that to the pace of it
+I may spur on my journey .
+
+I shall , sir .
+
+The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night .
+
+Good or bad ?
+
+Not according to the prayer of the people , for they love not Marcius .
+
+Nature teaches beasts to know their friends .
+
+Pray you , who does the wolf love ?
+
+The lamb .
+
+Ay , to devour him ; as the hungry plebeians would the noble Marcius .
+
+He's a lamb indeed , that baes like a bear .
+
+He's a bear indeed , that lives like a lamb . You two are old men ; tell me one thing that I shall ask you .
+
+Well , sir .
+
+Well , sir .
+
+In what enormity is Marcius poor in , that you two have not in abundance ?
+
+He's poor in no one fault , but stored with all .
+
+Especially in pride .
+
+And topping all others in boasting .
+
+This is strange now : do you two know how you are censured here in the city , I mean of us o' the right hand file ? Do you ?
+
+Why , how are we censured ?
+
+Because you talk of pride now ,Will you not be angry ?
+
+Well , well , sir ; well .
+
+Why , 'tis no great matter ; for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience : give your dispositions the reins , and be angry at your pleasures ; at the least , if you take it as a pleasure to you in being so . You blame Marcius for being proud ?
+
+We do it not alone , sir .
+
+I know you can do very little alone ; for your helps are many , or else your actions would grow wondrous single : your abilities are too infant-like , for doing much alone . You talk of pride : O ! that you could turn your eyes towards the napes of your necks , and make but an interior survey of your good selves . O ! that you could .
+
+What then , sir ?
+
+Why , then you should discover a brace of unmeriting , proud , violent , testy magistrates alias fools as any in Rome .
+
+Menenius , you are known well enough too .
+
+I am known to be a humorous patrician , and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tiber in't ; said to be something imperfect in favouring the first complaint ; hasty and tinder-like upon too trivial motion ; one that converses more with the buttock of the night than with the forehead of the morning . What I think I utter , and spend my malice in my breath . Meeting two such wealsmen as you are ,I cannot call you Lycurguses ,if the drink you give me touch my palate adversely , I make a crooked face at it . I cannot say your worships have delivered the matter well when I find the ass in compound with the major part of your syllables ; and though I must be content to bear with those that say you are reverend grave men , yet they lie deadly that tell you have good faces . If you see this in the map of my microcosm , follows it that I am known well enough too ? What harm can your bisson conspectuities glean out of this character , if I be known well enough too ?
+
+Come , sir , come , we know you well enough .
+
+You know neither me , yourselves , nor anything . You are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and legs : you wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a cause between an orange-wife and a fosset-seller , and then rejourn the controversy of three-pence to a second day of audience . When you are hearing a matter between party and party , if you chance to be pinched with the colic , you make faces like mummers , set up the bloody flag against all patience , and , in roaring for a chamber-pot , dismiss the controversy bleeding , the more entangled by your hearing : all the peace you make in their cause is , calling both the parties knaves . You are a pair of strange ones .
+
+Come , come , you are well understood to be a perfecter giber for the table than a necessary bencher in the Capitol .
+
+Our very priests must become mockers if they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are . When you speak best unto the purpose it is not worth the wagging of your beards ; and your beards deserve not so honourable a grave as to stuff a botcher's cushion , or to be entombed in an ass's pack-saddle . Yet you must be saying Marcius is proud ; who , in a cheap estimation , is worth all your predecessors since Deucalion , though peradventure some of the best of 'em were hereditary hangmen . Good den to your worships : more of your conversation would infect my brain , being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians : I will be bold to take my leave of you .
+
+
+How now , my as fair as noble ladies ,and the moon , were she earthly , no nobler ,whither do you follow your eyes so fast ?
+
+Honourable Menenius , my boy Marcius approaches ; for the love of Juno , let's go .
+
+Ha ! Marcius coming home ?
+
+Ay , worthy Menenius ; and with most prosperous approbation .
+
+Take my cap , Jupiter , and I thank thee . Hoo ! Marcius coming home !
+
+Nay , 'tis true .
+
+Nay , 'tis true .
+
+Look , here's a letter from him : the state hath another , his wife another ; and , I think , there's one at home for you .
+
+I will make my very house reel to-night . A letter for me !
+
+Yes , certain , there's a letter for you ; I saw it .
+
+A letter for me ! It gives me an estate of seven years' health ; in which time I will make a lip at the physician : the most sovereign prescription in Galen is but empiricutic , and , to this preservative , of no better report than a horse-drench . Is he not wounded ? he was wont to come home wounded .
+
+O ! no , no , no .
+
+O ! he is wounded , I thank the gods for't .
+
+So do I too , if it be not too much . Brings a' victory in his pocket ? The wounds become him .
+
+On 's brows , Menenius ; he comes the third time home with the oaken garland .
+
+Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly ?
+
+Titus Lartius writes they fought together , but Aufidius got off .
+
+And 'twas time for him too , I'll warrant him that : an he had stayed by him I would not have been so fidiused for all the chests in Corioli , and the gold that's in them . Is the senate possessed of this ?
+
+Good ladies , let's go . Yes , yes , yes ; the senate has letters from the general , wherein he gives my son the whole name of the war . He hath in this action outdone his former deeds doubly .
+
+In troth there's wondrous things spoke of him .
+
+Wondrous ! ay , I warrant you , and not without his true purchasing .
+
+The gods grant them true !
+
+True ! pow , wow .
+
+True ! I'll be sworn they are true . Where is he wounded ?
+
+
+Where is he wounded ?
+
+I' the shoulder , and i' the left arm : there will be large cicatrices to show the people when he shall stand for his place . He received in the repulse of Tarquin seven hurts i' the body .
+
+One i' the neck , and two i' the thigh , there's nine that I know .
+
+He had , before this last expedition , twenty-five wounds upon him .
+
+Now , it's twenty-seven : every gash was an enemy's grave .
+
+Hark ! the trumpets .
+
+These are the ushers of Marcius : before him he carries noise , and behind him he leaves tears :
+Death , that dark spirit , in 's nervy arm doth lie ;
+Which , being advanc'd , declines , and then men die .
+
+
+Know , Rome , that all alone Marcius did fight
+Within Corioli gates : where he hath won ,
+With fame , a name to Caius Marcius ; these
+In honour follows Coriolanus .
+Welcome to Rome , renowned Coriolanus !
+
+
+Welcome to Rome , renowned Coriolanus !
+
+No more of this ; it does offend my heart :
+Pray now , no more .
+
+Look , sir , your mother !
+
+O !
+You have , I know , petition'd all the gods
+For my prosperity .
+
+
+Nay , my good soldier , up ;
+My gentle Marcius , worthy Caius , and
+By deed-achieving honour newly nam'd ,
+What is it ?Coriolanus must I call thee ?
+But O ! thy wife !
+
+My gracious silence , hail !
+Wouldst thou have laugh'd had I come coffin'd home ,
+That weep'st to see me triumph ? Ah ! my dear ,
+Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear ,
+And mothers that lack sons .
+
+Now , the gods crown thee !
+
+And live you yet ?
+
+O my sweet lady , pardon .
+
+I know not where to turn : O ! welcome home ;
+And welcome , general ; and ye're welcome all .
+
+A hundred thousand welcomes : I could weep ,
+And I could laugh ; I am light , and heavy . Welcome .
+A curse begnaw at very root on 's heart
+That is not glad to see thee ! You are three
+That Rome should dote on ; yet , by the faith of men ,
+We have some old crab-trees here at home that will not
+Be grafted to your relish . Yet , welcome , warriors !
+We call a nettle but a nettle , and
+The faults of fools but folly .
+
+Ever right .
+
+Menenius , ever , ever .
+
+Give way there , and go on !
+
+Your hand , and yours :
+Ere in our own house I do shade my head ,
+The good patricians must be visited ;
+From whom I have receiv'd not only greetings ,
+But with them change of honours .
+
+I have liv'd
+To see inherited my very wishes ,
+And the buildings of my fancy : only
+There's one thing wanting , which I doubt not but
+Our Rome will cast upon thee .
+
+Know , good mother ,
+I had rather be their servant in my way
+Than sway with them in theirs .
+
+On , to the Capitol !
+
+
+All tongues speak of him , and the bleared sights
+Are spectacled to see him : your prattling nurse
+Into a rapture lets her baby cry
+While she chats him : the kitchen malkin pins
+Her richest lockram 'bout her reechy neck ,
+Clambering the walls to eye him : stalls , bulks , windows ,
+Are smother'd up , leads fill'd , and ridges hors'd
+With variable complexions , all agreeing
+In earnestness to see him : seld-shown flamens
+Do press among the popular throngs , and puff
+To win a vulgar station : our veil'd dames
+Commit the war of white and damask in
+Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil
+Of Ph bus' burning kisses : such a pother
+As if that whatsoever god who leads him
+Were slily crept into his human powers ,
+And gave him graceful posture .
+
+On the sudden
+I warrant him consul .
+
+Then our office may ,
+During his power , go sleep .
+
+He cannot temperately transport his honours
+From where he should begin and end , but will
+Lose those he hath won .
+
+In that there's comfort .
+
+Doubt not , the commoners , for whom we stand ,
+But they upon their ancient malice will
+Forget with the least cause these his new honours ,
+Which that he'll give them , make I as little question
+As he is proud to do't .
+
+I heard him swear ,
+Were he to stand for consul , never would he
+Appear i' the market-place , nor on him put
+The napless vesture of humility ;
+Nor , showing , as the manner is , his wounds
+To the people , beg their stinking breaths .
+
+'Tis right .
+
+It was his word . O ! he would miss it rather
+Than carry it but by the suit o' the gentry to him
+And the desire of the nobles .
+
+I wish no better
+Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
+In execution .
+
+'Tis most like he will .
+
+It shall be to him then , as our good wills ,
+A sure destruction .
+
+So it must fall out
+To him or our authorities . For an end ,
+We must suggest the people in what hatred
+He still hath held them ; that to his power he would
+Have made them mules , silenc'd their pleaders , and
+Dispropertied their freedoms ; holding them ,
+In human action and capacity ,
+Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
+Than camels in the war ; who have their provand
+Only for bearing burdens , and sore blows
+For sinking under them .
+
+This , as you say , suggested
+At some time when his soaring insolence
+Shall teach the people which time shall not want ,
+If he be put upon 't ; and that's as easy
+As to set dogs on sheep will be his fire
+To kindle their dry stubble ; and their blaze
+Shall darken him for ever .
+
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+You are sent for to the Capitol . 'Tis thought
+That Marcius shall be consul .
+I have seen the dumb men throng to see him , and
+The blind to hear him speak : matrons flung gloves ,
+Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers
+Upon him as he pass'd ; the nobles bended ,
+As to Jove's statue , and the commons made
+A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts :
+I never saw the like .
+
+Let's to the Capitol ;
+And carry with us ears and eyes for the time ,
+But hearts for the event .
+
+Have with you .
+
+
+Come , come , they are almost here .
+How many stand for consulships ?
+
+Three , they say ; but 'tis thought of every one Coriolanus will carry it .
+
+That's a brave fellow ; but he's vengeance proud , and loves not the common people .
+
+Faith , there have been many great men that have flattered the people , who ne'er loved them ; and there be many that they have loved , they know not wherefore : so that if they love they know not why , they hate upon no better a ground . Therefore , for Coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate him manifests the true knowledge he has in their disposition ; and out of his noble carelessness lets them plainly see't .
+
+If he did not care whether he had their love or no , he waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither good nor harm ; but he seeks their hate with greater devotion than they can render it him ; and leaves nothing undone that may fully discover him their opposite . Now , to seem to affect the malice and displeasure of the people is as bad as that which he dislikes , to flatter them for their love .
+
+He hath deserved worthily of his country ; and his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those who , having been supple and courteous to the people , bonneted , without any further deed to have them at all into their estimation and report ; but he hath so planted his honours in their eyes , and his actions in their hearts , that for their tongues to be silent , and not confess so much , were a kind of ingrateful injury ; to report otherwise , were a malice , that , giving itself the lie , would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it .
+
+No more of him ; he is a worthy man : make way , they are coming .
+
+Having determin'd of the Volsces , and
+To send for Titus Lartius , it remains ,
+As the main point of this our after-meeting ,
+To gratify his noble service that
+Hath thus stood for his country : therefore , please you ,
+Most reverend and grave elders , to desire
+The present consul , and last general
+In our well-found successes , to report
+A little of that worthy work perform'd
+By Caius Marcius Coriolanus , whom
+We meet here both to thank and to remember
+With honours like himself .
+
+Speak , good Cominius :
+Leave nothing out for length , and make us think
+Rather our state's defective for requital ,
+Than we to stretch it out .
+
+Masters o' the people ,
+We do request your kindest ears , and , after ,
+Your loving motion toward the common body ,
+To yield what passes here .
+
+We are convented
+Upon a pleasing treaty , and have hearts
+Inclinable to honour and advance
+The theme of our assembly .
+
+Which the rather
+We shall be bless'd to do , if he remember
+A kinder value of the people than
+He hath hereto priz'd them at .
+
+That's off , that's off ;
+I would you rather had been silent . Please you
+To hear Cominius speak ?
+
+Most willingly ;
+But yet my caution was more pertinent
+Than the rebuke you give it .
+
+He loves your people ;
+But tie him not to be their bedfellow .
+Worthy Cominius , speak .
+
+Nay , keep your place .
+
+Sit , Coriolanus ; never shame to hear
+What you have nobly done .
+
+Your honours' pardon :
+I had rather have my wounds to heal again
+Than hear say how I got them .
+
+Sir , I hope
+My words disbench'd you not .
+
+No , sir : yet oft ,
+When blows have made me stay , I fled from words .
+You sooth'd not , therefore hurt not . But your people ,
+I love them as they weigh .
+
+Pray now , sit down .
+
+I had rather have one scratch my head i' the sun
+When the alarum were struck than idly sit
+To hear my nothings monster'd .
+
+
+Masters of the people ,
+Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter ,
+That's thousand to one good one ,when you now see
+He had rather venture all his limbs for honour
+Than one on 's ears to hear it . Proceed , Cominius .
+
+I shall lack voice : the deeds of Coriolanus
+Should not be utter'd feebly . It is held
+That valour is the chiefest virtue , and
+Most dignifies the haver : if it be ,
+The man I speak of cannot in the world
+Be singly counterpois'd . At sixteen years ,
+When Tarquin made a head for Rome , he fought
+Beyond the mark of others ; our then dictator ,
+Whom with all praise I point at , saw him fight ,
+When with his Amazonian chin he drove
+The bristled lips before him . He bestrid
+An o'er-press'd Roman , and i' the consul's view
+Slew three opposers : Tarquin's self he met ,
+And struck him on his knee : in that day's feats ,
+When he might act the woman in the scene ,
+He prov'd best man i' the field , and for his meed
+Was brow-bound with the oak . His pupil age
+Man-enter'd thus , he waxed like a sea ,
+And in the brunt of seventeen battles since
+He lurch'd all swords of the garland . For this last ,
+Before and in Corioli , let me say ,
+I cannot speak him home : he stopp'd the fliers ,
+And by his rare example made the coward
+Turn terror into sport : as weeds before
+A vessel under sail , so men obey'd ,
+And fell below his stem : his sword , death's stamp ,
+Where it did mark , it took ; from face to foot
+He was a thing of blood , whose every motion
+Was tim'd with dying cries : alone he enter'd
+The mortal gate of the city , which he painted
+With shunless destiny ; aidless came off ,
+And with a sudden re-enforcement struck
+Corioli like a planet . Now all's his :
+When by and by the din of war 'gan pierce
+His ready sense ; then straight his doubled spirit
+Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate ,
+And to the battle came he ; where he did
+Run reeking o'er the lives of men , as if
+'Twere a perpetual spoil ; and till we call'd
+Both field and city ours , he never stood
+To ease his breast with panting .
+
+Worthy man !
+
+He cannot but with measure fit the honours
+Which we devise him .
+
+Our spoils he kick'd at ,
+And look'd upon things precious as they were
+The common muck o' the world : he covets less
+Than misery itself would give ; rewards
+His deeds with doing them , and is content
+To spend the time to end it .
+
+He's right noble :
+Let him be call'd for .
+
+Call Coriolanus .
+
+He doth appear .
+
+
+The senate , Coriolanus , are well pleas'd
+To make thee consul .
+
+I do owe them still
+My life and services .
+
+It then remains
+That you do speak to the people .
+
+I do beseech you ,
+Let me o'erleap that custom , for I cannot
+Put on the gown , stand naked , and entreat them ,
+For my wounds' sake , to give their suffrage : please you ,
+That I may pass this doing .
+
+Sir , the people
+Must have their voices ; neither will they bate
+One jot of ceremony .
+
+Put them not to 't :
+Pray you , go fit you to the custom , and
+Take to you , as your predecessors have ,
+Your honour with your form .
+
+It is a part
+That I shall blush in acting , and might well
+Be taken from the people .
+
+Mark you that ?
+
+To brag unto them , thus I did , and thus ;
+Show them the unaching scars which I should hide ,
+As if I had receiv'd them for the hire
+Of their breath only !
+
+Do not stand upon't .
+We recommend to you , tribunes of the people ,
+Our purpose to them ; and to our noble consul
+Wish we all joy and honour .
+
+To Coriolanus come all joy and honour !
+
+
+You see how he intends to use the people .
+
+May they perceive 's intent ! He will require them ,
+As if he did contemn what he requested
+Should be in them to give .
+
+Come ; we'll inform them
+Of our proceedings here : on the market-place
+I know they do attend us .
+
+
+Once , if he do require our voices , we ought not to deny him .
+
+We may , sir , if we will .
+
+We have power in ourselves to do it , but it is a power that we have no power to do ; for if he show us his wounds , and tell us his deeds , we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them ; so , if he tell us his noble deeds , we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them . Ingratitude is monstrous , and for the multitude to be ingrateful were to make a monster of the multitude ; of the which , we being members , should bring ourselves to be monstrous members .
+
+And to make us no better thought of , a little help will serve ; for once we stood up about the corn , he himself stuck not to call us the many-headed multitude .
+
+We have been called so of many ; not that our heads are some brown , some black , some abram , some bald , but that our wits are so diversely coloured : and truly I think , if all our wits were to issue out of one skull , they would fly east , west , north , south ; and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points o' the compass .
+
+Think you so ? Which way do you judge my wit would fly ?
+
+Nay , your wit will not so soon out as another man's will ; 'tis strongly wedged up in a block-head ; but if it were at liberty , 'twould , sure , southward .
+
+Why that way ?
+
+To lose itself in a fog ; where being three parts melted away with rotten dews , the fourth would return for conscience' sake , to help to get thee a wife .
+
+You are never without your tricks . you may , you may .
+
+Are you all resolved to give your voices ? But that's no matter , the greater part carries it . I say , if he would incline to the people , there was never a worthier man .
+
+Here he comes , and in a gown of humility mark his behaviour . We are not to stay all together , but to come by him where he stands , by ones , by twos , and by threes . He's to make his requests by particulars ; wherein every one of us has a single honour , in giving him our own voices with our own tongues : therefore follow me , and I'll direct you how you shall go by him .
+
+Content , content .
+
+
+O , sir , you are not right : have you not known
+The worthiest men have done't ?
+
+What must I say ?
+'I pray , sir ,' Plague upon't ! I cannot bring
+My tongue to such a pace . 'Look , sir , my wounds !
+I got them in my country's service , when
+Some certain of your brethren roar'd and ran
+From the noise of our own drums .'
+
+O me ! the gods !
+You must not speak of that : you must desire them
+To think upon you .
+
+Think upon me ! Hang 'em !
+I would they would forget me , like the virtues
+Which our divines lose by 'em .
+
+You'll mar all :
+I'll leave you . Pray you , speak to 'em , I pray you ,
+In wholesome manner .
+
+Bid them wash their faces ,
+And keep their teeth clean .
+
+So , here comes a brace .
+
+You know the cause , sir , of my standing here ?
+
+We do , sir ; tell us what hath brought you to 't .
+
+Mine own desert .
+
+Your own desert !
+
+Ay , not mine own desire .
+
+How ! not your own desire ?
+
+No , sir , 'twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging .
+
+You must think , if we give you any thing , we hope to gain by you .
+
+Well , then , I pray , your price o' the consulship ?
+
+The price is , to ask it kindly .
+
+Kindly ! sir , I pray , let me ha 't : I have wounds to show you , which shall be yours in private . Your good voice , sir ; what say you ?
+
+You shall ha 't , worthy sir .
+
+A match , sir . There is in all two worthy voices begged . I have your alms : adieu .
+
+But this is something odd .
+
+An 'twere to give again ,but 'tis no matter .
+
+Pray you now , if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul , I have here the customary gown .
+
+You have deserved nobly of your country , and you have not deserved nobly .
+
+Your enigma ?
+
+You have been a scourge to her enemies , you have been a rod to her friends ; you have not indeed loved the common people .
+
+You should account me the more virtuous that I have not been common in my love . I will , sir , flatter my sworn brother the people , to earn a dearer estimation of them ; 'tis a condition they account gentle : and since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart , I will practise the insinuating nod , and be off to them most counterfeitly ; that is , sir , I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man , and give it bountifully to the desirers . Therefore , beseech you , I may be consul .
+
+We hope to find you our friend , and therefore give you our voices heartily .
+
+You have received many wounds for your country .
+
+I will not seal your knowledge with showing them . I will make much of your voices , and so trouble you no further .
+
+The gods give you joy , sir , heartily !
+
+
+Most sweet voices !
+Better it is to die , better to starve ,
+Than crave the hire which first we do deserve .
+Why in this woolvish toge should I stand here ,
+To beg of Hob and Dick , that do appear ,
+Their needless vouches ? Custom calls me to 't :
+What custom wills , in all things should we do 't ,
+The dust on antique time would lie unswept ,
+And mountainous error be too highly heap'd
+For truth to o'er-peer . Rather than fool it so ,
+Let the high office and the honour go
+To one that would do thus . I am half through ;
+The one part suffer'd , the other will I do .
+Here come more voices .
+
+
+Your voices : for your voices I have fought ;
+Watch'd for your voices ; for your voices bear
+Of wounds two dozen odd ; battles thrice six
+I have seen and heard of ; for your voices have
+Done many things , some less , some more ; your voices :
+
+Indeed , I would be consul .
+
+He has done nobly , and cannot go without any honest man's voice .
+
+Therefore let him be consul . The gods give him joy , and make him good friend to the people !
+
+Amen , amen .
+God save thee , noble consul !
+
+
+Worthy voices !
+
+
+You have stood your limitation ; and the tribunes
+Endue you with the people's voice : remains
+That , in the official marks invested , you
+Anon do meet the senate .
+
+Is this done ?
+
+The custom of request you have discharg'd :
+The people do admit you , and are summon'd
+To meet anon , upon your approbation .
+
+Where ? at the senate-house ?
+
+There , Coriolanus .
+
+May I change these garments ?
+
+You may , sir .
+
+That I'll straight do ; and , knowing myself again ,
+Repair to the senate-house .
+
+I'll keep you company . Will you along ?
+
+We stay here for the people .
+
+Fare you well .
+
+He has it now ; and by his looks , methinks ,
+'Tis warm at's heart .
+
+With a proud heart he wore
+His humble weeds . Will you dismiss the people ?
+
+
+How now , my masters ! have you chose this man ?
+
+He has our voices , sir .
+
+We pray the gods he may deserve your love .
+
+Amen , sir . To my poor unworthy notice ,
+He mock'd us when he begg'd our voices .
+
+Certainly ,
+He flouted us downright .
+
+No , 'tis his kind of speech ; he did not mock us .
+
+Not one amongst us , save yourself , but says
+He used us scornfully : he should have show'd us
+His marks of merit , wounds receiv'd for's country .
+
+Why , so he did , I am sure .
+
+No , no ; no man saw 'em .
+
+He said he had wounds , which he could show in private ;
+And with his hat , thus waving it in scorn ,
+'I would be consul ,' says he : 'aged custom ,
+But by your voices , will not so permit me ;
+Your voices therefore :' when we granted that ,
+Here was , 'I thank you for your voices , thank you ,
+Your most sweet voices : now you have left your voices
+I have no further with you .' Was not this mockery ?
+
+Why , either were you ignorant to see 't ,
+Or , seeing it , of such childish friendliness
+To yield your voices ?
+
+Could you not have told him
+As you were lesson'd , when he had no power ,
+But was a petty servant to the state ,
+He was your enemy , ever spake against
+Your liberties and the charters that you bear
+I' the body of the weal ; and now , arriving
+A place of potency and sway o' the state ,
+If he should still malignantly remain
+Fast foe to the plebeii , your voices might
+Be curses to yourselves ? You should have said
+That as his worthy deeds did claim no less
+Than what he stood for , so his gracious nature
+Would think upon you for your voices and
+Translate his malice towards you into love ,
+Standing your friendly lord .
+
+Thus to have said ,
+As you were fore-advis'd , had touch'd his spirit
+And tried his inclination ; from him pluck'd
+Either his gracious promise , which you might ,
+As cause had call'd you up , have held him to ;
+Or else it would have gall'd his surly nature ,
+Which easily endures not article
+Tying him to aught ; so , putting him to rage ,
+You should have ta'en the advantage of his choler ,
+And pass'd him unelected .
+
+Did you perceive
+He did solicit you in free contempt
+When he did need your loves , and do you think
+That his contempt shall not be bruising to you
+When he hath power to crush ? Why , had your bodies
+No heart among you ? or had you tongues to cry
+Against the rectorship of judgment ?
+
+Have you
+Ere now denied the asker ? and now again
+Of him that did not ask , but mock , bestow
+Your su'd-for tongues ?
+
+He's not confirm'd ; we may deny him yet .
+
+And will deny him :
+I'll have five hundred voices of that sound .
+
+Ay , twice five hundred and their friends to piece 'em .
+
+Get you hence instantly , and tell those friends ,
+They have chose a consul that will from them take
+Their liberties ; make them of no more voice
+Than dogs that are as often beat for barking
+As therefore kept to do so .
+
+Let them assemble ;
+And , on a safer judgment , all revoke
+Your ignorant election . Enforce his pride ,
+And his old hate unto you ; besides , forget not
+With what contempt he wore the humble weed ;
+How in his suit he scorn'd you ; but your loves ,
+Thinking upon his services , took from you
+The apprehension of his present portance ,
+Which most gibingly , ungravely , he did fashion
+After the inveterate hate he bears you .
+
+Lay
+A fault on us , your tribunes ; that we labour'd ,
+No impediment between ,but that you must
+Cast your election on him .
+
+Say , you chose him
+More after our commandment than as guided
+By your own true affections ; and that , your minds ,
+Pre-occupied with what you rather must do
+Than what you should , made you against the grain
+To voice him consul : lay the fault on us .
+
+Ay , spare us not . Say we read lectures to you ,
+How youngly he began to serve his country ,
+How long continu'd , and what stock he springs of ,
+The noble house o' the Marcians , from whence came
+That Ancus Marcius , Numa's daughter's son ,
+Who , after great Hostilius , here was king ;
+Of the same house Publius and Quintus were ,
+That our best water brought by conduits hither ;
+And Censorinus , that was so surnam'd ,
+And nobly nam'd so , twice being censor ,
+Was his great ancestor .
+
+One thus descended ,
+That hath , beside , well in his person wrought
+To be set high in place , we did commend
+To your remembrances : but you have found ,
+Scaling his present bearing with his past ,
+That he's your fixed enemy , and revoke
+Your sudden approbation .
+
+Say you ne'er had done 't
+Harp on that still but by our putting on ;
+And presently , when you have drawn your number ,
+Repair to the Capitol .
+
+We will so ; almost all
+Repent in their election .
+
+
+Let them go on ;
+This mutiny were better put in hazard
+Than stay , past doubt , for greater .
+If , as his nature is , he fall in rage
+With their refusal , both observe and answer
+The vantage of his anger .
+
+To the Capitol , come :
+We will be there before the stream o' the people ;
+And this shall seem , as partly 'tis , their own ,
+Which we have goaded onward .
+
+Tullus Aufidius then had made new head ?
+
+He had , my lord ; and that it was which caus'd
+Our swifter composition .
+
+So then the Volsces stand but as at first ,
+Ready , when time shall prompt them , to make road
+Upon 's again .
+
+They are worn , lord consul , so ,
+That we shall hardly in our ages see
+Their banners wave again .
+
+Saw you Aufidius ?
+
+On safe-guard he came to me ; and did curse
+Against the Volsces , for they had so vilely
+Yielded the town : he is retir'd to Antium .
+
+Spoke he of me ?
+
+He did , my lord .
+
+How ? what ?
+
+How often he had met you , sword to sword ;
+That of all things upon the earth he hated
+Your person most , that he would pawn his fortunes
+To hopeless restitution , so he might
+Be call'd your vanquisher .
+
+At Antium lives he ?
+
+At Antium .
+
+I wish I had a cause to seek him there ,
+To oppose his hatred fully . Welcome home .
+
+
+Behold ! these are the tribunes of the people ,
+The tongues o' the common mouth : I do despise them ;
+For they do prank them in authority
+
+Against all noble sufferance .
+
+Pass no further .
+
+Ha ! what is that ?
+
+It will be dangerous to go on : no further .
+
+What makes this change ?
+
+The matter ?
+
+Hath he not pass'd the noble and the common ?
+
+Cominius , no .
+
+Have I had children's voices ?
+
+Tribunes , give way ; he shall to the market-place .
+
+The people are incens'd against him .
+
+Stop ,
+Or all will fall in broil .
+
+Are these your herd ?
+Must these have voices , that can yield them now ,
+And straight disclaim their tongues ? What are your offices ?
+You being their mouths , why rule you not their teeth ?
+Have you not set them on ?
+
+Be calm , be calm .
+
+It is a purpos'd thing , and grows by plot ,
+To curb the will of the nobility :
+Suffer't , and live with such as cannot rule
+Nor ever will be rul'd .
+
+Call't not a plot :
+The people cry you mock'd them , and of late ,
+When corn was given them gratis , you repin'd ;
+Scandall'd the suppliants for the people , call'd them
+Time-pleasers , flatterers , foes to nobleness .
+
+Why , this was known before .
+
+Not to them all .
+
+Have you inform'd them sithence ?
+
+How ! I inform them !
+
+You are like to do such business .
+
+Not unlike ,
+Each way , to better yours .
+
+Why then should I be consul ? By yond clouds ,
+Let me deserve so ill as you , and make me
+Your fellow tribune .
+
+You show too much of that
+For which the people stir ; if you will pass
+To where you are bound , you must inquire your way ,
+Which you are out of , with a gentler spirit ;
+Or never be so noble as a consul ,
+Nor yoke with him for tribune .
+
+Let's be calm .
+
+The people are abus'd ; set on . This paltering
+Becomes not Rome , nor has Coriolanus
+Deserv'd this so dishonour'd rub , laid falsely
+I' the plain way of his merit .
+
+Tell me of corn !
+This was my speech , and I will speak't again ,
+
+Not now , not now .
+
+Not in this heat , sir , now .
+
+Now , as I live , I will . My nobler friends ,
+I crave their pardons :
+For the mutable , rank-scented many , let them
+Regard me as I do not flatter , and
+Therein behold themselves : I say again ,
+In soothing them we nourish 'gainst our senate
+The cockle of rebellion , insolence , sedition ,
+Which we ourselves have plough'd for , sow'd and scatter'd ,
+By mingling them with us , the honour'd number ;
+Who lack'd not virtue , no , nor power , but that
+Which they have given to beggars .
+
+Well , no more .
+
+No more words , we beseech you .
+
+How ! no more !
+As for my country I have shed my blood ,
+Not fearing outward force , so shall my lungs
+Coin words till they decay against those measles ,
+Which we disdain should tetter us , yet sought
+The very way to catch them .
+
+You speak o' the people ,
+As if you were a god to punish , not
+A man of their infirmity .
+
+'Twere well
+We let the people know't .
+
+What , what ? his choler ?
+
+Choler !
+Were I as patient as the midnight sleep ,
+By Jove , 'twould be my mind !
+
+It is a mind
+That shall remain a poison where it is ,
+Not poison any further .
+
+Shall remain !
+Hear you this Triton of the minnows ? mark you
+His absolute 'shall ?'
+
+'Twas from the canon .
+
+'Shall !'
+O good but most unwise patricians ! why ,
+You grave but reckless senators , have you thus
+Given Hydra here to choose an officer ,
+That with his peremptory 'shall ,' being but
+The horn and noise o' the monster's , wants not spirit
+To say he'll turn your current in a ditch ,
+And make your channel his ? If he have power ,
+Then vail your ignorance ; if none , awake
+Your dangerous lenity . If you are learned ,
+Be not as common fools ; if you are not ,
+Let them have cushions by you . You are plebeians
+If they be senators ; and they are no less ,
+When , both your voices blended , the great'st taste
+Most palates theirs . They choose their magistrate ,
+And such a one as he , who puts his 'shall ,'
+His popular 'shall ,' against a graver bench
+Than ever frown'd in Greece . By Jove himself !
+It makes the consuls base ; and my soul aches
+To know , when two authorities are up ;
+Neither supreme , how soon confusion
+May enter 'twixt the gap of both and take
+The one by the other .
+
+Well , on to the market-place .
+
+Whoever gave that counsel , to give forth
+The corn o' the store-house gratis , as 'twas us'd
+Sometime in Greece ,
+
+Well , well ; no more of that .
+
+Though there the people had more absolute power ,
+I say , they nourish'd disobedience , fed
+The ruin of the state .
+
+Why , shall the people give
+One that speaks thus their voice ?
+
+I'll give my reasons ,
+More worthier than their voices . They know the corn
+Was not our recompense , resting well assur'd
+They ne'er did service for 't . Being press'd to the war ,
+Even when the navel of the state was touch'd ,
+They would not thread the gates : this kind of service
+Did not deserve corn gratis . Being i' the war ,
+Their mutinies and revolts , wherein they show'd
+Most valour , spoke not for them . The accusation
+Which they have often made against the senate ,
+All cause unborn , could never be the motive
+Of our so frank donation . Well , what then ?
+How shall this bisson multitude digest
+The senate's courtesy ? Let deeds express
+What's like to be their words : 'We did request it ;
+We are the greater poll , and in true fear
+They gave us our demands .' Thus we debase
+The nature of our seats , and make the rabble
+Call our cares , fears ; which will in time break ope
+The locks o' the senate , and bring in the crows
+To peck the eagles .
+
+Come , enough .
+
+Enough , with over-measure .
+
+No , take more :
+What may be sworn by , both divine and human ,
+Seal what I end withal ! This double worship ,
+Where one part does disdain with cause , the other
+Insult without all reason ; where gentry , title , wisdom ,
+Cannot conclude , but by the yea and no
+Of general ignorance ,it must omit
+Real necessities , and give way the while
+To unstable slightness : purpose so barr'd , it follows
+Nothing is done to purpose . Therefore , beseech you ,
+You that will be less fearful than discreet ,
+That love the fundamental part of state
+More than you doubt the change on 't , that prefer
+A noble life before a long , and wish
+To jump a body with a dangerous physic
+That's sure of death without it , at once pluck out
+The multitudinous tongue ; let them not lick
+The sweet which is their poison . Your dishonour
+Mangles true judgment , and bereaves the state
+Of that integrity which should become it ,
+Not having the power to do the good it would ,
+For the ill which doth control 't .
+
+He has said enough .
+
+He has spoken like a traitor , and shall answer
+As traitors do .
+
+Thou wretch ! despite o'erwhelm thee !
+What should the people do with these bald tribunes ?
+On whom depending , their obedience fails
+To the greater bench . In a rebellion ,
+When what's not meet , but what must be , was law ,
+Then were they chosen : in a better hour ,
+Let what is meet be said it must be meet ,
+And throw their power i' the dust .
+
+Manifest treason !
+
+This a consul ? no .
+
+The diles , ho ! Let him be apprehended .
+
+
+Go , call the people ;
+
+in whose name , myself
+Attach thee as a traitorous innovator ,
+A foe to the public weal : obey , I charge thee ,
+And follow to thine answer .
+
+Hence , old goat !
+
+We'll surety him .
+
+Aged sir , hands off .
+
+Hence , rotten thing ! or I shall shake thy bones
+Out of thy garments .
+
+Help , ye citizens !
+
+
+On both sides more respect .
+
+Here's he that would take from you all your power .
+
+Seize him , diles !
+
+Down with him !down with him !
+
+Weapons !weapons !weapons !
+
+What is about to be ?I am out of breath ;
+Confusion's near ; I cannot speak . You , tribunes
+To the people ! Coriolanus , patience !
+Speak , good Sicinius .
+
+Hear me , people ; peace !
+
+Let's hear our tribune :Peace !Speak , speak , speak .
+
+You are at point to lose your liberties :
+Marcius would have all from you ; Marcius ,
+Whom late you have nam'd for consul .
+
+Fie , fie , fie !
+This is the way to kindle , not to quench .
+
+To unbuild the city and to lay all flat .
+
+What is the city but the people ?
+
+True ,
+The people are the city .
+
+By the consent of all , we were establish'd
+The people's magistrates .
+
+You so remain .
+
+And so are like to do .
+
+That is the way to lay the city flat ;
+To bring the roof to the foundation ,
+And bury all , which yet distinctly ranges ,
+In heaps and piles of ruin .
+
+This deserves death .
+
+Or let us stand to our authority ,
+Or let us lose it . We do here pronounce ,
+Upon the part o' the people , in whose power
+We were elected theirs , Marcius is worthy
+Of present death .
+
+Therefore lay hold of him ;
+Bear him to the rock Tarpeian , and from thence
+Into destruction cast him .
+
+diles , seize him !
+
+Yield , Marcius , yield !
+
+Hear me one word ;
+Beseech you , tribunes , hear me but a word .
+
+Peace , peace !
+
+Be that you seem , truly your country's friends ,
+And temperately proceed to what you would
+Thus violently redress .
+
+Sir , those cold ways ,
+That seem like prudent helps , are very poisonous
+Where the disease is violent . Lay hands upon him ,
+And bear him to the rock .
+
+No , I'll die here .
+
+There's some among you have beheld me fighting :
+Come , try upon yourselves what you have seen me .
+
+Down with that sword ! Tribunes , withdraw awhile .
+
+Lay hands upon him .
+
+Help Marcius , help ,
+You that be noble ; help him , young and old !
+
+Down with him !down with him !
+
+
+Go , get you to your house ; be gone , away !
+All will be naught else .
+
+Get you gone .
+
+Stand fast ;
+We have as many friends as enemies .
+
+Shall it be put to that ?
+
+The gods forbid !
+I prithee , noble friend , home to thy house ;
+Leave us to cure this cause .
+
+For 'tis a sore upon us ,
+You cannot tent yourself : be gone , beseech you .
+
+Come , sir , along with us .
+
+I would they were barbarians ,as they are ,
+Though in Rome litter'd ,not Romans ,as they are not ,
+Though calv'd i' the porch o' the Capitol ,
+
+Be gone ;
+Put not your worthy rage into your tongue ;
+One time will owe another .
+
+On fair ground
+I could beat forty of them .
+
+I could myself
+Take up a brace o' the best of them ; yea , the two tribunes .
+
+But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetic ;
+And manhood is call'd foolery when it stands
+Against a falling fabric . Will you hence ,
+Before the tag return ? whose rage doth rend
+Like interrupted waters and o'erbear
+What they are us'd to bear .
+
+Pray you , be gone .
+I'll try whether my old wit be in request
+With those that have but little : this must be patch'd
+With cloth of any colour .
+
+Nay , come away .
+
+
+This man has marr'd his fortune .
+
+His nature is too noble for the world :
+He would not flatter Neptune for his trident ,
+Or Jove for 's power to thunder . His heart's his mouth :
+What his breast forges , that his tongue must vent ;
+And , being angry , does forget that ever
+He heard the name of death .
+
+Here's goodly work !
+
+I would they were a-bed !
+
+I would they were in Tiber ! What the vengeance !
+Could he not speak 'em fair ?
+
+
+Where is this viper
+That would depopulate the city and
+Be every man himself ?
+
+You worthy tribunes ,
+
+He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock
+With rigorous hands : he hath resisted law ,
+And therefore law shall scorn him further trial
+Than the severity of the public power ,
+Which he so sets at nought .
+
+He shall well know
+The noble tribunes are the people's mouths ,
+And we their hands .
+
+He shall , sure on't .
+
+Sir , sir ,
+
+Peace !
+
+Do not cry havoc , where you should but hunt
+With modest warrant .
+
+Sir , how comes 't that you
+Have holp to make this rescue ?
+
+Hear me speak :
+As I do know the consul's worthiness ,
+So can I name his faults .
+
+Consul ! what consul ?
+
+The Consul Coriolanus .
+
+He consul !
+
+No , no , no , no , no .
+
+If , by the tribunes' leave , and yours , good people ,
+I may be heard , I would crave a word or two ,
+The which shall turn you to no further harm
+Than so much loss of time .
+
+Speak briefly then ;
+For we are peremptory to dispatch
+This viperous traitor . To eject him hence
+Were but one danger , and to keep him here
+Our certain death ; therefore it is decreed
+He dies to-night .
+
+Now the good gods forbid
+That our renowned Rome , whose gratitude
+Towards her deserved children is enroll'd
+In Jove's own book , like an unnatural dam
+Should now eat up her own !
+
+He's a disease that must be cut away .
+
+O ! he's a limb that has but a disease ;
+Mortal to cut it off ; to cure it easy .
+What has he done to Rome that's worthy death ?
+Killing our enemies , the blood he hath lost ,
+Which , I dare vouch , is more than that he hath
+By many an ounce ,he dropp'd it for his country ;
+And what is left , to lose it by his country ,
+Were to us all , that do't and suffer it ,
+A brand to th' end o' the world .
+
+This is clean kam .
+
+Merely awry : when he did love his country
+It honour'd him .
+
+The service of the foot
+Being once gangren'd , is not then respected
+For what before it was .
+
+We'll hear no more .
+Pursue him to his house , and pluck him thence ,
+Lest his infection , being of catching nature ,
+Spread further .
+
+One word more , one word .
+This tiger-footed rage , when it shall find
+The harm of unscann'd swiftness , will , too late ,
+Tie leaden pounds to's heels . Proceed by process ;
+Lest parties as he is belov'd break out ,
+And sack great Rome with Romans .
+
+If 'twere so ,
+
+What do ye talk ?
+Have we not had a taste of his obedience ?
+Our diles smote ? ourselves resisted ? Come !
+
+Consider this : he has been bred i' the wars
+Since he could draw a sword , and is ill school'd
+In bolted language ; meal and bran together
+He throws without distinction . Give me leave ,
+I'll go to him , and undertake to bring him
+Where he shall answer by a lawful form ,
+In peace ,to his utmost peril .
+
+Noble tribunes ,
+It is the humane way : the other course
+Will prove too bloody , and the end of it
+Unknown to the beginning .
+
+Noble Menenius ,
+Be you then as the people's officer .
+Masters , lay down your weapons .
+
+Go not home .
+
+Meet on the market-place . We'll attend you there :
+Where , if you bring not Marcius , we'll proceed
+In our first way .
+
+I'll bring him to you .
+
+
+Let me desire your company . He must come ,
+Or what is worst will follow .
+
+Pray you , let's to him .
+
+
+Let them pull all about mine ears ; present me
+Death on the wheel , or at wild horses' heels ;
+Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock ,
+That the precipitation might down stretch
+Below the beam of sight ; yet will I still
+Be thus to them .
+
+You do the nobler .
+
+I muse my mother
+Does not approve me further , who was wont
+To call them woollen vassals , things created
+To buy and sell with groats , to show bare heads
+In congregations , to yawn , be still , and wonder ,
+When one but of my ordinance stood up
+To speak of peace or war .
+
+
+I talk of you :
+Why did you wish me milder ? Would you have me
+False to my nature ? Rather say I play
+
+The man I am .
+
+O ! sir , sir , sir ,
+I would have had you put your power well on
+Before you had worn it out .
+
+Let go .
+
+You might have been enough the man you are
+With striving less to be so : lesser had been
+The thwarting of your dispositions if
+You had not show'd them how you were dispos'd ,
+Ere they lack'd power to cross you .
+
+Let them hang .
+
+Ay , and burn too .
+
+
+Come , come ; you have been too rough , something too rough ;
+You must return and mend it .
+
+There's no remedy ;
+Unless , by not so doing , our good city
+Cleave in the midst , and perish .
+
+Pray be counsell'd .
+I have a heart of mettle apt as yours ,
+But yet a brain that leads my use of anger
+To better vantage .
+
+Well said , noble woman !
+Before he should thus stoop to the herd , but that
+The violent fit o' the time craves it as physic
+For the whole state , I would put mine armour on ,
+Which I can scarcely bear .
+
+What must I do ?
+
+Return to the tribunes .
+
+Well , what then ? what then ?
+
+Repent what you have spoke .
+
+For them ! I cannot do it to the gods ;
+Must I then do't to them ?
+
+You are too absolute ;
+Though therein you can never be too noble ,
+But when extremities speak . I have heard you say ,
+Honour and policy , like unsever'd friends ,
+I' the war do grow together : grant that , and tell me ,
+In peace what each of them by th' other lose ,
+That they combine not there .
+
+Tush , tush !
+
+A good demand .
+
+If it be honour in your wars to seem
+The same you are not ,which , for your best ends ,
+You adopt your policy ,how is it less or worse ,
+That it shall hold companionship in peace
+With honour , as in war , since that to both
+It stands in like request ?
+
+Why force you this ?
+
+Because that now it lies you on to speak
+To the people ; not by your own instruction ,
+Nor by the matter which your heart prompts you ,
+But with such words that are but rooted in
+Your tongue , though but bastards and syllables
+Of no allowance to your bosom's truth .
+Now , this no more dishonours you at all
+Than to take in a town with gentle words ,
+Which else would put you to your fortune and
+The hazard of much blood .
+I would dissemble with my nature where
+My fortunes and my friends at stake requir'd
+I should do so in honour : I am in this ,
+Your wife , your son , these senators , the nobles ;
+And you will rather show our general louts
+How you can frown than spend a fawn upon 'em ,
+For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard
+Of what that want might ruin .
+
+Noble lady !
+Come , go with us ; speak fair ; you may salve so ,
+Not what is dangerous present , but the loss
+Of what is past .
+
+I prithee now , my son ,
+Go to them , with this bonnet in thy hand ;
+And thus far having stretch'd it ,here be with them ,
+Thy knee bussing the stones ,for in such business
+Action is eloquence , and the eyes of the ignorant
+More learned than the ears ,waving thy head ,
+Which often , thus , correcting thy stout heart ,
+Now humble as the ripest mulberry
+That will not hold the handling : or say to them ,
+Thou art their soldier , and being bred in broils
+Hast not the soft way which , thou dost confess ,
+Were fit for thee to use as they to claim ,
+In asking their good loves ; but thou wilt frame
+Thyself , forsooth , hereafter theirs , so far
+As thou hast power and person .
+
+This but done ,
+Even as she speaks , why , their hearts were yours ;
+For they have pardons , being ask'd , as free
+As words to little purpose .
+
+Prithee now ,
+Go , and be rul'd ; although I know thou hadst rather
+Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf
+Than flatter him in a bower . Here is Cominius .
+
+
+I have been i' the market-place ; and , sir , 'tis fit
+You make strong party , or defend yourself
+By calmness or by absence : all's in anger .
+
+Only fair speech .
+
+I think 'twill serve if he
+Can thereto frame his spirit .
+
+He must , and will .
+Prithee now , say you will , and go about it .
+
+Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce ?
+Must I with my base tongue give to my noble heart
+A lie that it must bear ? Well , I will do't :
+Yet , were there but this single plot to lose ,
+This mould of Marcius , they to dust should grind it ,
+And throw 't against the wind . To the market-place !
+You have put me now to such a part which never
+I shall discharge to the life .
+
+Come , come , we'll prompt you .
+
+I prithee now , sweet son , as thou hast said
+My praises made thee first a soldier , so ,
+To have my praise for this , perform a part
+Thou hast not done before .
+
+Well , I must do 't :
+Away , my disposition , and possess me
+Some harlot's spirit ! My throat of war be turn'd ,
+Which quired with my drum , into a pipe
+Small as a eunuch , or the virgin voice
+That babies lulls asleep ! The smiles of knaves
+Tent in my cheeks , and school-boys' tears take up
+The glasses of my sight ! A beggar's tongue
+Make motion through my lips , and my arm'd knees ,
+Who bow'd but in my stirrup , bend like his
+That hath receiv'd an alms ! I will not do 't ,
+Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth ,
+And by my body's action teach my mind
+A most inherent baseness .
+
+At thy choice then :
+To beg of thee it is my more dishonour
+Than thou of them . Come all to ruin ; let
+Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear
+Thy dangerous stoutness , for I mock at death
+With as big heart as thou . Do as thou list ,
+Thy valiantness was mine , thou suck'dst it from me ,
+But owe thy pride thyself .
+
+Pray , be content :
+Mother , I am going to the market-place ;
+Chide me no more . I'll mountebank their loves ,
+Cog their hearts from them , and come home belov'd
+Of all the trades in Rome . Look , I am going :
+Commend me to my wife . I'll return consul ,
+Or never trust to what my tongue can do
+I' the way of flattery further .
+
+Do your will .
+
+
+Away ! the tribunes do attend you : arm yourself
+To answer mildly ; for they are prepar'd
+With accusations , as I hear , more strong
+Than are upon you yet .
+
+The word is 'mildly .'
+
+Pray you , let us go :
+Let them accuse me by invention , I
+Will answer in mine honour .
+
+Ay , but mildly .
+
+Well , mildly be it then . Mildly !
+
+
+In this point charge him home , that he affects
+Tyrannical power : if he evade us there ,
+Enforce him with his envy to the people ,
+And that the spoil got on the Antiates
+Was ne'er distributed .
+
+What , will he come ?
+
+He's coming .
+
+How accompanied ?
+
+With old Menenius , and those senators
+That always favour'd him .
+
+Have you a catalogue
+Of all the voices that we have procur'd ,
+Set down by the poll ?
+
+I have ; 'tis ready .
+
+Have you collected them by tribes ?
+
+I have .
+
+Assemble presently the people hither ;
+And when they hear me say , 'It shall be so ,
+I' the right and strength o' the commons ,' be it either
+For death , for fine , or banishment , then let them ,
+If I say , fine , cry 'fine ,' if death , cry 'death ,'
+Insisting on the old prerogative
+And power i' the truth o' the cause .
+
+I shall inform them .
+
+And when such time they have begun to cry ,
+Let them not cease , but with a din confus'd
+Enforce the present execution
+Of what we chance to sentence .
+
+Very well .
+
+Make them be strong and ready for this hint ,
+When we shall hap to give 't them .
+
+Go about it .
+
+Put him to choler straight . He hath been us'd
+Ever to conquer , and to have his worth
+Of contradiction : being once chaf'd , he cannot
+Be rein'd again to temperance ; then he speaks
+What's in his heart ; and that is there which looks
+With us to break his neck .
+
+Well , here he comes .
+
+
+Calmly , I do beseech you .
+
+Ay , as an ostler , that for the poorest piece
+Will bear the knave by the volume . The honour'd gods
+Keep Rome in safety , and the chairs of justice
+Supplied with worthy men ! plant love among us !
+Throng our large temples with the shows of peace ,
+And not our streets with war !
+
+Amen , amen .
+
+A noble wish .
+
+
+Draw near , ye people .
+
+List to your tribunes ; audience ; peace ! I say .
+
+First , hear me speak .
+
+Well , say . Peace , ho !
+
+Shall I be charg'd no further than this present ?
+Must all determine here ?
+
+I do demand ,
+If you submit you to the people's voices ,
+Allow their officers , and are content
+To suffer lawful censure for such faults
+As shall be prov'd upon you ?
+
+I am content .
+
+Lo ! citizens , he says he is content :
+The war-like service he has done , consider ; think
+Upon the wounds his body bears , which show
+Like graves i' the holy churchyard .
+
+Scratches with briers ,
+Scars to move laughter only .
+
+Consider further ,
+That when he speaks not like a citizen ,
+You find him like a soldier : do not take
+His rougher accents for malicious sounds ,
+But , as I say , such as become a soldier ,
+Rather than envy you .
+
+Well , well ; no more .
+
+What is the matter ,
+That being pass'd for consul with full voice
+I am so dishonour'd that the very hour
+You take it off again ?
+
+Answer to us .
+
+Say , then : 'tis true , I ought so .
+
+We charge you , that you have contriv'd to take
+From Rome all season'd office , and to wind
+Yourself into a power tyrannical ;
+For which you are a traitor to the people .
+
+How ! Traitor !
+
+Nay , temperately ; your promise .
+
+The fires i' the lowest hell fold-in the people !
+Call me their traitor ! Thou injurious tribune !
+Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths ,
+In thy hands clutch'd as many millions , in
+Thy lying tongue both numbers , I would say
+'Thou liest' unto thee with a voice as free
+As I do pray the gods .
+
+Mark you this , people !
+
+To the rock !to the rock with him !
+
+Peace !
+We need not put new matter to his charge :
+What you have seen him do , and heard him speak ,
+Beating your officers , cursing yourselves ,
+Opposing laws with strokes , and here defying
+Those whose great power must try him ; even this ,
+So criminal and in such capital kind ,
+Deserves the extremest death .
+
+But since he hath
+Serv'd well for Rome ,
+
+What do you prate of service ?
+
+I talk of that , that know it .
+
+You !
+
+Is this the promise that you made your mother ?
+
+Know , I pray you ,
+
+I'll know no further :
+Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death ,
+Vagabond exile , flaying , pent to linger
+But with a grain a day , I would not buy
+Their mercy at the price of one fair word ,
+Nor check my courage for what they can give ,
+To have 't with saying 'Good morrow .'
+
+For that he has ,
+As much as in him lies ,from time to time
+Envied against the people , seeking means
+To pluck away their power , as now at last
+Given hostile strokes , and that not in the presence
+Of dreaded justice , but on the ministers
+That do distribute it ; in the name o' the people ,
+And in the power of us the tribunes , we ,
+Even from this instant , banish him our city ,
+In peril of precipitation
+From off the rock Tarpeian , never more
+To enter our Rome gates : i' the people's name ,
+I say , it shall be so .
+
+It shall be so ,It shall be so ,Let him away .
+He's banish'd , and it shall be so .
+
+Hear me , my masters , and my common friends ,
+
+He's sentenc'd ; no more hearing .
+
+Let me speak :
+I have been consul , and can show for Rome
+Her enemies' marks upon me . I do love
+My country's good with a respect more tender ,
+More holy , and profound , than mine own life ,
+My dear wife's estimate , her womb's increase ,
+And treasure of my loins ; then if I would
+Speak that
+
+We know your drift : speak what ?
+
+There's no more to be said , but he is banish'd ,
+As enemy to the people and his country :
+It shall be so .
+
+It shall be so ,it shall be so .
+
+You common cry of curs ! whose breath I hate
+As reek o' the rotten fens , whose loves I prize
+As the dead carcases of unburied men
+That do corrupt my air , I banish you ;
+And here remain with your uncertainty !
+Let every feeble rumour shake your hearts !
+Your enemies , with nodding of their plumes ,
+Fan you into despair ! Have the power still
+To banish your defenders ; till at length
+Your ignorance ,which finds not , till it feels ,
+Making but reservation of yourselves ,
+Still your own foes ,deliver you as most
+Abated captives to some nation
+That won you without blows ! Despising ,
+For you , the city , thus I turn my back :
+There is a world elsewhere .
+
+
+The people's enemy is gone , is gone !
+
+Our enemy is banish'd !he is gone !Hoo ! hoo !
+
+
+Go , see him out at gates , and follow him ,
+As he hath follow'd you , with all despite ;
+Give him deserv'd vexation . Let a guard
+Attend us through the city .
+
+Come , come ,let us see him out at gates ! come !
+The gods preserve our noble tribunes ! Come !
+
+Come , leave your tears : a brief farewell : the beast
+With many heads butts me away . Nay , mother ,
+Where is your ancient courage ? you were us'd ,
+To say extremity was the trier of spirits ;
+That common chances common men could bear ;
+That when the sea was calm all boats alike
+Show'd mastership in floating ; fortune's blows ,
+When most struck home , being gentle wounded , craves
+A noble cunning : you were us'd to load me
+With precepts that would make invincible
+The heart that conn'd them .
+
+O heavens ! O heavens !
+
+Nay , I prithee , woman ,
+
+Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome ,
+And occupations perish !
+
+What , what , what !
+I shall be lov'd when I am lack'd . Nay , mother ,
+Resume that spirit , when you were wont to say ,
+If you had been the wife of Hercules ,
+Six of his labours you'd have done , and sav'd
+Your husband so much sweat . Cominius ,
+Droop not ; adieu . Farewell , my wife ! my mother !
+I'll do well yet . Thou old and true Menenius ,
+Thy tears are salter than a younger man's .
+And venomous to thine eyes . My sometime general ,
+I have seen thee stern , and thou hast oft beheld
+Heart-hardening spectacles ; tell these sad women
+'Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes
+As 'tis to laugh at them . My mother , you wot well
+My hazards still have been your solace ; and
+Believe 't not lightly ,though I go alone
+Like to a lonely dragon , that his fen
+Makes fear'd and talk'd of more than seen ,your son
+Will or exceed the common or be caught
+With cautelous baits and practice .
+
+My first son ,
+Whither wilt thou go ? Take good Cominius
+With thee awhile : determine on some course ,
+More than a wild exposture to each chance
+That starts i' the way before thee .
+
+O the gods !
+
+I'll follow thee a month , devise with thee
+Where thou shalt rest , that thou mayst hear of us ,
+And we of thee : so , if the time thrust forth
+A cause for thy repeal , we shall not send
+O'er the vast world to seek a single man ,
+And lose advantage , which doth ever cool
+I' the absence of the needer .
+
+Fare ye well :
+Thou hast years upon thee ; and thou art too full
+Of the wars' surfeits , to go rove with one
+That's yet unbruis'd : bring me but out at gate .
+Come , my sweet wife , my dearest mother , and
+My friends of noble touch , when I am forth ,
+Bid me farewell , and smile . I pray you , come .
+While I remain above the ground you shall
+Hear from me still ; and never of me aught
+But what is like me formerly .
+
+That's worthily
+As any ear can hear . Come , let's not weep .
+If I could shake off but one seven years
+From these old arms and legs , by the good gods ,
+I'd with thee every foot .
+
+Give me thy hand :
+Come .
+
+
+Bid them all home ; he's gone , and we'll no further .
+The nobility are vex'd , whom we see have sided
+In his behalf .
+
+Now we have shown our power ,
+Let us seem humbler after it is done
+Than when it was a-doing .
+
+Bid them home ;
+Say their great enemy is gone , and they
+Stand in their ancient strength .
+
+Dismiss them home .
+
+
+Here comes his mother .
+
+Let's not meet her .
+
+Why ?
+
+They say she's mad .
+
+They have ta'en note of us : keep on your way .
+
+O ! you're well met . The hoarded plague o' the gods
+Requite your love !
+
+Peace , peace ! be not so loud .
+
+If that I could for weeping , you should hear ,
+Nay , and you shall hear some .
+
+Will you be gone ?
+
+You shall stay too . I would I had the power
+To say so to my husband .
+
+Are you mankind ?
+
+Ay , fool ; is that a shame ? Note but this fool .
+Was not a man my father ? Hadst thou foxship
+To banish him that struck more blows for Rome
+Than thou hast spoken words ?
+
+O blessed heavens !
+
+More noble blows than ever thou wise words ;
+And for Rome's good . I'll tell thee what ; yet go :
+Nay , but thou shalt stay too : I would my son
+Were in Arabia , and thy tribe before him ,
+His good sword in his hand .
+
+What then ?
+
+What then !
+He'd make an end of thy posterity .
+
+Bastards and all .
+Good man , the wounds that he does bear for Rome !
+
+Come , come : peace !
+
+I would he had continu'd to his country
+As he began , and not unknit himself
+The noble knot he made .
+
+I would he had .
+
+'I would he had !' 'Twas you incens'd the rabble :
+Cats , that can judge as fitly of his worth
+As I can of those mysteries which heaven
+Will not have earth to know .
+
+Pray , let us go .
+
+Now , pray , sir , get you gone :
+You have done a brave deed . Ere you go , hear this :
+As far as doth the Capitol exceed
+The meanest house in Rome , so far my son ,
+This lady's husband here , this , do you see ,
+Whom you have banish'd , does exceed you all .
+
+Well , well , we'll leave you .
+
+Why stay we to be baited
+With one that wants her wits ?
+
+Take my prayers with you .
+
+I would the gods had nothing else to do
+But to confirm my curses ! Could I meet 'em
+But once a day , it would unclog my heart
+Of what lies heavy to 't .
+
+You have told them home ,
+And , by my troth , you have cause . You'll sup with me ?
+
+Anger's my meat ; I sup upon myself ,
+And so shall starve with feeding . Come , let's go .
+Leave this faint puling and lament as I do ,
+In anger , Juno-like . Come , come , come .
+
+Fie , fie , fie !
+
+
+I know you well , sir , and you know me : your name I think is Adrian .
+
+It is so , sir : truly , I have forget you .
+
+I am a Roman ; and my services are , as you are , against 'em : know you me yet ?
+
+Nicanor ? No .
+
+The same , sir .
+
+You had more beard , when I last saw you ; but your favour is well approved by your tongue . What's the news in Rome ? I have a note from the Volscian state to find you out there : you have well saved me a day's journey .
+
+There hath been in Rome strange insurrections : the people against the senators , patricians , and nobles .
+
+Hath been ! Is it ended then ? Our state thinks not-so ; they are in a most war-like preparation , and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division .
+
+The main blaze of it is past , but a small thing would make it flame again . For the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus , that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever . This lies glowing , I can tell you , and is almost mature for the violent breaking out .
+
+Coriolanus banished !
+
+Banished , sir .
+
+You will be welcome with this intelligence , Nicanor .
+
+The day serves well for them now . I have heard it said , the fittest time to corrupt a man's wife is when she's fallen out with her husband . Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars , his great opposer , Coriolanus , being now in no request of his country .
+
+He cannot choose . I am most fortunate , thus accidentally to encounter you : you have ended my business , and I will merrily accompany you home .
+
+I shall , between this and supper , tell you most strange things from Rome ; all tending to the good of their adversaries . Have you an army ready , say you ?
+
+A most royal one : the centurions and their charges distinctly billeted , already in the entertainment , and to be on foot at an hour's warning .
+
+I am joyful to hear of their readiness , and am the man , I think , that shall set them in present action . So , sir , heartily well met , and most glad of your company .
+
+You take my part from me , sir ; I have the most cause to be glad of yours .
+
+Well , let us go together .
+
+
+A goodly city is this Antium . City ,
+'Tis I that made thy widows : many an heir
+Of these fair edifices 'fore my wars
+Have I heard groan and drop : then , know me not ,
+Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones
+In puny battle slay me .
+
+Save you , sir .
+
+And you .
+
+Direct me , if it be your will ,
+Where great Aufidius lies . Is he in Antium ?
+
+He is , and feasts the nobles of the state
+At his house this night .
+
+Which is his house , beseech you ?
+
+This , here before you .
+
+Thank you , sir . Farewell .
+
+O world ! thy slippery turns . Friends now fast sworn ,
+Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart ,
+Whose hours , whose bed , whose meal , and exercise ,
+Are still together , who twin , as 'twere , in love
+Unseparable , shall within this hour ,
+On a dissension of a doit , break out
+To bitterest enmity : so , fellest foes ,
+Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep
+To take the one the other , by some chance ,
+Some trick not worth an egg , shall grow dear friends
+And interjoin their issues . So with me :
+My birth-place hate I , and my love's upon
+This enemy town . I'll enter : if he slay me ,
+He does fair justice ; if he give me way ,
+I'll do his country service .
+
+
+Wine , wine , wine ! What service is here ! I think our fellows are asleep .
+
+Where's Cotus ? my master calls for him . Cotus !
+
+A goodly house : the feast smells well ; but I
+Appear not like a guest .
+
+
+What would you have , friend ? Whence are you ? Here's no place for you : pray , go to the door .
+
+
+I have deserv'd no better entertainment ,
+In being Coriolanus .
+
+
+Whence are you , sir ? Has the porter his eyes in his head , that he gives entrance to such companions ? Pray , get you out .
+
+Away !
+
+'Away !' Get you away .
+
+Now , thou art troublesome .
+
+Are you so brave ? I'll have you talked with anon .
+
+
+What fellow's this ?
+
+A strange one as ever I looked on :
+I cannot get him out o' the house : prithee , call my master to him .
+
+What have you to do here , fellow ? Pray you , avoid the house .
+
+Let me but stand ; I will not hurt your hearth .
+
+What are you ?
+
+A gentleman .
+
+A marvellous poor one .
+
+True , so I am .
+
+Pray you , poor gentleman , take up some other station ; here's no place for you ; pray you , avoid : come .
+
+Follow your function ; go , and batten on cold bits .
+
+
+What , you will not ? Prithee , tell my master what a strange guest he has here .
+
+And I shall .
+
+
+Where dwell'st thou ?
+
+Under the canopy .
+
+'Under the canopy !'
+
+Ay .
+
+Where's that ?
+
+I' the city of kites and crows .
+
+'I' the city of kites and crows !' What an ass it is ! Then thou dwell'st with daws too ?
+
+No ; I serve not thy master .
+
+How sir ! Do you meddle with my master ?
+
+Ay ; 'tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress .
+Thou prat'st , and prat'st : serve with thy trencher . Hence .
+
+Where is this fellow ?
+
+Here , sir : I'd have beaten him like a dog , but for disturbing the lords within .
+
+Whence com'st thou ? what wouldst thou ? Thy name ?
+Why speak'st not ? Speak , man : what's thy name ?
+
+If , Tullus ,
+Not yet thou know'st me , and , seeing me , dost not
+Think me for the man I am , necessity
+Commands me name myself .
+
+What is thy name ?
+
+
+A name unmusical to the Volscians' ears ,
+And harsh in sound to thine .
+
+Say , what's thy name ?
+Thou hast a grim appearance , and thy face
+Bears a command in 't ; though thy tackle's torn ,
+Thou show'st a noble vessel . What's thy name ?
+
+Prepare thy brow to frown . Know'st thou me yet ?
+
+I know thee not . Thy name ?
+
+My name is Caius Marcius , who hath done
+To thee particularly , and to all the Volsces ,
+Great hurt and mischief ; thereto witness may
+My surname , Coriolanus : the painful service ,
+The extreme dangers , and the drops of blood
+Shed for my thankless country , are requited
+But with that surname ; a good memory ,
+And witness of the malice and displeasure
+Which thou shouldst bear me : only that name remains ;
+The cruelty and envy of the people ,
+Permitted by our dastard nobles , who
+Have all forsook me , hath devour'd the rest ;
+And suffer'd me by the voice of slaves to be
+Whoop'd out of Rome . Now this extremity
+Hath brought me to thy hearth ; not out of hope ,
+Mistake me not , to save my life ; for if
+I had fear'd death , of all the men i' the world
+I would have 'voided thee ; but in mere spite ,
+To be full quit of those my banishers ,
+Stand I before thee here . Then if thou hast
+A heart of wreak in thee , that will revenge
+Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
+Of shame seen through thy country , speed thee straight ,
+And make my misery serve thy turn : so use it ,
+That my revengeful services may prove
+As benefits to thee , for I will fight
+Against my canker'd country with the spleen
+Of all the under fiends . But if so be
+Thou dar'st not this , and that to prove more fortunes
+Thou art tir'd , then , in a word , I also am
+Longer to live most weary , and present
+My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice ;
+Which not to cut would show thee but a fool ,
+Since I have ever follow'd thee with hate ,
+Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country's breast ,
+And cannot live but to thy shame , unless
+It be to do thee service .
+
+O Marcius , Marcius !
+Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
+A root of ancient envy . If Jupiter
+Should from yond cloud speak divine things ,
+And say , ''Tis true ,' I'd not believe them more
+Than thee , all noble Marcius . Let me twine
+Mine arms about that body , where against
+My grained ash a hundred times hath broke ,
+And scarr'd the moon with splinters : here I clip
+The anvil of my sword , and do contest
+As hotly and as nobly with thy love
+As ever in ambitious strength I did
+Contend against thy valour . Know thou first ,
+I lov'd the maid I married ; never man
+Sigh'd truer breath ; but that I see thee here ,
+Thou noble thing ! more dances my rapt heart
+Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
+Bestride my threshold . Why , thou Mars ! I tell thee ,
+We have a power on foot ; and I had purpose
+Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn ,
+Or lose mine arm for 't . Thou hast beat me out
+Twelve several times , and I have nightly since
+Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyself and me ;
+We have been down together in my sleep ,
+Unbuckling helms , fisting each other's throat ,
+And wak'd half dead with nothing . Worthy Marcius ,
+Had we no quarrel else to Rome , but that
+Thou art thence banish'd , we would muster all
+From twelve to seventy , and , pouring war
+Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome ,
+Like a bold flood o'er-bear . O ! come ; go in ,
+And take our friendly senators by the hands ,
+Who now are here , taking their leaves of me ,
+Who am prepar'd against your territories ,
+Though not for Rome itself .
+
+You bless me , gods !
+
+Therefore , most absolute sir , if thou wilt have
+The leading of thine own revenges , take
+The one half of my commission , and set down ,
+As best thou art experienc'd , since thou know'st
+Thy country's strength and weakness , thine own ways ;
+Whether to knock against the gates of Rome ,
+Or rudely visit them in parts remote ,
+To fright them , ere destroy . But come in :
+Let me commend thee first to those that shall
+Say yea to thy desires . A thousand welcomes !
+And more a friend than e'er an enemy ;
+Yet , Marcius , that was much . Your hand : most welcome !
+
+
+Here's a strange alteration !
+
+By my hand , I had thought to have strucken him with a cudgel ; and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a false report of him .
+
+What an arm he has ! He turned me about with his finger and his thumb , as one would set up a top .
+
+Nay , I knew by his face that there was something in him : he had , sir , a kind of face , methought ,I cannot tell how to term it .
+
+He had so ; looking as it were , would I were hanged but I thought there was more in him than I could think .
+
+So did I , I'll be sworn : he is simply the rarest man i' the world .
+
+I think he is ; but a greater soldier than he you wot on .
+
+Who ? my master ?
+
+Nay , it's no matter for that .
+
+Worth six on him .
+
+Nay , not so neither ; but I take him to be the greater soldier .
+
+Faith , look you , one cannot tell how to say that : for the defence of a town our general is excellent .
+
+Ay , and for an assault too .
+
+
+O slaves ! I can tell you news ; news , you rascals .
+
+What , what , what ? let's partake .
+
+What , what , what ? let's partake .
+
+I would not be a Roman , of all nations ; I had as lief be a condemned man .
+
+Wherefore ? wherefore ?
+
+Wherefore ? wherefore ?
+
+Why , here's he that was wont to thwack our general , Caius Marcius .
+
+Why do you say 'thwack our general ?'
+
+I do not say , 'thwack our general ;' but he was always good enough for him .
+
+Come , we are fellows and friends : he was ever too hard for him ; I have heard him say so himself .
+
+He was too hard for him ,directly to say the truth on 't : before Corioli he scotched him and notched him like a carbonado .
+
+An he had been cannibally given , he might have broiled and eaten him too .
+
+But , more of thy news .
+
+Why , he is so made on here within , as if he were son and heir to Mars ; set at upper end o' the table ; no question asked him by any of the senators , but they stand bald before him . Our general himself makes a mistress of him ; sanctifies himself with 's hand , and turns up the white o' the eye to his discourse . But the bottom of the news is , our general is out i' the middle , and but one half of what he was yesterday , for the other has half , by the entreaty and grant of the whole table . He'll go , he says , and sowle the porter of Rome gates by the ears : he will mow down all before him , and leave his passage polled .
+
+And he's as like to do 't as any man I can imagine .
+
+Do 't ! he will do 't for look you , sir he has as many friends as enemies ; which friends , sir as it were durst not look you , sir show themselves as we term it his friends , whilst he's in directitude .
+
+Directitude ! what's that ?
+
+But when they shall see , sir , his crest up again , and the man in blood , they will out of their burrows , like comes after rain , and revel all with him .
+
+But when goes this forward ?
+
+To-morrow ; to-day ; presently . You shall have the drum struck up this afternoon ; 'tis , as it were , a parcel of their feast , and to be executed ere they wipe their lips .
+
+Why , then we shall have a stirring world again . This peace is nothing but to rust iron , increase tailors , and breed ballad-makers .
+
+Let me have war , say I ; it exceeds peace as far as day does night ; it's spritely , waking , audible , and full of vent . Peace is a very apoplexy , lethargy ; mulled , deaf , sleepy , insensible ; a getter of more bastard children than war's a destroyer of men .
+
+'Tis so : and as war , in some sort , may be said to be a ravisher , so it cannot be denied but peace is a great maker of cuckolds .
+
+Ay , and it makes men hate one another .
+
+Reason : because they then less need one another . The wars for my money . I hope to see Romans as cheap as Volscians . They are rising , they are rising .
+
+In , in , in , in !
+
+
+We hear not of him , neither need we fear him ;
+His remedies are tame i' the present peace
+And quietness o' the people , which before
+Were in wild hurry . Here do we make his friends
+Blush that the world goes well , who rather had ,
+Though they themselves did suffer by 't , behold
+Dissentious numbers pestering streets , than see
+Our tradesmen singing in their shops and going
+About their functions friendly .
+
+
+We stood to 't in good time . Is this Menenius ?
+
+'Tis he , 'tis he O ! he is grown most kind
+Of late . Hail , sir !
+
+Hail to you both !
+
+Your Coriolanus is not much miss'd
+But with his friends : the commonwealth doth stand ,
+And so would do , were he more angry at it .
+
+All's well ; and might have been much better , if
+He could have temporiz'd .
+
+Where is he , hear you ?
+
+Nay , I hear nothing : his mother and his wife
+Hear nothing from him .
+
+
+The gods preserve you both !
+
+Good den , our neighbours .
+
+Good den to you all , good den to you all .
+
+Ourselves , our wives , and children , on our knees ,
+Are bound to pray for you both .
+
+Live , and thrive !
+
+Farewell , kind neighbours : we wish'd Coriolanus
+Had lov'd you as we did .
+
+Now the gods keep you !
+
+Farewell , farewell .
+
+
+Farewell , farewell .
+
+This is a happier and more comely time
+Than when these fellows ran about the streets
+Crying confusion .
+
+Caius Marcius was
+A worthy officer i' the war ; but insolent ,
+O'ercome with pride , ambitious past all thinking ,
+Self-loving ,
+
+And affecting one sole throne .
+Without assistance .
+
+I think not so .
+
+We should by this , to all our lamentation ,
+If he had gone forth consul , found it so .
+
+The gods have well prevented it , and Rome
+Sits safe and still without him .
+
+
+Worthy tribunes ,
+There is a slave , whom we have put in prison ,
+Reports , the Volsces with two several powers
+Are enter'd in the Roman territories ,
+And with the deepest malice of the war
+Destroy what lies before them .
+
+'Tis Aufidius ,
+Who , hearing of our Marcius' banishment ,
+Thrusts forth his horns again into the world ;
+Which were inshell'd when Marcius stood for Rome ,
+And durst not once peep out .
+
+Come , what talk you of Marcius ?
+
+Go see this rumourer whipp'd . It cannot be
+The Volsces dare break with us .
+
+Cannot be !
+We have record that very well it can ,
+And three examples of the like have been
+Within my age . But reason with the fellow ,
+Before you punish him , where he heard this ,
+Lest you shall chance to whip your information ,
+And beat the messenger who bids beware
+Of what is to be dreaded .
+
+Tell not me :
+I know this cannot be .
+
+Not possible .
+
+
+The nobles in great earnestness are going
+All to the senate-house : some news is come ,
+That turns their countenances .
+
+'Tis this slave .
+Go whip him 'fore the people's eyes : his raising ;
+Nothing but his report .
+
+Yes , worthy sir ,
+The slave's report is seconded ; and more ,
+More fearful , is deliver'd .
+
+What more fearful ?
+
+It is spoke freely out of many mouths
+How probable I do not know that Marcius ,
+Join'd with Aufidius , leads a power 'gainst Rome ,
+And vows revenge as spacious as between
+The young'st and oldest thing .
+
+This is most likely .
+
+Rais'd only , that the weaker sort may wish
+Good Marcius home again .
+
+The very trick on 't .
+
+This is unlikely :
+He and Aufidius can no more atone ,
+Than violentest contrariety .
+
+
+You are sent for to the senate :
+A fearful army , led by Caius Marcius ,
+Associated with Aufidius , rages
+Upon our territories ; and have already
+O'erborne their way , consum'd with fire , and took
+What lay before them .
+
+
+O ! you have made good work !
+
+What news ? what news ?
+
+You have holp to ravish your own daughters ; and
+To melt the city leads upon your pates .
+To see your wives dishonour'd to your noses ,
+
+What's the news ? what's the news ?
+
+Your temples burned in their cement , and
+Your franchises , whereon you stood , confin'd
+Into an auger's bore .
+
+Pray now , your news ?
+You have made fair work , I fear me . Pray , your news ?
+If Marcius should be join'd with Volscians ,
+
+If !
+He is their god : he leads them like a thing
+Made by some other deity than Nature ,
+That shapes man better ; and they follow him ,
+Against us brats , with no less confidence
+Than boys pursuing summer butterflies ,
+Or butchers killing flies .
+
+You have made good work ,
+You , and your apron-men ; you that stood so much
+Upon the voice of occupation and
+The breath of garlic-eaters !
+
+He will shake
+Your Rome about your ears .
+
+As Hercules
+Did shake down mellow fruit . You have made fair work !
+
+But is this true , sir ?
+
+Ay ; and you'll look pale
+Before you find it other . All the regions
+Do smilingly revolt ; and who resist
+Are mock'd for valiant ignorance ,
+And perish constant fools . Who is't can blame him ?
+Your enemies , and his , find something in him .
+
+We are all undone unless
+The noble man have mercy .
+
+Who shall ask it ?
+The tribunes cannot do't for shame ; the people
+Deserve such pity of him as the wolf
+Does of the shepherds : for his best friends , if they
+Should say , 'Be good to Rome ,' they charg'd him even
+As those should do that had deserv'd his hate ,
+And therein show'd like enemies .
+
+'Tis true :
+If he were putting to my house the brand
+That should consume it , I have not the face
+To say , 'Beseech you , cease .' You have made fair hands ,
+You and your crafts ! you have crafted fair !
+
+You have brought
+A trembling upon Rome , such as was never
+So incapable of help .
+
+Say not we brought it .
+
+Say not we brought it .
+
+How ! Was it we ? We lov'd him ; but , like beasts
+And cowardly nobles , gave way unto your clusters ,
+Who did hoot him out o' the city .
+
+But I fear
+They'll roar him in again . Tullus Aufidius ,
+The second name of men , obeys his points
+As if he were his officer : desperation
+Is all the policy , strength , and defence ,
+That Rome can make against them .
+
+
+Here come the clusters .
+And is Aufidius with him ? You are they
+That made the air unwholesome , when you cast
+Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at
+Coriolanus' exile . Now he's coming ;
+And not a hair upon a soldier's head
+Which will not prove a whip : as many coxcombs
+As you threw caps up will he tumble down ,
+And pay you for your voices . 'Tis no matter ;
+If he could burn us all into one coal ,
+We have deserv'd it .
+
+Faith , we hear fearful news .
+
+For mine own part ,
+When I said banish him , I said 'twas pity .
+
+And so did I .
+
+And so did I ; and , to say the truth , so did very many of us . That we did we did for the best ; and though we willingly consented to his banishment , yet it was against our will .
+
+You're goodly things , you voices !
+
+You have made
+Good work , you and your cry ! Shall's to the Capitol ?
+
+O ! ay ; what else ?
+
+
+Go , masters , get you home ; be not dismay'd :
+These are a side that would be glad to have
+This true which they so seem to fear . Go home ,
+And show no sign of fear .
+
+The gods be good to us ! Come , masters , let's home . I ever said we were i' the wrong when we banished him .
+
+So did we all . But come , let's home .
+
+
+I do not like this news .
+
+Nor I .
+
+Let's to the Capitol . Would half my wealth
+Would buy this for a lie !
+
+Pray let us go .
+
+
+Do they still fly to the Roman ?
+
+I do not know what witchcraft's in him , but
+Your soldiers use him as the grace 'fore meat ,
+Their talk at table , and their thanks at end ;
+And you are darken'd in this action , sir ,
+Even by your own .
+
+I cannot help it now ,
+Unless , by using means , I lame the foot
+Of our design . He bears himself more proudlier ,
+Even to my person , than I thought he would
+When first I did embrace him ; yet his nature
+In that's no changeling , and I must excuse
+What cannot be amended .
+
+Yet , I wish , sir ,
+I mean for your particular ,you had not
+Join'd in commission with him ; but either
+Had borne the action of yourself , or else
+To him had left it solely .
+
+I understand thee well ; and be thou sure ,
+When he shall come to his account , he knows not
+What I can urge against him . Although it seems ,
+And so he thinks , and is no less apparent
+To the vulgar eye , that he bears all things fairly ,
+And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state ,
+Fights dragon-like , and does achieve as soon
+As draw his sword ; yet he hath left undone
+That which shall break his neck or hazard mine ,
+Whene'er we come to our account .
+
+Sir , I beseech you , think you he'll carry Rome ?
+
+All places yield to him ere he sits down ;
+And the nobility of Rome are his :
+The senators and patricians love him too :
+The tribunes are no soldiers ; and their people
+Will be as rash in the repeal as hasty
+To expel him thence . I think he'll be to Rome
+As is the osprey to the fish , who takes it
+By sovereignty of nature . First he was
+A noble servant to them , but he could not
+Carry his honours even ; whether 'twas pride ,
+Which out of daily fortune ever taints
+The happy man ; whether defect of judgment ,
+To fail in the disposing of those chances
+Which he was lord of ; or whether nature ,
+Not to be other than one thing , not moving
+From the casque to the cushion , but commanding peace
+Even with the same austerity and garb
+As he controll'd the war ; but one of these ,
+As he hath spices of them all , not all ,
+For I dare so far free him , made him fear'd ,
+So hated , and so banish'd : but he has a merit
+To choke it in the utterance . So our virtues
+Lie in the interpretation of the time ;
+And power , unto itself most commendable ,
+Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair
+To extol what it hath done .
+One fire drives out one fire ; one nail , one nail ;
+Rights by rights falter , strengths by strengths do fail .
+Come , let's away . When , Caius , Rome is thine ,
+Thou art poor'st of all ; then shortly art thou mine .
+
+No , I'll not go : you hear what he hath said
+Which was sometime his general ; who lov'd him
+In a most dear particular . He call'd me father :
+But what o' that ? Go , you that banish'd him ;
+A mile before his tent fall down , and knee
+The way into his mercy . Nay , if he coy'd
+To hear Cominius speak , I'll keep at home .
+
+He would not seem to know me .
+
+Do you hear ?
+
+Yet one time he did call me by my name .
+I urg'd our old acquaintance , and the drops
+That we have bled together . Coriolanus
+He would not answer to ; forbad all names ;
+He was a kind of nothing , titleless ,
+Till he had forg'd himself a name o' the fire
+Of burning Rome .
+
+Why , so : you have made good work !
+A pair of tribunes that have rack'd for Rome ,
+To make coals cheap : a noble memory !
+
+I minded him how royal 'twas to pardon
+When it was less expected : he replied ,
+It was a bare petition of a state
+To one whom they had punish'd .
+
+Very well .
+Could he say less ?
+
+I offer'd to awaken his regard
+For's private friends : his answer to me was ,
+He could not stay to pick them in a pile
+Of noisome musty chaff : he said 'twas folly ,
+For one poor grain or two , to leave unburnt ,
+And still to nose the offence .
+
+For one poor grain or two !
+I am one of those ; his mother , wife , his child ,
+And this brave fellow too , we are the grains :
+You are the musty chaff , and you are smelt
+Above the moon . We must be burnt for you .
+
+Nay , pray , be patient : if you refuse your aid
+In this so-never-needed help , yet do not
+Upbraid's with our distress . But , sure , if you
+Would be your country's pleader , your good tongue ,
+More than the instant army we can make ,
+Might stop our countryman .
+
+No ; I'll not meddle .
+
+Pray you , go to him .
+
+What should I do ?
+
+Only make trial what your love can do
+For Rome , towards Marcius .
+
+Well ; and say that Marcius
+Return me , as Cominius is return'd ,
+Unheard ; what then ?
+But as a discontented friend , grief-shot
+With his unkindness ? say 't be so ?
+
+Yet your good will
+Must have that thanks from Rome , after the measure
+As you intended well .
+
+I'll undertake it :
+I think he'll hear me . Yet , to bite his lip ,
+And hum at good Cominius , much unhearts me .
+He was not taken well ; he had not din'd :
+The veins unfill'd , our blood is cold , and then
+We pout upon the morning , are unapt
+To give or to forgive ; but when we have stuff'd
+These pipes and these conveyances of our blood
+With wine and feeding , we have suppler souls
+Than in our priest-like fasts : therefore , I'll watch him
+Till he be dieted to my request ,
+And then I'll set upon him .
+
+You know the very road into his kindness ,
+And cannot lose your way .
+
+Good faith , I'll prove him ,
+Speed how it will . I shall ere long have knowledge
+Of my success .
+
+
+He'll never hear him .
+
+Not ?
+
+I tell you he does sit in gold , his eye
+Red as 'twould burn Rome , and his injury
+The gaoler to his pity . I kneel'd before him ;
+'Twas very faintly he said 'Rise ;' dismiss'd me
+Thus , with his speechless hand : what he would do
+He sent in writing after me ; what he would not ,
+Bound with an oath to yield to his conditions :
+So that all hope is vain
+Unless his noble mother and his wife ,
+Who , as I hear , mean to solicit him
+For mercy to his country . Therefore let's hence ,
+And with our fair entreaties haste them on .
+
+
+Stay ! whence are you ?
+
+Stand ! and go back .
+
+You guard like men ; 'tis well ; but , by your leave ,
+I am an officer of state , and come
+To speak with Coriolanus .
+
+From whence ?
+
+From Rome .
+
+You may not pass ; you must return : our general
+Will no more hear from thence .
+
+You'll see your Rome embrac'd with fire before
+You'll speak with Coriolanus .
+
+Good my friends ,
+If you have heard your general talk of Rome ,
+And of his friends there , it is lots to blanks
+My name hath touch'd your ears : it is Menenius .
+
+Be it so ; go back : the virtue of your name
+Is not here passable .
+
+I tell thee , fellow ,
+Thy general is my lover : I have been
+The book of his good acts , whence men have read
+His fame unparallel'd , haply amplified ;
+For I have ever glorified my friends
+Of whom he's chief with all the size that verity
+Would without lapsing suffer : nay , sometimes ,
+Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground ,
+I have tumbled past the throw , and in his praise
+Have almost stamp'd the leasing . Therefore , fellow ,
+I must have leave to pass .
+
+Faith , sir , if you had told as many lies in his behalf as you have uttered words in your own , you should not pass here ; no , though it were as virtuous to lie as to live chastely . Therefore go back .
+
+Prithee , fellow , remember my name is Menenius , always factionary on the party of your general .
+
+Howsoever you have been his liar as you say you have I am one that , telling true under him , must say you cannot pass . Therefore go back .
+
+Has he dined , canst thou tell ? for I would not speak with him till after dinner .
+
+You are a Roman , are you ?
+
+I am as thy general is .
+
+Then you should hate Rome , as he does . Can you , when you have pushed out your gates the very defender of them , and , in a violent popular ignorance , given your enemy your shield , think to front his revenges with the easy groans of old women , the virginal palms of your daughters , or with the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant as you seem to be ? Can you think to blow out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in with such weak breath as this ? No , you are deceived ; therefore , back to Rome , and prepare for your execution : you are condemned , our general has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon .
+
+Sirrah , if thy captain know I were here , he would use me with estimation .
+
+Come , my captain knows you not .
+
+I mean , thy general .
+
+My general cares not for you .
+Back , I say : go , lest I let forth your half-pint of blood ; back , that's the utmost of your having : back .
+
+Nay , but , fellow , fellow ,
+
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+Now , you companion , I'll say an errand for you : you shall know now that I am in estimation ; you shall perceive that a Jack guardant cannot office me from my son Coriolanus : guess , but by my entertainment with him , if thou standest not i' the state of hanging , or of some death more long in spectatorship , and crueller in suffering ; behold now presently , and swound for what's to come upon thee .
+
+The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular prosperity , and love thee no worse than thy old father Menenius does ! O my son ! my son ! thou art preparing fire for us ; look thee , here's water to quench it . I was hardly moved to come to thee ; but being assured none but myself could move thee , I have been blown out of your gates with sighs ; and conjure thee to pardon Rome , and thy petitionary countrymen . The good gods assuage thy wrath , and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here ; this , who , like a block , hath denied my access to thee .
+
+Away !
+
+How ! away !
+
+Wife , mother , child , I know not . My affairs
+Are servanted to others : though I owe
+My revenge properly , my remission lies
+In Volscian breasts . That we have been familiar ,
+Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison , rather
+Than pity note how much . Therefore , be gone :
+Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
+Your gates against my force . Yet , for I lov'd thee ,
+Take this along ; I writ it for thy sake ,
+
+And would have sent it . Another word , Menenius ,
+I will not hear thee speak . This man , Aufidius ,
+Was my belov'd in Rome : yet thou behold'st !
+
+You keep a constant temper .
+
+
+Now , sir , is your name Menenius ?
+
+'Tis a spell , you see , of much power . You know the way home again .
+
+Do you hear how we are shent for keeping your greatness back ?
+
+What cause , do you think , I have to swound ?
+
+I neither care for the world , nor your general : for such things as you , I can scarce think there's any , ye're so slight . He that hath a will to die by himself fears it not from another . Let your general do his worst . For you , be that you are , long ; and your misery increase with your age ! I say to you , as I was said to , Away !
+
+
+A noble fellow , I warrant him .
+
+The worthy fellow is our general : he is the rock , the oak not to be wind-shaken .
+
+
+We will before the walls of Rome to-morrow
+Set down our host . My partner in this action ,
+You must report to the Volscian lords , how plainly
+I have borne this business .
+
+Only their ends
+You have respected ; stopp'd your ears against
+The general suit of Rome ; never admitted
+A private whisper ; no , not with such friends
+That thought them sure of you .
+
+This last old man ,
+Whom with a crack'd heart I have sent to Rome ,
+Lov'd me above the measure of a father ;
+Nay , godded me indeed . Their latest refuge
+Was to send him ; for whose old love I have ,
+Though I show'd sourly to him , once more offer'd
+The first conditions , which they did refuse ,
+And cannot now accept , to grace him only
+That thought he could do more . A very little
+I have yielded to ; fresh embassies and suits ,
+Nor from the state , nor private friends , hereafter
+Will I lend ear to .
+
+Ha ! what shout is this ?
+Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow
+In the same time 'tis made ? I will not .
+
+
+My wife comes foremost ; then the honour'd mould
+Wherein this trunk was fram'd , and in her hand
+The grandchild to her blood . But out , affection !
+All bond and privilege of nature , break !
+Let it be virtuous to be obstinate .
+What is that curtsy worth ? or those doves' eyes ,
+Which can make gods forsworn ? I melt , and am not
+Of stronger earth than others . My mother bows ,
+As if Olympus to a molehill should
+In supplication nod ; and my young boy
+Hath an aspect of intercession , which
+Great nature cries , 'Deny not .' Let the Volsces
+Plough Rome , and harrow Italy ; I'll never
+Be such a gosling to obey instinct , but stand
+As if a man were author of himself
+
+And knew no other kin .
+
+My lord and husband !
+
+These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome .
+
+The sorrow that delivers us thus chang'd
+Makes you think so .
+
+Like a dull actor now ,
+I have forgot my part , and I am out ,
+Even to a full disgrace . Best of my flesh ,
+Forgive my tyranny ; but do not say
+For that , 'Forgive our Romans .' O ! a kiss
+Long as my exile , sweet as my revenge !
+Now , by the jealous queen of heaven , that kiss
+I carried from thee , dear , and my true lip
+Hath virgin'd it e'er since . You gods ! I prate ,
+And the most noble mother of the world
+Leave unsaluted . Sink , my knee , i' the earth ;
+
+Of thy deep duty more impression show
+Than that of common sons .
+
+O ! stand up bless'd ;
+Whilst , with no softer cushion than the flint ,
+I kneel before thee , and unproperly
+Show duty , as mistaken all this while
+Between the child and parent .
+
+
+What is this ?
+Your knees to me ! to your corrected son !
+Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach
+Fillip the stars ; then let the mutinous winds
+Strike the proud cedars 'gainst the fiery sun ,
+Murd'ring impossibility , to make
+What cannot be , slight work .
+
+Thou art my warrior ;
+I holp to frame thee . Do you know this lady ?
+
+The noble sister of Publicola ,
+The moon of Rome ; chaste as the icicle
+That's curdied by the frost from purest snow ,
+And hangs on Dian's temple : dear Valeria !
+
+This is a poor epitome of yours ,
+
+Which by the interpretation of full time
+May show like all yourself .
+
+The god of soldiers ,
+With the consent of supreme Jove , inform
+Thy thoughts with nobleness ; that thou mayst prove
+To shame unvulnerable , and stick i' the wars
+Like a great sea-mark , standing every flaw ,
+And saving those that eye thee !
+
+Your knee , sirrah .
+
+That's my brave boy !
+
+Even he , your wife , this lady , and myself ,
+Are suitors to you .
+
+I beseech you , peace :
+Or , if you'd ask , remember this before :
+The things I have forsworn to grant may never
+Be held by you denials . Do not bid me
+Dismiss my soldiers , or capitulate
+Again with Rome's mechanics : tell me not
+Wherein I seem unnatural : desire not
+To allay my rages and revenges with
+Your colder reasons .
+
+O ! no more , no more ;
+You have said you will not grant us any thing ;
+For we have nothing else to ask but that
+Which you deny already : yet we will ask ;
+That , if you fail in our request , the blame
+May hang upon your hardness . Therefore , hear us .
+
+Aufidius , and you Volsces , mark ; for we'll
+Hear nought from Rome in private . Your request ?
+
+Should we be silent and not speak , our raiment
+And state of bodies would bewray what life
+We have led since thy exile . Think with thyself
+How more unfortunate than all living women
+Are we come hither : since that thy sight , which should
+Make our eyes flow with joy , hearts dance with comforts ,
+Constrains them weep and shake with fear and sorrow ;
+Making the mother , wife , and child to see
+The son , the husband , and the father tearing
+His country's bowels out . And to poor we
+Thine enmity's most capital : thou barr'st us
+Our prayers to the gods , which is a comfort
+That all but we enjoy ; for how can we ,
+Alas ! how can we for our country pray ,
+Whereto we are bound , together with thy victory ,
+Whereto we are bound ? Alack ! or we must lose
+The country , our dear nurse , or else thy person ,
+Our comfort in the country . We must find
+An evident calamity , though we had
+Our wish , which side should win ; for either thou
+Must , as a foreign recreant , be led
+With manacles through our streets , or else
+Triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin ,
+And bear the palm for having bravely shed
+Thy wife and children's blood . For myself , son ,
+I purpose not to wait on Fortune till
+These wars determine : if I cannot persuade thee
+Rather to show a noble grace to both parts
+Than seek the end of one , thou shalt no sooner
+March to assault thy country than to tread
+Trust to't , thou shalt not on thy mother's womb ,
+That brought thee to this world .
+
+Ay , and mine ,
+That brought you forth this boy , to keep your name
+Living to time .
+
+A' shall not tread on me :
+I'll run away till I am bigger , but then I'll fight .
+
+Not of a woman's tenderness to be ,
+Requires nor child nor woman's face to see .
+I have sat too long .
+
+
+Nay , go not from us thus .
+If it were so , that our request did tend
+To save the Romans , thereby to destroy
+The Volsces whom you serve , you might condemn us ,
+As poisonous of your honour : no ; our suit
+Is , that you reconcile them : while the Volsces
+May say , 'This mercy we have show'd ;' the Romans ,
+'This we receiv'd ;' and each in either side
+Give the all-hail to thee , and cry , 'Be bless'd
+For making up this peace !' Thou know'st , great son ,
+The end of war's uncertain ; but this certain ,
+That , if thou conquer Rome , the benefit
+Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name
+Whose repetition will be dogg'd with curses ;
+Whose chronicle thus writ : 'The man was noble ,
+But with his last attempt he wip'd it out ,
+Destroy'd his country , and his name remains
+To the ensuing age abhorr'd .' Speak to me , son !
+Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour ,
+To imitate the graces of the gods ;
+To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o' the air ,
+And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt
+That should but rive an oak . Why dost not speak ?
+Think'st thou it honourable for a noble man
+Still to remember wrongs ? Daughter , speak you :
+He cares not for your weeping . Speak thou , boy :
+Perhaps thy childishness will move him more
+Than can our reasons . There is no man in the world
+More bound to 's mother ; yet here he lets me prate
+Like one i' the stocks . Thou hast never in thy life
+Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy ;
+When she poor hen ! fond of no second brood
+Has cluck'd thee to the wars , and safely home ,
+Loaden with honour . Say my request's unjust ,
+And spurn me back ; but if it be not so ,
+Thou art not honest , and the gods will plague thee ,
+That thou restrain'st from me the duty which
+To a mother's part belongs . He turns away :
+Down , ladies ; let us shame him with our knees .
+To his surname Coriolanus 'longs more pride
+Than pity to our prayers . Down : an end ;
+This is the last : so we will home to Rome ,
+And die among our neighbours . Nay , behold us .
+This boy , that cannot tell what he would have ,
+But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship ,
+Does reason our petition with more strength
+Than thou hast to deny 't . Come , let us go :
+This fellow had a Volscian to his mother ;
+His wife is in Corioli , and his child
+Like him by chance . Yet give us our dispatch :
+I am hush'd until our city be a-fire ,
+And then I'll speak a little .
+
+
+O , mother , mother !
+What have you done ? Behold ! the heavens do ope ,
+The gods look down , and this unnatural scene
+They laugh at . O my mother ! mother ! O !
+You have won a happy victory to Rome ;
+But , for your son , believe it , O ! believe it ,
+Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd ,
+If not most mortal to him . But let it come .
+Aufidius , though I cannot make true wars ,
+I'll frame convenient peace . Now , good Aufidius ,
+Were you in my stead , would you have heard
+A mother less , or granted less , Aufidius ?
+
+I was mov'd withal .
+
+I dare be sworn you were :
+And , sir , it is no little thing to make
+Mine eyes to sweat compassion . But , good sir ,
+What peace you'll make , advise me : for my part ,
+I'll not to Rome , I'll back with you ; and pray you ,
+Stand to me in this cause . O mother ! wife !
+
+I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour
+At difference in thee : out of that I'll work
+Myself a former fortune .
+
+
+Ay , by and by ;
+But we will drink together ; and you shall bear
+A better witness back than words , which we ,
+On like conditions , would have counter-seal'd .
+Come , enter with us . Ladies , you deserve
+To have a temple built you : all the swords
+In Italy , and her confederate arms ,
+Could not have made this peace .
+
+
+See you yond coign o' the Capitol , yond corner-stone ?
+
+Why , what of that ?
+
+If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger , there is some hope the ladies of Rome , especially his mother , may prevail with him . But I say , there is no hope in 't . Our throats are sentenced and stay upon execution .
+
+Is't possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a man ?
+
+There is differency between a grub and a butterfly ; yet your butterfly was a grub . This Marcius is grown from man to dragon : he has wings ; he's more than a creeping thing .
+
+He loved his mother dearly .
+
+So did he me ; and he no more remembers his mother now than an eight-year-old horse . The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes : when he walks , he moves like an engine , and the ground shrinks before his treading : he is able to pierce a corslet with his eye ; talks like a knell , and his hum is a battery . He sits in his state , as a thing made for Alexander . What he bids be done is finished with his bidding . He wants nothing of a god but eternity and a heaven to throne in .
+
+Yes , mercy , if you report him truly .
+
+I paint him in the character . Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him : there is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger ; that shall our poor city find : and all this is 'long of you .
+
+The gods be good unto us !
+
+No , in such a case the gods will not be good unto us . When we banished him , we respected not them ; and , he returning to break our necks , they respect not us .
+
+
+Sir , if you'd save your life , fly to your house :
+The plebeians have got your fellow-tribune ,
+And hale him up and down ; all swearing , if
+The Roman ladies bring not comfort home ,
+They'll give him death by inches .
+
+
+What's the news ?
+
+Good news , good news ! the ladies have prevail'd ,
+The Volscians are dislodg'd , and Marcius gone .
+A merrier day did never yet greet Rome ,
+No , not the expulsion of the Tarquins .
+
+Friend ,
+Art thou certain this is true ? is it most certain ?
+
+As certain as I know the sun is fire :
+Where have you lurk'd that you make doubt of it ?
+Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide ,
+As the recomforted through the gates . Why , hark you !
+
+The trumpets , sackbuts , psalteries , and fifes ,
+Tabors , and cymbals , and the shouting Romans ,
+Make the sun dance . Hark you !
+
+
+This is good news :
+I will go meet the ladies . This Volumnia
+Is worth of consuls , senators , patricians ,
+A city full ; of tribunes , such as you ,
+A sea and land full . You have pray'd well to-day :
+This morning for ten thousand of your throats
+I'd not have given a doit . Hark , how they joy !
+
+
+First , the gods bless you for your tidings ; next ,
+Accept my thankfulness .
+
+Sir , we have all
+Great cause to give great thanks .
+
+They are near the city ?
+
+Almost at point to enter .
+
+We will meet them ,
+And help the joy .
+
+Behold our patroness , the life of Rome !
+Call all your tribes together , praise the gods ,
+And make triumphant fires ; strew flowers before them :
+Unshout the noise that banish'd Marcius ;
+Repeal him with the welcome of his mother ;
+Cry , 'Welcome , ladies , welcome !'
+
+Welcome , ladies ,
+Welcome !
+
+
+Go tell the lords o' the city I am here :
+Deliver them this paper : having read it ,
+Bid them repair to the market-place ; where I ,
+Even in theirs and in the commons' ears ,
+Will vouch the truth of it . Him I accuse
+The city ports by this hath enter'd , and
+Intends to appear before the people , hoping
+To purge himself with words : dispatch .
+
+
+Most welcome !
+
+How is it with our general ?
+
+Even so
+As with a man by his own alms empoison'd ,
+And with his charity slain .
+
+Most noble sir ,
+If you do hold the same intent wherein
+You wish'd us parties , we'll deliver you
+Of your great danger .
+
+Sir , I cannot tell :
+We must proceed as we do find the people .
+
+The people will remain uncertain whilst
+'Twixt you there's difference ; but the fall of either
+Makes the survivor heir of all .
+
+I know it ;
+And my pretext to strike at him admits
+A good construction . I rais'd him , and I pawn'd
+Mine honour for his truth : who being so heighten'd ,
+He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery ,
+Seducing so my friends ; and , to this end ,
+He bow'd his nature , never known before
+But to be rough , unswayable , and free .
+
+Sir , his stoutness
+When he did stand for consul , which he lost
+By lack of stooping ,
+
+That I would have spoke of :
+Being banish'd for't , he came unto my hearth ;
+Presented to my knife his throat : I took him ;
+Made him joint-servant with me ; gave him way
+In all his own desires ; nay , let him choose
+Out of my files , his projects to accomplish ,
+My best and freshest men ; serv'd his designments
+In mine own person ; holp to reap the fame
+Which he did end all his ; and took some pride
+To do myself this wrong : till , at the last ,
+I seem'd his follower , not partner ; and
+He wag'd me with his countenance , as if
+I had been mercenary .
+
+So he did , my lord :
+The army marvell'd at it ; and , in the last ,
+When we had carried Rome , and that we look'd
+For no less spoil than glory ,
+
+There was it ;
+For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him .
+At a few drops of women's rheum , which are
+As cheap as lies , he sold the blood and labour
+Of our great action : therefore shall he die ,
+And I'll renew me in his fall . But , hark !
+
+
+Your native town you enter'd like a post ,
+And had no welcomes home ; but he returns ,
+Splitting the air with noise .
+
+And patient fools ,
+Whose children he hath slain , their base throats tear
+With giving him glory .
+
+Therefore , at your vantage ,
+Ere he express himself , or move the people
+With what he would say , let him feel your sword ,
+Which we will second . When he lies along ,
+After your way his tale pronounc'd shall bury
+His reasons with his body .
+
+Say no more :
+Here come the lords .
+
+
+You are most welcome home .
+
+I have not deserv'd it .
+But , worthy lords , have you with heed perus'd
+What I have written to you ?
+
+We have .
+
+And grieve to hear 't .
+What faults he made before the last , I think
+Might have found easy fines ; but there to end
+Where he was to begin , and give away
+The benefit of our levies , answering us
+With our own charge , making a treaty where
+There was a yielding , this admits no excuse .
+
+He approaches : you shall hear him .
+
+
+Hail , lords ! I am return'd your soldier ;
+No more infected with my country's love
+Than when I parted hence , but still subsisting
+Under your great command . You are to know ,
+That prosperously I have attempted and
+With bloody passage led your wars even to
+The gates of Rome . Our spoils we have brought home
+Do more than counterpoise a full third part
+The charges of the action . We have made peace
+With no less honour to the Antiates
+Than shame to the Romans ; and we here deliver ,
+Subscrib'd by the consuls and patricians ,
+Together with the seal o' the senate , what
+We have compounded on .
+
+Read it not , noble lords ;
+But tell the traitor in the highest degree
+He hath abus'd your powers .
+
+Traitor ! How now ?
+
+Ay , traitor , Marcius .
+
+Marcius !
+
+Ay , Marcius , Caius Marcius . Dost thou think
+I'll grace thee with that robbery , thy stol'n name
+Coriolanus in Corioli ?
+You lords and heads of the state , perfidiously
+He has betray'd your business , and given up ,
+For certain drops of salt , your city Rome ,
+I say 'your city ,' to his wife and mother ;
+Breaking his oath and resolution like
+A twist of rotten silk , never admitting
+Counsel o' the war , but at his nurse's tears
+He whin'd and roar'd away your victory ,
+That pages blush'd at him , and men of heart
+Look'd wondering each at other .
+
+Hear'st thou , Mars ?
+
+Name not the god , thou boy of tears .
+
+Ha !
+
+No more .
+
+Measureless liar , thou hast made my heart
+Too great for what contains it . Boy ! O slave !
+Pardon me , lords , 'tis the first time that ever
+I was forc'd to scold . Your judgments , my grave lords ,
+Must give this cur the lie : and his own notion
+Who wears my stripes impress'd upon him , that
+Must bear my beating to his grave shall join
+To thrust the lie unto him .
+
+Peace , both , and hear me speak .
+
+Cut me to pieces , Volsces ; men and lads ,
+Stain all your edges on me . Boy ! False hound !
+If you have writ your annals true , 'tis there ,
+That , like an eagle in a dove-cote , I
+Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli :
+Alone I did it . Boy !
+
+Why , noble lords ,
+Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune ,
+Which was your shame , by this unholy braggart ,
+'Fore your own eyes and ears ?
+
+Let him die for 't .
+
+Tear him to pieces .Do it presently .He killed my son .My daughter .He killed my cousin Marcus .He killed my father .
+
+Peace , ho ! no outrage : peace !
+The man is noble and his fame folds in
+This orb o' the earth . His last offences to us
+Shall have judicious hearing . Stand , Aufidius ,
+And trouble not the peace .
+
+O ! that I had him ,
+With six Aufidiuses , or more , his tribe ,
+To use my lawful sword !
+
+Insolent villain !
+
+Kill , kill , kill , kill , kill him !
+
+
+Hold , hold , hold , hold !
+
+My noble masters , hear me speak .
+
+O Tullus !
+
+Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep .
+
+Tread not upon him . Masters all , be quiet .
+Put up your swords .
+
+My lords , when you shall know ,as in this rage ,
+Provok'd by him , you cannot ,the great danger
+Which this man's life did owe you , you'll rejoice
+That he is thus cut off . Please it your honours
+To call me to your senate , I'll deliver
+Myself your loyal servant , or endure
+Your heaviest censure .
+
+Bear from hence his body ;
+And mourn you for him ! Let him be regarded
+As the most noble corse that ever herald
+Did follow to his urn .
+
+His own impatience
+Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame .
+Let's make the best of it .
+
+My rage is gone ,
+And I am struck with sorrow . Take him up :
+Help , three o' the chiefest soldiers ; I'll be one .
+Beat thou the drum , that it speak mournfully ;
+Trail your steel pikes . Though in this city he
+Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one ,
+Which to this hour bewail the injury ,
+Yet he shall have a noble memory .
+Assist .
+
+HAMLET, PRINCE OF DENMARK
+
+Ghost of Hamlet's Father .
+
+
+Who's there ?
+
+Nay , answer me ; stand , and unfold yourself .
+
+Long live the king !
+
+Bernardo ?
+
+He .
+
+You come most carefully upon your hour .
+
+'Tis now struck twelve ; get thee to bed , Francisco .
+
+For this relief much thanks ; 'tis bitter cold ,
+And I am sick at heart .
+
+Have you had quiet guard ?
+
+Not a mouse stirring .
+
+Well , good-night .
+If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus ,
+The rivals of my watch , bid them make hasie .
+
+I think I hear them . Stand , ho ! Who's there ?
+
+
+Friends to this ground .
+
+And liegemen to the Dane .
+
+Give you good-night .
+
+O ! farewell , honest soldier :
+Who hath reliev'd you ?
+
+Bernardo has my place .
+Give you good-night .
+
+
+Holla ! Bernardo !
+
+Say ,
+What ! is Horatio there ?
+
+A piece of him .
+
+Welcome , Horatio ; welcome , good Marcellus .
+
+What ! has this thing appear'd again to-night ?
+
+I have seen nothing .
+
+Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy ,
+And will not let belief take hold of him
+Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us :
+Therefore I have entreated him along
+With us to watch the minutes of this night ;
+That if again this apparition come ,
+He may approve our eyes and speak to it .
+
+Tush , tush ! 'twill not appear .
+
+Sit down awhile ,
+And let us once again assail your ears ,
+That are so fortified against our story ,
+What we two nights have seen .
+
+Well , sit we down ,
+And let us hear Bernardo speak of this .
+
+Last night of all ,
+When yond same star that's westward from the pole
+Had made his course to illume that part of heaven
+Where now it burns , Marcellus and myself ,
+The bell then beating one ,
+
+Peace ! break thee off ; look , where it comes again !
+
+
+In the same figure , like the king that's dead .
+
+Thou art a scholar ; speak to it , Horatio .
+
+Looks it not like the king ? mark it , Horatio .
+
+Most like : it harrows me with fear and wonder .
+
+It would be spoke to .
+
+Question it , Horatio .
+
+What art thou that usurp'st this time of night ,
+Together with that fair and war-like form
+In which the majesty of buried Denmark
+Did sometimes march ? by heaven I charge thee , speak !
+
+It is offended .
+
+See ! it stalks away .
+
+Stay ! speak , speak ! I charge thee , speak !
+
+
+'Tis gone , and will not answer .
+
+How now , Horatio ! you tremble and look pale :
+Is not this something more than fantasy ?
+What think you on 't ?
+
+Before my God , I might not this believe
+Without the sensible and true avouch
+Of mine own eyes .
+
+Is it not like the king ?
+
+As thou-art to thyself :
+Such was the very armour he had on
+When he the ambitious Norway combated ;
+So frown'd he once , when , in an angry parle ,
+He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice .
+'Tis strange .
+
+Thus twice before , and jump at this dead hour ,
+With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch .
+
+In what particular thought to work I know not ;
+But in the gross and scope of my opinion ,
+This bodes some strange eruption to our state .
+
+Good now , sit down , and tell me , he that knows ,
+Why this same strict and most observant watch
+So nightly toils the subject of the land ;
+And why such daily cast of brazen cannon ,
+And foreign mart for implements of war ;
+Why such impress of shipwrights , whose sore task
+Does not divide the Sunday from the week ;
+What might be toward , that this sweaty haste
+Doth make the night joint-labourer with the day :
+Who is 't that can inform me ?
+
+That can I ;
+At least , the whisper goes so . Our last king ,
+Whose image even but now appear'd to us ,
+Was , as you know , by Fortinbras of Norway ,
+Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate pride ,
+Dar'd to the combat ; in which our valiant Hamlet
+For so this side of our known world esteem'd him
+Did slay this Fortinbras ; who , by a seal'd compact ,
+Well ratified by law and heraldry ,
+Did forfeit with his life all those his lands
+Which he stood seiz'd of , to the conqueror ;
+Against the which , a moiety competent
+Was gaged by our king ; which had return'd
+To the inheritance of Fortinbras ,
+Had he been vanquisher ; as , by the same covenant ,
+And carriage of the article design'd ,
+His fell to Hamlet . Now , sir , young Fortinbras ,
+Of unimproved mettle hot and full ,
+Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there
+Shark'd up a list of lawless resolutes ,
+For food and diet , to some enterprise
+That hath a stomach in 't ; which is no other
+As it doth well appear unto our state
+But to recover of us , by strong hand
+And terms compulsative , those foresaid lands
+So by his father lost . And this , I take it ,
+Is the main motive of our preparations ,
+The source of this our watch and the chief head
+Of this post-haste and romage in the land .
+
+I think it be no other but e'en so ;
+Well may it sort that this portentous figure
+Comes armed through our watch , so like the king
+That was and is the question of these wars .
+
+A mote it is to trouble the mind's eye .
+In the most high and palmy state of Rome ,
+A little ere the mightiest Julius fell ,
+The graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead
+Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets ;
+As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood ,
+Disasters in the sun ; and the moist star
+Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands
+Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse ;
+And even the like precurse of fierce events ,
+As harbingers preceding still the fates
+And prologue to the omen coming on ,
+Have heaven and earth together demonstrated
+Unto our climatures and countrymen .
+But , soft ! behold ! lo ! where it comes again .
+
+
+I'll cross it , though it blast me . Stay , illusion !
+If thou hast any sound , or use of voice ,
+Speak to me :
+If there be any good thing to be done ,
+That may to thee do ease and grace to me ,
+Speak to me :
+If thou art privy to thy country's fate ,
+Which happily foreknowing may avoid ,
+O ! speak ;
+Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life
+Extorted treasure in the womb of earth ,
+For which , they say , you spirits oft walk in death ,
+
+
+Speak of it : stay , and speak ! Stop it , Marcellus .
+
+Shall I strike at it with my partisan ?
+
+Do , if it will not stand .
+
+'Tis here !
+
+'Tis here !
+
+
+'Tis gone !
+We do it wrong , being so majestical ,
+To offer it the show of violence ;
+For it is , as the air , invulnerable ,
+And our vain blows malicious mockery .
+
+It was about to speak when the cock crew .
+
+And then it started like a guilty thing
+Upon a fearful summons . I have heard ,
+The cock , that is the trumpet to the morn ,
+Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat
+Awake the god of day ; and at his warning ,
+Whether in sea or fire , in earth or air ,
+The extravagant and erring spirit hies
+To his confine ; and of the truth herein
+This present object made probation .
+
+It faded on the crowing of the cock .
+Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes
+Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated ,
+The bird of dawning singeth all night long ;
+And then , they say , no spirit can walk abroad ;
+The nights are wholesome ; then no planets strike ,
+No fairy takes , nor witch hath power to charm ,
+So hallow'd and so gracious is the time .
+
+So have I heard and do in part believe it .
+But , look , the morn in russet mantle clad ,
+Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastern hill ;
+Break we our watch up ; and by my advice
+Let us impart what we have seen to-night
+Unto young Hamlet ; for , upon my life ,
+This spirit , dumb to us , will speak to him .
+Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it ,
+As needful in our loves , fitting our duty ?
+
+Let's do't , I pray ; and I this morning know
+Where we shall find him most conveniently .
+
+
+Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother's death
+The memory be green , and that it us befitted
+To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom
+To be contracted in one brow of woe ,
+Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature
+That we with wisest sorrow think on him ,
+Together with remembrance of ourselves .
+Therefore our sometime sister , now our queen ,
+The imperial jointress of this war-like state ,
+Have we , as 'twere with a defeated joy ,
+With one auspicious and one dropping eye ,
+With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage ,
+In equal scale weighing delight and dole ,
+Taken to wife : nor have we herein barr'd
+Your better wisdoms , which have freely gone
+With this affair along : for all , our thanks .
+Now follows , that you know , young Fortinbras ,
+Holding a weak supposal of our worth ,
+Or thinking by our late dear brother's death
+Our state to be disjoint and out of frame ,
+Colleagued with the dream of his advantage ,
+He hath not fail'd to pester us with message ,
+Importing the surrender of those lands
+Lost by his father , with all bands of law ,
+To our most valiant brother . So much for him .
+Now for ourself and for this time of meeting .
+Thus much the business is : we have here writ
+To Norway , uncle of young Fortinbras ,
+Who , impotent and bed-rid , scarcely hears
+Of this his nephew's purpose , to suppress
+His further gait herein ; in that the levies ,
+The lists and full proportions , are all made
+Out of his subject ; and we here dispatch
+You , good Cornelius , and you , Voltimand ,
+For bearers of this greeting to old Norway ,
+Giving to you no further personal power
+To business with the king more than the scope
+Of these delated articles allow .
+Farewell and let your haste commend your duty .
+
+In that and all things will we show our duty .
+
+In that and all things will we show our duty .
+
+We doubt it nothing : heartily farewell .
+
+And now , Laertes , what's the news with you ?
+You told us of some suit ; what is't , Laertes ?
+You cannot speak of reason to the Dane ,
+And lose your voice ; what wouldst thou beg , Laertes ,
+That shall not be my offer , not thy asking ?
+The head is not more native to the heart ,
+The hand more instrumental to the mouth ,
+Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father .
+What wouldst thou have , Laertes ?
+
+Dread my lord ,
+Your leave and favour to return to France ;
+From whence though willingly I came to Denmark ,
+To show my duty in your coronation ,
+Yet now , I must confess , that duty done ,
+My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France
+And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon .
+
+Have you your father's leave ? What says Polonius ?
+
+He hath , my lord , wrung from me my slow leave
+By laboursome petition , and at last
+Upon his will I seal'd my hard consent :
+I do beseech you , give him leave to go .
+
+Take thy fair hour , Laertes ; time be thine ,
+And thy best graces spend it at thy will .
+But now , my cousin Hamlet , and my son ,
+
+A little more than kin , and less than kind .
+
+How is it that the clouds still hang on you ?
+
+Not so , my lord ; I am too much i' the sun .
+
+Good Hamlet , cast thy nighted colour off ,
+And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark .
+Do not for ever with thy vailed lids
+Seek for thy noble father in the dust :
+Thou know'st 'tis common ; all that live must die ,
+Passing through nature to eternity .
+
+Ay , madam , it is common .
+
+If it be ,
+Why seems it so particular with thee ?
+
+Seems , madam ! Nay , it is ; I know not 'seems .'
+'Tis not alone my inky cloak , good mother ,
+Nor customary suits of solemn black ,
+Nor windy suspiration of forc'd breath ,
+No , nor the fruitful river in the eye ,
+Nor the dejected haviour of the visage ,
+Together with all forms , modes , shows of grief ,
+That can denote me truly ; these indeed seem ,
+For they are actions that a man might play :
+But I have that within which passeth show ;
+These but the trappings and the suits of woe .
+
+'Tis sweet and commendable in your nature , Hamlet ,
+To give these mourning duties to your father :
+But , you must know , your father lost a father ;
+That father lost , lost his ; and the survivor bound
+In filial obligation for some term
+To do obsequious sorrow ; but to persever
+In obstinate condolement is a course
+Of impious stubbornness ; 'tis unmanly grief :
+It shows a will most incorrect to heaven ,
+A heart unfortified , a mind impatient ,
+An understanding simple and unschool'd :
+For what we know must be and is as common
+As any the most vulgar thing to sense ,
+Why should we in our peevish opposition
+Take it to heart ? Fie ! 'tis a fault to heaven ,
+A fault against the dead , a fault to nature ,
+To reason most absurd , whose common theme
+Is death of fathers , and who still hath cried ,
+From the first corse till he that died to-day ,
+'This must be so .' We pray you , throw to earth
+This unprevailing woe , and think of us
+As of a father ; for let the world take note ,
+You are the most immediate to our throne ;
+And with no less nobility of love
+Than that which dearest father bears his son
+Do I impart toward you . For your intent
+In going back to school in Wittenberg ,
+It is most retrograde to our desire ;
+And we beseech you , bend you to remain
+Here , in the cheer and comfort of our eye ,
+Our chiefest courtier , cousin , and our son .
+
+Let not thy mother lose her prayers , Hamlet :
+I pray thee , stay with us ; go not to Wittenberg .
+
+I shall in all my best obey you , madam .
+
+Why , 'tis a loving and a fair reply :
+Be as ourself in Denmark . Madam , come ;
+This gentle and unforc'd accord of Hamlet
+Sits smiling to my heart ; in grace whereof ,
+No jocund health that Denmark drinks to-day ,
+But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell ,
+And the king's rouse the heavens shall bruit again ,
+Re-speaking earthly thunder . Come away .
+
+
+O ! that this too too solid flesh would melt ,
+Thaw and resolve itself into a dew ;
+Or that the Everlasting had not fix'd
+His canon 'gainst self-slaughter ! O God ! O God !
+How weary , stale , flat , and unprofitable
+Seem to me all the uses of this world .
+Fie on 't ! O fie ! 'tis an unweeded garden ,
+That grows to seed ; things rank and gross in nature
+Possess it merely . That it should come to this !
+But two months dead : nay , not so much , not two :
+So excellent a king ; that was , to this ,
+Hyperion to a satyr ; so loving to my mother
+That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
+Visit her face too roughly . Heaven and earth !
+Must I remember ? why , she would hang on him ,
+As if increase of appetite had grown
+By what it fed on ; and yet , within a month ,
+Let me not think on't : Frailty , thy name is woman !
+A little month ; or ere those shoes were old
+With which she follow'd my poor father's body ,
+Like Niobe , all tears ; why she , even she ,
+O God ! a beast , that wants discourse of reason ,
+Would have mourn'd longer ,married with mine uncle ,
+My father's brother , but no more like my father
+Than I to Hercules : within a month ,
+Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
+Had left the flushing in her galled eyes ,
+She married . O ! most wicked speed , to post
+With such dexterity to incestuous sheets .
+It is not nor it cannot come to good ;
+But break , my heart , for I must hold my tongue !
+
+
+Hail to your lordship !
+
+I am glad to see you well :
+Horatio , or I do forget myself .
+
+The same , my lord , and your poor servant ever .
+
+Sir , my good friend ; I'll change that name with you .
+And what make you from Wittenberg , Horatio ?
+Marcellus ?
+
+My good lord ,
+
+I am very glad to see you .
+
+Good even , sir .
+But what , in faith , make you from Wittenberg ?
+
+A truant disposition , good my lord .
+
+I would not hear your enemy say so ,
+Nor shall you do mine ear that violence ,
+To make it truster of your own report
+Against yourself ; I know you are no truant .
+But what is your affair in Elsinore ?
+We'll teach you to drink deep ere you depart .
+
+My lord , I came to see your father's funeral .
+
+I pray thee , do not mock me , fellow-student ;
+I think it was to see my mother's wedding .
+
+Indeed , my lord , it follow'd hard upon .
+
+Thrift , thrift , Horatio ! the funeral bak'd meats
+Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables .
+Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
+Ere I had ever seen that day , Horatio !
+My father , methinks I see my father .
+
+O ! where , my lord ?
+
+In my mind's eye , Horatio .
+
+I saw him once ; he was a goodly king .
+
+He was a man , take him for all in all ,
+I shall not look upon his like again .
+
+My lord , I think I saw him yesternight .
+
+Saw who ?
+
+My lord , the king your father .
+
+The king , my father !
+
+Season your admiration for a while
+With an attent ear , till I may deliver ,
+Upon the witness of these gentlemen ,
+This marvel to you .
+
+For God's love , let me hear .
+
+Two nights together had these gentlemen ,
+Marcellus and Bernardo , on their watch ,
+In the dead vast and middle of the night ,
+Been thus encounter'd : a figure like your father ,
+Armed at points exactly , cap-a-pe ,
+Appears before them , and with solemn march
+Goes slow and stately by them : thrice he walk'd
+By their oppress'd and fear-surprised eyes ,
+Within his truncheon's length ; whilst they , distill'd
+Almost to jelly with the act of fear ,
+Stand dumb and speak not to him . This to me
+In dreadful secrecy impart they did ,
+And I with them the third night kept the watch ;
+Where , as they had deliver'd , both in time ,
+Form of the thing , each word made true and good ,
+The apparition comes . I knew your father ;
+These hands are not more like .
+
+But where was this ?
+
+My lord , upon the platform where we watch'd .
+
+Did you not speak to it ?
+
+My lord , I did ;
+But answer made it none ; yet once methought
+It lifted up its head and did address
+Itself to motion , like as it would speak ;
+But even then the morning cock crew loud ,
+And at the sound it shrunk in haste away
+And vanish'd from our sight .
+
+'Tis very strange .
+
+As I do live , my honour'd lord , 'tis true ;
+And we did think it writ down in our duty
+To let you know of it .
+
+Indeed , indeed , sirs , but this troubles me .
+Hold you the watch to-night ?
+
+We do , my lord .
+
+We do , my lord .
+
+Arm'd , say you ?
+
+Arm'd , my lord .
+
+Arm'd , my lord .
+
+From top to toe ?
+
+My lord , from head to foot .
+
+My lord , from head to foot .
+
+Then saw you not his face ?
+
+O yes ! my lord ; he wore his beaver up .
+
+What ! look'd he frowningly ?
+
+A countenance more in sorrow than in anger .
+
+Pale or red ?
+
+Nay , very pale .
+
+And fix'd his eyes upon you ?
+
+Most constantly .
+
+I would I had been there .
+
+It would have much amaz'd you .
+
+Very like , very like . Stay'd it long ?
+
+While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred .
+
+Longer , longer .
+
+Longer , longer .
+
+Not when I saw it .
+
+His beard was grizzled , no ?
+
+It was , as I have seen it in his life ,
+A sable silver'd .
+
+I will watch to-night ;
+Perchance 'twill walk again .
+
+I warrant it will .
+
+If it assume my noble father's person ,
+I'll speak to it , though hell itself should gape
+And bid me hold my peace . I pray you all ,
+If you have hitherto conceal'd this sight ,
+Let it be tenable in your silence still ;
+And whatsoever else shall hap to-night ,
+Give it an understanding , but no tongue :
+I will requite your loves . So , fare you well .
+Upon the platform , 'twixt eleven and twelve ,
+I'll visit you .
+
+Our duty to your honour .
+
+Your loves , as mine to you . Farewell .
+
+My father's spirit in arms ! all is not well ;
+I doubt some foul play : would the night were come !
+Till then sit still , my soul : foul deeds will rise ,
+Though all the earth o'erwhelm them , to men's eyes .
+
+
+My necessaries are embark'd ; farewell :
+And , sister , as the winds give benefit
+And convoy is assistant , do not sleep ,
+But let me hear from you .
+
+Do you doubt that ?
+
+For Hamlet , and the trifling of his favour ,
+Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood ,
+A violet in the youth of primy nature ,
+Forward , not permanent , sweet , not lasting ,
+The perfume and suppliance of a minute ;
+No more .
+
+No more but so ?
+
+Think it no more :
+For nature , crescent , does not grow alone
+In thews and bulk ; but , as this temple waxes ,
+The inward service of the mind and soul
+Grows wide withal . Perhaps he loves you now ,
+And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
+The virtue of his will ; but you must fear ,
+His greatness weigh'd , his will is not his own ,
+For he himself is subject to his birth ;
+He may not , as unvalu'd persons do ,
+Carve for himself , for on his choice depends
+The safety and the health of the whole state ;
+And therefore must his choice be circumscrib'd
+Unto the voice and yielding of that body
+Whereof he is the head . Then if he says he loves you ,
+It fits your wisdom so far to believe it
+As he in his particular act and place
+May give his saying deed ; which is no further
+Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal .
+Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain ,
+If with too credent ear you list his songs ,
+Or lose your heart , or your chaste treasure open
+To his unmaster'd importunity .
+Fear it , Ophelia , fear it , my dear sister ;
+And keep you in the rear of your affection ,
+Out of the shot and danger of desire .
+The chariest maid is prodigal enough
+If she unmask her beauty to the moon ;
+Virtue herself 'scapes not calumnious strokes ;
+The canker galls the infants of the spring
+Too oft before their buttons be disclos'd ,
+And in the morn and liquid dew of youth
+Contagious blastments are most imminent .
+Be wary then ; best safety lies in fear :
+Youth to itself rebels , though none else near .
+
+I shall th' effect of this good lesson keep ,
+As watchman to my heart . But , good my brother ,
+Do not , as some ungracious pastors do ,
+Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven ,
+Whiles , like a puff'd and reckless libertine ,
+Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads ,
+And recks not his own rede .
+
+O ! fear me not .
+I stay too long ; but here my father comes .
+
+
+A double blessing is a double grace ;
+
+Occasion smiles upon a second leave .
+
+Yet here , Laertes ! aboard , aboard , for shame !
+The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail ,
+And you are stay'd for . There , my blessing with thee !
+And these few precepts in thy memory
+Look thou character . Give thy thoughts no tongue ,
+Nor any unproportion'd thought his act .
+Be thou familiar , but by no means vulgar ;
+The friends thou hast , and their adoption tried ,
+Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel ;
+But do not dull thy palm with entertainment
+Of each new-hatch'd , unfledg'd comrade . Beware
+Of entrance to a quarrel , but , being in ,
+Bear 't that th' opposed may beware of thee .
+Give every man thine ear , but few thy voice ;
+Take each man's censure , but reserve thy judgment .
+Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy ,
+But not express'd in fancy ; rich , not gaudy ;
+For the apparel oft proclaims the man ,
+And they in France of the best rank and station
+Are most select and generous , chief in that .
+Neither a borrower , nor a lender be ;
+For loan oft loses both itself and friend ,
+And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry .
+This above all : to thine own self be true ,
+And it must follow , as the night the day ,
+Thou canst not then be false to any man .
+Farewell ; my blessing season this in thee !
+
+Most humbly do I take my leave , my lord .
+
+The time invites you ; go , your servants tend .
+
+Farewell , Ophelia ; and remember well
+What I have said to you .
+
+'Tis in my memory lock'd ,
+And you yourself shall keep the key of it .
+
+Farewell .
+
+
+What is 't , Ophelia , he hath said to you ?
+
+So please you , something touching the Lord Hamlet .
+
+Marry , well bethought :
+'Tis told me , he hath very oft of late
+Given private time to you ; and you yourself
+Have of your audience been most free and bounteous .
+If it be so ,as so 'tis put on me ,
+And that in way of caution ,I must tell you ,
+You do not understand yourself so clearly
+As it behoves my daughter and your honour .
+What is between you ? give me up the truth .
+
+He hath , my lord , of late made many tenders
+Of his affection to me .
+
+Affection ! pooh ! you speak like a green girl ,
+Unsifted in such perilous circumstance .
+Do you believe his tenders , as you call them ?
+
+I do not know , my lord , what I should think .
+
+Marry , I'll teach you : think yourself a baby ,
+That you have ta'en these tenders for true pay ,
+Which are not sterling . Tender yourself more dearly ;
+Or ,not to crack the wind of the poor phrase ,
+Running it thus ,you'll tender me a fool .
+
+My lord , he hath importun'd me with love
+In honourable fashion .
+
+Ay , fashion you may call it : go to , go to .
+
+And hath given countenance to his speech , my lord ,
+With almost all the holy vows of heaven .
+
+Ay , springes to catch woodcocks . I do know ,
+When the blood burns , how prodigal the soul
+Lends the tongue vows : these blazes , daughter ,
+Giving more light than heat , extinct in both ,
+Even in their promise , as it is a-making ,
+You must not take for fire . From this time
+Be somewhat scanter of your maiden presence ;
+Set your entreatments at a higher rate
+Than a command to parley . For Lord Hamlet ,
+Believe so much in him , that he is young ,
+And with a larger tether may he walk
+Than may be given you : in few , Ophelia ,
+Do not believe his vows , for they are brokers ,
+Not of that dye which their investments show ,
+But mere implorators of unholy suits ,
+Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds ,
+The better to beguile . This is for all :
+I would not , in plain terms , from this time forth ,
+Have you so slander any moment's leisure ,
+As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet .
+Look to 't , I charge you ; come your ways .
+
+I shall obey , my lord .
+
+
+The air bites shrewdly ; it is very cold .
+
+It is a nipping and an eager air .
+
+What hour now ?
+
+I think it lacks of twelve .
+
+No , it is struck .
+
+Indeed ? I heard it not : then it draws near the season
+Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk .
+
+What does this mean , my lord ?
+
+The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse ,
+Keeps wassail , and the swaggering up-spring reels ;
+And , as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down ,
+The kettle-drum and trumpet thus bray out
+The triumph of his pledge .
+
+Is it a custom ?
+
+Ay , marry , is 't :
+But to my mind ,though I am native here
+And to the manner born ,it is a custom
+More honour'd in the breach than the observance .
+This heavy-headed revel east and west
+Makes us traduc'd and tax'd of other nations ;
+They clepe us drunkards , and with swinish phrase
+Soil our addition ; and indeed it takes
+From our achievements , though perform'd at height ,
+The pith and marrow of our attribute .
+So , oft it chances in particular men ,
+That for some vicious mole of nature in them ,
+As , in their birth ,wherein they are not guilty ,
+Since nature cannot choose his origin ,
+By the o'ergrowth of some complexion ,
+Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason ,
+Or by some habit that too much o'er-leavens
+The form of plausive manners ; that these men ,
+Carrying , I say , the stamp of one defect ,
+Being nature's livery , or fortune's star ,
+Their virtues else , be they as pure as grace ,
+As infinite as man may undergo ,
+Shall in the general censure take corruption
+From that particular fault : the dram of eale
+Doth all the noble substance of a doubt ,
+To his own scandal .
+
+
+Look , my lord , it comes .
+
+Angels and ministers of grace defend us !
+Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd ,
+Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell ,
+Be thy intents wicked or charitable ,
+Thou com'st in such a questionable shape
+That I will speak to thee : I'll call thee Hamlet ,
+King , father ; royal Dane , O ! answer me :
+Let me not burst in ignorance ; but tell
+Why thy canoniz'd bones , hearsed in death ,
+Have burst their cerements ; why the sepulchre ,
+Wherein we saw thee quietly inurn'd ,
+Hath op'd his ponderous and marble jaws ,
+To cast thee up again . What may this mean ,
+That thou , dead corse , again in complete steel
+Revisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon ,
+Making night hideous ; and we fools of nature
+So horridly to shake our disposition
+With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls ?
+Say , why is this ? wherefore ? what should we do ?
+
+
+It beckons you to go away with it ,
+As if it some impartment did desire
+To you alone .
+
+Look , with what courteous action
+It waves you to a more removed ground :
+But do not go with it .
+
+No , by no means .
+
+It will not speak ; then , will I follow it .
+
+Do not , my lord .
+
+Why , what should be the fear ?
+I do not set my life at a pin's fee ;
+And for my soul , what can it do to that ,
+Being a thing immortal as itself ?
+It waves me forth again ; I'll follow it .
+
+What if it tempt you toward the flood , my lord ,
+Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff
+That beetles o'er his base into the sea ,
+And there assume some other horrible form ,
+Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason
+And draw you into madness ? think of it ;
+The very place puts toys of desperation ,
+Without more motive , into every brain
+That looks so many fathoms to the sea
+And hears it roar beneath .
+
+It waves me still . Go on , I'll follow thee .
+
+You shall not go , my lord .
+
+Hold off your hands !
+
+Be rul'd ; you shall not go .
+
+My fate cries out ,
+And makes each petty artery in this body
+As hardy as the Nemean lion's nerve .
+
+Still am I call'd . Unhand me , gentlemen ,
+
+By heaven ! I'll make a ghost of him that lets me :
+I say , away ! Go on , I'll follow thee .
+
+
+He wares desperate with imagination .
+
+Let's follow ; 'tis not fit thus to obey him .
+
+Have after . To what issue will this come ?
+
+Something is rotten in the state of Denmark .
+
+Heaven will direct it .
+
+Nay , let's follow him .
+
+
+Whither wilt thou lead me ? speak ; I'll go no further .
+
+Mark me .
+
+I will .
+
+My hour is almost come ,
+When I to sulphurous and tormenting flames
+Must render up myself .
+
+Alas ! poor ghost .
+
+Pity me not , but lend thy serious hearing
+To what I shall unfold .
+
+Speak ; I am bound to hear .
+
+So art thou to revenge , when thou shalt hear .
+
+What ?
+
+I am thy father's spirit ;
+Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night ,
+And for the day confin'd to fast in fires ,
+Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature
+Are burnt and purg'd away . But that I am forbid
+To tell the secrets of my prison-house ,
+I could a tale unfold whose lightest word
+Would harrow up thy soul , freeze thy young blood ,
+Make thy two eyes , like stars , start from their spheres ,
+Thy knotted and combined locks to part ,
+And each particular hair to stand an end ,
+Like quills upon the fretful porpentine :
+But this eternal blazon must not be
+To ears of flesh and blood . List , list , O list !
+If thou didst ever thy dear father love
+
+O God !
+
+Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder .
+
+Murder !
+
+Murder most foul , as in the best it is ;
+But this most foul , strange , and unnatural .
+
+Haste me to know't , that I , with wings as swift
+As meditation or the thoughts of love ,
+May sweep to my revenge .
+
+I find thee apt ;
+And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed
+That rots itself in ease on Lethe wharf ,
+Wouldst thou not stir in this . Now , Hamlet , hear :
+'Tis given out that , sleeping in mine orchard ,
+A serpent stung me ; so the whole ear of Denmark
+Is by a forged process of my death
+Rankly abus'd ; but know , thou noble youth ,
+The serpent that did sting thy father's life
+Now wears his crown .
+
+O my prophetic soul !
+My uncle !
+
+Ay , that incestuous , that adulterate beast ,
+With witchcraft of his wit , with traitorous gifts ,
+O wicked wit and gifts , that have the power
+So to seduce !won to his shameful lust
+The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen .
+O Hamlet ! what a falling-off was there ;
+From me , whose love was of that dignity
+That it went hand in hand even with the vow
+I made to her in marriage ; and to decline
+Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor
+To those of mine !
+But virtue , as it never will be mov'd ,
+Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven ,
+So lust , though to a radiant angel link'd ,
+Will sate itself in a celestial bed ,
+And prey on garbage .
+But , soft ! methinks I scent the morning air ;
+Brief let me be . Sleeping within mine orchard ,
+My custom always in the afternoon ,
+Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole ,
+With juice of cursed hebona in a vial ,
+And in the porches of mine ears did pour
+The leperous distilment ; whose effect
+Holds such an enmity with blood of man
+That swift as quicksilver it courses through
+The natural gates and alleys of the body ,
+And with a sudden vigour it doth posset
+And curd , like eager droppings into milk ,
+The thin and wholesome blood : so did it mine ;
+And a most instant tetter bark'd about ,
+Most lazar-like , with vile and loathsome crust ,
+All my smooth body .
+Thus was I , sleeping , by a brother's hand ,
+Of life , of crown , of queen , at once dispatch'd ;
+Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin ,
+Unhousel'd , disappointed , unanel'd ,
+No reckoning made , but sent to my account
+With all my imperfections on my head :
+O , horrible ! O , horrible ! most horrible !
+If thou hast nature in thee , bear it not ;
+Let not the royal bed of Denmark be
+A couch for luxury and damned incest .
+But , howsoever thou pursu'st this act ,
+Taint not thy mind , nor let thy soul contrive
+Against thy mother aught ; leave her to heaven ,
+And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge ,
+To prick and sting her . Fare thee well at once !
+The glow-worm shows the matin to be near ,
+And 'gins to pale his uneffectual fire ;
+Adieu , adieu ! Hamlet , remember me .
+
+
+O all you host of heaven ! O earth ! What else ?
+And shall I couple hell ? O fie ! Hold , hold , my heart !
+And you , my sinews , grow not instant old ,
+But bear me stiffly up ! Remember thee !
+Ay , thou poor ghost , while memory holds a seat
+In this distracted globe . Remember thee !
+Yea , from the table of my memory
+I'll wipe away all trivial fond records ,
+All saws of books , all forms , all pressures past ,
+That youth and observation copied there ;
+And thy commandment all alone shall live
+Within the book and volume of my brain ,
+Unmix'd with baser matter : yes , by heaven !
+O most pernicious woman !
+O villain , villain , smiling , damned villain !
+My tables ,meet it is I set it down ,
+That one may smile , and smile , and be a villain ;
+At least I'm sure it may be so in Denmark :
+
+So , uncle , there you are . Now to my word ;
+It is , 'Adieu , adieu ! remember me .
+I have sworn 't .
+
+My lord ! my lord !
+
+Lord Hamlet !
+
+Heaven secure him !
+
+So be it !
+
+Hillo , ho , ho , my lord !
+
+Hillo , ho , ho , boy ! come , bird , come .
+
+
+How is't , my noble lord ?
+
+What news , my lord ?
+
+O ! wonderful .
+
+Good my lord , tell it .
+
+No ; you will reveal it .
+
+Not I , my lord , by heaven !
+
+Nor I , my lord .
+
+How say you , then ; would heart of man once think it ?
+But you'll be secret ?
+
+Ay , by heaven , my lord .
+
+Ay , by heaven , my lord .
+
+There's ne'er a villain dwelling in all Denmark ,
+But he's an arrant knave .
+
+There needs no ghost , my lord , come from the grave ,
+To tell us this .
+
+Why , right ; you are i' the right ;
+And so , without more circumstance at all ,
+I hold it fit that we shake hands and part ;
+You , as your business and desire shall point you ,
+For every man hath business and desire ,
+Such as it is ,and , for mine own poor part ,
+Look you , I'll go pray .
+
+These are but wild and whirling words , my lord .
+
+I am sorry they offend you , heartily ;
+Yes , faith , heartily .
+
+There's no offence , my lord .
+
+Yes , by Saint Patrick , but there is , Horatio ,
+And much offence , too . Touching this vision here ,
+It is an honest ghost , that let me tell you ;
+For your desire to know what is between us ,
+O'ermaster't as you may . And now , good friends ,
+As you are friends , scholars , and soldiers ,
+Give me one poor request .
+
+What is't , my lord ? we will .
+
+Never make known what you have seen to-night .
+
+My lord , we will not .
+
+My lord , we will not .
+
+Nay , but swear't .
+
+In faith ,
+My lord , not I .
+
+Nor I , my lord , in faith .
+
+Upon my sword .
+
+We have sworn , my lord , already .
+
+Indeed , upon my sword , indeed .
+
+Swear .
+
+Ah , ha , boy ! sayst thou so ? art thou there , true-penny ?
+Come on ,you hear this fellow in the cellar-age ,
+Consent to swear .
+
+Propose the oath , my lord .
+
+Never to speak of this that you have seen ,
+Swear by my sword .
+
+Swear .
+
+Hic et ubique ? then we'll shift our ground .
+Come hither , gentlemen ,
+And lay your hands again upon my sword :
+Never to speak of this that you have heard ,
+Swear by my sword .
+
+Swear .
+
+Well said , old mole ! canst work i' the earth so fast ?
+A worthy pioner ! once more remove , good friends .
+
+O day and night , but this is wondrous strange !
+
+And therefore as a stranger give it welcome .
+There are more things in heaven and earth , Horatio ,
+Than are dreamt of in your philosophy .
+But come ;
+Here , as before , never , so help you mercy ,
+How strange or odd soe'er I bear myself ,
+As I perchance hereafter shall think meet
+To put an antic disposition on ,
+That you , at such times seeing me , never shall ,
+With arms encumber'd thus , or this head-shake ,
+Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase ,
+As , 'Well , well , we know ,' or , 'We could , an if we would ;'
+Or , 'If we list to speak ,' or , 'There be , an if they might ;'
+Or such ambiguous giving out , to note
+That you know aught of me : this not to do ,
+So grace and mercy at your most need help you ,
+Swear .
+
+Swear .
+
+
+Rest , rest , perturbed spirit ! So , gentlemen ,
+With all my love I do commend me to you :
+And what so poor a man as Hamlet is
+May do , to express his love and friending to you ,
+God willing , shall not lack . Let us go in together ;
+And still your fingers on your lips , I pray .
+The time is out of joint ; O cursed spite ,
+That ever I was born to set it right !
+Nay , come , let's go together .
+
+Give him this money and these notes , Reynaldo .
+
+I will , my lord .
+
+You shall do marvellous wisely , good Reynaldo ,
+Before you visit him , to make inquiry
+Of his behaviour .
+
+My lord , I did intend it .
+
+Marry , well said , very well said . Look you , sir ,
+Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris ;
+And how , and who , what means , and where they keep ,
+What company , at what expense ; and finding
+By this encompassment and drift of question
+That they do know my son , come you more nearer
+Than your particular demands will touch it :
+Take you , as 'twere , some distant knowledge of him ;
+As thus , 'I know his father , and his friends ,
+And , in part , him ;' do you mark this , Reynaldo ?
+
+Ay , very well , my lord .
+
+'And , in part , him ; but ,' you may say , 'not well :
+But if't be he I mean , he's very wild ,
+Addicted so and so ;' and there put on him
+What forgeries you please ; marry , none so rank
+As may dishonour him ; take heed of that ;
+But , sir , such wanton , wild , and usual slips
+As are companions noted and most known
+To youth and liberty .
+
+As gaming , my lord ?
+
+Ay , or drinking , fencing , swearing , quarrelling ,
+Drabbing ; you may go so far .
+
+My lord , that would dishonour him .
+
+Faith , no ; as you may season it in the charge .
+You must not put another scandal on him ,
+That he is open to incontinency ;
+That's not my meaning ; but breathe his faults so quaintly
+That they may seem the taints of liberty ,
+The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind ,
+A savageness in unreclaimed blood ,
+Of general assault .
+
+But , my good lord ,
+
+Wherefore should you do this ?
+
+Ay , my lord ,
+I would know that .
+
+Marry , sir , here's my drift ;
+And , I believe , it is a fetch of warrant :
+You laying these slight sullies on my son ,
+As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' the working ,
+Mark you ,
+Your party in converse , him you would sound ,
+Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes
+The youth you breathe of guilty , be assur'd ,
+He closes with you in this consequence ;
+'Good sir ,' or so ; or 'friend ,' or 'gentleman ,'
+According to the phrase or the addition
+Of man and country .
+
+Very good , my lord .
+
+And then , sir , does he this ,he does ,what was I about to say ? By the mass I was about to say something : where did I leave ?
+
+At 'closes in the consequence .'
+At 'friend or so ,' and 'gentleman .'
+
+At 'closes in the consequence ,' ay , marry ;
+He closes with you thus : 'I know the gentleman ;
+I saw him yesterday , or t' other day ,
+Or then , or then ; with such , or such ; and , as you say ,
+There was a' gaming ; there o'ertook in 's rouse ;
+There falling out at tennis ;' or perchance ,
+'I saw him enter such a house of sale ,'
+Videlicet , a brothel , or so forth .
+See you now ;
+Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth ;
+And thus do we of wisdom and of reach ,
+With windlasses , and with assays of bias ,
+By indirections find directions out :
+So by my former lecture and advice
+Shall you my son . You have me , have you not ?
+
+My lord , I have .
+
+God be wi' you ; fare you well .
+
+Good my lord !
+
+Observe his inclination in yourself .
+
+I shall , my lord .
+
+And let him ply his music .
+
+Well , my lord .
+
+Farewell !
+
+
+How now , Ophelia ! what's the matter ?
+
+Alas ! my lord , I have been so affrighted .
+
+With what , in the name of God ?
+
+My lord , as I was sewing in my closet ,
+Lord Hamlet , with his doublet all unbrac'd ;
+No hat upon his head ; his stockings foul'd ,
+Ungarter'd , and down-gyved to his ancle ;
+Pale as his shirt ; his knees knocking each other ;
+And with a look so piteous in purport
+As if he had been loosed out of hell
+To speak of horrors , he comes before me .
+
+Mad for thy love ?
+
+My lord , I do not know ;
+But truly I do fear it .
+
+What said he ?
+
+He took me by the wrist and held me hard ,
+Then goes he to the length of all his arm ,
+And , with his other hand thus o'er his brow ,
+He falls to such perusal of my face
+As he would draw it . Long stay'd he so ;
+At last , a little shaking of mine arm ,
+And thrice his head thus waving up and down ,
+He rais'd a sigh so piteous and profound
+That it did seem to shatter all his bulk
+And end his being . That done , he lets me go ,
+And , with his head over his shoulder turn'd ,
+He seem'd to find his way without his eyes ;
+For out o' doors he went without their help ,
+And to the last bended their light on me .
+
+Come , go with me ; I will go seek the king .
+This is the very ecstasy of love ,
+Whose violent property fordoes itself
+And leads the will to desperate undertakings
+As oft as any passion under heaven
+That does afflict our natures . I am sorry .
+What ! have you given him any hard words of late ?
+
+No , my good lord ; but , as you did command ,
+I did repel his letters and denied
+His access to me .
+
+That hath made him mad .
+I am sorry that with better heed and judgment
+I had not quoted him ; I fear'd he did but trifle ,
+And meant to wrack thee ; but , beshrew my jealousy !
+By heaven , it is as proper to our age
+To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions
+As it is common for the younger sort
+To lack discretion . Come , go we to the king :
+This must be known ; which , being kept close , might move
+More grief to hide than hate to utter love .
+Come .
+
+
+Welcome , dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern !
+Moreover that we much did long to see you ,
+The need we have to use you did provoke
+Our hasty sending . Something have you heard
+Of Hamlet's transformation ; so I call it ,
+Since nor the exterior nor the inward man
+Resembles that it was . What it should be
+More than his father's death , that thus hath put him
+So much from the understanding of himself ,
+I cannot dream of : I entreat you both ,
+That , being of so young days brought up with him ,
+And since so neighbour'd to his youth and humour ,
+That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court
+Some little time ; so by your companies
+To draw him on to pleasures , and to gather ,
+So much as from occasion you may glean ,
+Whe'r aught to us unknown afflicts him thus ,
+That , open'd , lies within our remedy .
+
+Good gentlemen , he hath much talk'd of you ;
+And sure I am two men there are not living
+To whom he more adheres . If it will please you
+To show us so much gentry and good will
+As to expend your time with us awhile ,
+For the supply and profit of our hope ,
+Your visitation shall receive such thanks
+As fits a king's remembrance .
+
+Both your majesties
+Might , by the sovereign power you have of us ,
+Put your dread pleasures more into command
+Than to entreaty .
+
+But we both obey ,
+And here give up ourselves , in the full bent ,
+To lay our service freely at your feet ,
+To be commanded .
+
+Thanks , Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern .
+
+Thanks , Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz ;
+And I beseech you instantly to visit
+My too much changed son . Go , some of you ,
+And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is .
+
+Heavens make our presence , and our practices
+Pleasant and helpful to him !
+
+Ay , amen !
+
+The ambassadors from Norway , my good lord ,
+Are joyfully return'd .
+
+Thou still hast been the father of good news .
+
+Have I , my lord ? Assure you , my good liege ,
+I hold my duty , as I hold my soul ,
+Both to my God and to my gracious king ;
+And I do think or else this brain of mine
+Hunts not the trail of policy so sure
+As it hath us'd to do that I have found
+The very cause of Hamlet's lunacy .
+
+O ! speak of that ; that do I long to hear .
+
+Give first admittance to the ambassadors ;
+My news shall be the fruit to that great feast .
+
+Thyself do grace to them , and bring them in .
+
+He tells me , my sweet queen , that he hath found
+The head and source of all your son's distemper .
+
+I doubt it is no-other but the main ;
+His father's death , and our o'erhasty marriage .
+
+Well , we shall sift him .
+
+
+Welcome , my good friends !
+
+Say , Voltimand , what from our brother Norway ?
+
+Most fair return of greetings , and desires .
+Upon our first , he sent out to suppress
+His nephew's levies , which to him appear'd
+To be a preparation 'gainst the Polack ;
+But , better look'd into , he truly found
+It was against your highness : whereat griev'd ,
+That so his sickness , age , and impotence
+Was falsely borne in hand , sends out arrests
+On Fortinbras ; which he , in brief , obeys ,
+Receives rebuke from Norway , and , in fine ,
+Makes vow before his uncle never more
+To give the assay of arms against your majesty .
+Whereon old Norway , overcome with joy ,
+Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee ,
+And his commission to employ those soldiers ,
+So levied as before , against the Polack ;
+With an entreaty , herein further shown ,
+
+That it might please you to give quiet pass
+Through your dominions for this enterprise ,
+On such regards of safety and allowance
+As therein are set down .
+
+It likes us well ;
+And at our more consider'd time we'll read ,
+Answer , and think upon this business :
+Meantime we thank you for your well-took labour .
+Go to your rest ; at night we'll feast together :
+Most welcome home .
+
+
+This business is well ended .
+My liege , and madam , to expostulate
+What majesty should be , what duty is ,
+Why day is day , night night , and time is time ,
+Were nothing but to waste night , day , and time .
+Therefore , since brevity is the soul of wit ,
+And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes ,
+I will be brief . Your noble son is mad :
+Mad call I it ; for , to define true madness ,
+What is 't but to be nothing else but mad ?
+But let that go .
+
+More matter , with less art .
+
+Madam , I swear I use no art at all .
+That he is mad , 'tis true ; 'tis true 'tis pity ;
+And pity 'tis 'tis true : a foolish figure ;
+But farewell it , for I will use no art .
+Mad let us grant him , then ; and now remains
+That we find out the cause of this effect ,
+Or rather say , the cause of this defect ,
+For this effect defective comes by cause ;
+Thus it remains , and the remainder thus .
+Perpend .
+I have a daughter , have while she is mine ;
+Who , in her duty and obedience , mark ,
+Hath given me this : now , gather , and surmise .
+"To the celestial , and my soul's idol , the most beautified Ophelia ."
+That's an ill phrase , a vile phrase ; 'beautified'
+is a vile phrase ; but you shall hear . Thus :
+In her excellent white bosom , these , &c .
+
+Came this from Hamlet to her ?
+
+Good madam , stay awhile ; I will be faithful .
+
+"Doubt thou the stars are fire ;
+Doubt that the sun doth move ;
+Doubt truth to be a liar ;
+But never doubt I love .
+
+O dear Ophelia ! I am ill at these numbers : I have not art to reckon my groans ; but that I love thee best , O most best ! believe it . Adieu .
+Thine evermore , most dear lady , whilst this machine is to him ,HAMLET ."
+
+This in obedience hath my daughter shown me ;
+And more above , hath his solicitings ,
+As they fell out by time , by means , and place ,
+All given to mine ear .
+
+But how hath she
+Receiv'd his love ?
+
+What do you think of me ?
+
+As of a man faithful and honourable .
+
+I would fain prove so . But what might you think ,
+When I had seen this hot love on the wing ,
+As I perceiv'd it , I must tell you that ,
+Before my daughter told me ,what might you ,
+Or my dear majesty , your queen here , think ,
+If I had play'd the desk or table-book ,
+Or given my heart a winking , mute and dumb ,
+Or look'd upon this love with idle sight ;
+What might you think ? No , I went round to work ,
+And my young mistress thus I did bespeak :
+'Lord Hamlet is a prince , out of thy star ;
+This must not be :' and then I precepts gave her ,
+That she should lock herself from his resort ,
+Admit no messengers , receive no tokens .
+Which done , she took the fruits of my advice ;
+And he , repulsed ,a short tale to make ,
+Fell into a sadness , then into a fast ,
+Thence to a watch , thence into a weakness ,
+Thence to a lightness ; and by this declension
+Into the madness wherein now he raves ,
+And all we wail for .
+
+Do you think 'tis this ?
+
+It may be , very likely .
+
+Hath there been such a time ,I'd fain know that ,
+That I have positively said , ''Tis so ,'
+When it prov'd otherwise ?
+
+Not that I know .
+
+Take this from this , if this be otherwise :
+
+If circumstances lead me , I will find
+Where truth is hid , though it were hid indeed
+Within the centre .
+
+How may we try it further ?
+
+You know sometimes he walks four hours together
+Here in the lobby .
+
+So he does indeed .
+
+At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him ;
+Be you and I behind an arras then ;
+Mark the encounter ; if he love her not ,
+And be not from his reason fallen thereon ,
+Let me be no assistant for a state ,
+But keep a farm , and carters .
+
+We will try it .
+
+But look , where sadly the poor wretch comes reading .
+
+Away ! I do beseech you , both away .
+I'll board him presently .
+
+O ! give me leave .
+
+How does my good Lord Hamlet ?
+
+Well , God a-mercy .
+
+Do you know me , my lord ?
+
+Excellent well ; you are a fishmonger .
+
+Not I , my lord .
+
+Then I would you were so honest a man .
+
+Honest , my lord !
+
+Ay , sir ; to be honest , as this world goes , is to be one man picked out of ten thousand .
+
+That's very true , my lord .
+
+For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog , being a good kissing carrion ,Have you a daughter ?
+
+I have , my lord .
+
+Let her not walk i' the sun : conception is a blessing ; but not as your daughter may conceive . Friend , look to 't .
+
+How say you by that ? Still harping on my daughter : yet he knew me not at first ; he said I was a fishmonger : he is far gone , far gone : and truly in my youth I suffered much extremity for love ; very near this . I'll speak to him again . What do you read , my lord ?
+
+Words , words , words .
+
+What is the matter , my lord ?
+
+Between who ?
+
+I mean the matter that you read , my lord .
+
+Slanders , sir : for the satirical rogue says here that old men have grey beards , that their faces are wrinkled , their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum , and that they have a plentiful lack of wit , together with most weak hams : all which , sir , though I most powerfully and potently believe , yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down ; for you yourself , sir , should be old as I am , if , like a crab , you could go backward .
+
+Though this be madness , yet there is method in 't . Will you walk out of the air , my lord ?
+
+Into my grave ?
+
+Indeed , that is out o' the air .
+
+How pregnant sometimes his replies are ! a happiness that often madness hits on , which reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of . I will leave him , and suddenly contrive the means of meeting between him and my daughter . My honourable lord , I will most humbly take my leave of you .
+
+You cannot , sir , take from me any thing that I will more willingly part withal ; except my life , except my life , except my life .
+
+Fare you well , my lord .
+
+
+These tedious old fools !
+
+
+You go to seek the Lord Hamlet ; there he is .
+
+God save you , sir !
+
+
+Mine honoured lord !
+
+My most dear lord !
+
+My excellent good friends ! How dost thou , Guildenstern ? Ah , Rosencrantz ! Good lads , how do ye both ?
+
+As the indifferent children of the earth .
+
+Happy in that we are not over happy ; On Fortune's cap we are not the very button .
+
+Nor the soles of her shoe ?
+
+Neither , my lord .
+
+Then you live about her waist , or in the middle of her favours ?
+
+Faith , her privates we .
+
+In the secret parts of Fortune ? O ! most true ; she is a strumpet . What news ?
+
+None , my lord , but that the world's grown honest .
+
+Then is doomsday near ; but your news is not true . Let me question more in particular : what have you , my good friends , deserved at the hands of Fortune , that she sends you to prison hither ?
+
+Prison , my lord !
+
+Denmark's a prison .
+
+Then is the world one .
+
+A goodly one ; in which there are many confines , wards , and dungeons , Denmark being one o' the worst .
+
+We think not so , my lord .
+
+Why , then , 'tis none to you ; for there is nothing either good or bad , but thinking makes it so : to me it is a prison .
+
+Why , then your ambition makes it one ; 'tis too narrow for your mind .
+
+O God ! I could be bounded in a nutshell , and count myself a king of infinite space , were it not that I have bad dreams .
+
+Which dreams , indeed , are ambition , for the very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream .
+
+A dream itself is but a shadow .
+
+Truly , and I hold ambition of so airy and light a quality that it is but a shadow's shadow .
+
+Then are our beggars bodies , and our monarchs and outstretched heroes the beggars' shadows . Shall we to the court ? for , by my fay , I cannot reason .
+
+We'll wait upon you .
+
+We'll wait upon you .
+
+No such matter ; I will not sort you with the rest of my servants , for , to speak to you like an honest man , I am most dreadfully attended . But , in the beaten way of friendship , what make you at Elsinore ?
+
+To visit you , my lord ; no other occasion .
+
+Beggar that I am , I am even poor in thanks ; but I thank you : and sure , dear friends , my thanks are too dear a halfpenny . Were you not sent for ? Is it your own inclining ? Is it a free visitation ? Come , come , deal justly with me : come , come ; nay , speak .
+
+What should we say , my lord ?
+
+Why anything , but to the purpose . You were sent for ; and there is a kind of confession in your looks which your modesties have not craft enough to colour : I know the good king and queen have sent for you .
+
+To what end , my lord ?
+
+That you must teach me . But let me conjure you , by the rights of our fellowship , by the consonancy of our youth , by the obligation of our ever-preserved love , and by what more dear a better proposer could charge you withal , be even and direct with me , whether you were sent for or no !
+
+What say you ?
+
+Nay , then , I have an eye of you . If you love me , hold not off .
+
+My lord , we were sent for .
+
+I will tell you why ; so shall my anticipation prevent your discovery , and your secrecy to the king and queen moult no feather . I have of late ,but wherefore I know not ,lost all my mirth , forgone all custom of exercises ; and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame , the earth , seems to me a sterile promontory ; this most excellent canopy , the air , look you , this brave o'erhanging firmament , this majestical roof fretted with golden fire , why , it appears no other thing to me but a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours . What a piece of work is a man ! How noble in reason ! how infinite in faculty ! in form , in moving , how express and admirable ! in action how like an angel ! in apprehension how like a god ! the beauty of the world ! the paragon of animals ! And yet , to me , what is this quintessence of dust ? man delights not me ; no , nor woman neither , though , by your smiling , you seem to say so .
+
+My lord , there was no such stuff in my thoughts .
+
+Why did you laugh then , when I said , 'man delights not me ?'
+
+To think , my lord ; if you delight not in man , what lenten entertainment the players shall receive from you : we coted them on the way ; and hither are they coming , to offer you service .
+
+He that plays the king shall be welcome ; his majesty shall have tribute of me ; the adventurous knight shall use his foil and target ; the lover shall not sigh gratis ; the humorous man shall end his part in peace ; the clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickle o' the sere ; and the lady shall say her mind freely , or the blank verse shall halt for't . What players are they ?
+
+Even those you were wont to take delight in , the tragedians of the city .
+
+How chances it they travel ? their residence , both in reputation and profit , was better both ways .
+
+I think their inhibition comes by the means of the late innovation .
+
+Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was in the city ? Are they so followed ?
+
+No , indeed they are not .
+
+How comes it ? Do they grow rusty ?
+
+Nay , their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace : but there is , sir , an aery of children , little eyases , that cry out on the top of question , and are most tyrannically clapped for't : these are now the fashion , and so berattle the common stages ,so they call them ,that many wearing rapiers are afraid of goose-quills , and dare scarce come thither .
+
+What ! are they children ? who maintains 'em ? how are they escoted ? Will they pursue the quality no longer than they can sing ? will they not say afterwards , if they should grow themselves to common players ,as it is most like , if their means are no better ,their writers do them wrong , to make them exclaim against their own succession ?
+
+Faith , there has been much to-do on both sides : and the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy : there was , for a while , no money bid for argument , unless the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question .
+
+Is it possible ?
+
+O ! there has been much throwing about of brains .
+
+Do the boys carry it away ?
+
+Ay , that they do , my lord ; Hercules and his load too .
+
+It is not very strange ; for my uncle is King of Denmark , and those that would make mows at him while my father lived , give twenty , forty , fifty , a hundred ducats a-piece for his picture in little . 'Sblood , there is something in this more than natural , if philosophy could find it out .
+
+
+There are the players .
+
+Gentlemen , you are welcome to Elsinore . Your hands , come then ; the appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony : let me comply with you in this garb , lest my extent to the players which , I tell you , must show fairly outward should more appear like entertainment than yours . You are welcome ; but my uncle-father and aunt-mother are deceived .
+
+In what , my dear lord ?
+
+I am but mad north-north-west : when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw .
+
+
+Well be with you , gentlemen !
+
+Hark you , Guildenstern ; and you too ; at each ear a hearer : that great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling-clouts .
+
+Happily he's the second time come to them ; for they say an old man is twice a child .
+
+I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players ; mark it . You say right , sir ; o' Monday morning ; 'twas so indeed .
+
+My lord , I have news to tell you .
+
+My lord , I have news to tell you . When Roscius was an actor in Rome ,
+
+The actors are come hither , my lord .
+
+Buzz , buzz !
+
+Upon my honour ,
+
+Then came each actor on his ass ,
+
+The best actors in the world , either for tragedy , comedy , history , pastoral , pastoral-comical , historical-pastoral , tragical-historical , tragical-comical-historical-pastoral , scene individable , or poem unlimited : Seneca cannot be too heavy , nor Plautus too light . For the law of writ and the liberty , these are the only men .
+
+O Jephthah , judge of Israel , what a treasure hadst thou !
+
+What a treasure had he , my lord ?
+
+Why
+
+One fair daughter and no more ,
+The which he loved passing well .
+
+
+Still on my daughter .
+
+Am I not i' the right , old Jephthah ?
+
+If you call me Jephthah , my lord , I have a daughter that I love passing well .
+
+Nay , that follows not .
+
+What follows , then , my lord ?
+
+Why ,
+As by lot , God wot .
+And then , you know ,
+It came to pass , as most like it was .
+The first row of the pious chanson will show you more ; for look where my abridgment comes .
+
+You are welcome , masters ; welcome , all . I am glad to see thee well : welcome , good friends . O , my old friend ! Thy face is valanced since I saw thee last : comest thou to beard me in Denmark ? What ! my young lady and mistress ! By 'r lady , your ladyship is nearer heaven than when I saw you last , by the altitude of a chopine . Pray God , your voice , like a piece of uncurrent gold , be not cracked within the ring . Masters , you are all welcome . We'll e'en to't like French falconers , fly at anything we see : we'll have a speech straight . Come , give us a taste of your quality ; come , a passionate speech .
+
+What speech , my good lord ?
+
+I heard thee speak me a speech once , but it was never acted ; or , if it was , not above once ; for the play , I remember , pleased not the million ; 'twas caviare to the general : but it was as I received it , and others , whose judgments in such matters cried in the top of mine an excellent play , well digested in the scenes , set down with as much modesty as cunning . I remember one said there were no sallets in the lines to make the matter savoury , nor no matter in the phrase that might indict the author of affectation ; but called it an honest method , as wholesome as sweet , and by very much more handsome than fine . One speech in it I chiefly loved ; 'twas neas' tale to Dido ; and thereabout of it especially , where he speaks of Priam's slaughter . If it live in your memory , begin at this line : let me see , let me see :
+Therugged Pyrrhus , like the Hyrcanian beast ,
+'tis not so , it begins with Pyrrhus :
+The rugged Pyrrhus , he whose sable arm ,
+Black as his purpose , did the night resemble
+When he lay couched in the ominous horse ,
+Hath now this dread and black complexion smear'd
+With heraldry more dismal ; head to foot
+Now is he total gules ; horridly trick'd
+With blood of fathers , mothers , daughters , sons ,
+Bak'd and impasted with the parching streets ,
+That lend a tyrannous and damned light
+To their vile murders : rousted in wrath and fire ,
+And thus o'er-sized with coagulate gore ,
+With eyes like carbuncles , the hellish Pyrrhus
+Old grandsire Priam seeks .
+So proceed you .
+
+'Fore God , my lord , well spoken ; with good accent and good discretion .
+
+Anon , he finds him
+Striking too short at Greeks ; his antique sword ,
+Rebellious to his arm , lies where it falls ,
+Repugnant to command . Unequal match'd ,
+Pyrrhus at Priam drives ; in rage strikes wide ;
+But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword
+The unnerved father falls . Then senseless Ilium ,
+Seeming to feel this blow , with flaming top
+Stoops to his base , and with a hideous crash
+Takes prisoner Pyrrhus' ear : for lo ! his sword ,
+Which was declining on the milky head
+Of rever end Priam , seem'd i' the air to stick :
+So , as a painted tyrant , Pyrrhus stood ,
+And like a neutral to his will and matter ,
+Did nothing .
+But , as we often see , against some storm ,
+A silence in the heavens , the rack stand still ,
+The bold winds speechless and the orb below
+As hush as death , anon the dreadful thunder
+Doth rend the region ; so , after Pyrrhus' pause ,
+Aroused vengeance sets him new a-work ;
+And never did the Cyclops' hammers fall
+On Mars's armour , forg'd for proof eterne ,
+With less remorse than Pyrrhus' bleeding sword
+Now falls on Priam .
+Out , out , thou strumpet , Fortune ! All you gods ,
+In general synod , take away her power ;
+Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel ,
+And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven ,
+As low as to the fiends !
+
+This is too long .
+
+It shall to the barber's , with your beard . Prithee , say on : he's for a jig or a tale of bawdry , or he sleeps . Say on ; come to Hecuba .
+
+But who , O ! who had seen the mobled queen
+
+'The mobled queen ?'
+
+That's good ; 'mobled queen' is good .
+
+Run barefoot up and down , threat'ning the flames
+With bisson rheum ; a clout upon that head
+Where late the diadem stood ; and , for a robe ,
+About her lank and all o'er-teemed loins ,
+A blanket , in the alarm of fear caught up ;
+Who this had seen , with tongue in venom steep'd ,
+'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have pronounc'd :
+But if the gods themselves did see her then ,
+When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport
+In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs ,
+The instant burst of clamour that she made
+Unless things mortal move them not at all
+Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven ,
+And passion in the gods .
+
+Look ! wh'er he has not turned his colour and has tears in's eyes . Prithee , no more .
+
+'Tis well ; I'll have thee speak out the rest soon . Good my lord , will you see the players well bestowed ? Do you hear , let them be well used ; for they are the abstracts and brief chronicles of the time : after your death you were better have a bad epitaph than their ill report while you live .
+
+My lord , I will use them according to their desert .
+
+God's bodikins , man , much better ; use every man after his desert , and who should 'scape whipping ? Use them after your own honour and dignity : the less they deserve , the more merit is in your bounty . Take them in .
+
+Come , sirs .
+
+Follow him , friends : we'll hear a play to-morrow .
+
+Dost thou hear me , old friend ; can you play the Murder of Gonzago ?
+
+Ay , my lord .
+
+We'll ha't to-morrow night . You could , for a need , study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines , which I would set down and insert in't , could you not ?
+
+Ay , my lord .
+
+Very well . Follow that lord ; and look you mock him not .
+
+My good friends , I'll leave you till night ; you are welcome to Elsinore .
+
+Good my lord !
+
+
+Ay , so , God be wi' ye ! Now I am alone .
+O ! what a rogue and peasant slave am I :
+Is it not monstrous that this player here ,
+But in a fiction , in a dream of passion ,
+Could force his soul so to his own conceit
+That from her working all his visage wann'd ,
+Tears in his eyes , distraction in 's aspect ,
+A broken voice , and his whole function suiting
+With forms to his conceit ? and all for nothing !
+For Hecuba !
+What 's Hecuba to him or he to Hecuba
+That he should weep for her ? What would he do
+Had he the motive and the cue for passion
+That I have ? He would drown the stage with tears ,
+And cleave the general ear with horrid speech ,
+Make mad the guilty and appal the free ,
+Confound the ignorant , and amaze indeed
+The very faculties of eyes and ears .
+Yet I ,
+A dull and muddy-mettled rascal , peak ,
+Like John-a-dreams , unpregnant of my cause ,
+And can say nothing ; no , not for a king ,
+Upon whose property and most dear life
+A damn'd defeat was made . Am I a coward ?
+Who calls me villain ? breaks my pate across ?
+Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face ?
+Tweaks me by the nose ? gives me the lie i' the throat ,
+As deep as to the lungs ? Who does me this ?
+Ha !
+Swounds , I should take it , for it cannot be
+But I am pigeon-liver'd , and lack gall
+To make oppression bitter , or ere this
+I should have fatted all the region kites
+With this slave's offal . Bloody , bawdy villain !
+Remorseless , treacherous , lecherous , kindless villain !
+O ! vengeance !
+Why , what an ass am I ! This is most brave
+That I , the son of a dear father murder'd ,
+Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell ,
+Must , like a whore , unpack my heart with words ,
+And fall a-cursing , like a very drab ,
+A scullion !
+Fie upon't ! foh ! About , my brain ! I have heard ,
+That guilty creatures sitting at a play
+Have by the very cunning of the scene
+Been struck so to the soul that presently
+They have proclaim'd their malefactions ;
+For murder , though it have no tongue , will speak
+With most miraculous organ . I'll have these players
+Play something like the murder of my father
+Before mine uncle ; I'll observe his looks ;
+I'll tent him to the quick : if he but blench
+I know my course . The spirit that I have seen
+May be the devil : and the devil hath power
+To assume a pleasing shape ; yea , and perhaps
+Out of my weakness and my melancholy
+As he is very potent with such spirits
+Abuses me to damn me . I'll have grounds
+More relative than this : the play 's the thing
+Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king .
+
+And can you , by no drift of circumstance ,
+Get from him why he puts on this confusion ,
+Grating so harshly all his days of quiet
+With turbulent and dangerous lunacy ?
+
+He does confess he feels himself distracted ;
+But from what cause he will by no means speak .
+
+Nor do we find him forward to be sounded ,
+But , with a crafty madness , keeps aloof ,
+When we would bring him on to some confession
+Of his true state .
+
+Did he receive you well ?
+
+Most like a gentleman .
+
+But with much forcing of his disposition .
+
+Niggard of question , but of our demands
+Most free in his reply .
+
+Did you assay him
+To any pastime ?
+
+Madam , it so fell out that certain players
+We o'er-raught on the way ; of these we told him ,
+And there did seem in him a kind of joy
+To hear of it : they are about the court ,
+And , as I think , they have already order
+This night to play before him .
+
+'Tis most true ;
+And he beseech'd me to entreat your majesties
+To hear and see the matter .
+
+With all my heart ; and it doth much content me
+To hear him so inclin'd .
+Good gentlemen , give him a further edge ,
+And drive his purpose on to these delights .
+
+We shall , my lord .
+
+
+Sweet Gertrude , leave us too ;
+For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither ,
+That he , as 'twere by accident , may here
+Affront Ophelia .
+Her father and myself , lawful espials ,
+Will so bestow ourselves , that , seeing , unseen ,
+We may of their encounter frankly judge ,
+And gather by him , as he is behav'd ,
+If 't be the affliction of his love or no
+That thus he suffers for .
+
+I shall obey you .
+And for your part , Ophelia , I do wish
+That your good beauties be the happy cause
+Of Hamlet's wildness ; so shall I hope your virtues
+Will bring him to his wonted way again ,
+To both your honours .
+
+Madam , I wish it may .
+
+
+Ophelia , walk you here . Gracious , so please you ,
+We will bestow ourselves .
+
+Read on this book ;
+That show of such an exercise may colour
+Your loneliness . We are oft to blame in this ,
+'Tis too much prov'd , that with devotion's visage
+And pious action we do sugar o'er
+The devil himself .
+
+O ! 'tis too true ;
+How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience !
+The harlot's cheek , beautied with plastering art ,
+Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it
+Than is my deed to my most painted word :
+O heavy burden !
+
+I hear him coming ; let's withdraw , my lord .
+
+To be , or not to be : that is the question :
+Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
+The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune ,
+Or to take arms against a sea of troubles ,
+And by opposing end them ? To die : to sleep ;
+No more ; and , by a sleep to say we end
+The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
+That flesh is heir to , 'tis a consummation
+Devoutly to be wish'd . To die , to sleep ;
+To sleep : perchance to dream : ay , there's the rub ;
+For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
+When we have shuffled off this mortal coil ,
+Must give us pause . There's the respect
+That makes calamity of so long life ;
+For who would bear the whips and scorns of time ,
+The oppressor's wrong , the proud man's contumely ,
+The pangs of dispriz'd love , the law's delay ,
+The insolence of office , and the spurns
+That patient merit of the unworthy takes ,
+When he himself might his quietus make
+With a bare bodkin ? who would fardels bear ,
+To grunt and sweat under a weary life ,
+But that the dread of something after death ,
+The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
+No traveller returns , puzzles the will ,
+And makes us rather bear those ills we have
+Than fly to others that we know not of ?
+Thus conscience does make cowards of us all ;
+And thus the native hue of resolution
+Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought ,
+And enterprises of great pith and moment
+With this regard their currents turn awry ,
+And lose the name of action . Soft you now !
+The fair Ophelia ! Nymph , in thy orisons
+Be all my sins remember'd .
+
+Good my lord ,
+How does your honour for this many a day ?
+
+I humbly thank you ; well , well , well .
+
+My lord , I have remembrances of yours ,
+That I have longed long to re-deliver ;
+I pray you , now receive them .
+
+No , not I ;
+I never gave you aught .
+
+My honour'd lord , you know right well you did ;
+And , with them , words of so sweet breath compos'd
+As made the things more rich : their perfume lost ,
+Take these again ; for to the noble mind
+Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind .
+There , my lord .
+
+Ha , ha ! are you honest ?
+
+My lord !
+
+Are you fair ?
+
+What means your lordship ?
+
+That if you be honest and fair , your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty .
+
+Could beauty , my lord , have better commerce than with honesty ?
+
+Ay , truly ; for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness : this was sometime a paradox , but now the time gives it proof . I did love thee once .
+
+Indeed , my lord , you made me believe so .
+
+You should not have believed me ; for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it : I loved you not .
+
+I was the more deceived .
+
+Get thee to a nunnery : why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners ? I am myself indifferent honest ; but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me . I am very proud , revengeful , ambitious ; with more offences at my beck than I have thoughts to put them in , imagination to give them shape , or time to act them in . What should such fellows as I do crawling between heaven and earth ? We are arrant knaves , all ; believe none of us . Go thy ways to a nunnery . Where's your father ?
+
+At home , my lord .
+
+Let the doors be shut upon him , that he may play the fool nowhere but in's own house . Farewell .
+
+O ! help him , you sweet heavens !
+
+If thou dost marry , I'll give thee this plague for thy dowry : be thou as chaste as ice , as pure as snow , thou shalt not escape calumny . Get thee to a nunnery , go ; farewell . Or , if thou wilt needs marry , marry a fool ; for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them . To a nunnery , go ; and quickly too . Farewell .
+
+O heavenly powers , restore him !
+
+I have heard of your paintings too , well enough ; God hath given you one face , and you make yourselves another : you jig , you amble , and you lisp , and nickname God's creatures , and make your wantonness your ignorance . Go to , I'll no more on't ; it hath made me mad . I say , we will have no more marriages ; those that are married already , all but one , shall live ; the rest shall keep as they are . To a nunnery , go .
+
+
+O ! what a noble mind is here o'erthrown :
+The courtier's , soldier's , scholar's , eye , tongue , sword ;
+The expectancy and rose of the fair state ,
+The glass of fashion and the mould of form ,
+The observ'd of all observers , quite , quite down !
+And I , of ladies most deject and wretched ,
+That suck'd the honey of his music vows ,
+Now see that noble and most sovereign reason ,
+Like sweet bells jangled , out of tune and harsh ;
+That unmatch'd form and feature of blown youth
+Blasted with ecstasy : O ! woe is me ,
+To have seen what I have seen , see what I see !
+
+
+Love ! his affections do not that way tend ;
+Nor what he spake , though it lack'd form a little ,
+Was not like madness . There's something in his soul
+O'er which his melancholy sits on brood ;
+And , I do doubt , the hatch and the disclose
+Will be some danger ; which for to prevent ,
+I have in quick determination
+Thus set it down : he shall with speed to England ,
+For the demand of our neglected tribute :
+Haply the seas and countries different
+With variable objects shall expel
+This something-settled matter in his heart ,
+Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
+From fashion of himself . What think you on't ?
+
+It shall do well : but yet do I believe
+The origin and commencement of his grief
+Sprung from neglected love . How now , Ophelia !
+You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said ;
+We heard it all . My lord , do as you please ;
+But , if you hold it fit , after the play ,
+Let his queen mother all alone entreat him
+To show his griefs : let her be round with him ;
+And I'll be plac'd , so please you , in the ear
+Of all their conference . If she find him not ,
+To England send him , or confine him where
+Your wisdom best shall think .
+
+It shall be so :
+Madness in great ones must not unwatch'd go .
+
+
+Speak the speech , I pray you , as I pronounced it to you , trippingly on the tongue ; but if you mouth it , as many of your players do , I had as lief the town-crier spoke my lines . Nor do not saw the air too much with your hand , thus ; but use all gently : for in the very torrent , tempest , and as I may say whirlwind of passion , you must acquire and beget a temperance , that may give it smoothness . O ! it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious periwigpated fellow tear a passion to tatters , to very rage , to split the ears of the groundlings , who for the most part are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb-shows and noise : I would have such a fellow whipped for o'er-doing Termagant ; it out-herods Herod : pray you , avoid it .
+
+I warrant your honour .
+
+Be not too tame neither , but let your own discretion be your tutor : suit the action to the word , the word to the action ; with this special observance , that you o'erstep not the modesty of nature ; for anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing , whose end , both at the first and now , was and is , to hold , as 'twere , the mirror up to nature ; to show virtue her own feature , scorn her own image , and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure . Now , this overdone , or come tardy off , though it make the unskilful laugh , cannot but make the judicious grieve ; the censure of which one must in your allowance o'erweigh a whole theatre of others . O ! there be players that I have seen play , and heard others praise , and that highly , not to speak it profanely , that , neither having the accent of Christians nor the gait of Christian , pagan , nor man , have so strutted and bellowed that I have thought some of nature's journeymen had made men and not made them well , they imitated humanity so abominably .
+
+I hope we have reformed that indifferently with us .
+
+O ! reform it altogether . And let those that play your clowns speak no more than is set down for them ; for there be of them that will themselves laugh , to set on some quantity of barren spectators to laugh too , though in the mean time some necessary question of the play be then to be considered ; that's villanous , and shows a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it . Go , make you ready .
+
+
+How now , my lord ! will the king hear this piece of work ?
+
+And the queen too , and that presently .
+
+Bid the players make haste .
+
+Will you two help to hasten them ?
+
+We will , my lord .
+
+We will , my lord .
+
+
+What , ho ! Horatio !
+
+
+Here , sweet lord , at your service .
+
+Horatio , thou art e'en as just a man
+As e'er my conversation cop'd withal .
+
+O ! my dear lord ,
+
+Nay , do not think I flatter ;
+For what advancement may I hope from thee ,
+That no revenue hast but thy good spirits
+To feed and clothe thee ? Why should the poor be flatter'd ?
+No ; let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp ,
+And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
+Where thrift may follow fawning . Dost thou hear ?
+Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice
+And could of men distinguish , her election
+Hath seal'd thee for herself ; for thou hast been
+As one , in suffering all , that suffers nothing ,
+A man that fortune's buffets and rewards
+Hast ta'en with equal thanks ; and bless'd are those
+Whose blood and judgment are so well comingled
+That they are not a pipe for fortune's finger
+To sound what stop she please . Give me that man
+That is not passion's slave , and I will wear him
+In my heart's core , ay , in my heart of heart ,
+As I do thee . Something too much of this .
+There is a play to-night before the king ;
+One scene of it comes near the circumstance
+Which I have told thee of my father's death :
+I prithee , when thou seest that act afoot ,
+Even with the very comment of thy soul
+Observe mine uncle ; if his occulted guilt
+Do not itself unkennel in one speech ,
+It is a damned ghost that we have seen ,
+And my imaginations are as foul
+As Vulcan's stithy . Give him heedful note ;
+For I mine eyes will rivet to his face ,
+And after we will both our judgments join
+In censure of his seeming .
+
+Well , my lord :
+If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing ,
+And 'scape detecting , I will pay the theft .
+
+They are coming to the play ; I must be idle :
+Get you a place .
+
+How fares our cousin Hamlet ?
+
+Excellent , i' faith ; of the chameleon's dish : I eat the air , promise-crammed ; you cannot feed capons so .
+
+I have nothing with this answer , Hamlet ; these words are not mine .
+
+No , nor mine now .
+
+My lord , you played once i' the university , you say ?
+
+That did I , my lord , and was accounted a good actor .
+
+And what did you enact ?
+
+I did enact Julius C sar : I was killed i' the Capitol ; Brutus killed me .
+
+It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there . Be the playcrs ready ?
+
+Ay , my lord ; they stay upon your patience .
+
+Come hither , my good Hamlet , sit by me .
+
+No , good mother , here's metal more attractive .
+
+O ho ! do you mark that ?
+
+Lady , shall I lie in your lap ?
+
+
+No , my lord .
+
+I mean , my head upon your lap ?
+
+Ay , my lord .
+
+Do you think I meant country matters ?
+
+I think nothing , my lord .
+
+That's a fair thought to lie between maids' legs .
+
+What is , my lord ?
+
+Nothing .
+
+You are merry , my lord .
+
+Who , I ?
+
+Ay , my lord .
+
+O God , your only jig-maker . What should a man do but be merry ? for , look you , how cheerfully my mother looks , and my father died within's two hours .
+
+Nay , 'tis twice two months , my lord .
+
+So long ? Nay , then , let the devil wear black , for I'll have a suit of sables . O heavens ! die two months ago , and not forgotten yet ? Then there's hope a great man's memory may outlive his life half a year ; but , by'r lady , he must build churches then , or else shall he suffer not thinking on , with the hobby-horse , whose epitaph is , 'For , O ! for , O ! the hobby-horse is forgot .'
+
+
+What means this , my lord ?
+
+Marry , this is miching mallecho ; it means mischief .
+
+Belike this show imports the argument of the play .
+
+
+We shall know by this fellow : the players cannot keep counsel ; they'll tell all .
+
+Will he tell us what this show meant ?
+
+Ay , or any show that you'll show him ; be not you ashamed to show , he'll not shame to tell you what it means .
+
+You are naught , you are naught . I'll mark the play .
+
+
+For us and for our tragedy ,
+Here stooping to your clemency ,
+We beg your hearing patiently .
+
+
+Is this a prologue , or the posy of a ring ?
+
+'Tis brief , my lord .
+
+As woman's love .
+
+
+Full thirty times hath Ph bus' cart gone round
+Neptune's salt wash and Tellus' orbed ground ,
+And thirty dozen moons with borrow'd sheen
+About the world have times twelve thirties been ,
+Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands
+Unite commutual in most sacred bands .
+
+So many journeys may the sun and moon
+Make us again count o'er ere love be done !
+But , woe is me ! you are so sick of late ,
+So far from cheer and from your former state ,
+That I distrust you . Yet , though I distrust ,
+Discomfort you , my lord , it nothing must ;
+For women's fear and love holds quantity ,
+In neither aught , or in extremity .
+Now , what my love is , proof hath made you know ;
+And as my love is siz'd , my fear is so .
+Where love is great , the littlest doubts are fear ;
+Where little fears grow great , great love grows there .
+
+Faith , I must leave thee , love , and shortly too ;
+My operant powers their functions leave to do :
+And thou shall live in this fair world behind ,
+Honour'd , belov'd ; and haply one as kind
+For husband shalt thou
+
+O ! confound the rest ;
+Such love must needs be treason in my breast :
+In second husband let me be accurst :
+None wed the second but who kill'd the first .
+
+Wormwood , wormwood .
+
+The instances that second marriage move ,
+Are base respects of thrift , but none of love ;
+A second time I kill my husband dead ,
+When second husband kisses me in bed .
+
+I do believe you think what now you speak ;
+But what we do determine oft we break .
+Purpose is but the slave to memory ,
+Of violent birth , but poor validity ;
+Which now , like fruit unripe , sticks on the tree ,
+But fall unshaken when they mellow be .
+Most necessary 'tis that we forget
+To pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt ;
+What to ourselves in passion we propose ,
+The passion ending , doth the purpose lose .
+The violence of either grief or joy
+Their own enactures with themselves destroy ;
+Where joy most revels grief doth most lament ,
+Grief joys , joy grieves , on slender accident .
+This world is not for aye , nor 'tis not strange ,
+That even our love should with our fortunes change ;
+For 'tis a question left us yet to prove
+Whe'r love lead fortune or else fortune love .
+The great man down , you mark his favourite flies ;
+The poor advanc'd makes friends of enemies .
+And hitherto doth love on fortune tend ,
+For who not needs shall never lack a friend ;
+And who in want a hollow friend doth try
+Directly seasons him his enemy .
+But , orderly to end where I begun ,
+Our wills and fates do so contrary run
+That our devices still are overthrown ,
+Our thoughts are ours , their ends none of our own :
+So think thou wilt no second husband wed ;
+But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead
+
+Nor earth to me give food , nor heaven light !
+Sport and repose lock from me day and night !
+To desperation turn my trust and hope !
+An anchor's cheer in prison be my scope !
+Each opposite that blanks the face of joy
+Meet what I would have well , and it destroy !
+Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife ,
+If , once a widow , ever I be wife !
+
+If she should break it now !
+
+'Tis deeply sworn . Sweet , leave me here awhile ;
+My spirits grow dull , and fain I would beguile
+The tedious day with sleep .
+
+
+Sleep rock thy brain ;
+And never come mischance between us twain !
+
+
+Madam , how like you this play ?
+
+The lady doth protest too much , methinks .
+
+O ! but she'll keep her word .
+
+Have you heard the argument ? Is there no offence in 't ?
+
+No , no , they do but jest , poison in jest ; no offence i' the world .
+
+What do you call the play ?
+
+The Mouse-trap . Marry , how ? Tropically . This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna : Gonzago is the duke's name ; his wife , Baptista . You shall see anon ; 'tis a knavish piece of work : but what of that ? your majesty and we that have free souls , it touches us not : let the galled jade wince , our withers are unwrung .
+
+This is one Lucianus , nephew to the king .
+
+You are a good chorus , my lord .
+
+I could interpret between you and your love , if I could see the puppets dallying .
+
+You are keen , my lord , you are keen .
+
+It would cost you a groaning to take off my edge .
+
+Still better , and worse .
+
+So you must take your husbands . Begin , murderer ; pox , leave thy damnable faces , and begin . Come ; the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge .
+
+Thoughts black , hands apt , drugs fit , and time agreeing ;
+Confederate season , else no creature seeing ;
+Thou mixture rank , of midnight weeds collected ,
+With Hecate's ban thrice blasted , thrice infected ,
+Thy natural magic and dire property ,
+On wholesome life usurp immediately .
+
+
+He poisons him i' the garden for's estate . Hisname's Gonzago ; the story is extant , and writ in very choice Italian . You shall see anon how the murderer gets the love of Gonzago's wife .
+
+The king rises .
+
+What ! frighted with false fire ?
+
+How fares my lord ?
+
+Give o'er the play .
+
+Give me some light : away !
+
+Lights , lights , lights !
+
+Why , let the stricken deer go weep ,
+The hart ungalled play ;
+For some must watch , while some must sleep :
+So runs the world away .
+
+Would not this , sir , and a forest of feathers , if the rest of my fortunes turn Turk with me , with two Provincial roses on my razed shoes , get me a fellowship in a cry of players , sir ?
+
+Half a share .
+
+A whole one , I .
+
+For thou dost know , O Damon dear ,
+This realm dismantled was
+Of Jove himself ; and now reigns here
+A very , very pajock .
+
+
+You might have rimed .
+
+O good Horatio ! I'll take the ghost's word for a thousand pound . Didst perceive ?
+
+Very well , my lord .
+
+Upon the talk of the poisoning ?
+
+I did very well note him .
+
+Ah , ha ! Come , some music ! come , the recorders !
+
+For if the king like not the comedy ,
+Why then , belike he likes it not , perdy .
+
+Come , some music !
+
+
+Good my lord , vouchsafe me a word with you .
+
+Sir , a whole history .
+
+The king , sir ,
+
+Ay , sir , what of him ?
+
+Is in his retirement marvellous distempered .
+
+With drink , sir ?
+
+No , my lord , rather with choler .
+
+Your wisdom should show itself more richer to signify this to his doctor ; for , for me to put him to his purgation would perhaps plunge him into far more choler .
+
+Good my lord , put your discourse into some frame , and start not so wildly from my affair .
+
+I am tame , sir ; pronounce .
+
+The queen , your mother , in most great affliction of spirit , hath sent me to you .
+
+You are welcome .
+
+Nay , good my lord , this courtesy is not of the right breed . If it shall please you to make me a wholesome answer , I will do your mother's commandment ; if not , your pardon and my return shall be the end of my business .
+
+Sir , I cannot .
+
+What , my lord ?
+
+Make you a wholesome answer ; my wit's diseased ; but , sir , such answer as I can make , you shall command ; or , rather , as you say , my mother : therefore no more , but to the matter : my mother , you say ,
+
+Then , thus she says : your behaviour hath struck her into amasement and admiration .
+
+O wonderful son , that can so astonish a mother ! But is there no sequel at the heels of this mother's admiration ? Impart .
+
+She desires to speak with you in her closet ere you go to bed .
+
+We shall obey , were she ten times our mother . Have you any further trade with us ?
+
+My lord , you once did love me .
+
+So I do still , by these pickers and stealers .
+
+Good my lord , what is your cause of distemper ? you do surely bar the door upon your own liberty , if you deny your griefs to your friend .
+
+Sir , I lack advancement .
+
+How can that be when you have the voice of the king himself for your succession in Denmark ?
+
+Ay , sir , but 'While the grass grows ,' the proverb is something musty .
+
+O ! the recorders : let me see one . To withdraw with you : why do you go about to recover the wind of me , as if you would drive me into a toil ?
+
+O ! my lord , if my duty be too bold , my love is too unmannerly .
+
+I do not well understand that . Will you play upon this pipe ?
+
+My lord , I cannot .
+
+I pray you .
+
+Believe me , I cannot .
+
+I do beseech you .
+
+I know no touch of it , my lord .
+
+'Tis as easy as lying ; govern these ventages with your finger and thumb , give it breath with your mouth , and it will discourse most eloquent music . Look you , these are the stops .
+
+But these cannot I command to any utterance of harmony ; I have not the skill .
+
+Why , look you now , how unworthy a thing you make of me . You would play upon me ; you would seem to know my stops ; you would pluck out the heart of my mystery ; you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass ; and there is much music , excellent voice , in this little organ , yet cannot you make it speak . 'Sblood , do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe ? Call me what instrument you will , though you can fret me , you cannot play upon me .
+
+God bless you , sir !
+
+My lord , the queen would speak with you , and presently .
+
+Do you see yonder cloud that's almost in shape of a camel ?
+
+By the mass , and 'tis like a camel , indeed .
+
+Methinks it is like a weasel .
+
+It is backed like a weasel .
+
+Or like a whale ?
+
+Very like a whale .
+
+Then I will come to my mother by and by
+
+They fool me to the top of my bent . [Aloud .] I will come by and by .
+
+I will say so .
+
+
+By and by is easily said . Leave me , friends .
+
+'Tis now the very witching time of night ,
+When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
+Contagion to this world : now could I drink hot blood ,
+And do such bitter business as the day
+Would quake to look on . Soft ! now to my mother .
+O heart ! lose not thy nature ; let not ever
+The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom ;
+Let me be cruel , not unnatural ;
+I will speak daggers to her , but use none ;
+My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites ;
+How in my words soever she be shent ,
+To give them seals never , my soul , consent !
+
+
+I like him not , nor stands it safe with us
+To let his madness range . Therefore prepare you ;
+I your commission will forth with dispatch ,
+And he to England shall along with you .
+The terms of our estate may not endure
+Hazard so dangerous as doth hourly grow
+Out of his lunacies .
+
+We will ourselves provide .
+Most holy and religious fear it is
+To keep those many many bodies safe
+That live and feed upon your majesty .
+
+The single and peculiar life is bound
+With all the strength and armour of the mind
+To keep itself from noyance ; but much more
+That spirit upon whose weal depend and rest
+The lives of many . The cease of majesty
+Dies not alone , but , like a gulf doth draw
+What's near it with it ; it is a massy wheel ,
+Fix'd on the summit of the highest mount ,
+To whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
+Are mortis'd and adjoin'd ; which , when it falls ,
+Each small annexment , petty consequence ,
+Attends the boisterous ruin . Never alone
+Did the king sigh , but with a general groan .
+
+Arm you , I pray you , to this speedy voyage ;
+For we will fetters put upon this fear ,
+Which now goes too free-footed .
+
+We will haste us .
+
+We will haste us .
+
+My lord , he's going to his mother's closet :
+Behind the arras I'll convey myself
+To hear the process ; I'll warrant she'll tax him home ;
+And , as you said , and wisely was it said ,
+'Tis meet that some more audience than a mother ,
+Since nature makes them partial , should o'erhear
+The speech , of vantage . Fare you well , my liege :
+I'll call upon you ere you go to bed
+And tell you what I know .
+
+Thanks , dear my lord .
+
+O ! my offence is rank , it smells to heaven ;
+It hath the primal eldest curse upon't ;
+A brother's murder ! Pray can I not ,
+Though inclination be as sharp as will :
+My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent ;
+And , like a man to double business bound ,
+I stand in pause where I shall first begin ,
+And both neglect . What if this cursed hand
+Were thicker than itself with brother's blood ,
+Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens
+To wash it white as snow ? Whereto serves mercy
+But to confront the visage of offence ?
+And what's in prayer but this two-fold force ,
+To be forestalled , ere we come to fall ,
+Or pardon'd , being down ? Then , I'll look up ;
+My fault is past . But , O ! what form of prayer
+Can serve my turn ? 'Forgive me my foul murder ?'
+That cannot be ; since I am still possess'd
+Of those effects for which I did the murder ,
+My crown , mine own ambition , and my queen .
+May one be pardon'd and retain the offence ?
+In the corrupted currents of this world
+Offence's gilded hand may shove by justice ,
+And oft 'tis seen the wicked prise itself
+Buys out the law ; but 'tis not so above ;
+There is no shuffling , there the action lies
+In his true nature , and we ourselves compell'd
+Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults
+To give in evidence . What then ? what rests ?
+Try what repentance can : what can it not ?
+Yet what can it , when one can not repent ?
+O wretched state ! O bosom black as death !
+O limed soul , that struggling to be free
+Art more engaged ! Help , angels ! make assay ;
+Bow , stubborn knees ; and heart with strings of steel
+Be soft as sinews of the new-born babe .
+All may be well .
+
+Now might I do it pat , now he is praying ;
+And now I'll do't : and so he goes to heaven ;
+And so am I reveng'd . That would be scann'd :
+A villain kills my father ; and for that ,
+I , his sole son , do this same villain send
+To heaven .
+Why , this is hire and salary , not revenge .
+He took my father grossly , full of bread ,
+With all his crimes broad blown , as flush as May ;
+And how his audit stands who knows save heaven ?
+But in our circumstance and course of thought
+'Tis heavy with him . And am I then reveng'd ,
+To take him in the purging of his soul ,
+When he is fit and season'd for his passage ?
+No .
+Up , sword , and know thou a more horrid hent ;
+When he is drunk asleep , or in his rage ,
+Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed ,
+At gaming , swearing , or about some act
+That has no relish of salvation in't ;
+Then trip him , that his heels may kick at heaven ,
+And that his soul may be as damn'd and black
+As hell , whereto it goes . My mother stays :
+This physic but prolongs thy sickly days .
+
+My words fly up , my thoughts remain below :
+Words without thoughts never to heaven go .
+
+
+He will come straight . Look you lay home to him ;
+Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with ,
+And that your Grace hath screen'd and stood between
+Much heat and him . I'll silence me e'en here .
+Pray you , be round with him .
+
+Mother , mother , mother !
+
+I'll warrant you ;
+Fear me not . Withdraw , I hear him coming .
+
+
+Now , mother , what's the matter ?
+
+Hamlet , thou hast thy father much offended .
+
+Mother , you have my father much offended .
+
+Come , come , you answer with an idle tongue .
+
+Go , go , you question with a wicked tongue .
+
+Why , how now , Hamlet !
+
+What's the matter now ?
+
+Have you forgot me ?
+
+No , by the rood , not so :
+You are the queen , your husband's brother's wife ;
+And ,would it were not so !you are my mother .
+
+Nay then , I'll set those to you that can speak .
+
+Come , come , and sit you down ; you shall not budge ;
+You go not , till I set you up a glass
+Where you may see the inmost part of you .
+
+What wilt thou do ? thou wilt not murder me ?
+Help , help , ho !
+
+What , ho ! help ! help ! help !
+
+How now ! a rat ? Dead , for a ducat , dead !
+
+
+O ! I am slain .
+
+O me ! what hast thou done ?
+
+Nay , I know not : is it the king ?
+
+O ! what a rash and bloody deed is this !
+
+A bloody deed ! almost as bad , good mother ,
+As kill a king , and marry with his brother .
+
+As kill a king !
+
+Ay , lady , 'twas my word .
+
+Thou wretched , rash , intruding fool , farewell !
+I took thee for thy better ; take thy fortune ;
+Thou find'st to be too busy is some danger .
+Leave wringing of your hands : peace ! sit you down ,
+And let me wring your heart ; for so I shall
+If it be made of penetrable stuff ,
+If damned custom have not brass'd it so
+That it is proof and bulwark against sense
+
+What have I done that thou dar'st wag thy tongue
+In noise so rude against me ?
+
+Such an act
+That blurs the grace and blush of modesty ,
+Calls virtue hypocrite , takes off the rose
+From the fair forehead of an innocent love
+And sets a blister there , makes marriage vows
+As false as dicers' oaths ; O ! such a deed
+As from the body of contraction plucks
+The very soul , and sweet religion makes
+A rhapsody of words ; heaven's face doth glow ,
+Yea , this solidity and compound mass ,
+With tristful visage , as against the doom ,
+Is thought-sick at the act .
+
+Ay me ! what act ,
+That roars so loud and thunders in the index ?
+
+Look here , upon this picture , and on this ;
+The counterfeit presentment of two brothers .
+See , what a grace was seated on this brow ;
+Hyperion's curls , the front of Jove himself ,
+An eye like Mars , to threaten and command ,
+A station like the herald Mercury
+New-lighted on a heaven-kissing hill ,
+A combination and a form indeed ,
+Where every god did seem to set his seal ,
+To give the world assurance of a man .
+This was your husband : look you now , what follows .
+Here is your husband ; like a mildew'd ear ,
+Blasting his wholesome brother . Have you eyes ?
+Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed ,
+And batten on this moor ? Ha ! have you eyes ?
+You cannot call it love , for at your age
+The hey-day in the blood is tame , it's humble ,
+And waits upon the judgment ; and what judgment
+Would step from this to this ? Sense , sure , you have ,
+Else could you not have motion ; but sure , that sense
+Is apoplex'd ; for madness would not err ,
+Nor sense to ecstasy was ne'er so thrall'd
+But it reserv'd some quantity of choice ,
+To serve in such a difference . What devil was 't
+That thus hath comen'd you at hoodman-blind ?
+Eyes without feeling , feeling without sight ,
+Ears without hands or eyes , smelling sans all ,
+Or but a sickly part of one true sense
+Could not so mope .
+O shame ! where is thy blush ? Rebellious hell ,
+If thou canst mutine in a matron's bones ,
+To flaming youth let virtue be as wax ,
+And melt in her own fire : proclaim no shame
+When the compulsive ardour gives the charge ,
+Since first itself as actively doth burn ,
+And reason panders will .
+
+O Hamlet ! speak no more ;
+Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul ;
+And there I see such black and grained spots
+As will not leave their tinct .
+
+Nay , but to live
+In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed ,
+Stew'd in corruption , honeying and making love
+Over the nasty sty ,
+
+O ! speak to me no more ;
+These words like daggers enter in mine ears ;
+No more , sweet Hamlet !
+
+A murderer , and a villain ;
+A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe
+Of your precedent lord ; a vice of kings ;
+A cut-purse of the empire and the rule ,
+That from a shelf the precious diadem stole ,
+And put it in his pocket !
+
+No more !
+
+A king of shreds and patches ,
+
+
+Save me , and hover o'er me with your wings ,
+
+You heavenly guards ! What would your gracious figure ?
+
+Alas ! he's mad !
+
+Do you not come your tardy son to chide ,
+That , laps'd in time and passion , lets go by
+The important acting of your dread command ?
+O ! say .
+
+Do not forget : this visitation
+Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose .
+But , look ! amazement on thy mother sits ;
+O ! step between her and her fighting soul ;
+Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works :
+Speak to her , Hamlet .
+
+How is it with you , lady ?
+
+Alas ! how is't with you ,
+That you do bend your eye on vacancy
+And with the incorporal air do hold discourse ?
+Forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep ;
+And , as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm ,
+Your bedded hair , like life in excrements ,
+Starts up and stands an end . O gentle son !
+Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper
+Sprinkle cool patience . Whereon do you look ?
+
+On him , on him ! Look you , how pale he glares !
+His form and cause conjoin'd , preaching to stones ,
+Would make them capable . Do not look upon me ;
+Lest with this piteous action you convert
+My stern effects : then what I have to do
+Will want true colour ; tears perchance for blood .
+
+To whom do you speak this ?
+
+Do you see nothing there ?
+
+Nothing at all ; yet all that is I see .
+
+Nor did you nothing hear ?
+
+No , nothing but ourselves .
+
+Why , look you there ! look , how it steals away ;
+My father , in his habit as he liv'd ;
+Look ! where he goes , even now , out at the portal .
+
+
+This is the very coinage of your brain :
+This bodiless creation ecstasy
+Is very cunning in .
+
+Ecstasy !
+My pulse , as yours , doth temperately keep time ,
+And makes as healthful music . It is not madness
+That I have utter'd : bring me to the test ,
+And I the matter will re-word , which madness
+Would gambol from . Mother , for love of grace ,
+Lay not that flattering unction to your soul ,
+That not your trespass but my madness speaks ;
+It will but skin and film the ulcerous place ,
+Whiles rank corruption , mining all within ,
+Infects unseen . Confess yourself to heaven ;
+Repent what's past ; avoid what is to come ;
+And do not spread the compost on the weeds
+To make them ranker . Forgive me this my virtue ;
+For in the fatness of these pursy times
+Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg ,
+Yea , curb and woo for leave to do him good .
+
+O Hamlet ! thou hast cleft my heart in twain .
+
+O ! throw away the worser part of it ,
+And live the purer with the other half .
+Good night ; but go not to mine uncle's bed ;
+Assume a virtue , if you have it not .
+That monster , custom , who all sense doth eat ,
+Of habits devil , is angel yet in this ,
+That to the use of actions fair and good
+He likewise gives a frock or livery ,
+That aptly is put on . Refrain to-night ;
+And that shall lend a kind of easiness
+To the next abstinence : the next more easy ;
+For use almost can change the stamp of nature ,
+And master ev'n the devil or throw him out
+With wondrous potency . Once more , goodnight :
+And when you are desirous to be bless'd ,
+I'll blessing beg of you . For this same lord ,
+
+I do repent : but heaven hath pleas'd it so ,
+To punish me with this , and this with me ,
+That I must be their scourge and minister .
+I will bestow him , and will answer well
+The death I gave him . So , again , good-night .
+I must be cruel only to be kind :
+Thus bad begins and worse remains behind .
+One word more , good lady .
+
+What shall I do ?
+
+Not this , by no means , that I bid you do :
+Let the bloat king tempt you again to bed ;
+Pinch wanton on your cheek ; call you his mouse ;
+And let him , for a pair of reechy kisses ,
+Or paddling in your neck with his damn'd fingers ,
+Make you to ravel all this matter out ,
+That I essentially am not in madness ,
+But mad in craft . 'Twere good you let him know ;
+For who that's but a queen , fair , sober , wise ,
+Would from a paddock , from a bat , a gib ,
+Such dear concernings hide ? who would do so ?
+No , in despite of sense and secrecy ,
+Unpeg the basket on the house's top ,
+Let the birds fly , and , like the famous ape ,
+To try conclusions , in the basket creep ,
+And break your own neck down .
+
+Be thou assur'd , if words be made of breath ,
+And breath of life , I have no life to breathe
+What thou hast said to me .
+
+I must to England ; you know that ?
+
+Alack !
+I had forgot : 'tis so concluded on .
+
+There's letters seal'd ; and my two schoolfellows ,
+Whom I will trust as I will adders fang'd ,
+They bear the mandate ; they must sweep my way ,
+And marshal me to knavery . Let it work ;
+For 'tis the sport to have the enginer
+Hoist with his own petar : and it shall go hard
+But I will delve one yard below their mines ,
+And blow them at the moon . O ! 'tis most sweet ,
+When in one line two crafts directly meet .
+This man shall set me packing ;
+I'll lug the guts into the neighbour room .
+Mother , good-night . Indeed this counsellor
+Is now most still , most secret , and most grave ,
+Who was in life a foolish prating knave .
+Come , sir , to draw toward an end with you .
+Good-night , mother .
+
+There's matter in these sighs , these profound heaves :
+You must translate ; 'tis fit we understand them .
+Where is your son ?
+
+Bestow this place on us a little while .
+
+Ah ! my good lord , what have I seen to-night .
+
+What , Gertrude ? How does Hamlet ?
+
+Mad as the sea and wind , when both contend
+Which is the mightier . In his lawless fit ,
+Behind the arras hearing something stir ,
+Whips out his rapier , cries , 'A rat ! a rat !'
+And , in his brainish apprehension , kills
+The unseen good old man .
+
+O heavy deed !
+It had been so with us had we been there .
+His liberty is full of threats to all ;
+To you yourself , to us , to every one .
+Alas ! how shall this bloody deed be answer'd ?
+It will be laid to us , whose providence
+Should have kept short , restrain'd , and out of haunt ,
+This mad young man : but so much was our love ,
+We would not understand what was most fit ,
+But , like the owner of a foul disease ,
+To keep it from divulging , let it feed
+Even on the pith of life . Where is he gone ?
+
+To draw apart the body he hath kill'd ;
+O'er whom his very madness , like some ore
+Among a mineral of metals base ,
+Shows itself pure : he weeps for what is done .
+
+O Gertrude ! come away .
+The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
+But we will ship him hence ; and this vile deed
+We must , with all our majesty and skill ,
+Both countenance and excuse . Ho ! Guildenstern !
+
+
+Friends both , go join you with some further aid :
+Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain ,
+And from his mother's closet hath he dragg'd him :
+Go seek him out ; speak fair , and bring the body
+Into the chapel . I pray you , haste in this .
+
+Come , Gertrude , we'll call up our wisest friends ;
+And let them know both what we mean to do ,
+And what's untimely done : so , haply , slander ,
+Whose whisper o'er the world's diameter ,
+As level as the cannon to his blank
+Transports his poison'd shot , may miss our name ,
+And hit the woundless air . O ! come away ;
+My soul is full of discord and dismay .
+
+Safely stowed .
+
+Hamlet ! Lord Hamlet !
+
+Hamlet ! Lord Hamlet !
+
+What noise ? who calls on Hamlet ?
+O ! here they come .
+
+
+What have you done , my lord , with the dead body ?
+
+Compounded it with dust , whereto 'tis kin .
+
+Tell us where 'tis , that we may take it thence
+And bear it to the chapel .
+
+Do not believe it .
+
+Believe what ?
+
+That I can keep your counsel and not mine own . Besides , to be demanded of a sponge ! what replication should be made by the son of a king ?
+
+Take you me for a sponge , my lord ?
+
+Ay , sir , that soaks up the king's countenance , his rewards , his authorities . But such officers do the king best service in the end : he keeps them , like an ape , in the corner of his jaw ; first mouthed , to be last swallowed : when he needs what you have gleaned , it is but squeezing you , and , sponge , you shall be dry again .
+
+I understand you not , my lord .
+
+I am glad of it : a knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear .
+
+My lord , you must tell us where the body is , and go with us to the king .
+
+The body is with the king , but the king is not with the body . The king is a thing
+
+A thing , my lord !
+
+Of nothing : bring me to him . Hide fox , and all after .
+
+
+I have sent to seek him , and to find the body .
+How dangerous is it that this man goes loose !
+Yet must not we put the strong law on him :
+He's lov'd of the distracted multitude ,
+Who like not in their judgment , but their eyes ;
+And where 'tis so , the offender's scourge is weigh'd ,
+But never the offence . To bear all smooth and even ,
+This sudden sending him away must seem
+Deliberate pause : diseases desperate grown
+By desperate appliance are reliev'd ,
+Or not at all .
+
+How now ! what hath befall'n ?
+
+Where the dead body is bestow'd , my lord ,
+We cannot get from him .
+
+But where is he ?
+
+Without , my lord ; guarded , to know your pleasure .
+
+Bring him before us .
+
+Ho , Guildenstern ! bring in my lord .
+
+
+Now , Hamlet , where's Polonius ?
+
+At supper .
+
+At supper ! Where ?
+
+Not where he eats , but where he is eaten : a certain convocation of politic worms are e'en at him . Your worm is your only emperor for diet : we fat all creatures else to fat us , and we fat ourselves for maggots : your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service ; two dishes , but to one table : that's the end .
+
+Alas , alas !
+
+A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king , and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm .
+
+What dost thou mean by this ?
+
+Nothing , but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar .
+
+Where is Polonius ?
+
+In heaven ; send thither to see : if your messenger find him not there , seek him i' the other place yourself . But , indeed , if you find him not within this month , you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby .
+
+Go seek him there .
+
+He will stay till you come .
+
+
+Hamlet , this deed , for thine especial safety ,
+Which we do tender , as we dearly grieve
+For that which thou hast done , must send thee hence
+With fiery quickness : therefore prepare thyself ;
+The bark is ready , and the wind at help ,
+The associates tend , and every thing is bent
+For England .
+
+For England !
+
+Ay , Hamlet .
+
+Good .
+
+So is it , if thou knew'st our purposes .
+
+I see a cherub that sees them . But , come ; for England ! Farewell , dear mother .
+
+Thy loving father , Hamlet .
+
+My mother : father and mother is man and wife , man and wife is one flesh , and so , my mother . Come , for England !
+
+
+Follow him at foot ; tempt him with speed aboard :
+Delay it not , I'll have him hence to-night .
+Away ! for every thing is seal'd and done
+That else leans on the affair : pray you , make haste .
+
+And , England , if my love thou hold'st at aught ,
+As my great power thereof may give thee sense ,
+Since yet thy cicatrice looks raw and red
+After the Danish sword , and thy free awe
+Pays homage to us ,thou mayst not coldly set
+Our sovereign process , which imports at full ,
+By letters conjuring to that effect ,
+The present death of Hamlet . Do it , England ;
+For like the hectic in my blood he rages ,
+And thou must cure me . Till I know 'tis done ,
+Howe'er my haps , my joys were ne'er begun .
+
+
+Go , captain , from me greet the Danish king ;
+Tell him that , by his licence , Fortinbras
+Claims the conveyance of a promis'd march
+Over his kingdom . You know the rendezvous .
+If that his majesty would aught with us ,
+We shall express our duty in his eye ,
+And let him know so .
+
+I will do 't , my lord .
+
+Go softly on .
+
+Good sir , whose powers are these ?
+
+They are of Norway , sir .
+
+How purpos'd , sir , I pray you ?
+
+Against some part of Poland .
+
+Who commands them , sir ?
+
+The nephew to old Norway , Fortinbras .
+
+Goes it against the main of Poland , sir ,
+Or for some frontier ?
+
+Truly to speak , and with no addition ,
+We go to gain a little patch of ground
+That hath in it no profit but the name .
+To pay five ducats , five , I would not farm it ;
+Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole
+A ranker rate , should it be sold in fee .
+
+Why , then the Polack never will defend it .
+
+Yes , 'tis already garrison'd .
+
+Two thousand souls and twenty thousand ducats
+Will not debate the question of this straw :
+This is the imposthume of much wealth and peace ,
+That inward breaks , and shows no cause without
+Why the man dies . I humbly thank you , sir .
+
+God be wi' you , sir .
+
+
+Will 't please you go , my lord ?
+
+I'll be with you straight . Go a little before .
+
+How all occasions do inform against me ,
+And spur my dull revenge ! What is a man ,
+If his chief good and market of his time
+Be but to sleep and feed ? a beast , no more .
+Sure he that made us with such large discourse ,
+Looking before and after , gave us not
+That capability and god-like reason
+To fust in us unus'd . Now , whe'r it be
+Bestial oblivion , or some craven scruple
+Of thinking too precisely on the event ,
+A thought , which , quarter'd , hath but one part wisdom ,
+And ever three parts coward , I do not know
+Why yet I live to say 'This thing's to do ;'
+Sith I have cause and will and strength and means
+To do 't . Examples gross as earth exhort me :
+Witness this army of such mass and charge
+Led by a delicate and tender prince ,
+Whose spirit with divine ambition puff'd
+Makes mouths at the invisible event ,
+Exposing what is mortal and unsure
+To all that fortune , death and danger dare ,
+Even for an egg-shell . Rightly to be great
+Is not to stir without great argument ,
+But greatly to find quarrel in a straw
+When honour's at the stake . How stand I then ,
+That have a father kill'd , a mother stain'd ,
+Excitements of my reason and my blood ,
+And let all sleep , while , to my shame , I see
+The imminent death of twenty thousand men ,
+That , for a fantasy and trick of fame ,
+Go to their graves like beds , fight for a plot
+Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause ,
+Which is not tomb enough and continent
+To hide the slaim ? O ! from this time forth ,
+My thoughts be bloody , or be nothing worth !
+
+
+I will not speak with her .
+
+She is importunate , indeed distract :
+Her mood will needs be pitied .
+
+What would she have ?
+
+She speaks much of her father ; says she hears
+There's tricks i' the world ; and hems , and beats her heart ;
+Spurns enviously at straws ; speaks things in doubt ,
+That carry but half sense : her speech is nothing ,
+Yet the unshaped use of it doth move
+The hearers to collection ; they aim at it ,
+And botch the words up fit to their own thoughts ;
+Which , as her winks , and nods , and gestures yield them ,
+Indeed would make one think there might be thought ,
+Though nothing sure , yet much unhappily .
+
+'Twere good she were spoken with , for she may strew
+Dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding minds .
+
+Let her come in .
+
+To my sick soul , as sin's true nature is ,
+Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss :
+So full of artless jealousy is guilt ,
+It spills itself in fearing to be spilt .
+
+
+Where is the beauteous majesty of Denmark ?
+
+How now , Ophelia !
+
+
+How should I your true love know
+From another one ?
+By his cockle hat and staff ,
+And his sandal shoon .
+
+
+Alas ! sweet lady , what imports this song ?
+
+Say you ? nay , pray you , mark .
+
+He is dead and gone , lady ,
+He is dead and gone ;
+At his head a grass-green turf ;
+At his heals a stone .
+
+O , ho !
+
+Nay , but Ophelia ,
+
+Pray you , mark .
+
+White his shroud as the mountain snow ,
+
+Alas ! look here , my lord .
+
+
+Larded with sweet flowers ;
+Which bewept to the grave did go
+With true-love showers .
+
+
+How do you , pretty lady ?
+
+Well , God 'ild you ! They say the owl was a baker's daughter . Lord ! we know what we are , but know not what we may be . God be at your table !
+
+Conceit upon her father .
+
+Pray you , let's have no words of this ; but when they ask you what it means , say you this :
+
+To-morrow is Saint Valentine's day ,
+All in the morning betime ,
+And I a maid at your window ,
+To be your Valentine :
+Then up he rose , and donn'd his clothes ,
+And dupp'd the chamber door ;
+Let in the maid , that out a maid
+Never departed more .
+
+
+Pretty Ophelia !
+
+Indeed , la ! without an oath , I'll make an end on 't :
+
+By Gis and by Saint Charity ,
+Alack , and fie for shame !
+Young men will do't , if they come to't ;
+By Cock they are to blame .
+Quoth she , before you tumbled me ,
+You promis'd me to wed :
+So would I ha' done , by yonder sun ,
+An thou hadst not come to my bed .
+
+
+How long hath she been thus ?
+
+I hope all will be well . We must be patient : but I cannot choose but weep , to think they should lay him i' the cold ground . My brother shall know of it : and so I thank you for your good counsel . Come , my coach ! Good-night , ladies ; good-night , sweet ladies ; good-night , good-night .
+
+
+Follow her close ; give her good watch , I pray you .
+
+O ! this is the poison of deep grief ; it springs
+All from her father's death . O Gertrude , Gertrude !
+When sorrows come , they come not single spies ,
+But in battalions . First , her father slain ;
+Next , your son gone ; but he most violent author
+Of his own just remove : the people muddied ,
+Thick and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispers ,
+For good Polonius' death ; and we have done but greenly ,
+In hugger-mugger to inter him : poor Ophelia
+Divided from herself and her fair judgment ,
+Without the which we are pictures , or mere beasts :
+Last , and as much containing as all these ,
+Her brother is in secret come from France ,
+Feeds on his wonder , keeps himself in clouds ,
+And wants not buzzers to infect his ear
+With pestilent speeches of his father's death ;
+Wherein necessity , of matter beggar'd ,
+Will nothing stick our person to arraign
+In ear and ear . O my dear Gertrude ! this ,
+Like to a murdering-piece , in many places
+Gives me superfluous death .
+
+
+Alack ! what noise is this ?
+
+
+Where are my Switzers ? Let them guard the door .
+What is the matter ?
+
+Save yourself , my lord ;
+The ocean , overpeering of his list ,
+Eats not the flats with more impetuous haste
+Than young Laertes , in a riotous head ,
+O'erbears your officers . The rabble call him lord ;
+And , as the world were now but to begin ,
+Antiquity forgot , custom not known ,
+The ratifiers and props of every word ,
+They cry , 'Choose we ; Laertes shall be king !'
+Caps , hands , and tongues , applaud it to the clouds ,
+'Laertes shall be king , Laertes king !'
+
+How cheerfully on the false trail they cry !
+O ! this is counter , you false Danish dogs !
+
+The doors are broke .
+
+Where is the king ? Sirs , stand you all without .
+
+No , let's come in .
+
+I pray you , give me leave .
+
+We will , we will .
+
+
+I thank you : keep the door . O thou vile king !
+Give me my father .
+
+Calmly , good Laertes .
+
+That drop of blood that's calm proclaims me bastard ,
+Cries cuckold to my father , brands the harlot
+Even here , between the chaste unsmirched brow
+Of my true mother .
+
+What is the cause , Laertes ,
+That thy rebellion looks so giant-like ?
+Let him go , Gertrude ; do not fear our person :
+There's such divinity doth hedge a king ,
+That treason can but peep to what it would ,
+Acts little of his will . Tell me , Laertes ,
+Why thou art thus incens'd . Let him go , Gertrude .
+Speak , man .
+
+Where is my father ?
+
+Dead .
+
+But not by him .
+
+Let him demand his fill .
+
+How came he dead ? I'll not be juggled with .
+To hell , allegiance ! vows , to the blackest devil !
+Conscience and grace , to the profoundest pit !
+I dare damnation . To this point I stand ,
+That both the worlds I give to negligence ,
+Let come what comes ; only I'll be reveng'd
+Most throughly for my father .
+
+Who shall stay you ?
+
+My will , not all the world :
+And , for my means , I'll husband them so well ,
+They shall go far with little .
+
+Good Laertes ,
+If you desire to know the certainty
+Of your dear father's death , is't writ in your revenge ,
+That , swoopstake , you will draw both friend and foe ,
+Winner and loser ?
+
+None but his enemies .
+
+Will you know them then ?
+
+To his good friends thus wide I'll ope my arms ;
+And like the kind life-rendering pelican ,
+Repast them with my blood .
+
+Why , now you speak
+Like a good child and a true gentleman .
+That I am guiltless of your father's death ,
+And am most sensibly in grief for it ,
+It shall as level to your judgment pierce
+As day does to your eye .
+
+Let her come in .
+
+How now ! what noise is that ?
+
+
+O heat , dry up my brains ! tears seven times salt ,
+Burn out the sense and virtue of mine eye ;
+By heaven , thy madness shall be paid by weight ,
+Till our scale turn the beam . O rose of May !
+Dear maid , kind sister , sweet Ophelia !
+O heavens ! is't possible a young maid's wits
+Should be as mortal as an old man's life ?
+Nature is fine in love , and where 'tis fine
+It sends some precious instance of itself
+
+After the thing it loves .
+
+
+They bore him barefac'd on the bier ;
+Hey non nonny , nonny , hey nonny ;
+And in his grave rain'd many a tear ;
+
+Fare you well , my dove !
+
+Hadst thou thy wits , and didst persuade revenge ,
+It could not move thus .
+
+
+You must sing , a-down a-down ,
+And you call him a-down-a .
+
+O how the wheel becomes it ! It is the false steward that stole his master's daughter .
+
+This nothing's more than matter .
+
+There's rosemary , that's for remembrance ; brance ; pray , love , remember : and there is pansies , that's for thoughts .
+
+A document in madness , thoughts and remembrance fitted .
+
+There's fennel for you , and columbines ; there's rue for you ; and here's some for me ; we may call it herb of grace o' Sundays . O ! you must wear your rue with a difference . There's a daisy ; I would give you some violets , but they withered all when my father died . They say he made a good end ,
+
+For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy .
+
+
+Thought and affliction , passion , hell itself ,
+She turns to favour and to prettiness .
+
+
+And will he not come again ?
+And will he not come again ?
+No , no , he is dead ;
+Go to thy death-bed ,
+He never will come again .
+His beard was as white as snow
+All fiaxen was his poll ,
+He is gone , he is gone ,
+And we cast away moan :
+God ha' mercy on his soul !
+
+And of all Christian souls ! I pray God . God be wi' ye !
+
+
+Do you see this , O God ?
+
+Laertes , I must common with your grief ,
+Or you deny me right . Go but apart ,
+Make choice of whom your wisest friends you will ,
+And they shall hear and judge 'twixt you and me .
+If by direct or by collateral hand
+They find us touch'd , we will our kingdom give ,
+Our crown , our life , and all that we call ours ,
+To you in satisfaction ; but if not ,
+Be you content to lend your patience to us ,
+And we shall jointly labour with your soul
+To give it due content .
+
+Let this be so :
+His means of death , his obscure burial ,
+No trophy , sword , nor hatchment o'er his bones ,
+No noble rite nor formal ostentation ,
+Cry to be heard , as 'twere from heaven to earth ,
+That I must call 't in question .
+
+So you shall ;
+And where the offence is let the great axe fall .
+I pray you go with me .
+
+
+What are they that would speak with me ?
+
+Sailors , sir : they say , they have letters for you .
+
+Let them come in .
+
+I do not know from what part of the world
+I should be greeted , if not from Lord Hamlet .
+
+
+God bless you , sir .
+
+Let him bless thee too .
+
+He shall , sir , an't please him . There's a letter for you , sir ;it comes from the ambassador that was bound for England ;if your name be Horatio , as I am let to know it is .
+
+Horatio , when thou shalt have overlooked this , give these fellows some means to the king : they have letters for him . Ere we were two days old at sea , a pirate of very war-like appointment gave us chase . Finding ourselves too slow of sail , we put on a compelled valour ; in the grapple I boarded them : on the instant they got clear of our ship , so I alone became their prisoner . They have dealt with me like thieves of mercy , but they knew what they did ; I am to do a good turn for them . Let the king have the letters I have sent ; and repair thou to me with as much haste as thou wouldst fly death . I have words to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb ; yet are they much too light for the bore of the matter . These good fellows will bring thee where I am . Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course for England : of them I have much to tell thee . Farewell .
+He that thou knowest thine ,
+Come , I will give you way for these your letters ;
+And do 't the speedier , that you may direct me
+To him from whom you brought them .
+
+
+Now must your conscience my acquittance seal ,
+And you must put me in your heart for friend ,
+Sith you have heard , and with a knowing ear ,
+That he which hath your noble father slain
+Pursu'd my life .
+
+It well appears : but tell me
+Why you proceeded not against these feats ,
+So crimeful and so capital in nature ,
+As by your safety , wisdom , all things else ,
+You mainly were stirr'd up .
+
+O ! for two special reasons ;
+Which may to you , perhaps , seem much unsinew'd ,
+But yet to me they are strong . The queen his mother
+Lives almost by his looks , and for myself ,
+My virtue or my plague , be it either which ,
+She's so conjunctive to my life and soul ,
+That , as the star moves not but in his sphere ,
+I could not but by her . The other motive ,
+Why to a public count I might not go ,
+Is the great love the general gender bear him ;
+Who , dipping all his faults in their affection ,
+Would , like the spring that turneth wood to stone ,
+Convert his gyves to graces ; so that my arrows ,
+Too slightly timber'd for so loud a wind ,
+Would have reverted to my bow again ,
+And not where I had aim'd them .
+
+And so have I a noble father lost ;
+A sister driven into desperate terms ,
+Whose worth , if praises may go back again ,
+Stood challenger on mount of all the age
+For her perfections . But my revenge will come .
+
+Break not your sleeps for that ; you must not think
+That we are made of stuff so flat and dull
+That we can let our beard be shook with danger
+And think it pastime . You shortly shall hear more ;
+I lov'd your father , and we love ourself ,
+And that , I hope , will teach you to imagine ,
+
+How now ! what news ?
+
+Letters , my lord , from Hamlet :
+This to your majesty ; this to the queen .
+
+From Hamlet ! who brought them ?
+
+Sailors , my lord , they say ; I saw them not :
+They were given me by Claudio , he receiv'd them
+Of him that brought them .
+
+Laertes , you shall hear them .
+Leave us .
+
+High and mighty , you shall know I am set naked on your kingdom . To-morrow shall I beg leave to see your kingly eyes ; when I shall , first asking your pardon thereunto , recount the occasions of my sudden and more strange return
+What should this mean ? Are all the rest come back ?
+Or is it some abuse and no such thing ?
+
+Know you the hand ?
+
+'Tis Hamlet's character . 'Naked ,'
+And in a postscript here , he says , 'alone .'
+Can you advise me ?
+
+I'm lost in it , my lord . But let him come :
+It warms the very sickness in my heart ,
+That I shall live and tell him to his teeth ,
+'Thus diddest thou .'
+
+If it be so , Laertes ,
+As how should it be so ? how otherwise ?
+Will you be rul'd by me ?
+
+Ay , my lord ;
+So you will not o'er-rule me to a peace .
+
+To thine own peace . If he be now return'd ,
+As checking at his voyage , and that he means
+No more to undertake it , I will work him
+To an exploit , now ripe in my device ,
+Under the which he shall not choose but fall ;
+And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe ,
+But even his mother shall uncharge the practice
+And call it accident .
+
+My lord , I will be rul'd ;
+The rather , if you could devise it so
+That I might be the organ .
+
+It falls right .
+You have been talk'd of since your travel much ,
+And that in Hamlet's hearing , for a quality
+Wherein , they say , you shine ; your sum of parts
+Did not together pluck such envy from him
+As did that one , and that , in my regard ,
+Of the unworthiest siege .
+
+What part is that , my lord ?
+
+A very riband in the cap of youth ,
+Yet needful too ; for youth no less becomes
+The light and careless livery that it wears
+Than settled age his sables and his weeds ,
+Importing health and graveness . Two months since
+Here was a gentleman of Normandy :
+I've seen myself , and serv'd against , the French ,
+And they can well on horseback ; but this gallant
+Had witchcraft in 't , he grew unto his seat ,
+And to such wondrous doing brought his horse ,
+As he had been incorps'd and demi-natur'd
+With the brave beast ; so far he topp'd my thought ,
+That I , in forgery of shapes and tricks ,
+Come short of what he did .
+
+A Norman was 't ?
+
+A Norman .
+
+Upon my life , Lamord .
+
+The very same .
+
+I know him well ; he is the brooch indeed
+And gem of all the nation .
+
+He made confession of you ,
+And gave you such a masterly report
+For art and exercise in your defence ,
+And for your rapier most especially ,
+That he cried out , 'twould be a sight indeed
+If one could match you ; the scrimers of their nation ,
+He swore , had neither motion , guard , nor eye ,
+If you oppos'd them . Sir , this report of his
+Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy
+That he could nothing do but wish and beg
+Your sudden coming o'er , to play with him .
+Now , out of this ,
+
+What out of this , my lord ?
+
+Laertes , was your father dear to you ?
+Or are you like the painting of a sorrow ,
+A face without a heart ?
+
+Why ask you this ?
+
+Not that I think you did not love your father ,
+But that I know love is begun by time ,
+And that I see , in passages of proof ,
+Time qualifies the spark and fire of it .
+There lives within the very flame of love
+A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it ,
+And nothing is at a like goodness still ,
+For goodness , growing to a plurisy ,
+Dies in his own too-much . That we would do ,
+We should do when we would , for this 'would' changes ,
+And hath abatements and delays as many
+As there are tongues , are hands , are accidents ;
+And then this 'should' is like a spendthrift sigh ,
+That hurts by easing . But , to the quick o' the ulcer ;
+Hamlet comes back ; what would you undertake
+To show yourself your father's son in deed
+More than in words ?
+
+To cut his throat i' the church .
+
+No place , indeed , should murder sanctuarize ;
+Revenge should have no bounds . But , good Laertes ,
+Will you do this , keep close within your chamber .
+Hamlet return'd shall know you are come home ;
+We'll put on those shall praise your excellence ,
+And set a double varnish on the fame
+The Frenchman gave you , bring you , in fine , together ,
+And wager on your heads : he , being remise ,
+Most generous and free from all contriving ,
+Will not peruse the foils ; so that , with ease
+Or with a little shuffling , you may choose
+A sword unbated , and , in a pass of practice
+Requite him for your father .
+
+I will do 't ;
+And , for that purpose , I'll anoint my sword .
+I bought an unction of a mountebank ,
+So mortal that , but dip a knife in it ,
+Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare ,
+Collected from all simples that have virtue
+Under the moon , can save the thing from death
+That is but scratch'd withal ; I'll touch my point
+With this contagion , that , if I gall him slightly ,
+It may be death .
+
+Let's further think of this ;
+Weigh what convenience both of time and means
+May fit us to our shape . If this should fail ,
+And that our drift look through our bad performance
+'Twere better not assay'd ; therefore this project
+Should have a back or second , that might hold ,
+If this should blast in proof . Soft ! let me see ;
+We'll make a solemn wager on your cunnings :
+I ha't :
+When in your motion you are hot and dry ,
+As make your bouts more violent to that end ,
+And that he calls for drink , I'll have prepar'd him
+A chalice for the nonce , whereon but sipping ,
+If he by chance escape your venom'd stuck ,
+Our purpose may hold there . But stay ! what noise ?
+
+How now , sweet queen !
+
+One woe doth tread upon another's heel ,
+So fast they follow : your sister's drown'd , Laertes .
+
+Drown'd ! O , where ?
+
+There is a willow grows aslant a brook ,
+That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream ;
+There with fantastic garlands did she come ,
+Of crow-flowers , nettles , daisies , and long purples ,
+That liberal shepherds give a grosser name ,
+But our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them :
+There , on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds
+Clambering to hang , an envious sliver broke ,
+When down her weedy trophies and herself
+Fell in the weeping brook . Her clothes spread wide ,
+And , mermaid-like , awhile they bore her up ;
+Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes ,
+As one incapable of her own distress ,
+Or like a creature native and indu'd
+Unto that element ; but long it could not be
+Till that her garments , heavy with their drink ,
+Pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay
+To muddy death .
+
+Alas ! then , she is drown'd ?
+
+Drown'd , drown'd .
+
+Too much of water hast thou , poor Ophelis ,
+And therefore I forbid my tears ; but yet
+It is our trick , nature her custom holds ,
+Let shame say what it will ; when these are gone
+The woman will be out . Adieu , my lord !
+I have a speech of fire , that fain would blaze ,
+But that this folly douts it .
+
+
+Let's follow , Gertrude .
+How much I had to do to calm his rage !
+Now fear I this will give it start again ;
+Therefore let's follow .
+
+Is she to be buried in Christian burial that wilfully seeks her own salvation ?
+
+I tell thee she is ; and therefore make her grave straight : the crowner hath sat on her , and finds it Christian burial .
+
+How can that be , unless she drowned herself in her own defence ?
+
+Why , 'tis found so .
+
+It must be se offendendo ; it cannot be else . For here lies the point : if I drown myself wittingly it argues an act ; and an act hath three branches ; it is , to act , to do , and to perform : argal , she drowned herself wittingly .
+
+Nay , but hear you , goodman delver ,
+
+Give me leave . Here lies the water ; good : here stands the man ; good : if the man go to this water , and drown himself , it is , will he , nill he , he goes ; mark you that ? but if the water come to him , and drown him , he drowns not himself : argal , he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life .
+
+But is this law ?
+
+Ay , marry , is 't ; crowner's quest law .
+
+Will you ha' the truth on 't ? If this had not been a gentlewoman she should have been buried out o' Christian burial .
+
+Why , there thou sayest ; and the more pity that great folk should have countenance in this world to drown or hang themselves more than their even Christian . Come , my spade . There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners , ditchers , and grave-makers ; they hold up Adam's profession .
+
+Was he a gentleman ?
+
+A' was the first that ever bore arms .
+
+Why , he had none .
+
+What ! art a heathen ? How dost thou understand the Scripture ? The Scripture says , Adam digged ; could be dig without arms ?
+I'll put another question to thee ; if thou answerest me not to the purpose , confess thyself
+
+Go to .
+
+What is he that builds stronger than either the mason , the shipwright , or the carpenter ?
+
+The gallows-maker ; for that frame outlives a thousand tenants .
+
+I like thy wit well , in good faith ; the gallows does well , but how does it well ? it does well to those that do ill ; now thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger than the church : argal , the gallows may do well to thee .
+To 't again ; come .
+
+Who builds stronger than a mason , a shipwright , or a carpenter ?
+
+Ay , tell me that , and unyoke .
+
+Marry , now I can tell .
+
+To 't .
+
+Mass , I cannot tell .
+
+
+Cudgel thy brains no more about it , for your dull ass will not mend his pace with beating ; and , when you are asked this question next , say , 'a grave-maker :' the houses that he makes last till doomsday . Go , get thee to Yaughan ; fetch me a stoup of liquor .
+
+First Clown digs , and sings .
+
+In youth , when I did love , did love ,
+Methought it was very sweet ,
+To contract , O ! the time , for-a my behove ,
+O ! methought there was nothing meet .
+
+
+Has this fellow no feeling of his business , that he sings at grave-making ?
+
+Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness .
+
+'Tis e'en so ; the hand of little employment hath the daintier sense .
+
+
+But age , with his stealing steps ,
+Hath claw'd me in his clutch ,
+And hath shipped me intil the land ,
+As if I had never been such .
+
+That skull had a tongue in it , and could sing once ; how the knave jowls it to the ground , as if it were Cain's jaw-bone , that did the first murder ! This might be the pate of a politician , which this ass now o'er-offices , one that would circumvent God , might it not ?
+
+It might , my lord .
+
+Or of a courtier , which could say , 'Good morrow , sweet lord ! How dost thou , good lord ?' This might be my Lord Such-a-one , that praised my Lord Such-a-one's horse , when he meant to beg it , might it not ?
+
+Ay , my lord .
+
+Why , e'en so , and now my Lady Worm's ; chapless , and knocked about the mazzard with a sexton's spade . Here's fine revolution , an we had the trick to see 't . Did these bones cost no more the breeding but to play at loggats with 'em ? mine ache to think on 't .
+
+
+A pick-axe , and a spade , a spade ,
+For and a shrouding sheet ;
+O ! a pit of clay for to be made
+For such a guest is meet .
+
+There's another ; why may not that be the skull of a lawyer ? Where be his quiddities now , his quillets , his cases , his tenures , and his tricks ? why does he suffer this rude knave now to knock him about the sconce with a dirty shovel , and will not tell him of his action of battery ? Hum ! This fellow might be in 's time a great buyer of land , with his statutes , his recognizances , his fines , his double vouchers , his recoveries ; is this the fine of his fines , and the recovery of his recoveries , to have his fine pate full of fine dirt ? will his vouchers vouch him no more of his purchases , and double ones too , than the length and breadth of a pair of indentures ? The very conveyance of his lands will hardly lie in this box , and must the inheritor himself have no more , ha ?
+
+Not a jot more , my lord .
+
+Is not parchment made of sheep-skins ?
+
+Ay , my lord , and of calf-skins too .
+
+They are sheep and calves which seek out assurance in that . I will speak to this fellow . Whose grave's this , sir ?
+
+Mine , sir ,
+
+O ! a pit of clay for to be made
+For such a guest is meet .
+
+
+I think it be thine , indeed ; for thou liest in 't .
+
+You lie out on 't , sir , and therefore it is not yours ; for my part , I do not lie in 't , and yet it is mine .
+
+Thou dost lie in 't , to be in 't and say it is thine : 'tis for the dead , not for the quick ; therefore thou liest .
+
+'Tis a quick lie , sir ; 'twill away again , from me to you .
+
+What man dost thou dig it for ?
+
+For no man , sir .
+
+What woman , then ?
+
+For none , neither .
+
+Who is to be buried in 't ?
+
+One that was a woman , sir ; but , rest her soul , she's dead .
+
+How absolute the knave is ! we must speak by the card , or equivocation will undo us . By the Lord , Horatio , these three years I have taken note of it ; the age is grown so picked that the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier , he galls his kibe . How long hast thou been a grave-maker ?
+
+Of all the days i' the year , I came to 't that day that our last King Hamlet overcame Fortinbras .
+
+How long is that since ?
+
+Cannot you tell that ? every fool can tell that ; it was the very day that young Hamlet was born ; he that is mad , and sent into England .
+
+Ay , marry ; why was he sent into England ?
+
+Why , because he was mad : he shall recover his wits there ; or , if he do not , 'tis no great matter there
+
+Why ?
+
+'Twill not be seen in him there ; there the men are as mad as he .
+
+How came he mad ?
+
+Very strangely , they say .
+
+How strangely ?
+
+Faith , e'en with losing his wits .
+
+Upon what ground ?
+
+Why , here in Denmark ; I have been sexton here , man and boy , thirty years .
+
+How long will a man lie i' the earth ere he rot ?
+
+Faith , if he be not rotten before he die ,as we have many pocky corses now-a-days , that will scarce hold the laying in ,he will last you some eight year or nine year ; a tanner will last you nine year .
+
+Why he more than another ?
+
+Why , sir , his hide is so tanned with his trade that he will keep out water a great while , and your water is a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body . Here's a skull now ; this skull hath lain you i' the earth three-and-twenty years .
+
+Whose was it ?
+
+A whoreson mad fellow's it was : whose do you think it was ?
+
+Nay , I know not .
+
+A pestilence on him for a mad rogue ! a' poured a flagon of Rhenish on my head once . This same skull , sir , was Yorick's skull , the king's jester .
+
+This !
+
+E'en that .
+
+Let me see .
+
+Alas ! poor Yorick . I knew him , Horatio ; a fellow of infinite jest , of most excellent fancy ; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times ; and now , how abhorred in my imagination it is ! my gorge rises at it . Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft . Where be your gibes now ? your gambols ? your songs ? your flashes of merriment , that were wont to set the table on a roar ? Not one now , to mock your own grinning ? quite chapfallen ? Now get you to my lady's chamber , and tell her , let her paint an inch thick , to this favour she must come ; make her laugh at that . Prithee , Horatio , tell me one thing .
+
+What's that , my lord ?
+
+Dost thou think Alexander looked o' this fashion i' the earth ?
+
+E'en so .
+
+And smelt so ? pah !
+
+
+E'en so , my lord .
+
+To what base uses we may return , Horatio ! Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander , till he find it stopping a bung-hole ?
+
+'Twere to consider too curiously , to consider so .
+
+No , faith , not a jot ; but to follow him thither with modesty enough , and likelihood to lead it ; as thus : Alexander died , Alexander was buried , Alexander returneth into dust ; the dust is earth ; of earth we make loam , and why of that loam , whereto he was converted , might they not stop a beer-barrel ?
+
+Imperious C sar , dead and turn'd to clay ,
+Might stop a hole to keep the wind away :
+O ! that that earth , which kept the world in awe ,
+Should patch a wall to expal the winter's flaw .
+
+But soft ! but soft ! aside : here comes the king .
+
+The queen , the courtiers : who is that they follow ?
+And with such maimed rites ? This doth betoken
+The corse they follow did with desperate hand
+Fordo its own life ; 'twas of some estate .
+Couch we awhile , and mark .
+
+What ceremony else ?
+
+That is Laertes ,
+A very noble youth : mark .
+
+What ceremony else ?
+
+Her obsequies have been as far enlarg'd
+As we have warrantise : her death was doubtful ,
+And , but that great command o'ersways the order ,
+She should in ground unsanctified have lodg'd
+Till the last trumpet ; for charitable prayers ,
+Shards , flints , and pebbles should be thrown on her ;
+Yet here she is allow'd her virgin crants ,
+Her maiden strewments , and the bringing home
+Of bell and burial .
+
+Must there no more be done ?
+
+No more be done :
+We should profane the service of the dead ,
+To sing a requiem , and such rest to her
+As to peace-parted souls .
+
+Lay her i' the earth ;
+And from her fair and unpolluted flesh
+May violets spring ! I tell thee , churlish priest ,
+A ministering angel shall my sister be ,
+When thou liest howling .
+
+What ! the fair Ophelia ?
+
+Sweets to the sweet : farewell !
+
+I hop'd thou shouldst have been my Hamlet's wife ;
+I thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd , sweet maid ,
+And not have strew'd thy grave .
+
+O ! treble woe
+Fall ten times treble on that cursed head
+Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense
+Depriv'd thee of . Hold off the earth awhile ,
+Till I have caught her once more in mine arms .
+
+Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead ,
+Till of this flat a mountain you have made ,
+To o'er-top old Pelion or the skyish head
+Of blue Olympus .
+
+What is he whose grief
+Bears such an emphasis ? whose phrase of sorrow
+Conjures the wandering stars , and makes them stand
+Like wonder-wounded hearers ? this is I ,
+Hamlet the Dane .
+
+
+The devil take thy soul !
+
+
+Thou pray'st not well .
+I prithee , take thy fingers from my throat ;
+For though I am not splenetive and rash
+Yet have I in me something dangerous ,
+Which let thy wisdom fear . Away thy hand !
+
+Pluck them asunder .
+
+Hamlet ! Hamlet !
+
+Gentlemen ,
+
+Good my lord , be quiet .
+
+
+Why , I will fight with him upon this theme
+Until my eyelids will no longer wag .
+
+O my son ! what theme ?
+
+I lov'd Ophelia : forty thousand brothers
+Could not , with all their quantity of love ,
+Make up my sum . What wilt thou do for her ?
+
+O ! he is mad , Laertes .
+
+For love of God , forbear him .
+
+'Swounds , show me what thou'lt do :
+Woo't weep ? woo't fight ? woo't fast ? woo't tear thyself ?
+Woo't drink up eisel ? eat a crocodile ?
+I'll do't . Dost thou come here to whine ?
+To outface me with leaping in her grave ?
+Be buried quick with her , and so will I :
+And , if thou prate of mountains , let them throw
+Millions of acres on us , till our ground ,
+Singeing his pate against the burning zone ,
+Make Ossa like a wart ! Nay , an thou'lt mouth ,
+I'll rant as well as thou .
+
+This is mere madness :
+And thus a while the fit will work on him ;
+Anon , as patient as the female dove ,
+When that her golden couplets are disclos'd ,
+His silence will sit drooping .
+
+Hear you , sir ;
+What is the reason that you use me thus ?
+I lov'd you ever : but it is no matter ;
+Let Hercules himself do what he may ,
+The cat will mew and dog will have his day .
+
+
+I pray you , good Horatio , wait upon him .
+
+Strengthen your patience in our last night's speech ;
+We'll put the matter to the present push .
+Good Gertrude , set some watch over your son .
+This grave shall have a living monument :
+An hour of quiet shortly shall we see ;
+Till then , in patience our proceeding be .
+
+
+So much for this , sir : now shall you see the other ;
+You do remember all the circumstance ?
+
+Remember it , my lord ?
+
+Sir , in my heart there was a kind of fighting
+That would not let me sleep ; methought I lay
+Worse than the mutines in the bilboes . Rashly ,
+And prais'd be rashness for it , let us know ,
+Our indiscretion sometimes serves us well
+When our deep plots do pall ; and that should teach us
+There's a divinity that shapes our ends ,
+Rough-hew them how we will .
+
+That is most certain .
+
+Up from my cabin ,
+My sea-gown scarf'd about me , in the dark
+Grop'd I to find out them , had my desire ,
+Finger'd their packet , and in fine withdrew
+To mine own room again ; making so bold
+My fears forgetting manners to unseal
+Their grand commission ; where I found , Horatio ,
+O royal knavery ! an exact command ,
+Larded with many several sorts of reasons
+Importing Denmark's health , and England's too ,
+With , ho ! such bugs and goblins in my life ,
+That , on the supervise , no leisure bated ,
+No , not to stay the grinding of the axe ,
+My head should be struck off .
+
+Is 't possible ?
+
+Here's the commission : read it at more leisure .
+But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed ?
+
+I beseech you .
+
+Being thus be-netted round with villanies ,
+Ere I could make a prologue to my brains
+They had begun the play ,I sat me down ,
+Devis'd a new commission , wrote it fair ;
+I once did hold it , as our statists do ,
+A baseness to write fair , and labour'd much
+How to forget that learning ; but , sir , now
+It did me yeoman's service . Wilt thou know
+The effect of what I wrote ?
+
+Ay , good my lord .
+
+An earnest conjuration from the king ,
+As England was his faithful tributary ,
+As love between them like the palm should flourish ,
+As peace should still her wheaten garland wear ,
+And stand a comma 'tween their amities ,
+And many such-like 'As'es of great charge ,
+That , on the view and knowing of these contents ,
+Without debatement further , more or less ,
+He should the bearers put to sudden death ,
+Not shriving-time allow'd .
+
+How was this seal'd ?
+
+Why , even in that was heaven ordinant .
+I had my father's signet in my purse ,
+Which was the model of that Danish seal ;
+Folded the writ up in form of the other ,
+Subscrib'd it , gave't th' impression , plac'd it safely ,
+The changeling never known . Now , the next day
+Was our sea-fight , and what to this was sequent
+Thou know'st already .
+
+So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to 't .
+
+Why , man , they did make love to this employment ;
+They are not near my conscience ; their defeat
+Does by their own insinuation grow .
+'Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes
+Between the pass and fell-incensed points
+Of mighty opposites .
+
+Why , what a king is this !
+
+Does it not , thinks't thee , stand me now upon
+He that hath kill'd my king and whor'd my mother ,
+Popp'd in between the election and my hopes ,
+Thrown out his angle for my proper life ,
+And with such cozenage is 't not perfect conscience
+To quit him with this arm ? and is 't not to be damn'd
+To let this canker of our nature come
+In further evil ?
+
+It must be shortly known to him from England
+What is the issue of the business there .
+
+It will be short : the interim is mine ;
+And a man's life's no more than to say 'One .'
+But I am very sorry , good Horatio ,
+That to Laertes I forgot myself ;
+For , by the image of my cause , I see
+The portraiture of his : I'll count his favours :
+But , sure , the bravery of his grief did put me
+Into a towering passion .
+
+Peace ! who comes here ?
+
+
+Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark .
+
+I humbly thank you , sir .
+
+Dost know this water-fly ?
+
+No , my good lord .
+
+Thy state is the more gracious ; for 'tis a vice to know him . He hath much land , and fertile : let a beast be lord of beasts , and his crib shall stand at the king's mess : 'tis a chough ; but , as I say , spacious in the possession of dirt .
+
+Sweet lord , if your lordship were at leisure , I should impart a thing to you from his majesty .
+
+I will receive it , sir , with all diligence of spirit . Your bonnet to his right use ; 'tis for the head .
+
+I thank your lordship , 'tis very hot .
+
+No , believe me , 'tis very cold ; the wind is northerly .
+
+It is indifferent cold , my lord , indeed .
+
+But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion .
+
+Exceedingly , my lord ; it is very sultry , as 'twere , I cannot tell how . But , my lord , his majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head . Sir , this is the matter ,
+
+I beseech you , remember
+
+
+Nay , good my lord ; for mine ease , in good faith . Sir , here is newly come to court Laertes ; believe me , an absolute gentleman , full of most excellent differences , of very soft society and great showing ; indeed , to speak feelingly of him , he is the card or calendar of gentry , for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see .
+
+Sir , his definement suffers no perdition in you ; though , I know , to divide him inventorially would dizzy the arithmetic of memory , and yet but yaw neither , in respect of his quick sail . But , in the verity of extolment , I take him to be a soul of great article ; and his infusion of such dearth and rareness , as , to make true diction of him , his semblable is his mirror ; and who else would trace him , his umbrage , nothing more .
+
+Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him .
+
+The concernancy , sir ? why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath ?
+
+Sir ?
+
+Is 't not possible to understand in another tongue ? You will do 't , sir , really .
+
+What imports the nomination of this gentleman ?
+
+Of Laertes ?
+
+His purse is empty already ; all 's golden words are spent .
+
+Of him , sir .
+
+I know you are not ignorant
+
+I would you did , sir ; in faith , if you did , it would not much approve me . Well , sir .
+
+You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is
+
+I dare not confess that , lest I should compare with him in excellence ; but , to know a man well , were to know himself .
+
+I mean , sir , for his weapon ; but in the imputation laid on him by them , in his meed he's unfellowed .
+
+What's his weapon ?
+
+Rapier and dagger .
+
+That's two of his weapons ; but , well .
+
+The king , sir , hath wagered with him six Barbary horses ; against the which he has imponed , as I take it , six French rapiers and poniards , with their assigns , as girdle , hangers , and so : three of the carriages , in faith , are very dear to fancy , very responsive to the hilts , most delicate carriages , and of very liberal conceit .
+
+What call you the carriages ?
+
+I knew you must be edified by the margent , ere you had done .
+
+The carriages , sir , are the hangers .
+
+The phrase would be more german to the matter , if we could carry cannon by our sides ; I would it might be hangers till then . But , on ; six Barbary horses against six French swords , their assigns , and three liberal-conceited carriages ; that's the French bet against the Danish . Why is this 'imponed ,' as you call it ?
+
+The king , sir , hath laid , that in a dozen passes between yourself and him , he shall not exceed you three hits ; he hath laid on twelve for nine , and it would come to immediate trial , if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer .
+
+How if I answer no ?
+
+I mean , my lord , the opposition of your person in trial .
+
+Sir , I will walk here in the hall ; if it please his majesty , 'tis the breathing time of day with me ; let the foils be brought , the gentleman willing , and the king hold his purpose , I will win for him an I can ; if not , I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits .
+
+Shall I re-deliver you so ?
+
+To this effect , sir ; after what flourish your nature will .
+
+I commend my duty to your lordship .
+
+Yours , yours .
+
+He does well to commend it himself ; there are no tongues else for 's turn .
+
+This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head .
+
+He did comply with his dug before he sucked it . Thus has he and many more of the same bevy , that I know the drossy age dotes on only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter , a kind of yesty collection which carries them through and through the most fond and winnowed opinions ; and do but blow them to their trial , the bubbles are out .
+
+
+My lord , his majesty commended him to you by young Osric , who brings back to him , that you attend him in the hall ; he sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes , or that you will take longer time .
+
+I am constant to my purposes ; they follow the king's pleasure : if his fitness speaks , mine is ready ; now , or whensoever , provided I be so able as now .
+
+The king , and queen , and all are coming down .
+
+In happy time .
+
+The queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play .
+
+She well instructs me .
+
+
+You will lose this wager , my lord .
+
+I do not think so ; since he went into France , I have been in continual practice ; I shall win at the odds . But thou wouldst not think how ill all 's here about my heart ; but it is no matter .
+
+Nay , good my lord ,
+
+It is but foolery ; but it is such a kind of gain-giving as would perhaps trouble a woman .
+
+If your mind dislike any thing , obey it ; I will forestal their repair hither , and say you are not fit .
+
+Not a whit , we defy augury ; there's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow . If it be now , 'tis not to come ; if it be not to come , it will be now ; if it be not now , yet it will come : the readiness is all . Since no man has aught of what he leaves , what is 't to leave betimes ? Let be .
+
+
+Come , Hamlet , come , and take this hand from me .
+
+
+Give me your pardon , sir ; I've done you wrong ;
+But pardon 't , as you are a gentleman .
+This presence knows ,
+And you must needs have heard , how I am punish'd
+With sore distraction . What I have done ,
+That might your nature , honour and exception
+Roughly awake , I here proclaim was madness .
+Was't Hamlet wrong'd Laertes ? Never Hamlet :
+If Hamlet from himself be ta'en away ,
+And when he's not himself does wrong Laertes ,
+Then Hamlet does it not ; Hamlet denies it .
+Who does it then ? His madness . If 't be so ,
+Hamlet is of the faction that is wrong'd ;
+His madness is poor Hamlet's enemy .
+Sir , in this audience ,
+Let my disclaiming from a purpos'd evil
+Free me so far in your most generous thoughts ,
+That I have shot mine arrow o'er the house ,
+And hurt my brother .
+
+I am satisfied in nature ,
+Whose motive , in this case , should stir me most
+To my revenge ; but in my terms of honour
+I stand aloof , and will no reconcilement ,
+Till by some elder masters , of known honour ,
+I have a voice and precedent of peace ,
+To keep my name ungor'd . But till that time ,
+I do receive your offer'd love like love ,
+And will not wrong it .
+
+I embrace it freely ;
+And will this brother's wager frankly play .
+Give us the foils . Come on .
+
+Come , one for me .
+
+I'll be your foil , Laertes ; in mine ignorance
+Your skill shall , like a star i' the darkest night ,
+Stick fiery off indeed .
+
+You mock me , sir .
+
+No , by this hand .
+
+Give them the foils , young Osric . Cousin Hamlet ,
+You know the wager ?
+
+Very well , my lord ;
+Your Grace hath laid the odds o' the weaker side .
+
+I do not fear it ; I have seen you both ;
+But since he is better'd , we have therefore odds .
+
+This is too heavy ; let me see another .
+
+This likes me well . These foils have all a length ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+
+Set me the stoups of wine upon that table .
+If Hamlet give the first or second hit ,
+Or quit in answer of the third exchange ,
+Let all the battlements their ordnance fire ;
+The king shall drink to Hamlet's better breath ;
+And in the cup an union shall he throw ,
+Richer than that which four successive kings
+In Denmark's crown have worn . Give me the cups ;
+And let the kettle to the trumpet speak ,
+The trumpet to the cannoneer without ,
+The cannons to the heavens , the heavens to earth ,
+'Now the king drinks to Hamlet !' Come , begin ;
+And you , the judges , bear a wary eye .
+
+Come on , sir .
+
+Come , my lord .
+
+
+One .
+
+No .
+
+Judgment .
+
+A hit , a very palpable hit .
+
+Well ; again .
+
+Stay ; give me drink . Hamlet , this pearl is thine ;
+Here's to thy health . Give him the cup .
+
+
+I'll play this bout first ; set it by awhile .
+Come .
+
+Another hit ; what say you ?
+
+A touch , a touch , I do confess .
+
+Our son shall win .
+
+He's fat , and scant of breath .
+Here , Hamlet , take my napkin , rub thy brows ;
+The queen carouses to thy fortune , Hamlet .
+
+Good madam !
+
+Gertrude , do not drink .
+
+I will , my lord ; I pray you , pardon me .
+
+It is the poison'd cup ! it is too late .
+
+I dare not drink yet , madam ; by and by .
+
+Come , let me wipe thy face .
+
+My lord , I'll hit him now .
+
+I do not think 't
+
+And yet 'tis almost 'gainst my conscience .
+
+Come , for the third , Laertes . You but dally ;
+I pray you , pass with your best violence .
+I am afeard you make a wanton of me .
+
+Say you so ? come on .
+
+
+Nothing , neither way .
+
+Have at you now .
+
+
+Part them ! they are incens'd
+
+Nay , come , again .
+
+
+Look to the queen there , ho !
+
+They bleed on both sides . How is it , my lord ?
+
+How is it , Laertes ?
+
+Why , as a woodcock to mine own springe , Osric ;
+I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery .
+
+How does the queen ?
+
+She swounds to see them bleed .
+
+No , no , the drink , the drink ,O my dear Hamlet !
+The drink , the drink ; I am poison'd .
+
+
+O villany ! Ho ! let the door be lock'd :
+Treachery ! seek it out .
+
+
+It is here , Hamlet . Hamlet , thou art slain ;
+No medicine in the world can do thee good ;
+In thee there is not half an hour of life ;
+The treacherous instrument is in thy hand ,
+Unbated and envenom'd . The foul practice
+Hath turn'd itself on me ; lo ! here I lie ,
+Never to rise again . Thy mother's poison'd .
+I can no more . The king , the king's to blame .
+
+The point envenom'd tool .
+Then , venom , to thy work .
+
+
+Treason ! treason !
+
+O ! yet defend me , friends ; I am but hurt .
+
+Here , thou incestuous , murderous , damned Dane ,
+Drink off this potion ;is thy union here ?
+Follow my mother .
+
+
+He is justly serv'd ;
+It is a poison temper'd by himself .
+Exchange forgiveness with me , noble Hamlet :
+Mine and my father's death come not upon thee ,
+Nor thine on me !
+
+
+Heaven make thee free of it ! I follow thee .
+I am dead , Horatio . Wretched queen , adieu !
+You that look pale and tremble at this chance ,
+That are but mutes or audience to this act ,
+Had I but time ,as this fell sergeant , death ,
+Is strict in his arrest ,O ! I could tell you
+But let it be . Horatio , I am dead ;
+Thou liv'st ; report me and my cause aright
+To the unsatisfied .
+
+Never believe it ;
+I am more an antique Roman than a Dane :
+Here's yet some liquor left .
+
+As thou'rt a man ,
+Give me the cup : let go ; by heaven , I'll have 't .
+O God ! Horatio , what a wounded name ,
+Things standing thus unknown , shall live behind me .
+If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart ,
+Absent thee from felicity awhile ,
+And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain ,
+To tell my story .
+
+What war-like noise is this ?
+
+Young Fortinbras , with conquest come from Poland ,
+To the ambassadors of England gives
+This war-like volley .
+
+O ! I die , Horatio ;
+The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit :
+I cannot live to hear the news from England ,
+But I do prophesy the election lights
+On Fortinbras : he has my dying voice ;
+So tell him , with the occurrents , more and less ,
+Which have solicited The rest is silence .
+
+
+Now cracks a noble heart . Good-night , sweet prince ,
+And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest !
+Why does the drum come hither ?
+
+Where is this sight ?
+
+What is it ye would see ?
+If aught of woe or wonder , cease your search .
+
+This quarry cries on havoc . O proud death !
+What feast is toward in thine eternal cell ,
+That thou so many princes at a shot
+So bloodily hast struck ?
+
+The sight is dismal ;
+And our affairs from England come too late :
+The ears are senseless that should give us hearing ,
+To tell him his commandment is fulfill'd ,
+That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead .
+Where should we have our thanks ?
+
+Not from his mouth ,
+Had it the ability of life to thank you :
+He never gave commandment for their death .
+But since , so jump upon this bloody question ,
+You from the Polack wars , and you from England ,
+Are here arriv'd , give order that these bodies
+High on a stage be placed to the view ;
+And let me speak to the yet unknowing world
+How these things came about : so shall you hear
+Of carnal , bloody , and unnatural acts ,
+Of accidental judgments , casual slaughters ;
+Of deaths put on by cunning and forc'd cause ,
+And , in this upshot , purposes mistook
+Fall'n on the inventors' heads ; all this can I
+Truly deliver .
+
+Let us haste to hear it ,
+And call the noblest to the audience .
+For me , with sorrow I embrace my fortune ;
+I have some rights of memory in this kingdom ,
+Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me .
+
+Of that I shall have also cause to speak ,
+And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more :
+But let this same be presently perform'd ,
+Even while men's minds are wild , lest more mischance
+On plots and errors happen .
+
+Let four captains
+Bear Hamlet , like a soldier , to the stage ;
+For he was likely , had he been put on ,
+To have prov'd most royally : and , for his passage ,
+The soldiers' music and the rites of war
+Speak loudly for him .
+Take up the bodies : such a sight as this
+Becomes the field , but here shows much amiss .
+Go , bid the soldiers shoot .
+
+JULIUS CAESAR
+
+Hence ! home , you idle creatures , get you home :
+Is this a holiday ? What ! know you not ,
+Being mechanical , you ought not walk
+Upon a labouring day without the sign
+Of your profession ? Speak , what trade art thou ?
+
+Why , sir , a carpenter .
+
+Where is thy leather apron , and thy rule ?
+What dost thou with thy best apparel on ?
+You , sir , what trade are you ?
+
+Truly , sir , in respect of a fine workman , I am but , as you would say , a cobbler .
+
+But what trade art thou ? Answer me directly .
+
+A trade , sir , that , I hope , I may use with a safe conscience ; which is , indeed , sir , a mender of bad soles .
+
+What trade , thou knave ? thou naughty knave , what trade ?
+
+Nay , I beseech you , sir , be not out with me : yet , if you be out , sir , I can mend you .
+
+What meanest thou by that ? Mend me , thou saucy fellow !
+
+Why , sir , cobble you .
+
+Thou art a cobbler , art thou ?
+
+Truly , sir , all that I live by is with the awl : I meddle with no tradesman's matters , nor women's matters , but with awl . I am , indeed , sir , a surgeon to old shoes ; when they are in great danger , I recover them . As proper men as ever trod upon neat's leather have gone upon my handiwork .
+
+But wherefore art not in thy shop to-day ?
+Why dost thou lead these men about the streets ?
+
+Truly , sir , to wear out their shoes , to get myself into more work . But , indeed , sir , we make holiday to see C sar and to rejoice in his triumph .
+
+Wherefore rejoice ? What conquest brings he home ?
+What tributaries follow him to Rome
+To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels ?
+You blocks , you stones , you worse than senseless things !
+O you hard hearts , you cruel men of Rome ,
+Knew you not Pompey ? Many a time and oft
+Have you climb'd up to walls and battlements ,
+To towers and windows , yea , to chimney-tops ,
+Your infants in your arms , and there have sat
+The livelong day , with patient expectation ,
+To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome :
+And when you saw his chariot but appear ,
+Have you not made a universal shout ,
+That Tiber trembled underneath her banks ,
+To hear the replication of your sounds
+Made in her concave shores ?
+And do you now put on your best attire ?
+And do you now cull out a holiday ?
+And do you now strew flowers in his way ,
+That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood ?
+Be gone !
+Run to your houses , fall upon your knees ,
+Pray to the gods to intermit the plague
+That needs must light on this ingratitude .
+
+Go , go , good countrymen , and , for this fault
+Assemble all the poor men of your sort ;
+Draw them to Tiber banks , and weep your tears
+Into the channel , till the lowest stream
+Do kiss the most exalted shores of all .
+
+See whe'r their basest metal be not mov'd ;
+They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness .
+Go you down that way towards the Capitol ;
+This way will I . Disrobe the images
+If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies .
+
+May we do so ?
+You know it is the feast of Lupercal .
+
+It is no matter ; let no images
+Be hung with C sar's trophies . I'll about
+And drive away the vulgar from the streets :
+So do you too where you perceive them thick .
+These growing feathers pluck'd from C sar's wing
+Will make him fly an ordinary pitch ,
+Who else would soar above the view of men
+And keep us all in servile fearfulness .
+
+
+Calphurnia !
+
+Peace , ho ! C sar speaks .
+
+
+Calphurnia !
+
+Here , my lord .
+
+Stand you directly in Antonius' way
+When he doth run his course . Antonius !
+
+C sar , my lord .
+
+Forget not , in your speed , Antonius ,
+To touch Calphurnia ; for our elders say ,
+The barren , touched in this holy chase ,
+Shake off their sterile curse .
+
+I shall remember :
+When C sar says 'Do this ,' it is perform'd .
+
+Set on ; and leave no ceremony out .
+
+
+C sar !
+
+Ha ! Who calls ?
+
+Bid every noise be still : peace yet again !
+
+
+Who is it in the press that calls on me ?
+I hear a tongue , shriller than all the music ,
+Cry 'C sar .' Speak ; C sar is turn'd to hear .
+
+Beware the ides of March .
+
+What man is that ?
+
+A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March .
+
+Set him before me ; let me see his face .
+
+Fellow , come from the throng ; look upon C sar .
+
+What sayst thou to me now ? Speak once again .
+
+Beware the ides of March .
+
+He is a dreamer ; let us leave him : pass .
+
+
+Will you go see the order of the course ?
+
+Not I .
+
+I pray you , do .
+
+I am not gamesome : I do lack some part
+Of that quick spirit that is in Antony .
+Let me not hinder , Cassius , your desires ;
+I'll leave you .
+
+Brutus , I do observe you now of late :
+I have not from your eyes that gentleness
+And show of love as I was wont to have :
+You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
+Over your friend that loves you .
+
+Cassius ,
+Be not deceiv'd : if I have veil'd my look ,
+I turn the trouble of my countenance
+Merely upon myself . Vexed I am
+Of late with passions of some difference ,
+Conceptions only proper to myself ,
+Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviours ;
+But let not therefore my good friends be griev'd ,
+Among which number , Cassius , be you one ,
+Nor construe any further my neglect ,
+Than that poor Brutus , with himself at war ,
+Forgets the shows of love to other men .
+
+Then , Brutus , I have much mistook your passion ;
+By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried
+Thoughts of great value , worthy cogitations .
+Tell me , good Brutus , can you see your face ?
+
+No , Cassius ; for the eye sees not itself ,
+But by reflection , by some other things .
+
+'Tis just :
+And it is very much lamented , Brutus ,
+That you have no such mirrors as will turn
+Your hidden worthiness into your eye ,
+That you might see your shadow . I have heard ,
+Where many of the best respect in Rome ,
+Except immortal C sar ,speaking of Brutus ,
+And groaning underneath this age's yoke ,
+Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes .
+
+Into what dangers would you lead me , Cassius ,
+That you would have me seek into myself
+For that which is not in me ?
+
+Therefore , good Brutus , be prepar'd to hear ;
+And , since you know you cannot see yourself
+So well as by reflection , I , your glass ,
+Will modestly discover to yourself
+That of yourself which you yet know not of .
+And be not jealous on me , gentle Brutus :
+Were I a common laugher , or did use
+To stale with ordinary oaths my love
+To every new protester ; if you know
+That I do fawn on men and hug them hard ,
+And after scandal them ; or if you know
+That I profess myself in banqueting
+To all the rout , then hold me dangerous .
+
+
+What means this shouting ? I do fear the people
+Choose C sar for their king .
+
+Ay , do you fear it ?
+Then must I think you would not have it so .
+
+I would not , Cassius ; yet I love him well .
+But wherefore do you hold me here so long ?
+What is it that you would impart to me ?
+If it be aught toward the general good ,
+Set honour in one eye and death i' the other ,
+And I will look on both indifferently ;
+For let the gods so speed me as I love
+The name of honour more than I fear death .
+
+I know that virtue to be in you , Brutus ,
+As well as I do know your outward favour .
+Well , honour is the subject of my story .
+I cannot tell what you and other men
+Think of this life ; but , for my single self ,
+I had as lief not be as live to be
+In awe of such a thing as I myself .
+I was born free as C sar ; so were you :
+We both have fed as well , and we can both
+Endure the winter's cold as well as he :
+For once , upon a raw and gusty day ,
+The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores ,
+C sar said to me , 'Dar'st thou , Cassius , now
+Leap in with me into this angry flood ,
+And swim to yonder point ?' Upon the word ,
+Accoutred as I was , I plunged in
+And bade him follow ; so , indeed he did .
+The torrent roar'd , and we did buffet it
+With lusty sinews , throwing it aside
+And stemming it with hearts of controversy ;
+But ere we could arrive the point propos'd ,
+C sar cried , 'Help me , Cassius , or I sink !'
+I , as neas , our great ancestor ,
+Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
+The old Anchises bear , so from the waves of Tiber
+Did I the tired C sar . And this man
+Is now become a god , and Cassius is
+A wretched creature and must bend his body
+If C sar carelessly but nod on him .
+He had a fever when he was in Spain ,
+And when the fit was on him , I did mark
+How he did shake ; 'tis true , this god did shake ;
+His coward lips did from their colour fly ,
+And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
+Did lose his lustre ; I did hear him groan ;
+Ay , and that tongue of his that bade the Romans
+Mark him and write his speeches in their books ,
+Alas ! it cried , 'Give me some drink , Titinius ,'
+As a sick girl . Ye gods , it doth amaze me ,
+A man of such a feeble temper should
+So get the start of the majestic world ,
+And bear the palm alone .
+
+
+Another general shout !
+I do believe that these applauses are
+For some new honours that are heaped on C sar .
+
+Why , man , he doth bestride the narrow world
+Like a Colossus ; and we petty men
+Walk under his huge legs , and peep about
+To find ourselves dishonourable graves .
+Men at some time are masters of their fates :
+The fault , dear Brutus , is not in our stars ,
+But in ourselves , that we are underlings .
+Brutus and C sar : what should be in that 'C sar ?'
+Why should that name be sounded more than yours ?
+Write them together , yours is as fair a name ;
+Sound them , it doth become the mouth as well ;
+Weigh them , it is as heavy ; conjure with 'em ,
+'Brutus' will start a spirit as soon as 'C sar .'
+Now , in the names of all the gods at once ,
+Upon what meat doth this our C sar feed ,
+That he is grown so great ? Age , thou art sham'd !
+Rome , thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods !
+When went there by an age , since the great flood ,
+But it was fam'd with more than with one man ?
+When could they say , till now , that talk'd of Rome ,
+That her wide walls encompass'd but one man ?
+Now is it Rome indeed and room enough ,
+When there is in it but one only man .
+O ! you and I have heard our fathers say ,
+There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd
+Th' eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
+As easily as a king .
+
+That you do love me , I am nothing jealous ;
+What you would work me to , I have some aim :
+How I have thought of this and of these times ,
+I shall recount hereafter ; for this present ,
+I would not , so with love I might entreat you ,
+Be any further mov'd . What you have said
+I will consider ; what you have to say
+I will with patience hear , and find a time
+Both meet to hear and answer such high things .
+Till then , my noble friend , chew upon this :
+Brutus had rather be a villager
+Than to repute himself a son of Rome
+Under these hard conditions as this time
+Is like to lay upon us .
+
+I am glad
+That my weak words have struck but thus much show
+Of fire from Brutus .
+
+The games are done and C sar is returning .
+
+As they pass by , pluck Casca by the sleeve ,
+And he will , after his sour fashion , tell you
+What hath proceeded worthy note to-day .
+
+
+I will do so . But , look you , Cassius ,
+The angry spot doth glow on C sar's brow ,
+And all the rest look like a chidden train :
+Calphurnia's cheek is pale , and Cicero
+Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes
+As we have seen him in the Capitol ,
+Being cross'd in conference by some senators .
+
+Casca will tell us what the matter is .
+
+Antonius !
+
+C sar .
+
+Let me have men about me that are fat ;
+Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights .
+Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look ;
+He thinks too much : such men are dangerous :
+
+Fear him not , C sar , he's not dangerous ;
+He is a noble Roman , and well given .
+
+Would he were fatter ! but I fear him not :
+Yet if my name were liable to fear ,
+I do not know the man I should avoid
+So soon as that spare Cassius . He reads much ;
+He is a great observer , and he looks
+Quite through the deeds of men ; he loves no plays ,
+As thou dost , Antony ; he hears no music ;
+Seldom he smiles , and smiles in such a sort
+As if he mock'd himself , and scorn'd his spirit
+That could be mov'd to smile at any thing .
+Such men as he be never at heart's ease
+Whiles they behold a greater than themselves ,
+And therefore are they very dangerous .
+I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd
+Than what I fear , for always I am C sar .
+Come on my right hand , for this ear is deaf ,
+And tell me truly what thou think'st of him .
+
+
+You pull'd me by the cloak ; would you speak with me ?
+
+Ay , Casca ; tell us what hath chanc'd to-day ,
+That C sar looks so sad .
+
+Why , you were with him , were you not ?
+
+I should not then ask Casca what had chanc'd .
+
+Why , there was a crown offered him ; and , being offered him , he put it by with the back of his hand , thus ; and then the people fell a-shouting .
+
+What was the second noise for ?
+
+Why , for that too .
+
+They shouted thrice : what was the last cry for ?
+
+Why , for that too .
+
+Was the crown offered him thrice ?
+
+Ay , marry , was 't , and he put it by thrice , everytime gentler than other ; and at every putting-by mine honest neighbours shouted .
+
+Who offered him the crown ?
+
+Why , Antony .
+
+Tell us the manner of it , gentle Casca .
+
+I can as well be hanged as tell the manner of it : it was mere foolery ; I did not mark it . I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown ; yet 'twas not a crown neither , 'twas one of these coronets ; and , as I told you , he put it by once ; but , for all that , to my thinking , he would fain have had it . Then he offered it to him again ; then he put it by again ; but , to my thinking , he was very loath to lay his fingers off it . And then he offered it the third time ; he put it the third time by ; and still as he refused it the rabblement shouted and clapped their chopped hands , and threw up their sweaty night-caps , and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because C sar refused the crown , that it had almost choked C sar ; for he swounded and fell down at it : and for mine own part , I durst not laugh , for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air .
+
+But soft , I pray you : what ! did C sar swound ?
+
+He fell down in the market-place , and foamed at mouth , and was speechless .
+
+'Tis very like : he hath the falling-sickness .
+
+No , C sar hath it not ; but you , and I , And honest Casca , we have the falling-sickness .
+
+I know not what you mean by that ; but I am sure C sar fell down . If the tag-rag people did not clap him and hiss him , according as he pleased and displeased them , as they use to do the players in the theatre , I am no true man .
+
+What said he , when he came unto himself ?
+
+Marry , before he fell down , when he perceiv'd the common herd was glad he refused the crown , he plucked me ope his doublet and offered them his throat to cut . An I had been a man of any occupation , if I would not have taken him at a word , I would I might go to hell among the rogues . And so he fell . When he came to himself again , he said , if he had done or said any thing amiss , he desired their worships to think it was his infirmity . Three or four wenches , where I stood , cried , 'Alas ! good soul ,' and forgave him with all their hearts : but there's no head to be taken of them ; if C sar had stabbed their mothers , they would have done no less .
+
+And after that he came , thus sad , away ?
+
+Ay .
+
+Did Cicero say any thing ?
+
+Ay , he spoke Greek .
+
+To what effect ?
+
+Nay , an I tell you that , I'll ne'er look you i' the face again ; but those that understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads ; but , for mine own part , it was Greek to me . I could tell you more news too ; Marullus and Flavius , for pulling scarfs off C sar's images , are put to silence . Fare you well . There was more foolery yet , if I could remember it .
+
+Will you sup with me to-night , Casca ?
+
+No , I am promised forth .
+
+Will you dine with me to-morrow ?
+
+Ay , if I be alive , and your mind hold , and your dinner worth the eating .
+
+Good ; I will expect you .
+
+Do so . Farewell , both .
+
+
+What a blunt fellow is this grown to be !
+He was quick mettle when he went to school .
+
+So is he now in execution
+Of any bold or noble enterprise ,
+However he puts on this tardy form .
+This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit ,
+Which gives men stomach to digest his words
+With better appetite .
+
+And so it is . For this time I will leave you :
+To-morrow , if you please to speak with me ,
+I will come home to you ; or , if you will ,
+Come home to me , and I will wait for you .
+
+I will do so : till then , think of the world .
+
+Well , Brutus , thou art noble ; yet , I see ,
+Thy honourable metal may be wrought
+From that it is dispos'd : therefore 'tis meet
+That noble minds keep ever with their likes ;
+For who so firm that cannot be seduc'd ?
+C sar doth bear me hard ; but he loves Brutus :
+If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius
+He should not humour me . I will this night ,
+In several hands , in at his windows throw ,
+As if they came from several citizens ,
+Writings all tending to the great opinion
+That Rome holds of his name ; wherein obscurely
+C sar's ambition shall be glanced at :
+And after this let C sar seat him sure ;
+For we will shake him , or worse days endure .
+
+
+Good even , Casca : brought you C sar home ?
+Why are you breathless ? and why stare you so ?
+
+Are not you mov'd , when all the sway of earth
+Shakes like a thing unfirm ? O Cicero !
+I have seen tempests , when the scolding winds
+Have riv'd the knotty oaks ; and I have seen
+The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam ,
+To be exalted with the threat'ning clouds :
+But never till to-night , never till now ,
+Did I go through a tempest dropping fire .
+Either there is a civil strife in heaven ,
+Or else the world , too saucy with the gods ,
+Incenses them to send destruction .
+
+Why , saw you any thing more wonderful ?
+
+A common slave you know him well by sight
+Held up his left hand , which did flame and burn
+Like twenty torches join'd ; and yet his hand ,
+Not sensible of fire , remain'd unscorch'd .
+Besides ,I have not since put up my sword ,
+Against the Capitol I met a hon ,
+Who glar'd upon me , and went surly by ,
+Without annoying me ; and there were drawn
+Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women ,
+Transformed with their fear , who swore they saw
+Men all in fire walk up and down the streets .
+And yesterday the bird of night did sit ,
+Even at noon-day , upon the market-place ,
+Hooting and shrieking . When these prodigies
+Do so conjointly meet , let not men say
+'These are their reasons , they are natural ;'
+For , I believe , they are portentous things
+Unto the climate that they point upon .
+
+Indeed , it is a strange-disposed time :
+But men may construe things after their fashion ,
+Clean from the purpose of the things themselves .
+Comes C sar to the Capitol to-morrow ?
+
+He doth ; for he did bid Antonius
+Send word to you he would be there to-morrow .
+
+Good-night then , Casca : this disturbed sky
+Is not to walk in .
+
+Farewell , Cicero .
+
+Who's there ?
+
+A Roman .
+
+Casca , by your voice .
+
+Your ear is good . Cassius , what night is this !
+
+A very pleasing night to honest men .
+
+Who ever knew the heavens menace so ?
+
+Those that have known the earth so full of faults .
+For my part , I have walk'd about the streets ,
+Submitting me unto the perilous night ,
+And , thus unbraced , Casca , as you see ,
+Have bar'd my bosom to the thunder-stone ;
+And , when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open
+The breast of heaven , I did present myself
+Even in the aim and very flash of it .
+
+But wherefore did you so much tempt the heavens ?
+It is the part of men to fear and tremble
+When the most mighty gods by tokens send
+Such dreadful heralds to astonish us .
+
+You are dull , Casca , and those sparks of life
+That should be in a Roman you do want ,
+Or else you use not . You look pale , and gaze ,
+And put on fear , and cast yourself in wonder ,
+To see the strange impatience of the heavens ;
+But if you would consider the true cause
+Why all these fires , why all these gliding ghosts ,
+Why birds and beasts , from quality and kind ;
+Why old men , fools , and children calculate ;
+Why all these things change from their ordinance ,
+Their natures , and pre-formed faculties ,
+To monstrous quality , why , you shall find
+That heaven hath infus'd them with these spirits
+To make them instruments of fear and warning
+Unto some monstrous state .
+Now could I , Casca , name to thee a man
+Most like this dreadful night ,
+That thunders , lightens , opens graves , and roars
+As doth the lion in the Capitol ,
+A man no mightier than thyself or me
+In personal action , yet prodigious grown
+And fearful as these strange eruptions are .
+
+'Tis C sar that you mean ; is it not , Cassius ?
+
+Let it be who it is : for Romans now
+Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors ;
+But , woe the while ! our fathers' minds are dead ,
+And we are govern'd with our mothers' spirits ;
+Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish .
+
+Indeed , they say the senators to-morrow
+Mean to establish C sar as a king ;
+And he shall wear his crown by sea and land ,
+In every place , save here in Italy .
+
+I know where I will wear this dagger then ;
+Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius :
+Therein , ye gods , you make the weak most strong ;
+Therein , ye gods , you tyrants do defeat :
+Nor stony tower , nor walls of beaten brass ,
+Nor airless dungeon , nor strong links of iron ,
+Can be retentive to the strength of spirit ;
+But life , being weary of those worldly bars ,
+Never lacks power to dismiss itself .
+If I know this , know all the world besides ,
+That part of tyranny that I do bear
+I can shake off at pleasure .
+
+
+So can I :
+So every bondman in his own hand bears
+The power to cancel his captivity .
+
+And why should C sar be a tyrant then ?
+Poor man ! I know he would not be a wolf
+But that he sees the Romans are but sheep ;
+He were no lion were not Romans hinds .
+Those that with haste will make a mighty fire
+Begin it with weak straws ; what trash is Rome ,
+What rubbish , and what offal , when it serves
+For the base matter to illuminate
+So vile a thing as C sar ! But , O grief !
+Where hast thou led me ? I , perhaps , speak this
+Before a willing bondman ; then I know
+My answer must be made : but I am arm'd ,
+And dangers are to me indifferent .
+
+You speak to Casca , and to such a man
+That is no fleering tell-tale . Hold , my hand :
+Be factious for redress of all these griefs ,
+And I will set this foot of mine as far
+As who goes furthest .
+
+There's a bargain made .
+Now know you , Casca , I have mov'd already
+Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans
+To undergo with me an enterprise
+Of honourable-dangerous consequence ;
+And I do know by this they stay for me
+In Pompey's porch : for now , this fearful night ,
+There is no stir , or walking in the streets ;
+And the complexion of the element
+In favour's like the work we have in hand ,
+Most bloody , fiery , and most terrible .
+
+Stand close awhile , for here comes one in haste .
+
+'Tis Cinna ; I do know him by his gait :
+He is a friend .
+
+Cinna , where haste you so ?
+
+To find out you . Who's that ? Metellus Cimber ?
+
+No , it is Casca ; one incorporate
+To our attempts . Am I not stay'd for , Cinna ?
+
+I am glad on 't . What a fearful night is this !
+There's two or three of us have seen strange sights .
+
+Am I not stay'd for ? Tell me .
+
+Yes , you are .
+O Cassius ! if you could
+But win the noble Brutus to our party
+
+Be you content . Good Cinna , take this paper ,
+And look you lay it in the pr tor's chair ,
+Where Brutus may but find it ; and throw this
+In at his window ; set this up with wax
+Upon old Brutus' statue : all this done ,
+Repair to Pompey's porch , where you shall find us .
+Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there ?
+
+All but Metellus Cimber ; and he's gone
+To seek you at your house . Well , I will hie ,
+And so bestow these papers as you bade me .
+
+That done , repair to Pompey's theatre .
+
+Come , Casca , you and I will yet ere day
+See Brutus at his house : three parts of him
+Is ours already , and the man entire
+Upon the next encounter yields him ours .
+
+O ! he sits high in all the people's hearts :
+And that which would appear offence in us ,
+His countenance , like richest alchemy ,
+Will change to virtue and to worthiness .
+
+Him and his worth and our great need of him
+You have right well conceited . Let us go ,
+For it is after midnight ; and ere day
+We will awake him and be sure of him .
+
+What , Lucius ! ho !
+I cannot , by the progress of the stars ,
+Give guess how near to day . Lucius , I say !
+I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly .
+When , Lucius , when ! Awake , I say ! what , Lucius !
+
+
+Call'd you , my lord ?
+
+Get me a taper in my study , Lucius :
+When it is lighted , come and call me here .
+
+I will , my lord .
+
+
+It must be by his death : and , for my part ,
+I know no personal cause to spurn at him ,
+But for the general . He would be crown'd :
+How that might change his nature , there's the question :
+It is the bright day that brings forth the adder ;
+And that craves wary walking . Crown him ?that !
+And then , I grant , we put a sting in him ,
+That at his will he may do danger with .
+The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins
+Remorse from power ; and , to speak truth of C sar ,
+I have not known when his affections sway'd
+More than his reason . But 'tis a common proof ,
+That lowliness is young ambition's ladder ,
+Whereto the climber-upward turns his face ;
+But when he once attains the upmost round ,
+He then unto the ladder turns his back ,
+Looks in the clouds , scorning the base degrees
+By which he did ascend . So C sar may :
+Then , lest he may , prevent . And , since the quarrel
+Will bear no colour for the thing he is ,
+Fashion it thus ; that what he is , augmented ,
+Would run to these and these extremities ;
+And therefore think him as a serpent's egg
+Which , hatch'd , would , as his kind , grow mischievous ,
+And kill him in the shell .
+
+
+The taper burneth in your closet , sir .
+Searching the window for a flint , I found
+This paper , thus seal'd up ; and I am sure
+It did not lie there when I went to bed .
+
+Get you to bed again ; it is not day .
+Is not to-morrow , boy , the ides of March ?
+
+I know not , sir .
+
+Look in the calendar , and bring me word .
+
+I will , sir .
+
+
+The exhalations whizzing in the air
+Give so much light that I may read by them .
+
+Brutus , thou sleep'st : awake and see thyself .
+Shall Rome , &c . Speak , strike , redress !
+Brutus , thou sleep'st : awake !
+Such instigations have been often dropp'd
+Where I have took them up .
+'Shall Rome , &c .' Thus must I piece it out :
+Shall Rome stand under one man's awe ? What , Rome ?
+My ancestors did from the streets of Rome
+The Tarquin drive , when he was call'd a king .
+'Speak , strike , redress !' Am I entreated
+To speak , and strike ? O Rome ! I make thee promise ;
+If the redress will follow , thou receiv'st
+Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus !
+
+
+Sir , March is wasted fourteen days .
+
+
+'Tis good . Go to the gate : somebody knocks .
+
+Since Cassius first did whet me against C sar ,
+I have not slept .
+Between the acting of a dreadful thing
+And the first motion , all the interim is
+Like a phantasma , or a hideous dream :
+The genius and the mortal instruments
+Are then in council ; and the state of man ,
+Like to a little kingdom , suffers then
+The nature of an insurrection .
+
+
+Sir , 'tis your brother Cassius at the door ,
+Who doth desire to see you .
+
+Is he alone ?
+
+No , sir , there are more with him .
+
+Do you know them ?
+
+No , sir ; their hats are pluck'd about their ears ,
+And half their faces buried in their cloaks ,
+That by no means I may discover them
+By any mark of favour .
+
+Let 'em enter .
+
+They are the faction . O conspiracy !
+Sham'st thou to show thy dangerous brow by night ,
+When evils are most free ? O ! then by day
+Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough
+To mask thy monstrous visage ? Seek none , conspiracy ;
+Hide it in smiles and affability :
+For if thou path , thy native semblance on ,
+Not Erebus itself were dim enough
+To hide thee from prevention .
+
+
+I think we are too bold upon your rest :
+Good morrow , Brutus ; do we trouble you ?
+
+I have been up this hour , awake all night .
+Know I these men that come along with you ?
+
+Yes , every man of them ; and no man here
+But honours you ; and every one doth wish
+You had but that opinion of yourself
+Which every noble Roman bears of you .
+This is Trebonius .
+
+He is welcome hither .
+
+This , Decius Brutus .
+
+He is welcome too .
+
+This , Casca ; this , Cinna ;
+And this , Metellus Cimber .
+
+They are all welcome .
+What watchful cares do interpose themselves
+Betwixt your eyes and night ?
+
+Shall I entreat a word ?
+
+
+Here lies the east : doth not the day break here ?
+
+No .
+
+O ! pardon , sir , it doth ; and yon grey lines
+That fret the clouds are messengers of day .
+
+You shall confess that you are both deceiv'd .
+Here , as I point my sword , the sun arises ;
+Which is a great way growing on the south ,
+Weighing the youthful season of the year .
+Some two months hence up higher toward the north
+He first presents his fire ; and the high east
+Stands , as the Capitol , directly here .
+
+Give me your hands all over , one by one .
+
+And let us swear our resolution .
+
+No , not an oath : if not the face of men ,
+The sufferance of our souls , the time's abuse ,
+If these be motives weak , break off betimes ,
+And every man hence to his idle bed ;
+So let high-sighted tyranny range on ,
+Till each man-drop by lottery . But if these ,
+As I am sure they do , bear fire enough
+To kindle cowards and to steel with valour
+The melting spirits of women , then , countrymen ,
+What need we any spur but our own cause
+To prick us to redress ? what other bond
+Than secret Romans , that have spoke the word
+And will not palter ? and what other oath
+Than honesty to honesty engag'd ,
+That this shall be , or we will fall for it ?
+Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous ,
+Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls
+That welcome wrongs ; unto bad causes swear
+Such creatures as men doubt ; but do not stain
+The even virtue of our enterprise ,
+Nor th' insuppressive mettle of our spirits ,
+To think that or our cause or our performance
+Did need an oath ; when every drop of blood
+That every Roman bears , and nobly bears ,
+Is guilty of a several bastardy ,
+If he do break the smallest particle
+Of any promise that hath pass'd from him .
+
+But what of Cicero ? Shall we sound him ?
+I think he will stand very strong with us .
+
+Let us not leave him out .
+
+No , by no means .
+
+O ! let us have him ; for his silver hairs
+Will purchase us a good opinion
+And buy men's voices to commend our deeds :
+It shall be said his judgment rul'd our hands ;
+Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear ,
+But all be buried in his gravity .
+
+O ! name him not : let us not break with him ;
+For he will never follow any thing
+That other men begin .
+
+Then leave him out .
+
+Indeed he is not fit .
+
+Shall no man else be touch'd but only C sar ?
+
+Decius , well urg'd . I think it is not meet ,
+Mark Antony , so well belov'd of C sar ,
+Should outlive C sar : we shall find of him
+A shrewd contriver ; and , you know , his means ,
+If he improve them , may well stretch so far
+As to annoy us all ; which to prevent ,
+Let Antony and C sar fall together .
+
+Our course will seem too bloody , Caius Cassius ,
+To cut the head off and then hack the limbs ,
+Like wrath in death and envy afterwards ;
+For Antony is but a limb of C sar .
+Let us be sacrificers , but not butchers , Caius .
+We all stand up against the spirit of C sar ;
+And in the spirit of men there is no blood :
+O ! then that we could come by C sar's spirit ,
+And not dismember C sar . But , alas !
+C sar must bleed for it . And , gentle friends ,
+Let's kill him boldly , but not wrathfully ;
+Let's carve him as a dish fit for the gods ,
+Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds :
+And let our hearts , as subtle masters do ,
+Stir up their servants to an act of rage ,
+And after seem to chide 'em . This shall make
+Our purpose necessary and not envious ;
+Which so appearing to the common eyes ,
+We shall be call'd purgers , not murderers .
+And , for Mark Antony , think not of him ;
+For he can do no more than C sar's arm
+When C sar's head is off .
+
+Yet I fear him ;
+For in the engrafted love he bears to C sar
+
+Alas ! good Cassius , do not think of him :
+If he love C sar , all that he can do
+Is to himself , take thought and die for C sar :
+And that were much he should ; for he is given
+To sports , to wildness , and much company .
+
+There is no fear in him ; let him not die :
+For he will live , and laugh at this hereafter .
+
+
+Peace ! count the clock .
+
+The clock hath stricken three .
+
+'Tis time to part .
+
+But it is doubtful yet
+Whether C sar will come forth to-day or no ;
+For he is superstitious grown of late ,
+Quite from the main opinion he held once
+Of fantasy , of dreams , and ceremonies .
+It may be , these apparent prodigies ,
+The unaccustom'd terror of this night ,
+And the persuasion of his augurers ,
+May hold him from the Capitol to-day .
+
+Never fear that : if he be so resolv'd ,
+I can o'ersway him ; for he loves to hear
+That unicorns may be betray'd with trees ,
+And bears with glasses , elephants with holes ,
+Lions with toils , and men with flatterers ;
+But when I tell him he hates flatterers ,
+He says he does , being then most flattered .
+Let me work ;
+For I can give his humour the true bent ,
+And I will bring him to the Capitol .
+
+Nay , we will all of us be there to fetch him .
+
+By the eighth hour : is that the uttermost ?
+
+Be that the uttermost , and fail not then .
+
+Caius Ligarius doth bear C sar hard ,
+Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey :
+I wonder none of you have thought of him .
+
+Now , good Metellus , go along by him :
+He loves me well , and I have given him reasons ;
+Send him but hither , and I'll fashion him .
+
+The morning comes upon 's : we'll leave you , Brutus .
+And , friends , disperse yourselves ; but all remember
+What you have said , and show yourselves true Romans .
+
+Good gentlemen , look fresh and merrily ;
+Let not our looks put on our purposes ,
+But bear it as our Roman actors do ,
+With untir'd spirits and formal constancy :
+And so good morrow to you every one .
+
+Boy ! Lucius ! Fast asleep ? It is no matter ;
+Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber :
+Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies
+Which busy care draws in the brains of men ;
+Therefore thou sleep'st so sound .
+
+
+Brutus , my lord !
+
+Portia , what mean you ? Wherefore rise you now ?
+It is not for your health thus to commit
+Your weak condition to the raw cold morning .
+
+Nor for yours neither . You've ungently , Brutus ,
+Stole from my bed ; and yesternight at supper
+You suddenly arose , and walk'd about ,
+Musing and sighing , with your arms across ,
+And when I ask'd you what the matter was ,
+You star'd upon me with ungentle looks .
+I urg'd you further ; then you scratch'd your head ,
+And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot ;
+Yet I insisted , yet you answer'd not ,
+But , with an angry wafture of your hand .
+Gave sign for me to leave you . So I did ,
+Fearing to strengthen that impatience
+Which seem'd too much enkindled , and withal
+Hoping it was but an effect of humour ,
+Which sometime hath his hour with every man .
+It will not let you eat , nor talk , nor sleep ,
+And could it work so much upon your shape
+As it hath much prevail'd on your condition ,
+I should not know you , Brutus . Dear my lord ,
+Make me acquainted with your cause of grief .
+
+I am not well in health , and that is all .
+
+Brutus is wise , and were he not in health ,
+He would embrace the means to come by it .
+
+Why , so I do . Good Portia , go to bed .
+
+Is Brutus sick , and is it physical
+To walk unbraced and suck up the humours
+Of the dank morning ? What ! is Brutus sick ,
+And will he steal out of his wholesome bed
+To dare the vile contagion of the night ,
+And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air
+To add unto his sickness ? No , my Brutus ;
+You have some sick offence within your mind ,
+Which , by the right and virtue of my place ,
+I ought to know of ; and , upon my knees ,
+I charm you , by my once-commended beauty ,
+By all your vows of love , and that great vow
+Which did incorporate and make us one ,
+That you unfold to me , your self , your half ,
+Why are you heavy , and what men to-night
+Have had resort to you ; for here have been
+Some six or seven , who did hide their faces
+Even from darkness .
+
+Kneel not , gentle Portia .
+
+I should not need , if you were gentle Brutus .
+Within the bond of marriage , tell me , Brutus ,
+Is it excepted , I should know no secrets
+That appertain to you ? Am I yourself
+But , as it were , in sort of limitation ,
+To keep with you at meals , comfort your bed ,
+And talk to you sometimes ? Dwell I but in the suburbs
+Of your good pleasure ? If it be no more ,
+Portia is Brutus' harlot , not his wife .
+
+You are my true and honourable wife ,
+As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
+That visit my sad heart .
+
+If this were true then should I know this secret .
+I grant I am a woman , but , withal ,
+A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife ;
+I grant I am a woman , but , withal ,
+A woman well-reputed , Cato's daughter .
+Think you I am no stronger than my sex ,
+Being so father'd and so husbanded ?
+Tell me your counsels , I will not disclose 'em .
+I have made strong proof of my constancy ,
+Giving myself a voluntary wound
+Here , in the thigh : can I bear that with patience
+And not my husband's secrets ?
+
+O ye gods !
+Render me worthy of this noble wife .
+
+Hark , hark ! one knocks . Portia , go in awhile ;
+And by and by thy bosom shall partake
+The secrets of my heart .
+All my engagements I will construe to thee ,
+All the charactery of my sad brows .
+Leave me with haste .
+
+Lucius , who's that knocks ?
+
+
+Here is a sick man that would speak with you .
+
+Caius Ligarius , that Metellus spoke of .
+Boy , stand aside . Caius Ligarius ! how ?
+
+Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue .
+
+O ! what a time have you chose out , brave Caius ,
+To wear a kerchief . Would you were not sick .
+
+I am not sick if Brutus have in hand
+Any exploit worthy the name of honour .
+
+Such an exploit have I in hand , Ligarius ,
+Had you a healthful ear to hear of it .
+
+By all the gods that Romans bow before
+I here discard my sickness . Soul of Rome !
+Brave son , deriv'd from honourable loins !
+Thou , like an exorcist , hast conjur'd up
+My mortified spirit . Now bid me run ,
+And I will strive with things impossible ;
+Yea , get the better of them . What's to do ?
+
+A piece of work that will make sick men whole .
+
+But are not some whole that we must make sick ?
+
+That must we also . What it is , my Caius ,
+I shall unfold to thee as we are going
+To whom it must be done .
+
+Set on your foot ,
+And with a heart new-fir'd I follow you ,
+To do I know not what ; but it sufficeth
+That Brutus leads me on .
+
+Follow me then .
+
+
+Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to-night :
+Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out ,
+'Help , ho ! They murder C sar !' Who's within ?
+
+
+My lord !
+
+Go bid the priests do present sacrifice ,
+And bring me their opinions of success .
+
+I will , my lord .
+
+What mean you , C sar ? Think you to walk forth ?
+You shall not stir out of your house to-day .
+
+C sar shall forth : the things that threaten'd me
+Ne'er look'd but on my back ; when they shall see
+The face of C sar , they are vanished .
+
+C sar , I never stood on ceremonies ,
+Yet now they fright me . There is one within ,
+Besides the things that we have heard and seen ,
+Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch .
+A lioness hath whelped in the streets ;
+And graves have yawn'd and yielded up their dead ;
+Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds ,
+In ranks and squadrons and right form of war ,
+Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol ;
+The noise of battle hurtled in the air ,
+Horses did neigh , and dying men did groan ,
+And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets .
+O C sar ! these things are beyond all use ,
+And I do fear them .
+
+What can be avoided
+Whose end is purpos'd by the mighty gods ?
+Yet C sar shall go forth ; for these predictions
+Are to the world in general as to C sar .
+
+When beggars die there are no comets seen ;
+The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes .
+
+Cowards die many times before their deaths ;
+The valiant never taste of death but once .
+Of all the wonders that I yet have heard ,
+It seems to me most strange that men should fear ;
+Seeing that death , a necessary end ,
+Will come when it will come .
+
+What say the augurers ?
+
+They would not have you to stir forth to-day .
+Plucking the entrails of an offering forth ,
+They could not find a heart within the beast .
+
+The gods do this in shame of cowardice :
+C sar should be a beast without a heart
+If he should stay at home to-day for fear .
+No , C sar shall not ; danger knows full well
+That C sar is more dangerous than he :
+We are two lions litter'd in one day ,
+And I the elder and more terrible :
+And C sar shall go forth .
+
+Alas ! my lord ,
+Your wisdom is consum'd in confidence .
+Do not go forth to-day : call it my fear
+That keeps you in the house , and not your own .
+We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house ,
+And he shall say you are not well to-day :
+Let me , upon my knee , prevail in this .
+
+Mark Antony shall say I am not well ;
+And , for thy humour , I will stay at home .
+
+Here's Decius Brutus , he shall tell them so .
+
+C sar , all hail ! Good morrow , worthy C sar :
+I come to fetch you to the senate-house .
+
+And you are come in very happy time
+To bear my greeting to the senators ,
+And tell them that I will not come to-day :
+Cannot , is false , and that I dare not , falser ;
+I will not come to-day : tell them so , Decius .
+
+Say he is sick .
+
+Shall C sar send a lie ?
+Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far
+To be afeard to tell greybeards the truth ?
+Decius , go tell them C sar will not come .
+
+Most mighty C sar , let me know some cause ,
+Lest I be laugh'd at when I tell them so .
+
+The cause is in my will : I will not come ;
+That is enough to satisfy the senate :
+But for your private satisfaction ,
+Because I love you , I will let you know :
+Calphurnia here , my wife , stays me at home :
+She dreamt to-night she saw my statua ,
+Which , like a fountain with a hundred spouts ,
+Did run pure blood ; and many lusty Romans
+Came smiling , and did bathe their hands in it :
+And these does she apply for warnings and portents ,
+And evils imminent ; and on her knee
+Hath begg'd that I will stay at home to-day .
+
+This dream is all amiss interpreted ;
+It was a vision fair and fortunate :
+Your statue spouting blood in many pipes ,
+In which so many smiling Romans bath'd ,
+Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
+Reviving blood , and that great men shall press
+For tinctures , stains , relics , and cognizance .
+This by Calphurnia's dream is signified .
+
+And this way have you well expounded it .
+
+I have , when you have heard what I can say :
+And know it now : the senate have concluded
+To give this day a crown to mighty C sar .
+If you shall send them word you will not come ,
+Their minds may change . Besides , it were a mock
+Apt to be render'd , for some one to say
+'Break up the senate till another time ,
+When C sar's wife shall meet with better dreams .'
+If C sar hide himself , shall they not whisper
+'Lo ! C sar is afraid ?'
+Pardon me , C sar ; for my dear dear love
+To your proceeding bids me tell you this ,
+And reason to my love is liable .
+
+How foolish do your fears seem now , Calphurnia !
+I am ashamed I did yield to them .
+Give me my robe , for I will go :
+
+And look where Publius is come to fetch me .
+
+Good morrow , C sar .
+
+Welcome , Publius .
+What ! Brutus , are you stirr'd so early too ?
+Good morrow , Casca . Caius Ligarius ,
+C sar was ne'er so much your enemy
+As that same ague which hath made you lean .
+What is't o'clock ?
+
+C sar , 'tis strucken eight .
+
+I thank you for your pains and courtesy .
+
+
+See ! Antony , that revels long o' nights ,
+
+Is notwithstanding up . Good morrow , Antony .
+
+So to most noble C sar .
+
+Bid them prepare within :
+I am to blame to be thus waited for .
+Now , Cinna ; now , Metellus ; what , Trebonius !
+I have an hour's talk in store for you ;
+Remember that you call on me to-day :
+Be near me , that I may remember you .
+
+C sar , I will :
+
+and so near will I be ,
+That your best friends shall wish I had been further .
+
+Good friends , go in , and taste some wine with me ;
+And we , like friends , will straightway go together .
+
+That every like is not the same , O C sar !
+The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon .
+
+
+C sar , beware of Brutus ; take heed of Cassius ; come not near Casca ; have an eye to Cinna ; trust not Trebonius ; mark well Metellus Cimber ; Decius Brutus loves thee not ; thou hast wronged Caius Ligarius . There is but one mind in all these men , and it is bent against C sar . If thou be'st not immortal , look about you : security gives way to conspiracy . The mighty gods defend thee ! Thy lover ,
+Here will I stand till C sar pass along ,
+And as a suitor will I give him this .
+My heart laments that virtue cannot live
+Out of the teeth of emulation .
+If thou read this , O C sar ! thou mayst live ;
+If not , the Fates with traitors do contrive .
+
+
+I prithee , boy , run to the senate-house ;
+Stay not to answer me , but get thee gone .
+Why dost thou stay ?
+
+To know my errand , madam .
+
+I would have had thee there , and here again ,
+Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there .
+O constancy ! be strong upon my side ;
+Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue ;
+I have a man's mind , but a woman's might .
+How hard it is for women to keep counsel !
+Art thou here yet ?
+
+Madam , what shall I do ?
+Run to the Capitol , and nothing else ?
+And so return to you , and nothing else ?
+
+Yes , bring me word , boy , if thy lord look well ,
+For he went sickly forth ; and take good note
+What C sar doth , what suitors press to him .
+Hark , boy ! what noise is that ?
+
+I hear none , madam .
+
+Prithee , listen well :
+I heard a bustling rumour , like a fray ,
+And the wind brings it from the Capitol .
+
+Sooth , madam , I hear nothing .
+
+
+Come hither , fellow : which way hast thou been ?
+
+At mine own house , good lady .
+
+What is 't o'clock ?
+
+About the ninth hour , lady .
+
+Is C sar yet gone to the Capitol ?
+
+Madam , not yet : I go to take my stand ,
+To see him pass on to the Capitol .
+
+Thou hast some suit to C sar , hast thou not ?
+
+That I have , lady : if it will please C sar
+To be so good to C sar as to hear me ,
+I shall beseech him to befriend himself .
+
+Why , know'st thou any harm's intended towards him ?
+
+None that I know will be , much that I fear may chance .
+Good morrow to you . Here the street is narrow :
+The throng that follows C sar at the heels ,
+Of senators , of pr tors , common suitors ,
+Will crowd a feeble man almost to death :
+I'll get me to a place more void , and there
+Speak to great C sar as he comes along .
+
+
+I must go in . Ay me ! how weak a thing
+The heart of woman is . O Brutus !
+The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise .
+Sure , the boy heard me : Brutus hath a suit
+That C sar will not grant . O ! I grow faint .
+Run , Lucius , and commend me to my lord ;
+Say I am merry : come to me again ,
+And bring me word what he doth say to thee .
+
+The idea of March are come .
+
+Ay , C sar ; but not gone .
+
+Hail , C sar ! Read this schedule .
+
+Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read ,
+At your best leisure , this his humble suit .
+
+O C sar ! read mine first ; for mine's a suit
+That touches C sar nearer . Read it , great C sar .
+
+What touches us ourself shall be last serv'd
+
+Delay not , C sar ; read it instantly .
+
+What ! is the fellow mad ?
+
+Sirrah , give place .
+
+What ! urge you your petitions in the street ?
+Come to the Capitol .
+
+
+I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive .
+
+What enterprise , Popilius ?
+
+Fare you well .
+
+
+What said Popilius Lena ?
+
+He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive .
+I fear our purpose is discovered .
+
+Look , how he makes to C sar : mark him .
+
+Casca , be sudden , for we fear prevention .
+Brutus , what shall be done ? If this be known ,
+Cassius or C sar never shall turn back ,
+For I will slay myself .
+
+Cassius , be constant :
+Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes ;
+For , look , he smiles , and C sar doth not change .
+
+Trebonius knows his time ; for , look you , Brutus ,
+He draws Mark Antony out of the way .
+
+
+Where is Metellus Cimber ? Let him go ,
+And presently prefer his suit to C sar .
+
+He is address'd ; press near and second him .
+
+Casca , you are the first that rears your hand .
+
+Are we all ready ? What is now amiss ,
+That C sar and his senate must redress ?
+
+Most high , most mighty , and most puissant C sar ,
+Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
+A humble heart ,
+
+
+I must prevent thee , Cimber .
+These couchings and these lowly courtesies ,
+Might fire the blood of ordinary men ,
+And turn pre-ordinance and first decree
+Into the law of children . Be not fond ,
+To think that C sar bears such rebel blood
+That will be thaw'd from the true quality
+With that which melteth fools ; I mean sweet words ,
+Low-crooked curtsies , and base spaniel fawning .
+Thy brother by decree is banished :
+If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him ,
+I spurn thee like a cur out of my way .
+Know , C sar doth not wrong , nor without cause
+Will he be satisfied .
+
+Is there no voice more worthy than my own ,
+To sound more sweetly in great C sar's ear
+For the repealing of my banish'd brother ?
+
+I kiss thy hand , but not in flattery , C sar ;
+Desiring thee , that Publius Cimber may
+Have an immediate freedom of repeal .
+
+What , Brutus !
+
+Pardon , C sar ; C sar , pardon :
+As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall ,
+To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber .
+
+I could be well mov'd if I were as you ;
+If I could pray to move , prayers would move me ;
+But I am constant as the northern star ,
+Of whose true-fix'd and resting quality
+There is no fellow in the firmament .
+The skies are painted with unnumber'd sparks ,
+They are all fire and every one doth shine ,
+But there's but one in all doth hold his place :
+So , in the world ; 'tis furnish'd well with men ,
+And men are flesh and blood , and apprehensive ;
+Yet in the number I do know but one
+That unassailable holds on his rank ,
+Unshak'd of motion : and that I am he ,
+Let me a little show it , even in this ,
+That I was constant Cimber should be banish'd ,
+And constant do remain to keep him so .
+
+O C sar ,
+
+Hence ! Wilt thou lift up Olympus !
+
+Great C sar ,
+
+Doth not Brutus bootless kneel ?
+
+Speak , hands , for me !
+
+
+Et tu , Brute ? Then fall , C sar !
+
+
+Liberty ! Freedom ! Tyranny is dead !
+Run hence , proclaim , cry it about the streets .
+
+Some to the common pulpits , and cry out ,
+'Liberty , freedom , and enfranchisement !'
+
+People and senators be not affrighted ;
+Fly not ; stand still ; ambition's debt is paid .
+
+Go to the pulpit , Brutus .
+
+And Cassius too .
+
+Where's Publius ?
+
+Here , quite confounded with this mutiny .
+
+Stand fast together , lest some friend of C sar's
+Should chance
+
+Talk not of standing . Publius , good cheer ;
+There is no harm intended to your person ,
+Nor to no Roman else ; so tell them , Publius .
+
+And leave us , Publius ; lest that the people ,
+Rushing on us , should do your age some mischief .
+
+Do so ; and let no man abide this deed
+But we the doers .
+
+
+Where's Antony ?
+
+Fled to his house amaz'd .
+Men , wives and children stare , cry out and run
+As it were doomsday .
+
+Fates , we will know your pleasures .
+That we shall die , we know ; 'tis but the time
+And drawing days out , that men stand upon .
+
+Why , he that cuts off twenty years of life
+Cuts off so many years of fearing death .
+
+Grant that , and then is death a benefit :
+So are we C sar's friends , that have abridg'd
+His time of fearing death . Stoop , Romans , stoop ,
+And let us bathe our hands in C sar's blood
+Up to the elbows , and besmear our swords :
+Then walk we forth , even to the market-place ;
+And waving our red weapons o'er our heads ,
+Let's all cry , 'Peace , freedom , and liberty !'
+
+Stoop , then , and wash . How many ages hence
+Shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er ,
+In states unborn and accents yet unknown !
+
+How many times shall C sar bleed in sport ,
+That now on Pompey's basis lies along
+No worthier than the dust !
+
+So oft as that shall be ,
+So often shall the knot of us be call'd
+The men that gave their country liberty .
+
+What ! shall we forth ?
+
+Ay , every man away :
+Brutus shall lead ; and we will grace his heels
+With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome .
+
+
+Soft ! who comes here ? A friend of Antony's .
+
+Thus , Brutus , did my master bid me kneel ;
+Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down ;
+And , being prostrate , thus he bade me say :
+Brutus is noble , wise , valiant , and honest ;
+C sar was mighty , bold , royal , and loving :
+Say I love Brutus , and I honour him ;
+Say I fear'd C sar , honour'd him , and lov'd him .
+If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
+May safely come to him , and be resolv'd
+How C sar hath deserv'd to lie in death ,
+Mark Antony shall not love C sar dead
+So well as Brutus living ; but will follow
+The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
+Thorough the hazards of this untrod state
+With all true faith . So says my master Antony .
+
+Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman ;
+I never thought him worse .
+Tell him , so please him come unto this place ,
+He shall be satisfied ; and , by my honour ,
+Depart untouch'd .
+
+I'll fetch him presently .
+
+
+I know that we shall have him well to friend .
+
+I wish we may : but yet have I a mind
+That fears him much ; and my misgiving still
+Falls shrewdly to the purpose .
+
+
+But here comes Antony . Welcome , Mark Antony .
+
+O mighty C sar ! dost thou lie so low ?
+Are all thy conquests , glories , triumphs , spoils ,
+Shrunk to this little measure ? Fare thee well .
+I know not , gentlemen , what you intend ,
+Who else must be let blood , who else is rank :
+If I myself , there is no hour so fit
+As C sar's death's hour , nor no instrument
+Of half that worth as those your swords , made rich
+With the most noble blood of all this world .
+I do beseech ye , if ye bear me hard ,
+Now , whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke ,
+Fulfil your pleasure . Live a thousand years ,
+I shall not find myself so apt to die :
+No place will please me so , no mean of death ,
+As here by C sar , and by you cut off ,
+The choice and master spirits of this age .
+
+O Antony ! beg not your death of us .
+Though now we must appear bloody and cruel ,
+As , by our hands and this our present act ,
+You see we do , yet see you but our hands
+And this the bleeding business they have done :
+Our hearts you see not ; they are pitiful ;
+And pity to the general wrong of Rome
+As fire drives out fire , so pity pity
+Hath done this deed on C sar . For your part ,
+To you our swords have leaden points , Mark Antony ;
+Our arms , in strength of malice , and our hearts
+Of brothers' temper , do receive you in
+With all kind love , good thoughts , and reverence .
+
+Your voice shall be as strong as any man's
+In the disposing of new dignities .
+
+Only be patient till we have appeas'd
+The multitude , beside themselves with fear ,
+And then we will deliver you the cause
+Why I , that did love C sar when I struck him ,
+Have thus proceeded .
+
+I doubt not of your wisdom .
+Let each man render me his bloody hand :
+First , Marcus Brutus , will I shake with you ;
+Next , Caius Cassius , do I take your hand ;
+Now , Decius Brutus , yours ; now yours , Metellus ;
+Yours , Cinna ; and , my valiant Casca , yours ;
+Though last , not least in love , yours , good Trebonius .
+Gentlemen all ,alas ! what shall I say ?
+My credit now stands on such slippery ground ,
+That one of two bad ways you must conceit me ,
+Either a coward or a flatterer .
+That I did love thee , C sar , O ! 'tis true :
+If then thy spirit look upon us now ,
+Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death ,
+To see thy Antony making his peace ,
+Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes ,
+Most noble ! in the presence of thy corse ?
+Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds ,
+Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood ,
+It would become me better than to close
+In terms of friendship with thine enemies .
+Pardon me , Julius ! Here wast thou bay'd , brave hart ;
+Here didst thou fall ; and here thy hunters stand ,
+Sign'd in thy spoil , and crimson'd in thy leth
+O world ! thou wast the forest to this hart ;
+And this , indeed , O world ! the heart of thee .
+How like a deer , strucken by many princes ,
+Dost thou here lie !
+
+Mark Antony ,
+
+Pardon me , Caius Cassius :
+The enemies of C sar shall say this ;
+Then , in a friend , it is cold modesty .
+
+I blame you not for praising C sar so ;
+But what compact mean you to have with us ?
+Will you be prick'd in number of our friends ,
+Or shall we on , and not depend on you ?
+
+Therefore I took your hands , but was indeed
+Sway'd from the point by looking down on C sar .
+Friends am I with you all , and love you all ,
+Upon this hope , that you shall give me reasons
+Why and wherein C sar was dangerous .
+
+Or else were this a savage spectacle .
+Our reasons are so full of good regard
+That were you , Antony , the son of C sar ,
+You should be satisfied .
+
+That's all I seek :
+And am moreover suitor that I may
+Produce his body to the market place ;
+And in the pulpit , as becomes a friend ,
+Speak in the order of his funeral .
+
+You shall , Mark Antony .
+
+Brutus , a word with you .
+
+
+You know not what you do ; do not consent
+That Antony speak in his funeral :
+Know you how much the people may be mov'd
+By that which he will utter ?
+
+By your pardon ;
+I will myself into the pulpit first ,
+And show the reason of our C sar's death :
+What Antony shall speak , I will protest
+He speaks by leave and by permission ,
+And that we are contented C sar shall
+Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies .
+It shall advantage more than do us wrong .
+
+I know not what may fall ; I like it not .
+
+Mark Antony , here , take you C sar's body .
+You shall not in your funeral speech blame us ,
+But speak all good you can devise of C sar ,
+And say you do 't by our permission ;
+Else shall you not have any hand at all
+About his funeral ; and you shall speak
+In the same pulpit whereto I am going ,
+After my speech is ended .
+
+Be it so ;
+I do desire no more .
+
+Prepare the body then , and follow us .
+
+
+O ! pardon me , thou bleeding piece of earth ,
+That I am meek and gentle with these butchers ;
+Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
+That ever lived in the tide of times .
+Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood !
+Over thy wounds now do I prophesy ,
+Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips ,
+To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue ,
+A curse shall light upon the limbs of men ;
+Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
+Shall cumber all the parts of Italy ;
+Blood and destruction shall be so in use ,
+And dreadful objects so familiar ,
+That mothers shall but smile when they behold
+Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war ;
+All pity chok'd with custom of fell deeds :
+And C sar's spirit , ranging for revenge ,
+With Ate by his side come hot from hell ,
+Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
+Cry 'Havoc !' and let slip the dogs of war ;
+That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
+With carrion men , groaning for burial .
+
+You serve Octavius C sar , do you not ?
+
+I do , Mark Antony .
+
+C sar did write for him to come to Rome .
+
+He did receive his letters , and is coming ;
+And bid me say to you by word of mouth
+
+O C sar !
+
+Thy heart is big , get thee apart and weep .
+Passion , I see , is catching ; for mine eyes ,
+Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine ,
+Began to water . Is thy master coming ?
+
+He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome .
+
+Post back with speed , and tell him what hath chanc'd :
+Hare is a mourning Rome , a dangerous Rome ,
+No Rome of safety for Octavius yet ;
+Hie hence and tell him so . Yet , stay awhile ;
+Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corpse
+Into the market-place ; there shall I try ,
+In my oration , how the people take
+The cruel issue of these bloody men ;
+According to the which thou shalt discourse
+To young Octavius of the state of things .
+Lead me your hand .
+
+
+We will be satisfied : let us be satisfied .
+
+Then follow me , and give me audience , friends .
+Cassius , go you into the other street ,
+And part the numbers .
+Those that will hear me speak , let 'em stay here ;
+Those that will follow Cassius , go with him ;
+And public reasons shall be rendered
+Of C sar's death .
+
+I will hear Brutus speak .
+
+I will hear Cassius ; and compare their reasons ,
+When severally we hear them rendered .
+
+
+The noble Brutus is ascended : silence !
+
+Be patient till the last .
+Romans , countrymen , and lovers ! hear me for my cause ; and be silent , that you may hear : believe me for mine honour , and have respect to mine honour , that you may believe : censure me in your wisdom , and awake your senses , that you may the better judge . If there be any in this assembly , any dear friend of C sar's , to him I say , that Brutus' love to C sar was no less than his . If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against C sar , this is my answer : Not that I loved C sar less , but that I loved Rome more . Had you rather C sar were living , and die all slaves , than that C sar were dead , to live all free men ? As C sar loved me , I weep for him ; as he was fortunate , I rejoice at it ; as he was valiant , I honour him ; but , as he was ambitious , I slew him . There is tears for his love ; joy for his fortune ; honour for his valour ; and death for his ambition . Who is here so base that would be a bondman ? If any , speak ; for him have I offended . Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman ? If any , speak ; for him have I offended . Who is here so vile that will not love his country ? If any , speak ; for him have I offended . I pause for a reply .
+
+None , Brutus , none .
+
+Then none have I offended . I have done no more to C sar , than you shall do to Brutus . The question of his death is enrolled in the Capitol ; his glory not extenuated , wherein he was worthy , nor his offences enforced , for which he suffered death .
+
+Here comes his body , mourned by Mark Antony : who , though he had no hand in his death , shall receive the benefit of his dying , a place in the commonwealth ; as which of you shall not ? With this I depart : that , as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome , I have the same dagger for myself , when it shall please my country to need my death .
+
+Live , Brutus ! live ! live !
+
+Bring him with triumph home unto his house .
+
+Give him a statue with his ancestors .
+
+Let him be C sar .
+
+C sar's better parts
+Shall be crown'd in Brutus .
+
+We'll bring him to his house with shouts and clamours .
+
+My countrymen ,
+
+Peace ! silence ! Brutus speaks .
+
+Peace , ho !
+
+Good countrymen , let me depart alone ,
+And , for my sake , stay here with Antony .
+Do grace to C sar's corpse , and grace his speech
+Tending to C sar's glories , which Mark Antony ,
+By our permission , is allow'd to make .
+I do entreat you , not a man depart ,
+Save I alone , till Antony have spoke .
+
+
+Stay , ho ! and let us hear Mark Antony .
+
+Let him go up into the public chair ;
+We'll hear him . Noble Antony , go up .
+
+For Brutus' sake , I am beholding to you .
+
+
+What does he say of Brutus ?
+
+He says , for Brutus' sake ,
+He finds himself beholding to us all .
+
+'Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here .
+
+This C sar was a tyrant .
+
+Nay , that's certain :
+We are bless'd that Rome is rid of him .
+
+Peace ! let us hear what Antony can say .
+
+You gentle Romans ,
+
+Peace , ho ! let us hear him .
+
+Friends , Romans , countrymen , lend me your ears ;
+I come to bury C sar , not to praise him .
+The evil that men do lives after them ,
+The good is oft interred with their bones ;
+So let it be with C sar . The noble Brutus
+Hath told you C sar was ambitious ;
+If it were so , it was a grievous fault ,
+And grievously hath C sar answer'd it .
+Here , under leave of Brutus and the rest ,
+For Brutus is an honourable man ;
+So are they all , all honourable men ,
+Come I to speak in C sar's funeral .
+He was my friend , faithful and just to me :
+But Brutus says he was ambitious ;
+And Brutus is an honourable man .
+He hath brought many captives home to Rome ,
+Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill :
+Did this in C sar seem ambitious ?
+When that the poor have cried , C sar hath wept ;
+Ambition should be made of sterner stuff :
+Yet Brutus says he was ambitious ;
+And Brutus is an honourable man .
+You all did see that on the Lupercal
+I thrice presented him a kingly crown ,
+Which he did thrice refuse : was this ambition ?
+Yet Brutus says he was ambitious ;
+And , sure , he is an honourable man .
+I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke ,
+But here I am to speak what I do know ,
+You all did love him once , not without cause :
+What cause withholds you then to mourn for him ?
+O judgment ! thou art fled to brutish beasts ,
+And men have lost their reason . Bear with me ;
+My heart is in the coffin there with C sar ,
+And I must pause till it come back to me .
+
+Methinks there is much reason in his sayings .
+
+If thou consider rightly of the matter ,
+C sar has had great wrong .
+
+Has he , masters ?
+I fear there will a worse come in his place .
+
+Mark'd ye his words ? He would not take the crown ;
+Therefore 'tis certain he was not ambitious .
+
+If it be found so , some will dear abide it .
+
+Poor soul ! his eyes are red as fire with weeping .
+
+There's not a nobler man in Rome than Antony .
+
+Now mark him ; he begins again to speak .
+
+But yesterday the word of C sar might
+Have stood against the world ; now lies he there ,
+And none so poor to do him reverence .
+O masters ! if I were dispos'd to stir
+Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage ,
+I should do Brutus wrong , and Cassius wrong ,
+Who , you all know , are honourable men .
+I will not do them wrong ; I rather choose
+To wrong the dead , to wrong myself , and you ,
+Than I will wrong such honourable men
+But here's a parchment with the seal of C sar ;
+I found it in his closet , 'tis his will .
+Let but the commons hear this testament
+Which , pardon me , I do not mean to read
+And they would go and kiss dead C sar's wounds ,
+And dip their napkins in his sacred blood ,
+Yea , beg a hair of him for memory ,
+And , dying , mention it within their wills ,
+Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
+Unto their issue .
+
+We'll hear the will : read it , Mark Antony .
+
+The will , the will ! we will hear C sar's will .
+
+Have patience , gentle friends ; I must not read it :
+It is not meet you know how C sar lov'd you .
+You are not wood , you are not stones , but men ;
+And , being men , hearing the will of C sar ,
+It will inflame you , it will make you mad .
+'Tis good you know not that you are his heirs ;
+For if you should , O ! what would come of it .
+
+Read the will ! we'll hear it , Antony ;
+You shall read us the will , C sar's will .
+
+Will you be patient ? Will you stay awhile ?
+I have o'ershot myself to tell you of it .
+I fear I wrong the honourable men
+Whose daggers have stabb'd C sar ; I do fear it .
+
+They were traitors : honourable men !
+
+The will ! the testament !
+
+They were villains , murderers . The will ! read the will .
+
+You will compel me then to read the will ?
+Then make a ring about the corpse of C sar ,
+And let me show you him that made the will .
+Shall I descend ? and will you give me leave ?
+
+Come down .
+
+Descend .
+
+
+You shall have leave .
+
+A ring ; stand round .
+
+Stand from the hearse ; stand from the body .
+
+Room for Antony ; most noble Antony .
+
+Nay , press not so upon me ; stand far off .
+
+Stand back ! room ! bear back !
+
+If you have tears , prepare to shed them now .
+You all do know this mantle : I remember
+The first time ever C sar put it on ;
+'Twas on a summer's evening , in his tent ,
+That day he overcame the Nervii .
+Look ! in this place ran Cassius' dagger through :
+See what a rent the envious Casca made :
+Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd ;
+And , as he pluck'd his cursed steel away ,
+Mark how the blood of C sar follow'd it ,
+As rushing out of doors , to be resolv'd
+If Brutus so unkindly knock'd or no ;
+For Brutus , as you know , was C sar's angel :
+Judge , O you gods ! how dearly C sar lov'd him .
+This was the most unkindest cut of all ;
+For when the noble C sar saw him stab ,
+Ingratitude , more strong than traitors' arms ,
+Quite vanquish'd him : then burst his mighty heart ;
+And , in his mantle muffling up his face ,
+Even at the base of Pompey's status ,
+Which all the while ran blood , great C sar fell .
+O ! what a fall was there , my countrymen ;
+Then I , and you , and all of us fell down ,
+Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us .
+O ! now you weep , and I perceive you feel
+The dint of pity ; these are gracious drops .
+Kind souls , what ! weep you when you but behold
+Our C sar's vesture wounded ? Look you here ,
+Here is himself , marr'd , as you see , with traitors .
+
+O piteous spectacle !
+
+O noble C sar !
+
+O woeful day !
+
+O traitors ! villains !
+
+O most bloody sight !
+
+We will be revenged .
+
+Revenge !About !Seek !Burn !
+Fire !Kill !Slay ! Let not a traitor live .
+
+Stay , countrymen !
+
+Peace there ! Hear the noble Antony .
+
+We'll hear him , we'll follow him , we'll die with him .
+
+Good friends , sweet friends , let me not stir you up
+To such a sudden flood of mutiny .
+They that have done this deed are honourable :
+What private griefs they have , alas ! I know not ,
+That made them do it ; they are wise and honourable ,
+And will , no doubt , with reasons answer you .
+I come not , friends , to steal away your hearts :
+I am no orator , as Brutus is ;
+But , as you know me all , a plain blunt man ,
+That love my friend ; and that they know full well
+That gave me public leave to speak of him .
+For I have neither wit , nor words , nor worth ,
+Action , nor utterance , nor the power of speech ,
+To stir men's blood : I only speak right on ;
+I tell you that which you yourselves do know ,
+Show you sweet C sar's wounds , poor poor dumb mouths ,
+And bid them speak for me : but were I Brutus ,
+And Brutus Antony , there were an Antony
+Would ruffle up your spirits , and put a tongue
+In every wound of C sar , that should move
+The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny .
+
+We'll mutiny .
+
+We'll burn the house of Brutus .
+
+Away , then ! come , seek the conspirators .
+
+Yet hear me , countrymen ; yet hear me speak .
+
+Peace , ho !Hear Antony ,most noble Antony .
+
+Why , friends , you go to do you know not what .
+Wherein hath C sar thus deserv'd your loves ?
+Alas ! you know not : I must tell you then .
+You have forgot the will I told you of .
+
+Most true . The will ! let's stay and hear the will .
+
+Here is the will , and under C sar's seal .
+To every Roman citizen he gives ,
+To every several man , seventy-five drachmas .
+
+Most noble C sar ! we'll revenge his death .
+
+O royal C sar !
+
+Hear me with patience .
+
+Peace , ho !
+
+Moreover , he hath left you all his walks ,
+His private arbours , and new-planted orchards ,
+On this side Tiber ; he hath left them you ,
+And to your heirs for ever ; common pleasures ,
+To walk abroad , and recreate yourselves .
+Here was a C sar ! when comes such another ?
+
+Never , never ! Come , away , away !
+We'll burn his body in the holy place ,
+And with the brands fire the traitors' houses .
+Take up the body .
+
+Go fetch fire .
+
+Pluck down benches .
+
+Pluck down forms , windows , any thing .
+
+
+Now let it work : mischief , thou art afoot ,
+Take thou what course thou wilt !
+
+How now , fellow !
+
+Sir , Octavius is already come to Rome .
+
+Where is he ?
+
+He and Lepidus are at C sar's house .
+
+And thither will I straight to visit him .
+He comes upon a wish . Fortune is merry ,
+And in this mood will give us any thing .
+
+I heard him say Brutus and Cassius
+Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome .
+
+Belike they had some notice of the people ,
+How I had mov'd them . Bring me to Octavius .
+
+
+I dreamt to-night that I did feast with C sar ,
+And things unlucky charge my fantasy :
+I have no will to wander forth of doors ,
+Yet something leads me forth .
+
+
+What is your name ?
+
+Whither are you going ?
+
+Where do you dwell ?
+
+Are you a married man , or a bachelor ?
+
+Answer every man directly .
+
+Ay , and briefly .
+
+Ay , and wisely .
+
+Ay , and truly , you were best .
+
+What is my name ? Whither am I going ? Where do I dwell ? Am I a married man , or a bachelor ? Then , to answer every man directly and briefly , wisely and truly : wisely I say , I am a bachelor .
+
+That's as much as to say , they are fools that marry ; you'll bear me a bang for that , I fear . Proceed ; directly .
+
+Directly , I am going to C sar's funeral .
+
+As a friend or an enemy ?
+
+As a friend .
+
+That matter is answered directly .
+
+For your dwelling , briefly .
+
+Briefly , I dwell by the Capitol .
+
+Your name , sir , truly .
+
+Truly , my name is Cinna .
+
+Tear him to pieces ; he's a conspirator .
+
+I am Cinna the poet , I am Cinna the poet .
+
+Tear him for his bad verses , tear him for his bad verses .
+
+I am not Cinna the conspirator .
+
+It is no matter , his name's Cinna ; pluck but his name out of his heart , and turn him going .
+
+Tear him , tear him ! Come , brands , ho ! firebrands ! To Brutus' , to Cassius' ; burn all . Some to Decius' house , and some to Casca's ; some to Ligarius' . Away ! go !
+
+These many then shall die ; their names are prick'd .
+
+Your brother too must die ; consent you , Lepidus ?
+
+I do consent .
+
+Prick him down , Antony .
+
+Upon condition Publius shall not live ,
+Who is your sister's son , Mark Antony .
+
+He shall not live ; look , with a spot I damn him .
+But , Lepidus , go you to C sar's house ;
+Fetch the will hither , and we shall determine
+How to cut off some charge in legacies .
+
+What ! shall I find you here ?
+
+Or here or at the Capitol .
+
+
+This is a slight unmeritable man ,
+Meet to be sent on errands : is it fit ,
+The three-fold world divided , he should stand
+One of the three to share it ?
+
+So you thought him ;
+And took his voice who should be prick'd to die ,
+In our black sentence and proscription .
+
+Octavius , I have seen more days than you :
+And though we lay these honours on this man ,
+To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads ,
+He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold ,
+To groan and sweat under the business ,
+Either led or driven , as we point the way ;
+And having brought our treasure where we will ,
+Then take we down his load , and turn him off ,
+Like to the empty ass , to shake his ears ,
+And graze in commons .
+
+You may do your will ;
+But he's a tried and valiant soldier .
+
+So is my horse , Octavius ; and for that
+I do appoint him store of provender .
+It is a creature that I teach to fight ,
+To wind , to stop , to run directly on ,
+His corporal motion govern'd by my spirit .
+And , in some taste , is Lepidus but so ;
+He must be taught , and train'd , and bid go forth ;
+A barren-spirited fellow ; one that feeds
+On abject orts , and imitations ,
+Which , out of use and stal'd by other men ,
+Begin his fashion : do not talk of him
+But as a property . And now , Octavius ,
+Listen great things : Brutus and Cassius
+Are levying powers ; we must straight make head ;
+Therefore let our alliance be combin'd ,
+Our best friends made , and our best means stretch'd out ;
+And let us presently go sit in council ,
+How covert matters may be best disclos'd ,
+And open perils surest answered .
+
+Let us do so : for we are at the stake ,
+And bay'd about with many enemies ;
+And some that smile have in their hearts , I fear ,
+Millions of mischiefs .
+
+
+Stand , ho !
+
+Give the word , ho ! and stand .
+
+What now , Lucilius ! is Cassius near ?
+
+He is at hand ; and Pindarus is come
+To do you salutation from his master .
+
+
+He greets me well . Your master , Pindarus ,
+In his own change , or by ill officers ,
+Hath given me some worthy cause to wish
+Things done , undone ; but , if he be at hand ,
+I shall be satisfied .
+
+I do not doubt
+But that my noble master will appear
+Such as he is , full of regard and honour .
+
+He is not doubted . A word , Lucilius ;
+How he receiv'd you , let me be resolv'd .
+
+With courtesy and with respect enough ;
+But not with such familiar instances ,
+Nor with such free and friendly conference ,
+As he hath us'd of old .
+
+Thou hast describ'd
+A hot friend cooling . Ever note , Lucilius ,
+When love begins to sicken and decay ,
+It useth an enforced ceremony .
+There are no tricks in plain and simple faith ;
+But hollow men , like horses hot at hand ,
+Make gallant show and promise of their mettle ;
+But when they should endure the bloody spur ,
+They fall their crests , and , like deceitful jades ,
+Sink in the trial . Comes his army on ?
+
+They mean this night in Sardis to be quarter'd ;
+The greater part , the horse in general ,
+Are come with Cassius .
+
+Hark ! he is arriv'd .
+
+March gently on to meet him .
+
+
+Stand , ho !
+
+Stand , ho ! Speak the word along .
+
+Stand !
+
+Stand !
+
+Stand !
+
+Most noble brother , you have done me wrong .
+
+Judge me , you gods ! Wrong I mine enemies ?
+And , if not so , how should I wrong a brother ?
+
+Brutus , this sober form of yours hides wrongs ;
+And when you do them
+
+Cassius , be content ;
+Speak your griefs softly : I do know you well .
+Before the eyes of both our armies here ,
+Which should perceive nothing but love from us ,
+Let us not wrangle : bid them move away ;
+Then in my tent , Cassius , enlarge your griefs ,
+And I will give you audience .
+
+Pindarus ,
+Bid our commanders lead their charges off
+A little from this ground .
+
+Lucilius , do you the like ; and let no man
+Come to our tent till we have done our conference .
+Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door .
+
+
+That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this :
+You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella
+For taking bribes here of the Sardians ;
+Wherein my letters , praying on his side ,
+Because I knew the man , were slighted off .
+
+You wrong'd yourself to write in such a case .
+
+In such a time as this it is not meet
+That every nice offence should bear his comment .
+
+Let me tell you , Cassius , you yourself
+Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm ;
+To sell and mart your offices for gold
+To undeservera .
+
+I an itching palm !
+You know that you are Brutus that speak this ,
+Or , by the gods , this speech were else your last .
+
+The name of Cassius honours this corruption ,
+And chastisement doth therefore hide his head .
+
+Chastisement !
+
+Remember March , the ides of March remember :
+Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake ?
+What villain touch'd his body , that did stab ,
+And not for justice ? What ! shall one of us ,
+That struck the foremost man of all this world
+But for supporting robbers , shall we now
+Contaminate our fingers with base bribes ,
+And sell the mighty space of our large honours
+For so much trash as may be grasped thus ?
+I had rather be a dog , and bay the moon ,
+Than such a Roman .
+
+Brutus , bay not me ;
+I'll not endure it : you forget yourself ,
+To hedge me in . I am a soldier , I ,
+Older in practice , abler than yourself
+To make conditions .
+
+Go to ; you are not , Cassius .
+
+I am .
+
+I say you are not .
+
+Urge me no more , I shall forget myself ;
+Have mind upon your health ; tempt me no further .
+
+Away , slight man !
+
+Is 't possible ?
+
+Hear me , for I will speak .
+Must I give way and room to your rash choler ?
+Shall I be frighted when a madman stares ?
+
+O ye gods ! ye gods ! Must I endure all this ?
+
+All this ! ay , more : fret till your proud heart break ;
+Go show your slaves how choleric you are ,
+And make your bondmen tremble . Must I budge ?
+Must I observe you ? Must I stand and crouch
+Under your testy humour ? By the gods ,
+You shall digest the venom of your spleen ,
+Though it do split you ; for , from this day forth ,
+I'll use you for my mirth , yea , for my laughter ,
+When you are waspish .
+
+Is it come to this ?
+
+You say you are a better soldier :
+Let it appear so ; make your vaunting true ,
+And it shall please me well . For mine own part ,
+I shall be glad to learn of noble men .
+
+You wrong me every way ; you wrong me , Brutus ;
+I said an elder soldier , not a better :
+Did I say , 'better ?'
+
+If you did , I care not .
+
+When C sar liv'd , he durst not thus have mov'd me .
+
+Peace , peace ! you durst not so have tempted him .
+
+I durst not !
+
+No .
+
+What ! durst not tempt him !
+
+For your life you durst not .
+
+Do not presume too much upon my love ;
+I may do that I shall be sorry for .
+
+You have done that you should be sorry for .
+There is no terror , Cassius , in your threats ;
+For I am arm'd so strong in honesty
+That they pass by me as the idle wind ,
+Which I respect not . I did send to you
+For certain sums of gold , which you denied me ;
+For I can raise no money by vile means :
+By heaven , I had rather coin my heart ,
+And drop my blood for drachmas , than to wring
+From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
+By any indirection . I did send
+To you for gold to pay my legions ,
+Which you denied me : was that done like Cassius ?
+Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so ?
+When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous ,
+To lock such rascal counters from his friends ,
+Be ready , gods , with all your thunderbolts ;
+Dash him to pieces !
+
+I denied you not .
+
+You did .
+
+I did not : he was but a fool
+That brought my answer back . Brutus hath riv'd my heart .
+A friend should bear his friend's infirmities ,
+But Brutus makes mine greater than they are .
+
+I do not , till you practise them on me .
+
+You love me not .
+
+I do not like your faults .
+
+A friendly eye could never see such faults .
+
+A flatterer's would not , though they do appear
+As huge as high Olympus .
+
+Come , Antony , and young Octavius , come ,
+Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius ,
+For Cassius is aweary of the world ;
+Hated by one he loves ; brav'd by his brother ;
+Check'd like a bondman ; all his faults observ'd ,
+Set in a note-book , learn'd , and conn'd by rote ,
+To cast into my teeth . O ! I could weep
+My spirit from mine eyes . There is my dagger ,
+And here my naked breast ; within , a heart
+Dearer than Plutus' mine , richer than gold :
+If that thou be'st a Roman , take it forth ;
+I , that denied thee gold , will give my heart :
+Strike , as thou didst at C sar ; for , I know ,
+When thou didst hate him worst , thou lov'dst him better
+Than ever thou lov'dst Cassius .
+
+Sheathe your dagger :
+Be angry when you will , it shall have scope ;
+Do what you will , dishonour shall be humour .
+O Cassius ! you are yoked with a lamb
+That carries anger as the flint bears fire ,
+Who , much enforced , shows a hasty spark ,
+And straight is cold again .
+
+Hath Cassius liv'd
+To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus ,
+When grief and blood ill-temper'd vexeth him ?
+
+When I spoke that I was ill-temper'd too .
+
+Do you confess so much ? Give me your hand .
+
+And my heart too .
+
+O Brutus !
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+Have not you love enough to bear with me ,
+When that rash humour which my mother gave me
+Makes me forgetful ?
+
+Yes , Cassius ; and from henceforth
+When you are over-earnest with your Brutus ,
+He'll think your mother chides , and leave you so .
+
+
+Let me go in to see the generals ;
+There is some grudge between 'em , 'tis not meet
+They be alone .
+
+You shall not come to them .
+
+Nothing but death shall stay me .
+
+
+How now ! What's the matter ?
+
+For shame , you generals ! What do you mean ?
+Love , and be friends , as two such men should be ;
+For I have seen more years , I'm sure , than ye .
+
+Ha , ha ! how vilely doth this cynic rime !
+
+Get you hence , sirrah ; saucy fellow , hence !
+
+Bear with him , Brutus ; 'tis his fashion .
+
+I'll know his humour , when he knows his time :
+What should the wars do with these jigging fools ?
+Companion , hence !
+
+Away , away ! be gone .
+
+
+Lucilius and Titinius , bid the commanders
+Prepare to lodge their companies to-night .
+
+And come yourselves , and bring Messala with you ,
+Immediately to us .
+
+
+Lucius , a bowl of wine !
+
+
+I did not think you could have been so angry .
+
+O Cassius ! I am sick of many griefs .
+
+Of your philosophy you make no use
+If you give place to accidental evils .
+
+No man bears sorrow better : Portia is dead .
+
+Ha ! Portia !
+
+She is dead .
+
+How 'scap'd I killing when I cross'd you so ?
+O insupportable and touching loss !
+Upon what sickness ?
+
+Impatient of my absence ,
+And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
+Have made themselves so strong ;for with her death
+That tidings came :with this she fell distract ,
+And , her attendants absent , swallow'd fire .
+
+And died so ?
+
+Even so .
+
+O ye immortal gods !
+
+
+Speak no more of her . Give me a bowl of wine .
+In this I bury all unkindness , Cassius .
+
+
+My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge .
+Fill , Lucius , till the wine o'erswell the cup ;
+I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love .
+
+
+Come in , Titinius .
+
+Welcome , good Messala .
+Now sit we close about this taper here ,
+
+And call in question our necessities .
+
+Portia , art thou gone ?
+
+No more , I pray you .
+Messala , I have here received letters ,
+That young Octavius and Mark Antony
+Come down upon us with a mighty power ,
+Bending their expedition towards Philippi .
+
+Myself have letters of the self-same tenour .
+
+With what addition ?
+
+That by proscription and bills of outlawry ,
+Octavius , Antony , and Lepidus ,
+Have put to death an hundred senators .
+
+Therein our letters do not well agree ;
+Mine speak of seventy senators that died
+By their proscriptions , Cicero being one .
+
+Cicero one !
+
+Cicero is dead ,
+And by that order of proscription .
+Had you your letters from your wife , my lord ?
+
+No , Messala .
+
+Nor nothing in your letters writ of her ?
+
+Nothing , Messala .
+
+That , methinks , is strange .
+
+Why ask you ? Hear you aught of her in yours ?
+
+No , my lord .
+
+Now , as you are a Roman , tell me true .
+
+Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell :
+For certain she is dead , and by strange manner .
+
+Why , farewell , Portia . We must die , Messala :
+With meditating that she must die once ,
+I have the patience to endure it now .
+
+Even so great men great losses should endure .
+
+I have as much of this in art as you ,
+But yet my nature could not bear it so .
+
+Well , to our work alive . What do you think
+Of marching to Philippi presently ?
+
+I do not think it good .
+
+Your reason ?
+
+This is it :
+'Tis better that the enemy seek us :
+So shall he waste his means , weary his soldiers ,
+Doing himself offence ; whilst we , lying still ,
+Are full of rest , defence , and nimbleness .
+
+Good reasons must , of force , give place to better ,
+The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground
+Do stand but in a forc'd affection ;
+For they have grudg'd us contribution :
+The enemy , marching along by them ,
+By them shall make a fuller number up ,
+Come on refresh'd , new-added , and encourag'd ;
+From which advantage shall we cut him off ,
+If at Philippi we do face him there ,
+These people at our back .
+
+Hear me , good brother .
+
+Under your pardon . You must note beside ,
+That we have tried the utmost of our friends ,
+Our legions are brim-full , our cause is ripe :
+The enemy increaseth every day ;
+We , at the height , are ready to decline .
+There is a tide in the affairs of men ,
+Which , taken at the flood , leads on to fortune ;
+Omitted , all the voyage of their life
+Is bound in shallows and in miseries .
+On such a full sea are we now afloat ;
+And we must take the current when it serves ,
+Or lose our ventures .
+
+Then , with your will , go on ;
+We'll along ourselves , and meet them at Philippi .
+
+The deep of night is crept upon our talk ,
+And nature must obey necessity ,
+Which we will niggard with a little rest .
+There is no more to say ?
+
+No more . Good-night :
+Early to-morrow will we rise , and hence .
+
+Lucius !
+
+
+My gown .
+
+Farewell , good Messala :
+Good-night , Titinius . Noble , noble Cassius ,
+
+Good-night , and good repose .
+
+O my dear brother !
+This was an ill beginning of the night :
+Never come such division 'tween our souls !
+Let it not , Brutus .
+
+Every thing is well .
+
+Good-night , my lord .
+
+Good-night , good brother .
+
+Good-night , Lord Brutus .
+
+Good-night , Lord Brutus .
+
+Farewell , every one .
+
+
+Give me the gown . Where is thy instrument ?
+
+Here in the tent .
+
+What ! thou speak'st drowsily ?
+Poor knave , I blame thee not ; thou art o'erwatch'd .
+Call Claudius and some other of my men ;
+I'll have them sleep on cushions in my tent .
+
+Varro ! and Claudius !
+
+
+Calls my lord ?
+
+I pray you , sirs , lie in my tent and sleep :
+It may be I shall raise you by and by
+On business to my brother Cassius .
+
+So please you , we will stand and watch your pleasure .
+
+I will not have it so ; lie down , good sirs ;
+It may be I shall otherwise bethink me .
+Look , Lucius , here's the book I sought for so ;
+I put it in the pocket of my gown .
+
+
+I was sure your lordship did not give it me .
+
+Bear with me , good boy , I am much forgetful .
+Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile ,
+And touch thy instrument a strain or two ?
+
+Ay , my lord , an 't please you .
+
+It does , my boy :
+I trouble thee too much , but thou art willing .
+
+It is my duty , sir .
+
+I should not urge thy duty past thy might ;
+I know young bloods look for a time of rest .
+
+I have slept , my lord , already .
+
+It was well done , and thou shalt sleep again ;
+I will not hold thee long : if I do live ,
+I will be good to thee .
+
+This is a sleepy tune : O murderous slumber !
+Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy ,
+That plays thee music ? Gentle knave , good-night ;
+I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee .
+If thou dost nod , thou break'st thy instrument ;
+I'll take it from thee ; and , good boy , good-night .
+Let me see , let me see ; is not the leaf turn'd down
+Where I left reading ? Here it is , I think .
+
+
+How ill this taper burns ! Ha ! who comes here ?
+I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
+That shapes this monstrous apparition .
+It comes upon me . Art thou any thing ?
+Art thou some god , some angel , or some devil ,
+That mak'st my blood cold and my hair to stare ?
+
+Speak to me what thou art .
+
+Thy evil spirit , Brutus .
+
+Why com'st thou ?
+
+To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi .
+
+Well ; then I shall see thee again ?
+
+Ay , at Philippi .
+
+Why , I will see thee at Philippi then .
+
+Now I have taken heart thou vanishest :
+Ill spirit , I would hold more talk with thee .
+Boy , Lucius ! Varro ! Claudius ! Sirs , awake !
+Claudius !
+
+The strings , my lord , are false .
+
+He thinks he still is at his instrument .
+Lucius , awake !
+
+My lord !
+
+Didst thou dream , Lucius , that thou so criedst out ?
+
+My lord , I do not know that I did cry .
+
+Yes , that thou didst . Didst thou see any thing ?
+
+Nothing , my lord .
+
+Sleep again , Lucius . Sirrah , Claudius !
+Fellow thou ! awake !
+
+My lord !
+
+My lord !
+
+Why did you so cry out , sirs , in your sleep ?
+
+Did we , my lord ?
+
+Did we , my lord ?
+
+Ay : saw you any thing ?
+
+No , my lord , I saw nothing .
+
+Nor I , my lord .
+
+Go , and commend me to my brother Cassius .
+Bid him set on his powers betimes before ,
+And we will follow .
+
+It shall be done , my lord .
+
+It shall be done , my lord .
+
+Now , Antony , our hopes are answered :
+You said the enemy would not come down ,
+But keep the hills and upper regions ;
+It proves not so ; their battles are at hand ;
+They mean to warn us at Philippi here ,
+Answering before we do demand of them .
+
+Tut ! I am in their bosoms , and I know
+Wherefore they do it : they could be content
+To visit other places ; and come down
+With fearful bravery , thinking by this face
+To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage ;
+But 'tis not so .
+
+
+Prepare you , generals :
+The enemy comes on in gallant show ;
+Their bloody sign of battle is hung out ,
+And something to be done immediately .
+
+Octavius , lead your battle softly on ,
+Upon the left hand of the even field .
+
+Upon the right hand I ; keep thou the left .
+
+Why do you cross me in this exigent ?
+
+I do not cross you ; but I will do so .
+
+They stand , and would have parley .
+
+Stand fast , Titinius : we must out and talk .
+
+Mark Antony , shall we give sign of battle ?
+
+No , C sar , we will answer on their charge .
+Make forth ; the generals would have some words .
+
+Stir not until the signal .
+
+Words before blows : is it so , countrymen ?
+
+Not that we love words better , as you do .
+
+Good words are better than bad strokes , Octavius .
+
+In your bad strokes , Brutus , you give good words :
+Witness the hole you made in C sar's heart ,
+Crying , 'Long live ! hail , C sar !'
+
+Antony ,
+The posture of your blows are yet unknown ;
+But for your words , they rob the Hybla bees ,
+And leave them honeyless .
+
+Not stingless too .
+
+O ! yes , and soundless too ;
+For you have stol'n their buzzing , Antony ,
+And very wisely threat before you sting .
+
+Villains ! you did not so when your vile daggers
+Hack'd one another in the sides of C sar :
+How show'd your teeth like apes , and fawn'd like hounds ,
+And bow'd like bondmen , kissing C sar's feet ;
+Whilst damned Casca , like a cur , behind
+Struck C sar on the neck . O you flatterers !
+
+Flatterers ! Now , Brutus , thank yourself :
+This tongue had not offended so to-day ,
+If Cassius might have rul'd .
+
+Come , come , the cause : if arguing make us sweat ,
+The proof of it will turn to redder drops .
+Look ;
+I draw a sword against conspirators ;
+When think you that the sword goes up again ?
+Never , till C sar's three-and-thirty wounds
+Be well aveng'd ; or till another C sar
+Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors .
+
+C sar , thou canst not die by traitors' hands ,
+Unless thou bring'st them with thee .
+
+So I hope ;
+I was not born to die on Brutus' sword .
+
+O ! if thou wert the noblest of thy strain ,
+Young man , thou couldst not die more honourable .
+
+A peevish schoolboy , worthless of such honour ,
+Join'd with a masquer and a reveller .
+
+Old Cassius still !
+
+Come , Antony ; away !
+Defiance , traitors , hurl we in your teeth .
+If you dare fight to-day , come to the field ;
+If not , when you have stomachs .
+
+
+Why now , blow wind , swell billow , and swim bark !
+The storm is up , and all is on the hazard .
+
+Ho !
+Lucilius ! hark , a word with you .
+
+My lord ?
+
+
+Messala !
+
+What says my general ?
+
+Messala ,
+This is my birth-day ; as this very day
+Was Cassius born . Give me thy hand , Messala :
+Be thou my witness that against my will ,
+As Pompey was , am I compell'd to set
+Upon one battle all our liberties .
+You know that I held Epicurus strong ,
+And his opinion ; now I change my mind ,
+And partly credit things that do presage .
+Coming from Sardis , on our former ensign
+Two mighty eagles fell , and there they perch'd ,
+Gorging and feeding from our soldiers' hands ;
+Who to Philippi here consorted us :
+This morning are they fled away and gone ,
+And in their stead do ravens , crows , and kites
+Fly o'er our heads , and downward look on us ,
+As we were sickly prey : their shadows seem
+A canopy most fatal , under which
+Our army lies , ready to give up the ghost .
+
+Believe not so .
+
+I but believe it partly ,
+For I am fresh of spirit and resolv'd
+To meet all perils very constantly .
+
+Even so , Lucilius .
+
+Now , most noble Brutus ,
+The gods to-day stand friendly , that we may ,
+Lovers in peace , lead on our days to age !
+But since the affairs of men rest still incertain ,
+Let's reason with the worst that may befall .
+If we do lose this battle , then is this
+The very last time we shall speak together :
+What are you then , determined to do ?
+
+Even by the rule of that philosophy
+By which I did blame Cato for the death
+Which he did give himself ; I know not how ,
+But I do find it cowardly and vile ,
+For fear of what might fall , so to prevent
+The time of life : arming myself with patience ,
+To stay the providence of some high powers
+That govern us below .
+
+Then , if we lose this battle ,
+You are contented to be led in triumph
+Thorough the streets of Rome ?
+
+No , Cassius , no : think not , thou noble Roman ,
+That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome ;
+He bears too great a mind : but this same day
+Must end that work the ides of March begun ;
+And whether we shall meet again I know not .
+Therefore our everlasting farewell take :
+For ever , and for ever , farewell , Cassius !
+If we do meet again , why , we shall smile ;
+If not , why then , this parting was well made .
+
+For ever , and for ever , farewell , Brutus !
+If we do meet again , we'll smile indeed ;
+If not , 'tis true this parting was well made .
+
+Why , then , lead on . O ! that a man might know
+The end of this day's business , ere it come ;
+But it sufficeth that the day will end ,
+And then the end is known . Come , ho ! away !
+
+
+Ride , ride , Messala , ride , and give these bills
+Unto the legions on the other side .
+
+Let them set on at once , for I perceive
+But cold demeanour in Octavius' wing ,
+And sudden push gives them the overthrow .
+Ride , ride , Messala : let them all come down .
+
+
+O ! look , Titinius , look , the villains fly :
+Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy ;
+This ensign here of mine was turning back ;
+I slew the coward , and did take it from him .
+
+O Cassius ! Brutus gave the word too early ;
+Who , having some advantage on Octavius ,
+Took it too eagerly : his soldiers fell to spoil ,
+Whilst we by Antony are all enclos'd .
+
+
+Fly further off , my lord , fly further off ;
+Mark Antony is in your tents , my lord :
+Fly , therefore , noble Cassius , fly far off .
+
+This hill is far enough . Look , look , Titinius ;
+Are those my tents where I perceive the fire ?
+
+They are , my lord .
+
+Titinius , if thou lov'st me ,
+Mount thou my horse , and hide thy spurs in him ,
+Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops
+And here again ; that I may rest assur'd
+Whether yond troops are friend or enemy .
+
+I will be here again , even with a thought .
+
+
+Go , Pindarus , get higher on that hill ;
+My sight was ever thick ; regard Titinius ,
+And tell me what thou not'st about the field .
+
+This day I breathed first ; time is come round ,
+And where I did begin , there shall I end ;
+My life is run his compass . Sirrah , what news ?
+
+O my lord !
+
+What news ?
+
+Titinius is enclosed round about
+With horsemen , that make to him on the spur ;
+Yet he spurs on : now they are almost on him ;
+Now , Titinius ! now some light ; O ! he lights too :
+He's ta'en ;
+
+and , hark ! they shout for joy .
+
+Come down ; behold no more .
+O , coward that I am , to live so long ,
+To see my best friend ta'en before my face !
+
+Come hither , sirrah :
+In Parthia did I take thee prisoner ;
+And then I swore thee , saving of thy life ,
+That whatsoever I did bid thee do ,
+Thou shouldst attempt it . Come now , keep thine oath ;
+Now be a freeman ; and with this good sword ,
+That ran through C sar's bowels , search this bosom .
+Stand not to answer ; here , take thou the hilts ;
+And , when my face is cover'd , as 'tis now ,
+Guide thou the sword . C sar , thou art reveng'd ,
+Even with the sword that kill'd thee .
+
+
+So , I am free ; yet would not so have been ;
+Durst I have done my will . O Cassius ,
+Far from this country Pindarus shall run ,
+Where never Roman shall take note of him .
+
+It is but change , Titinius ; for Octavius
+Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power ,
+As Cassius' legions are by Antony .
+
+These tidings will well comfort Cassius .
+
+Where did you leave him ?
+
+All disconsolate ,
+With Pindarus his bondman , on this hill .
+
+Is not that he that lies upon the ground ?
+
+He lies not like the living . O my heart !
+
+Is not that he ?
+
+No , this was he , Messala ,
+But Cassius is no more . O setting sun !
+As in thy red rays thou dost sink to-night ,
+So in his red blood Cassius' day is set ;
+The sun of Rome is set . Our day is gone ;
+Clouds , dews , and dangers come ; our deeds are done .
+Mistrust of my success hath done this deed .
+
+Mistrust of good success hath done this deed .
+O hateful error , melancholy's child !
+Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men
+The things that are not ? O error ! soon conceiv'd ,
+Thou never com'st unto a happy birth ,
+But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee .
+
+What , Pindarus ! Where art thou , Pindarus ?
+
+Seek him , Titinius , whilst I go to meet
+The noble Brutus , thrusting this report
+Into his ears ; I may say , thrusting it ;
+For piercing steel and darts envenomed
+Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus
+As tidings of this sight .
+
+Hie you , Messala ,
+And I will seek for Pindarus the while .
+
+Why didst thou send me forth , brave Cassius ?
+Did I not meet thy friends ? and did not they
+Put on my brows this wreath of victory ,
+And bid me give it thee ? Didst thou not hear their shouts ?
+Alas ! thou hast misconstru'd every thing .
+But , hold thee , take this garland on thy brow ;
+Thy Brutus bid me give it thee , and I
+Will do his bidding . Brutus , come apace ,
+And see how I regarded Caius Cassius .
+By your leave , gods : this is a Roman's part :
+Come , Cassius' sword , and find Titinius' heart .
+
+Where , where , Messala , doth his body lie ?
+
+Lo , yonder : and Titinius mourning it .
+
+Titinius' face is upward .
+
+He is slain .
+
+O Julius C sar ! thou art mighty yet !
+Thy spirit walks abroad , and turns our swords
+In our own proper entrails .
+
+
+Brave Titinius !
+Look whe'r he have not crown'd dead Cassius !
+
+Are yet two Romans living such as these ?
+The last of all the Romans , fare thee well !
+It is impossible that ever Rome
+Should breed thy fellow . Friends , I owe more tears
+To this dead man than you shall see me pay .
+I shall find time , Cassius , I shall find time .
+Come therefore , and to Thassos send his body :
+His funerals shall not be in our camp ,
+Lest it discomfort us . Lucilius , come ;
+And come , young Cato ;let us to the field .
+Labeo and Flavius , set our battles on :
+'Tis three o'clock ; and , Romans , yet ere night
+We shall try fortune in a second fight .
+
+
+Yet , countrymen , O ! yet hold up your heads !
+
+What bastard doth not ? Who will go with me ?
+I will proclaim my name about the field :
+I am the son of Marcus Cato , ho !
+A foe to tyrants , and my country's friend ;
+I am the son of Marcus Cato , ho !
+
+And I am Brutus , Marcus Brutus , I ;
+Brutus , my country's friend ; know me for Brutus !
+
+
+O young and noble Cato , art thou down ?
+Why , now thou diest as bravely as Titinius ,
+And mayst be honour'd being Cato's son .
+
+Yield , or thou diest .
+
+Only I yield to die :
+There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight .
+
+Kill Brutus , and be honour'd in his death .
+
+We must not . A noble prisoner !
+
+Room , ho ! Tell Antony , Brutus is ta'en .
+
+I'll tell the news : here comes the general .
+
+Brutus is ta'en , my lord .
+
+Where is he ?
+
+Safe , Antony ; Brutus is safe enough :
+I dare assure thee that no enemy
+Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus :
+The gods defend him from so great a shame !
+When you do find him , or alive or dead ,
+He will be found like Brutus , like himself .
+
+This is not Brutus , friend ; but , I assure you ,
+A prize no less in worth . Keep this man safe ,
+Give him all kindness : I had rather have
+Such men my friends than enemies . Go on ,
+And see whe'r Brutus be alive or dead ;
+And bring us word unto Octavius' tent ,
+How every thing is chanc'd .
+
+
+Come , poor remains of friends , rest on this rock .
+
+Statilius show'd the torch-light ; but , my lord ,
+He came not back : he is or ta'en or slain .
+
+Sit thee down , Clitus : slaying is the word ;
+It is a deed in fashion . Hark thee , Clitus .
+
+
+What , I , my lord ? No , not for all the world .
+
+Peace , then ! no words .
+
+I'll rather kill myself .
+
+Hark thee , Dardanius .
+
+
+Shall I do such a deed ?
+
+O , Dardanius !
+
+O , Clitus !
+
+What ill request did Brutus make to thee ?
+
+To kill him , Clitus . Look , he meditates .
+
+Now is that noble vessel full of grief ,
+That it runs over even at his eyes .
+
+Come hither , good Volumnius : list a word .
+
+What says my lord ?
+
+Why this , Volumnius :
+The ghost of C sar hath appear'd to me
+Two several times by night ; at Sardis once ,
+And this last night here in Philippi fields .
+I know my hour is come .
+
+Not so , my lord .
+
+Nay , I am sure it is , Volumnius .
+Thou seest the world , Volumnius , how it goes ;
+Our enemies have beat us to the pit :
+It is more worthy to leap in ourselves ,
+Than tarry till they push us . Good Volumnius ,
+Thou know'st that we two went to school together :
+Even for that our love of old , I prithee ,
+Hold thou my sword-hilts , whilst I run on it .
+
+That's not an office for a friend , my lord .
+
+
+Fly , fly , my lord ! there is no tarrying here .
+
+Farewell to you ; and you ; and you , Volumnius .
+Strato , thou hast been all this while asleep ;
+Farewell to thee too , Strato . Countrymen ,
+My heart doth joy that yet , in all my life ,
+I found no man but he was true to me .
+I shall have glory by this losing day ,
+More than Octavius and Mark Antony
+By this vile conquest shall attain unto .
+So fare you well at once ; for Brutus' tongue
+Hath almost ended his life's history :
+Night hangs upon mine eyes ; my bones would rest ,
+That have but labour'd to attain this hour .
+
+
+Fly , my lord , fly .
+
+Hence ! I will follow .
+
+I prithee , Strato , stay thou by thy lord :
+Thou art a fellow of a good respect ;
+Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it :
+Hold then my sword , and turn away thy face ,
+While I do run upon it . Wilt thou , Strato ?
+
+Give me your hand first : fare you well , my lord .
+
+Farewell , good Strato .
+
+C sar , now be still ;
+I kill'd not thee with half so good a will .
+
+What man is that ?
+
+My master's man . Strato , where is thy master ?
+
+Free from the bondage you are in , Messala ;
+The conquerors can but make a fire of him ;
+For Brutus only overcame himself ,
+And no man else hath honour by his death .
+
+So Brutus should be found . I thank thee , Brutus ,
+That thou hast prov'd Lucilius' saying true .
+
+All that serv'd Brutus , I will entertain them .
+Fellow , wilt thou bestow thy time with me ?
+
+Ay , if Messala will prefer me to you .
+
+Do so , good Messala .
+
+How died my master , Strato ?
+
+I held the sword , and he did run on it .
+
+Octavius , then take him to follow thee ,
+That did the latest service to my master .
+
+This was the noblest Roman of them all ;
+All the conspirators save only he
+Did that they did in envy of great C sar ;
+He only , in a general honest thought
+And common good to all , made one of them .
+His life was gentle , and the elements
+So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up
+And say to all the world , 'This was a man !'
+
+According to his virtue let us use him ,
+With all respect and rites of burial .
+Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie ,
+Most like a soldier , order'd honourably .
+So , call the field to rest ; and let's away ,
+To part the glories of this happy day .
+
+KING LEAR
+
+I thought the king had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall .
+
+It did always seem so to us ; but now , in the division of the kingdom , it appears not which of the dukes he values most ; for equalities are so weighed that curiosity in neither can make choice of either's moiety .
+
+Is not this your son , my lord ?
+
+His breeding , sir , hath been at my charge : I have so often blushed to acknowledge him , that now I am brazed to it .
+
+I cannot conceive you .
+
+Sir , this young fellow's mother could ; whereupon she grew round-wombed , and had , indeed , sir , a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed . Do you smell a fault ?
+
+I cannot wish the fault undone , the issue of it being so proper .
+
+But I have a son , sir , by order of law , some year elder than this , who yet is no dearer in my account : though this knave came somewhat saucily into the world before he was sent for , yet was his mother fair ; there was good sport at his making , and the whoreson must be acknowledged . Do you know this noble gentleman , Edmund ?
+
+No , my lord .
+
+My Lord of Kent : remember him hereafter as my honourable friend .
+
+My services to your lordship .
+
+I must love you , and sue to know you better .
+
+Sir , I shall study deserving .
+
+He hath been out nine years , and away he shall again . The king is coming .
+
+
+Attend the Lords of France and Burgundy , Gloucester .
+
+I shall , my liege .
+
+
+Meantime we shall express our darker purpose .
+Give me the map there . Know that we have divided
+In three our kingdom ; and 'tis our fast intent
+To shake all cares and business from our age ,
+Conferring them on younger strengths , while we
+Unburden'd crawl toward death . Our son of Cornwall ,
+And you , our no less loving son of Albany ,
+We have this hour a constant will to publish
+Our daughters' several dowers , that future strife
+May be prevented now . The princes , France and Burgundy ,
+Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love ,
+Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn ,
+And here are to be answer'd . Tell me , my daughters ,
+Since now we will divest us both of rule ,
+Interest of territory , cares of state ,
+Which of you shall we say doth love us most ?
+That we our largest bounty may extend
+Where nature doth with merit challenge . Goneril ,
+Our eldest-born , speak first .
+
+Sir , I love you more than words can wield the matter ;
+Dearer than eye-sight , space , and liberty ;
+Beyond what can be valu'd , rich or rare ;
+No less than life , with grace , health , beauty , honour ;
+As much as child e'er lov'd , or father found ;
+A love that makes breath poor and speech unable ;
+Beyond all manner of so much I love you .
+
+What shall Cordelia do ? Love , and be silent .
+
+Of all these bounds , even from this line to this ,
+With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd ,
+With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads ,
+We make thee lady : to thine and Albany's issue
+Be this perpetual . What says our second daughter ,
+Our dearest Regan , wife to Cornwall ? Speak .
+
+I am made of that self metal as my sister ,
+And prize me at her worth . In my true heart
+I find she names my very deed of love ;
+Only she comes too short : that I profess
+Myself an enemy to all other joys
+Which the most precious square of sense possesses
+And find I am alone felicitate
+In your dear highness' love .
+
+Then , poor Cordelia !
+And yet not so ; since , I am sure , my love's
+More richer than my tongue .
+
+To thee and thine , hereditary ever ,
+Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom ,
+No less in space , validity , and pleasure ,
+Than that conferr'd on Goneril . Now , our joy ,
+Although our last , not least ; to whose young love
+The vines of France and milk of Burgundy
+Strive to be interess'd ; what can you say to draw
+A third more opulent than your sisters ? Speak .
+
+Nothing , my lord .
+
+Nothing ?
+
+Nothing .
+
+Nothing will come of nothing : speak again .
+
+Unhappy that I am , I cannot heave
+My heart into my mouth : I love your majesty
+According to my bond ; nor more nor less .
+
+How , how , Cordelia ! mend your speech a little ,
+Lest you may mar your fortunes .
+
+Good my lord ,
+You have begot me , bred me , lov'd me : I
+Return those duties back as are right fit ,
+Obey you , love you , and most honour you .
+Why have my sisters husbands , if they say
+They love you all ? Haply , when I shall wed ,
+That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry
+Half my love with him , half my care and duty :
+Sure I shall never marry like my sisters ,
+To love my father all .
+
+But goes thy heart with this ?
+
+Ay , good my lord .
+
+So young , and so untender ?
+
+So young , my lord , and true .
+
+Let it be so ; thy truth then be thy dower :
+For , by the sacred radiance of the sun ,
+The mysteries of Hecate and the night ,
+By all the operation of the orbs
+From whom we do exist and cease to be ,
+Here I disclaim all my paternal care ,
+Propinquity and property of blood ,
+And as a stranger to my heart and me
+Hold thee from this for ever . The barbarous Scythian ,
+Or he that makes his generation messes
+To gorge his appetite , shall to my bosom
+Be as well neighbour'd , pitied , and reliev'd ,
+As thou my sometime daughter .
+
+Good my liege ,
+
+Peace , Kent !
+Come not between the dragon and his wrath .
+I lov'd her most , and thought to set my rest
+On her kind nursery . Hence , and avoid my sight !
+So be my grave my peace , as here I give
+Her father's heart from her ! Call France . Who stirs ?
+Call Burgundy . Cornwall and Albany ,
+With my two daughters' dowers digest the third ;
+Let pride , which she calls plainness , marry her .
+I do invest you jointly with my power ,
+Pre-eminence , and all the large effects
+That troop with majesty . Ourself by monthly course ,
+With reservation of a hundred knights ,
+By you to be sustain'd , shall our abode
+Make with you by due turn . Only we shall retain
+The name and all th' addition to a king ;
+The sway , revenue , execution of the rest ,
+Beloved sons , be yours : which to confirm ,
+This coronet part between you .
+
+Royal Lear ,
+Whom I have ever honour'd as my king ,
+Lov'd as my father , as my master follow'd ,
+As my great patron thought on in my prayers ,
+
+The bow is bent and drawn ; make from the shaft .
+
+Let it fall rather , though the fork invade
+The region of my heart : be Kent unmannerly
+When Lear is mad . What wouldst thou do , old man ?
+Think'st thou that duty shall have dread to speak
+When power to flattery bows ? To plainness honour's bound
+When majesty falls to folly . Reserve thy state ;
+And , in thy best consideration , check
+This hideous rashness : answer my life my judgment ,
+Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least ;
+Nor are those empty-hearted whose low sound
+Reverbs no hollowness .
+
+Kent , on thy life , no more .
+
+My life I never held but as a pawn
+To wage against thine enemies ; nor fear to lose it ,
+Thy safety being the motive .
+
+Out of my sight !
+
+See better , Lear ; and let me still remain
+The true blank of thine eye .
+
+Now , by Apollo ,
+
+Now , by Apollo , king ,
+Thou swear'st thy gods in vain .
+
+O vassal ! miscreant !
+
+
+Dear sir , forbear .
+
+Dear sir , forbear .
+
+Do ;
+Kill thy physician , and the fee bestow
+Upon the foul disease . Revoke thy gift ;
+Or , whilst I can vent clamour from my throat ,
+I'll tell thee thou dost evil .
+
+Hear me , recreant !
+On thine allegiance , hear me !
+Since thou hast sought to make us break our vow ,
+Which we durst never yet ,and , with strain'd pride
+To come betwixt our sentence and our power ,
+Which nor our nature nor our place can hear ,
+Our potency made good , take thy reward .
+Five days we do allot thee for provision
+To shield thee from diseases of the world ;
+And , on the sixth , to turn thy hated back
+Upon our kingdom : if , on the tenth day following
+Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions ,
+The moment is thy death . Away ! By Jupiter ,
+This shall not be revok'd .
+
+Fare thee well , king ; sith thus thou wilt appear ,
+Freedom lives hence , and banishment is here .
+
+
+The gods to their dear shelter take thee , maid ,
+That justly think'st , and hast most rightly said !
+
+
+And your large speeches may your deeds approve ,
+That good effects may spring from words of love .
+Thus Kent , O princes ! bids you all adieu ;
+He'll shape his old course in a country new .
+
+Here's France and Burgundy , my noble lord .
+
+My Lord of Burgundy ,
+We first address toward you , who with this king
+Hath rivall'd for our daughter . What , in the least ,
+Will you require in present dower with her ,
+Or cease your quest of love ?
+
+Most royal majesty ,
+I crave no more than hath your highness offer'd ,
+Nor will you tender less .
+
+Right noble Burgundy ,
+When she was dear to us we did hold her so ,
+But now her price is fall'n . Sir , there she stands :
+If aught within that little-seeming substance ,
+Or all of it , with our displeasure piec'd ,
+And nothing more , may fitly like your Grace ,
+She's there , and she is yours .
+
+I know no answer .
+
+Will you , with those infirmities she owes ,
+Unfriended , new-adopted to our hate ,
+Dower'd with our curse , and stranger'd with our oath ,
+Take her , or leave her ?
+
+Pardon me , royal sir ;
+Election makes not up on such conditions .
+
+Then leave her , sir ; for , by the power that made me ,
+I tell you all her wealth .
+
+For you , great king ,
+I would not from your love make such a stray
+To match you where I hate ; therefore , beseech you
+To avert your liking a more worthier way
+Than on a wretch whom nature is asham'd
+Almost to acknowledge hers .
+
+This is most strange ,
+That she , who even but now was your best object ,
+The argument of your praise , balm of your age ,
+The best , the dearest , should in this trice of time
+Commit a thing so monstrous , to dismantle
+So many folds of favour . Sure , her offence
+Must be of such unnatural degree
+That monsters it , or your fore-vouch'd affection
+Fall into taint ; which to believe of her ,
+Must be a faith that reason without miracle
+Could never plant in me .
+
+I yet beseech your majesty
+If for I want that glib and oily art
+To speak and purpose not ; since what I well intend ,
+I'll do 't before I speak that you make known
+It is no vicious blot nor other foulness ,
+No unchaste action , or dishonour'd step ,
+That hath depriv'd me of your grace and favour ,
+But even for want of that for which I am richer ,
+A still-soliciting eye , and such a tongue
+That I am glad I have not , though not to have it
+Hath lost me in your liking .
+
+Better thou
+Hadst not been born than not to have pleas'd me better .
+
+Is it but this ? a tardiness in nature
+Which often leaves the history unspoke
+That it intends to do ? My Lord of Burgundy ,
+What say you to the lady ? Love is not love
+When it is mingled with regards that stand
+Aloof from the entire point . Will you have her ?
+She is herself a dowry .
+
+Royal Lear ,
+Give but that portion which yourself propos'd ,
+And here I take Cordelia by the hand ,
+Duchess of Burgundy .
+
+Nothing : I have sworn ; I am firm .
+
+I am sorry , then , you have so lost a father
+That you must lose a husband .
+
+Peace be with Burgundy !
+Since that respects of fortune are his love ,
+I shall not be his wife .
+
+Fairest Cordelia , that art most rich , being poor ;
+Most choice , forsaken ; and most lov'd , despis'd !
+Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon :
+Be it lawful I take up what's cast away .
+Gods , gods ! 'tis strange that from their cold'st neglect
+My love should kindle to inflam'd respect .
+Thy dowerless daughter , king , thrown to my chance ,
+Is queen of us , of ours , and our fair France :
+Not all the dukes of waterish Burgundy
+Shall buy this unpriz'd precious maid of me .
+Bid them farewell , Cordelia , though unkind :
+Thou losest here , a better where to find .
+
+Thou hast her , France ; let her be thine , for we
+Have no such daughter , nor shall ever see
+That face of hers again , therefore be gone
+Without our grace , our love , our benison .
+Come , noble Burgundy .
+
+
+Bid farewell to your sisters .
+
+The jewels of our father , with wash'd eyes
+Cordelia leaves you : I know you what you are ;
+And like a sister am most loath to call
+Your faults as they are nam'd . Use well our father :
+To your professed bosoms I commit him :
+But yet , alas ! stood I within his grace ,
+I would prefer him to a better place .
+So farewell to you both .
+
+Prescribe not us our duties .
+
+Let your study
+Be to content your lord , who hath receiv'd you
+At fortune's alms ; you have obedience scanted ,
+And well are worth the want that you have wanted .
+
+Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides ;
+Who covers faults , at last shame them derides .
+Well may you prosper !
+
+Come , my fair Cordelia .
+
+
+Sister , it is not little I have to say of what most nearly appertains to us both . I think our father will hence to-night .
+
+That's most certain , and with you ; next month with us .
+
+You see how full of changes his age is ; the observation we have made of it hath not been little : he always loved our sister most ; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off appears too grossly .
+
+'Tis the infirmity of his age ; yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself .
+
+The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash ; then , must we look to receive from his age , not alone the imperfections of long-engraffed condition , but , therewithal the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them .
+
+Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him as this of Kent's banishment .
+
+There is further compliment of leave-taking between France and him . Pray you , let us hit together : if our father carry authority with such dispositions as he bears , this last surrender of his will but offend us .
+
+We shall further think on't .
+
+We must do something , and i' the heat .
+
+
+Thou , Nature , art my goddess ; to thy law
+My services are bound . Wherefore should I
+Stand in the plague of custom , and permit
+The curiosity of nations to deprive me ,
+For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines
+Lag of a brother ? Why bastard ? wherefore base ?
+When my dimensions are as well compact ,
+My mind as generous , and my shape as true ,
+As honest madam's issue ? Why brand they us
+With base ? with baseness ? bastardy ? base , base ?
+Who in the lusty stealth of nature take
+More composition and fierce quality
+Than doth , within a dull , stale , tired bed ,
+Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops ,
+Got 'tween asleep and wake ? Well then ,
+Legitimate Edgar , I must have your land :
+Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund
+As to the legitimate . Fine word , 'legitimate !'
+Well , my legitimate , if this letter speed ,
+And my invention thrive , Edmund the base
+Shall top the legitimate :I grow , I prosper ;
+Now , gods , stand up for bastards !
+
+
+Kent banished thus ! And France in choler parted !
+And the king gone to-night ! subscrib'd his power !
+Confin'd to exhibition ! All this done
+Upon the gad ! Edmund , how now ! what news ?
+
+So please your lordship , none .
+
+
+Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter ?
+
+I know no news , my lord .
+
+What paper were you reading ?
+
+Nothing , my lord .
+
+No ? What needed then that terrible dispatch of it into your pocket ? the quality of nothing hath not such need to hide itself . Let's see ; come ; if it be nothing , I shall not need spectacles .
+
+I beseech you , sir , pardon me ; it is a letter from my brother that I have not all o'er-read , and for so much as I have perused , I find it not fit for your o'er-looking .
+
+Give me the letter , sir .
+
+I shall offend , either to detain or give it . The contents , as in part I understand them , are to blame .
+
+Let's see , let's see .
+
+I hope , for my brother's justification , he wrote this but as an essay or taste of my virtue .
+
+This policy and reverence of age makes the world bitter to the best of our times ; keeps our fortunes from us till our oldness cannot relish them . I begin to find an idle and fond bondage in the oppression of aged tyranny , who sways , not as it hath power , but as it is suffered . Come to me , that of this I may speak more . If our father would sleep till I waked him , you should enjoy half his revenue for ever , and live the beloved of your brother ,
+
+It was not brought me , my lord ; there's the cunning of it ; I found it thrown in at the casement of my closet .
+
+You know the character to be your brother's ?
+
+If the matter were good , my lord , I durst swear it were his ; but , in respect of that , I would fain think it were not .
+
+It is his .
+
+It is his hand , my lord ; but I hope his heart is not in the contents .
+
+Hath he never heretofore sounded you in this business ?
+
+Never , my lord : but I have often heard him maintain it to be fit that , sons at perfect age , and fathers declined , the father should be as ward to the son , and the son manage his revenue .
+
+O villain , villain ! His very opinion in the letter ! Abhorred villain ! Unnatural , detested , brutish villain ! worse than brutish ! Go , sirrah , seek him ; I'll apprehend him . Abominable villain ! Where is he ?
+
+I do not well know , my lord . If it shall please you to suspend your indignation against my brother till you can derive from him better testimony of his intent , you shall run a certain course ; where , if you violently proceed against him , mistaking his purpose , it would make a great gap in your own honour , and shake in pieces the heart of his obedience . I dare pawn down my life for him , that he hath writ this to feel my affection to your honour , and to no other pretence of danger .
+
+Think you so ?
+
+If your honour judge it meet , I will place you where you shall hear us confer of this , and by an auricular assurance have your satisfaction ; and that without any further delay than this very evening .
+
+He cannot be such a monster
+
+Nor is not , sure .
+
+to his father , that so tenderly and entirely loves him . Heaven and earth ! Edmund , seek him out ; wind me into him , I pray you : frame the business after your own wisdom . I would unstate myself to be in a due resolution .
+
+I will seek him , sir , presently ; convey the business as I shall find means , and acquaint you withal .
+
+These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us : though the wisdom of nature can reason it thus and thus , yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects . Love cools , friendship falls off , brothers divide : in cities , mutinies ; in countries , discord ; in palaces , treason ; and the bond cracked between son and father . This villain of mine comes under the prediction ; there's son against father : the king falls from bias of nature ; there's father against child . We have seen the best of our time : machinations , hollowness , treachery , and all ruinous disorders , follow us disquietly to our graves . Find out this villain , Edmund ; it shall lose thee nothing : do it carefully . And the noble and true-hearted Kent banished ! his offence , honesty ! 'Tis strange !
+
+
+This is the excellent foppery of the world , that , when we are sick in fortune ,often the surfeit of our own behaviour ,we make guilty of our disasters the sun , the moon , and the stars ; as if we were villains by necessity , fools by heavenly compulsion , knaves , thieves , and treachers by spherical predominance , drunkards , liars , and adulterers by an enforced obedience of planetary influence ; and all that we are evil in , by a divine thrusting on : an admirable evasion of whoremaster man , to lay his goatish disposition to the charge of a star ! My father compounded with my mother under the dragon's tail , and my nativity was under ursa major ; so that it follows I am rough and lecherous . 'Sfoot ! I should have been that I am had the maidenliest star in the firmament twinkled on my bastardizing . Edgar
+
+and pat he comes , like the catastrophe of the old comedy : my cue is villanous melancholy , with a sigh like Tom o' Bedlam . O , these eclipses do portend these divisions ! Fa , sol , la , mi .
+
+How now , brother Edmund ! What serious contemplation are you in ?
+
+I am thinking , brother , of a prediction I read this other day , what should follow these eclipses .
+
+Do you busy yourself with that ?
+
+I promise you the effects he writes of succeed unhappily ; as of unnaturalness between the child and the parent ; death , dearth , dissolutions of ancient amities ; divisions in state ; menaces and maledictions against king and nobles ; needless diffidences , banishment of friends , dissipation of cohorts , nuptial breaches , and I know not what .
+
+How long have you been a sectary astronomical ?
+
+Come , come ; when saw you my father last ?
+
+The night gone by .
+
+Spake you with him ?
+
+Ay , two hours together .
+
+Parted you in good terms ? Found you no displeasure in him by word or countenance ?
+
+None at all .
+
+Bethink yourself wherein you may have offended him ; and at my entreaty forbear his presence till some little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure , which at this instant so rageth in him that with the mischief of your person it would scarcely allay .
+
+Some villain hath done me wrong .
+
+That's my fear . I pray you have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower , and , as I say , retire with me to my lodging , from whence I will fitly bring you to hear my lord speak . Pray you , go ; there's my key . If you do stir abroad , go armed .
+
+Armed , brother !
+
+Brother , I advise you to the best ; go armed ; I am no honest man if there be any good meaning toward you ; I have told you what I have seen and heard ; but faintly , nothing like the image and horror of it ; pray you , away .
+
+Shall I hear from you anon ?
+
+I do serve you in this business .
+
+A credulous father , and a brother noble ,
+Whose nature is so far from doing harms
+That he suspects none ; on whose foolish honesty
+My practices ride easy ! I see the business .
+Let me , if not by birth , have lands by wit :
+All with me's meet that I can fashion fit .
+
+
+Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool ?
+
+Ay , madam .
+
+By day and night he wrongs me ; every hour
+He flashes into one gross crime or other ,
+That sets us all at odds : I'll not endure it :
+His knights grow riotous , and himself upbraids us
+On every trifle . When he returns from hunting
+I will not speak with him ; say I am sick :
+If you come slack of former services ,
+You shall do well ; the fault of it I'll answer .
+
+He's coming , madam ; I hear him .
+
+
+Put on what weary negligence you please ,
+You and your fellows ; I'd have it come to question :
+If he distaste it , let him to my sister ,
+Whose mind and mine , I know , in that are one ,
+Not to be over-rul'd . Idle old man ,
+That still would manage those authorities
+That he hath given away ! Now , by my life ,
+Old fools are babes again , and must be us'd
+With cheeks as flatteries , when they are seen abus'd .
+Remember what I have said .
+
+Well , madam .
+
+And let his knights have colder looks among you ;
+What grown of it , no matter ; advise your fellows so :
+I would breed from hence occasions , and I shall ,
+That I may speak : I'll write straight to my sister
+To hold my very source . Prepare for dinner .
+
+
+If but as well I other accents borrow ,
+That can my speech diffuse , my good intent
+May carry through itself to that full issue
+For which I raz'd my likeness . Now , banish'd Kent ,
+If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemn'd ,
+So may it come , thy master , whom thou lov'st ,
+Shall find thee full of labours .
+
+
+Let me not stay a jot for dinner : go , get it ready .
+
+How now ! what art thou ?
+
+A man , sir .
+
+What dost thou profess ? What wouldst thou with us ?
+
+I do profess to be no less than I seem ; to serve him truly that will put me in trust ; to love him that is honest ; to converse with him that is wise , and says little ; to fear judgment ; to fight when I cannot choose ; and to eat no fish .
+
+What art thou ?
+
+A very honest-hearted fellow , and as poor as the king .
+
+If thou be as poor for a subject as he is for a king , thou art poor enough . What wouldst thou ?
+
+Service .
+
+Whom wouldst thou serve ?
+
+You .
+
+Dost thou know me , fellow ?
+
+No , sir ; but you have that in your countenance which I would fain call master .
+
+What's that ?
+
+Authority .
+
+What services canst thou do ?
+
+I can keep honest counsel , ride , run , mar a curious tale in telling it , and deliver a plain message bluntly ; that which ordinary men are fit for , I am qualified in , and the best of me is diligence .
+
+How old art thou ?
+
+Not so young , sir , to love a woman for singing , nor so old to dote on her for any thing ; I have years on my back forty-eight .
+
+Follow me ; thou shalt serve me ; if I like thee no worse after dinner I will not part from thee yet . Dinner , ho ! dinner ! Where's my knave ? my fool ? Go you and call my fool hither .
+
+
+You , you , sirrah , where's my daughter ?
+
+So please you ,
+
+
+What says the fellow there ? Call the clotpoll back .
+
+Where's my fool , ho ? I think the world's asleep . How now ! where's that mongrel ?
+
+
+He says , my lord , your daughter is not well .
+
+Why came not the slave back to me when I called him ?
+
+Sir , he answered me in the roundest manner , he would not .
+
+He would not !
+
+My lord , I know not what the matter is ; but , to my judgment , your highness is not entertained with that ceremonious affection as you were wont ; there's a great abatement of kindness appears as well in the general dependants as in the duke himself also and your daughter .
+
+Ha ! sayest thou so ?
+
+I beseech you , pardon me , my lord , if I be mistaken ; for my duty cannot be silent when I think your highness wronged .
+
+Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception : I have perceived a most faint neglect of late ; which I have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as a very pretence and purpose of unkindness : I will look further into 't . But where's my fool ? I have not seen him this two days .
+
+Since my young lady's going into France , sir , the fool hath much pined him away .
+
+No more of that ; I have noted it well .
+Go you and tell my daughter I would speak with her .
+
+Go you , call hither my fool .
+
+O ! you sir , you , come you hither , sir . Who am
+
+I , sir ?
+
+My lady's father .
+
+'My lady's father !' my lord's knave : you whoreson dog ! you slave ! you cur !
+
+I am none of these , my lord ; I beseech your pardon .
+
+Do you bandy looks with me , you rascal ?
+
+
+I'll not be struck , my lord .
+
+Nor tripped neither , you base football player .
+
+
+I thank thee , fellow ; thou servest me , and I'll love thee .
+
+Come , sir , arise , away ! I'll teach you differences : away , away ! If you will measure your lubber's length again , tarry ; but away !
+Go to ; have you wisdom ? so .
+
+
+Now , my friendly knave , I thank thee : there's earnest of thy service .
+
+Let me hire him too : here's my coxcomb .
+
+
+How now , my pretty knave ! how dost thou ?
+
+Sirrah , you were best take my coxcomb .
+
+Why , fool ?
+
+Why ? for taking one's part that's out of favour . Nay , an thou canst not smile as the wind sits , thou'lt catch cold shortly : there , take my coxcomb . Why , this fellow has banished two on 's daughters , and did the third a blessing against his will : if thou follow him thou must needs wear my coxcomb . How now , nuncle ! Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters !
+
+Why , my boy ?
+
+If I gave them all my living , I'd keep my coxcombs myself . There's mine ; beg another of thy daughters .
+
+Take heed , sirrah ; the whip .
+
+Truth's a dog must to kennel ; he must be whipped out when Lady the brach may stand by the fire and stink .
+
+A pestilent gall to me !
+
+Sirrah , I'll teach' thee a speech .
+
+Do .
+
+Mark it , nuncle :
+
+Have more than thou showest ,
+Speak less than thou knowest ,
+Lend less than thou owest ,
+Ride more than thou goest ,
+Learn more than thou trowest ,
+Set less than thou throwest ;
+Leave thy drink and thy whore ,
+And keep in-a-door ,
+And thou shalt have more
+Than two tens to a score .
+
+
+This is nothing , fool .
+
+Then 'tis like the breath of an unfee'd lawyer , you gave me nothing for 't . Can you make no use of nothing , nuncle ?
+
+Why , no , boy ; nothing can be made out of nothing .
+
+Prithee , tell him , so much the rent of his land comes to : he will not believe a fool .
+
+A bitter fool !
+
+Dost thou know the difference , my boy , between a bitter fool and a sweet fool ?
+
+No , lad ; teach me .
+
+
+That lord that counsell'd thee
+To give away thy land ,
+Come place him here by me ,
+Do thou for him stand :
+The sweet and bitter fool
+Will presently appear ;
+The one in motley here ,
+The other found out there .
+
+
+Dost thou call me fool , boy ?
+
+All thy other titles thou hast given away ; that thou wast born with .
+
+This is not altogether fool , my lord .
+
+No , faith , lords and great men will not let me ; if I had a monopoly out , they would have part on 't , and ladies too : they will not let me have all fool to myself ; they'll be snatching . Nuncle , give me an egg , and I'll give thee two crowns .
+
+What two crowns shall they be ?
+
+Why , after I have cut the egg i' the middle and eat up the meat , the two crowns of the egg . When thou clovest thy crown i' the middle , and gavest away both parts , thou borest thine ass on thy back o'er the dirt : thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown when thou gavest thy golden one away . If I speak like myself in this , let him be whipped that first finds it so .
+
+Fools had ne'er less grace in a year ;
+For wise men are grown foppish ,
+And know not how their wits to wear ,
+Their manners are so apish .
+
+
+When were you wont to be so full of songs , sirrah ?
+
+I have used it , nuncle , ever since thou madest thy daughters thy mothers ; for when thou gavest them the rod and puttest down thine own breeches ,
+
+Then they for sudden joy did weep ,
+And I for sorrow sung ,
+That such a king should play bo-peep ,
+And go the fools among .
+
+Prithee , nuncle , keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy fool to lie : I would fain learn to lie .
+
+An you lie , sirrah , we'll have you whipped .
+
+I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are : they'll have me whipped for speaking true , thou'lt have me whipped for lying ; and sometimes I am whipped for holding my peace . I had rather be any kind o' thing than a fool ; and yet I would not be thee , nuncle ; thou hast pared thy wit o' both sides , and left nothing i' the middle : here comes one o' the parings .
+
+
+How now , daughter ! what makes that frontlet on ? Methinks you are too much of late i' the frown .
+
+Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need to care for her frowning ; now thou art an O without a figure . I am better than thou art now ; I am a fool , thou art nothing .
+
+Yes , forsooth , I will hold my tongue ; so your face bids me , though you say nothing .
+
+Mum , mum ;
+He that keeps nor crust nor crumb ,
+Weary of all , shall want some .
+
+That's a shealed peascod .
+
+
+Not only , sir , this your all-licens'd fool ,
+But other of your insolent retinue
+Do hourly carp and quarrel , breaking forth
+In rank and not-to-be-endured riots . Sir ,
+I had thought , by making this well known unto you ,
+To have found a safe redress ; but now grow fearful ,
+By what yourself too late have spoke and done .
+That you protect this course , and put it on
+By your allowance ; which if you should , the fault
+Would not 'scape censure , nor the redresses sleep ,
+Which , in the tender of a wholesome weal ,
+Might in their working do you that offence ,
+Which else were shame , that then necessity
+Will call discreet proceeding .
+
+For you trow , nuncle ,
+
+The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long ,
+That it had it head bit off by it young .
+
+So out went the candle , and we were left darkling .
+
+Are you our daughter ?
+
+I would you would make use of your good wisdom ,
+Whereof I know you are fraught ; and put away
+These dispositions which of late transform you
+From what you rightly are .
+
+May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse ? Whoop , Jug ! I love thee .
+
+Does any here know me ? This is not Lear :
+Does Lear walk thus ? speak thus ? Where are his eyes ?
+Either his notion weakens , his discernings
+Are lethargied . Ha ! waking ? 'tis not so .
+Who is it that can tell me who I am ?
+
+Lear's shadow .
+
+I would learn that ; for , by the marks of sovereignty , knowledge and reason , I should be false persuaded I had daughters .
+
+Which they will make an obedient father .
+
+Your name , fair gentlewoman ?
+
+This admiration , sir , is much o' the favour
+Of other your new pranks . I do beseech you
+To understand my purposes aright :
+As you are old and reverend , should be wise .
+Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires ;
+Men so disorder'd , so debosh'd , and bold ,
+That this our court , infected with their manners ,
+Shows like a riotous inn : epicurism and lust
+Make it more like a tavern or a brothel
+Than a grac'd palace . The shame itself doth speak
+For instant remedy ; be then desir'd
+By her that else will take the thing she begs ,
+A little to disquantity your train ;
+And the remainder , that shall still depend ,
+To be such men as may besort your age ,
+Which know themselves and you .
+
+Darkness and devils !
+Saddle my horses ; call my train together .
+Degenerate bastard ! I'll not trouble thee :
+Yet have I left a daughter .
+
+You strike my people , and your disorder'd rabble
+Make servants of their betters .
+
+
+Woe , that too late repents ;
+
+
+O ! sir , are you come ?
+Is it your will ? Speak , sir . Prepare my horses .
+Ingratitude , thou marble-hearted fiend ,
+More hideous , when thou show'st thee in a child ,
+Than the sea-monster .
+
+Pray , sir , be patient .
+
+Detested kite ! thou liest :
+My train are men of choice and rarest parts ,
+That all particulars of duty know ,
+And in the most exact regard support
+The worships of their name . O most small fault ,
+How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show !
+Which , like an engine , wrench'd my frame of nature
+From the fix'd place , drew from my heart all love ,
+And added to the gall . O Lear , Lear , Lear !
+Beat at this gate , that let thy folly in ,
+
+And thy dear judgment out ! Go , go , my people .
+
+My lord , I am guiltless , as I am ignorant
+Of what hath mov'd you .
+
+It may be so , my lord .
+Hear , Nature , hear ! dear goddess , hear !
+Suspend thy purpose , if thou didst intend
+To make this creature fruitful !
+Into her womb convey sterility !
+Dry up in her the organs of increase ,
+And from her derogate body never spring
+A babe to honour her ! If she must teem ,
+Create her child of spleen , that it may live
+And be a thwart disnatur'd torment to her !
+Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth ,
+With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks ,
+Turn all her mother's pains and benefits
+To laughter and contempt , that she may feel
+How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
+To have a thankless child ! Away , away !
+
+
+Now , gods that we adore , whereof comes this ?
+
+Never afflict yourself to know the cause ;
+But let his disposition have that scope
+That dotage gives it .
+
+
+What ! fifty of my followers at a clap ,
+Within a fortnight ?
+
+What's the matter , sir ?
+
+I'll tell thee .
+
+Life and death ! I am asham'd
+That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus ,
+That these hot tears , which break from me perforce ,
+Should make thee worth them . Blasts and fogs upon thee !
+Th' untented woundings of a father's curse
+Pierce every sense about thee ! Old fond eyes ,
+Beweep this cause again , I'll pluck ye out ,
+And cast you , with the waters that you lose ,
+To temper clay . Yea , is it come to this ?
+Let it be so : I have another daughter ,
+Who , I am sure , is kind and comfortable :
+When she shall hear this of thee , with her nails
+She'll flay thy wolvish visage . Thou shalt find
+That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think
+I have cast off for ever ; thou shalt , I warrant thee .
+
+
+Do you mark that ?
+
+I cannot be so partial , Goneril ,
+To the great love I bear you .
+
+Pray you , content . What , Oswald , ho !
+
+
+You , sir , more knave than fool , after your master .
+
+Nuncle Lear , nuncle Lear ! tarry , and take the fool with thee .
+
+A fox , when one has caught her ,
+And such a daughter ,
+Should sure to the slaughter ,
+If my cap would buy a halter ;
+So the fool follows after .
+
+This man hath had good counsel . A hundred knights !
+'Tis politic and safe to let him keep
+At point a hundred knights ; yes , that on every dream ,
+Each buzz , each fancy , each complaint , dislike ,
+He may enguard his dotage with their powers ,
+And hold our lives in mercy . Oswald , I say !
+
+Well , you may fear too far .
+
+Safer than trust too far .
+Let me still take away the harms I fear ,
+Not fear still to be taken : I know his heart .
+What he hath utter'd I have writ my sister ;
+If she sustain him and his hundred knights ,
+When I have show'd the unfitness ,
+
+
+How now , Oswald !
+
+What ! have you writ that letter to my sister ?
+
+Ay , madam .
+
+Take you some company , and away to horse :
+Inform her full of my particular fear ;
+And thereto add such reasons of your own
+As may compact it more . Get you gone ,
+And hasten your return .
+
+No , no , my lord ,
+This milky gentleness and course of yours
+Though I condemn not , yet , under pardon ,
+You are much more attask'd for want of wisdom
+Than prais'd for harmful mildness .
+
+How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell :
+Striving to better , oft we mar what's well .
+
+Nay , then
+
+Well , well ; the event .
+
+
+Go you before to Gloucester with these letters . Acquaint my daughter no further with any thing you know than comes from her demand out of the letter . If your diligence be not speedy I shall be there before you .
+
+I will not sleep , my lord , till I have delivered your letter .
+
+
+If a man's brains were in 's heels , were't not in danger of kibes ?
+
+Ay , boy .
+
+Then , I prithee , be merry ; thy wit shall not go slip-shod .
+
+Ha , ha , ha !
+
+Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly ; for though she's as like this as a crab is like an apple , yet I can tell what I can tell .
+
+What canst tell , boy ?
+
+She will taste as like this as a crab does to a crab . Thou canst tell why one's nose stands i' the middle on 's face ?
+
+No .
+
+Why , to keep one's eyes of either side's nose , that what a man cannot smell out , he may spy into .
+
+I did her wrong ,
+
+Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell ?
+
+No .
+
+Nor I neither ; but I can tell why a snail has a house .
+
+Why ?
+
+Why , to put his head in ; not to give it away to his daughters , and leave his horns without a case .
+
+I will forget my nature . So kind a father ! Be my horses ready ?
+
+Thy asses are gone about 'em . The reason why the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason .
+
+Because they are not eight ?
+
+Yes , indeed : thou wouldst make a good fool .
+
+To take it again perforce ! Monster ingratitude !
+
+If thou wert my fool , nuncle , I'd have thee beaten for being old before thy time .
+
+How's that ?
+
+Thou shouldst not have been old before thou hadst been wise .
+
+O ! let me not be mad , not mad , sweet heaven ;
+Keep me in temper ; I would not be mad !
+
+How now ! Are the horses ready ?
+
+Ready , my lord .
+
+Come , boy .
+
+She that's a maid now , and laughs at my departure ,
+Shall not be a maid long , unless things be cut shorter .
+
+Save thee , Curan .
+
+And you , sir . I have been with your father , and given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here with him to-night .
+
+How comes that ?
+
+Nay , I know not . You have heard of the news abroad ? I mean the whispered ones , for they are yet but ear-kissing arguments ?
+
+Not I : pray you , what are they ?
+
+Have you heard of no likely wars toward , 'twixt the Dukes of Cornwall and Albany ?
+
+Not a word .
+
+You may do then , in time . Fare you well , sir .
+
+
+The duke be here to-night ! The better ! best !
+This weaves itself perforce into my business .
+My father hath set guard to take my brother ;
+And I have one thing , of a queasy question ,
+Which I must act . Briefness and fortune , work !
+Brother , a word ; descend : brother , I say !
+
+
+My father watches : O sir ! fly this place ;
+Intelligence is given where you are hid ;
+You have now the good advantage of the night .
+Have you not spoken 'gainst the Duke of Cornwall ?
+He's coming hither , now , i' the night , i' the haste ,
+And Regan with him ; have you nothing said
+Upon his party 'gainst the Duke of Albany ?
+
+Advise yourself .
+
+I am sure on 't , not a word .
+
+I hear my father coming ; pardon me ;
+In cunning I must draw my sword upon you ;
+Draw ; seem to defend yourself ; now 'quit you well .
+Yield ;come before my father . Light , ho ! here !
+Fly , brother . Torches ! torches ! So , farewell .
+
+Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion
+
+Of my more fierce endeavour : I have seen drunkards
+Do more than this in sport . Father ! father !
+Stop , stop ! No help ?
+
+
+Now , Edmund , where's the villain ?
+
+Here stood he in the dark , his sharp sword out ,
+Mumbling of wicked charms , conjuring the moon
+To stand auspicious mistress .
+
+But where is he ?
+
+Look , sir , I bleed .
+
+Where is the villain , Edmund ?
+
+Fled this way , sir . When by no means he could
+
+Pursue him , ho ! Go after .
+
+'By no means' what ?
+
+Persuade me to the murder of your lordship ;
+But that I told him , the revenging gods
+'Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend ;
+Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond
+The child was bound to the father ; sir , in fine ,
+Seeing how loathly opposite I stood
+To his unnatural purpose , in fell motion ,
+With his prepared sword he charges home
+My unprovided body , lanc'd mine arm :
+But when he saw my best alarum'd spirits
+Bold in the quarrel's right , rous'd to the encounter ,
+Or whether gasted by the noise I made ,
+Full suddenly he fled .
+
+Let him fly far :
+Not in this land shall he remain uncaught ;
+And found dispatch . The noble duke my master ,
+My worthy arch and patron , comes to-night :
+By his authority I will proclaim it ,
+That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks ,
+Bringing the murderous coward to the stake ;
+He that conceals him , death .
+
+When I dissuaded him from his intent ,
+And found him pight to do it , with curst speech
+I threaten'd to discover him : he replied ,
+'Thou unpossessing bastard ! dost thou think ,
+If I would stand against thee , would the reposal
+Of any trust , virtue , or worth , in thee
+Make thy words faith'd ? No : what I should deny ,
+As this I would ; ay , though thou didst produce
+My very character ,I'd turn it all
+To thy suggestion , plot , and damned practice :
+And thou must make a dullard of the world ,
+If they not thought the profits of my death
+Were very pregnant and potential spurs
+To make thee seek it .'
+
+Strong and fasten'd villain !
+Would he deny his letter ? I never got him .
+
+Hark ! the duke's trumpets . I know not why he comes .
+All ports I'll bar ; the villain shall not 'scape ;
+The duke must grant me that : besides , his picture
+I will send far and near , that all the kingdom
+May have due note of him ; and of my land ,
+Loyal and natural boy , I'll work the means
+To make thee capable .
+
+
+How now , my noble friend ! since I came hither ,
+Which I can call but now ,I have heard strange news .
+
+If it be true , all vengeance comes too short
+Which can pursue the offender . How dost , my lord ?
+
+O ! madam , my old heart is crack'd , it's crack'd .
+
+What ! did my father's godson seek your life ?
+He whom my father nam'd ? your Edgar ?
+
+O ! lady , lady , shame would have it hid .
+
+Was he not companion with the riotous knights
+That tend upon my father ?
+
+I know not , madam ; 'tis too bad , too bad .
+
+Yes , madam , he was of that consort .
+
+No marvel then though he were ill affected ;
+'Tis they have put him on the old man's death ,
+To have the expense and waste of his revenues .
+I have this present evening from my sister
+Been well-inform'd of them , and with such cautions
+That if they come to sojourn at my house ,
+I'll not be there .
+
+Nor I , assure thee , Regan .
+Edmund , I hear that you have shown your father
+A child-like office .
+
+'Twas my duty , sir .
+
+He did bewray his practice ; and receiv'd
+This hurt you see , striving to apprehend him .
+
+Is he pursu'd ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+If he be taken he shall never more
+Be fear'd of doing harm ; make your own purpose ,
+How in my strength you please . For you , Edmund ,
+Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant
+So much commend itself , you shall be ours :
+Natures of such deep trust we shall much need ;
+You we first seize on .
+
+I shall serve you , sir ,
+Truly , however else .
+
+For him I thank your Grace .
+
+You know not why we came to visit you ,
+
+Thus out of season , threading dark-ey'd night :
+Occasions , noble Gloucester , of some prize ,
+Wherein we must have use of your advice .
+Our father he hath writ , so hath our sister ,
+Of differences , which I best thought it fit
+To answer from our home ; the several messengers
+From hence attend dispatch . Our good old friend ,
+Lay comforts to your bosom , and bestow
+Your needful counsel to our businesses ,
+Which craves the instant use .
+
+I serve you , madam .
+Your Graces are right welcome .
+
+
+Good dawning to thee , friend : art of this house ?
+
+Ay .
+
+Where may we set our horses ?
+
+I' the mire .
+
+Prithee , if thou lovest me , tell me .
+
+I love thee not .
+
+Why , then I care not for thee .
+
+If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold , I would make thee care for me .
+
+Why dost thou use me thus ? I know thee not .
+
+Fellow , I know thee .
+
+What dost thou know me for ?
+
+A knave , a rascal , an eater of broken meats ; a base , proud , shallow , beggarly , three-suited , hundred-pound , filthy , worsted-stocking knave ; a lily-liver'd , action-taking knave ; a whoreson , glass-gazing , superserviceable , finical rogue ; one-trunk-inheriting slave ; one that wouldst be a bawd , in way of good service , and art nothing but the composition of a knave , beggar , coward , pandar , and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch : one whom I will beat into clamorous whining if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition .
+
+Why , what a monstrous fellow art thou , thus to rail on one that is neither known of thee nor knows thee !
+
+What a brazen-faced varlet art thou , to deny thou knowest me ! Is it two days since I tripped up thy heels and beat thee before the king ? Draw , you rogue ; for , though it be night , yet the moon shines : I'll make a sop o' the moonshine of you .
+
+Draw , you whoreson , cullionly , barber-monger , draw .
+
+Away ! I have nothing to do with thee .
+
+Draw , you rascal ; you come with letters against the king , and take vanity the pupet's part against the royalty of her father . Draw , you rogue , or I'll so carbonado your shanks : draw , you rascal ; come your ways .
+
+Help , ho ! murder ! help !
+
+Strike , you slave ; stand , rogue , stand ; you neat slave , strike .
+
+
+Help , oh ! murder ! murder !
+
+
+How now ! What's the matter ?
+
+
+With you , goodman boy , if you please : come ,
+I'll flesh ye ; come on , young master .
+
+
+Weapons ! arms ! What's the matter here ?
+
+Keep peace , upon your lives :
+He dies that strikes again . What is the matter ?
+
+The messengers from our sister and the king .
+
+What is your difference ? speak .
+
+I am scarce in breath , my lord .
+
+No marvel , you have so bestirred your valour . You cowardly rascal , nature disclaims in thee : a tailor made thee .
+
+Thou art a strange fellow ; a tailor make a man ?
+
+Ay , a tailor , sir : a stone-cutter or a painter could not have made him so ill , though they had been but two hours o' the trade .
+
+Speak yet , how grew your quarrel ?
+
+This ancient ruffian , sir , whose life I have spar'd at suit of his grey beard ,
+
+Thou whoreson zed ! thou unnecessary letter ! My lord , if you will give me leave , I will tread this unbolted villain into mortar , and daub the wall of a jakes with him . Spare my grey beard , you wagtail ?
+
+Peace , sirrah !
+You beastly knave , know you no reverence ?
+
+Yes , sir ; but anger hath a privilege .
+
+Why art thou angry ?
+
+That such a slave as this should wear a sword ,
+Who wears no honesty . Such smiling rogues as these ,
+Like rats , oft bite the holy cords a-twain
+Which are too intrinse t' unloose ; smooth every passion
+That in the natures of their lords rebel ;
+Bring oil to fire , snow to their colder moods ;
+Renege , affirm , and turn their halcyon beaks
+With every gale and vary of their masters ,
+Knowing nought , like dogs , but following .
+A plague upon your epileptic visage !
+Smile you my speeches , as I were a fool ?
+Goose , if I had you upon Sarum plain ,
+I'd drive ye cackling home to Camelot .
+
+What ! art thou mad , old fellow ?
+
+How fell you out ? say that .
+
+No contraries hold more antipathy
+Than I and such a knave .
+
+Why dost thou call him knave ? What is his fault ?
+
+His countenance likes me not .
+
+No more , perchance , does mine , nor his , nor hers .
+
+Sir , 'tis my occupation to be plain :
+I have seen better faces in my time
+Than stands on any shoulder that I see
+Before me at this instant .
+
+This is some fellow ,
+Who , having been prais'd for bluntness , doth affect
+A saucy roughness , and constrains the garb
+Quite from his nature : he cannot flatter , he ,
+An honest mind and plain , he must speak truth :
+An they will take it , so ; if not , he's plain .
+These kind of knaves I know , which in this plainness
+Harbour more craft and more corrupter ends
+Than twenty silly-ducking observants ,
+That stretch their duties nicely .
+
+Sir , in good sooth , in sincere verity ,
+Under the allowance of your grand aspect ,
+Whose influence , like the wreath of radiant fire
+On flickering Ph bus' front ,
+
+What mean'st by this ?
+
+To go out of my dialect , which you discommend so much . I know , sir , I am no flatterer : he that beguiled you in a plain accent was a plain knave ; which for my part I will not be , though I should win your displeasure to entreat me to 't .
+
+What was the offence you gave him ?
+
+I never gave him any :
+It pleas'd the king his master very late
+To strike at me , upon his misconstruction ;
+When he , conjunct , and flattering his displeasure ,
+Tripp'd me behind ; being down , insulted , rail'd ,
+And put upon him such a deal of man ,
+That worthied him , got praises of the king
+For him attempting who was self-subdu'd ;
+And , in the fleshment of this dread exploit ,
+Drew on me here again .
+
+None of these rogues and cowards
+But Ajax is their fool .
+
+Fetch forth the stocks !
+You stubborn ancient knave , you reverend braggart ,
+We'll teach you .
+
+Sir , I am too old to learn ,
+Call not your stocks for me ; I serve the king ,
+On whose employment I was sent to you ;
+You shall do small respect , show too bold malice
+Against the grace and person of my master ,
+Stocking his messenger .
+
+Fetch forth the stocks ! As I have life and honour ,
+There shall he sit till noon .
+
+Till noon ! Till night , my lord ; and all night too .
+
+Why , madam , if I were your father's dog ,
+You should not use me so .
+
+Sir , being his knave , I will .
+
+This is a fellow of the self-same colour
+Our sister speaks of . Come , bring away the stocks .
+
+
+Let me beseech your Grace not to do so .
+His fault is much , and the good king his master
+Will check him for't : your purpos'd low correction
+Is such as basest and contemned'st wretches
+For pilferings and most common trespasses
+Are punish'd with : the king must take it ill ,
+That he , so slightly valu'd in his messenger ,
+Should have him thus restrain'd .
+
+I'll answer that .
+
+My sister may receive it much more worse
+To have her gentleman abus'd , assaulted ,
+For following her affairs . Put in his legs .
+
+Come , my good lord , away .
+
+
+I am sorry for thee , friend ; 'tis the duke's pleasure ,
+Whose disposition , all the world well knows ,
+Will not be rubb'd nor stopp'd ; I'll entreat for thee .
+
+Pray , do not , sir . I have watch'd and travell'd hard ;
+Some time I shall sleep out , the rest I'll whistle .
+A good man's fortune may grow out at heels :
+Give you good morrow !
+
+The duke's to blame in this ; 'twill be ill taken .
+
+
+Good king , that must approve the common saw ,
+Thou out of heaven's benediction com'st
+To the warm sun .
+Approach , thou beacon to this under globe ,
+That by thy comfortable beams I may
+Peruse this letter . Nothing almost sees miracles
+But misery : I know 'tis from Cordelia ,
+Who hath most fortunately been inform'd
+Of my obscured course ; and shall find time
+From this enormous state , seeking to give
+Losses their remedies . All weary and o'erwatch'd ,
+Take vantage , heavy eyes , not to behold
+This shameful lodging .
+Fortune , good night , smile once more ; turn thy wheel !
+
+
+I heard myself proclaim'd ;
+And by the happy hollow of a tree
+Escap'd the hunt . No port is free ; no place ,
+That guard , and most unusual vigilance ,
+Does not attend my taking . While I may 'scape
+I will preserve myself ; and am bethought
+To take the basest and most poorest shape
+That ever penury , in contempt of man ,
+Brought near to beast ; my face I'll grime with filth ,
+Blanket my loins , elf all my hair in knots ,
+And with presented nakedness outface
+The winds and persecutions of the sky .
+The country gives me proof and precedent
+Of Bedlam beggars , who with roaring voices ,
+Strike in their numb'd and mortified bare arms
+Pins , wooden pricks , nails , sprigs of rosemary ;
+And with this horrible object , from low farms ,
+Poor pelting villages , sheep-cotes , and mills ,
+Sometime with lunatic bans , sometime with prayers ,
+Enforce their charity . Poor Turlygood ! poor Tom !
+That's something yet : Edgar I nothing am .
+
+
+'Tis strange that they should so depart from home ,
+And not send back my messenger .
+
+As I learn'd ,
+The night before there was no purpose in them
+Of this remove .
+
+Hail to thee , noble master !
+
+Ha !
+Mak'st thou this shame thy pastime ?
+
+No , my lord .
+
+Ha , ha ! he wears cruel garters . Horses are tied by the head , dogs and bears by the neck , monkeys by the loins , and men by the legs : when a man is over-lusty at legs , then he wears wooden nether-stocks .
+
+What's he that hath so much thy place mistook
+To set thee here ?
+
+It is both he and she ,
+Your son and daughter .
+
+No .
+
+Yes .
+
+No , I say .
+
+I say , yea .
+
+No , no ; they would not .
+
+Yes , they have .
+
+By Jupiter , I swear , no .
+
+By Juno , I swear , ay .
+
+They durst not do't ;
+They could not , would not do 't ; 'tis worse than murder ,
+To do upon respect such violent outrage .
+Resolve me , with all modest haste , which way
+Thou mightst deserve , or they impose , this usage ,
+Coming from us .
+
+My lord , when at their home
+I did commend your highness' letters to them ,
+Ere I was risen from the place that show'd
+My duty kneeling , there came a reeking post ,
+Stew'd in his haste , half breathless , panting forth
+From Goneril his mistress salutations ;
+Deliver'd letters , spite of intermission ,
+Which presently they read : on whose contents
+They summon'd up their meiny , straight took horse ;
+Commanded me to follow , and attend
+The leisure of their answer ; gave me cold looks :
+And meeting here the other messenger ,
+Whose welcome , I perceiv'd , had poison'd mine ,
+Being the very fellow which of late
+Display'd so saucily against your highness ,
+Having more man than wit about me ,drew :
+He rais'd the house with loud and coward cries .
+Your son and daughter found this trespass worth
+The shame which here it suffers .
+
+Winter's not gone yet , if the wild geese fly that way .
+
+Fathers that wear rags
+Do make their children blind ,
+But fathers that bear bags
+Shall see their children kind .
+Fortune , that arrant whore ,
+Ne'er turns the key to the poor .
+
+But for all this thou shalt have as many dolours for thy daughters as thou canst tell in a year .
+
+O ! how this mother swells up toward my heart ;
+Hysterica passio ! down , thou climbing sorrow !
+Thy element's below . Where is this daughter ?
+
+With the earl , sir : here within .
+
+Follow me not ; stay here .
+
+
+Made you no more offence than what you speak of ?
+
+None .
+How chance the king comes with so small a number ?
+
+An thou hadst been set i' the stocks for that question , thou hadst well deserved it .
+
+Why , fool ?
+
+We'll set thee to school to an ant , to teach thee there's no labouring i' the winter . All that follow their noses are led by their eyes but blind men ; and there's not a nose among twenty but can smell him that's stinking . Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill , lest it break thy neck with following it ; but the great one that goes up the hill , let him draw thee after . When a wise man gives thee better counsel , give me mine again : I would have none but knaves follow it , since a fool gives it .
+
+That sir which serves and seeks for gain ,
+And follows but for form ,
+Will pack when it begins to rain ,
+And leave thee in the storm .
+But I will tarry ; the fool will stay ,
+And let the wise man fly :
+The knave turns fool that runs away ;
+The fool no knave , perdy .
+
+
+Where learn'd you this , fool ?
+
+Not i' the stocks , fool .
+
+
+Deny to speak with me ! They are sick ! they are weary ,
+They have travell'd hard to-night ! Mere fetches ,
+The images of revolt and flying off .
+Fetch me a better answer .
+
+My dear lord ,
+You know the fiery quality of the duke ;
+How unremovable and fix'd he is
+In his own course .
+
+Vengeance ! plague ! death ! confusion !
+Fiery ! what quality ? Why , Gloucester , Gloucester ,
+I'd speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife .
+
+Well , my good lord , I have inform'd them so .
+
+Inform'd them ! Dost thou understand me , man ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+The king would speak with Cornwall ; the dear father
+Would with his daughter speak , commands her service :
+Are they inform'd of this ? My breath and blood !
+Fiery ! the fiery duke ! Tell the hot duke that
+No , but not yet ; may be he is not well :
+Infirmity doth still neglect all office
+Whereto our health is bound ; we are not ourselves
+When nature , being oppress'd , commands the mind
+To suffer with the body . I'll forbear ;
+And am fall'n out with my more headier will ,
+To take the indispos'd and sickly fit
+For the sound man . Death on my state !
+
+Wherefore
+Should he sit here ? This act persuades me
+That this remotion of the duke and her
+Is practice only . Give me my servant forth .
+Go , tell the duke and's wife I'd speak with them ,
+Now , presently : bid them come forth and hear me ,
+Or at their chamber-door I'll beat the drum
+Till it cry sleep to death .
+
+I would have all well betwixt you .
+
+
+O , me ! my heart , my rising heart ! but , down !
+
+Cry to it , nuncle , as the cockney did to the eels when she put 'em i' the paste alive ; she knapped 'em o' the coxcombs with a stick , and cried , 'Down , wantons , down !' 'Twas her brother that , in pure kindness to his horse , buttered his hay .
+
+
+Good morrow to you both .
+
+Hail to your Grace !
+
+
+I am glad to see your highness .
+
+Regan , I think you are ; I know what reason
+I have to think so : if thou shouldst not be glad ,
+I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb ,
+Sepulchring an adult'ress .
+
+O ! are you free ?
+Some other time for that . Beloved Regan ,
+Thy sister's naught : O Regan ! she hath tied
+Sharp-tooth'd unkindness , like a vulture , here :
+
+I can scarce speak to thee ; thou'lt not believe
+With how deprav'd a quality O Regan !
+
+I pray you , sir , take patience . I have hope
+You less know how to value her desert
+Than she to scant her duty .
+
+Say , how is that ?
+
+I cannot think my sister in the least
+Would fail her obligation : if , sir , perchance
+She have restrain'd the riots of your followers ,
+'Tis on such ground , and to such wholesome end ,
+As clears her from all blame .
+
+My curses on her !
+
+O , sir ! you are old ;
+Nature in you stands on the very verge
+Of her confine : you should be rul'd and led
+By some discretion that discerns your state
+Better than you yourself . Therefore I pray you
+That to our sister you do make return ;
+Say , you have wrong'd her , sir .
+
+Ask her forgiveness ?
+Do you but mark how this becomes the house :
+'Dear daughter , I confess that I am old ;
+Age is unnecessary : on my knees I beg
+
+That you'll vouchsafe me raiment , bed , and food .'
+
+Good sir , no more ; these are unsightly tricks :
+Return you to my sister .
+
+Never , Regan .
+She hath abated me of half my train ;
+Look'd black upon me ; struck me with her tongue ,
+Most serpent-like , upon the very heart .
+All the stor'd vengeances of heaven fall
+On her ingrateful top ! Strike her young bones ,
+You taking airs , with lameness !
+
+Fie , air , fie !
+
+You nimble lightnings , dart your blinding flames
+Into her scornful eyes ! Infect her beauty ,
+You fen-suck'd fogs , drawn by the powerful sun ,
+To fall and blast her pride !
+
+O the blest gods ! So will you wish on me ,
+When the rash mood is on .
+
+No , Regan , thou shalt never have my curse :
+Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give
+Thee o'er to harshness : her eyes are fierce , but thine
+Do comfort and not burn . 'Tis not in thee
+To grudge my pleasures , to cut off my train ,
+To bandy hasty words , to scant my sizes ,
+And , in conclusion , to oppose the bolt
+Against my coming in : thou better know'st
+The offices of nature , bond of childhood ,
+Effects of courtesy , dues of gratitude ;
+Thy half o' the kingdom hast thou not forgot ,
+Wherein I thee endow'd .
+
+Good sir , to the purpose .
+
+Who put my man i' the stocks ?
+
+
+What trumpet's that ?
+
+I know't , my sister's ; this approves her letter ,
+That she would soon be here . Is your lady come ?
+
+
+This is a slave , whose easy-borrow'd pride
+Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows .
+Out , varlet , from my sight !
+
+What means your Grace ?
+
+Who stock'd my servant ? Regan , I have good hope
+Thou didst not know on 't . Who comes here ? O heavens ,
+
+
+If you do love old men , if your sweet sway
+Allow obedience , if yourselves are old ,
+Make it your cause ; send down and take my part !
+
+
+Art not asham'd to look upon this beard ?
+
+O Regan , wilt thou take her by the hand ?
+
+Why not by the hand , sir ? How have I offended ?
+All's not offence that indiscretion finds
+And dotage terms so .
+
+O sides ! you are too tough ;
+Will you yet hold ? How came my man i' the stocks ?
+
+I set him there , sir : but his own disorders
+Deserv'd much less advancement .
+
+You ! did you ?
+
+I pray you , father , being weak , seem so .
+If , till the expiration of your month ,
+You will return and sojourn with my sister ,
+Dismissing half your train , come then to me :
+I am now from home , and out of that provision
+Which shall be needful for your entertainment .
+
+Return to her ? and fifty men dismiss'd !
+No , rather I abjure all roofs , and choose
+To wage against the enmity o' the air ;
+To be a comrade with the wolf and owl ,
+Necessity's sharp pinch ! Return with her !
+Why , the hot-blooded France , that dowerless took
+Our youngest born , I could as well be brought
+To knee his throne , and , squire-like , pension beg
+To keep base life afoot . Return with her !
+Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter
+To this detested groom .
+
+
+At your choice , sir .
+
+I prithee , daughter , do not make me mad :
+I will not trouble thee , my child ; farewell .
+We'll no more meet , no more see one another ;
+But yet thou art my flesh , my blood , my daughter ;
+Or rather a disease that's in my flesh ,
+Which I must needs call mine : thou art a boil ,
+A plague-sore , an embossed carbuncle ,
+In my corrupted blood . But I'll not chide thee ;
+Let shame come when it will , I do not call it :
+I do not bid the thunder-bearer shoot ,
+Nor tell tales of thee to high-judging Jove .
+Mend when thou canst ; be better at thy leisure :
+I can be patient ; I can stay with Regan ,
+I and my hundred knights .
+
+Not altogether so :
+I look'd not for you yet , nor am provided
+For your fit welcome . Give ear , sir , to my sister ;
+For those that mingle reason with your passion
+Must be content to think you old , and so
+But she knows what she does .
+
+Is this well spoken ?
+
+I dare avouch it , sir : what ! fifty followers ?
+Is it not well ? What should you need of more ?
+Yea , or so many , sith that both charge and danger
+Speak 'gainst so great a number ? How , in one house ,
+Should many people , under two commands ,
+Hold amity ? 'Tis hard ; almost impossible .
+
+Why might not you , my lord , receive attendance
+From those that she calls servants , or from mine ?
+
+Why not , my lord ? If then they chanc'd to slack you
+We could control them . If you will come to me ,
+For now I spy a danger ,I entreat you
+To bring but five-and-twenty ; to no more
+Will I give place or notice .
+
+I gave you all
+
+And in good time you gave it
+
+Made you my guardians , my depositaries ,
+But kept a reservation to be follow'd
+With such a number . What ! must I come to you
+With five-and-twenty ? Regan , said you so ?
+
+And speak't again , my lord ; no more with me .
+
+Those wicked creatures yet do look well-favour'd ,
+When others are more wicked ; not being the worst
+Stands in some rank of praise .
+
+I'll go with thee :
+Thy fifty yet doth double five-and-twenty ,
+And thou art twice her love .
+
+Hear me , my lord .
+What need you five-and-twenty , ten , or five ,
+To follow in a house , where twice so many
+Have a command to tend you ?
+
+What need one ?
+
+O ! reason not the need ; our basest beggars
+Are in the poorest thing superfluous :
+Allow not nature more than nature needs ,
+Man's life is cheap as beast's . Thou art a lady ;
+If only to go warm were gorgeous ,
+Why , nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st ,
+Which scarcely keeps thee warm . But , for true need ,
+You heavens , give me that patience , patience I need !
+You see me here , you gods , a poor old man ,
+As full of grief as age ; wretched in both !
+If it be you that stir these daughters' hearts
+Against their father , fool me not so much
+To bear it tamely ; touch me with noble anger ,
+And let not women's weapons , water-drops ,
+Stain my man's cheeks ! No , you unnatural hags ,
+I will have such revenges on you both
+That all the world shall I will do such things ,
+What they are yet I know not ,but they shall be
+The terrors of the earth . You think I'll weep ;
+No , I'll not weep :
+I have full cause of weeping , but this heart
+Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws
+Or ere I'll weep . O fool ! I shall go mad .
+
+
+Let us withdraw ; 'twill be a storm .
+
+
+This house is little : the old man and his people
+Cannot be well bestow'd .
+
+'Tis his own blame ; hath put himself from rest ,
+And must needs taste his folly .
+
+For his particular , I'll receive him gladly ,
+But not one follower .
+
+So am I purpos'd .
+Where is my Lord of Gloucester ?
+
+Follow'd the old man forth . He is return'd .
+
+
+The king is in high rage .
+
+Whither is he going ?
+
+He calls to horse ; but will I know not whither .
+
+'Tis best to give him way ; he leads himself .
+
+My lord , entreat him by no means to stay .
+
+Alack ! the night comes on , and the bleak winds
+Do sorely ruffle ; for many miles about
+There's scarce a bush .
+
+O ! sir , to wilful men ,
+The injuries that they themselves procure
+Must be their schoolmasters . Shut up your doors ;
+He is attended with a desperate train ,
+And what they may incense him to , being apt
+To have his ear abus'd , wisdom bids fear .
+
+Shut up your doors , my lord ; 'tis a wild night :
+My Regan counsels well : come out o' the storm .
+
+Who's here , beside foul weather ?
+
+One minded like the weather , most unquietly .
+
+I know you . Where's the king ?
+
+Contending with the fretful elements ;
+Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea ,
+Or swell the curled waters 'bove the main ,
+That things might change or cease ; tears his white hair ,
+Which the impetuous blasts , with eyeless rage ,
+Catch in their fury , and make nothing of ;
+Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn
+The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain .
+This night , wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch ,
+The lion and the belly-pinched wolf
+Keep their fur dry , unbonneted he runs ,
+And bids what will take all .
+
+But who is with him ?
+
+None but the fool , who labours to out-jest
+His heart-struck injuries .
+
+Sir , I do know you ;
+And dare , upon the warrant of my note ,
+Commend a dear thing to you . There is division ,
+Although as yet the face of it be cover'd
+With mutual cunning , 'twixt Albany and Cornwall ;
+Who have as who have not , that their great stars
+Thron'd and set high servants , who seem no less ,
+Which are to France the spies and speculations
+Intelligent of our state ; what hath been seen ,
+Either in snuffs and packings of the dukes ,
+Or the hard rein which both of them have borne
+Against the old kind king ; or something deeper ,
+Whereof perchance these are but furnishings ;
+But , true it is , from France there comes a power
+Into this scatter'd kingdom ; who already ,
+Wise in our negligence , have secret feet
+In some of our best ports , and are at point
+To show their open banner . Now to you :
+If on my credit you dare build so far
+To make your speed to Dover , you shall find
+Some that will thank you , making just report
+Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow
+The king hath cause to plain .
+I am a gentleman of blood and breeding ,
+And from some knowledge and assurance offer
+This office to you .
+
+I will talk further with you .
+
+No , do not .
+For confirmation that I am much more
+Than my out-wall , open this purse , and take
+What it contains . If you shall see Cordelia ,
+As doubt not but you shall ,show her this ring ,
+And she will tell you who your fellow is
+That yet you do not know . Fie on this storm !
+I will go seek the king .
+
+Give me your hand . Have you no more to say ?
+
+Few words , but , to effect , more than all yet ;
+That , when we have found the king ,in which your pain
+That way , I'll this ,he that first lights on him
+Holla the other .
+
+
+Blow , winds , and crack your cheeks ! rage ! blow !
+You cataracts and hurricanoes , spout
+Till you have drench'd our steeples , drown'd the cocks !
+You sulphurous and thought-executing fires ,
+Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts ,
+Singe my white head ! And thou , all-shaking thunder ,
+Strike flat the thick rotundity o' the world !
+Crack nature's moulds , all germens spill at once
+That make ingrateful man !
+
+O nuncle , court holy-water in a dry house is better than this rain-water out o' door . Good nuncle , in , and ask thy daughters' blessing ; here's a night pities neither wise man nor fool .
+
+Rumble thy bellyfull Spit , fire ! spout , rain !
+Nor rain , wind , thunder , fire , are my daughters :
+I tax not you , you elements , with unkindness ;
+I never gave you kingdom , call'd you children ,
+You owe me no subscription : then , let fall
+Your horrible pleasure ; here I stand , your slave ,
+A poor , infirm , weak , and despis'd old man .
+But yet I call you servile ministers ,
+That have with two pernicious daughters join'd
+Your high-engender'd battles 'gainst a head
+So old and white as this . O ! O ! 'tis foul .
+
+He that has a house to put his head in has a good head-piece .
+
+The cod-piece that will house
+Before the head has any ,
+The head and he shall louse ;
+So beggars marry many .
+The man that makes his toe
+What he his heart should make ,
+Shall of a corn cry woe ,
+And turn his sleep to wake .
+
+For there was never yet fair woman but she made mouths in a glass .
+
+
+No , I will be the pattern of all patience ; I will say nothing .
+
+Who's there ?
+
+Marry , here's grace and a cod-piece ; that's a wise man and a fool .
+
+Alas ! sir , are you here ? things that love night
+Love not such nights as these ; the wrathful skies
+Gallow the very wanderers of the dark ,
+And make them keep their caves . Since I was man
+Such sheets of fire , such bursts of horrid thunder ,
+Such groans of roaring wind and rain , I never
+Remember to have heard ; man's nature cannot carry
+The affliction nor the fear .
+
+Let the great gods ,
+That keep this dreadful pother o'er our heads ,
+Find out their enemies now . Tremble , thou wretch ,
+That hast within thee undivulged crimes ,
+Unwhipp'd of justice ; hide thee , thou bloody hand ;
+Thou perjur'd , and thou simular of virtue
+That art incestuous ; caitiff , to pieces shake ,
+That under covert and convenient seeming
+Hast practis'd on man's life ; close pent-up guilts ,
+Rive your concealing continents , and cry
+These dreadful summoners grace . I am a man
+More sinn'd against than sinning .
+
+Alack ! bare-headed !
+Gracious my lord , hard by here is a hovel ;
+Some friendship will it lend you 'gainst the tempest ;
+Repose you there while I to this hard house ,
+More harder than the stone whereof 'tis rais'd ,
+Which even but now , demanding after you ,
+Denied me to come in , return and force
+Their scanted courtesy .
+
+My wits begin to turn .
+Come on , my boy . How dost , my boy ? Art cold ?
+I am cold myself . Where is this straw , my fellow ?
+The art of our necessities is strange ,
+That can make vile things precious . Come , your hovel .
+Poor fool and knave , I have one part in my heart
+That's sorry yet for thee .
+
+
+He that has a little tiny wit ,
+With hey , ho , the wind and the rain ,
+Must make content with his fortunes fit ,
+Though the rain it raineth every day .
+
+
+True , my good boy . Come , bring us to this hovel .
+
+
+This is a brave night to cool a courtezan .
+I'll speak a prophecy ere I go :
+
+When priests are more in word than matter ;
+When brewers mar their malt with water ;
+When nobles are their tailors' tutors ;
+No heretics burn'd , but wenches' suitors ;
+When every case in law is right ;
+No squire in debt , nor no poor knight ;
+When slanders do not live in tongues ;
+Nor cutpurses come not to throngs ;
+When usurers tell their gold i' the field ;
+And bawds and whores do churches build ;
+Then shall the realm of Albion
+Come to great confusion :
+Then comes the time , who lives to see 't ,
+That going shall be us'd with feet .
+
+This prophecy Merlin shall make ; for I live before his time .
+
+
+Alack , alack ! Edmund , I like not this unnatural dealing . When I desired their leave that I might pity him , they took from me the use of mine own house ; charged me , on pain of their perpetual displeasure , neither to speak of him , entreat for him , nor any way sustain him .
+
+Most savage , and unnatural !
+
+Go to ; say you nothing . There is division between the dukes , and a worse matter than that . I have received a letter this night ; 'tis dangerous to be spoken ; I have locked the letter in my closet . These injuries the king now bears will be revenged home ; there's part of a power already footed ; we must incline to the king . I will seek him and privily relieve him ; go you and maintain talk with the duke , that my charity be not of him perceived . If he ask for me , I am ill and gone to bed . If I die for it , as no less is threatened me , the king , my old master , must be relieved . There is some strange thing toward , Edmund ; pray you , be careful .
+
+
+This courtesy , forbid thee , shall the duke
+Instantly know ; and of that letter too :
+This seems a fair deserving , and must draw me
+That which my father loses ; no less than all :
+The younger rises when the old doth fall .
+
+
+Here is the place , my lord ; good my lord , enter :
+The tyranny of the open night's too rough
+For nature to endure .
+
+
+Let me alone .
+
+Good my lord , enter here .
+
+Wilt break my heart ?
+
+I'd rather break mine own . Good my lord , enter .
+
+Thou think'st 'tis much that this contentious storm
+Invades us to the skin : so 'tis to thee ;
+But where the greater malady is fix'd ,
+The lesser is scarce felt . Thou'dst shun a bear ;
+But if thy flight lay toward the roaring sea ,
+Thou'dst meet the bear i' the mouth . When the mind's free
+The body's delicate ; the tempest in my mind
+Doth from my senses take all feeling else
+Save what beats there . Filial ingratitude !
+Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand
+For lifting food to 't ? But I will punish home :
+No , I will weep no more . In such a night
+To shut me out ! Pour on ; I will endure .
+In such a night as this ! O Regan , Goneril !
+Your old kind father , whose frank heart gave all ,
+O ! that way madness lies ; let me shun that ;
+No more of that .
+
+Good , my lord , enter here .
+
+Prithee , go in thyself ; seek thine own ease :
+This tempest will not give me leave to ponder
+On things would hurt me more . But I'll go in .
+
+
+In , boy ; go first . You houseless poverty ,
+Nay , get thee in . I'll pray , and then I'll sleep .
+
+Poor naked wretches , wheresoe'er you are ,
+That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm ,
+How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides ,
+Your loop'd and window'd raggedness , defend you
+From seasons such as these ? O ! I have ta'en
+Too little care of this . Take physic , pomp ;
+Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel ,
+That thou mayst shake the superflux to them ,
+And show the heavens more just .
+
+Fathom and half , fathom and half ! Poor Tom !
+
+
+Come not in here , nuncle ; here's a spirit .
+Help me ! help me !
+
+Give me thy hand . Who's there ?
+
+A spirit , a spirit : he says his name's poor Tom .
+
+What art thou that dost grumble there i' the straw ?
+Come forth .
+
+
+Away ! the foul fiend follows me !
+Through the sharp hawthorn blow the winds .
+Hum ! go to thy cold bed and warm thee .
+
+Didst thou give all to thy two daughters ?
+And art thou come to this ?
+
+Who gives anything to poor Tom ? whom the foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame , through ford and whirlpool , o'er bog and quagmire ; that hath laid knives under his pillow , and halters in his pew ; set ratsbane by his porridge ; made him proud of heart , to ride on a bay trotting-horse over four-inched bridges , to course his own shadow for a traitor . Bless thy five wits ! Tom's a-cold . O ! do de , do de , do de . Bless thee from whirlwinds , starblasting , and taking ! Do poor Tom some charity , whom the foul fiend vexes . There could I have him now , and there , and there again , and there .
+
+
+What ! have his daughters brought him to this pass ?
+Couldst thou save nothing ? Didst thou give them all ?
+
+Nay , he reserved a blanket , else we had been all shamed .
+
+Now all the plagues that in the pendulous air
+Hang fated o'er men's faults light on thy daughters !
+
+He hath no daughters , sir .
+
+Death , traitor ! nothing could have subdu'd nature
+To such a lowness , but his unkind daughters .
+Is it the fashion that discarded fathers
+Should have thus little mercy on their flesh ?
+Judicious punishment ! 'twas this flesh begot
+Those pelican daughters .
+
+Pillicock sat on Pillicock-hill :
+Halloo , halloo , loo , loo !
+
+This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen .
+
+Take heed o' the foul fiend . Obey thy parents ; keep thy word justly ; swear not ; commit not with man's sworn spouse ; set not thy sweet heart on proud array . Tom's a-cold .
+
+What hast thou been ?
+
+A servingman , proud in heart and mind ; that curled my hair , wore gloves in my cap , served the lust of my mistress's heart , and did the act of darkness with her ; swore as many oaths as I spake words , and broke them in the sweet face of heaven ; one that slept in the contriving of lust , and waked to do it . Wine loved I deeply , dice dearly , and in woman out-paramoured the Turk : false of heart , light of ear , bloody of hand ; hog in sloth , fox in stealth , wolf in greediness , dog in madness , lion in prey . Let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling of silks betray thy poor heart to woman : keep thy foot out of brothels , thy hand out of plackets , thy pen from lenders' books , and defy the foul fiend . Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind ; says suum , mun ha no nonny . Dolphin my boy , my boy ; sessa ! let him trot by .
+
+
+Why , thou wert better in thy grave than to answer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies . Is man no more than this ? Consider him well . Thou owest the worm no silk , the beast no hide , the sheep no wool , the cat no perfume . Ha ! here's three on's are sophisticated ; thou art the thing itself ; unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor , bare , forked animal as thou art . Off , off , you lendings ! Come ; unbutton here .
+
+
+Prithee , nuncle , be contented ; 'tis a naughty night to swim in . Now a little fire in a wide field were like an old lecher's heart ; a small spark , all the rest on's body cold . Look ! here comes a walking fire .
+
+
+This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet : he begins at curfew , and walks till the first cock ; he gives the web and the pin , squints the eye , and makes the harelip ; mildews the white wheat , and hurts the poor creature of earth .
+
+Swithold footed thrice the old ;
+He met the night-mare , and her nine-fold ;
+Bid her alight ,
+And her troth plight ,
+And aroint thee , witch , aroint thee !
+
+
+How fares your Grace ?
+
+What's he ?
+
+Who's there ? What is't you seek ?
+
+What are you there ? Your names ?
+
+Poor Tom ; that eats the swimming frog ; the toad , the tadpole , the wall-newt , and the water ; that in the fury of his heart , when the foul fiend rages , eats cow-dung for sallets ; swallows the old rat and the ditch-dog ; drinks the green mantle of the standing pool ; who is whipped from tithing to tithing , and stock-punished , and imprisoned ; who hath had three suits to his back , six shirts to his body , horse to ride , and weapon to wear ;
+
+But mice and rats and such small deer
+Have been Tom's food for seven long year .
+
+Beware my follower . Peace , Smulkin ! peace , thou fiend .
+
+What ! hath your Grace no better company ?
+
+The prince of darkness is a gentleman ;
+Modo he's call'd , and Mahu .
+
+Our flesh and blood , my lord , is grown so vile ,
+That it doth hate what gets it .
+
+Poor Tom's a-cold .
+
+Go in with me . My duty cannot suffer
+To obey in all your daughters' hard commands :
+Though their injunction be to bar my doors ,
+And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you ,
+Yet have I ventur'd to come seek you out
+And bring you where both fire and food is ready .
+
+First let me talk with this philosopher .
+What is the cause of thunder ?
+
+Good my lord , take his offer ; go into the house .
+
+I'll talk a word with this same learned Theban .
+What is your study ?
+
+How to prevent the fiend , and to kill vermin .
+
+Let me ask you one word in private .
+
+Importune him once more to go , my lord ;
+His wits begin to unsettle .
+
+Canst thou blame him ?
+
+His daughters seek his death . Ah ! that good Kent ;
+He said it would be thus , poor banish'd man !
+Thou sayst the king grows mad ; I'll tell thee , friend ,
+I am almost mad myself . I had a son ,
+Now outlaw'd from my blood ; he sought my life ,
+But lately , very late ; I lov'd him , friend ,
+No father his son dearer ; true to tell thee ,
+
+The grief hath craz'd my wits . What a night's this !
+I do beseech your Grace ,
+
+O ! cry you mercy , sir .
+Noble philosopher , your company .
+
+Tom's a-cold .
+
+In , fellow , there , into the hovel : keep thee warm .
+
+Come , let's in all .
+
+This way , my lord .
+
+With him ;
+I will keep still with my philosopher .
+
+Good my lord , soothe him ; let him take the fellow .
+
+Take him you on .
+
+Sirrah , come on ; go along with us .
+
+Come , good Athenian .
+
+No words , no words : hush .
+
+
+Child Rowland to the dark tower came ,
+His word was still , Fie , foh , and fum ,
+I smell the blood of a British man .
+
+I will have my revenge ere I depart his house .
+
+How , my lord , I may be censured , that nature thus gives way to loyalty , something fears me to think of .
+
+I now perceive it was not altogether your brother's evil disposition made him seek his death ; but a provoking merit , set a-work by a reproveable badness in himself .
+
+How malicious is my fortune , that I must repent to be just ! This is the letter he spoke of , which approves him an intelligent party to the advantages of France . O heavens ! that this treason were not , or not I the detector !
+
+Go with me to the duchess .
+
+If the matter of this paper be certain , you have mighty business in hand .
+
+True , or false , it hath made thee Earl of Gloucester . Seek out where thy father is , that he may be ready for our apprehension .
+
+If I find him comforting the king , it will stuff his suspicion more fully . I will persever in my course of loyalty , though the conflict be sore between that and my blood .
+
+I will lay trust upon thee ; and thou shalt find a dearer father in my love .
+
+
+Here is better than the open air ; take it thankfully . I will piece out the comfort with what addition I can : I will not be long from you .
+
+All the power of his wits has given way to his impatience . The gods reward your kindness !
+
+
+Frateretto calls me , and tells me Nero is an angler in the lake of darkness . Pray , innocent , and beware the foul fiend .
+
+Prithee , nuncle , tell me whether a madman be a gentleman or a yeoman !
+
+A king , a king !
+
+No ; he's a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son ; for he's a mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman before him .
+
+To have a thousand with red burning spits
+Come hizzing in upon 'em ,
+
+The foul fiend bites my back .
+
+He's mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf , a horse's health , a boy's love , or a whore's oath .
+
+It shall be done ; I will arraign them straight .
+
+
+Come , sit thou here , most learned justicer ;
+
+
+Thou , sapient sir , sit here . Now , you she foxes !
+
+Look , where he stands and glares ! wantest thou eyes at trial , madam ?
+Come o'er the bourn , Bessy , to me ,
+
+
+Her boat hath a leak ,
+And she must not speak
+Why she dares not come over to thee .
+
+
+The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice of a nightingale . Hopdance cries in Tom's belly for two white herring . Croak not , black angel ; I have no food for thee .
+
+How do you , sir ? Stand you not so amaz'd :
+Will you lie down and rest upon the cushions ?
+
+I'll see their trial first . Bring in their evidence .
+
+
+Thou robed man of justice , take thy place ;
+
+
+And thou , his yoke-fellow of equity ,
+Bench by his side .
+
+You are o' the commission ,
+Sit you too .
+
+Let us deal justly .
+
+Sleepest or wakest thou , jolly shepherd ?
+Thy sheep be in the corn ,
+And for one blast of thy minikin mouth ,
+Thy sheep shall take no harm .
+
+Purr ! the cat is grey .
+
+Arraign her first ; 'tis Goneril . I here take my oath before this honourable assembly , she kicked the poor king her father .
+
+Come hither , mistress . Is your name Goneril ?
+
+She cannot deny it .
+
+Cry you mercy , I took you for a joint-stool .
+
+And here's another , whose warp'd looks proclaim
+What store her heart is made on . Stop her there !
+Arms , arms , sword , fire ! Corruption in the place !
+False justicer , why hast thou let her 'scape ?
+
+Bless thy five wits !
+
+O pity ! Sir , where is the patience now
+That you so oft have boasted to retain ?
+
+My tears begin to take his part so much ,
+They'll mar my counterfeiting .
+
+The little dogs and all ,
+Tray , Blanch , and Sweet-heart , see , they bark at me .
+
+Tom will throw his head at them .
+Avaunt , you curs !
+
+Be thy mouth or black or white ,
+Tooth that poisons if it bite ;
+Mastiff , greyhound , mongrel grim ,
+Hound or spaniel , brach or lym ;
+Or bobtail tike or trundle-tail ;
+Tom will make them weep and wail :
+For , with throwing thus my head ,
+Dogs leap the hatch , and all are fled .
+
+Do de , de , de . Sessa ! Come , march to wakes and fairs and market-towns . Poor Tom , thy horn is dry .
+
+Then let them anatomize Regan , see what breeds about her heart . Is there any cause in nature that makes these hard hearts ?
+
+You , sir , I entertain you for one of my hundred ; only I do not like the fashion of your garments : you will say , they are Persian attire ; but let them be changed .
+
+Now , good my lord , lie here and rest awhile .
+
+Make no noise , make no noise ; draw the curtains : so , so , so . We'll go to supper i' the morning : so , so , so .
+
+And I'll go to bed at noon .
+
+
+Come hither , friend : where is the king my master ?
+
+Here , sir ; but trouble him not , his wits are gone .
+
+Good friend , I prithee , take him in thy arms ;
+I have o'erheard a plot of death upon him .
+There is a litter ready ; lay him in 't ,
+And drive toward Dover , friend , where thou shalt meet
+Both welcome and protection . Take up thy master :
+If thou shouldst dally half an hour , his life ,
+With thine , and all that offer to defend him ,
+Stand in assured loss . Take up , take up ;
+And follow me , that will to some provision
+Give thee quick conduct .
+
+Oppress'd nature sleeps :
+This rest might yet have balm'd thy broken sinews ,
+Which , if convenience will not allow ,
+Stand in hard cure .
+
+Come , help to bear thy master ;
+Thou must not stay behind .
+
+Come , come , away .
+
+
+When we our betters see bearing our woes ,
+We scarcely think our miseries our foes .
+Who alone suffers suffers most i' the mind ,
+Leaving free things and happy shows behind ;
+But then the mind much sufferance doth o'erskip ,
+When grief hath mates , and bearing fellowship .
+How light and portable my pain seems now ,
+When that which makes me bend makes the king bow ;
+He childed as I father'd ! Tom , away !
+Mark the high noises , and thyself bewray
+When false opinion , whose wrong thought defiles thee ,
+In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee .
+What will hap more to-night , safe 'scape the king !
+Lurk , lurk .
+
+
+Post speedily to my lord your husband ; show him this letter : the army of France is landed . Seek out the traitor Gloucester .
+
+
+Hang him instantly .
+
+Pluck out his eyes .
+
+Leave him to my displeasure . Edmund , keep you our sister company : the revenges we are bound to take upon your traitorous father are not fit for your beholding . Advise the duke , where you are going , to a most festinate preparation : we are bound to the like . Our posts shall be swift and intelligent betwixt us . Farewell , dear sister : farewell , my Lord of Gloucester .
+
+How now ? Where's the king ?
+
+My Lord of Gloucester hath convey'd him hence :
+Some five or six and thirty of his knights ,
+Hot questrists after him , met him at gate ;
+Who , with some other of the lord's dependants ,
+Are gone with him toward Dover , where they boast
+To have well-armed friends .
+
+Get horses for your mistress .
+
+Farewell , sweet lord , and sister .
+
+Edmund , farewell .
+
+Go seek the traitor Gloucester ,
+Pinion him like a thief , bring him before us .
+
+Though well we may not pass upon his life
+Without the form of justice , yet our power
+Shall do a courtesy to our wrath , which men
+May blame but not control . Who's there ? The traitor ?
+
+
+Ingrateful fox ! 'tis he .
+
+Bind fast his corky arms .
+
+What mean your Graces ? Good my friends , consider
+You are my guests : do me no foul play , friends
+
+Bind him , I say .
+
+
+Hard , hard . O filthy traitor !
+
+Unmerciful lady as you are , I'm none .
+
+To this chair bind him . Villain , thou shalt find
+
+
+By the kind gods , 'tis most ignobly done
+To pluck me by the beard .
+
+So white , and such a traitor !
+
+Naughty lady ,
+These hairs , which thou dost ravish from my chin ,
+Will quicken , and accuse thee : I am your host :
+With robbers' hands my hospitable favours
+You should not ruffle thus . What will you do ?
+
+Come , sir , what letters had you late from France ?
+
+Be simple-answer'd , for we know the truth .
+
+And what confederacy have you with the traitors
+Late footed in the kingdom ?
+
+To whose hands have you sent the lunatic king ?
+Speak .
+
+I have a letter guessingly set down ,
+Which came from one that's of a neutral heart ,
+And not from one oppos'd .
+
+Cunning .
+
+And false .
+
+Where hast thou sent the king ?
+
+To Dover .
+
+Wherefore to Dover ? Wast thou not charg'd at peril
+
+Wherefore to Dover ? Let him answer that .
+
+I am tied to the stake , and I must stand the course .
+
+Wherefore to Dover ?
+
+Because I would not see thy cruel nails
+Pluck out his poor old eyes ; nor thy fierce sister
+In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs .
+The sea , with such a storm as his bare head
+In hell-black night endur'd , would have buoy'd up ,
+And quench'd the stelled fires ;
+Yet , poor old heart , he holp the heavens to rain .
+If wolves had at thy gate howl'd that dern time ,
+Thou shouldst have said , 'Good porter , turn the key ,'
+All cruels else subscrib'd : but I shall see
+The winged vengeance overtake such children .
+
+See 't shalt thou never . Fellows , hold the chair .
+Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot .
+
+He that will think to live till he be old ,
+Give me some help ! O cruel ! O ye gods !
+
+
+One side will mock another ; the other too .
+
+If you see vengeance .
+
+Hold your hand , my lord :
+I have serv'd you ever since I was a child ,
+But better service have I never done you
+Than now to bid you hold .
+
+How now , you dog !
+
+If you did wear a beard upon your chin ,
+I'd shake it on this quarrel . What do you mean ?
+
+My villain !
+
+
+Nay then , come on , and take the chance of anger .
+
+
+Give me thy sword . A peasant stand up thus !
+
+
+O ! I am slain . My lord , you have one eye left
+To see some mischief on him . O !
+
+
+Lest it see more , prevent it . Out , vile jelly !
+Where is thy lustre now ?
+
+All dark and comfortless . Where's my son Edmund ?
+Edmund , enkindle all the sparks of nature
+To quit this horrid act .
+
+Out , treacherous villain !
+Thou call'st on him that hates thee ; it was he
+That made the overture of thy treasons to us ,
+Who is too good to pity thee .
+
+O my follies ! Then Edgar was abus'd .
+Kind gods , forgive me that , and prosper him !
+
+Go thrust him out at gates , and let him smell
+His way to Dover .
+
+How is 't , my lord ? How look you ?
+
+I have receiv'd a hurt . Follow me , lady .
+Turn out that eyeless villain ; throw this slave
+Upon the dunghill . Regan , I bleed apace :
+Untimely comes this hurt . Give me your arm .
+
+
+I'll never care what wickedness I do
+If this man come to good .
+
+If she live long ,
+And , in the end , meet the old course of death ,
+Women will all turn monsters .
+
+Let's follow the old earl , and get the Bedlam
+To lead him where he would : his roguish madness
+Allows itself to any thing .
+
+Go thou ; I'll fetch some flax , and whites of eggs ,
+To apply to his bleeding face . Now , heaven help him !
+
+Yet better thus , and known to be contemn'd ,
+Than still contemn'd and flatter'd . To be worst ,
+The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune ,
+Stands still in esperance , lives not in fear :
+The lamentable change is from the best ;
+The worst returns to laughter . Welcome , then ,
+Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace :
+The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst
+Owes nothing to thy blasts . But who comes here ?
+
+
+My father , poorly led ? World , world , O world !
+But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee ,
+
+Life would not yield to age .
+
+O my good lord !
+I have been your tenant , and your father's tenant ,
+These fourscore years .
+
+Away , get thee away ; good friend , be gone ;
+Thy comforts can do me no good at all ;
+Thee they may hurt .
+
+You cannot see your way .
+
+I have no way , and therefore want no eyes ;
+I stumbled when I saw . Full oft 'tis seen ,
+Our means secure us , and our mere defects
+Prove our commodities . Ah ! dear son Edgar .
+The food of thy abused father's wrath ;
+Might I but live to see thee in my touch ,
+I'd say I had eyes again .
+
+How now ! Who's there ?
+
+O gods ! Who is 't can say , 'I am at the worst ?'
+I am worse than e'er I was .
+
+'Tis poor mad Tom .
+
+And worse I may be yet ; the worst is not ,
+So long as we can say , 'This is the worst .'
+
+Fellow , where goest ?
+
+Is it a beggar-man ?
+
+Madman and beggar too .
+
+He has some reason , else he could not beg .
+I' the last night's storm I such a fellow saw ,
+Which made me think a man a worm : my son
+Came then into my mind ; and yet my mind
+Was then scarce friends with him : I have heard more since .
+As flies to wanton boys , are we to the gods ;
+They kill us for their sport .
+
+How should this be ?
+Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow ,
+Angering itself and others .
+
+Bless thee , master !
+
+Is that the naked fellow ?
+
+Ay , my lord .
+
+Then , prithee , get thee gone . If , for my sake ,
+Thou wilt o'ertake us , hence a mile or twain ,
+I' the way toward Dover , do it for ancient love ;
+And bring some covering for this naked soul
+Who I'll entreat to lead me .
+
+Alack , sir ! he is mad .
+
+'Tis the times' plague , when madmen lead the blind .
+Do as I bid thee , or rather do thy pleasure ;
+Above the rest , be gone .
+
+I'll bring him the best 'parel that I have ,
+Come on 't what will .
+
+
+Sirrah , naked fellow ,
+
+Poor Tom's a-cold .
+
+I cannot daub it further .
+
+Come hither , fellow .
+
+And yet I must . Bless thy sweet eyes , they bleed .
+
+Know'st thou the way to Dover ?
+
+Both stile and gate , horse-way and footpath . Poor Tom hath been scared out of his good wits : bless thee , good man's son , from the foul fiend ! Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once ; of lust , as Obidicut ; Hobbididance , prince of dumbness ; Mahu , of stealing ; Modo , of murder ; and Flibbertigibbet , of mopping and mowing ; who since possesses chambermaids and waiting-women . So , bless thee , master !
+
+Here , take this purse , thou whom the heavens' plagues
+Have humbled to all strokes : that I am wretched
+Makes thee the happier : heavens , deal so still !
+Let the superfluous and lust-dieted man ,
+That slaves your ordinance , that will not see
+Because he doth not feel , feel your power quickly ;
+So distribution should undo excess ,
+And each man have enough . Dost thou know Dover ?
+
+Ay , master .
+
+There is a cliff , whose high and bending head
+Looks fearfully in the confined deep ;
+Bring me but to the very brim of it ,
+And I'll repair the misery thou dost bear ;
+With something rich about me ; from that place
+I shall no leading need .
+
+Give me thy arm :
+Poor Tom shall lead thee .
+
+
+Welcome , my lord ; I marvel our mild husband
+Not met us on the way .
+
+Now , where's your master ?
+
+Madam , within ; but never man so chang'd .
+I told him of the army that was landed ;
+He smil'd at it : I told him you were coming ;
+His answer was , 'The worse :' of Gloucester's treachery ,
+And of the loyal service of his son ,
+When I inform'd him , then he call'd me sot ,
+And told me I had turn'd the wrong side out :
+What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him ;
+What like , offensive .
+
+Then , shall you go no further .
+It is the cowish terror of his spirit
+That dares not undertake ; he'll not feel wrongs
+Which tie him to an answer . Our wishes on the way
+May prove effects . Back , Edmund , to my brother ;
+Hasten his musters and conduct his powers :
+I must change arms at home , and give the distaff
+Into my husband's hands . This trusty servant
+Shall pass between us ; ere long you are like to hear ,
+If you dare venture in your own behalf ,
+A mistress's command . Wear this ; spare speech ;
+
+Decline your head : this kiss , if it durst speak ,
+Would stretch thy spirits up into the air .
+Conceive , and fare thee well .
+
+Yours in the ranks of death .
+
+My most dear Gloucester !
+
+O ! the difference of man and man !
+To thee a woman's services are due :
+My fool usurps my bed .
+
+Madam , here comes my lord .
+
+I have been worth the whistle .
+
+O Goneril !
+You are not worth the dust which the rude wind
+Blows in your face . I fear your disposition :
+That nature , which contemns its origin ,
+Cannot be border'd certain in itself ;
+She that herself will sliver and disbranch
+From her material sap , perforce must wither
+And come to deadly use .
+
+No more ; the text is foolish .
+
+Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile ;
+Filths savour but themselves . What have you done ?
+Tigers , not daughters , what have you perform'd ?
+A father , and a gracious aged man ,
+Whose reverence the head-lugg'd bear would lick ,
+Most barbarous , most degenerate ! have you madded .
+Could my good brother suffer you to do it ?
+A man , a prince , by him so benefited !
+If that the heavens do not their visible spirits
+Send quickly down to tame these vile offences ,
+It will come ,
+Humanity must perforce prey on itself ,
+Like monsters of the deep .
+
+Milk-liver'd man !
+That bear'st a cheek for blows , a head for wrongs ;
+Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning
+Thine honour from thy suffering ; that not know'st
+Fools do those villains pity who are punish'd
+Ere they have done their mischief . Where's thy drum ?
+France spreads his banners in our noiseless land ,
+With plumed helm thy slayer begins threats ,
+Whilst thou , a moral fool , sitt'st still , and criest
+'Alack ! why does he so ?'
+
+See thyself , devil !
+Proper deformity seems not in the fiend
+So horrid as in woman .
+
+O vain fool !
+
+Thou changed and self-cover'd thing , for shame ,
+Be-monster not thy feature . Were 't my fitness
+To let these hands obey my blood ,
+They are apt enough to dislocate and tear
+Thy flesh and bones ; howe'er thou art a fiend ,
+A woman's shape doth shield thee .
+
+Marry , your manhood .Mew !
+
+
+What news ?
+
+O ! my good lord , the Duke of Cornwall's dead ;
+Slain by his servant , going to put out
+The other eye of Gloucester .
+
+Gloucester's eyes !
+
+A servant that he bred , thrill'd with remorse ,
+Oppos'd against the act , bending his sword
+To his great master ; who , thereat enrag'd ,
+Flew on him , and amongst them fell'd him dead ;
+But not without that harmful stroke , which since
+Hath pluck'd him after .
+
+This shows you are above ,
+You justicers , that these our nether crimes
+So speedily can venge ! But , O poor Gloucester !
+Lost he his other eye ?
+
+Both , both , my lord .
+This letter , madam , craves a speedy answer ;
+'Tis from your sister .
+
+One way I like this well ;
+But being widow , and my Gloucester with her ,
+May all the building in my fancy pluck
+Upon my hateful life : another way ,
+This news is not so tart .
+
+I'll read and answer .
+
+
+Where was his son when they did take his eyes ?
+
+Come with my lady hither .
+
+He is not here .
+
+No , my good lord ; I met him back again .
+
+Knows he the wickedness ?
+
+Ay , my good lord ; 'twas he inform'd against him ,
+And quit the house on purpose that their punishment
+Might have the freer course .
+
+Gloucester , I live
+To thank thee for the love thou show'dst the king ,
+And to revenge thine eyes . Come hither , friend :
+Tell me what more thou knowest .
+
+
+Why the King of France is so suddenly gone back know you the reason ?
+
+Something he left imperfect in the state , which since his coming forth is thought of ; which imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger , that his personal return was most required and necessary .
+
+Who hath he left behind him general ?
+
+The Marshal of France , Monsieur la Far .
+
+Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief ?
+
+Ay , sir ; she took them , read them in my presence ;
+And now and then an ample tear trill'd down
+Her delicate cheek ; it seem'd she was a queen
+Over her passion ; who , most rebel-like ,
+Sought to be king o'er her .
+
+O ! then it mov'd her .
+
+Not to a rage ; patience and sorrow strove
+Who should express her goodliest . You have seen
+Sunshine and rain at once ; her smiles and tears
+Were like a better way ; those happy smilets
+That play'd on her ripe lip seem'd not to know
+What guests were in her eyes ; which parted thence ,
+As pearls from diamonds dropp'd . In brief ,
+Sorrow would be a rarity most belov'd ,
+If all could so become it .
+
+Made she no verbal question ?
+
+Faith , once or twice she heav'd the name of 'father'
+Pantingly forth , as if it press'd her heart ;
+Cried , 'Sisters ! sisters ! Shame of ladies ! sisters !
+Kent ! father ! sisters ! What , i' the storm ? i' the night ?
+Let pity not be believed !' There she shook
+The holy water from her heavenly eyes ,
+And clamour-moisten'd , then away she started
+To deal with grief alone .
+
+It is the stars ,
+The stars above us , govern our conditions ;
+Else one self mate and make could not beget
+Such different issues . You spoke not with her since ?
+
+No .
+
+Was this before the king return'd ?
+
+No , since .
+
+Well , sir , the poor distress'd Lear's i' the town ,
+Who sometime , in his better tune , remembers
+What we are come about , and by no means
+Will yield to see his daughter .
+
+Why , good sir ?
+
+A sovereign shame so elbows him : his own unkindness ,
+That stripp'd her from his benediction , turn'd her
+To foreign casualties , gave her dear rights
+To his dog-hearted daughters ,these things sting
+His mind so venomously that burning shame
+Detains him from Cordelia .
+
+Alack ! poor gentleman .
+
+Of Albany's and Cornwall's powers you heard not ?
+
+'Tis so , they are afoot .
+
+Well , sir , I'll bring you to our master Lear ,
+And leave you to attend him . Some dear cause
+Will in concealment wrap me up awhile ;
+When I am known aright , you shall not grieve
+Lending me this acquaintance . I pray you , go
+Along with me .
+
+
+Alack ! 'tis he : why , he was met even now
+As mad as the vex'd sea ; singing aloud ;
+Crown'd with rank fumiter and furrow weeds ,
+With burdocks , hemlock , nettles , cuckoo-flowers ,
+Darnel , and all the idle weeds that grow
+In our sustaining corn . A century send forth ;
+Search every acre in the high-grown field ,
+And bring him to our eye .
+
+What can man's wisdom
+In the restoring his bereaved sense ?
+He that helps him take all my outward worth .
+
+There is means , madam ;
+Our foster-nurse of nature is repose ,
+The which he lacks ; that to provoke in him ,
+Are many simples operative , whose power
+Will close the eye of anguish .
+
+All bless'd secrets ,
+All you unpublish'd virtues of the earth ,
+Spring with my tears ! be aidant and remediate
+In the good man's distress ! Seek , seek for him ,
+Lest his ungovern'd rage dissolve the life
+That wants the means to lead it .
+
+
+News , madam ;
+The British powers are marching hitherward .
+
+'Tis known before ; our preparation stands
+In expectation of them . O dear father !
+It is thy business that I go about ;
+Therefore great France
+My mourning and important tears hath pitied ,
+No blown ambition doth our arms incite ,
+But love , dear love , and our ag'd father's right ,
+Soon may I hear and see him !
+
+
+But are my brother's powers set forth ?
+
+Ay , madam .
+
+Himself in person there ?
+
+Madam , with much ado :
+Your sister is the better soldier .
+
+Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home ?
+
+No , madam .
+
+What might import my sister's letter to him ?
+
+I know not , lady .
+
+Faith , he is posted hence on serious matter .
+It was great ignorance , Gloucester's eyes being out ,
+To let him live ; where he arrives he moves
+All hearts against us . Edmund , I think , is gone ,
+In pity of his misery , to dispatch
+His nighted life ; moreover , to descry
+The strength o' the enemy .
+
+I must needs after him , madam , with my letter .
+
+Our troops set forth to-morrow ; stay with us ,
+The ways are dangerous .
+
+I may not , madam ;
+My lady charg'd my duty in this business .
+
+Why should she write to Edmund ? Might not you
+Transport her purposes by word ? Belike ,
+Something I know not what . I'll love thee much ,
+Let me unseal the letter .
+
+Madam , I had rather
+
+I know your lady does not love her husband ;
+I am sure of that : and at her late being here
+She gave strange ceilliades and most speaking looks
+To noble Edmund . I know you are of her bosom .
+
+I , madam !
+
+I speak in understanding ; you are , I know't :
+Therefore I do advise you , take this note :
+My lord is dead ; Edmund and I have talk'd ,
+And more convenient is he for my hand
+Than for your lady's . You may gather more .
+If you do find him , pray you , give him this ,
+And when your mistress hears thus much from you ,
+I pray desire her call her wisdom to her :
+So , fare you well .
+If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor ,
+Preferment falls on him that cuts him off .
+
+Would I could meet him , madam : I would show
+What party I do follow .
+
+Fare thee well .
+
+
+When shall I come to the top of that same hill ?
+
+You do climb up it now ; look how we labour .
+
+Methinks the ground is even .
+
+Horrible steep :
+Hark ! do you hear the sea ?
+
+No , truly .
+
+Why , then you other senses grow imperfect
+By your eyes' anguish .
+
+So may it be , indeed .
+Methinks thy voice is alter'd , and thou speak'st
+In better phrase and matter than thou didst .
+
+Y'are much deceiv'd ; in nothing am I chang'd
+But in my garments .
+
+Methinks you're better spoken .
+
+Come on , sir ; here's the place : stand still .
+How fearful
+And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low !
+The crows and choughs that wing the midway air
+Show scarce so gross as beetles ; half way down
+Hangs one that gathers samphire , dreadful trade !
+Methinks he seems no bigger than his head .
+The fishermen that walk upon the beach
+Appear like mice , and yond tall anchoring bark
+Diminish'd to her cock , her cock a buoy
+Almost too small for sight . The murmuring surge ,
+That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes ,
+Cannot be heard so high . I'll look no more ,
+Lest my brain turn , and the deficient sight
+Topple down headlong .
+
+Set me where you stand .
+
+Give me your hand ; you are now within a foot
+Of the extreme verge : for all beneath the moon
+Would I not leap upright .
+
+Let go my hand .
+Here , friend , 's another purse ; in it a jewel
+Well worth a poor man's taking : fairies and gods
+Prosper it with thee ! Go thou further off ;
+Bid me farewell , and let me hear thee going .
+
+Now fare you well , good sir .
+
+
+With all my heart .
+
+Why I do trifle thus with his despair
+Is done to cure it .
+
+O you mighty gods !
+This world I do renounce , and , in your sights ,
+Shake patiently my great affliction off ;
+If I could bear it longer , and not fall
+To quarrel with your great opposeless wills ,
+My snuff and loathed part of nature should
+Burn itself out . If Edgar live , O , bless him !
+Now , fellow , fare thee well .
+
+
+Gone , sir : farewell .
+
+
+And yet I know not how conceit may rob
+The treasury of life when life itself
+Yields to the theft ; had he been where he thought
+By this had thought been past . Alive or dead ?
+
+
+Ho , you sir ! friend ! Hear you , sir ? speak !
+Thus might he pass indeed ; yet he revives .
+What are you , sir ?
+
+Away and let me die .
+
+Hadst thou been aught but gossamer , feathers , air ,
+So many fathom down precipitating ,
+Thou'dst shiver'd like an egg ; but thou dost breathe ,
+Hast heavy substance , bleed'st not , speak'st , art sound .
+Ten masts at each make not the altitude
+Which thou hast perpendicularly fell :
+Thy life's a miracle . Speak yet again .
+
+But have I fallen or no ?
+
+From the dread summit of this chalky bourn .
+Look up a-height ; the shrill-gorg'd lark so far
+Cannot be seen or heard : do but look up .
+
+Alack ! I have no eyes .
+Is wretchedness depriv'd that benefit
+To end itself by death ? 'Twas yet some comfort ,
+When misery could beguile the tyrant's rage ,
+And frustrate his proud will .
+
+Give me your arm :
+Up : so . How is 't ? Feel you your legs ? You stand .
+
+Too well , too well .
+
+This is above all strangeness .
+Upon the crown o' the cliff , what thing was that
+Which parted from you ?
+
+A poor unfortunate beggar .
+
+As I stood here below methought his eyes
+Were two full moons ; he had a thousand noses ,
+Horns whelk'd and wav'd like the enridged sea :
+It was some fiend ; therefore , thou happy father ,
+Think that the clearest gods , who make them honours
+Of men's impossibilities , have preserv'd thee .
+
+I do remember now ; henceforth I'll bear
+Affliction till it do cry out itself
+'Enough , enough ,' and die . That thing you speak of
+I took it for a man ; often 'twould say
+'The fiend , the fiend :' he led me to that place .
+
+Bear free and patient thoughts . But who comes here ?
+
+
+The safer sense will ne'er accommodate
+
+His master thus .
+
+No , they cannot touch me for coining ;
+I am the king himself .
+
+O thou side-piercing sight !
+
+Nature's above art in that respect . There's your press-money . That fellow handles his bow like a crow-keeper : draw me a clothier's yard . Look , look ! a mouse . Peace , peace ! this piece of toasted cheese will do 't . There's my gauntlet ; I'll prove it on a giant . Bring up the brown bills . O ! well flown , bird ; i' the clout , i' the clout : hewgh ! Give the word .
+
+Sweet marjoram .
+
+Pass .
+
+I know that voice .
+
+Ha ! Goneril , with a white beard ! They flatter'd me like a dog , and told me I had white hairs in my beard ere the black ones were there . To say 'ay' and 'no' to everything I said ! 'Ay' and 'no' too was no good divinity . When the rain came to wet me once and the wind to make me chatter , when the thunder would not peace at my bidding , there I found 'em , there I smelt 'em out . Go to , they are not men o' their words : they told me I was every thing ; 'tis a lie , I am not ague-proof .
+
+The trick of that voice I do well remember :
+Is 't not the king ?
+
+Ay , every inch a king :
+When I do stare , see how the subject quakes .
+I pardon that man's life . What was thy cause ?
+Adultery ?
+Thou shalt not die : die for adultery ! No :
+The wren goes to 't , and the small gilded fly
+Does lecher in my sight .
+Let copulation thrive ; for Gloucester's bastard son
+Was kinder to his father than my daughters
+Got 'tween the lawful sheets .
+To 't luxury , pell-mell ! for I lack soldiers .
+Behold yond simpering dame ,
+Whose face between her forks presageth snow ;
+That minces virtue , and does shake the head
+To hear of pleasure's name ;
+The fitchew nor the soiled horse goes to 't
+With a more riotous appetite .
+Down from the waist they are Centaurs ,
+Though women all above :
+But to the girdle do the gods inherit ,
+Beneath is all the fiends' :
+There's hell , there's darkness , there is the sulphurous pit ,
+Burning , scalding , stench , consumption ; fie , fie , fie ! pah , pah ! Give me an ounce of civet , good apothecary , to sweeten my imagination : there's money for thee .
+
+O ! let me kiss that hand !
+
+Let me wipe it first ; it smells of mortality .
+
+O ruin'd piece of nature ! This great world
+Shall so wear out to nought . Dost thou know me ?
+
+I remember thine eyes well enough .
+Dost thou squiny at me ? No , do thy worst , blind Cupid ; I'll not love . Read thou this challenge ; mark but the penning of it .
+
+Were all the letters suns , I could not see .
+
+I would not take this from report ; it is ,
+And my heart breaks at it .
+
+Read .
+
+What ! with the case of eyes ?
+
+O , ho ! are you there with me ? No eyes in your head , nor no money in your purse ? Your eyes are in a heavy case , your purse in a light : yet you see how this world goes .
+
+I see it feelingly .
+
+What ! art mad ? A man may see how this world goes with no eyes . Look with thine ears : see how yound justice rails upon yon simple thief . Hark , in thine ear : change places ; and , handy-dandy , which is the justice , which is the thief ? Thou hast seen a farmer's dog bark at a beggar ?
+
+Ay , sir .
+
+And the creature run from the cur ? There thou mightst behold the great image of authority ; a dog's obey'd in office .
+Thou rascal beadle , hold thy bloody hand !
+Why dost thou lash that whore ? Strip thine own back ;
+Thou hotly lust'st to use her in that kind
+For which thou whipp'st her . The usurer hangs the cozener .
+Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear ;
+Robes and furr'd gowns hide all . Plate sin with gold ,
+And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks ;
+Arm it in rags , a pigmy's straw doth pierce it .
+None does offend , none , I say none ; I'll able 'em :
+Take that of me , my friend , who have the power
+To seal the accuser's lips . Get thee glass eyes ;
+And , like a scurvy politician , seem
+To see the things thou dost not . Now , now , now , now ;
+Pull off my boots ; harder , harder ; so .
+
+O ! matter and impertinency mix'd ;
+Reason in madness !
+
+If thou wilt weep my fortunes , take my eyes ;
+I know thee well enough ; thy name is Gloucester :
+Thou must be patient ; we came crying hither :
+Thou know'st the first time that we smell the air
+We waul and cry . I will preach to thee : mark .
+
+Alack ! alack the day !
+
+When we are born , we cry that we are come
+To this great stage of fools . This' a good block !
+It were a delicate stratagem to shoe
+A troop of horse with felt ; I'll put it in proof ,
+And when I have stol'n upon these sons-in-law ,
+Then , kill , kill , kill , kill , kill , kill !
+
+
+O ! here he is ; lay hand upon him . Sir ,
+Your most dear daughter
+
+No rescue ? What ! a prisoner ? I am even
+The natural fool of fortune . Use me well ;
+You shall have ransom . Let me have surgeons ;
+I am cut to the brains .
+
+You shall have any thing .
+
+No seconds ? All myself ?
+Why this would make a man a man of salt ,
+To use his eyes for garden water-pots ,
+Ay , and laying autumn's dust .
+
+Good sir ,
+
+I will die bravely as a bridegroom . What !
+I will be jovial : come , come ; I am a king ,
+My masters , know you that ?
+
+You are a royal one , and we obey you .
+
+Then there's life in it . Nay , an you get it , you shall get it by running . Sa , sa , sa , sa
+
+
+A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch ,
+Past speaking of in a king ! Thou hast one daughter ,
+Who redeems nature from the general curse
+Which twain have brought her to .
+
+Hail , gentle sir !
+
+Sir , speed you : what's your will ?
+
+Do you hear aught , sir , of a battle toward ?
+
+Most sure and vulgar ; every one hears that ,
+Which can distinguish sound .
+
+But , by your favour ,
+How near's the other army ?
+
+Near , and on speedy foot ; the main descry
+Stands on the hourly thought .
+
+I thank you , sir : that's all
+
+Though that the queen on special cause is here ,
+Her army is mov'd on .
+
+I thank you , sir .
+
+
+You ever-gentle gods , take my breath from me :
+Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
+To die before you please !
+
+Well pray you , father .
+
+Now , good sir , what are you ?
+
+A most poor man , made tame to fortune's blows ;
+Who , by the art of known and feeling sorrows ,
+Am pregnant to good pity . Give me your hand ,
+I'll lead you to some biding .
+
+Hearty thanks :
+The bounty and the benison of heaven
+To boot , and boot !
+
+
+A proclaim'd prize ! Most happy !
+That eyeless head of thine was first fram'd flesh
+To raise my fortunes . Thou old unhappy traitor ,
+Briefly thyself remember : the sword in out
+That must destroy thee .
+
+Now let thy friendly hand
+Put strength enough to 't .
+
+
+Wherefore , bold peasant ,
+Dar'st thou support a publish'd traitor ? Hence ;
+Lest that infection of his fortune take
+Like hold on thee . Let go his arm .
+
+Chill not let go , zur , without vurther 'casion .
+
+Let go , slave , or thou diest .
+
+Good gentleman , go your gait , and let poor volk pass . An chud ha' bin zwaggered out of my life , 'twould not ha' bin zo long as 'tis by a vortnight . Nay , come not near th' old man ; keep out , che vor ye , or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder . Chill be plain with you .
+
+Out , dunghill !
+
+Chill pick your teeth , zur . Come ; no matter vor your foins .
+
+
+Slave , thou hast slain me . Villain , take my purse .
+If ever thou wilt thrive , bury my body ;
+And give the letters which thou find'st about me
+To Edmund Earl of Gloucester ; seek him out
+Upon the English party : O ! untimely death .
+
+
+I know thee well : a serviceable villain ;
+As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
+As badness would desire .
+
+What ! is he dead ?
+
+Sit you down , father ; rest you .
+Let's see his pockets : these letters that he speaks of
+May be my friends . He's dead ; I am only sorry
+He had no other deaths-man . Let us see :
+Leave , gentle wax ; and , manners , blame us not :
+To know our enemies' minds , we'd rip their hearts ;
+Their papers , is more lawful .
+Let our reciprocal vows be remembered . You have many opportunities to cut him off ; if your will want not , time and place will be fruitfully offered . There is nothing done if he return the conqueror ; then am I the prisoner , and his bed my gaol ; from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me , and supply the place for your labour .
+Your wife , so I would say
+Affectionate servant ,
+O undistinguish'd space of woman's will !
+A plot upon her virtuous husband's life ,
+And the exchange my brother ! Here , in the sands ,
+Thee I'll rake up , the post unsanctified
+Of murderous lechers ; and in the mature time
+With this ungracious paper strike the sight
+Of the death-practis'd duke . For him 'tis well
+That of thy death and business I can tell .
+
+The king is mad : how stiff is my vile sense ,
+That I stand up , and have ingenious feeling
+Of my huge sorrows ! Better I were distract :
+So should my thoughts be sever'd from my griefs ,
+And woes by wrong imaginations lose
+The knowledge of themselves .
+
+
+Give me your hand :
+Far off , methinks , I hear the beaten drum .
+Come , father , I'll bestow you with a friend .
+
+
+O thou good Kent ! how shall I live and work
+To match thy goodness ? My life will be too short ,
+And every measure fail me .
+
+To be acknowledg'd , madam , is o'erpaid .
+All my reports go with the modest truth ,
+Nor more nor clipp'd , but so .
+
+Be better suited :
+These weeds are memories of those worser hours :
+I prithee , put them off .
+
+Pardon me , dear madam ;
+Yet to be known shortens my made intent :
+My boon I make it that you know me not
+Till time and I think meet .
+
+Then be 't so , my good lord .
+
+How does the king ?
+
+Madam , sleeps still .
+
+O you kind gods ,
+Cure this great breach in his abused nature !
+The untun'd and jarring senses , O ! wind up
+Of this child-changed father !
+
+So please your majesty
+That we may wake the king ? he hath slept long .
+
+Be govern'd by your knowledge , and proceed
+I' the sway of your own will . Is he array'd ?
+
+
+Ay , madam ; in the heaviness of sleep ,
+We put fresh garments on him .
+
+Be by , good madam , when we do awake him ;
+I doubt not of his temperance .
+
+Very well .
+
+
+Please you , draw near . Louder the music there .
+
+O my dear father ! Restoration , hang
+Thy medicine on my lips , and let this kiss
+Repair those violent harms that my two sisters
+Have in thy reverence made !
+
+Kind and dear princess !
+
+Had you not been their father , these white flakes
+Had challeng'd pity of them . Was this a face
+To be expos'd against the warring winds ?
+To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder ?
+In the most terrible and nimble stroke
+Of quick cross lightning ? to watch poor perdu !
+With this thin helm ? Mine enemy's dog ,
+Though he had bit me , should have stood that night
+Against my fire . And wast thou fain , poor father ,
+To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn ,
+In short and musty straw ? Alack , alack !
+'Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once
+Had not concluded all . He wakes ; speak to him .
+
+Madam , do you ; 'tis fittest .
+
+How does my royal lord ? How fares your majesty ?
+
+You do me wrong to take me out o' the grave ;
+Thou art a soul in bliss ; but I am bound
+Upon a wheel of fire , that mine own tears
+Do scald like molten lead .
+
+Sir , do you know me ?
+
+You are a spirit , I know ; when did you die ?
+
+Still , still , far wide .
+
+He's scarce awake ; let him alone awhile .
+
+Where have I been ? Where am I ? Fair day-light ?
+I am mightily abus'd . I should even die with pity
+To see another thus . I know not what to say .
+I will not swear these are my hands : let's see ;
+I feel this pin prick . Would I were assur'd
+Of my condition !
+
+O ! look upon me , sir ,
+And hold your hands in benediction o'er me .
+No , sir , you must not kneel .
+
+Pray , do not mock me :
+I am a very foolish fond old man ,
+Fourscore and upward , not an hour more or less ;
+And , to deal plainly ,
+I fear I am not in my perfect mind .
+Methinks I should know you and know this man ;
+Yet I am doubtful : for I am mainly ignorant
+What place this is , and all the skill I have
+Remembers not these garments ; nor I know not
+Where I did lodge last night . Do not laugh at me ;
+For , as I am a man , I think this lady
+To be my child Cordelia .
+
+And so I am , I am .
+
+Be your tears wet ? Yes , faith . I pray , weep not :
+If you have poison for me , I will drink it .
+I know you do not love me ; for your sisters
+Have , as I do remember , done me wrong :
+You have some cause , they have not .
+
+No cause , no cause .
+
+Am I in France ?
+
+In your own kingdom , sir .
+
+Do not abuse me .
+
+Be comforted , good madam ; the great rage ,
+You see , is kill'd in him ; and yet it is danger
+To make him even o'er the time he has lost .
+Desire him to go in ; trouble him no more
+Till further settling .
+
+Will 't please your highness walk ?
+
+You must bear with me .
+Pray you now , forget and forgive : I am old and foolish .
+
+
+Holds it true , sir , that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain ?
+
+Most certain , sir .
+
+Who is conductor of his people ?
+
+As 'tis said , the bastard son of Gloucester .
+
+They say Edgar , his banished son , is with the Earl of Kent in Germany .
+
+Report is changeable . 'Tis time to look about ; the powers of the kingdom approach apace .
+
+The arbitrement is like to be bloody .
+Fare you well , sir .
+
+
+My point and period will be throughly wrought ,
+Or well or ill , as this day's battle's fought .
+
+Know of the duke if his last purpose hold ,
+Or whether since he is advis'd by aught
+To change the course ; he's full of alteration
+And self-reproving ; bring his constant pleasure .
+
+
+Our sister's man is certainly miscarried .
+
+'Tis to be doubted , madam .
+
+Now , sweet lord ,
+You know the goodness I intend upon you :
+Tell me , but truly , but then speak the truth ,
+Do you not love my sister ?
+
+In honour'd love .
+
+But have you never found my brother's way
+To the forefended place ?
+
+That thought abuses you .
+
+I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
+And bosom'd with her , as far as we call hers .
+
+No , by mine honour , madam .
+
+I never shall endure her : dear my lord ,
+Be not familiar with her .
+
+Fear me not .
+She and the duke her husband !
+
+
+I had rather lose the battle than that sister
+Should loosen him and me .
+
+Our very loving sister , well be-met .
+Sir , this I heard , the king is come to his daughter ,
+With others ; whom the rigour of our state
+Forc'd to cry out . Where I could not be honest
+I never yet was valiant : for this business ,
+It toucheth us , as France invades our land ,
+Not bolds the king , with others , whom , I fear ,
+Most just and heavy causes make oppose .
+
+Sir , you speak nobly .
+
+Why is this reason'd ?
+
+Combine together 'gainst the enemy ;
+For these domestic and particular broils
+Are not the question here .
+
+Let's then determine
+With the ancient of war on our proceeding .
+
+I shall attend you presently at your tent .
+
+Sister , you'll go with us ?
+
+No .
+
+'Tis most convenient ; pray you , go with us .
+
+O , ho ! I know the riddle . [Aloud .] I will go .
+
+
+If e'er your Grace had speech with man so poor ,
+Hear me one word .
+
+I'll overtake you . Speak .
+
+
+Before you fight the battle , ope this letter .
+If you have victory , let the trumpet sound
+For him that brought it : wretched though I seem ,
+I can produce a champion that will prove
+What is avouched there . If you miscarry ,
+Your business of the world hath so an end ,
+And machination ceases . Fortune love you !
+
+Stay till I have read the letter .
+
+I was forbid it .
+When time shall serve , let but the herald cry ,
+And I'll appear again .
+
+Why , fare thee well : I will o'erlook thy paper .
+
+The enemy's in view ; draw up your powers .
+Here is the guess of their true strength and forces
+By diligent discovery ; but your haste
+Is now urg'd on you .
+
+We will greet the time .
+
+
+To both these sisters have I sworn my love ;
+Each jealous of the other , as the stung
+Are of the adder . Which of them shall I take ?
+Both ? one ? or neither ? Neither can be enjoy'd
+If both remain alive : to take the widow
+Exasperates , makes mad her sister Goneril ;
+And hardly shall I carry out my side ,
+Her husband being alive . Now then , we'll use
+His countenance for the battle ; which being done
+Let her who would be rid of him devise
+His speedy taking off . As for the mercy
+Which he intends to Lear , and to Cordelia ,
+The battle done , and they within our power ,
+Shall never see his pardon ; for my state
+Stands on me to defend , not to debate .
+
+Here , father , take the shadow of this tree
+For your good host ; pray that the right may thrive .
+If ever I return to you again ,
+I'll bring you comfort .
+
+Grace go with you , sir !
+
+Away , old man ! give me thy hand : away !
+King Lear hath lost , he and his daughter ta'en .
+Give me thy hand ; come on .
+
+No further , sir ; a man may rot even here .
+
+What ! in ill thoughts again ? Men must endure
+Their going hence , even as their coming hither :
+Ripeness is all . Come on .
+
+And that's true too .
+
+Some officers take them away : good guard ,
+Until their greater pleasures first be known
+That are to censure them .
+
+We are not the first
+Who , with best meaning , have incurr'd the worst .
+For thee , oppressed king , am I cast down ;
+Myself could else out-frown false Fortune's frown .
+Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters ?
+
+No , no , no , no ! Come , let's away to prison ;
+We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage :
+When thou dost ask me blessing , I'll kneel down ,
+And ask of thee forgiveness : so we'll live ,
+And pray , and sing , and tell old tales , and laugh
+At gilded butterflies , and hear poor rogues
+Talk of court news ; and we'll talk with them too ,
+Who loses and who wins ; who's in , who's out ;
+And take upon's the mystery of things ,
+As if we were God's spies : and we'll wear out ,
+In a wall'd prison , packs and sets of great ones
+That ebb and flow by the moon .
+
+Take them away .
+
+Upon such sacrifices , my Cordelia ,
+The gods themselves throw incense . Have I caught thee ?
+He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven ,
+And fire us hence like foxes . Wipe thine eyes ;
+The goujeres shall devour them , flesh and fell ,
+Ere they shall make us weep : we'll see 'em starve first .
+Come .
+
+
+Come hither , captain ; hark ,
+Take thou this note ;
+
+go follow them to prison :
+One step I have advanc'd thee ; if thou dost
+As this instructs thee , thou dost make thy way
+To noble fortunes ; know thou this , that men
+Are as the time is ; to be tender-minded
+Does not become a sword ; thy great employment
+Will not bear question ; either say thou'lt do't ,
+Or thrive by other means .
+
+I'll do't , my lord .
+
+About it ; and write happy when thou hast done .
+Mark ,I say , instantly , and carry it so
+As I have set it down .
+
+I cannot draw a cart nor eat dried oats ;
+If it be man's work I will do it .
+
+Sir , you have show'd to-day your valiant strain ,
+And fortune led you well ; you have the captives
+Who were the opposites of this day's strife ;
+We do require them of you , so to use them
+As we shall find their merits and our safety
+May equally determine .
+
+Sir , I thought it fit
+To send the old and miserable king
+To some retention , and appointed guard ;
+Whose age has charms in it , whose title more ,
+To pluck the common bosom on his side ,
+And turn our impress'd lances in our eyes
+Which do command them . With him I sent the queen ;
+My reason all the same ; and they are ready
+To-morrow , or at further space , to appear
+Where you shall hold your session . At this time
+We sweat and bleed ; the friend hath lost his friend ,
+And the best quarrels , in the heat , are curs'd
+By those that feel their sharpness ;
+The question of Cordelia and her father
+Requires a fitter place .
+
+Sir , by your patience ,
+I hold you but a subject of this war ,
+Not as a brother .
+
+That's as we list to grace him :
+Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded ,
+Ere you had spoke so far . He led our powers ,
+Bore the commission of my place and person ;
+The which immediacy may well stand up ,
+And call itself your brother .
+
+Not so hot ;
+In his own grace he doth exalt himself
+More than in your addition .
+
+In my rights ,
+By me invested , he compeers the best .
+
+That were the most , if he should husband you .
+
+Jesters do oft prove prophets .
+
+Holla , holla !
+That eye that told you so look'd but a-squint .
+
+Lady , I am not well ; else I should answer
+From a full-flowing stomach . General ,
+Take thou my soldiers , prisoners , patrimony ;
+Dispose of them , of me ; the walls are thine ;
+Witness the world , that I create thee here
+My lord and master .
+
+Mean you to enjoy him ?
+
+The let-alone lies not in your good will .
+
+Nor in thine , lord .
+
+Half-blooded fellow , yes .
+
+Let the drum strike , and prove my title thine .
+
+Stay yet ; hear reason . Edmund , I arrest thee
+On capital treason ; and , in thy arrest ,
+This gilded serpent .
+
+For your claim , fair sister ,
+I bar it in the interest of my wife ;
+'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord ,
+And I , her husband , contradict your bans .
+If you will marry , make your love to me ,
+My lady is bespoke .
+
+An interlude !
+
+Thou art arm'd , Gloucester ; let the trumpet sound :
+If none appear to prove upon thy person
+Thy heinous , manifest , and many treasons ,
+There is my pledge ;
+
+I'll prove it on thy heart ,
+Ere I taste bread , thou art in nothing less
+Than I have here proclaim'd thee .
+
+Sick ! O sick !
+
+If not , I'll ne'er trust medicine .
+
+There's my exchange :
+
+what in the world he is
+That names me traitor , villain-like be lies .
+Call by thy trumpet : he that dares approach ,
+On him , on you , who not ? I will maintain
+My truth and honour firmly .
+
+A herald , ho !
+
+A herald , ho ! a herald !
+
+Trust to thy single virtue ; for thy soldiers ,
+All levied in my name , have in my name
+Took their discharge .
+
+My sickness grows upon me .
+
+She is not well ; convey her to my tent .
+
+Come hither , herald ,
+
+
+Let the trumpet sound ,
+
+And read out this .
+
+Sound , trumpet !
+
+
+If any man of quality or degree within the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund , supposed Earl of Gloucester , that he is a manifold traitor , let him appear at the third sound of the trumpet . He is bold in his defence .
+
+Sound !
+
+
+Again !
+
+
+Again !
+
+
+Ask him his purposes , why he appears
+Upon this call o' the trumpet .
+
+What are you ?
+Your name ? your quality ? and why you answer
+This present summons ?
+
+Know , my name is lost ;
+By treason's tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit :
+Yet am I noble as the adversary
+I come to cope .
+
+Which is that adversary ?
+
+What's he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloucester ?
+
+Himself : what sayst thou to him ?
+
+Draw thy sword ,
+That , if my speech offend a noble heart ,
+Thy arm may do thee justice ; here is mine :
+Behold , it is the privilege of mine honours ,
+My oath , and my profession : I protest ,
+Maugre thy strength , youth , place , and eminence ,
+Despite thy victor sword and fire-new fortune ,
+Thy valour and thy heart , thou art a traitor ,
+False to thy gods , thy brother , and thy father ,
+Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince ,
+And , from the extremest upward of thy head
+To the descent and dust below thy foot ,
+A most toad-spotted traitor . Say thou 'No ,'
+This sword , this arm , and my best spirits are bent
+To prove upon thy heart , whereto I speak ,
+Thou liest .
+
+In wisdom I should ask thy name ;
+But since thy outside looks so fair and war-like ,
+And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes ,
+What safe and nicely I might well delay
+By rule of knighthood , I disdain and spurn ;
+Back do I toss these treasons to thy head ,
+With the hell-hated lie o'erwhelm thy heart ,
+Which , for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise ,
+This sword of mine shall give them instant way ,
+Where they shall rest for ever . Trumpets , speak !
+
+
+Save him , save him !
+
+This is practice , Gloucester :
+By the law of arms thou wast not bound to answer
+An unknown opposite ; thou art not vanquish'd ,
+But cozen'd and beguil'd .
+
+Shut your mouth , dame ,
+Or with this paper shall I stop it . Hold , sir ;
+Thou worse than any name , read thine own evil :
+No tearing , lady ; I perceive you know it .
+
+
+Say , if I do , the laws are mine , not thine :
+Who can arraign me for 't ?
+
+
+Most monstrous !
+Know'st thou this paper ?
+
+Ask me not what I know .
+
+Go after her : she's desperate ; govern her .
+
+
+What you have charg'd me with , that have I done ,
+And more , much more ; the time will bring it out :
+'Tis past , and so am I . But what art thou
+That hast this fortune on me ? If thou'rt noble ,
+I do forgive thee .
+
+Let's exchange charity .
+I am no less in blood than thou art , Edmund ;
+If more , the more thou hast wrong'd me .
+My name is Edgar , and thy father's son .
+The gods are just , and of our pleasant vices
+Make instruments to plague us :
+The dark and vicious place where thee he got
+Cost him his eyes .
+
+Thou hast spoken right , 'tis true ;
+The wheel is come full circle ; I am here .
+
+Methought thy very gait did prophesy
+A royal nobleness : I must embrace thee :
+Let sorrow split my heart , if ever I
+Did hate thee or thy father .
+
+Worthy prince , I know 't .
+
+Where have you hid yourself ?
+How have you known the miseries of your father ?
+
+By nursing them , my lord . List a brief tale ;
+And , when 'tis told , O ! that my heart would burst ,
+The bloody proclamation to escape
+That follow'd me so near ,O ! our lives' sweetness ,
+That we the pain of death would hourly die
+Rather than die at once !taught me to shift
+Into a madman's rags , to assume a semblance
+That very dogs disdain'd : and in this habit
+Met I my father with his bleeding rings ,
+Their precious stones new lost ; became his guide ,
+Led him , begg'd for him , sav'd him from despair ;
+Never ,O fault !reveal'd myself unto him ,
+Until some half hour past , when I was arm'd ;
+Not sure , though hoping , of this good success ,
+I ask'd his blessing , and from first to last
+Told him my pilgrimage : but his flaw'd heart ,
+Alack ! too weak the conflict to support ;
+'Twixt two extremes of passion , joy and grief ,
+Burst smilingly .
+
+This speech of yours hath mov'd me ,
+And shall perchance do good ; but speak you on ;
+You look as you had something more to say .
+
+If there be more , more woeful , hold it in ;
+For I am almost ready to dissolve ,
+Hearing of this .
+
+This would have seem'd a period
+To such as love not sorrow ; but another ,
+To amplify too much , would make much more ,
+And top extremity .
+Whilst I was big in clamour came there a man ,
+Who , having seen me in my worst estate ,
+Shunn'd my abhorr'd society ; but then , finding
+Who 'twas that so endur'd , with his strong arms
+He fasten'd on my neck , and bellow'd out
+As he'd burst heaven ; threw him on my father ;
+Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him
+That ever ear receiv'd ; which in recounting
+His grief grew puissant , and the strings of life
+Began to crack : twice then the trumpet sounded ,
+And there I left him tranc'd .
+
+But who was this ?
+
+Kent , sir , the banish'd Kent ; who in disguise
+Follow'd his enemy king , and did him service
+Improper for a slave .
+
+
+Help , help ! O help !
+
+What kind of help ?
+
+Speak , man .
+
+What means that bloody knife ?
+
+'Tis hot , it smokes ;
+It came even from the heart of O ! she's dead .
+
+Who dead ? speak , man .
+
+Your lady , sir , your lady : and her sister
+By her is poison'd ; she confesses it .
+
+I was contracted to them both : all three
+Now marry in an instant .
+
+Here comes Kent .
+
+Produce the bodies , be they alive or dead :
+This judgment of the heavens , that makes us tremble ,
+Touches us not with pity .
+
+O ! is this he ?
+The time will not allow the compliment
+
+Which very manners urges .
+
+I am come
+To bid my king and master aye good-night ;
+Is he not here ?
+
+Great thing of us forgot !
+Speak , Edmund , where's the king ? and where's Cordelia ?
+Seest thou this object , Kent ?
+
+
+Alack ! why thus ?
+
+Yet Edmund was belov'd :
+The one the other poison'd for my sake ,
+And after slew herself .
+
+Even so . Cover their faces .
+
+I pant for life : some good I mean to do
+Despite of mine own nature . Quickly send ,
+Be brief in it , to the castle ; for my writ
+Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia .
+Nay , send in time .
+
+Run , run ! O run !
+
+To whom , my lord ? Who has the office ? send
+Thy token of reprieve .
+
+Well thought on : take my sword ,
+Give it the captain .
+
+Haste thee , for thy life .
+
+
+He hath commission from my wife and me
+To hang Cordelia in the prison , and
+To lay the blame upon her own despair ,
+That she fordid herself .
+
+The gods defend her ! Bear him hence awhile .
+
+Howl , howl , howl , howl ! O ! you are men of stones :
+Had I your tongues and eyes , I'd use them so
+That heaven's vaults should crack . She's gone for ever .
+I know when one is dead , and when one lives ;
+She's dead as earth . Lend me a looking-glass ;
+If that her breath will mist or stain the stone ,
+Why , then she lives .
+
+Is this the promis'd end ?
+
+Or image of that horror ?
+
+Fall and cease ?
+
+This feather stirs ; she lives ! if it be so ,
+It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows
+That ever I have felt .
+
+O , my good master !
+
+Prithee , away .
+
+'Tis noble Kent , your friend .
+
+A plague upon you , murderers , traitors all !
+I might have sav'd her ; now , she's gone for ever !
+Cordelia , Cordelia ! stay a little . Ha !
+What is 't thou sayst ? Her voice was ever soft ,
+Gentle and low , an excellent thing in woman .
+I kill'd the slave that was a hanging thee .
+
+'Tis true , my lord , he did .
+
+Did I not , fellow ?
+I have seen the day , with my good biting falchion
+I would have made them skip : I am old now ,
+And these same crosses spoil me . Who are you ?
+Mine eyes are not o' the best : I'll tell you straight .
+
+If fortune brag of two she lov'd and hated ,
+One of them we behold .
+
+This is a dull sight . Are you not Kent ?
+
+The same ,
+Your servant Kent . Where is your servant Caius ?
+
+He's a good fellow , I can tell you that ;
+He'll strike , and quickly too . He's dead and rotten .
+
+No , my good lord ; I am the very man
+
+I'll see that straight .
+
+That , from your first of difference and decay ,
+Have follow'd your sad steps .
+
+You are welcome hither .
+
+Nor no man else ; all's cheerless , dark , and deadly :
+Your eldest daughters have fordone themselves ,
+And desperately are dead .
+
+Ay , so I think .
+
+He knows not what he says , and vain it is
+That we present us to him .
+
+Very bootless .
+
+
+Edmund is dead , my lord .
+
+That's but a trifle here .
+You lords and noble friends , know our intent ;
+What comfort to this great decay may come
+Shall be applied : for us , we will resign ,
+During the life of this old majesty ,
+To him our absolute power :
+
+You , to your rights ;
+With boot and such addition as your honours
+Have more than merited . All friends shall taste
+The wages of their virtue , and all foes
+The cup of their deservings . O ! see , see !
+
+And my poor fool is hang'd ! No , no , no life !
+Why should a dog , a horse , a rat , have life ,
+And thou no breath at all ? Thou'lt come no more ,
+Never , never , never , never , never !
+Pray you , undo this button : thank you , sir .
+Do you see this ? Look on her , look , her lips ,
+Look there , look there !
+
+
+He faints !my lord , my lord !
+
+Break , heart ; I prithee , break .
+
+Look up , my lord .
+
+Vex not his ghost : O ! let him pass ; he hates him
+That would upon the rack of this tough world
+Stretch him out longer .
+
+He is gone , indeed .
+
+The wonder is he hath endur'd so long :
+He but usurp'd his life .
+
+Bear them from hence . Our present business
+Is general woe .
+
+Friends of my soul , you twain
+Rule in this realm , and the gor'd state sustain .
+
+I have a journey , sir , shortly to go ;
+My master calls me , I must not say no .
+
+The weight of this sad time we must obey ;
+Speak what we feel , not what we ought to say .
+The oldest hath borne most : we that are young ,
+Shall never see so much , nor live so long .
+
+MACBETH
+
+When shall we three meet again
+In thunder , lightning , or in rain ?
+
+When the hurlyburly's done ,
+When the battle's lost and won .
+
+That will be ere the set of sun .
+
+Where the place ?
+
+Upon the heath .
+
+There to meet with Macbeth .
+
+I come , Graymalkin !
+
+Paddock calls .
+
+Anon .
+
+Fair is foul , and foul is fair :
+Hover through the fog and filthy air .
+
+What bloody man is that ? He can report ,
+As seemeth by his plight , of the revolt
+The newest state .
+
+This is the sergeant
+Who , like a good and hardy soldier fought
+'Gainst my captivity . Hail , brave friend !
+Say to the king the knowledge of the broil
+As thou didst leave it .
+
+Doubtful it stood ;
+As two spent swimmers , that do cling together
+And choke their art . The merciless Macdonwald
+Worthy to be a rebel , for to that
+The multiplying villanies of nature
+Do swarm upon him from the western isles
+Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied ;
+And fortune , on his damned quarrel smiling ,
+Show'd like a rebel's whore : but all's too weak ;
+For brave Macbeth ,well he deserves that name ,
+Disdaining fortune , with his brandish'd steel ,
+Which smok'd with bloody execution ,
+Like valour's minion carv'd out his passage
+Till he fac'd the slave ;
+Which ne'er shook hands , nor bade farewell to him ,
+Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps ,
+And fix'd his head upon our battlements .
+
+O valiant cousin ! worthy gentleman !
+
+As whence the sun 'gins his reflection
+Shipwracking storms and direful thunders break ,
+So from that spring whence comfort seem'd to come
+Discomfort swells . Mark , King of Scotland , mark :
+No sooner justice had with valour arm'd
+Compell'd these skipping kerns to trust their heels ,
+But the Norweyan lord surveying vantage ,
+With furbish'd arms and new supplies of men
+Began a fresh assault .
+
+Dismay'd not this
+Our captains , Macbeth and Banquo ?
+
+Yes ;
+As sparrows eagles , or the hare the lion .
+If I say sooth , I must report they were
+As cannons overcharg'd with double cracks ;
+So they
+Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe :
+Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds ,
+Or memorize another Golgotha ,
+I cannot tell
+But I am faint , my gashes cry for help .
+
+So well thy words become thee as thy wounds ;
+They smack of honour both . Go , get him surgeons .
+
+
+Who comes here ?
+
+The worthy Thane of Ross .
+
+What a haste looks through his eyes ! So should he look
+That seems to speak things strange .
+
+God save the king !
+
+Whence cam'st thou , worthy thane ?
+
+From Fife , great king ;
+Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky
+And fan our people cold . Norway himself ,
+With terrible numbers ,
+Assisted by that most disloyal traitor ,
+The Thane of Cawdor , began a dismal conflict ;
+Till that Bellona's bridegroom , lapp'd in proof ,
+Confronted him with self-comparisons ,
+Point against point , rebellious arm 'gainst arm ,
+Curbing his lavish spirit : and , to conclude ,
+The victory fell on us .
+
+Great happiness !
+
+That now
+Sweno , the Norways' king , craves composition ;
+Nor would we deign him burial of his men
+Till he disbursed , at Saint Colme's Inch ,
+Ten thousand dollars to our general use .
+
+No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive
+Our bosom interest . Go pronounce his present death ,
+And with his former title greet Macbeth .
+
+I'll see it done .
+
+What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won .
+
+
+Where hast thou been , sister ?
+
+Killing swine .
+
+Sister , where thou ?
+
+A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap ,
+And munch'd , and munch'd , and munch'd : 'Give me ,' quoth I :
+'Aroint thee , witch !' the rump-fed ronyon cries .
+Her husband's to Aleppo gone , master o' the Tiger :
+But in a sieve I'll thither sail ,
+And , like a rat without a tail ,
+I'll do , I'll do , and I'll do .
+
+I'll give thee a wind .
+
+Thou'rt kind .
+
+And I another .
+
+I myself have all the other ;
+And the very ports they blow ,
+All the quarters that they know
+I' the shipman's card .
+I'll drain him dry as hay :
+Sleep shall neither night nor day
+Hang upon his pent-house lid ;
+He shall live a man forbid .
+Weary se'nnights nine times nine
+Shall he dwindle , peak and pine :
+Though his bark cannot be lost ,
+Yet it shall be tempest-tost .
+Look what I have .
+
+Show me , show me .
+
+Here I have a pilot's thumb ,
+Wrack'd as homeward he did come .
+
+
+A drum ! a drum !
+Macbeth doth come .
+
+The weird sisters , hand in hand ,
+Posters of the sea and land ,
+Thus do go about , about :
+Thrice to thine , and thrice to mine ,
+And thrice again , to make up nine .
+Peace ! the charm's wound up .
+
+
+So foul and fair a day I have not seen .
+
+How far is 't call'd to Forres ? What are these ,
+So wither'd and so wild in their attire ,
+That look not like th' inhabitants o' the earth ,
+And yet are on 't ? Live you ? or are you aught
+That man may question ? You seem to understand me ,
+By each at once her choppy finger laying
+Upon her skinny lips : you should be women ,
+And yet your beards forbid me to interpret
+That you are so .
+
+Speak , if you can : what are you ?
+
+All hail , Macbeth ! hail to thee , Thane of Glamis !
+
+All hail , Macbeth ! hail to thee , Thane of Cawdor !
+
+All hail , Macbeth ! that shalt be king hereafter .
+
+Good sir , why do you start , and seem to fear
+Things that do sound so fair ? I' the name of truth ,
+Are ye fantastical , or that indeed
+Which outwardly ye show ? My noble partner
+You greet with present grace and great prediction
+Of noble having and of royal hope ,
+That he seems rapt withal : to me you speak not .
+If you can look into the seeds of time ,
+And say which grain will grow and which will not ,
+Speak then to me , who neither beg nor fear
+Your favours nor your hate .
+
+Hail !
+
+Hail !
+
+Hail !
+
+Lesser than Macbeth , and greater .
+
+Not so happy , yet much happier .
+
+Thou shalt get kings , though thou be none :
+So , all hail , Macbeth and Banquo !
+
+Banquo and Macbeth , all hail !
+
+Stay , you imperfect speakers , tell me more :
+By Sinel's death I know I am Thane of Glamis ;
+But how of Cawdor ? the Thane of Cawdor lives ,
+A prosperous gentleman ; and to be king
+Stands not within the prospect of belief
+No more than to be Cawdor . Say , from whence
+You owe this strange intelligence ? or why
+Upon this blasted heath you stop our way
+With such prophetic greeting ? Speak , I charge you .
+
+
+The earth hath bubbles , as the water has ,
+And these are of them . Whither are they vanish'd ?
+
+Into the air , and what seem'd corporal melted
+As breath into the wind . Would they had stay'd !
+
+Were such things here as we do speak about ?
+Or have we eaten on the insane root
+That takes the reason prisoner ?
+
+Your children shall be kings .
+
+You shall be king .
+
+And Thane of Cawdor too ; went it not so ?
+
+To the self-same tune and words . Who's here ?
+
+
+The king hath happily receiv'd , Macbeth ,
+The news of thy success ; and when he reads
+Thy personal venture in the rebels' fight ,
+His wonders and his praises do contend
+Which should be thine or his . Silenc'd with that ,
+In viewing o'er the rest o' the self-same day ,
+He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks ,
+Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make ,
+Strange images of death . As thick as hail
+Came post with post , and every one did bear
+Thy praises in his kingdom's great defence ,
+And pour'd them down before him .
+
+We are sent
+To give thee from our royal master thanks ;
+Only to herald thee into his sight ,
+Not pay thee .
+
+And , for an earnest of a greater honour ,
+He bade me , from him , call thee Thane of Cawdor :
+In which addition , hail , most worthy thane !
+For it is thine .
+
+What ! can the devil speak true ?
+
+The Thane of Cawdor lives : why do you dress me
+In borrow'd robes ?
+
+Who was the thane lives yet ;
+But under heavy judgment bears that life
+Which he deserves to lose . Whether he was combin'd
+With those of Norway , or did line the rebel
+With hidden help or vantage , or that with both
+He labour'd in his country's wrack , I know not ;
+But treasons capital , confess'd and prov'd ,
+Have overthrown him .
+
+Glamis , and Thane of Cawdor :
+The greatest is behind .
+
+Thanks for your pains .
+
+
+Do you not hope your children shall be kings ,
+When those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me
+Promis'd no less to them ?
+
+That , trusted home ,
+Might yet enkindle you unto the crown ,
+Besides the Thane of Cawdor . But 'tis strange :
+And oftentimes , to win us to our harm ,
+The instruments of darkness tell us truths ,
+Win us with honest trifles , to betray's
+In deepest consequence .
+Cousins , a word , I pray you .
+
+Two truths are told ,
+As happy prologues to the swelling act
+Of the imperial theme . I thank you , gentlemen .
+
+
+This supernatural soliciting
+Cannot be ill , cannot be good ; if ill ,
+Why hath it given me earnest of success ,
+Commencing in a truth ? I am Thane of Cawdor :
+If good , why do I yield to that suggestion
+Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
+And make my seated heart knock at my ribs ,
+Against the use of nature ? Present fears
+Are less than horrible imaginings ;
+My thought , whose murder yet is but fantastical ,
+Shakes so my single state of man that function
+Is smother'd in surmise , and nothing is
+But what is not .
+
+Look , how our partner's rapt .
+
+If chance will have me king , why , chance may crown me ,
+Without my stir .
+
+New honours come upon him ,
+Like our strange garments , cleave not to their mould
+But with the aid of use .
+
+Come what come may ,
+Time and the hour runs through the roughest day .
+
+Worthy Macbeth , we stay upon your leisure .
+
+Give me your favour : my dull brain was wrought
+With things forgotten . Kind gentlemen , your pains
+Are register'd where every day I turn
+The leaf to read them . Let us toward the king .
+Think upon what hath chanc'd ; and , at more time ,
+The interim having weigh'd it , let us speak
+Our free hearts each to other .
+
+Very gladly .
+
+Till then , enough . Come , friends .
+
+
+Is execution done on Cawdor ? Are not
+Those in commission yet return'd ?
+
+My liege ,
+They are not yet come back ; but I have spoke
+With one that saw him die ; who did report
+That very frankly he confess'd his treasons ,
+Implor'd your highness' pardon and set forth
+A deep repentance . Nothing in his life
+Became him like the leaving it ; he died
+As one that had been studied in his death
+To throw away the dearest thing he ow'd ,
+As 'twere a careless trifle .
+
+There's no art
+To find the mind's construction in the face :
+He was a gentleman on whom I built
+An absolute trust .
+
+
+O worthiest cousin !
+The sin of my ingratitude even now
+Was heavy on me . Thou art so far before
+That swiftest wing of recompense is slow
+To overtake thee ; would thou hadst less deserv'd ,
+That the proportion both of thanks and payment
+Might have been mine ! only I have left to say ,
+
+More is thy due than more than all can pay .
+
+The service and the loyalty I owe ,
+In doing it , pays itself . Your highness' part
+Is to receive our duties : and our duties
+Are to your throne and state , children and servants ;
+Which do but what they should , by doing everything
+Safe toward your love and honour .
+
+Welcome hither :
+I have begun to plant thee , and will labour
+To make thee full of growing . Noble Banquo ,
+That hast no less deserv'd , nor must be known
+No less to have done so , let me infold thee
+And hold thee to my heart .
+
+There if I grow ,
+The harvest is your own .
+
+My plenteous joys
+Wanton in fulness , seek to hide themselves
+In drops of sorrow . Sons , kinsmen , thanes ,
+And you whose places are the nearest , know
+We will establish our estate upon
+Our eldest , Malcolm , whom we name hereafter
+The Prince of Cumberland ; which honour must
+Not unaccompanied invest him only ,
+But signs of nobleness , like stars , shall shine
+On all deservers . From hence to Inverness ,
+And bind us further to you .
+
+The rest is labour , which is not us'd for you :
+I'll be myself the harbinger , and make joyful
+The hearing of my wife with your approach ;
+So , humbly take my leave .
+
+My worthy Cawdor !
+
+The Prince of Cumberland ! that is a step
+On which I must fall down , or else o'er-leap ,
+For in my way it lies . Stars , hide your fires !
+Let not light see my black and deep desires ;
+The eye wink at the hand ; yet let that be
+Which the eye fears , when it is done , to see .
+
+
+True , worthy Banquo ; he is full so valiant ,
+And in his commendations I am fed ;
+It is a banquet to me . Let's after him ,
+Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome :
+It is a peerless kinsman .
+
+They met me in the day of success ; and I have learned by the perfectest report , they have more in them than mortal knowledge . When I burned in desire to question them further , they made themselves air , into which they vanished . Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it , came missives from the king , who all-hailed me , 'Thane of Cawdor ;' by which title , before , these weird sisters saluted me , and referred me to the coming on of time , with , 'Hail , king that shall be !' This have I thought good to deliver thee , my dearest partner of greatness , that thou mightest not lose the dues of rejoicing , by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee . Lay it to thy heart , and farewell .
+Glamis thou art , and Cawdor ; and shalt be
+What thou art promis'd . Yet do I fear thy nature ;
+It is too full o' the milk of human kindness
+To catch the nearest way ; thou wouldst be great ,
+Art not without ambition , but without
+The illness should attend it ; what thou wouldst highly ,
+That thou wouldst holily ; wouldst not play false ,
+And yet wouldst wrongly win ; thou'dst have , great Glamis ,
+That which cries , 'Thus thou must do , if thou have it ;'
+And that which rather thou dost fear to do
+Than wishest should be undone . Hie thee hither ,
+That I may pour my spirits in thine ear ,
+And chastise with the valour of my tongue
+All that impedes thee from the golden round ,
+Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
+To have thee crown'd withal .
+
+What is your tidings ?
+
+The king comes here to-night .
+
+Thou'rt mad to say it .
+Is not thy master with him ? who , were't so ,
+Would have inform'd for preparation .
+
+So please you , it is true : our thane is coming ;
+One of my fellows had the speed of him ,
+Who , almost dead for breath , had scarcely more
+Than would make up his message .
+
+Give him tending ;
+He brings great news .
+
+The raven himself is hoarse
+That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
+Under my battlements . Come , you spirits
+That tend on mortal thoughts ! unsex me here ,
+And fill me from the crown to the toe top full
+Of direst cruelty ; make thick my blood ,
+Stop up the access and passage to remorse ,
+That no compunctious visitings of nature
+Shake my fell purpose , nor keep peace between
+The effect and it ! Come to my woman's breasts ,
+And take my milk for gall , you murdering ministers ,
+Wherever in your sightless substances
+You wait on nature's mischief ! Come , thick night ,
+And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell ,
+That my keen knife see not the wound it makes ,
+Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark ,
+To cry , 'Hold , hold !'
+
+
+Great Glamis ! worthy Cawdor !
+Greater than both , by the all-hail hereafter !
+Thy letters have transported me beyond
+This ignorant present , and I feel now
+
+The future in the instant .
+
+My dearest love ,
+Duncan comes here to-night .
+
+And when goes hence ?
+
+To-morrow , as he purposes .
+
+O ! never
+Shall sun that morrow see .
+Your face , my thane , is as a book where men
+May read strange matters . To beguile the time ,
+Look like the time ; bear welcome in your eye ,
+Your hand , your tongue : look like the innocent flower ,
+But be the serpent under't . He that's coming
+Must be provided for ; and you shall put
+This night's great business into my dispatch ;
+Which shall to all our nights and days to come
+Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom .
+
+We will speak further .
+
+Only look up clear ;
+To alter favour ever is to fear .
+Leave all the rest to me .
+
+This castle hath a pleasant seat ; the air
+Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
+Unto our gentle senses .
+
+This guest of summer ,
+The temple-haunting martlet , does approve
+By his lov'd mansionry that the heaven's breath
+Smells wooingly here : no jutty , frieze ,
+Buttress , nor coign of vantage , but this bird
+Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle :
+Where they most breed and haunt , I have observ'd
+The air is delicate .
+
+
+See , see , our honour'd hostess !
+The love that follows us sometime is our trouble ,
+Which still we thank as love . Herein I teach you
+How you shall bid God 'eyld us for your pains ,
+And thank us for your trouble .
+
+All our service ,
+In every point twice done , and then done double ,
+Were poor and single business , to contend
+Against those honours deep and broad wherewith
+Your majesty loads our house : for those of old ,
+And the late dignities heap'd up to them ,
+We rest your hermits .
+
+Where's the Thane of Cawdor ?
+We cours'd him at the heels , and had a purpose
+To be his purveyor ; but he rides well ,
+And his great love , sharp as his spur , hath holp him
+To his home before us . Fair and noble hostess ,
+We are your guest to-night .
+
+Your servants ever
+Have theirs , themselves , and what is theirs , in compt ,
+To make their audit at your highness' pleasure ,
+Still to return your own .
+
+Give me your hand ;
+Conduct me to mine host : we love him highly ,
+And shall continue our graces towards him .
+By your leave , hostess .
+
+If it were done when 'tis done , then 'twere well
+It were done quickly ; if the assassination
+Could trammel up the consequence , and catch
+With his surcease success ; that but this blow
+Might be the be-all and the end-all here ,
+But here , upon this bank and shoal of time ,
+We'd jump the life to come . But in these cases
+We still have judgment here ; that we but teach
+Bloody instructions , which , being taught , return
+To plague the inventor ; this even-handed justice
+Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice
+To our own lips . He's here in double trust :
+First , as I am his kinsman and his subject ,
+Strong both against the deed ; then , as his host ,
+Who should against his murderer shut the door ,
+Not bear the knife myself . Besides , this Duncan
+Hath borne his faculties so meek , hath been
+So clear in his great office , that his virtues
+Will plead like angels trumpet-tongu'd against
+The deep damnation of his taking-off ;
+And pity , like a naked new-born babe ,
+Striding the blast , or heaven's cherubin , hors'd
+Upon the sightless couriers of the air ,
+Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye ,
+That tears shall drown the wind . I have no spur
+To prick the sides of my intent , but only
+Vaulting ambition , which o'er-leaps itself
+And falls on the other .
+
+How now ! what news ?
+
+He has almost supp'd : why have you left the chamber ?
+
+Hath he ask'd for me ?
+
+Know you not he has ?
+
+We will proceed no further in this business :
+He hath honour'd me of late ; and I have bought
+Golden opinions from all sorts of people ,
+Which would be worn now in their newest gloss ,
+Not cast aside so soon .
+
+Was the hope drunk ,
+Wherein you dress'd yourself ? hath it slept since ,
+And wakes it now , to look so green and pale
+At what it did so freely ? From this time
+Such I account thy love . Art thou afeard
+To be the same in thine own act and valour
+As thou art in desire ? Wouldst thou have that
+Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life ,
+And live a coward in thine own esteem ,
+Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would ,'
+Like the poor cat i' the adage ?
+
+Prithee , peace .
+I dare do all that may become a man ;
+Who dares do more is none .
+
+What beast was't , then ,
+That made you break this enterprise to me ?
+When you durst do it then you were a man ;
+And , to be more than what you were , you would
+Be so much more the man . Nor time nor place
+Did then adhere , and yet you would make both :
+They have made themselves , and that their fitness now
+Does unmake you . I have given suck , and know
+How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me :
+I would , while it was smiling in my face ,
+Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums ,
+And dash'd the brains out , had I so sworn as you
+Have done to this .
+
+If we should fail ,
+
+We fail !
+But screw your courage to the sticking-place ,
+And we'll not fail . When Duncan is asleep ,
+Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey
+Soundly invite him , his two chamberlains
+Will I with wine and wassail so convince
+That memory , the warder of the brain ,
+Shall be a fume , and the receipt of reason
+A limbeck only ; when in swinish sleep
+Their drenched natures lie , as in a death ,
+What cannot you and I perform upon
+The unguarded Duncan ? what not put upon
+His spongy officers , who shall bear the guilt
+Of our great quell ?
+
+Bring forth men-children only ;
+For thy undaunted mettle should compose
+Nothing but males . Will it not be receiv'd ,
+When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two
+Of his own chamber and us'd their very daggers ,
+That they have done't ?
+
+Who dares receive it other ,
+As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar
+Upon his death ?
+
+I am settled , and bend up
+Each corporal agent to this terrible feat .
+Away , and mock the time with fairest show :
+False face must hide what the false heart doth know .
+
+How goes the night , boy ?
+
+The moon is down ; I have not heard the clock .
+
+And she goes down at twelve .
+
+I take't , 'tis later , sir .
+
+Hold , take my sword . There's husbandry in heaven ;
+Their candles are all out . Take thee that too .
+A heavy summons lies like lead upon me ,
+And yet I would not sleep : merciful powers !
+Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature
+Gives way to in repose .
+
+
+Give me my sword .
+
+Who's there ?
+
+A friend .
+
+What , sir ! not yet at rest ? The king's a-bed :
+He hath been in unusual pleasure , and
+Sent forth great largess to your offices .
+This diamond he greets your wife withal ,
+By the name of most kind hostess ; and shut up
+In measureless content .
+
+Being unprepar'd ,
+Our will became the servant to defect ,
+Which else should free have wrought .
+
+All's well .
+I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters :
+To you they have show'd some truth .
+
+I think not of them :
+Yet , when we can entreat an hour to serve ,
+We would spend it in some words upon that business ,
+If you would grant the time .
+
+At your kind'st leisure .
+
+If you shall cleave to my consent , when 'tis ,
+It shall make honour for you .
+
+So I lose none
+In seeking to augment it , but still keep
+My bosom franchis'd and allegiance clear ,
+I shall be counsell'd .
+
+Good repose the while !
+
+Thanks , sir : the like to you .
+
+
+Go bid thy mistress , when my drink is ready
+She strike upon the bell . Get thee to bed .
+
+Is this a dagger which I see before me ,
+The handle toward my hand ? Come , let me clutch thee :
+I have thee not , and yet I see thee still .
+Art thou not , fatal vision , sensible
+To feeling as to sight ? or art thou but
+A dagger of the mind , a false creation ,
+Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain ?
+I see thee yet , in form as palpable
+As this which now I draw .
+Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going ;
+And such an instrument I was to use .
+Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses ,
+Or else worth all the rest : I see thee still ;
+And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood ,
+Which was not so before . There's no such thing :
+It is the bloody business which informs
+Thus to mine eyes . Now o'er the one half-world
+Nature seems dead , and wicked dreams abuse
+The curtain'd sleep ; witchcraft celebrates
+Pale Hecate's offerings ; and wither'd murder ,
+Alarum'd by his sentinel , the wolf ,
+Whose howl's his watch , thus with his stealthy pace ,
+With Tarquin's ravishing strides , toward his design
+Moves like a ghost . Thou sure and firm-set earth ,
+Hear not my steps , which way they walk , for fear
+Thy very stones prate of my whereabout ,
+And take the present horror from the time ,
+Which now suits with it . Whiles I threat he lives :
+Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives .
+
+I go , and it is done ; the bell invites me .
+Hear it not , Duncan ; for it is a knell
+That summons thee to heaven or to hell .
+
+
+That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold ,
+What hath quench'd them hath given me fire . Hark !
+Peace !
+It was the owl that shriek'd , the fatal bellman ,
+Which gives the stern'st good-night . He is about it :
+The doors are open , and the surfeited grooms
+Do mock their charge with snores : I have drugg'd their possets ,
+That death and nature do contend about them ,
+Whether they live or die .
+
+Who's there ? what , ho !
+
+Alack ! I am afraid they have awak'd ,
+And 'tis not done ; the attempt and not the deed
+Confounds us . Hark ! I laid their daggers ready ;
+He could not miss them . Had he not resembled
+My father as he slept I had done 't . My husband !
+
+
+I have done the deed . Didst thou not hear a noise ?
+
+I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry .
+Did not you speak ?
+
+When ?
+
+Now .
+
+As I descended ?
+
+Ay .
+
+Hark !
+Who lies i' the second chamber ?
+
+Donalbain .
+
+This is a sorry sight .
+
+A foolish thought to say a sorry sight .
+
+There's one did laugh in 's sleep , and one cried 'Murder !'
+That they did wake each other : I stood and heard them ;
+But they did say their prayers , and address'd them
+Again to sleep .
+
+There are two lodg'd together .
+
+One cried 'God bless us !' and 'Amen' the other :
+As they had seen me with these hangman's hands .
+Listening their fear , I could not say 'Amen ,'
+When they did say 'God bless us !'
+
+Consider it not so deeply .
+
+But wherefore could not I pronounce 'Amen ?'
+I had most need of blessing , and 'Amen'
+Stuck in my throat .
+
+These deeds must not be thought
+After these ways ; so , it will make us mad .
+
+Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more !
+Macbeth does murder sleep ,' the innocent sleep ,
+Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care ,
+The death of each day's life , sore labour's bath ,
+Balm of hurt minds , great nature's second course ,
+Chief nourisher in life's feast ,
+
+What do you mean ?
+
+Still it cried , 'Sleep no more !' to all the house :
+'Glamis hath murder'd sleep , and therefore Cawdor
+Shall sleep no more , Macbeth shall sleep no more !'
+
+Who was it that thus cried ? Why , worthy thane ,
+You do unbend your noble strength to think
+So brainsickly of things . Go get some water ,
+And wash this filthy witness from your hand .
+Why did you bring these daggers from the place ?
+They must lie there : go carry them , and smear
+The sleepy grooms with blood .
+
+I'll go no more :
+I am afraid to think what I have done ;
+Look on 't again I dare not .
+
+Infirm of purpose !
+Give me the daggers . The sleeping and the dead
+Are but as pictures ; 'tis the eye of childhood
+That fears a painted devil . If he do bleed ,
+I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal ;
+For it must seem their guilt .
+
+
+Whence is that knocking ?
+How is't with me , when every noise appals me ?
+What hands are here ! Ha ! they pluck out mine eyes .
+Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
+Clean from my hand ? No , this my hand will rather
+The multitudinous seas incarnadine ,
+Making the green one red .
+
+
+My hands are of your colour , but I shame
+To wear a heart so white .
+
+I hear a knocking
+At the south entry ; retire we to our chamber ;
+A little water clears us of this deed ;
+How easy is it , then ! Your constancy
+Hath left you unattended .
+
+Hark ! more knocking .
+Get on your night-gown , lest occasion call us ,
+And show us to be watchers . Be not lost
+So poorly in your thoughts .
+
+To know my deed 'twere best not know myself .
+
+Wake Duncan with thy knocking ! I would thou couldst !
+
+
+Here's a knocking , indeed ! If a man were porter of hell-gate he should have old turning the key .
+
+Knock , knock , knock ! Who's there , i' the name of Beelzebub ? Here's a farmer that hanged himself on the expectation of plenty : come in time ; have napkins enough about you ; here you'll sweat for 't . [Knocking within .] Knock , knock ! Who's there i' the other devil's name ! Faith , here's an equivocator , that could swear in both the scales against either scale ; who committed treason enough for God's sake , yet could not equivocate to heaven : O ! come in , equivocator . [Knocking within .] Knock , knock , knock ! Who's there ? Faith , here's an English tailor come hither for stealing out of a French hose : come in , tailor ; here you may roast your goose . [Knocking within .] Knock , knock ; never at quiet ! What are you ? But this place is too cold for hell . I'll devil-porter it no further : I had thought to have let in some of all professions , that go the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire . [Knocking within .] Anon , anon ! I pray you , remember the porter .
+
+Was it so late , friend , ere you went to bed ,
+That you do lie so late ?
+
+Faith , sir , we were carousing till the second cock ; and drink , sir , is a great provoker of three things .
+
+What three things does drink especially provoke ?
+
+Marry , sir , mose-painting , sleep , and urine . Lechery , sir , it provokes , and unprovokes ; it provokes the desire , but it takes away the performance . Therefore much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery ; it makes him , and it mars him ; it sets him on , and it takes him off ; it persuades him , and disheartens him ; makes him stand to , and not stand to ; in conclusion , equivocates him in a sleep , and , giving him the lie , leaves him .
+
+I believe drink gave thee the lie last night .
+
+That it did , sir , i' the very throat o' me : but I requited him for his lie ; and , I think , being too strong for him , though he took up my legs sometime , yet I made a shift to cast him .
+
+Is thy master stirring ?
+
+Our knocking has awak'd him ; here he comes .
+
+Good morrow , noble sir .
+
+Good morrow , both .
+
+Is the king stirring , worthy thane ?
+
+Not yet .
+
+He did command me to call timely on him :
+I have almost slipp'd the hour .
+
+I'll bring you to him .
+
+I know this is a joyful trouble to you ;
+But yet 'tis one .
+
+The labour we delight in physics pain .
+This is the door .
+
+I'll make so bold to call ,
+For 'tis my limited service .
+
+
+Goes the king hence to-day ?
+
+He does : he did appoint so .
+
+The night has been unruly : where we lay ,
+Ourchimneys were blown down ; and , as they say ,
+Lamentings heard i' the air ; strange screams of death ,
+And prophesying with accents terrible
+Of dire combustion and confus'd events
+New hatch'd to the woeful time . The obscure bird
+Clamour'd the livelong night : some say the earth
+Was feverous and did shake .
+
+'Twas a rough night .
+
+My young remembrance cannot parallel
+A fellow to it .
+
+
+O horror ! horror ! horror ! Tongue nor heart
+Cannot conceive nor name thee !
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+Confusion now hath made his masterpiece !
+Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope
+The Lord's anointed temple , and stole thence
+The life o' the building !
+
+What is 't you say ? the life ?
+
+Mean you his majesty ?
+
+Approach the chamber , and destroy your sight
+With a new Gorgon : do not bid me speak ;
+See , and then speak yourselves .
+
+Awake ! awake !
+Ring the alarum-bell . Murder and treason !
+Banquo and Donalbain ! Malcolm ! awake !
+Shake off this downy sleep , death's counterfeit ,
+And look on death itself ! up , up , and see
+The great doom's image ! Malcolm ! Banquo !
+As from your graves rise up , and walk like sprites ,
+To countenance this horror ! Ring the bell .
+
+What's the business ,
+That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley
+The sleepers of the house ? speak , speak !
+
+O gentle lady !
+'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak ;
+The repetition in a woman's ear
+Would murder as it fell .
+
+
+O Banquo ! Banquo !
+
+Our royal master's murder'd !
+
+Woe , alas !
+What ! in our house ?
+
+Too cruel any where .
+Dear Duff , I prithee , contradict thyself ,
+And say it is not so .
+
+
+Had I but died an hour before this chance
+I had liv'd a blessed time ; for , from this instant ,
+There's nothing serious in mortality ,
+All is but toys ; renown and grace is dead ,
+The wine of life is drawn , and the mere lees
+Is left this vault to brag of .
+
+
+What is amiss ?
+
+You are , and do not know 't :
+The spring , the head , the fountain of your blood
+Is stopp'd ; the very source of it is stopp'd .
+
+Your royal father's murder'd .
+
+O ! by whom ?
+
+Those of his chamber , as it seem'd , had done 't :
+Their hands and faces were all badg'd with blood ;
+So were their daggers , which unwip'd we found
+Upon their pillows : they star'd , and were distracted ; no man's life
+Was to be trusted with them .
+
+O ! yet I do repent me of my fury ,
+That I did kill them .
+
+Wherefore did you so ?
+
+Who can be wise , amaz'd , temperate and furious ,
+Loyal and neutral , in a moment ? No man :
+The expedition of my violent love
+Outran the pauser , reason . Here lay Duncan ,
+His silver skin lac'd with his golden blood ;
+And his gash'd stabs look'd like a breach in nature
+For ruin's wasteful entrance : there , the murderers ,
+Steep'd in the colours of their trade , their daggers
+Unmannerly breech'd with gore : who could refrain ,
+That had a heart to love , and in that heart
+Courage to make 's love known ?
+
+Help me hence , ho !
+
+Look to the lady .
+
+Why do we hold our tongues ,
+That most may claim this argument for ours :
+
+What should be spoken
+Here where our fate , hid in an auger-hole ,
+May rush and seize us ? Let's away : our tears
+Are not yet brew'd .
+
+Nor our strong sorrow
+Upon the foot of motion .
+
+Look to the lady :
+
+And when we have our naked frailties hid ,
+That suffer in exposure , let us meet ,
+And question this most bloody piece of work ,
+To know it further . Fears and scruples shake us :
+In the great hand of God I stand , and thence
+Against the undivulg'd pretence I fight
+Of treasonous malice .
+
+And so do I .
+
+So all .
+
+Let's briefly put on manly readiness ,
+And meet i' the hall together .
+
+Well contented .
+
+
+What will you do ? Let's not consort with them :
+To show an unfelt sorrow is an office
+Which the false man does easy . I'll to England .
+
+To Ireland , I ; our separated fortune
+Shall keep us both the safer : where we are ,
+There's daggers in men's smiles : the near in blood ,
+The nearer bloody .
+
+This murderous shaft that's shot
+Hath not yet lighted , and our safest way
+Is to avoid the aim : therefore , to horse ;
+And let us not be dainty of leave-taking ,
+But shift away : there's warrant in that theft
+Which steals itself when there's no mercy left .
+
+
+Threescore and ten I can remember well ;
+Within the volume of which time I have seen
+Hours dreadful and things strange , but this sore night
+Hath trifled former knowings .
+
+Ah ! good father ,
+Thou seest , the heavens , as troubled with man's act ,
+Threaten his bloody stage : by the clock 'tis day ,
+And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp .
+Is 't night's predominance , or the day's shame ,
+That darkness does the face of earth entomb ,
+When living light should kiss it ?
+
+'Tis unnatural ,
+Even like the deed that's done . On Tuesday last ,
+A falcon , towering in her pride of place ,
+Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd .
+
+And Duncan's horses ,a thing most strange and certain ,
+Beauteous and swift , the minions of their race ,
+Turn'd wild in nature , broke their stalls , flung out ,
+Contending 'gainst obedience , as they would
+Make war with mankind .
+
+'Tis said they eat each other .
+
+They did so ; to the amazement of mine eyes ,
+That look'd upon 't . Here comes the good Macduff .
+
+How goes the world , sir , now ?
+
+Why , see you not ?
+
+Is 't known who did this more than bloody deed ?
+
+Those that Macbeth hath slain .
+
+Alas , the day !
+What good could they pretend ?
+
+They were suborn'd .
+Malcolm and Donalbain , the king's two sons ,
+Are stol'n away and fled , which puts upon them
+Suspicion of the deed .
+
+'Gainst nature still !
+Thriftless ambition , that wilt ravin up
+Thine own life's means ! Then 'tis most like
+The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth .
+
+He is already nam'd , and gone to Scone
+To be invested .
+
+Where is Duncan's body ?
+
+Carried to Colmekill ;
+The sacred storehouse of his predecessors
+And guardian of their bones .
+
+Will you to Scone ?
+
+No , cousin , I'll to Fife .
+
+Well , I will thither .
+
+Well , may you see things well done there : adieu !
+Lest our old robes sit easier than our new !
+
+Farewell , father .
+
+God's benison go with you ; and with those
+That would make good of bad , and friends of foes !
+
+Thou hast it now : King , Cawdor , Glamis , all ,
+As the weird women promis'd ; and , I fear ,
+Thou play'dst most foully for 't ; yet it was said
+It should not stand in thy posterity ,
+But that myself should be the root and father
+Of many kings . If there come truth from them ,
+As upon thee , Macbeth , their speeches shine ,
+Why , by the verities on thee made good ,
+May they not be my oracles as well ,
+And set me up in hope ? But , hush ! no more .
+
+Here's our chief guest .
+
+If he had been forgotten
+It had been as a gap in our great feast ,
+And all-thing unbecoming .
+
+To-night we hold a solemn supper , sir ,
+And I'll request your presence .
+
+Let your highness
+Command upon me ; to the which my duties
+Are with a most indissoluble tie
+For ever knit .
+
+Ride you this afternoon ?
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+We should have else desir'd your good advice
+Which still hath been both grave and prosperous
+In this day's council ; but we'll take to-morrow .
+Is 't far you ride ?
+
+As far , my lord , as will fill up the time
+'Twixt this and supper ; go not my horse the better ,
+I must become a borrower of the night
+For a dark hour or twain .
+
+Fail not our feast .
+
+My lord , I will not .
+
+We hear our bloody cousins are bestow'd
+In England and in Ireland , not confessing
+Their cruel parricide , filling their hearers
+With strange invention ; but of that to-morrow ,
+When therewithal we shall have cause of state
+Craving us jointly . Hie you to horse ; adieu
+Till you return at night . Goes Fleance with you ?
+
+Ay , my good lord : our time does call upon 's .
+
+I wish your horses swift and sure of foot ;
+And so I do commend you to their backs .
+Farewell .
+
+Let every man be master of his time
+Till seven at night ; to make society
+The sweeter welcome , we will keep ourself
+Till supper-time alone ; while then , God be with you !
+
+Sirrah , a word with you . Attend those men
+Our pleasure ?
+
+They are , my lord , without the palace gate .
+
+Bring them before us .
+
+To be thus is nothing ;
+But to be safely thus . Our fears in Banquo
+Stick deep , and in his royalty of nature
+Reigns that which would be fear'd : 'tis much he dares ,
+And , to that dauntless temper of his mind ,
+He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
+To act in safety . There is none but he
+Whose being I do fear ; and under him
+My genius is rebuk'd , as it is said
+Mark Antony's was by C sar . He chid the sisters
+When first they put the name of king upon me ,
+And bade them speak to him ; then , prophet-like ,
+They hail'd him father to a line of kings .
+Upon my head they plac'd a fruitless crown ,
+And put a barren sceptre in my gripe ,
+Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand ,
+No son of mine succeeding . If 't be so ,
+For Banquo's issue have I fil'd my mind ;
+For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd ;
+Put rancours in the vessel of my peace
+Only for them ; and mine eternal jewel
+Given to the common enemy of man ,
+To make them kings , the seed of Banquo kings !
+Rather than so , come fate into the list ,
+And champion me to the utterance ! Who's there ?
+
+
+Now go to the door , and stay there till we call .
+
+
+Was it not yesterday we spoke together ?
+
+It was , so please your highness .
+
+Well then , now
+Have you consider'd of my speeches ? Know
+That it was he in the times past which held you
+So under fortune , which you thought had been
+Our innocent self . This I made good to you
+In our last conference , pass'd in probation with you ,
+How you were borne in hand , how cross'd , the instruments ,
+Who wrought with them , and all things else that might
+To half a soul and to a notion craz'd
+Say , 'Thus did Banquo .'
+
+You made it known to us .
+
+I did so ; and went further , which is now
+Our point of second meeting . Do you find
+Your patience so predominant in your nature
+That you can let this go ? Are you so gospell'd
+To pray for this good man and for his issue ,
+Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave
+And beggar'd yours for ever ?
+
+We are men , my liege .
+
+Ay , in the catalogue ye go for men ;
+As hounds and greyhounds , mongrels , spaniels , curs ,
+Shoughs , water-rugs , and demi-wolves , are clept
+All by the name of dogs : the valu'd file
+Distinguishes the swift , the slow , the subtle ,
+The housekeeper , the hunter , every one
+According to the gift which bounteous nature
+Hath in him clos'd ; whereby he does receive
+Particular addition , from the bill
+That writes them all alike : and so of men .
+Now , if you have a station in the file ,
+Not i' the worst rank of manhood , say it ;
+And I will put that business in your bosoms ,
+Whose execution takes your enemy off ,
+Grapples you to the heart and love of us ,
+Who wear our health but sickly in his life ,
+Which in his death were perfect .
+
+I am one , my liege ,
+Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
+Have so incens'd that I am reckless what
+I do to spite the world .
+
+And I another ,
+So weary with disasters , tugg'd with fortune ,
+That I would set my life on any chance ,
+To mend it or be rid on 't .
+
+Both of you
+Know Banquo was your enemy .
+
+True , my lord .
+
+So is he mine ; and in such bloody distance
+That every minute of his being thrusts
+Against my near'st of life : and though I could
+With bare-fac'd power sweep him from my sight
+And bid my will avouch it , yet I must not ,
+For certain friends that are both his and mine ,
+Whose loves I may not drop , but wail his fall
+Whom I myself struck down ; and thence it is
+That I to your assistance do make love ,
+Masking the business from the common eye
+For sundry weighty reasons .
+
+We shall , my lord ,
+Perform what you command us .
+
+Though our lives
+
+Your spirits shine through you . Within this hour at most
+I will advise you where to plant yourselves ,
+Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time ,
+The moment on 't ; for 't must be done to-night ,
+And something from the palace ; always thought
+That I require a clearness : and with him
+To leave no rubs nor botches in the work
+Fleance his son , that keeps him company ,
+Whose absence is no less material to me
+Than is his father's , must embrace the fate
+Of that dark hour . Resolve yourselves apart ;
+I'll come to you anon .
+
+We are resolv'd , my lord .
+
+I'll call upon you straight : abide within .
+
+It is concluded : Banquo , thy soul's flight ,
+If it find heaven , must find it out to-night .
+
+
+Is Banquo gone from court ?
+
+Ay , madam , but returns again to-night .
+
+Say to the king , I would attend his leisure
+For a few words .
+
+Madam , I will .
+
+
+Nought's had , all's spent ,
+Where our desire is got without content :
+'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
+Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy .
+
+
+How now , my lord ! why do you keep alone ,
+Of sorriest fancies your companions making ,
+Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
+With them they think on ? Things without all remedy
+
+Should be without regard : what's done is done .
+
+We have scotch'd the snake , not kill'd it :
+She'll close and be herself , whilst our poor malice
+Remains in danger of her former tooth .
+But let the frame of things disjoint , both the worlds suffer ,
+Ere we will eat our meal in fear , and sleep
+In the affliction of these terrible dreams
+That shake us nightly . Better be with the dead ,
+Whom we , to gain our peace , have sent to peace ,
+Than on the torture of the mind to lie
+In restless ecstasy . Duncan is in his grave ;
+After life's fitful fever he sleeps well ;
+Treason has done his worst : nor steel , nor poison ,
+Malice domestic , foreign levy , nothing
+Can touch him further .
+
+Come on ;
+Gentle my lord , sleek o'er your rugged looks ;
+Be bright and jovial among your guests to-night .
+
+So shall I , love ; and so , I pray , be you .
+Let your remembrance apply to Banquo ;
+Present him eminence , both with eye and tongue :
+Unsafe the while , that we
+Must lave our honours in these flattering streams ,
+And make our faces vizards to our hearts ,
+Disguising what they are .
+
+You must leave this .
+
+O ! full of scorpions is my mind , dear wife ;
+Thou know'st that Banquo and his Fleance lives .
+
+But in them nature's copy's not eterne .
+
+There's comfort yet ; they are assailable ;
+Then be thou jocund . Ere the bat hath flown
+His cloister'd flight , ere , to black Hecate's summons
+The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums
+Hath rung night's yawning peal , there shall be done
+A deed of dreadful note .
+
+What's to be done ?
+
+Be innocent of the knowledge , dearest chuck ,
+Till thou applaud the deed . Come , seeling night ,
+Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day ,
+And with thy bloody and invisible hand
+Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond
+Which keeps me pale ! Light thickens , and the crow
+Makes wing to the rooky wood ;
+Good things of day begin to droop and drowse ,
+Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse .
+Thou marvell'st at my words : but hold thee still ;
+Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill :
+So , prithee , go with me .
+
+
+But who did bid thee join with us ?
+
+Macbeth .
+
+He needs not our mistrust , since he delivers
+Our offices and what we have to do
+To the direction just .
+
+Then stand with us .
+The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day :
+Now spurs the lated traveller apace
+To gain the timely inn ; and near approaches
+The subject of our watch .
+
+Hark ! I hear horses .
+
+Give us a light there , ho !
+
+Then 'tis he : the rest
+That are within the note of expectation
+Already are i' the court .
+
+His horses go about .
+
+Almost a mile ; but he does usually ,
+So all men do , from hence to the palace gate
+Make it their walk .
+
+A light , a light !
+
+'Tis he .
+
+Stand to 't .
+
+
+It will be rain to-night .
+
+Let it come down .
+
+
+O , treachery ! Fly , good Fleance , fly , fly , fly !
+Thou mayst revenge . O slave !
+
+
+Who did strike out the light ?
+
+Was 't not the way ?
+
+There's but one down ; the son is fled .
+
+We have lost
+Best half of our affair .
+
+Well , let's away , and say how much is done .
+
+
+You know your own degrees ; sit down : at first and last ,
+The hearty welcome .
+
+Thanks to your majesty .
+
+Ourself will mingle with society
+And play the humble host .
+Our hostess keeps her state , but in best time
+We will require her welcome .
+
+Pronounce it for me , sir , to all our friends ;
+For my heart speaks they are welcome .
+
+
+See , they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks ;
+Both sides are even : here I'll sit i' the midst :
+Be large in mirth ; anon , we'll drink a measure
+The table round .
+
+There's blood upon thy face .
+
+'Tis Banquo's , then .
+
+'Tis better thee without than he within .
+Is he dispatch'd ?
+
+My lord , his throat is cut ; that I did for him .
+
+Thou art the best o' the cut-throats ; yet he's good
+That did the like for Fleance : if thou didst it ,
+Thou art the nonpareil .
+
+Most royal sir ,
+Fleance is 'scap'd .
+
+Then comes my fit again : I had else been perfect ;
+Whole as the marble , founded as the rock ,
+As broad and general as the casing air :
+But now I am cabin'd , cribb'd , confin'd , bound in
+To saucy doubts and fears . But Banquo's safe ?
+
+Ay , my good lord ; safe in a ditch he bides ,
+With twenty trenched gashes on his head ;
+The least a death to nature .
+
+Thanks for that .
+There the grown serpent lies : the worm that's fled
+Hath nature that in time will venom breed ,
+No teeth for the present . Get thee gone ; to-morrow
+We'll hear ourselves again .
+
+
+My royal lord ,
+You do not give the cheer : the feast is sold
+That is not often vouch'd , while 'tis a-making ,
+'Tis given with welcome : to feed were best at home ;
+From thence , the sauce to meat is ceremony ;
+Meeting were bare without it .
+
+Sweet remembrancer !
+Now good digestion wait on appetite ,
+And health on both !
+
+May it please your highness sit ?
+
+
+Here had we now our country's honour roof'd ,
+Were the grac'd person of our Banquo present ;
+Who may I rather challenge for unkindness
+Than pity for mischance !
+
+His absence , sir ,
+Lays blame upon his promise . Please 't your highness
+To grace us with your royal company .
+
+The table's full .
+
+Here is a place reserv'd , sir .
+
+Where ?
+
+Here , my good lord . What is 't that moves your highness ?
+
+Which of you have done this ?
+
+What , my good lord ?
+
+Thou canst not say I did it : never shake
+Thy gory locks at me .
+
+Gentlemen , rise ; his highness is not well .
+
+Sit , worthy friends : my lord is often thus ,
+And hath been from his youth : pray you , keep seat ;
+The fit is momentary ; upon a thought
+He will again be well . If much you note him
+You shall offend him and extend his passion :
+Feed and regard him not . Are you a man ?
+
+Ay , and a bold one , that dare look on that
+Which might appal the devil .
+
+O proper stuff !
+This is the very painting of your fear ;
+This is the air-drawn dagger which , you said ,
+Led you to Duncan . O ! these flaws and starts
+Impostors to true fear would well become
+A woman's story at a winter's fire ,
+Authoriz'd by her grandam . Shame itself !
+Why do you make such faces ? When all's done
+You look but on a stool .
+
+Prithee , see there ! behold ! look ! lo ! how say you ?
+Why , what care I ? If thou canst nod , speak too .
+If charnel-houses and our graves must send
+Those that we bury back , our monuments
+Shall be the maws of kites .
+
+
+What ! quite unmann'd in folly ?
+
+If I stand here , I saw him .
+
+Fie , for shame !
+
+Blood hath been shed ere now , i' the olden time ,
+Ere human statute purg'd the gentle weal ;
+Ay , and since too , murders have been perform'd
+Too terrible for the ear : the times have been ,
+That , when the brains were out , the man would die ,
+
+And there an end ; but now they rise again ,
+With twenty mortal murders on their crowns ,
+And push us from our stools : this is more strange
+Than such a murder is .
+
+My worthy lord ,
+Your noble friends do lack you .
+
+I do forget .
+Do not muse at me , my most worthy friends ;
+I have a strange infirmity , which is nothing
+To those that know me . Come , love and health to all ;
+Then , I'll sit down . Give me some wine ; fill full .
+I drink to the general joy of the whole table ,
+And to our dear friend Banquo , whom we miss ;
+Would he were here ! to all , and him , we thirst ,
+And all to all .
+
+Our duties , and the pledge .
+
+
+Avaunt ! and quit my sight ! Let the earth hide thee !
+Thy bones are marrowless , thy blood is cold ;
+Thou hast no speculation in those eyes
+Which thou dost glare with .
+
+Think of this , good peers ,
+But as a thing of custom : 'tis no other ;
+Only it spoils the pleasure of the time .
+
+What man dare , I dare :
+Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear ,
+The arm'd rhinoceros , or the Hyrcan tiger ;
+Take any shape but that , and my firm nerves
+Shall never tremble : or be alive again ,
+And dare me to the desart with thy sword ;
+If trembling I inhabit then , protest me
+The baby of a girl . Hence , horrible shadow !
+Unreal mockery , hence !
+
+Why , so ; being gone ,
+I am a man again . Pray you , sit still .
+
+You have displac'd the mirth , broke the good meeting ,
+With most admir'd disorder .
+
+Can such things be
+And overcome us like a summer's cloud ,
+Without our special wonder ? You make me strange
+Even to the disposition that I owe ,
+When now I think you can behold such sights ,
+And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks ,
+When mine are blanch'd with fear .
+
+What sights , my lord ?
+
+I pray you , speak not ; he grows worse and worse ;
+Question enrages him . At once , good-night :
+Stand not upon the order of your going ,
+But go at once .
+
+Good-night ; and better health
+Attend his majesty !
+
+A kind good-night to all !
+
+
+It will have blood , they say ; blood will have blood :
+Stones have been known to move and trees to speak ;
+Augurs and understood relations have
+By maggot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth
+The secret'st man of blood . What is the night ?
+
+Almost at odds with morning , which is which .
+
+How sayst thou , that Macduff denies his person
+At our great bidding ?
+
+Did you send to him , sir ?
+
+I hear it by the way ; but I will send .
+There's not a one of them but in his house
+I keep a servant fee'd . I will to-morrow
+And betimes I will to the weird sisters :
+More shall they speak ; for now I am bent to know ,
+By the worst means , the worst . For mine own good
+All causes shall give way : I am in blood
+Stepp'd in so far , that , should I wade no more ,
+Returning were as tedious as go o'er .
+Strange things I have in head that will to hand ,
+Which must be acted ere they may be scann'd .
+
+You lack the season of all natures , sleep .
+
+Come , we'll to sleep . My strange and self-abuse
+Is the initiate fear that wants hard use :
+We are yet but young in deed .
+
+
+Why , how now , Hecate ! you look angerly .
+
+Have I not reason , beldams as you are ,
+Saucy and overbold ? How did you dare
+To trade and traffic with Macbeth
+In riddles and affairs of death ;
+And I , the mistress of your charms ,
+The close contriver of all harms ,
+Was never call'd to bear my part ,
+Or show the glory of our art ?
+And , which is worse , all you have done
+Hath been but for a wayward son ,
+Spiteful and wrathful ; who , as others do ,
+Loves for his own ends , not for you .
+But make amends now : get you gone ,
+And at the pit of Acheron
+Meet me i' the morning : thither he
+Will come to know his destiny :
+Your vessels and your spells provide ,
+Your charms and every thing beside .
+I am for the air ; this night I'll spend
+Unto a dismal and a fatal end :
+Great business must be wrought ere noon :
+Upon the corner of the moon
+There hangs a vaporous drop profound ;
+I'll catch it ere it come to ground :
+And that distill'd by magic sleights
+Shall raise such artificial sprites
+As by the strength of their illusion
+Shall draw him on to his confusion :
+He shall spurn fate , scorn death , and bear
+His hopes 'bove wisdom , grace , and fear ;
+And you all know security
+Is mortals' chiefest enemy .
+
+Hark ! I am call'd ; my little spirit , see ,
+Sits in a foggy cloud , and stays for me .
+
+
+Come , let's make haste ; she'll soon be back again .
+
+
+My former speeches have but hit your thoughts ,
+Which can interpret further : only , I say ,
+Things have been strangely borne . The gracious Duncan
+Was pitied of Macbeth : marry , he was dead :
+And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late ;
+Whom , you may say , if 't please you , Fleance kill'd ,
+For Fleance fled : men must not walk too late .
+Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
+It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain
+To kill their gracious father ? damned fact !
+How it did grieve Macbeth ! did he not straight
+In pious rage the two delinquents tear ,
+That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep ?
+Was not that nobly done ? Ay , and wisely too ;
+For 'twould have anger'd any heart alive
+To hear the men deny 't . So that , I say ,
+He has borne all things well ; and I do think
+That , had he Duncan's sons under his key ,
+As , an 't please heaven , he shall not ,they should find
+What 'twere to kill a father ; so should Fleance .
+But , peace ! for from broad words , and 'cause he fail'd .
+His presence at the tyrant's feast , I hear ,
+Macduff lives in disgrace . Sir , can you tell
+Where he bestows himself ?
+
+The son of Duncan ,
+From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth ,
+Lives in the English court , and is receiv'd
+Of the most pious Edward with such grace
+That the malevolence of fortune nothing
+Takes from his high respect . Thither Macduff
+Is gone to pray the holy king , upon his aid
+To wake Northumberland and war-like Siward :
+That , by the help of these with him above
+To ratify the work we may again
+Give to our tables meat , sleep to our nights ,
+Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives ,
+Do faithful homage and receive free honours ;
+All which we pine for now . And this report
+Hath so exasperate the king that he
+Prepares for some attempt at war .
+
+Sent he to Macduff ?
+
+He did : and with an absolute , 'Sir , not I ,'
+The cloudy messenger turns me his back ,
+And hums , as who should say , 'You'll rue the time
+That clogs me with this answer .'
+
+And that well might
+Advise him to a caution to hold what distance
+His wisdom can provide . Some holy angel
+Fly to the court of England and unfold
+His message ere he come , that a swift blessing
+May soon return to this our suffering country
+Under a hand accurs'd !
+
+I'll send my prayers with him !
+
+Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd .
+
+Thrice and once the hedge-pig whin'd .
+
+Harper cries : 'Tis time , 'tis time .
+
+
+Round about the cauldron go ,
+In the poison'd entrails throw .
+Toad , that under cold stone
+Days and nights hast thirty-one
+Swelter'd venom sleeping got ,
+Boil thou first i' the charmed pot .
+
+Double , double toil and trouble ;
+Fire burn and cauldron bubble .
+
+Fillet of a fenny snake ,
+In the cauldron boil and bake ;
+Eye of newt , and toe of frog ,
+Wool of bat , and tongue of dog ,
+Adder's fork , and blind-worm's sting ,
+Lizard's leg , and howlet's wing ,
+For a charm of powerful trouble ,
+Like a hell-broth boil and bubble .
+
+Double , double toil and trouble ;
+Fire burn and cauldron bubble .
+
+Scale of dragon , tooth of wolf ,
+Witches' mummy , maw and gulf
+Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark ,
+Root of hemlock digg'd i' the dark ,
+Liver of blaspheming Jew ,
+Gall of goat , and slips of yew
+Sliver'd in the moon's eclipse ,
+Nose of Turk , and Tartar's lips ,
+Finger of birth-strangled babe
+Ditch-deliver'd by a drab ,
+Make the gruel thick and slab :
+Add thereto a tiger's chaudron ,
+For the ingredients of our cauldron .
+
+Double , double toil and trouble ;
+Fire burn and cauldron bubble .
+
+Cool it with a baboon's blood ,
+Then the charm is firm and good .
+
+
+O ! well done ! I commend your pains ,
+And every one shall share i' the gains .
+And now about the cauldron sing ,
+Like elves and fairies in a ring ,
+Enchanting all that you put in .
+
+
+By the pricking of my thumbs ,
+Something wicked this way comes .
+Open , locks ,
+Whoever knocks .
+
+How now , you secret , black , and mid-night hags !
+What is 't you do ?
+
+A deed without a name .
+
+I conjure you , by that which you profess ,
+Howe'er you come to know it ,answer me :
+Though you untie the winds and let them fight
+Against the churches ; though the yesty waves
+Confound and swallow navigation up ;
+Though bladed corn be lodg'd and trees blown down ;
+Though castles topple on their warders' heads ;
+Though palaces and pyramids do slope
+Their heads to their foundations ; though the treasure
+Of Nature's germens tumble all together ,
+Even till destruction sicken ; answer me
+To what I ask you .
+
+Speak .
+
+Demand .
+
+We'll answer .
+
+Say if thou'dst rather hear it from our mouths ,
+Or from our masters' ?
+
+Call 'em : let me see 'em .
+
+
+Pour in sow's blood , that hath eaten
+Her nine farrow ; grease , that's sweaten
+From the murderer's gibbet throw
+Into the flame .
+
+Come , high or low ;
+Thyself and office deftly show .
+
+Tell me , thou unknown power ,
+
+He knows thy thought :
+Hear his speech , but say thou nought .
+
+Macbeth ! Macbeth ! Macbeth ! beware Macduff ;
+Beware the Thane of Fife . Dismiss me . Enough .
+
+
+Whate'er thou art , for thy good caution thanks ;
+Thou hast harp'd my fear aright . But one word more ,
+
+He will not be commanded : here's another ,
+More potent than the first .
+
+
+Macbeth ! Macbeth ! Macbeth !
+
+Had I three ears , I'd hear thee .
+
+Be bloody , bold , and resolute ; laugh to scorn
+The power of man , for none of woman born
+Shall harm Macbeth .
+
+Then live , Macduff : what need I fear of thee ?
+But yet I'll make assurance double sure ,
+And take a bond of fate : thou shalt not live ;
+That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies ,
+And sleep in spite of thunder .
+
+What is this ,
+That rises like the issue of a king ,
+And wears upon his baby brow the round
+
+And top of sovereignty ?
+
+Listen , but speak not to 't .
+
+Be lion-mettled , proud , and take no care
+Who chafes , who frets or where conspirers are :
+Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until
+Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill
+Shall come against him .
+
+
+That will never be :
+Who can impress the forest , bid the tree
+Unfix his earth-bound root ? Sweet bodements ! good !
+Rebellion's head , rise never till the wood
+Of Birnam rise , and our high-plac'd Macbeth
+Shall live the lease of nature , pay his breath
+To time and mortal custom . Yet my heart
+Throbs to know one thing : tell me if your art
+Can tell so much ,shall Banquo's issue ever
+Reign in this kingdom ?
+
+Seek to know no more .
+
+I will be satisfied : deny me this ,
+And an eternal curse fall on you ! Let me know .
+Why sinks that cauldron ? and what noise is this ?
+
+
+Show !
+
+Show !
+
+Show !
+
+Show his eyes , and grieve his heart ;
+Come like shadows , so depart .
+
+
+Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo ; down !
+Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs : and thy hair ,
+Thou other gold-bound brow , is like the first :
+A third is like the former . Filthy hags !
+Why do you show me this ? A fourth ! Start , eyes !
+What ! will the line stretch out to the crack of doom ?
+Another yet ? A seventh ! I'll see no more :
+And yet the eighth appears , who bears a glass
+Which shows me many more ; and some I see
+That two-fold balls and treble sceptres carry .
+Horrible sight ! Now , I see , 'tis true ;
+For the blood-bolter'd Banquo smiles upon me ,
+And points at them for his .
+
+What ! is this so ?
+
+Ay , sir , all this is so : but why
+Stands Macbeth thus amazedly ?
+Come , sisters , cheer we up his sprites ,
+And show the best of our delights .
+I'll charm the air to give a sound ,
+While you perform your antick round ,
+That this great king may kindly say ,
+Our duties did his welcome pay .
+
+
+Where are they ? Gone ? Let this pernicious hour
+Stand aye accursed in the calendar !
+Come in , without there !
+
+
+What's your Grace's will ?
+
+Saw you the weird sisters ?
+
+No , my lord .
+
+Came they not by you ?
+
+No indeed , my lord .
+
+Infected be the air whereon they ride ,
+And damn'd all those that trust them ! I did hear
+The galloping of horse : who was 't came by ?
+
+'Tis two or three , my lord , that bring you word
+Macduff is fled to England .
+
+Fled to England !
+
+Ay , my good lord .
+
+Time , thou anticipat'st my dread exploits ;
+The flighty purpose never is o'ertook
+Unless the deed go with it ; from this moment
+The very firstlings of my heart shall be
+The firstlings of my hand . And even now ,
+To crown my thoughts with acts , be it thought and done :
+The castle of Macduff I will surprise ;
+Seize upon Fife ; give to the edge of the sword
+His wife , his babes , and all unfortunate souls
+That trace him in his line . No boasting like a fool ;
+This deed I'll do , before this purpose cool :
+But no moresights ! Where are these gentlemen ?
+Come , bring me where they are .
+
+
+What had he done to make him fly the land ?
+
+You must have patience , madam .
+
+He had none :
+His flight was madness : when our actions do not ,
+Our fears do make us traitors .
+
+You know not
+Whether it was his wisdom or his fear .
+
+Wisdom ! to leave his wife , to leave his babes ,
+His mansion and his titles in a place
+From whence himself does fly ? He loves us not ;
+He wants the natural touch ; for the poor wren ,
+The most diminutive of birds , will fight
+Her young ones in her nest against the owl .
+All is the fear and nothing is the love ;
+As little is the wisdom , where the flight
+So runs against all reason .
+
+My dearest coz ,
+I pray you , school yourself : but , for your husband ,
+He is noble , wise , judicious , and best knows
+The fits o' the season . I dare not speak much further :
+But cruel are the times , when we are traitors
+And do not know ourselves , when we hold rumour
+From what we fear , yet know not what we fear ,
+But float upon a wild and violent sea
+Each way and move . I take my leave of you :
+Shall not be long but I'll be here again .
+Things at the worst will cease , or else climb upward
+To what they were before . My pretty cousin ,
+Blessing upon you !
+
+Father'd he is , and yet he's fatherless .
+
+I am so much a fool , should I stay longer ,
+It would be my disgrace , and your discomfort :
+I take my leave at once .
+
+
+Sirrah , your father's dead :
+And what will you do now ? How will you live ?
+
+As birds do , mother .
+
+What ! with worms and flies ?
+
+With what I get , I mean ; and so do they .
+
+Poor bird ! thou'dst never fear the net nor lime ,
+The pit-fall nor the gin .
+
+Why should I , mother ? Poor birds they are not set for .
+My father is not dead , for all your saying .
+
+Yes , he is dead : how wilt thou do for a father ?
+
+Nay , how will you do for a husband ?
+
+Why , I can buy me twenty at any market .
+
+Then you'll buy 'em to sell again .
+
+Thou speak'st with all thy wit ; and yet , i' faith ,
+With wit enough for thee .
+
+Was my father a traitor , mother ?
+
+Ay , that he was .
+
+What is a traitor ?
+
+Why , one that swears and lies .
+
+And be all traitors that do so ?
+
+Every one that does so is a traitor , and must be hanged .
+
+And must they all be hanged that swear and lie ?
+
+Every one .
+
+Who must hang them ?
+
+Why , the honest men .
+
+Then the liars and swearers are fools , for there are liars and swearers enow to beat the honest men , and hang up them .
+
+Now God help thee , poor monkey !
+But how wilt thou do for a father ?
+
+If he were dead , you'd weep for him : if you would not , it were a good sign that I should quickly have a new father .
+
+Poor prattler , how thou talk'st !
+
+
+Bless you , fair dame ! I am not to you known ,
+Though in your state of honour I am perfect .
+I doubt some danger does approach you nearly :
+If you will take a homely man's advice ,
+Be not found here ; hence , with your little ones .
+To fright you thus , methinks , I am too savage ;
+To do worse to you were fell cruelty ,
+Which is too nigh your person . Heaven preserve you !
+I dare abide no longer .
+
+
+Whither should I fly ?
+I have done no harm . But I remember now
+I am in this earthly world , where , to do harm
+Is often laudable , to do good sometime
+Accounted dangerous folly ; why then , alas !
+Do I put up that womanly defence ,
+To say I have done no harm ?
+
+What are these faces ?
+
+Where is your husband ?
+
+I hope in no place so unsanctified
+Where such as thou mayst find him .
+
+He's a traitor .
+
+Thou liest , thou shag-hair'd villain .
+
+What ! you egg .
+Young fry of treachery !
+
+
+He has killed me , mother :
+Run away , I pray you !
+
+Let us seek out some desolate shade , and there
+Weep our sad bosoms empty .
+
+Let us rather
+Hold fast the mortal sword , and like good men
+Bestride our down-fall'n birthdom ; each new morn
+New widowshowl , new orphans cry , new sorrows
+Strike heaven on the face , that it resounds
+As if it felt with Scotland and yell'd out
+Like syllable of dolour .
+
+What I believe I'll wail ,
+What know believe , and what I can redress ,
+As I shall find the time to friend , I will .
+What you have spoke , it may be so perchance .
+This tyrant , whosesole name blisters our tongues ,
+Was once thought honest : you have lov'd him well ;
+He hath not touch'd you yet . I am young ; but something
+You may deserve of him through me , and wisdom
+To offer up a weak , poor , innocent lamb
+To appease an angry god .
+
+I am not treacherous .
+
+But Macbeth is .
+A good and virtuous nature may recoil
+In an imperial charge . But I shall crave your pardon ;
+That which you are my thoughts cannot transpose ;
+Angels are bright still , though the brightest fell ;
+Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace ,
+Yet grace must still look so .
+
+I have lost my hopes .
+
+Perchance even there where I did find my doubts .
+Why in that rawness left you wife and child
+Those precious motives , those strong knots of love
+Without leave-taking ? I pray you ,
+Let not my jealousies be your dishonours ,
+But mine own safeties : you may be rightly just ,
+Whatever I shall think .
+
+Bleed , bleed , poor country !
+Great tyranny , lay thou thy basis sure ,
+For goodness dares not check thee ! wear thou thy wrongs ;
+The title is affeer'd ! Fare thee well , lord :
+I would not be the villain that thou think'st
+For the whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp ,
+And the rich East to boot .
+
+Be not offended :
+I speak not as in absolute fear of you .
+I think our country sinks beneath the yoke ;
+It weeps , it bleeds , and each new day a gash
+Is added to her wounds : I think withal ,
+There would be hands uplifted in my right ;
+And here from gracious England have I offer
+Of goodly thousands : but , for all this ,
+When I shall tread upon the tyrant's head ,
+Or wear it on my sword , yet my poor country
+Shall have more vices than it had before ,
+More suffer , and more sundry ways than ever ,
+By him that shall succeed .
+
+What should he be ?
+
+It is myself I mean ; in whom I know
+All the particulars of vice so grafted ,
+That , when they shall be open'd , black Macbeth
+Will seem as pure as snow , and the poor state
+Esteem him as a lamb , being compar'd
+With my confineless harms .
+
+Not in the legions
+Of horrid hell can come a devil more damn'd
+In evils to top Macbeth .
+
+I grant him bloody ,
+Luxurious , avaricious , false , deceitful ,
+Sudden , malicious , smacking of every sin
+That has a name ; but there's no bottom , none ,
+In my voluptuousness : your wives , your daughters ,
+Your matrons , and your maids , could not fill up
+The cistern of my lust ; and my desire
+All continent impediments would o'erbear
+That did oppose my will ; better Macbeth
+Than such an one to reign .
+
+Boundless intemperance
+In nature is a tyranny ; it hath been
+Th' untimely emptying of the happy throne ,
+And fall of many kings . But fear not yet
+To take upon you what is yours ; you may
+Convey your pleasures in a spacious plenty ,
+And yet seem cold , the time you may so hoodwink .
+We have willing dames enough ; there cannot be
+That vulture in you , to devour so many
+As will to greatness dedicate themselves ,
+Finding it so inclin'd .
+
+With this there grows
+In my most ill-compos'd affection such
+A stanchless avarice that , were I king ,
+I should cut off the nobles for their lands ,
+Desire his jewels and this other's house ;
+And my more-having would be as a sauce
+To make me hunger more , that I should forge
+Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal ,
+Destroying them for wealth .
+
+This avarice
+Sticks deeper , grows with more pernicious root
+Than summer-seeming lust , and it hath been
+The sword of our slain kings : yet do not fear ;
+Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will ,
+Of your mere own ; all these are portable ,
+With other graces weigh'd .
+
+But I have none : the king-becoming graces ,
+As justice , verity , temperance , stableness ,
+Bounty , perseverance , mercy , lowliness ,
+Devotion , patience , courage , fortitude ,
+I have no relish of them , but abound
+In the division of each several crime ,
+Acting it many ways . Nay , had I power , I should
+Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell ,
+Uproar the universal peace , confound
+All unity on earth .
+
+O Scotland , Scotland !
+
+If such a one be fit to govern , speak :
+I am as I have spoken .
+
+Fit to govern !
+No , not to live . O nation miserable ,
+With an untitled tyrant bloody-scepter'd ,
+When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again ,
+Since that the truest issue of thy throne
+By his own interdiction stands accurs'd ,
+And does blaspheme his breed ? Thy royal father
+Was a most sainted king ; the queen that bore thee ,
+Oft'ner upon her knees than on her feet ,
+Died every day she liv'd . Fare thee well !
+These evils thou repeat'st upon thyself
+Have banish'd me from Scotland . O my breast ,
+Thy hope ends here !
+
+Macduff , this noble passion ,
+Child of integrity , hath from my soul
+Wip'd the black scruples , reconcil'd my thoughts
+To thy good truth and honour . Devilish Macbeth
+By many of these trains hath sought to win me
+Into his power , and modest wisdom plucks me
+From over-credulous haste ; but God above
+Deal between thee and me ! for even now
+I put myself to thy direction , and
+Unspeak mine own detraction , here abjure
+The taints and blames I laid upon myself ,
+For strangers to my nature . I am yet
+Unknown to woman , never was forsworn ,
+Scarcely have coveted what was mine own ;
+At no time broke my faith , would not betray
+The devil to his fellow , and delight
+No less in truth than life ; my first false speaking
+Was this upon myself . What I am truly ,
+Is thine and my poor country's to command ;
+Whither indeed , before thy here-approach ,
+Old Siward , with ten thousand war-like men ,
+Already at a point , was setting forth .
+Now we'll together , and the chance of goodness
+Be like our warranted quarrel . Why are you silent ?
+
+Such welcome and unwelcome things at once
+'Tis hard to reconcile .
+
+
+Well ; more anon . Comes the king forth , I pray you ?
+
+Ay , sir ; there are a crew of wretched souls
+That stay his cure ; their malady convinces
+The great assay of art ; but , at his touch ,
+Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand ,
+They presently amend .
+
+I thank you , doctor .
+
+
+What's the disease he means ?
+
+'Tis call'd the evil :
+A most miraculous work in this good king ,
+Which often , since my here-remain in England ,
+I have seen him do . How he solicits heaven ,
+Himself best knows ; but strangely-visited people ,
+All swoln and ulcerous , pitiful to the eye ,
+The mere despair of surgery , he cures ;
+Hanging a golden stamp about their necks ,
+Put on with holy prayers ; and 'tis spoken
+To the succeeding royalty he leaves
+The healing benediction . With this strange virtue ,
+He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy ,
+And sundry blessings hang about his throne
+That speak him full of grace .
+
+See , who comes here ?
+
+My countryman ; but yet I know him not .
+
+
+My ever-gentle cousin , welcome hither .
+
+I know him now . Good God , betimes remove
+The means that make us strangers !
+
+Sir , amen .
+
+Stands Scotland where it did ?
+
+Alas ! poor country ;
+Almost afraid to know itself . It cannot
+Be call'd our mother , but our grave ; where nothing ,
+But who knows nothing , is once seen to smile ;
+Where sighs and groans and shrieks that rent the air
+Are made , not mark'd ; where violent sorrow seems
+A modern ecstasy ; the dead man's knell
+Is there scarce ask'd for who ; and good men's lives
+Expire before the flowers in their caps ,
+Dying or ere they sicken .
+
+O ! relation
+Too nice , and yet too true !
+
+What's the newest grief ?
+
+That of an hour's age doth hiss the speaker ;
+Each minute teems a new one .
+
+How does my wife ?
+
+Why , well .
+
+And all my children ?
+
+Well too .
+
+The tyrant has not batter'd at their peace ?
+
+No ; they were well at peace when I did leave 'em .
+
+Be not a niggard of your speech : how goes 't ?
+
+When I came hither to transport the tidings ,
+Which I have heavily borne , there ran a rumour
+Of many worthy fellows that were out ;
+Which was to my belief witness'd the rather
+For that I saw the tyrant's power a-foot .
+Now is the time of help ; your eye in Scotland
+Would create soldiers , make our women fight ,
+To doff their dire distresses .
+
+Be 't their comfort ,
+We are coming thither . Gracious England hath
+Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men ;
+An older and a better soldier none
+That Christendom gives out .
+
+Would I could answer
+This comfort with the like ! But I have words
+That would be howl'd out in the desert air ,
+Where hearing should not latch them .
+
+What concern they ?
+The general cause ? or is it a fee-grief
+Due to some single breast ?
+
+No mind that's honest
+But in it shares some woe , though the main part
+Pertains to you alone .
+
+If it be mine
+Keep it not from me ; quickly let me have it .
+
+Let not your ears despise my tongue for ever ,
+Which shall possess them with the heaviest sound
+That ever yet they heard .
+
+Hum ! I guess at it .
+
+Your castle is surpris'd ; your wife and babes
+Savagely slaughter'd ; to relate the manner ,
+Were , on the quarry of these murder'd deer ,
+To add the death of you .
+
+Merciful heaven !
+What ! man ; ne'er pull your hat upon your brows ;
+Give sorrow words ; the grief that does not speak
+Whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break .
+
+My children too ?
+
+Wife , children , servants , all
+That could be found .
+
+And I must be from thence !
+My wife kill'd too ?
+
+I have said .
+
+Be comforted :
+Let's make us medicine of our great revenge ,
+To cure this deadly grief .
+
+He has no children . All my pretty ones ?
+Did you say all ? O hell-kite ! All ?
+What ! all my pretty chickens and their dam
+At one fell swoop ?
+
+Dispute it like a man .
+
+I shall do so ;
+But I must also feel it as a man :
+I cannot but remember such things were ,
+That were most precious to me . Did heaven look on ,
+And would not take their part ? Sinful Macduff !
+They were all struck for thee . Naught that I am ,
+Not for their own demerits , but for mine ,
+Fell slaughter on their souls . Heaven rest them now !
+
+Be this the whetstone of your sword : let grief
+Convert to anger ; blunt not the heart , enrage it .
+
+O ! I could play the woman with mine eyes ,
+And braggart with my tongue . But , gentle heavens ,
+Cut short all intermission ; front to front
+Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself ;
+Within my sword's length set him ; if he 'scape ,
+Heaven forgive him too !
+
+This tune goes manly .
+Come , go we to the king ; our power is ready ;
+Our lack is nothing but our leave . Macbeth
+Is ripe for shaking , and the powers above
+Put on their instruments . Receive what cheer you may ;
+The night is long that never finds the day .
+
+I have two nights watched with you , but can perceive no truth in your report . When was it she last walked ?
+
+Since his majesty went into the field , I have seen her rise from her bed , throw her night-gown upon her , unlock her closet , take forth paper , fold it , write upon 't , read it , afterwards seal it , and again return to bed ; yet all this while in a most fast sleep .
+
+A great perturbation in nature , to receive at once the benefit of sleep and do the effects of watching ! In this slumbery agitation , besides her walking and other actual performances , what , at any time , have you heard her say ?
+
+That , sir , which I will not report after her .
+
+You may to me , and 'tis most meet you should .
+
+Neither to you nor any one , having no witness to confirm my speech .
+
+Lo you ! here she comes . This is her very guise ; and , upon my life , fast asleep . Observe her ; stand close .
+
+How came she by that light ?
+
+Why , it stood by her : she has light by her continually ; 'tis her command .
+
+You see , her eyes are open .
+
+Ay , but their sense is shut .
+
+What is it she does now ? Look , how she rubs her hands .
+
+It is an accustomed action with her , to seem thus washing her hands . I have known her to continue in this a quarter of an hour .
+
+Yet here's a spot .
+
+Hark ! she speaks . I will set down what comes from her , to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly .
+
+Out , damned spot ! out , I say ! One ; two : why , then , 'tis time to do't . Hell is murky ! Fie , my lord , fie ! a soldier , and afeard ? What need we fear who knows it , when none can call our power to account ? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him ?
+
+Do you mark that ?
+
+The Thane of Fife had a wife : where is she now ? What ! will these hands ne'er be clean ? No more o' that , my lord , no more o' that : you mar all with this starting .
+
+Go to , go to ; you have known what you should not .
+
+She has spoke what she should not , I am sure of that : Heaven knows what she has known .
+
+Here's the smell of the blood still : all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand . Oh ! oh ! oh !
+
+What a sigh is there ! The heart is sorely charged .
+
+I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body .
+
+Well , well , well .
+
+Pray God it be , sir .
+
+This disease is beyond my practice : yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep who have died holily in their beds .
+
+Wash your hands , put on your night-gown ; look not so pale . I tell you yet again , Banquo's buried ; he cannot come out on 's grave .
+
+Even so ?
+
+To bed , to bed : there's knocking at the gate . Come , come , come , come , give me your hand . What's done cannot be undone .
+To bed , to bed , to bed .
+
+
+Will she go now to bed ?
+
+Directly .
+
+Foul whisperings are abroad . Unnatural deeds
+Do breed unnatural troubles ; infected minds
+To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets ;
+More needs she the divine than the physician .
+God , God forgive us all ! Look after her ;
+Remove from her the means of all annoyance ,
+And still keep eyes upon her . So , good-night :
+My mind she has mated , and amaz'd my sight .
+I think , but dare not speak .
+
+Good-night , good doctor .
+
+
+The English power is near , led on by Malcolm ,
+His uncle Siward , and the good Macduff .
+Revenges burn in them ; for their dear causes
+Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm
+Excite the mortified man .
+
+Near Birnam wood
+Shall we well meet them ; that way are they coming .
+
+Who knows if Donalbain be with his brother ?
+
+For certain , sir , he is not : I have a file
+Of all the gentry : there is Siward's son ,
+And many unrough youths that even now
+Protest their first of manhood .
+
+What does the tyrant ?
+
+Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies .
+Some say he's mad ; others that lesser hate him
+Do call it valiant fury ; but , for certain ,
+He cannot buckle his distemper'd cause
+Within the belt of rule .
+
+Now does he feel
+His secret murders sticking on his hands ;
+Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach ;
+Those he commands move only in command ,
+Nothing in love ; now does he feel his title
+Hang loose about him , like a giant's robe
+Upon a dwarfish thief .
+
+Who then shall blame
+His pester'd senses to recoil and start ,
+When all that is within him does condemn
+Itself for being there ?
+
+Well , march we on ,
+To give obedience where 'tis truly ow'd ;
+Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal ,
+And with him pour we in our country's purge
+Each drop of us .
+
+Or so much as it needs
+To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds .
+Make we our march towards Birnam .
+
+
+Bring me no more reports ; let them fly all :
+Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane
+I cannot taint with fear . What's the boy Malcolm ?
+Was he not born of woman ? The spirits that know
+All mortal consequences have pronounc'd me thus :
+'Fear not , Macbeth ; no man that's born of woman
+Shall e'er have power upon thee .' Then fly , false thanes ,
+And mingle with the English epicures :
+The mind I sway by and the heart I bear
+Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear .
+
+
+The devil damn thee black , thou cream-fac'd loon !
+
+Where gott'st thou that goose look ?
+
+There is ten thousand
+
+Geese , villain ?
+
+Soldiers , sir .
+
+Go , prick thy face , and over-red thy fear ,
+Thou lily-liver'd boy . What soldiers , patch ?
+Death of thy soul ! those linen cheeks of thine
+Are counsellors to fear . What soldiers , wheyface ?
+
+The English force , so please you .
+
+Take thy face hence .
+
+Seyton !I am sick at heart
+When I behold Seyton , I say !This push
+Will cheer me ever or disseat me now .
+I have liv'd long enough : my way of life
+Is fall'n into the sear , the yellow leaf ;
+And that which should accompany old age ,
+As honour , love , obedience , troops of friends ,
+I must not look to have ; but , in their stead ,
+Curses , not loud but deep , mouth-honour , breath ,
+Which the poor heart would fain deny , and dare not .
+Seyton !
+
+
+What is your gracious pleasure ?
+
+What news more ?
+
+All is confirm'd , my lord , which was reported .
+
+I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hack'd .
+Give me my armour .
+
+'Tis not needed yet .
+
+I'll put it on .
+Send out more horses , skirr the country round ;
+Hang those that talk of fear . Give me mine armour .
+How does your patient , doctor ?
+
+Not so sick , my lord ,
+As she is troubled with thick-coming fancies ,
+That keep her from her rest .
+
+Cure her of that :
+Canst thou not minister to a mind diseas'd ,
+Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow ,
+Raze out the written troubles of the brain ,
+And with some sweet oblivious antidote
+Cleanse the stuff'd bosom of that perilous stuff
+Which weighs upon the heart ?
+
+Therein the patient
+Must minister to himself .
+
+Throw physic to the dogs ; I'll none of it .
+Come , put mine armour on ; give me my staff .
+Seyton , send out .Doctor , the thanes fly from me .
+Come , sir , dispatch .If thou couldst , doctor , cast
+The water of my land , find her disease ,
+And purge it to a sound and pristine health ,
+I would applaud thee to the very echo ,
+That should applaud again .Pull 't off , I say .
+What rhubarb , senna , or what purgative drug
+Would scour these English hence ? Hear'st thou of them ?
+
+Ay , my good lord ; your royal preparation
+Makes us hear something .
+
+Bring it after me .
+I will not be afraid of death and bane
+Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinane .
+
+Were I from Dunsinane away and clear ,
+Profit again should hardly draw me here .
+
+Cousins , I hope the days are near at hand
+That chambers will be safe .
+
+We doubt it nothing .
+
+What wood is this before us ?
+
+The wood of Birnam .
+
+Let every soldier hew him down a bough
+And bear 't before him : thereby shall we shadow
+The numbers of our host , and make discovery
+Err in report of us .
+
+It shall be done .
+
+We learn no other but the confident tyrant
+Keeps still in Dunsinane , and will endure
+Our setting down before 't .
+
+'Tis his main hope ;
+For where there is advantage to be given ,
+Both more and less have given him the revolt ,
+And none serve with him but constrained things
+Whose hearts are absent too .
+
+Let our just censures
+Attend the true event , and put we on
+Industrious soldiership .
+
+The time approaches
+That will with due decision make us know
+What we shall say we have and what we owe .
+Thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate ,
+But certain issue strokes must arbitrate ,
+Towards which advance the war .
+
+
+Hang out our banners on the outward walls ;
+The cry is still , 'They come ;' our castle's strength
+Will laugh a siege to scorn ; here let them lie
+Till famine and the ague eat them up ;
+Were they not forc'd with those that should be ours ,
+We might have met them dareful , beard to beard ,
+And beat them backward home .
+
+What is that noise ?
+
+It is the cry of women , my good lord .
+
+
+I have almost forgot the taste of fears .
+The time has been my senses would have cool'd
+To hear a night-shriek , and my fell of hair
+Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir
+As life were in 't . I have supp'd full with horrors ;
+Direness , familiar to my slaughterous thoughts ,
+Cannot once start me .
+
+Wherefore was that cry ?
+
+The queen , my lord , is dead .
+
+She should have died hereafter ;
+There would have been a time for such a word .
+To-morrow , and to-morrow , and to-morrow ,
+Creeps in this petty pace from day to day ,
+To the last syllable of recorded time ;
+And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
+The way to dusty death . Out , out , brief candle !
+Life's but a walking shadow , a poor player
+That struts and frets his hour upon the stage ,
+And then is heard no more ; it is a tale
+Told by an idiot , full of sound and fury ,
+Signifying nothing .
+
+Thou com'st to use thy tongue ; thy story quickly .
+
+Gracious my lord ,
+I should report that which I say I saw ,
+But know not how to do it .
+
+Well , say , sir .
+
+As I did stand my watch upon the hill ,
+I look'd towards Birnam , and anon , methought ,
+The wood began to move .
+
+Liar and slave !
+
+Let me endure your wrath if't be not so :
+Within this three mile may you see it coming ;
+I say , a moving grove .
+
+If thou speak'st false ,
+Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive ,
+Till famine cling thee ; if thy speech be sooth ,
+I care not if thou dost for me as much .
+I pull in resolution and begin
+To doubt the equivocation of the fiend
+That lies like truth ; 'Fear not , till Birnam wood
+Do come to Dunsinane ;' and now a wood
+Comes toward Dunsinane . Arm , arm , and out !
+If this which he avouches does appear ,
+There is nor flying hence , nor tarrying here .
+I 'gin to be aweary of the sun ,
+And wish the estate o' the world were now undone .
+Ring the alarum-bell ! Blow , wind ! come , wrack !
+At least we'll die with harness on our back .
+
+
+Now near enough ; your leavy screens throw down ,
+And show like those you are . You , worthy uncle ,
+Shall , with my cousin , your right-noble son ,
+Lead our first battle ; worthy Macduff and we
+Shall take upon 's what else remains to do ,
+According to our order .
+
+Fare you well .
+Do we but find the tyrant's power to-night ,
+Let us be beaten , if we cannot fight .
+
+Make all our trumpets speak ; give them all breath ,
+Those clamorous harbingers of blood and death .
+
+
+They have tied me to a stake ; I cannot fly ,
+But bear-like I must fight the course . What's he
+That was not born of woman ? Such a one
+Am I to fear , or none .
+
+
+What is thy name ?
+
+Thou'lt be afraid to hear it .
+
+No ; though thou call'st thyself a hotter name
+Than any is in hell .
+
+My name's Macbeth .
+
+The devil himself could not pronounce a title
+More hateful to mine ear .
+
+No , nor more fearful .
+
+Thou liest , abhorred tyrant ; with my sword
+I'll prove the lie thou speak'st .
+
+
+Thou wast born of woman :
+But swords I smile at , weapons laugh to scorn ,
+Brandish'd by man that's of a woman born .
+
+That way the noise is . Tyrant , show thy face :
+If thou be'st slain and with no stroke of mine ,
+My wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still .
+I cannot strike at wretched kerns , whose arms
+Are hir'd to bear their staves : either thou , Macbeth ,
+Or else my sword with an unbatter'd edge
+I sheathe again undeeded . There thou shouldst be ;
+By this great clatter , one of greatest note
+Seems bruited . Let me find him , fortune !
+And more I beg not .
+
+This way , my lord ; the castle's gently render'd :
+The tyrant's people on both sides do fight ;
+The noble thanes do bravely in the war ;
+The day almost itself professes yours ,
+And little is to do .
+
+We have met with foes
+That strike beside us .
+
+Enter , sir , the castle .
+
+Why should I play the Roman fool , and die
+On mine own sword ? whiles I see lives , the gashes
+Do better upon them .
+
+
+Turn , hell-hound , turn !
+
+Of all men else I have avoided thee :
+But get thee back , my soul is too much charg'd
+With blood of thine already .
+
+I have no words ;
+My voice is in my sword , thou bloodier villain
+Than terms can give thee out !
+
+
+Thou losest labour :
+As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air
+With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed :
+Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests ;
+I bear a charmed life , which must not yield
+To one of woman born .
+
+Despair thy charm ;
+And let the angel whom thou still hast serv'd
+Tell thee , Macduff was from his mother's womb
+Untimely ripp'd .
+
+Accursed be that tongue that tells me so ,
+For it hath cow'd my better part of man :
+And be these juggling fiends no more believ'd ,
+That palter with us in a double sense ;
+That keep the word of promise to our ear ,
+And break it to our hope . I'll not fight with thee .
+
+Then yield thee , coward ,
+And live to be the show and gaze o' the time :
+We'll have thee , as our rarer monsters are ,
+Painted upon a pole , and underwrit ,
+'Here may you see the tyrant .'
+
+I will not yield ,
+To kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet ,
+And to be baited with the rabble's curse .
+Though Birnam wood be come to Dunsinane ,
+And thou oppos'd , being of no woman born ,
+Yet I will try the last : before my body
+I throw my war-like shield . Lay on , Macduff ,
+And damn'd be him that first cries , 'Hold , enough !'
+
+
+I would the friends we miss were safe arriv'd .
+
+Some must go off ; and yet , by these I see ,
+So great a day as this is cheaply bought .
+
+Macduff is missing , and your noble son .
+
+Your son , my lord , has paid a soldier's debt :
+He only liv'd but till he was a man ;
+The which no sooner had his prowess confirm'd
+In the unshrinking station where he fought ,
+But like a man he died .
+
+Then he is dead ?
+
+Ay , and brought off the field . Your cause of sorrow
+Must not be measur'd by his worth , for then
+It hath no end .
+
+Had he his hurts before ?
+
+Ay , on the front .
+
+Why then , God's soldier be he !
+Had I as many sons as I have hairs ,
+I would not wish them to a fairer death :
+And so , his knell is knoll'd .
+
+He's worth more sorrow ,
+And that I'll spend for him .
+
+He's worth no more ;
+They say , he parted well , and paid his score :
+And so , God be with him ! Here comes newer comfort .
+
+
+Hail , king ! for so thou art . Behold , where stands
+The usurper's cursed head : the time is free :
+I see thee compass'd with thy kingdom's pearl ,
+That speak my salutation in their minds ;
+Whose voices I desire aloud with mine ;
+Hail , King of Scotland !
+
+Hail , King of Scotland !
+
+
+We shall not spend a large expense of time
+Before we reckon with your several loves ,
+And make us even with you . My thanes and kinsmen ,
+Henceforth be earls , the first that ever Scotland
+In such an honour nam'd . What's more to do ,
+Which would be planted newly with the time ,
+As calling home our exil'd friends abroad
+That fled the snares of watchful tyranny ;
+Producing forth the cruel ministers
+Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen ,
+Who , as 'tis thought , by self and violent hands
+Took off her life ; this , and what needful else
+That calls upon us , by the grace of Grace
+We will perform in measure , time , and place :
+So , thanks to all at once and to each one ,
+Whom we invite to see us crown'd at Scone .
+
+OTHELLO, THE MOOR OF VENICE
+
+Tush ! Never tell me ; I take it much unkindly
+That thou , Iago , who hast had my purse
+As if the strings were thine , shouldst know of this .
+
+'Sblood , but you will not hear me :
+If ever I did dream of such a matter ,
+Abhor me .
+
+Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate .
+
+Despise me if I do not . Three great ones of the city ,
+In personal suit to make me his lieutenant ,
+Off-capp'd to him ; and , by the faith of man .
+I know my price , I am worth no worse a place ;
+But he , as loving his own pride and purposes ,
+Evades them , with a bombast circumstance
+Horribly stuff'd with epithets of war ;
+And , in conclusion ,
+Nonsuits my mediators ; for , 'Certes ,' says he ,
+'I have already chose my officer .'
+And what was he ?
+Forsooth , a great arithmetician ,
+One Michael Cassio , a Florentine ,
+A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife ;
+That never set a squadron in the field ,
+Nor the division of a battle knows
+More than a spinster ; unless the bookish theoric ,
+Wherein the toged consuls can propose
+As masterly as he : mere prattle , without practice ,
+Is all his soldiership . But he , sir , had the election ;
+And I of whom his eyes had seen the proof
+At Rhodes , at Cyprus , and on other grounds
+Christian and heathen must be be-lee'd and calm'd
+By debitor and creditor ; this counter caster ,
+He , in good time , must his lieutenant be ,
+And I God bless the mark !his Moorship's ancient .
+
+By heaven , I rather would have been his hangman .
+
+Why , there's no remedy : 'tis the curse of the service ,
+Preferment goes by letter and affection ,
+Not by the old gradation , where each second
+Stood heir to the first . Now , sir , be judge yourself ,
+Whe'r I in any just term am affin'd
+To love the Moor .
+
+I would not follow him then .
+
+O ! sir , content you ;
+I follow him to serve my turn upon him ;
+We cannot all be masters , nor all masters
+Cannot be truly follow'd . You shall mark
+Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave ,
+That , doting on his own obsequious bondage ,
+Wears out his time , much like his master's ass ,
+For nought but provender , and when he's old , cashier'd ;
+Whip me such honest knaves . Others there are
+Who , trimm'd in forms and visages of duty ,
+Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves ,
+And , throwing but shows of service on their lords ,
+Do well thrive by them , and when they have lin'd their coats
+Do themselves homage : these fellows have some soul ;
+And such a one do I profess myself . For , sir ,
+It is as sure as you are Roderigo ,
+Were I the Moor , I would not be Iago :
+In following him , I follow but myself ;
+Heaven is my judge , not I for love and duty ,
+But seeming so , for my peculiar end :
+For when my outward action doth demonstrate
+The native act and figure of my heart
+In compliment extern , 'tis not long after
+But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
+For daws to peck at : I am not what I am .
+
+What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe ,
+If he can carry 't thus !
+
+Call up her father ;
+Rouse him , make after him , poison his delight ,
+Proclaim him in the streets , incense her kinsmen ,
+And , though he in a fertile climate dwell ,
+Plague him with flies ; though that his joy be joy ,
+Yet throw such changes of vexation on 't
+As it may lose some colour .
+
+Here is her father's house ; I'll call aloud .
+
+Do ; with like timorous accent and dire yell
+As when , by night and negligence , the fire
+Is spied in populous cities .
+
+What , ho ! Brabantio ! Signior Brabantio , ho !
+
+Awake ! what , ho ! Brabantio ! thieves ! thieves ! thieves !
+Look to your house , your daughter , and your bags !
+Thieves ! thieves !
+
+
+What is the reason of this terrible summons ?
+What is the matter there ?
+
+Signior , is all your family within ?
+
+Are your doors lock'd ?
+
+Why ? wherefore ask you this ?
+
+'Zounds ! sir , you're robb'd ; for shame , put on your gown ;
+Your heart is burst , you have lost half your soul ;
+Even now , now , very now , an old black ram
+Is tupping your white ewe . Arise , arise !
+Awake the snorting citizens with the bell ,
+Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you .
+Arise , I say .
+
+What ! have you lost your wits ?
+
+Most reverend signior , do you know my voice ?
+
+Not I , what are you ?
+
+My name is Roderigo .
+
+The worser welcome :
+I have charg'd thee not to haunt about my doors :
+In honest plainness thou hast heard me say
+My daughter is not for thee ; and now , in madness ,
+Being full of supper and distempering draughts ,
+Upon malicious knavery dost thou come
+To start my quiet .
+
+Sir , sir , sir !
+
+But thou must needs be sure
+My spirit and my place have in them power
+To make this bitter to thee .
+
+Patience , good sir .
+
+What tell'st thou me of robbing ? this is Venice ;
+My house is not a grange .
+
+Most grave Brabantio ,
+In simple and pure soul I come to you .
+
+'Zounds ! sir , you are one of those that will not serve God if the devil bid you . Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians , you'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse ; you'll have your nephews neigh to you ; you'll have coursers for cousins and gennets for germans .
+
+What profane wretch art thou ?
+
+I am one , sir , that comes to tell you , your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs .
+
+Thou art a villain .
+
+You are a senator .
+
+This thou shalt answer ; I know thee , Roderigo .
+
+Sir , I will answer any thing . But , I beseech you ,
+If 't be your pleasure and most wise consent ,
+As partly , I find , it is ,that your fair daughter ,
+At this odd-even and dull-watch o' the night ,
+Transported with no worse nor better guard
+But with a knave of common hire , a gondolier ,
+To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor ,
+If this be known to you , and your allowance ,
+We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs ;
+But if you know not this , my manners tell me
+We have your wrong rebuke . Do not believe ,
+That , from the sense of all civility ,
+I thus would play and trifle with your reverence :
+Your daughter , if you have not given her leave ,
+I say again , hath made a gross revolt ;
+Tying her duty , beauty , wit and fortunes
+In an extravagant and wheeling stranger
+Of here and every where . Straight satisfy yourself :
+If she be in her chamber or your house ,
+Let loose on me the justice of the state
+For thus deluding you .
+
+Strike on the tinder , ho !
+Give me a taper ! call up all my people !
+This accident is not unlike my dream ;
+Belief of it oppresses me already .
+Light , I say ! light !
+
+
+Farewell , for I must leave you :
+It seems not meet nor wholesome to my place
+To be produc'd , as , if I stay , I shall ,
+Against the Moor ; for , I do know the state ,
+However this may gall him with some check ,
+Cannot with safety cast him ; for he's embark'd
+With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars ,
+Which even now stand in act ,that , for their souls ,
+Another of his fathom they have none ,
+To lead their business ; in which regard ,
+Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains ,
+Yet , for necessity of present life ,
+I must show out a flag and sign of love ,
+Which is indeed but sign . That you shall surely find him ,
+Lead to the Sagittary the raised search ;
+And there will I be with him . So , farewell .
+
+It is too true an evil : gone she is ,
+And what's to come of my despised time
+Is nought but bitterness . Now , Roderigo ,
+Where didst thou see her ? O , unhappy girl !
+With the Moor , sayst thou ? Who would be a father !
+How didst thou know 'twas she ? O , she deceives me
+Past thought . What said she to you ? Get more tapers !
+Raise all my kindred ! Are they married , think you ?
+
+Truly , I think they are .
+
+O heaven ! How got she out ? O , treason of the blood :
+Fathers , from hence trust not your daughters' minds
+By what you see them act . Are there not charms
+By which the property of youth and maidhood
+May be abus'd ? Have you not read , Roderigo ,
+Of some such thing ?
+
+Yes , sir , I have indeed .
+
+Call up my brother . O ! that you had had her .
+Some one way , some another ! Do you know
+Where we may apprehend her and the Moor ?
+
+I think I can discover him , if you please
+To get good guard and go along with me .
+
+Pray you , lead on . At every house I'll call ;
+I may command at most . Get weapons , ho !
+And raise some special officers of night .
+On , good Roderigo ; I'll deserve your pains .
+
+
+Though in the trade of war I have slain men ,
+Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience
+To do no contriv'd murder : I lack iniquity
+Sometimes to do me service . Nine or ten times
+I had thought to have yerk'd him here under the ribs .
+
+'Tis better as it is .
+
+Nay , but he prated ,
+And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
+Against your honour
+That , with the little godliness I have ,
+I did full hard forbear him . But , I pray , sir ,
+Are you fast married ? Be assur'd of this ,
+That the magnifico is much belov'd ,
+And hath in his effect a voice potential
+As double as the duke's ; he will divorce you ,
+Or put upon you what restraint and grievance
+The law with all his might to enforce it on
+Will give him cable .
+
+Let him do his spite :
+My services which I have done the signiory
+Shall out-tongue his complaints . 'Tis yet to know ,
+Which when I know that boasting is an honour
+I shall promulgate , I fetch my life and being
+From men of royal siege , and my demerits
+May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
+As this that I have reach'd ; for know , Iago ,
+But that I love the gentle Desdemona ,
+I would not my unhoused free condition
+Put into circumscription and confine
+For the sea's worth . But , look ! what lights come yond ?
+
+Those are the raised father and his friends :
+You were best go in .
+
+Not I ; I must be found :
+My parts , my title , and my perfect soul
+Shall manifest me rightly . Is it they ?
+
+By Janus , I think no .
+
+
+The servants of the duke , and my lieutenant .
+The goodness of the night upon you , friends !
+What is the news ?
+
+The duke does greet you , general ,
+And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance ,
+Even on the instant .
+
+What is the matter , think you ?
+
+Something from Cyprus , as I may divine .
+It is a business of some heat ; the galleys
+Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
+This very night at one another's heels ,
+And many of the consuls , rais'd and met ,
+Are at the duke's already . You have been hotly call'd for ;
+When , being not at your lodging to be found ,
+The senate hath sent about three several quests
+To search you out .
+
+'Tis well I am found by you .
+I will but spend a word here in the house ,
+And go with you .
+
+
+Ancient , what makes he here ?
+
+Faith , he to-night hath boarded a land carrack ;
+If it prove lawful prize , he's made for ever .
+
+I do not understand .
+
+He's married .
+
+To who ?
+
+
+Marry , to Come , captain , will you go ?
+
+Have with you .
+
+Here comes another troop to seek for you .
+
+It is Brabantio . General , be advis'd ;
+He comes to bad intent .
+
+
+Holla ! stand there !
+
+Signior , it is the Moor .
+
+Down with him , thief !
+
+
+You , Roderigo ! come , sir , I am for you .
+
+Keep up your bright swords , for the dew will rust them .
+Good signior , you shall more command with years
+Than with your weapons .
+
+O thou foul thief ! where hast thou stow'd my daughter ?
+Damn'd as thou art , thou hast enchanted her ;
+For I'll refer me to all things of sense ,
+If she in chains of magic were not bound ,
+Whether a maid so tender , fair , and happy ,
+So opposite to marriage that she shunn'd
+The wealthy curled darlings of our nation ,
+Would ever have , to incur a general mock ,
+Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
+Of such a thing as thou ; to fear , not to delight .
+Judge me the world , if 'tis not gross in sense
+That thou hast practis'd on her with foul charms ,
+Abus'd her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
+That weaken motion : I'll have 't disputed on ;
+'Tis probable , and palpable to thinking .
+I therefore apprehend and do attach thee
+For an abuser of the world , a practiser
+Of arts inhibited and out of warrant .
+Lay hold upon him : if he do resist ,
+Subdue him at his peril .
+
+Hold your hands ,
+Both you of my inclining , and the rest :
+Were it my cue to fight , I should have known it
+Without a prompter . Where will you that I go
+To answer this your charge ?
+
+To prison ; till fit time
+Of law and course of direct session
+Call thee to answer .
+
+What if I do obey ?
+How may the duke be therewith satisfied ,
+Whose messengers are here about my side ,
+Upon some present business of the state
+To bring me to him ?
+
+'Tis true , most worthy signior ;
+The duke's in council , and your noble self ,
+I am sure , is sent for .
+
+How ! the duke in council !
+In this time of the night ! Bring him away .
+Mine's not an idle cause : the duke himself ,
+Or any of my brothers of the state ,
+Cannot but feel this wrong as 'twere their own ;
+For if such actions may have passage free ,
+Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be .
+
+There is no composition in these news
+That gives them credit .
+
+Indeed , they are disproportion'd ;
+My letters say a hundred and seven galleys .
+
+And mine , a hundred and forty .
+
+And mine , two hundred :
+But though they jump not on a just account ,
+As in these cases , where the aim reports ,
+'Tis oft with difference ,yet do they all confirm
+A Turkish fleet , and bearing up to Cyprus .
+
+Nay , it is possible enough to judgment :
+I do not so secure me in the error ,
+But the main article I do approve
+In fearful sense .
+
+What , ho ! what , ho ! what , ho !
+
+A messenger from the galleys .
+
+
+Now , what's the business ?
+
+The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes ;
+So was I bid report here to the state
+By Signior Angelo .
+
+How say you by this change ?
+
+This cannot be ,
+By no assay of reason ; 'tis a pageant
+To keep us in false gaze . When we consider
+The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk ,
+And let ourselves again but understand ,
+That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes ,
+So may he with more facile question bear it ,
+For that it stands not in such war-like brace ,
+But altogether lacks the abilities
+That Rhodes is dress'd in : if we make thought of this ,
+We must not think the Turk is so unskilful
+To leave that latest which concerns him first ,
+Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain ,
+To wake and wage a danger profitless .
+
+Nay , in all confidence , he's not for Rhodes .
+
+Here is more news .
+
+
+The Ottomites , reverend and gracious ,
+Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes ,
+Have there injointed them with an after fleet .
+
+Ay , so I thought . How many , as you guess ?
+
+Of thirty sail ; and now they do re-stem
+Their backward course , bearing with frank appearance
+Their purposes toward Cyprus . Signior Montano ,
+Your trusty and most valiant servitor ,
+With his free duty recommends you thus ,
+And prays you to believe him .
+
+'Tis certain then , for Cyprus .
+Marcus Luccicos , is not he in town ?
+
+He's now in Florence .
+
+Write from us to him ; post-post-haste dispatch .
+
+Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor .
+
+
+Valiant Othello , we must straight employ you
+Against the general enemy Ottoman .
+
+
+I did not see you ; welcome , gentle signior ;
+We lack'd your counsel and your help to-night .
+
+So did I yours . Good your grace , pardon me ;
+Neither my place nor aught I heard of business
+Hath rais'd me from my bed , nor doth the general care
+Take hold of me , for my particular grief
+Is of so flood-gate and o'erbearing nature
+That it engluts and swallows other sorrows
+And it is still itself .
+
+Why , what's the matter ?
+
+My daughter ! O ! my daughter .
+
+Dead ?
+
+Dead ?
+
+Ay , to me ;
+She is abus'd , stol'n from me , and corrupted
+By spells and medicines bought of mounte-banks ;
+For nature so preposterously to err ,
+Being not deficient , blind , or lame of sense ,
+Sans witchcraft could not .
+
+Whoe'er he be that in this foul proceeding
+Hath thus beguil'd your daughter of herself
+And you of her , the bloody book of law
+You shall yourself read in the bitter letter
+After your own sense ; yea , though our proper son
+Stood in your action .
+
+Humbly I thank your Grace .
+Here is the man , this Moor ; whom now , it seems ,
+Your special mandate for the state affairs ,
+Hath hither brought .
+
+We are very sorry for it .
+
+We are very sorry for it .
+
+What , in your own part , can you say to this ?
+
+Nothing , but this is so .
+
+Most potent , grave , and reverend signiors ,
+My very noble and approv'd good masters ,
+That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter ,
+It is most true ; true , I have married her :
+The very head and front of my offending
+Hath this extent , no more . Rude am I in my speech ,
+And little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace ;
+For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith ,
+Till now some nine moons wasted , they have us'd
+Their dearest action in the tented field ;
+And little of this great world can I speak ,
+More than pertains to feats of broil and battle ;
+And therefore little shall I grace my cause
+In speaking for myself . Yet , by your gracious patience ,
+I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver
+Of my whole course of love ; what drugs , what charms ,
+What conjuration , and what mighty magic ,
+For such proceeding I am charg'd withal ,
+I won his daughter .
+
+A maiden never bold ;
+Of spirit so still and quiet , that her motion
+Blush'd at herself ; and she , in spite of nature ,
+Of years , of country , credit , every thing ,
+To fall in love with what she fear'd to look on !
+It is a judgment maim'd and most imperfect
+That will confess perfection so could err
+Against all rules of nature , and must be driven
+To find out practices of cunning hell ,
+Why this should be . I therefore vouch again
+That with some mixtures powerful o'er the blood ,
+Or with some dram conjur'd to this effect ,
+He wrought upon her .
+
+To vouch this , is no proof ,
+Without more certain and more overt test
+Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods
+Of modern seeming do prefer against him .
+
+But , Othello , speak :
+Did you by indirect and forced courses
+Subdue and poison this young maid's affections ;
+Or came it by request and such fair question
+As soul to soul affordeth ?
+
+I do beseech you ,
+Send for the lady to the Sagittary ,
+And let her speak of me before her father :
+If you do find me foul in her report ,
+The trust , the office I do hold of you ,
+Not only take away , but let your sentence
+Even fall upon my life .
+
+Fetch Desdemona hither .
+
+Ancient , conduct them ; you best know the place .
+
+And , till she come , as truly as to heaven
+I do confess the vices of my blood ,
+So justly to your grave ears I'll present
+How I did thrive in this fair lady's love ,
+And she in mine .
+
+Say it , Othello .
+
+Her father lov'd me ; oft invited me ;
+Still question'd me the story of my life
+From year to year , the battles , sieges , fortunes
+That I have pass'd .
+I ran it through , even from my boyish days
+To the very moment that he bade me tell it ;
+Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances ,
+Of moving accidents by flood and field ,
+Of hair-breadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach ,
+Of being taken by the insolent foe
+And sold to slavery , of my redemption thence
+And portance in my travel's history ;
+Wherein of antres vast and desarts idle ,
+Rough quarries , rocks and hills whose heads touch heaven ,
+It was my hint to speak , such was the process ;
+And of the Cannibals that each other eat ,
+The Anthropophagi , and men whose heads
+Do grow beneath their shoulders . This to hear
+Would Desdemona seriously incline ;
+But still the house-affairs would draw her thence ;
+Which ever as she could with haste dispatch ,
+She'd come again , and with a greedy ear
+Devour up my discourse . Which I observing ,
+Took once a pliant hour , and found good means
+To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
+That I would all my pilgrimage dilate ,
+Whereof by parcels she had something heard ,
+But not intentively : I did consent ;
+And often did beguile her of her tears ,
+When I did speak of some distressful stroke
+That my youth suffer'd . My story being done ,
+She gave me for my pains a world of sighs :
+She swore , in faith , 'twas strange , 'twas passing strange ;
+'Twas pitiful , 'twas wondrous pitiful :
+She wish'd she had not heard it , yet she wish'd
+That heaven had made her such a man ; she thank'd me ,
+And bade me , if I had a friend that lov'd her ,
+I should but teach him how to tell my story ,
+And that would woo her . Upon this hint I spake :
+She lov'd me for the dangers I had pass'd ,
+And I lov'd her that she did pity them .
+This only is the witchcraft I have us'd :
+Here comes the lady ; let her witness it .
+
+
+I think this tale would win my daughter too .
+Good Brabantio ,
+Take up this mangled matter at the best ;
+Men do their broken weapons rather use
+Than their bare hands .
+
+I pray you , hear her speak :
+If she confess that she was half the wooer ,
+Destruction on my head , if my bad blame
+Light on the man ! Come hither , gentle mistress :
+Do you perceive in all this noble company
+Where most you owe obedience ?
+
+My noble father ,
+I do perceive here a divided duty :
+To you I am bound for life and education ;
+My life and education both do learn me
+How to respect you ; you are the lord of duty ,
+I am hitherto your daughter : but here's my husband ;
+And so much duty as my mother show'd
+To you , preferring you before her father ,
+So much I challenge that I may profess
+Due to the Moor my lord .
+
+God be with you ! I have done .
+Please it your Grace , on to the state affairs :
+I had rather to adopt a child than get it .
+Come hither , Moor :
+I here do give thee that with all my heart
+Which , but thou hast already , with all my heart
+I would keep from thee . For your sake , jewel ,
+I am glad at soul I have no other child ;
+For thy escape would teach me tyranny ,
+To hang clogs on them . I have done , my lord .
+
+Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence ,
+Which as a grize or step , may help these lovers
+Into your favour .
+When remedies are past , the griefs are ended
+By seeing the worst , which late on hopes depended .
+To mourn a mischief that is past and gone
+Is the next way to draw new mischief on .
+What cannot be preserv'd when Fortune takes ,
+Patience her injury a mockery makes .
+The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief ;
+He robs himself that spends a bootless grief .
+
+So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile ;
+We lose it not so long as we can smile .
+He bears the sentence well that nothing bears
+But the free comfort which from thence he hears ;
+But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow
+That , to pay grief , must of poor patience borrow .
+These sentences , to sugar , or to gall ,
+Being strong on both sides , are equivocal :
+But words are words ; I never yet did hear
+That the bruis'd heart was pierced through the ear .
+I humbly beseech you , proceed to the affairs of state .
+
+The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus . Othello , the fortitude of the place is best known to you ; and though we have there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency , yet opinion , a sovereign mistress of effects , throws a more safer voice on you : you must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boisterous expedition .
+
+The tyrant custom , most grave senators ,
+Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
+My thrice-driven bed of down : I do agnize
+A natural and prompt alacrity
+I find in hardness , and do undertake
+These present wars against the Ottomites .
+Most humbly therefore bending to your state ,
+I crave fit disposition for my wife ,
+Due reference of place and exhibition ,
+With such accommodation and besort
+As levels with her breeding .
+
+If you please ,
+Be 't at her father's .
+
+I'll not have it so .
+
+Nor I .
+
+Nor I ; I would not there reside ,
+To put my father in impatient thoughts
+By being in his eye . Most gracious duke ,
+To my unfolding lend your gracious ear ;
+And let me find a charter in your voice
+To assist my simpleness .
+
+What would you , Desdemona ?
+
+That I did love the Moor to live with him ,
+My downright violence and storm of fortunes
+May trumpet to the world ; my heart's subdu'd
+Even to the very quality of my lord ;
+I saw Othello's visage in his mind ,
+And to his honours and his valiant parts
+Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate .
+So that , dear lords , if I be left behind ,
+A moth of peace , and he go to the war ,
+The rites for which I love him are bereft me ,
+And I a heavy interim shall support
+By his dear absence . Let me go with him .
+
+Let her have your voices .
+Vouch with me , heaven , I therefore beg it not
+To please the palate of my appetite ,
+Nor to comply with heat ,the young affects
+In me defunct ,and proper satisfaction ,
+But to be free and bounteous to her mind ;
+And heaven defend your good souls that you think
+I will your serious and great business scant
+For she is with me . No , when light-wing'd toys
+Of feather'd Cupid seel with wanton dulness
+My speculative and offic'd instruments ,
+That my disports corrupt and taint my business ,
+Let housewives make a skillet of my helm ,
+And all indign and base adversities
+Make head against my estimation !
+
+Be it as you shall privately determine ,
+Either for her stay or going . The affair cries haste ,
+And speed must answer it .
+
+You must away to-night .
+
+With all my heart .
+
+At nine i' the morning here we'll meet again .
+Othello , leave some officer behind ,
+And he shall our commission bring to you ;
+With such things else of quality and respect
+As doth import you .
+
+So please your Grace , my ancient ;
+A man he is of honesty and trust :
+To his conveyance I assign my wife ,
+With what else needful your good grace shall think
+To be sent after me .
+
+Let it be so .
+Good night to every one .
+
+And , noble signior ,
+If virtue no delighted beauty lack ,
+Your son-in-law is far more fair than black .
+
+Adieu , brave Moor ! use Desdemona well .
+
+Look to her , Moor , if thou hast eyes to see :
+She has deceiv'd her father , and may thee .
+
+
+My life upon her faith ! Honest Iago ,
+My Desdemona must I leave to thee :
+I prithee , let thy wife attend on her ;
+And bring them after in the best advantage .
+Come , Desdemona ; I have but an hour
+Of love , of worldly matters and direction ,
+To spend with thee : we must obey the time .
+
+
+Iago !
+
+What sayst thou , noble heart ?
+
+What will I do , think'st thou ?
+
+Why , go to bed , and sleep .
+
+I will incontinently drown myself .
+
+Well , if thou dost , I shall never love thee after . Why , thou silly gentleman !
+
+It is silliness to live when to live is torment ; and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician .
+
+O ! villanous ; I have looked upon the world for four times seven years , and since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury , I never found man that knew how to love himself . Ere I would say , I would drown myself for the love of a guinea-hen , I would change my humanity with a baboon .
+
+What should I do ? I confess it is my shame to be so fond ; but it is not in my virtue to amend it .
+
+Virtue ! a fig ! 'tis in ourselves that we are thus , or thus . Our bodies are our gardens , to the which our wills are gardeners ; so that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce , set hyssop and woed up thyme , supply it with one gender of herbs or distract it with many , either to have it sterile with idleness or manured with industry , why , the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills . If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality , the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions ; but we have reason to cool our raging motions , our carnal stings , our unbitted lusts , whereof I take this that you call love to be a sect or scion .
+
+It cannot be .
+
+It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will . Come , be a man . Drown thyself ! drown cats and blind puppies . I have professed me thy friend , and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness ; I could never better stead thee than now . Put money in thy purse ; follow these wars ; defeat thy favour with a usurped beard ; I say , put money in thy purse . It cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor ,put money in thy purse ,nor he his to her . It was a violent commencement in her , and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration ; put but money in thy purse . These Moors are changeable in their wills ;fill thy purse with money :the food that to him now is as luscious as locusts , shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida . She must change for youth : when she is sated with his body , she will find the error of her choice . She must have change , she must : therefore put money in thy purse . If thou wilt needs damn thyself , do it a more delicate way than drowning . Make all the money thou canst . If sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and a supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell , thou shalt enjoy her ; therefore make money . A pox of drowning thyself ! it is clean out of the way : seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than to be drowned and go without her .
+
+Wilt thou be fast to my hopes , if I depend on the issue ?
+
+Thou art sure of me : go , make money . I have told thee often , and I re-tell thee again and again , I hate the Moor : my cause is hearted : thine hath no less reason . Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him ; if thou canst cuckold him , thou dost thyself a pleasure , me a sport . There are many events in the womb of time which will be delivered . Traverse ; go : provide thy money . We will have more of this to-morrow . Adieu .
+
+Where shall we meet i' the morning ?
+
+At my lodging .
+
+I'll be with thee betimes .
+
+Go to ; farewell . Do you hear , Roderigo ?
+
+What say you ?
+
+No more of drowning , do you hear ?
+
+I am changed . I'll sell all my land .
+
+Go to ; farewell ! put money enough in your purse .
+
+Thus do I ever make my fool my purse ;
+For I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane ,
+If I would time expend with such a snipe
+But for my sport and profit . I hate the Moor ,
+And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets
+He has done my office : I know not if 't be true ,
+But I , for mere suspicion in that kind ,
+Will do as if for surety . He holds me well ;
+The better shall my purpose work on him .
+Cassio's a proper man ; let me see now :
+To get his place ; and to plume up my will
+In double knavery ; how , how ? Let's see :
+After some time to abuse Othello's ear
+That he is too familiar with his wife :
+He hath a person and a smooth dispose
+To be suspected ; framed to make women false .
+The Moor is of a free and open nature ,
+That thinks men honest that but seem to be so ,
+And will as tenderly be led by the nose
+As asses are .
+I have 't ; it is engender'd : hell and night
+Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light .
+
+What from the cape can you discern at sea ?
+
+Nothing at all : it is a high-wrought flood ;
+I cannot 'twixt the heaven and the main
+Descry a sail .
+
+Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land ;
+A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements ;
+If it hath ruffian'd so upon the sea ,
+What ribs of oak , when mountains melt on them ,
+Can hold the mortise ? what shall we hear of this ?
+
+A segregation of the Turkish fleet ;
+For do but stand upon the foaming shore ,
+The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds ;
+The wind-shak'd surge , with high and monstrous mane ,
+Seems to cast water on the burning bear
+And quench the guards of the ever-fixed pole :
+I never did like molestation view
+On the enchafed flood .
+
+If that the Turkish fleet
+Be not enshelter'd and embay'd , they are drown'd ;
+It is impossible they bear it out .
+
+
+News , lads ! our wars are done .
+The desperate tempest hath so bang'd the Turks
+That their designment halts ; a noble ship of Venice
+Hath seen a grievous wrack and sufferance
+On most part of their fleet .
+
+How ! is this true ?
+
+The ship is here put in ,
+A Veronesa ; Michael Cassio ,
+Lieutenant to the war-like Moor Othello ,
+Is come on shore : the Moor himself's at sea ,
+And is in full commission here for Cyprus .
+
+I am glad on 't ; 'tis a worthy governor .
+
+But this same Cassio , though he speak of comfort
+Touching the Turkish loss , yet he looks sadly
+And prays the Moor be safe ; for they were parted
+With foul and violent tempest .
+
+Pray heaven he be ;
+For I have serv'd him , and the man commands
+Like a full soldier . Let's to the sea-side , ho !
+As well to see the vessel that's come in
+As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello ,
+Even till we make the main and the aerial blue
+An indistinct regard .
+
+Come , let's do so ;
+For every minute is expectancy
+Of more arrivance .
+
+
+Thanks , you the valiant of this war-like isle ,
+That so approve the Moor . O ! let the heavens
+Give him defence against the elements ,
+For I have lost him on a dangerous sea .
+
+Is he well shipp'd ?
+
+His bark is stoutly timber'd , and his pilot
+Of very expert and approv'd allowance ;
+Therefore my hopes , not surfeited to death ,
+Stand in bold cure .
+
+What noise ?
+
+The town is empty ; on the brow o' the sea
+Stand ranks of people , and they cry , 'A sail !'
+
+My hopes do shape him for the governor .
+
+
+They do discharge their shot of courtesy ;
+Our friends at least .
+
+I pray you , sir , go forth ,
+And give us truth who 'tis that is arriv'd .
+
+I shall .
+
+
+But , good lieutenant , is your general wiv'd ?
+
+Most fortunately : he hath achiev'd a maid
+That paragons description and wild fame ;
+One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens ,
+And in th' essential vesture of creation
+Does tire the ingener .
+
+How now ! who has put in ?
+
+'Tis one Iago , ancient to the general .
+
+He has had most favourable and happy speed :
+Tempests themselves , high seas , and howling winds ,
+The gutter'd rocks , and congregated sands ,
+Traitors ensteep'd to clog the guiltless keel ,
+As having sense of beauty , do omit
+Their mortal natures , letting go safely by
+The divine Desdemona .
+
+What is she ?
+
+She that I spake of , our great captain's captain ,
+Left in the conduct of the bold Iago ,
+Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
+A se'nnight's speed . Great Jove , Othello guard ,
+And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath ,
+That he may bless this bay with his tall ship ,
+Make love's quick pants in Desdemona's arms ,
+Give renew'd fire to our extinc'ed spirits ,
+And bring all Cyprus comfort !
+
+
+O ! behold ,
+The riches of the ship is come on shore .
+Ye men of Cyprus , let her have your knees .
+Hail to thee , lady ! and the grace of heaven ,
+Before , behind thee , and on every hand ,
+
+Enwheel thee round !
+
+I thank you , valiant Cassio .
+What tidings can you tell me of my lord ?
+
+He is not yet arriv'd ; nor know I aught
+But that he's well , and will be shortly here .
+
+O ! but I fear How lost you company ?
+
+The great contention of the sea and skies
+Parted our fellowship . But hark ! a sail .
+
+
+They give their greeting to the citadel :
+This likewise is a friend .
+
+See for the news !
+
+Good ancient , you are welcome :
+
+welcome , mistress .
+Let it not gall your patience , good Iago ,
+That I extend my manners ; 'tis my breeding
+That gives me this bold show of courtesy .
+
+
+Sir , would she give you so much of her lips
+As of her tongue she oft bestows on me ,
+You'd have enough .
+
+Alas ! she has no speech .
+
+In faith , too much ;
+I find it still when I have list to sleep :
+Marry , before your ladyship , I grant ,
+She puts her tongue a little in her heart ,
+And chides with thinking .
+
+You have little cause to say so .
+
+Come on , come on ; you are pictures out of doors ,
+Bells in your parlours , wild cats in your kitchens ,
+Saints in your injuries , devils being offended ,
+Players in your housewifery , and housewives in your beds .
+
+O ! fie upon thee , slanderer .
+
+Nay , it is true , or else I am a Turk :
+You rise to play and go to bed to work .
+
+You shall not write my praise .
+
+No , let me not .
+
+What wouldst thou write of me , if thou shouldst praise me ?
+
+O gentle lady , do not put me to 't ,
+For I am nothing if not critical .
+
+Come on ; assay . There's one gone to the harbour ?
+
+Ay , madam .
+
+I am not merry , but I do beguile
+The thing I am by seeming otherwise .
+Come , how wouldst thou praise me ?
+
+I am about it ; but indeed my invention
+Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frize ;
+It plucks out brains and all : but my muse labours ,
+And thus she is deliver'd .
+If she be fair and wise , fairness and wit ,
+The one's for use , the other useth it .
+
+Well prais'd ! How if she be black and witty ?
+
+If she be black , and thereto have a wit ,
+She'll find a white that shall her blackness fit .
+
+Worse and worse .
+
+How if fair and foolish ?
+
+She never yet was foolish that was fair ,
+For even her folly help'd her to an heir .
+
+These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i' the alehouse . What miserable praise hast thou for her that's foul and foolish ?
+
+There's none so foul and foolish thereunto
+But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do .
+
+O heavy ignorance ! thou praisest the worst best . But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed , one that , in the authority of her merit , did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself ?
+
+She that was ever fair and never proud ,
+Had tongue at will and yet was never loud ,
+Never lack'd gold and yet went never gay ,
+Fled from her wish and yet said 'Now I may ,'
+She that being anger'd , her revenge being nigh ,
+Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly ,
+She that in wisdom never was so frail
+To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail ,
+She that could think and ne'er disclose her mind ,
+See suitors following and not look behind ,
+She was a wight , if ever such wight were ,
+
+To do what ?
+
+To suckle fools and chronicle small beer .
+
+O most lame and impotent conclusion ! Do not learn of him , Emilia , though he be thy husband . How say you , Cassio ? is he not a most profane and liberal counsellor ?
+
+He speaks home , madam ; you may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar .
+
+He takes her by the palm ; ay , well said , whisper ; with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio . Ay , smile upon her , do ; I will gyve thee in thine own courtship . You say true , 'tis so , indeed . If such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry , it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft , which now again you are most apt to play the sir in . Very good ; well kissed ! an excellent courtesy ! 'tis so , indeed . Yet again your fingers to your lips ? would they were clyster-pipes for your sake ! [A trumpet heard .] The Moor ! I know his trumpet .
+
+'Tis truly so .
+
+Let's meet him and receive him .
+
+Lo ! where he comes .
+
+
+O my fair warrior !
+
+My dear Othello !
+
+It gives me wonder great as my content
+To see you here before me . O my soul's joy !
+If after every tempest come such calms ,
+May the winds blow till they have waken'd death !
+And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas
+Olympus-high , and duck again as low
+As hell's from heaven ! If it were now to die ,
+'Twere now to be most happy , for I fear
+My soul hath her content so absolute
+That not another comfort like to this
+Succeeds in unknown fate .
+
+The heavens forbid
+But that our loves and comforts should increase
+Even as our days do grow !
+
+Amen to that , sweet powers !
+I cannot speak enough of this content ;
+It stops me here ; it is too much of joy :
+And this , and this , the greatest discords be ,
+
+That e'er our hearts shall make !
+
+O ! you are well tun'd now ,
+But I'll set down the pegs that make this music ,
+As honest as I am .
+
+Come , let us to the castle .
+News , friends ; our wars are done , the Turks are drown'd .
+How does my old acquaintance of this isle ?
+Honey , you shall be well desir'd in Cyprus ;
+I have found great love amongst them . O my sweet ,
+I prattle out of fashion , and I dote
+In mine own comforts . I prithee , good Iago ,
+Go to the bay and disembark my coffers .
+Bring thou the master to the citadel ;
+He is a good one , and his worthiness
+Does challenge much respect . Come , Desdemona ,
+Once more well met at Cyprus .
+
+
+Do thou meet me presently at the harbour . Come hither . If thou be'st valiant , as they say base men being in love have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to them , list me . The lieutenant to-night watches on the court of guard : first , I must tell thee this , Desdemona is directly in love with him .
+
+With him ! why , 'tis not possible .
+
+Lay thy finger thus , and let thy soul be instructed . Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies ; and will she love him still for prating ? let not thy discreet heart think it . Her eye must be fed ; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil ? When the blood is made dull with the act of sport , there should be , again to inflame it , and to give satiety a fresh appetite , loveliness in favour , sympathy in years , manners , and beauties ; all which the Moor is defective in . Now , for want of these required conveniences , her delicate tenderness will find itself abused , begin to heave the gorge , disrelish and abhor the Moor ; very nature will instruct her in it , and compel her to some second choice . Now , sir , this granted , as it is a most pregnant and unforced position , who stands so eminently in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does ? a knave very voluble , no further conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane seeming , for the better compassing of his salt and most hidden loose affection ? why , none ; why , none : a slipper and subtle knave , a finder-out of occasions , that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages , though true advantage never present itself ; a devilish knave ! Besides , the knave is handsome , young , and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after ; a pestilent complete knave ! and the woman hath found him already .
+
+I cannot believe that in her ; she is full of most blessed condition .
+
+Blessed fig's end ! the wine she drinks is made of grapes ; if she had been blessed she would never have loved the Moor ; blessed pudding ! Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand ? didst not mark that ?
+
+Yes , that I did ; but that was but courtesy .
+
+Lechery , by this hand ! an index and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts . They met so near with their lips , that their breaths embraced together . Villanous thoughts , Roderigo ! when these mutualities so marshal the way , hard at hand comes the master and main exercise , the incorporate conclusion . Pish ! But , sir , be you ruled by me : I have brought you from Venice . Watch you to-night ; for the command , I'll lay 't upon you : Cassio knows you not . I'll not be far from you : do you find some occasion to anger Cassio , either by speaking too loud , or tainting his discipline ; or from what other course you please , which the time shall more favourably minister .
+
+Well .
+
+Sir , he is rash and very sudden in choler , and haply may strike at you : provoke him , that he may ; for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny , whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio . So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer them ; and the impediment most profitably removed , without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity .
+
+I will do this , if I can bring it to any opportunity .
+
+I warrant thee . Meet me by and by at the citadel : I must fetch his necessaries ashore .
+Farewell .
+
+Adieu .
+
+
+That Cassio loves her , I do well believe it ;
+That she loves him , 'tis apt , and of great credit :
+The Moor , howbeit that I endure him not ,
+Is of a constant , loving , noble nature ;
+And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona
+A most dear husband . Now , I do love her too ;
+Not out of absolute lust ,though peradventure
+I stand accountant for as great a sin ,
+But partly led to diet my revenge ,
+For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
+Hath leap'd into my seat ; the thought whereof
+Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards ;
+And nothing can or shall content my soul
+Till I am even'd with him , wife for wife ;
+Or failing so , yet that I put the Moor
+At least into a jealousy so strong
+That judgment cannot cure . Which thing to do ,
+If this poor trash of Venice , whom I trash
+For his quick hunting , stand the putting on ,
+I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip ;
+Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb ,
+For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too ,
+Make the Moor thank me , love me , and reward me
+For making him egregiously an ass
+And practising upon his peace and quiet
+Even to madness . 'Tis here , but yet confus'd :
+Knavery's plain face is never seen till us'd .
+
+
+It is Othello's pleasure , our noble and valiant general , that , upon certain tidings now arrived , importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet , every man put himself into triumph ; some to dance , some to make bonfires , each man to what sport and revels his addiction leads him ; for , besides these beneficial news , it is the celebration of his nuptial . So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed . All offices are open , and there is full liberty of feasting from this present hour of five till the bell have told eleven . Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello !
+
+
+Good Michael , look you to the guard to-night :
+Let's teach ourselves that honourable stop ,
+Not to outsport discretion .
+
+Iago hath direction what to do ;
+But , notwithstanding , with my personal eye
+Will I look to 't .
+
+Iago is most honest .
+Michael , good night ; to-morrow with your earliest
+Let me have speech with you .
+
+Come , my dear love ,
+The purchase made , the fruits are to ensue ;
+That profit's yet to come 'twixt me and you .
+Good night .
+
+Welcome , Iago ; we must to the watch .
+
+Not this hour , lieutenant ; 'tis not yet ten o' the clock . Our general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona , who let us not therefore blame ; he hath not yet made wanton the night with her , and she is sport for Jove .
+
+She's a most exquisite lady .
+
+And , I'll warrant her , full of game .
+
+Indeed , she is a most fresh and delicate creature .
+
+What an eye she has ! methinks it sounds a parley of provocation .
+
+An inviting eye ; and yet methinks right modest .
+
+And when she speaks , is it not an alarum to love ?
+
+She is indeed perfection .
+
+Well , happiness to their sheets ! Come , lieutenant , I have a stoup of wine , and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello .
+
+Not to-night , good Iago : I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking : I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment .
+
+O ! they are our friends ; but one cup : I'll drink for you .
+
+I have drunk but one cup to-night , and that was craftily qualified too , and , behold , what innovation it makes here : I am unfortunate in the infirmity , and dare not task my weakness with any more .
+
+What , man ! 'tis a night of revels ; the gallants desire it .
+
+Where are they ?
+
+Here at the door ; I pray you , call them in .
+
+I'll do 't ; but it dislikes me .
+
+
+If I can fasten but one cup upon him ,
+With that which he hath drunk to-night already ,
+He'll be as full of quarrel and offence
+As my young mistress' dog . Now , my sick fool Roderigo ,
+Whom love has turn'd almost the wrong side out ,
+To Desdemona hath to-night carous'd
+Potations pottle deep ; and he's to watch .
+Three lads of Cyprus , noble swelling spirits ,
+That hold their honours in a wary distance ,
+The very elements of this war-like isle ,
+Have I to-night fluster'd with flowing cups ,
+And they watch too . Now , 'mongst this flock of drunkards ,
+Am I to put our Cassio in some action
+That may offend the isle . But here they come .
+If consequence do but approve my dream ,
+My boat sails freely , both with wind and stream .
+
+
+'Fore God , they have given me a rouse already .
+
+Good faith , a little one ; not past a pint , as I am a soldier .
+
+Some wine , ho !
+
+And let me the canakin clink , clink ;
+And let me the canakin clink :
+A soldier's a man ;
+A life's but a span ;
+Why then let a soldier drink .
+
+Some wine , boys !
+
+'Fore God , an excellent song .
+
+I learned it in England , where indeed they are most potent in potting ; your Dane , your German , and your swag-bellied Hollander , drink , ho !are nothing to your English .
+
+Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking ?
+
+Why , he drinks you with facility your Dane dead drunk ; he sweats not to overthrow your Almain ; he gives your Hollander a vomit ere the next pottle can be filled .
+
+To the health of our general !
+
+I am for it , lieutenant ; and I'll do you justice .
+
+O sweet England !
+
+King Stephen was a worthy peer ,
+His breeches cost him but a crown ;
+He held them sixpence all too dear ,
+With that he call'd the tailor lown .
+He was a wight of high renown ,
+And thou art but of low degree :
+'Tis pride that pulls the country down ,
+Then take thine auld cloak about thee .
+
+Some wine , ho !
+
+Why , this is a more exquisite song than the other .
+
+Will you hear 't again ?
+
+No ; for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that does those things . Well , God's above all ; and there be souls must be saved , and there be souls must not be saved .
+
+It's true , good lieutenant .
+
+For mine own part ,no offence to the general , nor any man of quality ,I hope to be saved .
+
+And so do I too , lieutenant .
+
+Ay ; but , by your leave , not before me ; the lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient . Let's have no more of this ; let's to our affairs . God forgive us our sins ! Gentlemen , let's look to our business . Do not think , gentlemen , I am drunk : this is my ancient ; this is my right hand , and this is my left hand . I am not drunk now ; I can stand well enough , and speak well enough .
+
+Excellent well .
+
+Why , very well , then ; you must not think then that I am drunk .
+
+
+To the platform , masters ; come , let's set the watch .
+
+You see this fellow that is gone before ;
+He is a soldier fit to stand by C sar
+And give direction ; and do but see his vice ;
+'Tis to his virtue a just equinox ,
+The one as long as the other ; 'tis pity of him .
+I fear the trust Othello puts him in ,
+On some odd time of his infirmity ,
+Will shake this island .
+
+But is he often thus ?
+
+'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep :
+He'll watch the horologe a double set ,
+If drink rock not his cradle .
+
+It were well
+The general were put in mind of it .
+Perhaps he sees it not ; or his good nature
+Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio ,
+And looks not on his evils . Is not this true ?
+
+
+How now , Roderigo !
+I pray you , after the lieutenant ; go .
+
+
+And 'tis great pity that the noble Moor
+Should hazard such a place as his own second
+With one of an ingraft infirmity ;
+It were an honest action to say
+So to the Moor .
+
+Not I , for this fair island :
+I do love Cassio well , and would do much
+To cure him of this evil . But hark ! what noise ?
+
+You rogue ! you rascal !
+
+What's the matter , lieutenant ?
+
+A knave teach me my duty !
+I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle .
+
+Beat me !
+
+Dost thou prate , rogue ?
+
+
+Nay , good lieutenant ;
+I pray you , sir , hold your hand .
+
+Let me go , sir ,
+Or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard .
+
+Come , come ; you're drunk .
+
+Drunk !
+
+
+Away , I say ! go out , and cry a mutiny .
+
+Nay , good lieutenant ! God's will , gentlemen !
+Help , ho ! Lieutenant ! sir ! Montano ! sir !
+Help , masters ! Here's a goodly watch indeed !
+
+Who's that that rings the bell ? Diablo , ho !
+The town will rise : God's will ! lieutenant , hold !
+You will be sham'd for ever .
+
+
+What is the matter here ?
+
+'Zounds ! I bleed still ; I am hurt to the death .
+
+Hold , for your lives !
+
+Hold , ho , lieutenant ! Sir ! Montano ! gentlemen !
+Have you forgot all sense of place and duty ?
+Hold ! the general speaks to you ; hold for shame !
+
+Why , how now , ho ! from whence ariseth this ?
+Are we turn'd Turks , and to ourselves do that
+Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites ?
+For Christian shame put by this barbarous brawl ;
+He that stirs next to carve for his own rage
+Holds his soul light ; he dies upon his motion .
+Silence that dreadful bell ! it frights the isle
+From her propriety . What is the matter , masters ?
+Honest Iago , that look'st dead with grieving ,
+Speak , who began this ? on thy love , I charge thee .
+
+I do not know ; friends all but now , even now ,
+In quarter and in terms like bride and groom
+Devesting them for bed ; and then , but now ,
+As if some planet had unwitted men ,
+Swords out , and tilting one at other's breast ,
+In opposition bloody . I cannot speak
+Any beginning to this peevish odds ,
+And would in action glorious I had lost
+Those legs that brought me to a part of it !
+
+How comes it , Michael , you are thus forgot ?
+
+I pray you , pardon me ; I cannot speak .
+
+Worthy Montano , you were wont be civil ;
+The gravity and stillness of your youth
+The world hath noted , and your name is great
+In mouths of wisest censure : what's the matter ,
+That you unlace your reputation thus
+And spend your rich opinion for the name
+Of a night-brawler ? give me answer to it .
+
+Worthy Othello , I am hurt to danger ;
+Your officer , Iago , can inform you ,
+While I spare speech , which something now offends me ,
+Of all that I do know ; nor know I aught
+By me that's said or done amiss this night ,
+Unless self-charity be sometimes a vice ,
+And to defend ourselves it be a sin
+When violence assails us .
+
+Now , by heaven ,
+My blood begins my safer guides to rule ,
+And passion , having my best judgment collied ,
+Assays to lead the way . If I once stir ,
+Or do but lift this arm , the best of you
+Shall sink in my rebuke . Give me to know
+How this foul rout began , who set it on ;
+And he that is approv'd in this offence ,
+Though he had twinn'd with me both at a birth
+Shall lose me . What ! in a town of war ,
+Yet wild , the people's hearts brimful of fear ,
+To manage private and domestic quarrel ,
+In night , and on the court and guard of safety !
+'Tis monstrous . Iago , who began 't ?
+
+If partially affin'd , or leagu'd in office ,
+Thou dost deliver more or less than truth ,
+Thou art no soldier .
+
+Touch me not so near ;
+I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
+Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio ;
+Yet , I persuade myself , to speak the truth
+Shall nothing wrong him . Thus it is , general .
+Montano and myself being in speech ,
+There comes a fellow crying out for he'p ,
+And Cassio following with determin'd sword
+To execute upon him . Sir , this gentleman
+Steps in to Cassio , and entreats his pause ;
+Myself the crying fellow did pursue ,
+Lest by his clamour , as it so fell out ,
+The town might fall in fright ; he , swift of foot ,
+Outran my purpose , and I return'd the rather
+For that I heard the clink and fall of swords ,
+And Cassio high in oath , which till to-night
+I ne'er might say before . When I came back ,
+For this was brief ,I found them close together ,
+At blow and thrust , even as again they were
+When you yourself did part them .
+More of this matter can I not report :
+But men are men ; the best sometimes forget :
+Though Cassio did some little wrong to him ,
+As men in rage strike those that wish them best ,
+Yet , surely Cassio , I believe , receiv'd
+From him that fled some strange indignity ,
+Which patience could not pass .
+
+I know , Iago ,
+Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter ,
+Making it light to Cassio . Cassio , I love thee ;
+But never more be officer of mine .
+
+
+Look ! if my gentle love be not rais'd up ;
+
+I'll make thee an example .
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+All's well now , sweeting ; come away to bed .
+Sir , for your hurts , myself will be your surgeon .
+Lead him off .
+
+Iago , look with care about the town ,
+And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted .
+Come , Desdemona ; 'tis the soldiers' life ,
+To have their balmy slumbers wak'd with strife .
+
+
+What ! are you hurt , lieutenant ?
+
+Ay ; past all surgery .
+
+Marry , heaven forbid !
+
+Reputation , reputation , reputation ! O ! I have lost my reputation . I have lost the immortal part of myself , and what remains is bestial . My reputation , Iago , my reputation !
+
+As I am an honest man , I thought you had received some bodily wound ; there is more offence in that than in reputation . Reputation is an idle and most false imposition ; oft got without merit , and lost without deserving : you have lost no reputation at all , unless you repute yourself such a loser . What ! man ; there are ways to recover the general again ; you are but now cast in his mood , a punishment more in policy than in malice ; even so as one would beat his offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion . Sue to him again , and he is yours .
+
+I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight , so drunken , and so indiscreet an officer . Drunk ! and speak parrot ! and squabble , swagger , swear , and discourse fustian with one's own shadow ! O thou invisible spirit of wine ! if thou hast no name to be known by , let us call thee devil !
+
+What was he that you followed with your sword ? What had he done to you ?
+
+I know not .
+
+Is 't possible ?
+
+I remember a mass of things , but nothing distinctly ; a quarrel , but nothing wherefore . O God ! that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains ; that we should , with joy , pleasance , revel , and applause , transform ourselves into beasts .
+
+Why , but you are now well enough ; how came you thus recovered ?
+
+It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place to the devil wrath ; one unperfectness shows me another , to make me frankly despise myself .
+
+Come , you are too severe a moraler . As the time , the place , and the condition of this country stands , I could heartily wish this had not befallen , but since it is as it is , mend it for your own good .
+
+I will ask him for my place again ; he shall tell me I am a drunkard ! Had I as many mouths as Hydra , such an answer would stop them all . To be now a sensible man , by and by a fool , and presently a beast ! O strange ! Every inordinate cup is unblessed and the ingredient is a devil .
+
+Come , come ; good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used ; exclaim no more against it . And , good lieutenant , I think you think I love you .
+
+I have well approved it , sir . I drunk !
+
+You or any man living may be drunk at some time , man . I'll tell you what you shall do . Our general's wife is now the general : I may say so in this respect , for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation , mark , and denotement of her parts and graces : confess yourself freely to her ; importune her ; she'll help to put you in your place again . She is of so free , so kind , so apt , so blessed a disposition , that she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested . This broken joint between you and her husband entreat her to splinter ; and my fortunes against any lay worth naming , this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before .
+
+You advise me well .
+
+I protest , in the sincerity of love and honest kindness .
+
+I think it freely ; and betimes in the morning I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me . I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me here .
+
+You are in the right . Good night , lieutenant ; I must to the watch .
+
+Good night , honest Iago !
+
+
+And what's he then that says I play the villain ?
+When this advice is free I give and honest ,
+Probal to thinking and indeed the course
+To win the Moor again ? For 'tis most easy
+The inclining Desdemona to subdue
+In any honest suit ; she's fram'd as fruitful
+As the free elements . And then for her
+To win the Moor , were 't to renounce his baptism ,
+All seals and symbols of redeemed sin ,
+His soul is so enfetter'd to her love ,
+That she may make , unmake , do what she list ,
+Even as her appetite shall play the god
+With his weak function . How am I then a villain
+To counsel Cassio to this parallel course ,
+Directly to his good ? Divinity of hell !
+When devils will the blackest sins put on ,
+They do suggest at first with heavenly shows ,
+As I do now ; for while this honest fool
+Plies Desdemona to repair his fortunes ,
+And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor ,
+I'll pour this pestilence into his ear
+That she repeals him for her body's lust ;
+And , by how much she strives to do him good ,
+She shall undo her credit with the Moor .
+So will I turn her virtue into pitch ,
+And out of her own goodness make the net
+That shall enmesh them all .
+
+How now , Roderigo !
+
+I do follow here in the chase , not like a hound that hunts , but one that fills up the cry . My money is almost spent ; I have been to-night exceedingly well cudgelled ; and I think the issue will be , I shall have so much experience for my pains ; and so , with no money at all and a little more wit , return again to Venice .
+
+How poor are they that have not patience !
+What wound did ever heal but by degrees ?
+Thou know'st we work by wit and not by witchcraft ,
+And wit depends on dilatory time .
+Does 't not go well ? Cassio hath beaten thee ,
+And thou by that small hurt hast cashiered Cassio .
+Though other things grow fair against the sun ,
+Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe :
+Content thyself awhile . By the mass , 'tis morning ;
+Pleasure and action make the hours seem short .
+Retire thee ; go where thou art billeted :
+Away , I say ; thou shalt know more hereafter :
+Nay , get thee gone .
+
+Two things are to be done ,
+My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress ;
+I'll set her on ;
+Myself the while to draw the Moor apart ,
+And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
+Soliciting his wife : ay , that's the way :
+Dull not device by coldness and delay .
+
+Masters , play here , I will content your pains ;
+Something that's brief ; and bid 'Good morrow , general .'
+
+Why , masters , have your instruments been in Naples , that they speak i' the nose thus ?
+
+How , sir , how ?
+
+Are these , I pray you , wind-instruments ?
+
+Ay , marry , are they , sir .
+
+O ! thereby hangs a tail .
+
+Whereby hangs a tale , sir ?
+
+Marry , sir , by many a wind-instrument that I know . But , masters , here's money for you ; and the general so likes your music , that he desires you , for love's sake , to make no more noise with it .
+
+Well , sir , we will not .
+
+If you have any music that may not be heard , to 't again ; but , as they say , to hear music the general does not greatly care .
+
+We have none such , sir .
+
+Then put up your pipes in your bag , for
+I'll away . Go ; vanish into air ; away !
+
+
+Dost thou hear , mine honest friend ?
+
+No , I hear not your honest friend ; I hear you .
+
+Prithee , keep up thy quillets . There's a poor piece of gold for thee . If the gentlewoman that attends the general's wife be stirring , tell her there's one Cassio entreats her a little favour of speech : wilt thou do this ?
+
+She is stirring , sir : if she will stir hither ,
+I shall seem to notify unto her .
+
+Do , good my friend .
+
+
+In happy time , Iago .
+
+You have not been a-bed , then ?
+
+Why , no ; the day had broke
+Before we parted . I have made bold , Iago ,
+To send in to your wife ; my suit to her
+Is , that she will to virtuous Desdemona
+Procure me some access .
+
+I'll send her to you presently ;
+And I'll devise a mean to draw the Moor
+Out of the way , that your converse and business
+May be more free .
+
+I humbly thank you for 't .
+
+I never knew
+A Florentine more kind and honest .
+
+
+Good morrow , good lieutenant : I am sorry
+For your displeasure ; but all will soon be well .
+The general and his wife are talking of it ,
+And she speaks for you stoutly : the Moor replies
+That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus
+And great affinity , and that in wholesome wisdom
+He might not but refuse you ; but he protests he loves you ,
+And needs no other suitor but his likings
+To take the saf'st occasion by the front
+To bring you in again .
+
+Yet , I beseech you ,
+If you think fit , or that it may be done ,
+Give me advantage of some brief discourse
+With Desdemona alone .
+
+Pray you , come in :
+I will bestow you where you shall have time
+To speak your bosom freely .
+
+I am much bound to you .
+
+
+These letters give , Iago , to the pilot ,
+And by him do my duties to the senate ;
+That done , I will be walking on the works ;
+Repair there to me .
+
+Well , my good lord , I'll do t .
+
+This fortification , gentlemen , shall we see 't ?
+
+We'll wait upon your lordship .
+
+
+Be thou assur'd , good Cassio , I will do
+All my abilities in thy behalf .
+
+Good madam , do : I warrant it grieves my husband ,
+As if the case were his .
+
+O ! that's an honest fellow . Do not doubt , Cassio ,
+But I will have my lord and you again
+As friendly as you were .
+
+Bounteous madam ,
+Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio ,
+He's never anything but your true servant .
+
+I know 't ; I thank you . You do love my lord ;
+You have known him long ; and be you well assur'd
+He shall in strangeness stand no further off
+Than in a politic distance .
+
+Ay , but , lady ,
+That policy may either last so long ,
+Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet ,
+Or breed itself so out of circumstance ,
+That , I being absent and my place supplied ,
+My general will forget my love and service .
+
+Do not doubt that ; before Emilia here
+I give thee warrant of thy place . Assure thee ,
+If I do vow a friendship , I'll perform it
+To the last article ; my lord shall never rest ;
+I'll watch him tame , and talk him out of patience ;
+His bed shall seem a school , his board a shrift ;
+I'll intermingle every thing he does
+With Cassio's suit . Therefore be merry , Cassio ;
+For thy solicitor shall rather die
+Than give thy cause away .
+
+
+Madam , here comes my lord .
+
+Madam , I'll take my leave .
+
+Why , stay , and hear me speak .
+
+Madam , not now ; I am very ill at ease ,
+Unfit for mine own purposes .
+
+Well , do your discretion .
+
+
+Ha ! I like not that .
+
+What dost thou say ?
+
+Nothing , my lord : or if I know not what .
+
+Was not that Cassio parted from my wife ?
+
+Cassio , my lord ? No , sure , I cannot think it
+That he would steal away so guilty-like ,
+Seeing you coming .
+
+I do believe 'twas he .
+
+How now , my lord !
+I have been talking with a suitor here ,
+A man that languishes in your displeasure .
+
+Who is 't you mean ?
+
+Why , your lieutenant , Cassio . Good my lord ,
+If I have any grace or power to move you ,
+His present reconciliation take ;
+For if he be not one that truly loves you ,
+That errs in ignorance and not in cunning ,
+I have no judgment in an honest face .
+I prithee call him back .
+
+Went he hence now ?
+
+Ay , sooth ; so humbled ,
+That he hath left part of his grief with me ,
+To suffer with him . Good love , call him back .
+
+Not now , sweet Desdemona ; some other time .
+
+But shall 't be shortly ?
+
+The sooner , sweet , for you .
+
+Shall 't be to-night at supper ?
+
+No , not to-night .
+
+To-morrow dinner then ?
+
+I shall not dine at home ;
+I meet the captains at the citadel .
+
+Why then , to-morrow night ; or Tuesday morn ;
+On Tuesday noon , or night ; on Wednesday morn :
+I prithee name the time , but let it not
+Exceed three days : in faith , he's penitent ;
+And yet his trespass , in our common reason ,
+Save that they say , the wars must make examples
+Out of their best ,is not almost a fault
+To incur a private check . When shall he come ?
+Tell me , Othello : I wonder in my soul ,
+What you could ask me that I should deny ,
+Or stand so mammering on . What ! Michael Cassio ,
+That came a wooing with you , and so many a time ,
+When I have spoke of you dispraisingly ,
+Hath ta'en your part ; to have so much to do
+To bring him in ! Trust me , I could do much .
+
+Prithee , no more ; let him come when he will ;
+I will deny thee nothing .
+
+Why , this is not a boon ;
+'Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves ,
+Or feed on nourishing dishes , or keep you warm ,
+Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit
+To your own person ; nay , when I have a suit
+Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed ,
+It shall be full of poise and difficult weight ,
+And fearful to be granted .
+
+I will deny thee nothing :
+Whereon , I do beseech thee , grant me this ,
+To leave me but a little to myself .
+
+Shall I deny you ? no : farewell , my lord .
+
+Farewell , my Desdemona : I'll come to thee straight .
+
+Emilia , come . Be as your fancies teach you ;
+Whate'er you be , I am obedient .
+
+
+Excellent wretch ! Perdition catch my soul
+But I do love thee ! and when I love thee not ,
+Chaos is come again .
+
+My noble lord ,
+
+What dost thou say , Iago ?
+
+Did Michael Cassio , when you woo'd my lady ,
+Know of your love ?
+
+He did , from first to last : why dost thou ask ?
+
+But for a satisfaction of my thought ;
+No further harm .
+
+Why of thy thought , Iago ?
+
+I did not think he had been acquainted with her .
+
+O ! yes ; and went between us very oft .
+
+Indeed !
+
+Indeed ! ay , indeed ; discern'st thou aught in that ?
+Is he not honest ?
+
+Honest , my lord ?
+
+Honest ! ay , honest .
+
+My lord , for aught I know .
+
+What dost thou think ?
+
+Think , my lord !
+
+Think , my lord !
+By heaven , he echoes me ,
+As if there were some monster in his thought
+Too hideous to be shown . Thou dost mean something :
+I heard thee say but now , thou lik'dst not that ,
+When Cassio left my wife ; what didst not like ?
+And when I told thee he was of my counsel
+In my whole course of wooing , thou criedst , 'Indeed !'
+And didst contract and purse thy brow together ,
+As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
+Some horrible conceit . If thou dost love me ,
+Show me thy thought .
+
+My lord , you know I love you .
+
+I think thou dost ;
+And , for I know thou art full of love and honesty ,
+And weigh'st thy words before thou giv'st them breath ,
+Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more ;
+For such things in a false disloyal knave
+Are tricks of custom , but in a man that's just
+They are close delations , working from the heart
+That passion cannot rule .
+
+For Michael Cassio ,
+I dare be sworn I think that he is honest .
+
+I think so too .
+
+Men should be what they seem ;
+Or those that be not , would they might seem none !
+
+Certain , men should be what they seem .
+
+Why then , I think Cassio 's an honest man .
+
+Nay , yet there's more in this .
+I pray thee , speak to me as to thy thinkings ,
+As thou dost ruminate , and give thy worst of thoughts
+The worst of words .
+
+Good my lord , pardon me ;
+Though I am bound to every act of duty ,
+I am not bound to that all slaves are free to .
+Utter my thoughts ? Why , say they are vile and false ;
+As where's that palace whereinto foul things
+Sometimes intrude not ? who has a breast so pure
+But some uncleanly apprehensions
+Keep leets and law days , and in session sit
+With meditations lawful ?
+
+Thou dost conspire against thy friend , Iago ,
+If thou but think'st him wrong'd , and mak'st his ear
+A stranger to thy thoughts .
+
+I do beseech you ,
+Though I perchance am vicious in my guess ,
+As , I confess , it is my nature's plague
+To spy into abuses , and oft my jealousy
+Shapes faults that are not ,that your wisdom yet ,
+From one that so imperfectly conceits ,
+Would take no notice , nor build yourself a trouble
+Out of his scattering and unsure observance .
+It were not for your quiet nor your good ,
+Nor for my manhood , honesty , or wisdom ,
+To let you know my thoughts .
+
+What dost thou mean ?
+
+Good name in man and woman , dear my lord ,
+Is the immediate jewel of their souls :
+Who steals my purse steals trash ; 'tis something , nothing ;
+'Twas mine , 'tis his , and has been slave to thousands ;
+But he that filches from me my good name
+Robs me of that which not enriches him ,
+And makes me poor indeed .
+
+By heaven , I'll know thy thoughts .
+
+You cannot , if my heart were in your hand ;
+Nor shall not , whilst 'tis in my custody .
+
+Ha !
+
+O ! beware , my lord , of jealousy ;
+It is the green-ey'd monster which doth mock
+The meat it feeds on ; that cuckold lives in bliss
+Who , certain of his fate , loves not his wronger ;
+But , O ! what damned minutes tells he o'er
+Who dotes , yet doubts ; suspects , yet soundly loves !
+
+O misery !
+
+Poor and content is rich , and rich enough ,
+But riches fineless is as poor as winter
+To him that ever fears he shall be poor .
+Good heaven , the souls of all my tribe defend
+From jealousy !
+
+Why , why is this ?
+Think'st thou I'd make a life of jealousy ,
+To follow still the changes of the moon
+With fresh suspicions ? No ; to be once in doubt
+Is once to be resolved . Exchange me for a goat
+When I shall turn the business of my soul
+To such exsufflicate and blown surmises ,
+Matching thy inference . 'Tis not to make me jealous
+To say my wife is fair , feeds well , loves company ,
+Is free of speech , sings , plays , and dances well ;
+Where virtue is , these are more virtuous :
+Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
+The smallest fear , or doubt of her revolt ;
+For she had eyes , and chose me . No , Iago ;
+I'll see before I doubt ; when I doubt , prove ;
+And , on the proof , there is no more but this ,
+Away at once with love or jealousy !
+
+I am glad of it ; for now I shall have reason
+To show the love and duty that I bear you
+With franker spirit ; therefore , as I am bound ,
+Receive it from me ; I speak not yet of proof .
+Look to your wife ; observe her well with Cassio ;
+Wear your eye thus , not jealous nor secure :
+I would not have your free and noble nature
+Out of self-bounty be abus'd ; look to 't :
+I know our country disposition well ;
+In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks
+They dare not show their husbands ; their best conscience
+Is not to leave 't undone , but keep 't unknown .
+
+Dost thou say so ?
+
+She did deceive her father , marrying you :
+And when she seem'd to shake and fear your looks ,
+She lov'd them most .
+
+And so she did .
+
+Why , go to , then ;
+She that so young could give out such a seeming ,
+To seel her father's eyes up close as oak ,
+He thought 'twas witchcraft ; but I am much to blame ;
+I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
+For too much loving you .
+
+I am bound to thee for ever .
+
+I see , this hath a little dash'd your spirits .
+
+Not a jot , not a jot .
+
+I' faith , I fear it has .
+I hope you will consider what is spoke
+Comes from my love . But , I do see you're mov'd ;
+I am to pray you not to strain my speech
+To grosser issues nor to larger reach
+Than to suspicion .
+
+I will not .
+
+Should you do so , my lord ,
+My speech should fall into such vile success
+As my thoughts aim not at . Cassio's my worthy friend
+My lord , I see you're mov'd .
+
+No , not much mov'd :
+I do not think but Desdemona's honest .
+
+Long live she so ! and long live you to think so !
+
+And , yet , how nature erring from itself ,
+
+Ay , there's the point : as , to be bold with you ,
+Not to affect many proposed matches
+Of her own clime , complexion , and degree ,
+Whereto , we see , in all things nature tends ;
+Foh ! one may smell in such , a will most rank ,
+Foul disproportion , thoughts unnatural .
+But pardon me ; I do not in position
+Distinctly speak of her , though I may fear
+Her will , recoiling to her better judgment ,
+May fail to match you with her country forms
+And happily repent .
+
+Farewell , farewell :
+If more thou dost perceive , let me know more ;
+Set on thy wife to observe . Leave me , Iago .
+
+My lord , I take my leave .
+
+
+Why did I marry ? This honest creature , doubtless ,
+Sees and knows more , much more , than he unfolds .
+
+My lord , I would I might entreat your honour
+To scan this thing no further ; leave it to time .
+Although 'tis fit that Cassio have his place ,
+For , sure he fills it up with great ability ,
+Yet , if you please to hold him off awhile ,
+You shall by that perceive him and his means :
+Note if your lady strain his entertainment
+With any strong or vehement importunity ;
+Much will be seen in that . In the mean time ,
+Let me be thought too busy in my fears ,
+As worthy cause I have to fear I am ,
+And hold her free , I do beseech your honour .
+
+Fear not my government .
+
+I once more take my leave .
+
+
+This fellow's of exceeding honesty ,
+And knows all qualities , with a learned spirit ,
+Of human dealings ; if I do prove her haggard ,
+Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings ,
+I'd whistle her off and let her down the wind ,
+To prey at fortune . Haply , for I am black ,
+And have not those soft parts of conversation
+That chamberers have , or , for I am declin'd
+Into the vale of years yet that's not much
+She's gone , I am abus'd ; and my relief
+Must be to loathe her . O curse of marriage !
+That we can call these delicate creatures ours ,
+And not their appetites . I had rather be a toad ,
+And live upon the vapour of a dungeon ,
+Than keep a corner in the thing I love
+For others' uses . Yet , 'tis the plague of great ones ;
+Prerogativ'd are they less than the base ;
+'Tis destiny unshunnable , like death :
+Even then this forked plague is fated to us
+When we do quicken .
+Look ! where she comes .
+If she be false , O ! then heaven mocks itself .
+I'll not believe it .
+
+
+How now , my dear Othello !
+Your dinner and the generous islanders
+By you invited , do attend your presence .
+
+I am to blame .
+
+Why do you speak so faintly ?
+Are you not well ?
+
+I have a pain upon my forehead here .
+
+Faith , that's with watching ; 'twill away again :
+Let me but bind it hard , within this hour
+It will be well .
+
+Your napkin is too little :
+
+Let it alone . Come , I'll go in with you .
+
+I am very sorry that you are not well .
+
+
+I am glad I have found this napkin ;
+This was her first remembrance from the Moor ;
+My wayward husband hath a hundred times
+Woo'd me to steal it , but she so loves the token ,
+For he conjur'd her she should ever keep it ,
+That she reserves it evermore about her
+To kiss and talk to . I'll have the work ta'en out ,
+And give 't Iago :
+What he will do with it heaven knows , not I ;
+I nothing but to please his fantasy .
+
+
+How now ! what do you here alone ?
+
+Do not you chide ; I have a thing for you .
+
+A thing for me ? It is a common thing
+
+Ha !
+
+To have a foolish wife .
+
+O ! is that all ? What will you give me now
+For that same handkerchief ?
+
+What handkerchief ?
+
+What handkerchief !
+Why , that the Moor first gave to Desdemona :
+That which so often you did bid me steal .
+
+Hast stol'n it from her ?
+
+No , faith ; she let it drop by negligence ,
+And , to the advantage , I , being there , took't up .
+Look , here it is .
+
+A good wench ; give it me .
+
+What will you do with 't , that you have been so earnest
+To have me filch it ?
+
+Why , what's that to you ?
+
+
+If it be not for some purpose of import
+Give 't me again ; poor lady ! she'll run mad
+When she shall lack it .
+
+Be not acknown on 't ; I have use for it .
+Go , leave me .
+
+I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin ,
+And let him find it ; trifles light as air
+Are to the jealous confirmations strong
+As proofs of holy writ ; this may do something .
+The Moor already changes with my poison :
+Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons ,
+Which at the first are scarce found to distaste ,
+But with a little act upon the blood ,
+Burn like the mines of sulphur . I did say so :
+Look ! where he comes !
+
+
+Not poppy , nor mandragora ,
+Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world ,
+Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
+
+Which thou ow'dst yesterday .
+
+Ha ! ha ! false to me ?
+
+Why , how now , generall no more of that .
+
+Avaunt ! be gone ! thou hast set me on the rack ;
+I swear 'tis better to be much abus'd
+Than but to know 't a little .
+
+How now , my lord !
+
+What sense had I of her stol'n hours of lust ?
+I saw 't not , thought it not , it harm'd not me ;
+I slept the next night well , was free and merry ;
+I found not Cassio's kisses on her lips ;
+He that is robb'd , not wanting what is stol'n ,
+Let him not know 't and he's not robb'd at all .
+
+I am sorry to hear this .
+
+I had been happy , if the general camp ,
+Pioners and all , had tasted her sweet body ,
+So I had nothing known . O ! now , for ever
+Farewell the tranquil mind ; farewell content !
+Farewell the plumed troop and the big wars
+That make ambition virtue ! O , farewell !
+Farewell the neighing steed , and the shrill trump ,
+The spirit-stirring drum , the ear-piercing fife ,
+The royal banner , and all quality ,
+Pride , pomp , and circumstance of glorious war !
+And , O you mortal engines , whose rude throats
+The immortal Jove's dread clamours counterfeit ,
+Farewell ! Othello's occupation's gone !
+
+Is it possible , my lord ?
+
+Villain , be sure thou prove my love a whore ,
+Be sure of it ; give me the ocular proof ;
+Or , by the worth of mine eternal soul ,
+Thou hadst been better have been born a dog
+Than answer my wak'd wrath .
+
+Is 't come to this ?
+
+Make me to see 't ; or , at the least , so prove it ,
+That the probation bear no hinge nor loop
+To hang a doubt on ; or woe upon thy life !
+
+My noble lord ,
+
+If thou dost slander her and torture me ,
+Never pray more ; abandon all remorse ;
+On horror's head horrors accumulate ;
+Do deeds to make heaven weep , all earth amaz'd ;
+For nothing canst thou to damnation add
+Greater than that .
+
+O grace ! O heaven forgive me !
+Are you a man ! have you a soul or sense ?
+God be wi' you ; take mine office . O wretched fool !
+That liv'st to make thine honesty a vice .
+O monstrous world ! Take note , take note , O world !
+To be direct and honest is not safe .
+I thank you for this profit , and , from hence
+I'll love no friend , sith love breeds such offence .
+
+Nay , stay ; thou shouldst be honest .
+
+I should be wise ; for honesty's a fool ,
+And loses that it works for .
+
+By the world ,
+I think my wife be honest and think she is not ;
+I think that thou art just and think thou art not .
+I'll have some proof . Her name , that was as fresh
+As Dian's visage , is now begrim'd and black
+As mine own face . If there be cords or knives ,
+Poison or fire or suffocating streams ,
+I'll not endure it . Would I were satisfied !
+
+I see , sir , you are eaten up with passion .
+I do repent me that I put it to you .
+You would be satisfied ?
+
+Would ! nay , I will .
+
+And may ; but how ? how satisfied , my lord ?
+Would you , the supervisor , grossly gape on ;
+Behold her tupp'd ?
+
+Death and damnation ! O !
+
+It were a tedious difficulty , I think ,
+To bring them to that prospect ; damn them then ,
+If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster
+More than their own ! What then ? how then ?
+What shall I say ? Where's satisfaction ?
+It is impossible you should see this ,
+Were they as prime as goats , as hot as monkeys ,
+As salt as wolves in pride , and fools as gross
+As ignorance made drunk ; but yet , I say ,
+If imputation , and strong circumstances ,
+Which lead directly to the door of truth ,
+Will give you satisfaction , you may have it .
+
+Give me a living reason she's disloyal .
+
+I do not like the office ;
+But , sith I am enter'd in this cause so far ,
+Prick'd to 't by foolish honesty and love ,
+I will go on . I lay with Cassio lately ;
+And , being troubled with a raging tooth ,
+I could not sleep .
+There are a kind of men so loose of soul
+That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs ;
+One of this kind is Cassio .
+In sleep I heard him say , 'Sweet Desdemona ,
+Let us be wary , let us hide our loves !'
+And then , sir , would he gripe and wring my hand ,
+Cry , 'O , sweet creature !' and then kiss me hard ,
+As if he pluck'd up kisses by the roots ,
+That grew upon my lips ; then laid his leg
+Over my thigh , and sigh'd , and kiss'd ; and then
+Cried , 'Cursed fate , that gave thee to the Moor !'
+
+O monstrous ! monstrous !
+
+Nay , this was but his dream .
+
+But this denoted a foregone conclusion :
+'Tis a shrewd doubt , though it be but a dream .
+
+And this may help to thicken other proofs
+That do demonstrate thinly .
+
+I'll tear her all to pieces .
+
+Nay , but be wise ; yet we see nothing done ;
+She may be honest yet . Tell me but this :
+Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief
+Spotted with strawberries in your wife's hand ?
+
+I gave her such a one ; 'twas my first gift .
+
+I know not that ; but such a handkerchief
+I am sure it was your wife's did I to-day
+See Cassio wipe his beard with .
+
+If it be that ,
+
+If it be that , or any that was hers ,
+It speaks against her with the other proofs .
+
+O ! that the slave had forty thousand lives ;
+One is too poor , too weak for my revenge .
+Now do I see 'tis true . Look here , Iago ;
+All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven :
+'Tis gone .
+Arise , black vengeance , from the hollow hell !
+Yield up , O love ! thy crown and hearted throne
+To tyrannous hate . Swell , bosom , with thy fraught ,
+For 'tis of aspics' tongues !
+
+Yet be content .
+
+O ! blood , blood , blood !
+
+Patience , I say ; your mind , perhaps , may change .
+
+Never , Iago . Like to the Pontick sea ,
+Whose icy current and compulsive course
+Ne'er feels retiring ebb , but keeps due on
+To the Propontic and the Hellespont ,
+Even so my bloody thoughts , with violent pace ,
+Shall ne'er look back , ne'er ebb to humble love ,
+Till that a capable and wide revenge
+Swallow them up .
+
+Now , by yond marble heaven ,
+In the due reverence of a sacred vow
+I here engage my words .
+
+Do not rise yet .
+
+Witness , you ever-burning lights above !
+You elements that clip us round about !
+Witness , that here Iago doth give up
+The execution of his wit , hands , heart ,
+To wrong'd Othello's service ! Let him command ,
+And to obey shall be in me remorse ,
+What bloody business ever .
+
+I greet thy love ,
+Not with vain thanks , but with acceptance bounteous ,
+And will upon the instant put thee to 't :
+Within these three days let me hear thee say
+That Cassio's not alive .
+
+My friend is dead ; 'tis done at your request :
+But let her live .
+
+Damn her , lewd minx ! O , damn her !
+Come , go with me apart ; I will withdraw
+To furnish me with some swift means of death
+For the fair devil . Now art thou my lieutenant .
+
+I am your own for ever .
+
+
+Do you know , sirrah , where Lieutenant Cassio lies ?
+
+I dare not say he lies any where .
+
+Why , man ?
+
+He is a soldier ; and for one to say a soldier lies , is stabbing .
+
+Go to ; where lodges he ?
+
+To tell you where he lodges is to tell you where I lie .
+
+Can anything be made of this ?
+
+I know not where he lodges , and for me to devise a lodging , and say he lies here or he lies there , were to lie in mine own throat .
+
+Can you inquire him out , and be edified by report ?
+
+I will catechize the world for him ; that is , make questions , and by them answer .
+
+Seek him , bid him come hither ; tell him I have moved my lord in his behalf , and hope all will be well .
+
+To do this is within the compass of man's wit , and therefore I will attempt the doing it .
+
+
+Where should I lose that handkerchief , Emilia ?
+
+I know not , madam .
+
+Believe me , I had rather have lost my purse
+Full of cruzadoes ; and , but my noble Moor
+Is true of mind , and made of no such baseness
+As jealous creatures are , it were enough
+To put him to ill thinking .
+
+Is he not jealous ?
+
+Who ! he ? I think the sun where he was born
+Drew all such humours from him .
+
+Look ! where he comes .
+
+I will not leave him now till Cassio
+Be call'd to him .
+
+How is 't with you , my lord ?
+
+Well , my good lady .
+
+O ! hardness to dissemble .
+How do you , Desdemona ?
+
+Well , my good lord .
+
+Give me your hand . This hand is moist , my lady .
+
+It yet has felt no age nor known no sorrow .
+
+This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart ;
+Hot , hot , and moist ; this hand of yours requires
+A sequester from liberty , fasting and prayer ,
+Much castigation , exercise devout ;
+For here's a young and sweating devil here ,
+That commonly rebels . 'Tis a good hand ,
+A frank one .
+
+You may , indeed , say so ;
+For 'twas that hand that gave away my heart .
+
+A liberal hand ; the hearts of old gave hands ,
+But our new heraldry is hands not hearts .
+
+I cannot speak of this . Come now , your promise .
+
+What promise , chuck ?
+
+I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you .
+
+I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me .
+Lend me thy handkerchief .
+
+Here , my lord .
+
+That which I gave you .
+
+I have it not about me .
+
+Not ?
+
+No , indeed , my lord .
+
+That is a fault .
+That handkerchief
+Did an Egyptian to my mother give ;
+She was a charmer , and could almost read
+The thoughts of people ; she told her , while she kept it ,
+'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father
+Entirely to her love , but if she lost it
+Or made a gift of it , my father's eye
+Should hold her loathed , and his spirits should hunt
+After new fancies . She dying gave it me ;
+And bid me , when my fate would have me wive ,
+To give it her . I did so : and take heed on 't ;
+Make it a darling like your precious eye ;
+To lose't or give't away , were such perdition
+As nothing else could match .
+
+Is 't possible ?
+
+'Tis true ; there's magic in the web of it ;
+A sibyl , that had number'd in the world
+The sun to course two hundred compasses ,
+In her prophetic fury sew'd the work ;
+The worms were hallow'd that did breed the silk ,
+And it was dy'd in mummy which the skilful
+Conserv'd of maidens' hearts .
+
+Indeed ! is 't true ?
+
+Most veritable ; therefore look to 't well .
+
+Then would to heaven that I had never seen it !
+
+Ha ! wherefore ?
+
+Why do you speak so startingly and rash ?
+
+Is 't lost ? is 't gone ? speak , is it out o' the way ?
+
+Heaven bless us !
+
+Say you ?
+
+It is not lost : but what an if it were ?
+
+How !
+
+I say , it is not lost .
+
+Fetch 't , let me see 't .
+
+Why , so I can , sir , but I will not now .
+This is a trick to put me from my suit :
+Pray you let Cassio be receiv'd again .
+
+Fetch me the handkerchief ; my mind misgives .
+
+Come , come ;
+You'll never meet a more sufficient man .
+
+The handkerchief !
+
+I pray , talk me of Cassio .
+
+The handkerchief !
+
+A man that all his time
+Hath founded his good fortunes on your love ,
+Shar'd dangers with you ,
+
+The handkerchief !
+
+In sooth you are to blame .
+
+Away !
+
+
+Is not this man jealous ?
+
+I ne'er saw this before .
+Sure , there's some wonder in this handkerchief ;
+I am most unhappy in the loss of it .
+
+'Tis not a year or two shows us a man ;
+They are all but stomachs , and we all but food ;
+They eat us hungerly , and when they are full
+They belch us . Look you ! Cassio and my husband .
+
+
+There is no other way ; 'tis she must do 't :
+And , lo ! the happiness : go and importune her .
+
+How now , good Cassio ! what's the news with you ?
+
+Madam , my former suit : I do beseech you
+That by your virtuous means I may again
+Exist , and be a member of his love
+Whom I with all the office of my heart
+Entirely honour ; I would not be delay'd .
+If my offence be of such mortal kind
+That nor my service past , nor present sorrows ,
+Nor purpos'd merit in futurity ,
+Can ransom me into his love again ,
+But to know so must be my benefit ;
+So shall I clothe me in a forc'd content ,
+And shut myself up in some other course
+To fortune's alms .
+
+Alas ! thrice-gentle Cassio !
+My advocation is not now in tune ;
+My lord is not my lord ; nor should I know him ,
+Were he in favour as in humour alter'd .
+So help me every spirit sanctified ,
+As I have spoken for you all my best
+And stood within the blank of his displeasure
+For my free speech . You must awhile be patient ;
+What I can do I will , and more I will
+Than for myself I dare : let that suffice you .
+
+Is my lord angry ?
+
+He went hence but now ,
+And , certainly in strange unquietness .
+
+Can he be angry ? I have seen the cannon ,
+When it hath blown his ranks into the air ,
+And , like the devil , from his very arm
+Puff'd his own brother ; and can he be angry ?
+Something of moment then ; I will go meet him ;
+There's matter in 't indeed , if he be angry .
+
+I prithee , do so .
+
+Something , sure , of state ,
+Either from Venice , or some unhatch'd practice
+Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him ,
+Hath puddled his clear spirit ; and , in such cases
+Men's natures wrangle with inferior things ,
+Though great ones are their object . 'Tis even so ;
+For let our finger ache , and it indues
+Our other healthful members ev'n to that sense
+Of pain . Nay , we must think men are not gods ,
+Nor of them look for such observancy
+As fits the bridal . Beshrew me much , Emilia ,
+I was unhandsome warrior as I am
+Arraigning his unkindness with my soul ;
+But now I find I had suborn'd the witness ,
+And he's indicted falsely .
+
+Pray heaven it be state-matters , as you think ,
+And no conception , nor no jealous toy
+Concerning you .
+
+Alas the day ! I never gave him cause .
+
+But jealous souls will not be answer'd so ;
+They are not ever jealous for the cause ,
+But jealous for they are jealous ; 'tis a monster
+Begot upon itself , born on itself .
+
+Heaven keep that monster from Othello's mind !
+
+Lady , amen .
+
+I will go seek him . Cassio , walk hereabout ;
+If I do find him fit , I'll move your suit
+And seek to effect it to my uttermost .
+
+I humbly thank your ladyship .
+
+Save you , friend Cassio !
+
+What make you from home ?
+How is it with you , my most fair Bianca ?
+I' faith , sweet love , I was coming to your house .
+
+And I was going to your lodging , Cassio .
+What ! keep a week away ? seven days and nights ?
+Eight score eight hours ? and lovers' absent hours ,
+More tedious than the dial eight score times ?
+O weary reckoning !
+
+Pardon me , Bianca ,
+I have this while with leaden thoughts been press'd ,
+But I shall , in a more continuate time ,
+Strike off this score of absence . Sweet Bianca .
+
+Take me this work out .
+
+O Cassio ! whence came this ?
+This is some token from a newer friend ;
+To the felt absence now I feel a cause ;
+Is 't come to this ? Well , well .
+
+Go to , woman !
+Throw your vile guesses in the devil's teeth ,
+From whence you have them . You are jealous now
+That this is from some mistress , some remembrance :
+No , in good troth , Bianca .
+
+Why , whose is it ?
+
+I know not , sweet ; I found it in my chamber .
+I like the work well ; ere it be demanded ,
+As like enough it will ,I'd have it copied ;
+Take it and do 't ; and leave me for this time .
+
+Leave you ! wherefore ?
+
+I do attend here on the general ,
+And think it no addition nor my wish
+To have him see me woman'd .
+
+Why , I pray you ?
+
+Not that I love you not .
+
+But that you do not love me .
+I pray you , bring me on the way a little
+And say if I shall see you soon at night .
+
+'Tis but a little way that I can bring you ,
+For I attend here ; but I'll see you soon .
+
+'Tis very good ; I must be circumstanc'd .
+
+Will you think so ?
+
+Think so , Iago !
+
+What !
+To kiss in private ?
+
+An unauthoriz'd kiss .
+
+Or to be naked with her friend a-bed
+An hour or more , not meaning any harm ?
+
+Naked a-bed , Iago , and not mean harm ?
+It is hypocrisy against the devil :
+They that mean virtuously , and yet do so ,
+The devil their virtue tempts , and they tempt heaven .
+
+If they do nothing , 'tis a venial slip ;
+But if I give my wife a handkerchief ,
+
+What then ?
+
+Why , then , 'tis hers , my lord ; and , being hers ,
+She may , I think , bestow 't on any man .
+
+She is protectress of her honour too ;
+May she give that ?
+
+Her honour is an essence that's not seen ;
+They have it very oft that have it not :
+But for the handkerchief ,
+
+By heaven , I would most gladly have forgot it :
+Thou said'st ,O ! it comes o'er my memory ,
+As doth the raven o'er the infected house ,
+Boding to all ,he had my handkerchief .
+
+Ay , what of that ?
+
+That's not so good now .
+
+What ,
+If I had said I had seen him do you wrong ?
+Or heard him say , as knaves be such abroad ,
+Who having , by their own importunate suit ,
+Or voluntary dotage of some mistress ,
+Convinced or supplied them , cannot choose
+But they must blab .
+
+Hath he said any thing ?
+
+He hath , my lord ; but be you well assur'd ,
+No more than he'll unswear .
+
+What hath he said ?
+
+Faith , that he did I know not what he did .
+
+What ? what ?
+
+Lie
+
+With her ?
+
+With her , on her ; what you will .
+
+Lie with her ! lie on her ! We say , lie on her , when they belie her . Lie with her ! that's fulsome . Handkerchief ,confessions ,handkerchief ! To confess , and be hanged for his labour . First , to be hanged , and then to confess : I tremble at it . Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction . It is not words that shake me thus . Pish ! Noses , ears , and lips . Is it possible ?Confess !Handkerchief !O devil !
+
+
+Work on ,
+My medicine , work ! Thus credulous fools are caught ;
+And many worthy and chaste dames even thus ,
+All guitless , meet reproach . What , ho ! my lord !
+My lord , I say ! Othello !
+
+How now , Cassio !
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+My lord is fallen into an epilepsy ;
+This is his second fit ; he had one yesterday .
+
+Rub him about the temples .
+
+No , forbear ;
+The lethargy must have his quiet course ,
+If not he foams at mouth , and by and by
+Breaks out to savage madness . Look ! he stirs ;
+Do you withdraw yourself a little while ,
+He will recover straight ; when he is gone ,
+I would on great occasion speak with you .
+
+How is it , general ? have you not hurt your head ?
+
+Dost thou mock me ?
+
+I mock you ! no , by heaven .
+Would you would bear your fortune like a man !
+
+A horned man's a monster and a beast .
+
+There's many a beast then , in a populous city ,
+And many a civil monster .
+
+Did he confess it ?
+
+Good sir , be a man ;
+Think every bearded fellow that's but yok'd
+May draw with you ; there's millions now alive
+That nightly lie in those unproper beds
+Which they dare swear peculiar ; your case is better .
+O ! 'tis the spite of hell , the fiend's arch-mock ,
+To lip a wanton in a secure couch ,
+And to suppose her chaste . No , let me know ;
+And knowing what I am I know what she shall be .
+
+O ! thou art wise ; 'tis certain .
+
+Stand you awhile apart ;
+Confine yourself but in a patient list .
+Whilst you were here o'erwhelmed with your grief ,
+A passion most unsuiting such a man ,
+Cassio came hither ; I shifted him away ,
+And laid good 'scuse upon your ecstasy ;
+Bade him anon return and here speak with me ;
+The which he promis'd . Do but encave yourself ,
+And mark the fleers , the gibes , and notable scorns ,
+That dwell in every region of his face ;
+For I will make him tell the tale anew ,
+Where , how , how oft , how long ago , and when
+He hath , and is again to cope your wife :
+I say , but mark his gesture . Marry , patience ;
+Or I shall say you are all in all in spleen ,
+And nothing of a man .
+
+Dost thou hear , Iago ?
+I will be found most cunning in my patience ;
+But dost thou hear ?most bloody .
+
+That's not amiss ;
+But yet keep time in all . Will you withdraw ?
+
+Now will I question Cassio of Bianca ,
+A housewife that by selling her desires
+Buys herself bread and clothes ; it is a creature
+That dotes on Cassio ; as 'tis the strumpet's plague
+To beguile many and be beguil'd by one .
+He , when he hears of her , cannot refrain
+From the excess of laughter . Here he comes :
+
+
+As he shall smile , Othello shall go mad ;
+And his unbookish jealousy must construe
+Poor Cassio's smiles , gestures , and light behaviour
+
+Quite in the wrong . How do you now , lieutenant ?
+
+The worser that you give me the addition
+Whose want even kills me .
+
+Ply Desdemona well , and you are sure on 't .
+
+
+Now , if this suit lay in Bianca's power ,
+How quickly should you speed !
+
+Alas ! poor caitiff !
+
+Look ! how he laughs already !
+
+I never knew woman love man so .
+
+Alas ! poor rogue , I think , i' faith , she loves me .
+
+Now he denies it faintly , and laughs it out .
+
+Do you hear , Cassio ?
+
+Now he importunes him
+To tell it o'er : go to ; well said , well said .
+
+She gives it out that you shall marry her ;
+Do you intend it ?
+
+Ha , ha , ha !
+
+Do you triumph , Roman ? do you triumph ?
+
+I marry her ! what ? a customer ? I prithee , bear some charity to my wit ; do not think it so unwholesome . Ha , ha , ha !
+
+So , so , so , so . They laugh that win .
+
+Faith , the cry goes that you shall marry her .
+
+Prithee , say true .
+
+I am a very villain else .
+
+Have you scored me ? Well .
+
+This is the monkey's own giving out : she is persuaded I will marry her , out of her own love and flattery , not out of my promise .
+
+Iago beckons me ; now he begins the story .
+
+She was here even now ; she haunts me in every place . I was the other day talking on the sea bank with certain Venetians , and thither come this bauble , and , by this hand , she falls me thus about my neck ;
+
+Crying , 'O dear Cassio !' as it were ; his gesture imports it .
+
+So hangs and lolls and weeps upon me ; so hales and pulls me ; ha , ha , ha !
+
+Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber . O ! I see that nose of yours , but not the dog I shall throw it to .
+
+Well , I must leave her company .
+
+Before me ! look , where she comes .
+
+'Tis such another fitchew ! marry , a perfumed one .
+
+What do you mean by this haunting of me ?
+
+Let the devil and his dam haunt you ! What did you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even now ? I was a fine fool to take it . I must take out the work ! A likely piece of work , that you should find it in your chamber , and not know who left it there ! This is some minx's token , and I must take out the work ! There , give it your hobby-horse ; wheresoever you had it I'll take out no work on 't .
+
+How now , my sweet Bianca ! how now , how now !
+
+By heaven , that should be my handkerchief !
+
+An you'll come to supper to-night , you may ; an you will not , come when you are next prepared for .
+
+
+After her , after her .
+
+Faith , I must ; she'll rail in the street else .
+
+Will you sup there ?
+
+Faith , I intend so .
+
+Well , I may chance to see you , for I would very fain speak with you .
+
+Prithee , come ; will you ?
+
+Go to ; say no more .
+
+
+How shall I murder him , Iago ?
+
+Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice ?
+
+O ! Iago !
+
+And did you see the handkerchief ?
+
+Was that mine ?
+
+Yours , by this hand ; and to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife ! she gave it him , and he hath given it his whore .
+
+I would have him nine years a-killing .
+A fine woman ! a fair woman ! a sweet woman !
+
+Nay , you must forget that .
+
+Ay , let her rot , and perish , and be damned to-night ; for she shall not live . No , my heart is turned to stone ; I strike it , and it hurts my hand . O ! the world hath not a sweeter creature ; she might lie by an emperor's side and command him tasks .
+
+Nay , that's not your way .
+
+Hang her ! I do but say what she is . So delicate with her needle ! An admirable musician ! O , she will sing the savageness out of a bear . Of so high and plenteous wit and invention !
+
+She's the worse for all this .
+
+O ! a thousand , a thousand times . And then , of so gentle a condition !
+
+Ay , too gentle .
+
+Nay , that's certain ;but yet the pity of it , Iago ! O ! Iago , the pity of it , Iago !
+
+If you are so fond over her iniquity , give her patent to offend ; for , if it touch not you , it comes near nobody .
+
+I will chop her into messes . Cuckold me !
+
+O ! 'tis foul in her .
+
+With mine officer !
+
+That's fouler .
+
+Get me some poison , Iago ; this night : I'll not expostulate with her , lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again . This night , Iago .
+
+Do it not with poison , strangle her in her bed , even the bed she hath contaminated .
+
+Good , good ; the justice of it pleases ; very good .
+
+And for Cassio , let me be his undertaker ; you shall hear more by midnight .
+
+Excellent good .
+
+What trumpet is that same ?
+
+Something from Venice , sure . 'Tis Lodovico ,
+Come from the duke ; and see , your wife is with him .
+
+
+God save you , worthy general !
+
+With all my heart , sir .
+
+The duke and senators of Venice greet you .
+
+
+I kiss the instrument of their pleasures .
+
+
+And what's the news , good cousin Lodovico ?
+
+I am very glad to see you , signior ;
+Welcome to Cyprus .
+
+I thank you . How does Lieutenant Cassio ?
+
+Lives , sir .
+
+Cousin , there's fall'n between him and my lord
+An unkind breach ; but you shall make all well .
+
+Are you sure of that ?
+
+My lord ?
+
+This fail you not to do , as you will
+
+He did not call ; he's busy in the paper .
+Is there division 'twixt my lord and Cassio ?
+
+A most unhappy one ; I would do much
+To atone them , for the love I bear to Cassio .
+
+Fire and brimstone !
+
+My lord ?
+
+Are you wise ?
+
+What ! is he angry ?
+
+May be the letter mov'd him ;
+For , as I think , they do command him home ,
+Deputing Cassio in his government .
+
+Trust me , I am glad on 't .
+
+Indeed !
+
+My lord ?
+
+I am glad to see you mad .
+
+Why , sweet Othello ?
+
+Devil !
+
+
+I have not deserved this .
+
+My lord , this would not be believ'd in Venice ,
+Though I should swear I saw 't : 'tis very much ;
+Make her amends , she weeps .
+
+O devil , devil !
+If that the earth could teem with woman's tears ,
+Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile .
+Out of my sight !
+
+I will not stay to offend you .
+
+
+Truly , an obedient lady ;
+I do beseech your lordship , call her back .
+
+Mistress !
+
+My lord ?
+
+What would you with her , sir ?
+
+Who , I , my lord ?
+
+Ay ; you did wish that I would make her turn :
+Sir , she can turn , and turn , and yet go on ,
+And turn again ; and she can weep , sir , weep ;
+And she's obedient , as you say , obedient ,
+Very obedient . Proceed you in your tears .
+Concerning this , sir ,O well-painted passion !
+I am commanded home . Get you away ;
+I'll send for you anon . Sir , I obey the mandate ,
+And will return to Venice . Hence ! avaunt !
+
+Cassio shall have my place . And , sir , to-night ,
+I do entreat that we may sup together ;
+You are welcome , sir , to Cyprus . Goats and monkeys !
+
+
+Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate
+Call all-in-all sufficient ? is this the noble nature
+Whom passion could not shake ? whose solid virtue
+The shot of accident nor dart of chance
+Could neither graze nor pierce ?
+
+He is much chang'd .
+
+Are his wits safe ? is he not light of brain ?
+
+He's that he is ; I may not breathe my censure .
+What he might be , if , what he might , he is not ,
+I would to heaven he were !
+
+What ! strike his wife !
+
+Faith , that was not so well ; yet would I knew
+That stroke would prove the worst !
+
+Is it his use ?
+Or did the letters work upon his blood ,
+And new-create this fault ?
+
+Alas , alas !
+It is not honesty in me to speak
+What I have seen and known . You shall observe him ,
+And his own courses will denote him so
+That I may save my speech . Do but go after
+And mark how he continues .
+
+I am sorry that I am deceiv'd in him .
+
+
+You have seen nothing , then ?
+
+Nor ever heard , nor ever did suspect .
+
+Yes , you have seen Cassio and her together .
+
+But then I saw no harm , and then I heard
+Each syllable that breath made up between them .
+
+What ! did they never whisper ?
+
+Never , my lord .
+
+Nor send you out o' the way ?
+
+Never .
+
+To fetch her fan , her gloves , her mask , nor nothing ?
+
+Never , my lord .
+
+That's strange .
+
+I durst , my lord , to wager she is honest ,
+Lay down my soul at stake : if you think other ,
+Remove your thought ; it doth abuse your bosom .
+If any wretch have put this in your head ,
+Let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse !
+For , if she be not honest , chaste , and true ,
+There's no man happy ; the purest of their wives
+Is foul as slander .
+
+Bid her come hither ; go .
+
+She says enough ; yet she's a simple bawd
+That cannot say as much . This is a subtle whore ,
+A closet lock and key of villanous secrets ;
+And yet she'll kneel and pray ; I have seen her do 't .
+
+
+My lord , what is your will ?
+
+Pray , chuck , come hither .
+
+What is your pleasure ?
+
+Let me see your eyes ;
+Look in my face .
+
+What horrible fancy's this ?
+
+Some of your function , mistress ;
+Leave procreants alone and shut the door ;
+Cough or cry 'hem' if any body come ;
+Your mystery , your mystery ; nay , dispatch .
+
+
+Upon my knees , what doth your speech import ?
+I understand a fury in your words ,
+But not the words .
+
+Why , what art thou ?
+
+Your wife , my lord ; your true
+And loyal wife .
+
+Come , swear it , damn thyself ;
+Lest , being like one of heaven , the devils themselves
+Should fear to seize thee ; therefore be double-damn'd ;
+Swear thou art honest .
+
+Heaven doth truly know it .
+
+Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell .
+
+To whom , my lord ? with whom ? how am I false ?
+
+Ah ! Desdemona ; away , away , away !
+
+Alas , the heavy day !Why do you weep ?
+Am I the motive of these tears , my lord ?
+If haply you my father do suspect
+An instrument of this your calling back ,
+Lay not your blame on me ; if you have lost him ,
+Why , I have lost him too .
+
+Had it pleas'd heaven
+To try me with affliction , had he rain'd
+All kinds of sores , and shames , on my bare head ,
+Steep'd me in poverty to the very lips ,
+Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes ,
+I should have found in some part of my soul
+A drop of patience ; but , alas ! to make me
+The fixed figure for the time of scorn
+To point his slow and moving finger at ;
+Yet could I bear that too ; well , very well :
+But there , where I have garner'd up my heart ,
+Where either I must live or bear no life ,
+The fountain from the which my current runs
+Or else dries up ; to be discarded thence !
+Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads
+To knot and gender in ! Turn thy complexion there ,
+Patience , thou young and rose-lipp'd cherubin ;
+Ay , there , look grim as hell !
+
+I hope my noble lord esteems me honest .
+
+O ! ay ; as summer flies are in the shambles ,
+That quicken even with blowing . O thou weed !
+Who art so lovely fair and smell'st so sweet
+That the sense aches at thee , would thou hadst ne'er been born .
+
+Alas ! what ignorant sin have I committed ?
+
+Was this fair paper , this most goodly book ,
+Made to write 'whore' upon ? What committed !
+Committed ! O thou public commoner !
+I should make very forges of my cheeks ,
+That would to cinders burn up modesty ,
+Did I but speak thy deeds . What committed !
+Heaven stops the nose at it and the moon winks ,
+The bawdy wind that kisses all it meets
+Is hush'd within the hollow mine of earth ,
+And will not hear it . What committed !
+Impudent strumpet !
+
+By heaven , you do me wrong .
+
+Are not you a strumpet ?
+
+No , as I am a Christian .
+If to preserve this vessel for my lord
+From any other foul unlawful touch
+Be not to be a strumpet , I am none .
+
+What ! not a whore ?
+
+No , as I shall be sav'd .
+
+Is it possible ?
+
+O ! heaven forgive us .
+
+I cry you mercy , then ;
+I took you for that cunning whore of Venice
+That married with Othello . You , mistress ,
+That have the office opposite to Saint Peter ,
+And keep the gate of hell !
+
+
+You , you , ay , you !
+We have done our course ; there's money for your pains .
+I pray you , turn the key and keep our counsel .
+
+Alas ! what does this gentleman conceive ?
+How do you , madam ? how do you , my good lady ?
+
+Faith , half asleep .
+
+Good madam , what's the matter with my lord ?
+
+With who ?
+
+Why , with my lord , madam .
+
+Who is thy lord ?
+
+He that is yours , sweet lady .
+
+I have none ; do not talk to me , Emilia ;
+I cannot weep , nor answer have I none ,
+But what should go by water . Prithee , to-night
+Lay on my bed my wedding sheets : remember :
+And call thy husband hither .
+
+Here is a change indeed !
+
+
+'Tis meet I should be us'd so , very meet .
+How have I been behav'd , that he might stick
+The small'st opinion on my least misuse ?
+
+
+What is your pleasure , madam ? How is it with you ?
+
+I cannot tell . Those that do teach young babes
+Do it with gentle means and easy tasks ;
+He might have chid me so ; for , in good faith ,
+I am a child to chiding .
+
+What's the matter , lady ?
+
+Alas ! Iago , my lord hath so bewhor'd her ,
+Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her ,
+As true hearts cannot bear .
+
+Am I that name , Iago ?
+
+What name , fair lady ?
+
+Such as she says my lord did say I was .
+
+He call'd her whore ; a beggar in his drink
+Could not have laid such terms upon his callat .
+
+Why did he so ?
+
+I do not know ; I am sure I am none such .
+
+Do not weep , do not weep . Alas the day !
+
+Has she forsook so many noble matches ,
+Her father and her country and her friends ,
+To be call'd whore ? would it not make one weep ?
+
+It is my wretched fortune .
+
+Beshrew him for it !
+How comes this trick upon him ?
+
+Nay , heaven doth know .
+
+I will be hang'd , if some eternal villain ,
+Some busy and insinuating rogue ,
+Some cogging cozening slave , to get some office ,
+Have not devis'd this slander ; I'll be hang'd else .
+
+Fie ! there is no such man ; it is impossible .
+
+If any such there be , heaven pardon him !
+
+A halter pardon him , and hell gnaw his bones !
+Why should he call her whore ? who keeps her company ?
+What place ? what time ? what form ? what likelihood ?
+The Moor's abus'd by some most villanous knave ,
+Some base notorious knave , some scurvy fellow .
+O heaven ! that such companions thou'dst unfold ,
+And put in every honest hand a whip
+To lash the rascals naked through the world ,
+Even from the east to the west !
+
+Speak within door .
+
+O ! fie upon them . Some such squire he was
+That turn'd your wit the seamy side without ,
+And made you to suspect me with the Moor .
+
+You are a fool ; go to .
+
+O good Iago ,
+What shall I do to win my lord again ?
+Good friend , go to him ; for , by this light of heaven ,
+I know not how I lost him . Here I kneel :
+If e'er my will did trespass 'gainst his love ,
+Either in discourse of thought or actual deed ,
+Or that mine eyes , mine ears , or any sense ,
+Delighted them in any other form ;
+Or that I do not yet , and ever did ,
+And ever will , though he do shake me off
+To beggarly divorcement , love him dearly ,
+Comfort forswear me ! Unkindness may do much ;
+And his unkindness may defeat my life ,
+But never taint my love . I cannot say 'whore :'
+It does abhor me now I speak the word ;
+To do the act that might the addition earn
+Not the world's mass of vanity could make me .
+
+I pray you be content , 'tis but his humour ;
+The business of the state does him offence ,
+And he does chide with you .
+
+If 'twere no other ,
+
+'Tis but so , I warrant .
+
+Hark ! how these instruments summon to supper ;
+The messengers of Venice stay the meat :
+Go in , and weep not ; all things shall be well .
+
+
+How now , Roderigo !
+
+I do not find that thou dealest justly with me .
+
+What in the contrary ?
+
+Every day thou daffest me with some device , Iago ; and rather , as it seems to me now , keepest from me all conveniency , than suppliest me with the least advantage of hope . I will indeed no longer endure it , nor am I yet persuaded to put up in peace what already I have foolishly suffered .
+
+Will you hear me , Roderigo ?
+
+Faith , I have heard too much , for your words and performances are no kin together .
+
+You charge me most unjustly .
+
+With nought but truth . I have wasted myself out of my means . The jewels you have had from me to deliver to Desdemona would half have corrupted a votarist ; you have told me she has received them , and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquaintance , but I find none .
+
+Well ; go to ; very well .
+
+Very well ! go to ! I cannot go to , man ; nor 'tis not very well : by this hand , I say , it is very scurvy , and begin to find myself fobbed in it .
+
+Very well .
+
+I tell you 'tis not very well . I will make myself known to Desdemona ; if she will return me my jewels , I will give over my suit and repent my unlawful solicitation ; if not , assure yourself I will seek satisfaction of you .
+
+You have said now .
+
+Ay , and said nothing , but what I protest intendment of doing .
+
+Why , now I see there's mettle in thee , and even from this instant do build on thee a better opinion than ever before . Give me thy hand , Roderigo ; thou hast taken against me a most just exception ; but yet , I protest , I have dealt most directly in thy affair .
+
+It hath not appeared .
+
+I grant indeed it hath not appeared , and your suspicion is not without wit and judgment . But , Roderigo , if thou hast that in thee indeed , which I have greater reason to believe now than ever , I mean purpose , courage , and valour , this night show it : if thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona , take me from this world with treachery and devise engines for my life .
+
+Well , what is it ? is it within reason and compass ?
+
+Sir , there is especial commission come from Venice to depute Cassio in Othello's place .
+
+Is that true ? why , then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice .
+
+O , no ! he goes into Mauritania , and takes away with him the fair Desdemona , unless his abode be lingered here by some accident ; wherein none can be so determinate as the removing of Cassio .
+
+How do you mean , removing of him ?
+
+Why , by making him uncapable of Othello's place ; knocking out his brains .
+
+And that you would have me do ?
+
+Ay ; if you dare do yourself a profit and a right . He sups to-night with a harlotry , and thither will I go to him ; he knows not yet of his honourable fortune . If you will watch his going thence ,which I will fashion to fall out between twelve and one ,you may take him at your pleasure ; I will be near to second your attempt , and he shall fall between us . Come , stand not amazed at it , but go along with me ; I will show you such a necessity in his death that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him . It is now high supper-time , and the night grows to waste ; about it .
+
+I will hear further reason for this .
+
+And you shall be satisfied .
+
+
+I do beseech you , sir , trouble yourself no further .
+
+O ! pardon me ; 'twill do me good to walk .
+
+Madam , good night ; I humbly thank your ladyship .
+
+Your honour is most welcome .
+
+Will you walk , sir ?
+O ! Desdemona ,
+
+My lord ?
+
+Get you to bed on the instant ; I will be returned forthwith ; dismiss your attendant there ; look it be done .
+
+I will , my lord .
+
+
+How goes it now ? he looks gentler than he did .
+
+He says he will return incontinent ;
+He hath commanded me to go to bed ,
+And bade me to dismiss you .
+
+Dismiss me !
+
+It was his bidding ; therefore , good Emilia ,
+Give me my nightly wearing , and adieu :
+We must not now displease him .
+
+I would you had never seen him .
+
+So would not I ; my love doth so approve him ,
+That even his stubbornness , his checks and frowns ,
+Prithee , unpin me ,have grace and favour in them .
+
+I have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed .
+
+All's one . Good faith ! how foolish are our minds !
+If I do die before thee , prithee , shroud me
+In one of those same sheets .
+
+Come , come , you talk .
+
+My mother had a maid call'd Barbara ;
+She was in love , and he she lov'd prov'd mad
+And did forsake her ; she had a song of 'willow ;'
+An old thing 'twas , but it express'd her fortune ,
+And she died singing it ; that song to-night
+Will not go from my mind ; I have much to do
+But to go hang my head all at one side ,
+And sing it like poor Barbara . Prithee , dispatch .
+
+Shall I go fetch your night-gown ?
+
+No , unpin me here .
+This Lodovico is a proper man .
+
+A very handsome man .
+
+He speaks well .
+
+I know a lady in Venice would have walked barefoot to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip .
+
+
+The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree ,
+Sing all a green willow ;
+Her hand on her bosom , her head on her knee ,
+Sing willow , willow , willow :
+The fresh streams ran by her , and murmur'd her moans ;
+Sing willow , willow , willow :
+Her salt tears fell from her , and soften'd the stones ;
+
+Lay by these :
+
+Sing willow , willow , willow :
+
+Prithee , hie thee ; he'll come anon .
+
+Sing all a green willow must be my garland .
+Let nobody blame him , his scorn I approve ,
+
+Nay , that's not next . Hark ! who is it that knocks ?
+
+It is the wind .
+
+
+I call'd my love false love ; but what said he then ?
+Sing willow , willow , willow :
+If I court moe women , you'll couch with moe men .
+
+So , get thee gone ; good night . Mine eyes do itch ;
+Doth that bode weeping ?
+
+'Tis neither here nor there .
+
+I have heard it said so . O ! these men , these men !
+Dost thou in conscience think , tell me , Emilia ,
+That there be women do abuse their husbands
+In such gross kind ?
+
+There be some such , no question .
+
+Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world ?
+
+Why , would not you ?
+
+No , by this heavenly light !
+
+Nor I neither by this heavenly light ; might do 't as well i' the dark .
+
+Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world ?
+
+The world is a huge thing ; 'tis a great price
+For a small vice .
+
+In troth , I think thou wouldst not .
+
+In troth , I think I should , and undo 't when I had done . Marry , I would not do such a thing for a joint-ring , nor measures of lawn , nor for gowns , petticoats , nor caps , nor any petty exhibition ; but for the whole world , who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch ? I should venture purgatory for 't .
+
+Beshrew me , if I would do such a wrong
+For the whole world .
+
+Why , the wrong is but a wrong i' the world ; and having the world for your labour , 'tis a wrong in your own world , and you might quickly make it right .
+
+I do not think there is any such woman .
+
+Yes , a dozen ; and as many to the vantage , as would store the world they played for .
+But I do think it is their husbands' faults
+If wives do fall . Say that they slack their duties ,
+And pour our treasures into foreign laps ,
+Or else break out in peevish jealousies ,
+Throwing restraint upon us ; or , say they strike us ,
+Or scant our former having in despite ;
+Why , we have galls , and though we have some grace ,
+Yet have we some revenge . Let husbands know
+Their wives have sense like them ; they see and smell ,
+And have their palates both for sweet and sour ,
+As husbands have . What is it that they do
+When they change us for others ? Is it sport ?
+I think it is ; and doth affection breed it ?
+I think it doth : is 't frailty that thus errs ?
+It is so too ; and have not we affections ,
+Desires for sport , and frailty , as men have ?
+Then , let them use us well ; else let them know ,
+The ills we do , their ills instruct us so .
+
+Good night , good night ; heaven me such usage send ,
+Not to pick bad from bad , but by bad mend !
+
+Here , stand behind this bulk ; straight will he come :
+Wear thy good rapier bare , and put it home .
+Quick , quick ; fear nothing ; I'll be at thy elbow .
+It makes us , or it mars us ; think on that ,
+And fix most firm thy resolution .
+
+Be near at hand ; I may miscarry in 't .
+
+Here , at thy hand : be bold , and take thy stand .
+
+
+I have no great devotion to the deed ;
+And yet he has given me satisfying reasons :
+'Tis but a man gone : forth , my sword ; he dies .
+
+I have rubb'd this young quat almost to the sense ,
+And he grows angry . Now , whether he kill Cassio ,
+Or Cassio him , or each do kill the other ,
+Every way makes my gain : live Roderigo ,
+He calls me to a restitution large
+Of gold and jewels that I bobb'd from him ,
+As gifts to Desdemona ;
+It must not be : if Cassio do remain ,
+He hath a daily beauty in his life
+That makes me ugly ; and , besides , the Moor
+May unfold me to him ; there stand I in much peril .
+No , he must die . But so ; I hear him coming .
+
+
+I know his gait ; 'tis he . Villain , thou diest !
+
+
+That thrust had been mine enemy indeed
+But that my coat is better than thou know'st ;
+I will make proof of thine .
+
+
+O ! I am slain .
+
+
+I am maim'd for ever . Help , ho ! murder ! murder !
+
+The voice of Cassio : Iago keeps his word .
+
+O ! villain that I am !
+
+It is e'en so .
+
+O , help , ho ! light ! a surgeon !
+
+'Tis he : O brave Iago , honest and just !
+That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong ;
+Thou teachest me . Minion , your dear lies dead ,
+And your unblest fate hies ; strumpet , I come !
+Forth of my heart those charms , thine eyes , are blotted ;
+Thy bed lust-stain'd shall with lust's blood be spotted .
+
+What ho ! no watch ? no passage ? murder ! murder !
+
+'Tis some mischance ; the cry is very direful .
+
+O , help !
+
+Hark !
+
+O wretched villain !
+
+Two or three groan : it is a heavy night ;
+These may be counterfeits ; let's think 't unsafe
+To come in to the cry without more help .
+
+Nobody come ? then shall I bleed to death .
+
+Hark !
+
+
+Here's one comes in his shirt , with light and weapons .
+
+Who's there ? whose noise is this that cries on murder ?
+
+We do not know .
+
+Did not you hear a cry ?
+
+Here , here ! for heaven's sake , help me .
+
+What's the matter ?
+
+This is Othello's ancient , as I take it .
+
+The same indeed ; a very valiant fellow .
+
+What are you here that cry so grievously ?
+
+Iago ? O ! I am spoil'd , undone by villains !
+Give me some help .
+
+O me , lieutenant ! what villains have done this ?
+
+I think that one of them is hereabout ,
+And cannot make away .
+
+O treacherous villains !
+
+
+What are you there ? come in , and give some help .
+
+O ! help me here .
+
+That's one of them .
+
+O murderous slave ! O villain !
+
+
+O damn'd Iago ! O inhuman dog !
+
+Kill men i' the dark ! Where be these bloody thieves ?
+How silent is this town ! Ho ! murder ! murder !
+What may you be ? are you of good or evil ?
+
+As you shall prove us , praise us .
+
+Signior Lodovico ?
+
+He , sir .
+
+I cry you mercy . Here's Cassio hurt by villains .
+
+Cassio !
+
+How is it , brother ?
+
+My leg is cut in two .
+
+Marry , heaven forbid ,
+Light , gentlemen ; I'll bind it with my shirt .
+
+
+What is the matter , ho ? who is 't that cried ?
+
+Who is 't that cried !
+
+O my dear Cassio ! my sweet Cassio !
+O Cassio , Cassio , Cassio !
+
+O notable strumpet ! Cassio , may you suspect
+Who they should be that have thus mangled you ?
+
+No .
+
+I am sorry to find you thus ; I have been to seek you .
+
+Lend me a garter . So . O ! for a chair ,
+To bear him easily hence !
+
+Alas ! he faints ! O Cassio , Cassio , Cassio !
+
+Gentlemen all , I do suspect this trash
+To be a party in this injury .
+Patience awhile , good Cassio . Come , come .
+Lend me a light . Know we this face , or no ?
+Alas ! my friend and my dear countryman ,
+Roderigo ? no : yes , sure , O heaven ! Roderigo .
+
+What ! of Venice ?
+
+Even he , sir : did you know him ?
+
+Know him ! ay .
+
+Signior Gratiano ? I cry you gentle pardon ;
+These bloody accidents must excuse my manners ,
+That so neglected you .
+
+I am glad to see you .
+
+How do you , Cassio ? O ! a chair , a chair !
+
+Roderigo !
+
+
+He , he , 'tis he .O ! that's well said ; the chair :
+Some good men bear him carefully from hence ;
+I'll fetch the general's surgeon .
+
+For you , mistress ,
+Save you your labour . He that lies slain here , Cassio ,
+Was my dear friend . What malice was between you ?
+
+None in the world ; nor do I know the man .
+
+What ! look you pale ? O ! bear him out o' the air
+
+Stay you , good gentlemen . Look you pale , mistress ?
+Do you perceive the gastness of her eye ?
+Nay , if you stare , we shall hear more anon .
+Behold her well ; I pray you , look upon her :
+Do you see , gentlemen ? nay , guiltiness will speak
+Though tongues were out of use .
+
+
+'Las ! what's the matter ? what's the matter , husband ?
+
+Cassio hath here been set on in the dark
+By Roderigo and fellows that are 'scap'd :
+He's almost slain , and Roderigo dead .
+
+Alas ! good gentleman ; alas ! good Cassio !
+
+This is the fruit of whoring . Prithee , Emilia ,
+Go know of Cassio where he supp'd to-night .
+What ! do you shake at that ?
+
+He supp'd at my house ; but I therefore shake not .
+
+O ! did he so ? I charge you , go with me .
+
+Fie , fie upon thee , strumpet !
+
+I am no strumpet , but of life as honest
+As you that thus abuse me .
+
+As I ! foh ! fie upon thee !
+
+Kind gentlemen , let's go see poor Cassio dress'd .
+Come , mistress , you must tell 's another tale .
+Emilia , run you to the citadel ,
+And tell my lord and lady what hath happ'd .
+Will you go on afore ?
+
+This is the night
+That either makes me or fordoes me quite .
+
+
+It is the cause , it is the cause , my soul ;
+Let me not name it to you , you chaste stars !
+It is the cause . Yet I'll not shed her blood ,
+Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow ,
+And smooth as monumental alabaster .
+Yet she must die , else she'll betray more men .
+Put out the light , and then put out the light :
+If I quench thee , thou flaming minister ,
+I can again thy former light restore ,
+Should I repent me ; but once put out thy light ,
+Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature ,
+I know not where is that Promethean heat
+That can thy light relume . When I have pluck'd the rose ,
+I cannot give it vital growth again ,
+It needs must wither : I'll smell it on the tree .
+
+O balmy breath , that dost almost persuade
+Justice to break her sword ! One more , one more .
+Be thus when thou art dead , and I will kill thee ,
+And love thee after . One more , and this the last :
+So sweet was ne'er so fatal . I must weep ,
+But they are cruel tears ; this sorrow's heavenly ,
+It strikes where it doth love . She wakes .
+
+Who's there ? Othello ?
+
+Ay , Desdemona .
+
+Will you come to bed , my lord ?
+
+Have you pray'd to-night , Desdemona ?
+
+Ay , my lord .
+
+If you bethink yourself of any crime
+Unreconcil'd as yet to heaven and grace ,
+Solicit for it straight .
+
+Alas ! my lord , what may you mean by that ?
+
+Well , do it , and be brief ; I will walk by :
+I would not kill thy unprepared spirit ;
+No ; heaven forfend ! I would not kill thy soul .
+
+Talk you of killing ?
+
+Ay , I do .
+
+Then heaven
+Have mercy on me !
+
+Amen ! with all my heart .
+
+If you say so , I hope you will not kill me .
+
+Hum !
+
+And yet I fear you ; for you are fatal then
+When your eyes roll so . Why I should fear I know not ,
+Since guiltiness I know not ; but yet I feel I fear .
+
+Think on thy sins .
+
+They are loves I bear to you .
+
+Ay , and for that thou diest .
+
+That death's unnatural that kills for loving .
+Alas ! why gnaw you so your nether lip ?
+Some bloody passion shakes your very frame ;
+These are portents , but yet , I hope , I hope
+They do not point on me .
+
+Peace , and be still !
+
+I will so . What's the matter ?
+
+That handkerchief which I so lov'd and gave thee
+Thou gav'st to Cassio .
+
+No , by my life and soul !
+Send for the man and ask him .
+
+Sweet soul , take heed ,
+Take heed of perjury ; thou'rt on thy death-bed .
+
+Ay , but not yet to die .
+
+Yes , presently ;
+Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin ;
+For to deny each article with oath
+Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception
+That I do groan withal . Thou art to die .
+
+Then Lord have mercy on me !
+
+I say , amen .
+
+And have you mercy too ! I never did
+Offend you in my life ; never lov'd Cassio
+But with such general warranty of heaven
+As I might love ; I never gave him token .
+
+By heaven , I saw my handkerchief in 's hand .
+O perjur'd woman ! thou dost stone my heart ,
+And mak'st me call what I intend to do
+A murder , which I thought a sacrifice :
+I saw the handkerchief .
+
+He found it then ;
+I never gave it him . Send for him hither ;
+Let him confess a truth .
+
+He hath confess'd .
+
+What , my lord ?
+
+That he hath us'd thee .
+
+How ? unlawfully ?
+
+Ay .
+
+He will not say so .
+
+No ; his mouth is stopp'd :
+Honest Iago hath ta'en order for 't .
+
+O ! my fear interprets . What ! is he dead ?
+
+Had all his hairs been lives , my great revenge
+Had stomach for them all .
+
+Alas ! he is betray'd and I undone .
+
+Out , strumpet ! Weep'st thou for him to my face ?
+
+O ! banish me , my lord , but kill me not !
+
+Down , strumpet !
+
+Kill me to-morrow ; let me live to-night !
+
+Nay , if you strive ,
+
+But half an hour !
+
+Being done , there is no pause .
+
+But while I say one prayer !
+
+It is too late .
+
+
+My lord , my lord ! what , ho ! my lord , my lord !
+
+What noise is this ? Not dead ? not yet quite dead ?
+I that am cruel am yet merciful ;
+I would not have thee linger in thy pain .
+So , so .
+
+What , ho ! my lord , my lord !
+
+Who's there ?
+
+O ! good my lord , I would speak a word with you !
+
+Yes ; 'tis Emilia : by and by . She's dead .
+'Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio's death ;
+The noise was high . Ha ! no more moving ?
+Still as the grave . Shall she come in ? Were 't good ?
+I think she stirs again : no . What's best to do ?
+If she come in she'll sure speak to my wife :
+My wife ! my wife ! what wife ? I have no wife :
+O , insupportable ! O heavy hour !
+Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse
+Of sun and moon , and that the affrighted globe
+Should yawn at alteration .
+
+I do beseech you
+That I may speak with you , O ! good my lord .
+
+I had forgot thee : O ! come in , Emilia :
+Soft , by and by : let me the curtains draw .
+Where art thou ?
+
+
+What's the matter with thee now ?
+
+O ! my good lord , yonder's foul murder done .
+
+What ! now ?
+
+But now , my lord .
+
+It is the very error of the moon ;
+She comes more near the earth than she was wont ,
+And makes men mad .
+
+Cassio , my lord , has kill'd a young Venetian
+Call'd Roderigo .
+
+Roderigo kill'd !
+And Cassio kill'd ?
+
+No , Cassio is not kill'd .
+
+Not Cassio kill'd ! then murder's out of tune ,
+And sweet revenge grows harsh .
+
+O ! falsely , falsely murder'd .
+
+Alas ! what cry is that ?
+
+That ! what ?
+
+Out , and alas ! that was my lady's voice :
+Help ! Help , ho ! help ! O lady , speak again !
+Sweet Desdemona ! O ! sweet mistress , speak .
+
+A guiltless death I die .
+
+O ! who hath done this deed ?
+
+Nobody ; I myself ; farewell :
+Commend me to my kind lord . O ! farewell !
+
+
+Why , how should she be murder'd ?
+
+Alas ! who knows ?
+
+You heard her say herself it was not I .
+
+She said so ; I must needs report the truth .
+
+She's like a liar gone to burning hell ;
+'Twas I that kill'd her .
+
+O ! the more angel she ,
+And you the blacker devil .
+
+She turn'd to folly , and she was a whore .
+
+Thou dost belie her , and thou art a devil .
+
+She was false as water .
+
+Thou art rash as fire to say
+That she was false : O ! she was heavenly true .
+
+Cassio did tup her ; ask thy husband else .
+O ! I were damn'd beneath all depth in bell
+But that I did proceed upon just grounds
+To this extremity . Thy husband knew it all .
+
+My husband !
+
+Thy husband .
+
+That she was false to wedlock ?
+
+Ay , with Cassio . Nay , had she been true ,
+If heaven would make me such another world
+Of one entire and perfect chrysolite ,
+I'd not have sold her for it .
+
+My husband !
+
+Ay , 'twas he that told me first :
+An honest man he is , and hates the slime
+That sticks on filthy deeds .
+
+My husband !
+
+What needs this iterance , woman ? I say thy husband .
+
+O mistress ! villany hath made mocks with love .
+My husband say that she was false !
+
+He , woman ;
+I say , thy husband : dost understand the word ?
+My friend , thy husband , honest , honest Iago .
+
+If he say so , may his pernicious soul
+Rot half a grain a day ! he lies to the heart :
+She was too fond of her most filthy bargain .
+
+Ha !
+
+Do thy worst :
+This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven
+Than thou wast worthy her .
+
+Peace ! you were best .
+
+Thou hast not half the power to do me harm
+As I have to be hurt . O gull ! O dolt !
+As ignorant as dirt ! thou hast done a deed ,
+I care not for thy sword ; I'll make thee known ,
+Though I lost twenty lives . Help ! help , ho ! help !
+The Moor has kill'd my mistress ! Murder ! murder !
+
+
+What is the matter ? How now , general !
+
+O ! are you come , Iago ? you have done well ,
+That men must lay their murders on your neck .
+
+What is the matter ?
+
+Disprove this villain if thou be'st a man :
+He says thou told'st him that his wife was false .
+I know thou didst not , thou'rt not such a villain ,
+Speak , for my heart is full .
+
+I told him what I thought , and told no more
+Than what he found himself was apt and true .
+
+But did you ever tell him she was false ?
+
+I did .
+
+You told a lie , an odious damned lie ;
+Upon my soul , a lie , a wicked lie .
+She false with Cassio ! Did you say with Cassio ?
+
+With Cassio , mistress . Go to , charm your tongue .
+
+I will not charm my tongue ; I am bound to speak .
+My mistress here lies murder'd in her bed .
+
+O heavens forfend !
+
+And your reports have set the murder on .
+
+Nay , stare not , masters ; it is true , indeed .
+
+'Tis a strange truth .
+
+O monstrous act !
+
+Villany ! villany ! villany !
+I think upon 't , I think , I smell 't ; O villany !
+I thought so then ; I'll kill myself for grief .
+O ! villany , villany !
+
+What ! are you mad ? I charge you , get you home .
+
+Good gentlemen , let me have leave to speak :
+'Tis proper I obey him , but not now .
+Perchance , Iago , I will ne'er go home .
+
+O ! O ! O !
+
+
+Nay , lay thee down and roar ,
+For thou hast kill'd the sweetest innocent
+That e'er did lift up eye .
+
+O ! she was foul .
+I scarce did know you , uncle . There lies your niece ,
+Whose breath , indeed , these hands have newly stopp'd :
+I know this act shows terrible and grim .
+
+Poor Desdemona ! I am glad thy father's dead .
+Thy match was mortal to him , and pure grief
+Shore his old thread in twain : did he live now ,
+This sight would make him do a desperate turn ,
+Yea , curse his better angel from his side ,
+And fall to reprobation .
+
+'Tis pitiful ; but yet Iago knows
+That she with Cassio hath the act of shame
+A thousand times committed ; Cassio confess'd it :
+And she did gratify his amorous works
+With that recognizance and pledge of love
+Which I first gave her . I saw it in his hand :
+It was a handkerchief , an antique token
+My father gave my mother .
+
+O heaven ! O heavenly powers !
+
+Come , hold your peace .
+
+'Twill out , 'twill out ; I hold my peace , air ? no ;
+No , I will speak as liberal as the north ;
+Let heaven and men and devils , let them all ,
+All , all , cry shame against me , yet I'll speak .
+
+Be wise , and get you home .
+
+I will not .
+
+
+Fie !
+Your sword upon a woman ?
+
+O thou dull Moor ! that handkerchief thou speak'st of
+I found by fortune and did give my husband ;
+For often , with a solemn earnestness ,
+More than , indeed , belong'd to such a trifle ,
+He begg'd of me to steal it .
+
+Villanous whore !
+
+She give it Cassio ! no , alas ! I found it ,
+And I did give 't my husband .
+
+Filth , thou liest !
+
+By heaven , I do not , I do not , gentlemen .
+O murderous coxcomb ! what should such a fool
+Do with so good a wife ?
+
+Are there no stones in heaven
+But what serve for the thunder ? Precious villain !
+
+
+The woman falls : sure , he has kill'd his wife .
+
+Ay , ay ; O ! lay me by my mistress' side .
+
+He's gone ; but his wife's kill'd .
+
+'Tis a notorious villain . Take you this weapon ,
+Which I have here recover'd from the Moor .
+Come , guard the door without ; let him not pass ,
+But kill him rather . I'll after that same villain ,
+For 'tis a damned slave .
+
+
+I am not valiant neither ,
+But every puny whipster gets my sword .
+But why should honour outlive honesty ?
+Let it go all .
+
+What did thy song bode , lady ?
+Hark , canst thou hear me ? I will play the swan ,
+And die in music :
+Willow , willow , willow .
+Moor , she was chaste ; she lov'd thee , cruel Moor ;
+So come my soul to bliss as I speak true ;
+So speaking as I think , I die , I die .
+
+
+I have another weapon in this chamber ;
+It is a sword of Spain , the ice brook's temper .
+O ! here it is . Uncle , I must come forth .
+
+If thou attempt it , it will cost thee dear :
+Thou hast no weapon , and perforce must suffer .
+
+Look in upon me then , and speak with me ,
+Or , naked as I am , I will assault thee .
+
+
+What is the matter ?
+
+Behold ! I have a weapon ;
+A better never did itself sustain
+Upon a soldier's thigh : I have seen the day ,
+That with this little arm , and this good sword ,
+I have made my way through more impediments
+Than twenty times your stop : but , O vain boast !
+Who can control his fate ? 'tis not so now .
+Be not afraid , though you do see me weapon'd ;
+Here is my journey's end , here is my butt ,
+And very sea-mark of my utmost sail .
+Do you go back dismay'd ? 'tis a lost fear ;
+Man but a rush against Othello's breast ,
+And he retires . Where should Othello go ?
+Now how dost thou look now ? O ill-starr'd wench !
+Pale as thy smock ! when we shall meet at compt ,
+This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven ,
+And fiends will snatch at it . Cold , cold , my girl !
+Even like thy chastity .
+O ! cursed , cursed slave . Whip me , ye devils ,
+From the possession of this heavenly sight !
+Blow me about in winds ! roast me in sulphur !
+Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire !
+O Desdemona ! Desdemona ! dead !
+Oh ! Oh ! Oh !
+
+
+Where is this rash and most unfortunate man ?
+
+That's he that was Othello ; here I am .
+
+Where is that viper ? bring the villain forth .
+
+I look down towards his feet ; but that's a fable .
+If that thou be'st a devil , I cannot kill thee .
+
+
+Wrench his sword from him .
+
+I bleed , sir ; but not kill'd .
+
+I am not sorry neither ; I'd have thee live ;
+For , in my sense , 'tis happiness to die .
+
+O thou Othello ! that wert once so good ,
+Fall'n in the practice of a damned slave ,
+What shall be said to thee ?
+
+Why , any thing :
+An honourable murderer , if you will ;
+For nought did I in hate , but all in honour .
+
+This wretch hath part confess'd his villany :
+Did you and he consent in Cassio's death ?
+
+Ay .
+
+Dear general , I never gave you cause .
+
+I do believe it , and I ask your pardon .
+Will you , I pray , demand that demi-devil
+Why he hath thus ensnar'd my soul and body ?
+
+Demand me nothing : what you know , you know :
+From this time forth I never will speak word .
+
+What ! not to pray ?
+
+Torments will ope your lips .
+
+Well , thou dost best .
+
+Sir , you shall understand what hath befall'n ,
+Which , as I think , you know not . Here is a letter
+Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo ,
+And here another ; the one of them imports
+The death of Cassio to be undertook
+By Roderigo .
+
+O villain !
+
+Most heathenish and most gross !
+
+Now here's another discontented paper ,
+Found in his pocket too ; and this , it seems ,
+Roderigo meant to have sent this damned villain ,
+But that , belike , Iago in the interim
+Came in and satisfied him .
+
+O the pernicious caitiff !
+How came you , Cassio , by that handkerchief
+That was my wife's ?
+
+I found it in my chamber ;
+And he himself confess'd but even now
+That there he dropp'd it for a special purpose
+Which wrought to his desire .
+
+O fool ! fool ! fool !
+
+There is besides in Roderigo's letter
+How he upbraids Iago that he made him
+Brave me upon the watch ; whereon it came
+That I was cast : and even but now he spake ,
+After long seeming dead , Iago hurt him ,
+Iago set him on .
+
+You must forsake this room and go with us ;
+Your power and your command is taken off ,
+And Cassio rules in Cyprus . For this slave ,
+If there be any cunning cruelty
+That can torment him much and hold him long ,
+It shall be his . You shall close prisoner rest .
+Till that the nature of your fault be known
+To the Venetian state . Come , bring him away .
+
+Soft you ; a word or two before you go .
+I have done the state some service , and they know't ;
+No more of that . I pray you , in your letters ,
+When you shall these unlucky deeds relate ,
+Speak of me as I am ; nothing extenuate ,
+Nor set down aught in malice : then , must you speak
+Of one that lov'd not wisely but too well ;
+Of one not easily jealous , but , being wrought ,
+Perplex'd in the extreme ; of one whose hand ,
+Like the base Indian , threw a pearl away
+Richer than all his tribe ; of one whose subdu'd eyes
+Albeit unused to the melting mood ,
+Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees
+Their med'cinable gum . Set you down this ;
+And say besides , that in Aleppo once ,
+Where a malignant and a turban'd Turk
+Beat a Venetian and traduc'd the state ,
+I took by the throat the circumcised dog ,
+And smote him thus .
+
+
+O bloody period !
+
+All that's spoke is marr'd .
+
+I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee ; no way but this ,
+
+Killing myself to die upon a kiss .
+
+
+This did I fear , but thought he had no weapon ;
+For he was great of heart .
+
+O Spartan dog !
+More fell than anguish , hunger , or the sea .
+Look on the tragic loading of this bed ;
+This is thy work ; the object poisons sight ;
+Let it be hid . Gratiano , keep the house ,
+And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor ,
+For they succeed on you . To you , lord governor ,
+Remains the censure of this hellish villain ,
+The time , the place , the torture ; O ! enforce it .
+Myself will straight aboard , and to the state
+This heavy act with heavy heart relate .
+
+ROMEO AND JULIET
+
+Two households , both alike in dignity ,
+In fair Verona , where we lay our scene ,
+From ancient grudge break to new mutiny ,
+Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean .
+From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
+A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life ;
+Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows
+Do with their death bury their parents' strife .
+The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love ,
+And the continuance of their parents' rage ,
+Which , but their children's end , nought could remove ,
+Is now the two hours' traffick of our stage ;
+The which if you with patient ears attend ,
+What here shall miss , our toil shall strive to mend .
+
+Gregory , o' my word , we'll not carry coals .
+
+No . for then we should be colliers .
+
+I mean , an we be in choler , we'll draw .
+
+Ay , while you live , draw your neck out o' the collar .
+
+I strike quickly , being moved .
+
+But thou art not quickly moved to strike .
+
+A dog of the house of Montague moves me .
+
+To move is to stir , and to be valiant is to stand ; therefore , if thou art moved , thou runnest away .
+
+A dog of that house shall move me to stand : I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's .
+
+That shows thee a weak slave ; for the weakest goes to the wall .
+
+'Tis true ; and therefore women , being the weaker vessels , are ever thrust to the wall : therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall , and thrust his maids to the wall .
+
+The quarrel is between our masters and us their men .
+
+'Tis all one , I will show myself a tyrant : when I have fought with the men , I will be cruel with the maids ; I will cut off their heads .
+
+The heads of the maids ?
+
+Ay , the heads of the maids , or their maidenheads ; take it in what sense thou wilt .
+
+They must take it in sense that feel it .
+
+Me they shall feel while I am able to stand ; and 'tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh .
+
+'Tis well thou art not fish ; if thou hadst , thou hadst been poor John . Draw thy tool ; here comes two of the house of the Montagues .
+
+
+My naked weapon is out ; quarrel , I will back thee .
+
+How ! turn thy back and run ?
+
+Fear me not .
+
+No , marry ; I fear thee !
+
+Let us take the law of our sides ; let them begin .
+
+I will frown as I pass by , and let them take it as they list .
+
+Nay , as they dare . I will bite my thumb at them ; which is a disgrace to them , if they bear it .
+
+Do you bite your thumb at us , sir ?
+
+I do bite my thumb , sir .
+
+Do you bite your thumb at us , sir ?
+
+Is the law of our side if I say ay ?
+
+No .
+
+No , sir , I do not bite my thumb at you , sir ; but I bite my thumb , sir .
+
+Do you quarrel , sir ?
+
+Quarrel , sir ! no , sir .
+
+If you do , sir , I am for you : I serve as good a man as you .
+
+No better .
+
+Well , sir .
+
+Say , 'better ;' here comes one of my master's kinsmen .
+
+Yes , better , sir .
+
+You lie .
+
+Draw , if you be men . Gregory , remember thy swashing blow .
+
+Part , fools !
+Put up your swords ; you know not what you do .
+
+What ! art thou drawn among these heartless hinds ?
+Turn-thee , Benvolio , look upon thy death .
+
+I do but keep the peace : put up thy sword ,
+Or manage it to part these men with me .
+
+What ! drawn , and talk of peace ? I hate the word ,
+As I hate hell , all Montagues , and thee .
+Have at thee , coward !
+
+
+Clubs , bills , and partisans ! strike ! beat them down !
+Down with the Capulets ! down with the Montagues !
+
+
+What noise is this ? Give me my long sword , ho !
+
+A crutch , a crutch ! Why call you for a sword ?
+
+My sword , I say ! Old Montague is come ,
+And flourishes his blade in spite of me .
+
+
+Thou villain Capulet ! Hold me not ; let me go .
+
+Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe .
+
+
+Rebellious subjects , enemies to peace ,
+Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel ,
+Will they not hear ? What ho ! you men , you beasts ,
+That quench the fire of your pernicious rage
+With purple fountains issuing from your veins ,
+On pain of torture , from those bloody hands
+Throw your mis-temper'd weapons to the ground ,
+And hear the sentence of your moved prince .
+Three civil brawls , bred of an airy word ,
+By thee , old Capulet , and Montague ,
+Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets ,
+And made Verona's ancient citizens
+Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments ,
+To wield old partisans , in hands as old ,
+Canker'd with peace , to part your canker'd hate .
+If ever you disturb our streets again
+Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace .
+For this time , all the rest depart away :
+You , Capulet , shall go along with me ;
+And , Montague , come you this afternoon
+To know our further pleasure in this case ,
+To old Free-town , our common judgment-place .
+Once more , on pain of death , all men depart .
+
+
+Who set this ancient quarrel new a-broach ?
+Speak , nephew , were you by when it began ?
+
+Here were the servants of your adversary
+And yours close fighting ere I did approach :
+I drew to part them ; in the instant came
+The fiery Tybalt , with his sword prepar'd ,
+Which , as he breath'd defiance to my ears ,
+He swung about his head , and cut the winds ,
+Who , nothing hurt withal hiss'd him in scorn .
+While we were interchanging thrusts and blows ,
+Came more and more , and fought on part and part ,
+Till the prince came , who parted either part .
+
+O ! where is Romeo ? saw you him to-day ?
+Right glad I am he was not at this fray .
+
+Madam , an hour before the worshipp'd sun
+Peer'd forth the golden window of the east ,
+A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad ;
+Where , underneath the grove of sycamore
+That westward rooteth from the city's side ,
+So early walking did I see your son :
+Towards him I made ; but he was ware of me ,
+And stole into the covert of the wood :
+I , measuring his affections by my own ,
+That most are busied when they're most alone ,
+Pursu'd my humour not pursuing his ,
+And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me .
+
+Many a morning hath he there been seen ,
+With tears augmenting the fresh morning's dew ,
+Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs :
+But all so soon as the all-cheering sun
+Should in the furthest east begin to draw
+The shady curtains from Aurora's bed ,
+Away from light steals home my heavy son ,
+And private in his chamber pens himself ,
+Shuts up his windows , locks fair daylight out ,
+And makes himself an artificial night .
+Black and portentous must this humour prove
+Unless good-counsel may the cause remove .
+
+My noble uncle , do you know the cause ?
+
+I neither know it nor can learn of him .
+
+Have you importun'd him by any means ?
+
+Both by myself and many other friends :
+But he , his own affections' counsellor ,
+Is to himself , I will not say how true ,
+But to himself so secret and so close ,
+So far from sounding and discovery ,
+As is the bud bit with an envious worm ,
+Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air ,
+Or dedicate his beauty to the sun .
+Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow ,
+We would as willingly give cure as know .
+
+See where he comes : so please you , step aside ;
+I'll know his grievance , or be much denied .
+
+I would thou wert so happy by thy stay ,
+To hear true shrift . Come , madam , let's away .
+
+Good morrow , cousin .
+
+Is the day so young ?
+
+But new struck nine .
+
+Ay me ! sad hours seem long .
+Was that my father that went hence so fast ?
+
+It was . What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours ?
+
+Not having that , which having , makes them short .
+
+In love ?
+
+Out
+
+Of love ?
+
+Out of her favour , where I am in love .
+
+Alas ! that love , so gentle in his view ,
+Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof .
+
+Alas ! that love , whose view is muffled still ,
+Should , without eyes , see pathways to his will .
+Where shall we dine ? O me ! What fray was here ?
+Yet tell me not , for I have heard it all .
+Here's much to do with hate , but more with love :
+Why then , O brawling love ! O loving hate !
+O any thing ! of nothing first create .
+O heavy lightness ! serious vanity !
+Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms !
+Feather of lead , bright smoke , cold fire , sick health !
+Still-waking sleep , that is not what it is !
+This love feel I , that feel no love in this .
+Dost thou not laugh ?
+
+No , coz , I rather weep .
+
+Good heart , at what ?
+
+At thy good heart's oppression .
+
+Why , such is love's transgression .
+Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast ,
+Which thou wilt propagate to have it press'd
+With more of thine : this love that thou hast shown
+Doth add more grief to too much of mine own .
+Love is a smoke rais'd with the fume of sighs ;
+Being purg'd , a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes ;
+Being vex'd , a sea nourish'd with lovers' tears :
+What is it else ? a madness most discreet ,
+A choking gall , and a preserving sweet .
+Farewell , my coz .
+
+
+Soft , I will go along ;
+An if you leave me so , you do me wrong .
+
+Tut ! I have lost myself ; I am not here ;
+This is not Romeo , he's some other where .
+
+Tell me in sadness , who is that you love .
+
+What ! shall I groan and tell thee ?
+
+Groan ! why , no ;
+But sadly tell me who .
+
+Bid a sick man in sadness make his will ;
+Ah ! word ill urg'd to one that is so ill .
+In sadness , cousin , I do love a woman .
+
+I aim'd so near when I suppos'd you lov'd .
+
+A right good mark-man ! And she's fair I love .
+
+A right fair mark , fair coz , is soonest hit .
+
+Well , in that hit you miss : she'll not be hit
+With Cupid's arrow ; she hath Dian's wit ;
+And , in strong proof of chastity well arm'd ,
+From love's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd .
+She will not stay the siege of loving terms ,
+Nor bide the encounter of assailing eyes ,
+Nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold :
+O ! she is rich in beauty ; only poor
+That , when she dies , with beauty dies her store .
+
+Then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste ?
+
+She hath , and in that sparing makes huge waste ;
+For beauty , starv'd with her severity ,
+Cuts beauty off from all posterity .
+She is too fair , too wise , wisely too fair ,
+To merit bliss by making me despair :
+She hath forsworn to love , and in that vow
+Do I live dead that live to tell it now .
+
+Be rul'd by me ; forget to think of her .
+
+O ! teach me how I should forget to think .
+
+By giving liberty unto thine eyes :
+Examine other beauties .
+
+'Tis the way
+To call hers exquisite , in question more .
+These happy masks that kiss fair ladies' brows
+Being black put us in mind they hide the fair ;
+He , that is strucken blind cannot forget
+The precious treasure of his eyesight lost :
+Show me a mistress that is passing fair ,
+What doth her beauty serve but as a note
+Where I may read who pass'd that passing fair ?
+Farewell : thou canst not teach me to forget .
+
+I'll pay that doctrine , or else die in debt .
+
+
+But Montague is bound as well as I ,
+In penalty alike ; and 'tis not hard , I think ,
+For men so old as we to keep the peace .
+
+Of honourable reckoning are you both ;
+And pity 'tis you liv'd at odds so long .
+But now , my lord , what say you to my suit ?
+
+But saying o'er what I have said before :
+My child is yet a stranger in the world ,
+She hath not seen the change of fourteen years ;
+Let two more summers wither in their pride
+Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride .
+
+Younger than she are happy mothers made .
+
+And too soon marr'd are those so early made .
+Earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she ,
+She is the hopeful lady of my earth :
+But woo her , gentle Paris , get her heart ,
+My will to her consent is but a part ;
+An she agree , within her scope of choice
+Lies my consent and fair according voice .
+This night I hold an old accustom'd feast ,
+Whereto I have invited many a guest
+Such as I love ; and you , among the store ,
+One more , most welcome , makes my number more .
+At my poor house look to behold this night
+Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light :
+Such comfort as do lusty young men feel
+When well-apparel'd April on the heel
+Of limping winter treads , even such delight
+Among fresh female buds shall you this night
+Inherit at my house ; hear all , all see ,
+And like her most whose merit most shall be :
+Which on more view , of many mine being one
+May stand in number , though in reckoning none .
+Come , go with me .
+
+Go , sirrah , trudge about
+Through fair Verona ; find those persons out
+Whose names are written there , and to them say ,
+My house and welcome on their pleasure stay .
+
+
+Find them out whose names are written here ! It is written that the shoemaker should meddle with his yard , and the tailor with his last , the fisher with his pencil , and the painter with his nets ; but I am sent to find those persons , whose names are here writ , and can never find what names the writing person hath here writ . I must to the learned . In good time .
+
+
+Tut ! man , one fire burns out another's burning ,
+One pain is lessen'd by another's anguish ;
+Turn giddy , and be holp by backward turning ;
+One desperate grief cures with another's languish :
+Take thou some new infection to thy eye ,
+And the rank poison of the old will die .
+
+Your plantain leaf is excellent for that .
+
+For what , I pray thee ?
+
+For your broken shin .
+
+Why , Romeo , art thou mad ?
+
+Not mad , but bound more than a madman is ;
+Shut up in prison , kept without my food ,
+Whipp'd and tormented , and Good den , good fellow .
+
+God gi' good den . I pray , sir , can you read ?
+
+Ay , mine own fortune in my misery .
+
+Perhaps you have learn'd it without book : but , I pray , can you read any thing you see ?
+
+Ay , if I know the letters and the language .
+
+Ye say honestly ; rest you merry !
+
+
+Stay , fellow ; I can read .
+Signior Martino and his wife and daughters ; County Anselme and his beauteous sisters ; the lady widow of Vitruvio ; Signior Placentio , and his lovely nieces ; Mercutio and his brother Valentine ; mine uncle Capulet , his wife and daughters ; my fair niece Rosaline ; Livia ; Signior Valentio and his cousin Tybalt ; Lucio and the lively Helena .
+A fair assembly : whither should they come ?
+
+Up .
+
+Whither ?
+
+To supper ; to our house .
+
+Whose house ?
+
+My master's .
+
+Indeed , I should have asked you that before .
+
+Now I'll tell you without asking . My master is the great rich Capulet ; and if you be not of the house of Montagues , I pray , come and crush a cup of wine . Rest you merry !
+
+
+At this same ancient feast of Capulet's ,
+Sups the fair Rosaline , whom thou so lov'st ,
+With all the admired beauties of Verona :
+Go thither ; and , with unattainted eye
+Compare her face with some that I shall show ,
+And I will make thee think thy swan a crow .
+
+When the devout religion of mine eye
+Maintains such falsehood , then turn tears to fires !
+And these , who often drown'd could never die ,
+Transparent heretics , be burnt for liars !
+One fairer than my love ! the all-seeing sun
+Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun .
+
+Tut ! you saw her fair , none else being by ,
+Herself pois'd with herself in either eye ;
+But in that crystal scales let there be weigh'd
+Your lady's love against some other maid
+That I will show you shining at this feast ,
+And she shall scant show well that now shows best .
+
+I'll go along , no such sight to be shown ,
+But to rejoice in splendour of mine own .
+
+
+Nurse , where's my daughter ? call her forth to me .
+
+Now , by my maidenhead , at twelve year old ,
+I bade her come . What , lamb ! what , ladybird !
+God forbid ! where's this girl ? what , Juliet !
+
+
+How now ! who calls ?
+
+Your mother .
+
+Madam , I am here .
+What is your will ?
+
+This is the matter . Nurse , give leave awhile .
+We must talk in secret : nurse , come back again ;
+I have remember'd me , thou's hear our counsel .
+Thou know'st my daughter's of a pretty age .
+
+Faith , I can tell her age unto an hour .
+
+She's not fourteen .
+
+I'll lay fourteen of my teeth
+And yet to my teen be it spoken I have but four
+She is not fourteen . How long is it now
+To Lammas-tide ?
+
+A fortnight and odd days .
+
+Even or odd , of all days in the year ,
+Come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen .
+Susan and she God rest all Christian souls !
+Were of an age . Well , Susan is with God ;
+She was too good for me . But , as I said ,
+On Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen ;
+That shall she , marry ; I remember it well .
+'Tis since the earthquake now eleven years ;
+And she was wean'd , I never shall forget it ,
+Of all the days of the year , upon that day ;
+For I had then laid wormwood to my dug ,
+Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall ;
+My lord and you were then at Mantua .
+Nay , I do bear a brain :but , as I said ,
+When it did taste the wormwood on the nipple
+Of my dug and felt it bitter , pretty fool !
+To see it tetchy and fall out with the dug .
+'Shake ,' quoth the dove-house : 'twas no need , I trow ,
+To bid me trudge :
+And since that time it is eleven years ;
+For then she could stand high lone ; nay , by the rood ,
+She could have run and waddled all about ;
+For even the day before she broke her brow :
+And then my husband God be with his soul !
+A' was a merry man took up the child :
+'Yea ,' quoth he , 'dost thou fall upon thy face ?
+Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit ;
+Wilt thou not , Jule ?' and , by my halidom ,
+The pretty wretch left crying , and said 'Ay .'
+To see now how a jest shall come about !
+I warrant , an I should live a thousand years ,
+I never should forget it : 'Wilt thou not , Jule ?' quoth he ;
+And , pretty fool , it stinted and said 'Ay .'
+
+Enough of this ; I pray thee , hold thy peace .
+
+Yes , madam . Yet I cannot choose but laugh ,
+To think it should leave crying , and say 'Ay .'
+And yet , I warrant , it had upon its brow
+A bump as big as a young cockerel's stone ;
+A parlous knock ; and it cried bitterly :
+'Yea ,' quoth my husband , 'fall'st upon thy face ?
+Thou wilt fall backward when thou com'st to age ;
+Wilt thou not , Jule ?' it stinted and said 'Ay .'
+
+And stint thou too , I pray thee , nurse , say I .
+
+Peace , I have done . God mark thee to his grace !
+Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nursed :
+An I might live to see thee married once ,
+I have my wish .
+
+Marry , that 'marry' is the very theme
+I came to talk of . Tell me , daughter Juliet ,
+How stands your disposition to be married ?
+
+It is an honour that I dream not of .
+
+An honour ! were not I thine only nurse ,
+I would say thou hadst suck'd wisdom from thy teat .
+
+Well , think of marriage now ; younger than you ,
+Here in Verona , ladies of esteem ,
+Are made already mothers : by my count ,
+I was your mother much upon these years
+That you are now a maid . Thus then in brief ,
+The valiant Paris seeks you for his love .
+
+A man , young lady ! lady , such a man
+As all the world why , he's a man of wax .
+
+Verona's summer hath not such a flower .
+
+Nay , he's a flower ; in faith , a very flower .
+
+What say you ? can you love the gentleman ?
+This night you shall behold him at our feast ;
+Read o'er the volume of young Paris' face
+And find delight writ there with beauty's pen ;
+Examine every married lineament ,
+And see how one another lends content ;
+And what obscur'd in this fair volume lies
+Find written in the margent of his eyes .
+This precious book of love , this unbound lover ,
+To beautify him , only lacks a cover :
+The fish lives in the sea , and 'tis much pride
+For fair without the fair within to hide :
+That book in many eyes doth share the glory ,
+That in gold clasps locks in the golden story :
+So shall you share all that he doth possess ,
+By having him making yourself no less .
+
+No less ! nay , bigger ; women grow by men .
+
+Speak briefly , can you like of Paris' love ?
+
+I'll look to like , if looking liking move ;
+But no more deep will I endart mine eye
+Than your consent gives strength to make it fly .
+
+
+Madam , the guests are come , supper served up , you called , my young lady asked for , the nurse cursed in the pantry , and everything in extremity . I must hence to wait ; I beseech you , follow straight .
+
+We follow thee . Juliet , the county stays .
+
+Go , girl , seek happy nights to happy days .
+
+
+What ! shall this speech be spoke for our excuse ,
+Or shall we on without apology ?
+
+The date is out of such prolixity :
+We'll have no Cupid hood-wink'd with a scarf ,
+Bearing a Tartar's painted bow of lath ,
+Scaring the ladies like a crow-keeper ;
+Nor no without-book prologue , faintly spoke
+After the prompter , for our entrance :
+But , let them measure us by what they will ,
+We'll measure them a measure , and be gone .
+
+Give me a torch : I am not for this ambling ;
+Being but heavy , I will bear the light .
+
+Nay , gentle Romeo , we must have you dance .
+
+Not I , believe me : you have dancing shoes
+With nimble soles ; I have a soul of lead
+So stakes me to the ground I cannot move .
+
+You are a lover ; borrow Cupid's wings ,
+And soar with them above a common bound .
+
+I am too sore enpierced with his shaft
+To soar with his light feathers ; and so bound
+I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe :
+Under love's heavy burden do I sink .
+
+And , to sink in it , should you burden love ;
+Too great oppression for a tender thing .
+
+Is love a tender thing ? it is too rough ,
+Too rude , too boisterous ; and it pricks like thorn .
+
+If love be rough with you , be rough with love ;
+Prick love for pricking , and you beat love down .
+Give me a case to put my visage in :
+
+A visor for a visor ! what care I ,
+What curious eye doth quote deformities ?
+Here are the beetle brows shall blush for me .
+
+Come , knock and enter ; and no sooner in ,
+But every man betake him to his legs .
+
+A torch for me ; let wantons , light of heart ,
+Tickle the senseless rushes with their heels ,
+For I am proverb'd with a grandsire phrase ;
+I'll be a candle holder , and look on .
+The game was ne'er so fair , and I am done .
+
+Tut ! dun's the mouse , the constable's own word .
+If thou art Dun , we'll draw thee from the mire ,
+Of save your reverence love , wherein thou stick'st
+Up to the ears . Come , we burn daylight , ho !
+
+Nay , that's not so .
+
+I mean , sir , in delay
+We waste our lights in vain , like lamps by day .
+Take our good meaning , for our judgment sits
+Five times in that ere once in our five wits .
+
+And we mean well in going to this masque ;
+But 'tis no wit to go .
+
+Why , may one ask ?
+
+I dream'd a dream to-night .
+
+And so did I .
+
+Well , what was yours ?
+
+That dreamers often lie .
+
+In bed asleep , while they do dream things true .
+
+O ! then , I see , Queen Mab hath been with you .
+
+Queen Mab ! What's she ?
+
+She is the fairies' midwife , and she comes
+In shape no bigger than an agate-stone
+On the fore-finger of an alderman ,
+Drawn with a team of little atomies
+Athwart men's noses as they lie asleep :
+Her waggon-spokes made of long spinners' legs ;
+The cover , of the wings of grasshoppers ;
+The traces , of the smallest spider's web ;
+The collars , of the moonshine's watery beams ;
+Her whip , of cricket's bone ; the lash , of film ;
+Her waggoner , a small grey-coated gnat ,
+Not half so big as a round little worm
+Prick'd from the lazy finger of a maid ;
+Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut ,
+Made by the joiner squirrel or old grub ,
+Time out o' mind the fairies' coach-makers .
+And in this state she gallops night by night
+Through lovers' brains , and then they dream of love ;
+O'er courtiers' knees , that dream on curtsies straight ;
+O'er lawyers' fingers , who straight dream on fees ;
+O'er ladies' lips , who straight on kisses dream ;
+Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues ,
+Because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are .
+Sometimes she gallops o'er a courtier's nose ,
+And then dreams he of smelling out a suit ;
+And sometimes comes she with a tithe pig's tail ,
+Tickling a parson's nose as a' lies asleep ,
+Then dreams he of another benefice ;
+Sometime she driveth o'er a soldier's neck ,
+And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats ,
+Of breaches , ambuscadoes , Spanish bladed ,
+Of healths five fathom deep ; and then anon
+Drums in his ear , at which he starts and wakes ;
+And , being thus frighted , swears a prayer or two ,
+And sleeps again . This is that very Mab
+That plats the manes of horses in the night ;
+And bakes the elf-locks in foul sluttish hairs ,
+Which once untangled much misfortune bodes ;
+This is the hag , when maids lie on their backs ,
+That presses them and learns them first to bear ,
+Making them women of good carriage :
+This is she
+
+Peace , peace ! Mercutio , peace !
+Thou talk'st of nothing .
+
+True , I talk of dreams ,
+Which are the children of an idle brain ,
+Begot of nothing but vain fantasy ;
+Which is as thin of substance as the air ,
+And more inconstant than the wind , who woos
+Even now the frozen bosom of the north ,
+And , being anger'd , puffs away from thence ,
+Turning his face to the dew-dropping south .
+
+This wind you talk of blows us from ourselves ;
+Supper is done , and we shall come too late .
+
+I fear too early ; for my mind misgives
+Some consequence yet hanging in the stars
+Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
+With this night's revels , and expire the term
+Of a despised life clos'd in my breast
+By some vile forfeit of untimely death .
+But he , that hath the steerage of my course ,
+Direct my sail !, On , lusty gentlemen .
+
+Strike , drum .
+
+
+Where's Potpan , that he helps not to take away ? he shift a trencher ! he scrape a trencher !
+
+When good manners shall lie all in one or two men's hands , and they unwashed too , 'tis a foul thing .
+
+Away with the joint-stools , remove the court-cupboard , look to the plate . Good thou , save me a piece of marchpane ; and , as thou lovest me , let the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell . Antony ! and Potpan !
+
+Ay , boy ; ready .
+
+You are looked for and called for , asked for and sought for in the great chamber .
+
+We cannot be here and there too .
+
+Cheerly , boys ; be brisk awhile , and the longer liver take all .
+
+Welcome , gentlemen ! ladies that have their toes
+Unplagu'd with corns will walk a bout with you .
+Ah ha ! my mistresses , which of you all
+Will now deny to dance ? she that makes dainty , she ,
+I'll swear , hath corns ; am I come near ye now ?
+Welcome , gentlemen ! I have seen the day
+That I have worn a visor , and could tell
+A whispering tale in a fair lady's ear
+Such as would please ; 'tis gone , 'tis gone , 'tis gone .
+You are welcome , gentlemen ! Come , musicians , play .
+A hall ! a hall ! give room , and foot it , girls .
+
+More light , ye knaves ! and turn the tables up ,
+And quench the fire , the room has grown too hot .
+Ah ! sirrah , this unlook'd-for sport comes well .
+Nay , sit , nay , sit , good cousin Capulet ,
+For you and I are past our dancing days ;
+How long is 't now since last yourself and I
+Were in a mask ?
+
+By'r Lady , thirty years .
+
+What , man ! 'tis not so much , 'tis not so much :
+'Tis since the nuptial of Lucentio ,
+Come Pentecost as quickly as it will ,
+Some five and twenty years ; and then we mask'd .
+
+'Tis more , 'tis more ; his son is older , sir .
+His son is thirty .
+
+Will you tell me that ?
+His son was but a ward two years ago .
+
+What lady is that which doth enrich the hand
+Of yonder knight ?
+
+I know not , sir .
+
+O ! she doth teach the torches to burn bright .
+It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
+Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear ;
+Beauty too rich for use , for earth too dear !
+So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows ,
+As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows .
+The measure done , I'll watch her place of stand ,
+And , touching hers , make blessed my rude hand .
+Did my heart love till now ? forswear it , sight !
+For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night .
+
+This , by his voice , should be a Montague .
+Fetch me my rapier , boy . What ! dares the slave
+Come hither , cover'd with an antick face ,
+To fleer and scorn at our solemnity ?
+Now , by the stock and honour of my kin ,
+To strike him dead I hold it not a sin .
+
+Why , how now , kinsman ! wherefore storm you so ?
+
+Uncle , this is a Montague , our foe ;
+A villain that is hither come in spite ,
+To scorn at our solemnity this night .
+
+Young Romeo , is it ?
+
+'Tis he , that villain Romeo .
+
+Content thee , gentle coz , let him alone :
+He bears him like a portly gentleman ;
+And , to say truth , Verona brags of him
+To be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth .
+I would not for the wealth of all this town
+Here in my house do him disparagement ;
+Therefore be patient , take no note of him :
+It is my will ; the which if thou respect ,
+Show a fair presence and put off these frowns ,
+An ill-beseeming semblance for a feast .
+
+It fits , when such a villain is a guest :
+I'll not endure him .
+
+He shall be endur'd :
+What ! goodman boy ; I say , he shall , go to ;
+Am I the master here , or you ? go to .
+You'll not endure him ! God shall mend my soul !
+You'll make a mutiny among my guests !
+You will set cock-a-hoop ! you'll be the man !
+
+Why , uncle , 'tis a shame .
+
+Go to , go to ;
+You are a saucy boy is't so indeed ?
+This trick may chance to scathe you .I know what :
+You must contrary me ! marry , 'tis time .
+Well said , my hearts ! You are a princox ; go :
+Be quiet , or More light , more light !For shame !
+I'll make you quiet . What ! cheerly , my hearts !
+
+Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting
+Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting .
+I will withdraw ; but this intrusion shall
+Now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall .
+
+
+If I profane with my unworthiest hand
+This holy shrine , the gentle sin is this ;
+My lips , two blushing pilgrims , ready stand
+To smooth that rough touch with a tenderkiss .
+
+Good pilgrim , you do wrong your hand too much ,
+Which mannerly devotion shows in this ;
+For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch ,
+And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss .
+
+Have not saints lips , and holy palmers too ?
+
+Ay , pilgrim , lips that they must use in prayer .
+
+O ! then , dear saint , let lips do what hands do ;
+They pray , grant thou , lest faith turn to despair .
+
+Saints do not move , though grant for prayers' sake .
+
+Then move not , while my prayers' effect I take .
+Thus from my lips , by thine , my sin is purg'd .
+
+
+Then have my lips the sin that they have took .
+
+Sin from my lips ? O trespass sweetly urg'd !
+Give me my sin again .
+
+You kiss by the book .
+
+Madam , your mother craves a word with you .
+
+What is her mother ?
+
+Marry , bachelor ,
+Her mother is the lady of the house ,
+And a good lady , and a wise , and virtuous :
+I nurs'd her daughter , that you talk'd withal ;
+I tell you he that can lay hold of her
+Shall have the chinks .
+
+Is she a Capulet ?
+O dear account ! my life is my foe's debt .
+
+Away , be gone ; the sport is at the best .
+
+Ay , so I fear ; the more is my unrest .
+
+Nay , gentlemen , prepare not to be gone ;
+We have a trifling foolish banquet towards .
+Is it e'en so ? Why then , I thank you all ;
+I thank you , honest gentlemen ; good-night .
+More torches here ! Come on then , let's to bed .
+Ah ! sirrah , by my fay , it waxes late ;
+I'll to my rest .
+
+
+Come hither , nurse . What is yond gentleman ?
+
+The son and heir of old Tiberio .
+
+What's he that now is going out of door ?
+
+Marry , that , I think , be young Petruchio .
+
+What's he , that follows there , that would not dance ?
+
+I know not .
+
+Go , ask his name .If he be married ,
+My grave is like to be my wedding bed .
+
+His name is Romeo , and a Montague ;
+The only son of your great enemy .
+
+My only love sprung from my only hate !
+Too early seen unknown , and known too late !
+Prodigious birth of love it is to me ,
+That I must love a loathed enemy .
+
+What's this , what's this ?
+
+A rime I learn'd even now
+Of one I danc'd withal .
+
+
+Anon , anon !
+Come , let's away ; the strangers are all gone .
+
+Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie ,
+And young affection gapes to be his heir ;
+That fair for which love groan'd for and would die ,
+With tender Juliet match'd , is now not fair .
+Now Romeo is belov'd and loves again ,
+Alike bewitched by the charm of looks ,
+But to his foe suppos'd he must complain ,
+And she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks :
+Being held a foe , he may not have access
+To breathe such vows as lovers us'd to swear ;
+And she as much in love , her means much less
+To meet her new-beloved any where :
+But passion lends them power , time means , to meet ,
+Tempering extremity with extreme sweet .
+
+Can I go forward when my heart is here ?
+Turn back , dull earth , and find thy centre out .
+
+Romeo ! my cousin Romeo !
+
+He is wise ;
+And , on my life , hath stol'n him home to bed .
+
+He ran this way , and leap'd this orchard wall :
+Call , good Mercutio .
+
+Nay , I'll conjure too .
+Romeo ! humours ! madman ! passion ! lover !
+Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh :
+Speak but one rime and I am satisfied ;
+Cry but 'Ay me !' couple but 'love' and 'dove ;'
+Speak to my gossip Venus one fair word .
+One nickname for her purblind son and heir ,
+Young Adam Cupid , he that shot so trim
+When King Cophetua lov'd the beggar-maid .
+He heareth not , he stirreth not , he moveth not ;
+The ape is dead , and I must conjure him .
+I conjure thee by Rosaline's bright eyes ,
+By her high forehead , and her scarlet lip ,
+By her fine foot , straight leg , and quivering thigh ,
+And the demesnes that there adjacent lie ,
+That in thy likeness thou appear to us .
+
+An if he hear thee , thou wilt anger him .
+
+This cannot anger him : 'twould anger him
+To raise a spirit in his mistress' circle
+Of some strange nature , letting it there stand
+Till she had laid it , and conjur'd it down ;
+That were some spite : my invocation
+Is fair and honest , and in his mistress' name
+I conjure only but to raise up him .
+
+Come , he hath hid himself among these trees ,
+To be consorted with the humorous night :
+Blind is his love and best befits the dark .
+
+If love be blind , love cannot hit the mark .
+Now will he sit under a medlar tree ,
+And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit
+As maids call medlars , when they laugh alone .
+O Romeo ! that she were , O ! that she were
+An open et c tera , thou a poperin pear .
+Romeo , good night : I'll to my truckle-bed ;
+This field-bed is too cold for me to sleep :
+Come , shall we go ?
+
+Go , then ; for 'tis in vain
+To seek him here that means not to be found .
+
+
+He jests at scars , that never felt a wound .
+
+But , soft ! what light through yonder window breaks ?
+It is the east , and Juliet is the sun !
+Arise , fair sun , and kill the envious moon ,
+Who is already sick and pale with grief ,
+That thou her maid art far more fair than she :
+Be not her maid , since she is envious ;
+Her vestal livery is but sick and green ,
+And none but fools do wear it ; cast it off .
+It is my lady ; O ! it is my love :
+O ! that she knew she were .
+She speaks , yet she says nothing : what of that ?
+Her eye discourses ; I will answer it .
+I am too bold , 'tis not to me she speaks :
+Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven ,
+Having some business , do entreat her eyes
+To twinkle in their spheres till they return .
+What if her eyes were there , they in her head ?
+The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
+As daylight doth a lamp ; her eyes in heaven
+Would through the airy region stream so bright
+That birds would sing and think it were not night .
+See ! how she leans her cheek upon her hand :
+O ! that I were a glove upon that hand ,
+That I might touch that cheek .
+
+Ay me !
+
+She speaks :
+O ! speak again , bright angel ; for thou art
+As glorious to this night , being o'er my head ,
+As is a winged messenger of heaven
+Unto the white-upturned wond'ring eyes
+Of mortals , that fall back to gaze on him
+When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds ,
+And sails upon the bosom of the air .
+
+O Romeo , Romeo ! wherefore art thou Romeo ?
+Deny thy father , and refuse thy name ;
+Or , if thou wilt not , be but sworn my love ,
+And I'll no longer be a Capulet .
+
+Shall I hear more , or shall I speak at this ?
+
+'Tis but thy name that is my enemy ;
+Thou art thyself though , not a Montague .
+What's Montague ? it is nor hand , nor foot ,
+Nor arm , nor face , nor any other part
+Belonging to a man . O ! be some other name :
+What's in a name ? that which we call a rose
+By any other name would smell as sweet ;
+So Romeo would , were he not Romeo call'd ,
+Retain that dear perfection which he owes
+Without that title . Romeo , doff thy name ;
+And for that name , which is no part of thee ,
+Take all myself .
+
+I take thee at thy word .
+Call me but love , and I'll be new baptiz'd ;
+Henceforth I never will be Romeo .
+
+What man art thou , that , thus bescreen'd in night ,
+So stumblest on my counsel ?
+
+By a name
+I know not how to tall thee who I am :
+My name , dear saint , is hateful to myself ,
+Because it is an enemy to thee :
+Had I it written , I would tear the word .
+
+My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words
+Of that tongue's uttering , yet I know the sound :
+Art thou not Romeo , and a Montague ?
+
+Neither , fair maid , if either thee dislike .
+
+How cam'st thou hither , tell me , and wherefore ?
+The orchard walls are high and hard to climb ,
+And the place death , considering who thou art ,
+If any of my kinsmen find thee here .
+
+With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls ;
+For stony limits cannot hold love out ,
+And what love can do that dares love attempt ;
+Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me .
+
+If they do see thee they will murder thee .
+
+Alack ! there lies more peril in thine eye
+Than twenty of their swords : look thou but sweet ,
+And I am proof against their enmity .
+
+I would not for the world they saw thee here .
+
+I have night's cloak to hide me from their eyes ;
+And but thou love me , let them find me here ;
+My life were better ended by their hate ,
+Than death prorogued , wanting of thy love .
+
+By whose direction found'st thou out this place ?
+
+By Love , that first did prompt me to inquire ;
+He lent me counsel , and I lent him eyes .
+I am no pilot ; yet , wert thou as far
+As that vast shore wash'd with the furthest sea ,
+I would adventure for such merchandise .
+
+Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face ,
+Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek
+For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night .
+Fain would I dwell on form , fain , fain deny
+What I have spoke : but farewell compliment !
+Dost thou love me ? I know thou wilt say 'Ay ;'
+And I will take thy word ; yet , if thou swear'st ,
+Thou mayst prove false ; at lovers' perjuries ,
+They say , Jove laughs . O gentle Romeo !
+If thou dost love , pronounce it faithfully :
+Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won ,
+I'll frown and be perverse and say thee nay ,
+So thou wilt woo ; but else , not for the world .
+In truth , fair Montague , I am too fond ,
+And therefore thou mayst think my haviour light :
+But trust me , gentleman , I'll prove more true
+Than those that have more cunning to be strange .
+I should have been more strange , I must confess ,
+But that thou over-heard'st , ere I was 'ware ,
+My true love's passion : therefore pardon me ,
+And not impute this yielding to light love ,
+Which the dark night hath so discovered .
+
+Lady , by yonder blessed moon I swear
+That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops ,
+
+O ! swear not by the moon , the inconstant moon ,
+That monthly changes in her circled orb ,
+Lest that thy love prove likewise variable .
+
+What shall I swear by ?
+
+Do not swear at all ;
+Or , if thou wilt , swear by thy gracious self ,
+Which is the god of my idolatry ,
+And I'll believe thee .
+
+If my heart's dear love
+
+Well , do not swear . Although I joy in thee ,
+I have no joy of this contract to-night :
+It is too rash , too unadvis'd , too sudden ;
+Too like the lightning , which doth cease to be
+Ere one can say it lightens . Sweet , good-night !
+This bud of love , by summer's ripening breath ,
+May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet .
+Good-night , good-night ! as sweet repose and rest
+Come to thy heart as that within my breast !
+
+O ! wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied ?
+
+What satisfaction canst thou have to-night ?
+
+The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine .
+
+I gave thee mine before thou didst request it ;
+And yet I would it were to give again .
+
+Wouldst thou withdraw it ? for what purpose , love ?
+
+But to be frank , and give it thee again .
+And yet I wish but for the thing I have :
+My bounty is as boundless as the sea ,
+My love as deep ; the more I give to thee ,
+The more I have , for both are infinite .
+
+I hear some noise within ; dear love , adieu !
+Anon , good nurse ! Sweet Montague , be true .
+Stay but a little , I will come again .
+
+
+O blessed , blessed night ! I am afeard ,
+Being in night , all this is but a dream ,
+Too flattering-sweet to be substantial .
+
+
+Three words , dear Romeo , and good-night indeed .
+If that thy bent of love be honourable ,
+Thy purpose marriage , send me word to-morrow ,
+By one that I'll procure to come to thee ,
+Where , and what time , thou wilt perform the rite ;
+And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay ,
+And follow thee my lord throughout the world .
+
+Madam !
+
+I come , anon .But if thou mean'st not well ,
+I do beseech thee ,
+
+Madam !
+
+By and by ; I come :
+To cease thy suit , and leave me to my grief :
+To-morrow will I send .
+
+So thrive my soul ,
+
+A thousand times good-night !
+
+
+A thousand times the worse , to want thy light .
+Love goes toward love , as schoolboys from their books ;
+But love from love , toward school with heavy looks .
+
+Hist ! Romeo , hist ! O ! for a falconer's voice ,
+To lure this tassel-gentle back again .
+Bondage is hoarse , and may not speak aloud ,
+Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies ,
+And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine ,
+With repetition of my Romeo's name .
+
+It is my soul that calls upon my name :
+How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night ,
+Like softest music to attending ears !
+
+Romeo !
+
+My dear !
+
+At what o'clock to-morrow
+Shall I send to thee ?
+
+At the hour of nine .
+
+I will not fail ; 'tis twenty years till then .
+I have forgot why I did call thee back .
+
+Let me stand here till thou remember it .
+
+I shall forget , to have thee still stand there ,
+Remembering how I love thy company .
+
+And I'll still stay , to have thee still forget ,
+Forgetting any other home but this .
+
+'Tis almost morning ; I would have thee gone ;
+And yet no further than a wanton's bird ,
+Who lets it hop a little from her hand ,
+Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves ,
+And with a silk thread plucks it back again ,
+So loving-jealous of his liberty .
+
+I would I were thy bird .
+
+Sweet , so would I :
+Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing .
+Good-night , good-night ! parting is such sweet sorrow
+That I shall say good-night till it be morrow .
+
+
+Sleep dwell upon thine eyes , peace in thy breast !
+Would I were sleep and peace , so sweet to rest !
+Hence will I to my ghostly father's cell ,
+His help to crave , and my dear hap to tell .
+
+
+The grey-ey'd morn smiles on the frowning night ,
+Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light ,
+And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels
+From forth day's path and Titan's fiery wheels :
+Now , ere the sun advance his burning eye
+The day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry ,
+I must up-fill this osier cage of ours
+With baleful weeds and precious-juiced flowers .
+The earth that's nature's mother is her tomb ;
+What is her burying grave that is her womb ,
+And from her womb children of divers kind
+We sucking on her natural bosom find ,
+Many for many virtues excellent ,
+None but for some , and yet all different .
+O ! mickle is the powerful grace that lies
+In herbs , plants , stones , and their true qualities :
+For nought so vile that on the earth doth live
+But to the earth some special good doth give ,
+Nor aught so good but strain'd from that fair use
+Revolts from true birth , stumbling on abuse :
+Virtue itself turns vice , being misapplied ,
+And vice sometime's by action dignified .
+Within the infant rind of this weak flower
+Poison hath residence and medicine power :
+For this , being smelt , with that part cheers each part ;
+Being tasted , slays all senses with the heart .
+Two such opposed foes encamp them still
+In man as well as herbs , grace and rude will ;
+And where the worser is predominant ,
+Full soon the canker death eats up that plant .
+
+
+Good morrow , father !
+
+Benedicite !
+What early tongue so sweet saluteth me ?
+Young son , it argues a distemper'd head
+So soon to bid good morrow to thy bed :
+Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye ,
+And where care lodges , sleep will never lie ;
+But where unbruised youth with unstuff'd brain
+Doth couch his limbs , there golden sleep doth reign :
+Therefore thy earliness doth me assure
+Thou art up-rous'd by some distemperature ;
+Or if not so , then here I hit it right ,
+Our Romeo hath not been in bed to-night .
+
+That last is true ; the sweeter rest was mine .
+
+God pardon sin ! wast thou with Rosaline ?
+
+With Rosaline , my ghostly father ? no ;
+I have forgot that name , and that name's woe .
+
+That's my good son : but where hast thou been , then ?
+
+I'll tell thee , ere thou ask it me again .
+I have been feasting with mine enemy ,
+Where on a sudden one hath wounded me ,
+That's by me wounded : both our remedies
+Within thy help and holy physic lies :
+I bear no hatred , blessed man ; for , lo !
+My intercession likewise steads my foe .
+
+Be plain , good son , and homely in thy drift ;
+Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift .
+
+Then plainly know my heart's dear love is set
+On the fair daughter of rich Capulet :
+As mine on hers , so hers is set on mine ;
+And all combin'd , save what thou must combine
+By holy marriage : when and where and how
+We met we woo'd and made exchange of vow ,
+I'll tell thee as we pass ; but this I pray ,
+That thou consent to marry us to-day .
+
+Holy Saint Francis ! what a change is here ;
+Is Rosaline , whom thou didst love so dear ,
+So soon forsaken ? young men's love then lies
+Not truly in their hearts , but in their eyes .
+Jesu Maria ! what a deal of brine
+Hath wash'd thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline ;
+How much salt water thrown away in waste ,
+To season love , that of it doth not taste !
+The sun not yet thy sighs from heaven clears ,
+Thy old groans ring yet in my ancient ears ;
+Lo ! here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit
+Of an old tear that is not wash'd off yet .
+If e'er thou wast thyself and these woes thine ,
+Thou and these woes were all for Rosaline :
+And art thou chang'd ? pronounce this sentence then :
+Women may fall , when there's no strength in men .
+
+Thou chidd'st me oft for loving Rosaline .
+
+For doting , not for loving , pupil mine .
+
+And bad'st me bury love .
+
+Not in a grave ,
+To lay one in , another out to have .
+
+I pray thee , chide not ; she , whom I love now
+Doth grace for grace and love for love allow ;
+The other did not so .
+
+O ! she knew well
+Thy love did read by rote and could not spell .
+But come , young waverer , come , go with me ,
+In one respect I'll thy assistant be ;
+For this alliance may so happy prove ,
+To turn your households' rancour to pure love .
+
+O ! let us hence ; I stand on sudden haste .
+
+Wisely and slow ; they stumble that run fast .
+
+
+Where the devil should this Romeo be ?
+Came he not home to-night ?
+
+Not to his father's ; I spoke with his man .
+
+Why that same pale hard-hearted wench , that Rosaline ,
+Torments him so , that he will sure run mad .
+
+Tybalt , the kinsman of old Capulet ,
+Hath sent a letter to his father's house .
+
+A challenge , on my life .
+
+Romeo will answer it .
+
+Any man that can write may answer a letter .
+
+Nay , he will answer the letter's master , how he dares , being dared .
+
+Alas ! poor Romeo , he is already dead ; stabbed with a white wench's black eye ; shot through the ear with a love-song ; the very pin of his heart cleft with the blind bow-boy's butt-shaft ; and is he a man to encounter Tybalt ?
+
+Why , what is Tybalt ?
+
+More than prince of cats , I can tell you . O ! he is the courageous captain of compliments . He fights as you sing prick-song , keeps time , distance , and proportion ; rests me his minim rest , one , two , and the third in your bosom ; the very butcher of a silk button , a duellist , a duellist ; a gentleman of the very first house , of the first and second cause . Ah ! the immortal passado ! the punto reverso ! the hay !
+
+The what ?
+
+The pox of such antick , lisping , affecting fantasticoes , these new tuners of accents !'By Jesu , a very good blade !a very tall man ! a very good whore .' Why , is not this a lamentable thing , grandsire , that we should be thus afflicted with these strange flies , these fashion-mongers , these pardonnez-mois , who stand so much on the new form that they cannot sit at ease on the old bench ? O , their bons , their bons !
+
+
+Here comes Romeo , here comes Romeo .
+
+Without his roe , like a dried herring . O flesh , flesh , how art thou fishified ! Now is he for the numbers that Petrarch flowed in : Laura to his lady was but a kitchen-wench ; marry , she had a better love to be-rime her ; Dido a dowdy ; Cleopatra a gipsy ; Helen and Hero hildings and harlots ; Thisbe , a grey eye or so , but not to the purpose . Signior Romeo , bon jour ! there's a French salutation to your French slop . You gave us the counterfeit fairly last night .
+
+Good morrow to you both . What counterfeit did I give you ?
+
+The slip , sir , the slip ; can you not conceive ?
+
+Pardon , good Mercutio , my business was great ; and in such a case as mine a man may strain courtesy .
+
+That's as much as to say , such a case as yours constrains a man to bow in the hams .
+
+Meaning to curtsy .
+
+Thou hast most kindly hit it .
+
+A most courteous exposition .
+
+Nay , I am the very pink of courtesy .
+
+Pink for flower .
+
+Right .
+
+Why , then , is my pump well flowered .
+
+Well said ; follow me this jest now till thou hast worn out the pump , that , when the single sole of it is worn , the jest may remain after the wearing sole singular .
+
+O single-soled jest ! solely singular for the singleness .
+
+Come between us , good Benvolio ; my wit faints .
+
+Switch and spurs , switch and spurs ; or I'll cry a match .
+
+Nay , if thy wits run the wild-goose chase , I have done , for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one of thy wits than , I am sure , I have in my whole five . Was I with you there for the goose ?
+
+Thou wast never with me for anything when thou wast not here for the goose .
+
+I will bite thee by the ear for that jest .
+
+Nay , good goose , bite not .
+
+Thy wit is a very bitter sweeting ; it is a most sharp sauce .
+
+And is it not then well served in to a sweet goose ?
+
+O ! here's a wit of cheveril , that stretches from an inch narrow to an ell broad .
+
+I stretch it out for that word 'broad ;' which added to the goose , proves thee far and wide a broad goose .
+
+Why , is not this better now than groaning for love ? now art thou sociable , now art thou Romeo ; now art thou what thou art , by art as well as by nature : for this drivelling love is like a great natural , that runs lolling up and down to hide his bauble in a hole .
+
+Stop there , stop there .
+
+Thou desirest me to stop in my tale against the hair .
+
+Thou wouldst else have made thy tale large .
+
+O ! thou art deceived ; I would have made it short ; for I was come to the whole depth of my tale , and meant indeed to occupy the argument no longer .
+
+Here's goodly gear !
+
+
+A sail , a sail !
+
+Two , two ; a shirt and a smock .
+
+Peter !
+
+Anon !
+
+My fan , Peter .
+
+Good Peter , to hide her face ; for her fan's the fairer face .
+
+God ye good morrow , gentlemen .
+
+God ye good den , fair gentlewoman .
+
+Is it good den ?
+
+'Tis no less , I tell you ; for the bawdy hand of the dial is now upon the prick of noon .
+
+Out upon you ! what a man are you !
+
+One , gentlewoman , that God hath made for himself to mar .
+
+By my troth , it is well said ; 'for himself to mar ,' quoth a' ?Gentlemen , can any of you tell me where I may find the young Romeo ?
+
+I can tell you ; but young Romeo will be older when you have found him than he was when you sought him : I am the youngest of that name , for fault of a worse .
+
+You say well .
+
+Yea ! is the worst well ? very well took , i' faith ; wisely , wisely .
+
+If you be he , sir , I desire some confidence with you .
+
+She will indite him to some supper .
+
+A bawd , a bawd , a bawd ! So ho !
+
+What hast thou found ?
+
+No hare , sir ; unless a hare , sir , in a lenten pie , that is something stale and hoar ere it be spent .
+
+
+An old hare hoar , and an old hare hoar ,
+Is very good meat in Lent :
+But a hare that is hoar , is too much for a score ,
+When it hoars ere it be spent .
+
+Romeo , will you come to your father's ? we'll to dinner thither .
+
+I will follow you .
+
+Farewell , ancient lady ; farewell , Lady , lady , lady .
+
+
+Marry , farewell ! I pray you , sir , what saucy merchant was this , that was so full of his ropery ?
+
+A gentleman , nurse , that loves to hear himself talk , and will speak more in a minute than he will stand to in a month .
+
+An a' speak anything against me , I'll take him down , an a' were lustier than he is , and twenty such Jacks ; and if I cannot , I'll find those that shall . Scurvy knave ! I am none of his flirt-gills ; I am none of his skeins-mates .
+
+And thou must stand by too , and suffer every knave to use me at his pleasure !
+
+I saw no man use you at his pleasure ; if I had , my weapon should quickly have been out , I warrant you . I dare draw as soon as another man , if I see occasion in a good quarrel , and the law on my side .
+
+Now , afore God , I am so vexed , that every part about me quivers . Scurvy knave ! Pray you , sir , a word ; and as I told you , my young lady bade me inquire you out ; what she bid me say I will keep to myself ; but first let me tell ye , if ye should lead her into a fool's paradise , as they say , it were a very gross kind of behaviour , as they say : for the gentlewoman is young ; and , therefore , if you should deal double with her , truly it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman , and very weak dealing .
+
+Nurse , commend me to thy lady and mistress . I protest unto thee ,
+
+Good heart ! and i' faith , I will tell her as much . Lord , Lord ! she will be a joyful woman .
+
+What wilt thou tell her , nurse ? thou dost not mark me .
+
+I will tell her , sir , that you do protest ; which , as I take it , is a gentlemanlike offer .
+
+Bid her devise
+Some means to come to shrift this afternoon ;
+And there she shall at Friar Laurence' cell ,
+Be shriv'd and married . Here is for thy pains .
+
+No , truly , sir ; not a penny .
+
+Go to ; I say , you shall .
+
+This afternoon , sir ? well , she shall be there .
+
+And stay , good nurse ; behind the abbey wall :
+Within this hour my man shall be with thee ,
+And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair ;
+Which to the high top-gallant of my joy
+Must be my convoy in the secret night .
+Farewell ! Be trusty , and I'll quit thy pains .
+Farewell ! Commend me to thy mistress .
+
+Now God in heaven bless thee ! Hark you , sir .
+
+What sayst thou , my dear nurse ?
+
+Is your man secret ? Did you ne'er hear say ,
+Two may keep counsel , putting one away ?
+
+I warrant thee my man's as true as steel .
+
+Well , sir ; my mistress is the sweetest lady Lord , Lord !when 'twas a little prating thing ,O ! there's a nobleman in town , one Paris , that would fain lay knife aboard ; but she , good soul , had as lief see a toad , a very toad , as see him . I anger her sometimes and tell her that Paris is the properer man ; but , I'll warrant you , when I say so , she looks as pale as any clout in the versal world . Doth not rosemary and Romeo begin both with a letter ?
+
+Ay , nurse : what of that ? both with an R .
+
+Ah ! mocker ; that's the dog's name . R is for the No ; I know it begins with some other letter : and she had the prettiest sententious of it , of you and rosemary , that it would do you good to hear it .
+
+Commend me to thy lady .
+
+Ay , a thousand times .
+
+Peter !
+
+Anon !
+
+Before , and apace .
+
+
+The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse ;
+In half an hour she promis'd to return .
+Perchance she cannot meet him : that's not so .
+O ! she is lame : love's heralds should be thoughts ,
+Which ten times faster glide than the sun's beams ,
+Driving back shadows over lowering hills :
+Therefore do nimble-pinion'd doves draw Love ,
+And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings .
+Now is the sun upon the highmost hill
+Of this day's journey , and from nine till twelve
+Is three long hours , yet she is not come .
+Had she affections , and warm youthful blood ,
+She'd be as swift in motion as a ball ;
+My words would bandy her to my sweet love ,
+And his to me :
+But old folks , many feign as they were dead ;
+Unwieldy , slow , heavy and pale as lead .
+
+
+O God ! she comes . O honey nurse ! what news ?
+
+Hast thou met with him ? Send thy man away .
+
+Peter , stay at the gate .
+
+
+Now , good sweet nurse ; O Lord ! why look'st thou sad ?
+Though news be sad , yet tell them merrily ;
+If good , thou sham'st the music of sweet news
+By playing it to me with so sour a face .
+
+I am aweary , give me leave awhile :
+Fie , how my bones ache ! What a jaunce have I had !
+
+I would thou hadst my bones , and I thy news .
+Nay , come , I pray thee , speak ; good , good nurse , speak .
+
+Jesu ! what haste ? can you not stay awhile ?
+Do you not see that I am out of breath ?
+
+How art thou out of breath when thou hast breath
+To say to me that thou art out of breath ?
+The excuse that thou dost make in this delay
+Is longer than the tale thou dost excuse .
+Is thy news good , or bad ? answer to that ;
+Say either , and I'll stay the circumstance :
+Let me be satisfied , is 't good or bad ?
+
+Well , you have made a simple choice ; you know not how to choose a man : Romeo ! no , not he ; though his face be better than any man's , yet his leg excels all men's ; and for a hand , and a foot , and a body , though they be not to be talked on , yet they are past compare . He is not the flower of courtesy , but , I'll warrant him , as gentle as a lamb . Go thy ways , wench ; serve God . What ! have you dined at home ?
+
+No , no : but all this did I know before .
+What says he of our marriage ? what of that ?
+
+Lord ! how my head aches ; what a head have I !
+It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces .
+My back o' t'other side ; O ! my back , my back !
+Beshrew your heart for sending me about ,
+To catch my death with jauncing up and down .
+
+I' faith , I am sorry that thou art not well .
+Sweet , sweet , sweet nurse , tell me , what says my love ?
+
+Your love says , like an honest gentleman , and a courteous , and a kind , and a handsome , and , I warrant , a virtuous ,Where is your mother ?
+
+Where is my mother ! why , she is within ;
+Where should she be ? How oddly thou repliest :
+'Your love says , like an honest gentleman ,
+Where is your mother ?'
+
+O ! God's lady dear ,
+Are you so hot ? Marry , come up , I trow ;
+Is this the poultice for my aching bones ?
+Henceforward do your messages yourself .
+
+Here's such a coil ! come , what says Romeo ?
+
+Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day ?
+
+I have .
+
+Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell ,
+There stays a husband to make you a wife :
+Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks ,
+They'll be in scarlet straight at any news .
+Hie you to church ; I must another way ,
+To fetch a ladder , by the which your love
+Must climb a bird's nest soon when it is dark ;
+I am the drudge and toil in your delight ,
+But you shall bear the burden soon at night .
+Go ; I'll to dinner : hie you to the cell .
+
+Hie to high fortune ! Honest nurse , farewell .
+
+
+So smile the heaven upon this holy act ,
+That after hours with sorrow chide us not !
+
+Amen , amen ! but come what sorrow can ,
+It cannot countervail the exchange of joy
+That one short minute gives me in her sight :
+Do thou but close our hands with holy words ,
+Then love-devouring death do what he dare ;
+It is enough I may but call her mine .
+
+These violent delights have violent ends ,
+And in their triumph die , like fire and powder ,
+Which , as they kiss consume : the sweetest honey
+Is loathsome in his own deliciousness
+And in the taste confounds the appetite :
+Therefore love moderately ; long love doth so ;
+Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow .
+
+
+Here comes the lady : O ! so light a foot
+Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint :
+A lover may bestride the gossamer
+That idles in the wanton summer air ,
+
+And yet not fall ; so light is vanity .
+
+Good even to my ghostly confessor .
+
+Romeo shall thank thee , daughter , for us both .
+
+As much to him , else are his thanks too much .
+
+Ah ! Juliet , if the measure of thy joy
+Be heap'd like mine , and that thy skill be more
+To blazon it , then sweeten with thy breath
+This neighbour air , and let rich music's tongue
+Unfold the imagin'd happiness that both
+Receive in either by this dear encounter .
+
+Conceit , more rich in matter than in words ,
+Brags of his substance , not of ornament :
+They are but beggars that can count their worth ;
+But my true love is grown to such excess
+I cannot sum up half my sum of wealth .
+
+Come , come with me , and we will make short work ;
+For , by your leaves , you shall not stay alone
+Till holy church incorporate two in one .
+
+
+I pray thee , good Mercutio , let's retire :
+The day is hot , the Capulets abroad ,
+And , if we meet , we shall not 'scape a brawl ;
+For now , these hot days , is the mad blood stirring .
+
+Thou art like one of those fellows that when he enters the confines of a tavern claps me his sword upon the table and says , 'God send me no need of thee !' and by the operation of the second cup draws him on the drawer , when , indeed , there is no need .
+
+Am I like such a fellow ?
+
+Come , come , thou art as hot a Jack in thy mood as any in Italy ; and as soon moved to be moody , and as soon moody to be moved .
+
+And what to ?
+
+Nay , an there were two such , we should have none shortly , for one would kill the other . Thou ! why , thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more or a hair less in his beard than thou hast . Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts , having no other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes . What eye , but such an eye , would spy out such a quarrel ? Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of meat , and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle as an egg for quarrelling . Thou hast quarrelled with a man for coughing in the street , because he hath wakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun . Didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter ? with another , for tying his new shoes with old riband ? and yet thou wilt tutor me from quarrelling !
+
+An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art , any man should buy the fee-simple of my life for an hour and a quarter .
+
+The fee-simple ! O simple !
+
+By my head , here come the Capulets .
+
+By my heel , I care not .
+
+
+Follow me close , for I will speak to them . Gentlemen , good den ! a word with one of you .
+
+And but one word with one of us ? Couple it with something ; make it a word and a blow .
+
+You shall find me apt enough to that , sir , an you will give me occasion .
+
+Could you not take some occasion without giving ?
+
+Mercutio , thou consort'st with Romeo ,
+
+Consort ! What ! dost thou make us minstrels ? an thou make minstrels of us , look to hear nothing but discords : here's my fiddlestick ; here's that shall make you dance . 'Zounds ! consort !
+
+We talk here in the public haunt of men :
+Either withdraw unto some private place ,
+Or reason coldly of your grievances ,
+Or else depart ; here all eyes gaze on us .
+
+Men's eyes were made to look , and let them gaze ;
+I will not budge for no man's pleasure , I .
+
+
+Well , peace be with you , sir . Here comes my man .
+
+But I'll be hang'd , sir , if he wear your livery :
+Marry , go before to field , he'll be your follower ;
+Your worship in that sense may call him 'man .'
+
+Romeo , the hate I bear thee can afford
+No better term than this ,thou art a villain .
+
+Tybalt , the reason that I have to love thee
+Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
+To such a greeting ; villain am I none ,
+Therefore farewell ; I see thou know'st me not .
+
+Boy , this shall not excuse the injuries
+That thou hast done me ; therefore turn and draw .
+
+I do protest I never injur'd thee ,
+But love thee better than thou canst devise ,
+Till thou shalt know the reason of my love :
+And so , good Capulet , which name I tender
+As dearly as my own , be satisfied .
+
+O calm , dishonourable , vile submission !
+Alla stoccata carries it away .
+
+Tybalt , you rat-catcher , will you walk ?
+
+What wouldst thou have with me ?
+
+Good king of cats , nothing but one of your nine lives , that I mean to make bold withal , and , as you shall use me hereafter , dry-beat the rest of the eight . Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher by the ears ? make haste , lest mine be about your ears ere it be out .
+
+I am for you .
+
+Gentle Mercutio , put thy rapier up .
+
+Come , sir , your passado .
+
+
+Draw , Benvolio ; beat down their weapons .
+Gentlemen , for shame , forbear this outrage !
+Tybalt , Mercutio , the prince expressly hath
+Forbidden bandying in Verona streets .
+Hold , Tybalt ! good Mercutio !
+
+
+I am hurt .
+A plague o' both your houses ! I am sped .
+Is he gone , and hath nothing ?
+
+What ! art thou hurt ?
+
+Ay , ay , a scratch , a scratch ; marry , 'tis enough .
+Where is my page ? Go , villain , fetch a surgeon .
+
+
+Courage , man ; the hurt cannot be much .
+
+No , 'tis not so deep as a well , nor so wide as a church door ; but 'tis enough , 'twill serve : ask for me to-morrow , and you shall find me a grave man . I am peppered , I warrant , for this world . A plague o' both your houses ! 'Zounds , a dog , a rat , a mouse , a cat , to scratch a man to death ! a braggart , a rogue , a villain , that fights by the book of arithmetic ! Why the devil came you between us ? I was hurt under your arm .
+
+I thought all for the best .
+
+Help me into some house , Benvolio ,
+Or I shall faint . A plague o' both your houses !
+They have made worms' meat of me : I have it ,
+And soundly too :your houses !
+
+
+This gentleman , the prince's near ally ,
+My very friend , hath got his mortal hurt
+In my behalf ; my reputation stain'd
+With Tybalt's slander , Tybalt , that an hour
+Hath been my kinsman . O sweet Juliet !
+Thy beauty hath made me effeminate ,
+And in my temper soften'd valour's steel !
+
+
+O Romeo , Romeo ! brave Mercutio's dead ;
+That gallant spirit hath aspir'd the clouds ,
+Which too untimely here did scorn the earth .
+
+This day's black fate on more days doth depend ;
+This but begins the woe others must end .
+
+
+Here comes the furious Tybalt back again .
+
+Alive ! in triumph ! and Mercutio slain !
+Away to heaven , respective lenity ,
+And fire-ey'd fury be my conduct now !
+Now , Tybalt , take the villain back again
+That late thou gav'st me ; for Mercutio's soul
+Is but a little way above our heads ,
+Staying for thine to keep him company :
+Either thou , or I , or both , must go with him .
+
+Thou wretched boy , that didst consort him here ,
+Shalt with him hence .
+
+This shall determine that .
+
+
+Romeo , away ! be gone !
+The citizens are up , and Tybalt slain .
+Stand not amaz'd : the prince will doom thee death
+If thou art taken : hence ! be gone ! away !
+
+O ! I am Fortune's fool .
+
+Why dost thou stay ?
+
+Which way ran he that kill'd Mercutio ?
+Tybalt , that murderer , which way ran he ?
+
+There lies that Tybalt .
+
+Up , sir , go with me .
+I charge thee in the prince's name , obey .
+
+
+Where are the vile beginners of this fray ?
+
+O noble prince ! I can discover all
+The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl :
+There lies the man , slain by young Romeo ,
+That slew thy kinsman , brave Mercutio .
+
+Tybalt , my cousin ! O my brother's child !
+O prince ! O cousin ! husband ! O ! the blood is spill'd
+Of my dear kinsman . Prince , as thou art true ,
+For blood of ours shed blood of Montague .
+O cousin , cousin !
+
+Benvolio , who began this bloody fray ?
+
+Tybalt , here slain , whom Romeo's hand did slay :
+Romeo , that spoke him fair , bade him bethink
+How nice the quarrel was , and urg'd withal
+Your high displeasure : all this , uttered
+With gentle breath , calm look , knees humbly bow'd ,
+Could not take truce with the unruly spleen
+Of Tybalt deaf to peace , but that he tilts
+With piercing steel at bold Mercutio's breast ,
+Who , all as hot , turns deadly point to point ,
+And , with a martial scorn , with one hand beats
+Cold death aside , and with the other sends
+It back to Tybalt , whose dexterity
+Retorts it : Romeo he cries aloud ,
+'Hold , friends ! friends , part !' and , swifter than his tongue ,
+His agile arm beats down their fatal points ,
+And 'twixt them rushes ; underneath whose arm
+An envious thrust from Tybalt hit the life
+Of stout Mercutio , and then Tybalt fled ;
+But by and by comes back to Romeo ,
+Who had but newly entertain'd revenge ,
+And to 't they go like lightning , for , ere I .
+Could draw to part them , was stout Tybalt slain ,
+And , as he fell , did Romeo turn and fly .
+This is the truth , or let Benvolio die .
+
+He is a kinsman to the Montague ;
+Affection makes him false , he speaks not true :
+Some twenty of them fought in this black strife
+And all those twenty could but kill one life .
+I beg for justice , which thou , prince , must give ;
+Romeo slew Tybalt , Romeo must not live .
+
+Romeo slew him , he slew Mercutio ;
+Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe ?
+
+Not Romeo , prince , he was Mercutio's friend ,
+His fault concludes but what the law should end ,
+The life of Tybalt .
+
+And for that offence
+Immediately we do exile him hence :
+I have an interest in your hate's proceeding ,
+My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding ;
+But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine
+That you shall all repent the loss of mine .
+I will be deaf to pleading and excuses ;
+Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses ;
+Therefore use none ; let Romeo hence in haste ,
+Else , when he's found , that hour is his last .
+Bear hence this body and attend our will :
+Mercy but murders , pardoning those that kill .
+
+
+Gallop apace , you fiery-footed steeds ,
+Towards Ph bus' lodging ; such a waggoner
+As Ph thon would whip you to the west ,
+And bring in cloudy night immediately .
+Spread thy close curtain , love-performing night !
+That runaway's eyes may wink , and Romeo
+Leap to these arms , untalk'd of and unseen !
+Lovers can see to do their amorous rites
+By their own beauties ; or , if love be blind ,
+It best agrees with night . Come , civil night ,
+Thou sober-suited matron , all in black ,
+And learn me how to lose a winning match ,
+Play'd for a pair of stainless maidenhoods :
+Hood my unmann'd blood , bating in my cheeks ,
+With thy black mantle ; till strange love , grown bold ,
+Think true love acted simple modesty .
+Come , night ! come , Romeo ! come , thou day in night !
+For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night ,
+Whiter than new snow on a raven's back .
+Come , gentle night ; come , loving , black-brow'd night ,
+Give me my Romeo : and , when he shall die ,
+Take him and cut him out in little stars ,
+And he will make the face of heaven so fine
+That all the world will be in love with night ,
+And pay no worship to the garish sun .
+O ! I have bought the mansion of a love ,
+But not possess'd it , and , though I am sold ,
+Not yet enjoy'd . So tedious is this day
+As is the night before some festival
+To an impatient child that hath new robes
+And may not wear them . O ! here comes my nurse ,
+
+
+And she brings news ; and every tongue that speaks
+But Romeo's name speaks heavenly eloquence .
+Now nurse , what news ? What hast thou there ? the cords
+
+That Romeo bade thee fetch ?
+
+Ay , ay , the cords .
+
+
+Ah me ! what news ? why dost thou wring thy hands ?
+
+Ah well-a-day ! he's dead , he's dead , he's dead !
+We are undone , lady , we are undone !
+Alack the day ! he's gone , he's killed , he's dead !
+
+Can heaven be so envious ?
+
+Romeo can ,
+Though heaven cannot . O ! Romeo , Romeo ;
+Who ever would have thought it ? Romeo !
+
+What devil art thou that dost torment me thus ?
+This torture should be roar'd in dismal hell .
+Hath Romeo slain himself ? say thou but 'I ,'
+And that bare vowel , 'I ,' shall poison more
+Than the death-darting eye of cockatrice :
+I am not I , if there be such an 'I ;'
+Or those eyes shut that make thee answer 'I .'
+If he be slain , say 'I ;' or if not 'no :'
+Brief sounds determine of my weal or woe .
+
+I saw the wound , I saw it with mine eyes ,
+God save the mark ! here on his manly breast :
+A piteous corse , a bloody piteous corse ;
+Pale , pale as ashes , all bedaub'd in blood ,
+All in gore blood ; I swounded at the sight .
+
+O break , my heart !poor bankrupt , break at once !
+To prison , eyes , ne'er look on liberty !
+Vile earth , to earth resign ; end motion here ;
+And thou and Romeo press one heavy bier !
+
+O Tybalt , Tybalt ! the best friend I had :
+O courteous Tybalt ! honest gentleman !
+That ever I should live to see thee dead !
+
+What storm is this that blows so contrary ?
+Is Romeo slaughter'd , and is Tybalt dead ?
+My dearest cousin , and my dearer lord ?
+Then , dreadful trumpet , sound the general doom !
+For who is living if those two are gone ?
+
+Tybalt is gone , and Romeo banished ;
+Romeo , that kill'd him , he is banished .
+
+O God ! did Romeo's hand shed Tybalt's blood ?
+
+It did , it did ; alas the day ! it did .
+
+O serpent heart , hid with a flowering face !
+Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave ?
+Beautiful tyrant ! fiend angelical !
+Dove-feather'd raven ! wolvish-ravening lamb !
+Despised substance of divinest show !
+Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st ;
+A damned saint , an honourable villain !
+O , nature ! what hadst thou to do in hell
+When thou didst bower the spirit of a fiend
+In mortal paradise of such sweet flesh ?
+Was ever book containing such vile matter
+So fairly bound ? O ! that deceit should dwell
+In such a gorgeous palace .
+
+There's no trust ,
+No faith , no honesty in men ; all naught ,
+All perjur'd , all dissemblers , all forsworn .
+Ah ! where's my man ? give me some aqua vit :
+These griefs , these woes , these sorrows make me old .
+Shame come to Romeo !
+
+Blister'd be thy tongue
+For such a wish ! he was not born to shame :
+Upon his brow shame is asham'd to sit ;
+For 'tis a throne where honour may be crown'd
+Sole monarch of the universal earth .
+O ! what a beast was I to chide at him .
+
+Will you speak well of him that kill'd your cousin ?
+
+Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband ?
+Ah ! poor my lord , what tongue shall smooth thy name ,
+When I , thy three-hours wife , have mangled it ?
+But , wherefore , villain , didst thou kill my cousin ?
+That villain cousin would have kill'd my husband :
+Back , foolish tears , back to your native spring ;
+Your tributary drops belong to woe ,
+Which you , mistaking , offer up to joy .
+My husband lives , that Tybalt would have slain ;
+And Tybalt's dead , that would have slain my husband :
+All this is comfort ; wherefore weep I then ?
+Some word there was , worser than Tybalt's death ,
+That murder'd me : I would forget it fain ;
+But O ! it presses to my memory ,
+Like damned guilty deeds to sinners' minds .
+'Tybalt is dead , and Romeo banished !'
+That 'banished ,' that one word 'banished ,'
+Hath slain ten thousand Tybalts . Tybalt's death
+Was woe enough , if it had ended there :
+Or , if sour woe delights in fellowship ,
+And needly will be rank'd with other griefs ,
+Why follow'd not , when she said 'Tybalt's dead ,'
+Thy father , or thy mother , nay , or both ,
+Which modern lamentation might have mov'd ?
+But with a rearward following Tybalt's death ,
+'Romeo is banished !' to speak that word
+Is father , mother , Tybalt , Romeo , Juliet ,
+All slain , all dead : 'Romeo is banished !'
+There is no end , no limit , measure , bound
+In that word's death ; no words can that woe sound .
+Where is my father and my mother , nurse ?
+
+Weeping and wailing over Tybalt's corse :
+Will you go to them ? I will bring you thither .
+
+Wash they his wounds with tears : mine shall be spent ,
+When theirs are dry , for Romeo's banishment .
+Take up those cords . Poor ropes , you are beguil'd ,
+Both you and I , for Romeo is exil'd :
+He made you for a highway to my bed ,
+But I , a maid , die maiden-widowed .
+Come , cords ; come , nurse ; I'll to my wedding bed ;
+And death , not Romeo , take my maidenhead !
+
+Hie to your chamber ; I'll find Romeo
+To comfort you : I wot well where he is .
+Hark ye , your Romeo will be here to-night :
+I'll to him ; he is hid at Laurence' cell .
+
+O ! find him ; give this ring to my true knight ,
+And bid him come to take his last farewell .
+
+
+Romeo , come forth ; come forth , thou fearful man :
+Affliction is enamour'd of thy parts ,
+And thou art wedded to calamity .
+
+
+Father , what news ? what is the prince's doom ?
+What sorrow craves acquaintance at my hand ,
+That I yet know not ?
+
+Too familiar
+Is my dear son with such sour company :
+I bring thee tidings of the prince's doom .
+
+What less than doomsday is the prince's doom ?
+
+A gentler judgment vanish'd from his lips ,
+Not body's death , but body's banishment .
+
+Ha ! banishment ! be merciful , say 'death ;'
+For exile hath more terror in his look ,
+Much more than death : do not say 'banishment .'
+
+Hence from Verona art thou banished .
+Be patient , for the world is broad and wide .
+
+There is no world without Verona walls ,
+But purgatory , torture , hell itself .
+Hence banished is banish'd from the world ,
+And world's exile is death ; then 'banished ,'
+Is death mis-term'd . Calling death 'banished ,'
+Thou cutt'st my head off with a golden axe ,
+And smil'st upon the stroke that murders me .
+
+O deadly sin ! O rude unthankfulness !
+Thy fault our law calls death ; but the kind prince ,
+Taking thy part , hath rush'd aside the law ,
+And turn'd that black word death to banishment :
+This is dear mercy , and thou seest it not .
+
+'Tis torture , and not mercy : heaven is here ,
+Where Juliet lives ; and every cat and dog
+And little mouse , every unworthy thing ,
+Live here in heaven and may look on her ;
+But Romeo may not : more validity ,
+More honourable state , more courtship lives
+In carrion flies than Romeo : they may seize
+On the white wonder of dear Juliet's hand ,
+And steal immortal blessing from her lips ,
+Who , even in pure and vestal modesty ,
+Still blush , as thinking their own kisses sin ;
+Flies may do this , but I from this must fly :
+They are free men , but I am banished .
+And sayst thou yet that exile is not death ?
+Hadst thou no poison mix'd , no sharp-ground knife ,
+No sudden mean of death , though ne'er so mean ,
+But 'banished' to kill me ? 'Banished !'
+O friar ! the damned use that word in hell ;
+Howlings attend it : how hast thou the heart ,
+Being a divine , a ghostly confessor ,
+A sin-absolver , and my friend profess'd ,
+To mangle me with that word 'banished ?'
+
+Thou fond mad man , hear me but speak a word .
+
+O ! thou wilt speak again of banishment .
+
+I'll give thee armour to keep off that word ;
+Adversity's sweet milk , philosophy ,
+To comfort thee , though thou art banished .
+
+Yet 'banished !' Hang up philosophy !
+Unless philosophy can make a Juliet ,
+Displant a town , reverse a prince's doom ,
+It helps not , it prevails not : talk no more .
+
+O ! then I see that madmen have no ears .
+
+How should they , when that wise men have no eyes ?
+
+Let me dispute with thee of thy estate .
+
+Thou canst not speak of that thou dost not feel :
+Wert thou as young as I , Juliet thy love ,
+An hour but married , Tybalt murdered ,
+Doting like me , and like me banished ,
+Then mightst thou speak , then mightst thou tear thy hair ,
+And fall upon the ground , as I do now ,
+Taking the measure of an unmade grave .
+
+
+Arise ; one knocks : good Romeo , hide thyself .
+
+Not I ; unless the breath of heart-sick groans ,
+Mist-like , infold me from the search of eyes .
+
+
+Hark ! how they knock . Who's there ? Romeo arise ;
+Thou wilt be taken . Stay awhile ! Stand up ;
+
+Run to my study . By and by ! God's will !
+What wilfulness is this ! I come , I come !
+
+Who knocks so hard ? whence come you ? what's your will ?
+
+Let me come in , and you shall know my errand :
+I come from Lady Juliet .
+
+Welcome , then .
+
+
+O holy friar ! O ! tell me , holy friar ,
+Where is my lady's lord ? where's Romeo ?
+
+There on the ground , with his own tears made drunk .
+
+O ! he is even in my mistress' case ,
+Just in her case !
+
+O woeful sympathy !
+Piteous predicament ! Even so lies she ,
+Blubbering and weeping , weeping and blubbering .
+Stand up , stand up ; stand , an you be a man :
+For Juliet's sake , for her sake , rise and stand ;
+Why should you fall into so deep an O ?
+
+Nurse !
+
+Ah , sir ! ah , sir ! Well , death's the end of all .
+
+Spak'st thou of Juliet ? how is it with her ?
+Doth she not think me an old murderer ,
+Now I have stain'd the childhood of our joy .
+With blood remov'd but little from her own ?
+Where is she ? and how doth she ? and what says
+My conceal'd lady to our cancell'd love ?
+
+O ! she says nothing , sir , but weeps and weeps ;
+And now falls on her bed ; and then starts up ,
+And Tybalt calls , and then on Romeo cries ,
+And then down falls again .
+
+As if that name ,
+Shot from the deadly level of a gun ,
+Did murder her ; as that name's cursed hand
+Murder'd her kinsman . O ! tell me , friar , tell me ,
+In what vile part of this anatomy
+Doth my name lodge ? tell me , that I may sack
+The hateful mansion .
+
+
+Hold thy desperate hand :
+Art thou a man ? thy form cries out thou art :
+Thy tears are womanish ; thy wild acts denote
+The unreasonable fury of a beast :
+Unseemly woman in a seeming man ;
+Or ill-beseeming beast in seeming both !
+Thou hast amaz'd me : by my holy order ,
+I thought thy disposition better temper'd .
+Hast thou slain Tybalt ? wilt thou slay thyself ?
+And slay thy lady that in thy life lives ,
+By doing damned hate upon thyself ?
+Why rail'st thou on thy birth , the heaven , and earth ?
+Since birth , and heaven , and earth , all three do meet
+In thes at once , which thou at once wouldst lose .
+Fie , fie ! thou sham'st thy shape , thy love , thy wit ,
+Which , like a usurer , abound'st in all ,
+And usest none in that true use indeed
+Which should bedeck thy shape , thy love , thy wit .
+Thy noble shape is but a form of wax ,
+Digressing from the valour of a man ;
+Thy dear love , sworn , but hollow perjury ,
+Killing that love which thou hast vow'd to cherish ;
+Thy wit , that ornament to shape and love ,
+Misshapen in the conduct of them both ,
+Like powder in a skilless soldier's flask ,
+To set a-fire by thine own ignorance ,
+And thou dismember'd with thine own defence .
+What ! rouse thee , man ; thy Juliet is alive ,
+For whose dear sake thou wast but lately dead ;
+There art thou happy : Tybalt would kill thee ,
+But thou slew'st Tybalt ; there art thou happy too :
+The law that threaten'd death becomes thy friend ,
+And turns it to exile ; there art thou happy :
+A pack of blessings light upon thy back ;
+Happiness courts thee in her best array ;
+But , like a misbehav'd and sullen wench ,
+Thou pout'st upon thy fortune and thy love .
+Take heed , take heed , for such die miserable .
+Go , get thee to thy love , as was decreed ,
+Ascend her chamber , hence and comfort her ;
+But look thou stay not till the watch be set ,
+For then thou canst not pass to Mantua ;
+Where thou shalt live , till we can find a time
+To blaze your marriage , reconcile your friends ,
+Beg pardon of the prince , and call thee back
+With twenty hundred thousand times more joy
+Than thou went'st forth in lamentation .
+Go before , nurse : commend me to thy lady ;
+And bid her hasten all the house to bed ,
+Which heavy sorrow makes them apt unto :
+Romeo is coming .
+
+O Lord ! I could have stay'd here all the night
+To hear good counsel : O ! what learning is .
+My lord , I'll tell my lady you will come .
+
+Do so , and bid my sweet prepare to chide .
+
+Here , sir , a ring she bid me give you , sir .
+Hie you , make haste , for it grows very late .
+
+
+How well my comfort is reviv'd by this !
+
+Go hence ; good-night ; and here stands all your state :
+Either be gone before the watch be set ,
+Or by the break of day disguis'd from hence :
+Sojourn in Mantua ; I'll find out your man ,
+And he shall signify from time to time
+Every good hap to you that chances here .
+Give me thy hand ; 'tis late : farewell ; goodnight .
+
+But that a joy past joy calls out on me ,
+It were a grief so brief to part with thee :
+Farewell .
+
+
+Things have fall'n out , sir , so unluckily ,
+That we have had no time to move our daughter :
+Look you , she lov'd her kinsman Tybalt dearly ,
+And so did I : well , we were born to die .
+'Tis very late , she'll not come down to night :
+I promise you , but for your company ,
+I would have been a-bed an hour ago .
+
+These times of woe afford no time to woo .
+Madam , good-night : commend me to your daughter .
+
+I will , and know her mind early to-morrow ;
+To-night she's mew'd up to her heaviness .
+
+Sir Paris , I will make a desperate tender
+Of my child's love : I think she will be rul'd
+In all respects by me ; nay , more , I doubt it not .
+Wife go you to her ere you go to bed ;
+Acquaint her here of my son Paris' love ;
+And bid her , mark you me , on Wednesday next
+But , soft ! what day is this ?
+
+Monday , my lord .
+
+Monday ! ha , ha ! Well , Wednesday is too soon ;
+O' Thursday let it be : o' Thursday , tell her ,
+She shall be married to this noble earl .
+Will you be ready ? do you like this haste ?
+We'll keep no great ado ; a friend or two ;
+For , hark you , Tybalt being slain so late ,
+It may be thought we held him carelessly ,
+Being our kinsman , if we revel much .
+Therefore we'll have some half a dozen friends ,
+And there an end . But what say you to Thursday ?
+
+My lord , I would that Thursday were to-morrow .
+
+Well , get you gone : o' Thursday be it then .
+Go you to Juliet ere you go to bed ,
+Prepare her , wife , against this wedding-day .
+Farewell , my lord . Light to my chamber , ho !
+Afore me ! it is so very very late ,
+That we may call it early by and by .
+Good-night .
+
+
+Wilt thou be gone ? it is not yet near day :
+It was the nightingale , and not the lark ,
+That pierc'd the fearful hollow of thine ear ;
+Nightly she sings on you pomegranate tree :
+Believe me , love , it was the nightingale .
+
+It was the lark , the herald of the morn ,
+No nightingale : look , love , what envious streaks
+Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east :
+Night's candles are burnt out , and jocund day
+Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops :
+I must be gone and live , or stay and die .
+
+Yon light is not daylight , I know it , I :
+It is some meteor that the sun exhales ,
+To be to thee this night a torch-bearer ,
+And light thee on thy way to Mantua :
+Therefore stay yet ; thou need'st not to be gone .
+
+Let me be ta'en , let me be put to death ;
+I am content , so thou wilt have it so .
+I'll say yon grey is not the morning's eye ,
+'Tis but the pale reflex of Cynthia's brow ;
+Nor that is not the lark , whose notes do beat
+The vaulty heaven so high above our heads :
+I have more care to stay than will to go :
+Come , death , and welcome ! Juliet wills it so .
+How is't , my soul ? let's talk ; it is not day .
+
+It is , it is ; hie hence , be gone , away !
+It is the lark that sings so out of tune ,
+Straining harsh discords and unpleasing sharps .
+Some say the lark makes sweet division ;
+This doth not so , for she divideth us :
+Some say the lark and loathed toad change eyes ;
+O ! now I would they had chang'd voices too ,
+Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray ,
+Hunting thee hence with hunts-up to the day .
+O ! now be gone ; more light and light it grows .
+
+More light and light ; more dark and dark our woes .
+
+
+Madam !
+
+Nurse !
+
+Your lady mother is coming to your chamber :
+The day is broke ; be wary , look about .
+
+
+Then , window , let day in , and let life out .
+
+Farewell , farewell ! one kiss , and I'll descend .
+
+
+Art thou gone so ? my lord , my love , my friend !
+I must hear from thee every day in the hour ,
+For in a minute there are many days :
+O ! by this count I shall be much in years
+Ere I again behold my Romeo .
+
+Farewell !
+I will omit no opportunity
+That may convey my greetings , love , to thee .
+
+O ! think'st thou we shall ever meet again ?
+
+I doubt it not ; and all these woes shall serve
+For sweet discourses in our time to come .
+
+O God ! I have an ill-divining soul :
+Methinks I see thee , now thou art so low ,
+As one dead in the bottom of a tomb :
+Either my eyesight fails , or thou look'st pale .
+
+And trust me , love , in my eye so do you :
+Dry sorrow drinks our blood . Adieu ! adieu !
+
+
+O fortune , fortune ! all men call thee fickle :
+If thou art fickle , what dost thou with him
+That is renown'd for faith ? Be fickle , fortune ;
+For then , I hope , thou wilt not keep him long ,
+But send him back .
+
+Ho , daughter ! are you up ?
+
+Who is't that calls ? is it my lady mother ?
+Is she not down so late , or up so early ?
+What unaccustom'd cause procures her hither ?
+
+
+Why , how now , Juliet !
+
+Madam , I am not well .
+
+Evermore weeping for your cousin's death ?
+What ! wilt thou wash him from his grave with tears ?
+And if thou couldst , thou couldst not make him live ;
+Therefore , have done : some grief shows much of love ;
+But much of grief shows still some want of wit .
+
+Yet let me weep for such a feeling loss .
+
+So shall you feel the loss , but not the friend
+Which you weep for .
+
+Feeling so the loss ,
+I cannot choose but ever weep the friend .
+
+Well , girl , thou weep'st not so much for his death ,
+As that the villain lives which slaughter'd him .
+
+What villain , madam ?
+
+That same villain , Romeo .
+
+Villain and he be many miles asunder .
+God pardon him ! I do , with all my heart ;
+And yet no man like he doth grieve my heart .
+
+That is because the traitor murderer lives .
+
+Ay , madam , from the reach of these my hands .
+Would none but I might venge my cousin's death !
+
+We will have vengeance for it , fear thou not :
+Then weep no more . I'll send to one in Mantua ,
+Where that same banish'd runsgate doth live ;
+Shall give him such an unaccustom'd dram
+That he shall soon keep Tybalt company :
+And then , I hope , thou wilt be satisfied .
+
+Indeed , I never shall be satisfied
+With Romeo , till I behold him dead
+Is my poor heart so for a kinsman vex'd :
+Madam , if you could find out but a man
+To bear a poison , I would temper it ,
+That Romeo should , upon receipt thereof ,
+Soon sleep in quiet . O ! how my heart abhors
+To hear him nam'd , and cannot come to him ,
+To wreak the love I bore my cousin Tybalt
+Upon his body that hath slaughter'd him .
+
+Find thou the means , and I'll find such a man .
+But now I'll tell thee joyful tidings , girl .
+
+And joy comes well in such a needy time :
+What are they , I beseech your ladyship ?
+
+Well , well , thou hast a careful father , child ;
+One who , to put thee from thy heaviness ,
+Hath sorted out a sudden day of joy
+That thou expect'st not , nor I look'd not for .
+
+Madam , in happy time , what day is that ?
+
+Marry , my child , early next Thursday morn
+The gallant , young , and noble gentleman ,
+The County Paris , at Saint Peter's church ,
+Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride .
+
+Now , by Saint Peter's church , and Peter too ,
+He shall not make me there a joyful bride .
+I wonder at this haste ; that I must wed
+Ere he that should be husband comes to woo .
+I pray you , tell my lord and father , madam ,
+I will not marry yet ; and , when I do , I swear ,
+It shall be Romeo , whom you know I hate ,
+Rather than Paris . These are news indeed !
+
+Here comes your father ; tell him so yourself ,
+And see how he will take it at your hands .
+
+
+When the sun sets , the air doth drizzle dew ;
+But for the sunset of my brother's son
+It rains downright .
+How now ! a conduit , girl ? what ! still in tears ?
+Evermore showering ? In one little body
+Thou counterfeit'st a bark , a sea , a wind ;
+For still thy eyes , which I may call the sea ,
+Do ebb and flow with tears ; the bark thy body is ,
+Sailing in this salt flood ; the winds , thy sighs ;
+Who , raging with thy tears , and they with them ,
+Without a sudden calm , will overset
+Thy tempest-tossed body . How now , wife !
+Have you deliver'd to her our decree ?
+
+Ay , sir ; but she will none , she gives you thanks .
+I would the fool were married to her grave !
+
+Soft ! take me with you , take me with you , wife .
+How ! will she none ? doth she not give us thanks ?
+Is she not proud ? doth she not count her bless'd ,
+Unworthy as she is , that we have wrought
+So worthy a gentleman to be her bridegroom ?
+
+Not proud , you have ; but thankful , that you have :
+Proud can I never be of what I hate ;
+But thankful even for hate , that is meant love .
+
+How now ! how now , chop-logic ! What is this ?
+'Proud ,' and 'I thank you ,' and 'I thank you not ;'
+And yet 'not proud ;' mistress minion , you ,
+Thank me no thankings , nor proud me no prouds ,
+But fettle your fine joints 'gainst Thursday next ,
+To go with Paris to Saint Peter's church ,
+Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither .
+Out , you green-sickness carrion ! out , you baggage !
+You tallow face !
+
+Fie , fie ! what , are you mad ?
+
+Good father , I beseech you on my knees ,
+Hear me with patience but to speak a word .
+
+Hang thee , young baggage ! disobedient wretch !
+I tell thee what , get thee to church o' Thursday ,
+Or never after look me in the face .
+Speak not , reply not , do not answer me ;
+My fingers itch .Wife , we scarce thought us bless'd
+That God had lent us but this only child ;
+But now I see this one is one too much ,
+And that we have a curse in having her .
+Out on her , hilding !
+
+God in heaven bless her !
+You are to blame , my lord , to rate her so .
+
+And why , my lady wisdom ? hold your tongue ,
+Good prudence ; smatter with your gossips , go .
+
+I speak no treason .
+
+O ! God ye good den .
+
+May not one speak ?
+
+Peace , you mumbling fool ;
+Utter your gravity o'er a gossip's bowl ;
+For here we need it not .
+
+You are too hot .
+
+God's bread ! it makes me mad .
+Day , night , hour , tide , time , work , play ,
+Alone , in company , still my care hath been
+To have her match'd ; and having now provided
+A gentleman of noble parentage ,
+Of fair demesnes , youthful , and nobly train'd ,
+Stuff'd , as they say , with honourable parts ,
+Proportion'd as one's thought would wish a man ;
+And then to have a wretched puling fool ,
+A whining mammet , in her fortune's tender ,
+To answer 'I'll not wed ,' 'I cannot love ,'
+'I am too young ,' 'I pray you , pardon me ;'
+But , an you will not wed , I'll pardon you :
+Graze where you will , you shall not house with me :
+Look to't , think on't , I do not use to jest .
+Thursday is near ; lay hand on heart , advise .
+An you be mine , I'll give you to my friend ;
+An you be not , hang , beg , starve , die in the streets ,
+For , by my soul , I'll ne'er acknowledge thee ,
+Nor what is mine shall never do thee good .
+Trust to't , bethink you ; I'll not be forsworn .
+
+
+Is there no pity sitting in the clouds ,
+That sees into the bottom of my grief ?
+O ! sweet my mother , cast me not away :
+Delay this marriage for a month , a week ;
+Or , if you do not , make the bridal bed
+In that dim monument where Tybalt lies .
+
+Talk not to me , for I'll not speak a word .
+Do as thou wilt , for I have done with thee .
+
+
+O God ! O nurse ! how shall this be prevented ?
+My husband is on earth , my faith in heaven ;
+How shall that faith return again to earth ,
+Unless that husband send it me from heaven
+By leaving earth ? comfort me , counsel me .
+Alack , alack ! that heaven should practise stratagems
+Upon so soft a subject as myself !
+What sayst thou ? hast thou not a word of joy ?
+Some comfort , nurse ?
+
+Faith , here it is . Romeo
+Is banished ; and all the world to nothing
+That he dares ne'er come back to challenge you ;
+Or , if he do , it needs must be by stealth .
+Then , since the case so stands as now it doth ,
+I think it best you married with the county .
+O ! he's a lovely gentleman ;
+Romeo's a dishclout to him : an eagle , madam ,
+Hath not so green , so quick , so fair an eye
+As Paris hath . Beshrew my very heart ,
+I think you are happy in this second match ,
+For it excels your first : or if it did not ,
+Your first is dead ; or 'twere as good he were ,
+As living here and you no use of him .
+
+Speakest thou from thy heart ?
+
+And from my soul too ;
+Or else beshrew them both .
+
+Amen !
+
+What !
+
+Well , thou hast comforted me marvellous much .
+Go in ; and tell my lady I am gone ,
+Having displeas'd my father , to Laurence' cell ,
+To make confession and to be absolv'd .
+
+Marry , I will ; and this is wisely done .
+
+
+Ancient damnation ! O most wicked fiend !
+Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn ,
+Or to dispraise my lord with that same tongue
+Which she hath prais'd him with above compare
+So many thousand times ? Go , counsellor ;
+Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain .
+I'll to the friar , to know his remedy :
+If all else fail , myself have power to die .
+
+
+On Thursday , sir ? the time is very short .
+
+My father Capulet will have it so ;
+And I am nothing slow to slack his haste .
+
+You say you do not know the lady's mind :
+Uneven is the course , I like it not .
+
+Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt's death ,
+And therefore have I little talk'd of love ;
+For Venus smiles not in a house of tears .
+Now , sir , her father counts it dangerous
+That she doth give her sorrow so much sway ,
+And in his wisdom hastes our marriage
+To stop the inundation of her tears ;
+Which , too much minded by herself alone ,
+May be put from her by society .
+Now do you know the reason of this haste .
+
+I would I knew not why it should be slow'd .
+Look , sir , here comes the lady towards my cell .
+
+
+Happily met , my lady and my wife !
+
+That may be , sir , when I may be a wife .
+
+That may be must be , love , on Thursday next .
+
+What must be shall be .
+
+That's a certain text .
+
+Come you to make confession to this father ?
+
+To answer that , I should confess to you .
+
+Do not deny to him that you love me .
+
+I will confess to you that I love him .
+
+So will ye , I am sure , that you love me .
+
+If I do so , it will be of more price ,
+Being spoke behind your back , than to your face .
+
+Poor soul , thy face is much abus'd with tears .
+
+The tears have got small victory by that ;
+For it was bad enough before their spite .
+
+Thou wrong'st it , more than tears , with that report .
+
+That is no slander , sir , which is a truth ;
+And what I spake , I spake it to my face .
+
+Thy face is mine , and thou hast slander'd it .
+
+It may be so , for it is not mine own .
+Are you at leisure , holy father , now ;
+Or shall I come to you at evening mass ?
+
+My leisure serves me , pensive daughter , now :
+My lord , we must entreat the time alone .
+
+God shield , I should disturb devotion !
+Juliet , on Thursday early will I rouse you :
+Till then , adieu ; and keep this holy kiss .
+
+
+O ! shut the door ! and when thou hast done so ,
+Come weep with me ; past hope , past cure , past help !
+
+Ah ! Juliet , I already know thy grief ;
+It strains me past the compass of my wits :
+I hear thou must , and nothing may prorogue it ,
+On Thursday next be married to this county .
+
+Tell me not , friar , that thou hear'st of this ,
+Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it :
+If , in thy wisdom , thou canst give no help ,
+Do thou but call my resolution wise ,
+And with this knife I'll help it presently ,
+God join'd my heart and Romeo's , thou our hands ;
+And ere this hand , by thee to Romeo seal'd ,
+Shall be the label to another deed ,
+Or my true heart with treacherous revolt
+Turn to another , this shall slay them both .
+Therefore , out of thy long-experienc'd time ,
+Give me some present counsel ; or behold ,
+'Twixt my extremes and me this bloody knife
+Shall play the umpire , arbitrating that
+Which the commission of thy years and art
+Could to no issue of true honour bring .
+Be not so long to speak ; I long to die ,
+If what thou speak'st speak not of remedy .
+
+Hold , daughter ; I do spy a kind of hope ,
+Which craves as desperate an execution
+As that is desperate which we would prevent .
+If , rather than to marry County Paris ,
+Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself ,
+Then is it likely thou wilt undertake
+A thing like death to chide away this shame ,
+That cop'st with death himself to 'scape from it ;
+And , if thou dar'st , I'll give thee remedy .
+
+O ! bid me leap , rather than marry Paris ,
+From off the battlements of yonder tower ;
+Or walk in thievish ways ; or bid me lurk
+Where serpents are ; chain me with roaring bears ;
+Or shut me nightly in a charnel-house ,
+O'er-cover'd quite with dead men's rattling bones ,
+With reeky shanks , and yellow chapless skulls ;
+Or bid me go into a new-made grave
+And hide me with a dead man in his shroud ;
+Things that , to hear them told , have made me tremble ;
+And I will do it without fear or doubt ,
+To live an unstain'd wife to my sweet love .
+
+Hold , then ; go home , be merry , give consent
+To marry Paris : Wednesday is to-morrow !
+To-morrow night look that thou lie alone ,
+Let not thy nurse lie with thee in thy chamber :
+Take thou this vial , being then in bed ,
+And this distilled liquor drink thou off ;
+When presently through all thy veins shall run
+A cold and drowsy humour , for no pulse
+Shall keep his native progress , but surcease ;
+No warmth , no breath , shall testify thou liv'st ;
+The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade
+To paly ashes ; thy eyes' windows fall ,
+Like death , when he shuts up the day of life ;
+Each part , depriv'd of supple government ,
+Shall , stiff and stark and cold , appear like death ;
+And in this borrow'd likeness of shrunk death
+Thou shalt continue two-and-forty hours ,
+And then awake as from a pleasant sleep .
+Now , when the bridegroom in the morning comes
+To rouse thee from thy bed , there art thou dead :
+Then as the manner of our country is
+In thy best robes uncover'd on the bier ,
+Thou shalt be borne to that same ancient vault
+Where all the kindred of the Capulets lie .
+In the mean time , against thou shalt awake ,
+Shall Romeo by my letters know our drift ,
+And hither shall he come ; and he and I
+Will watch thy waking , and that very night
+Shall Romeo bear thee hence to Mantua .
+And this shall free thee from this present shame ;
+If no unconstant toy , nor womanish fear ,
+Abate thy valour in the acting it .
+
+Give me , give me ! O ! tell me not of fear !
+
+Hold ; get you gone , be strong and prosperous
+In this resolve . I'll send a friar with speed
+To Mantua , with my letters to thy lord .
+
+Love , give me strength ! and strength shall help afford .
+Farewell , dear father !
+
+
+So many guests invite as here are writ .
+
+Sirrah , go hire me twenty cunning cooks .
+
+You shall have none ill , sir ; for
+I'll try if they can lick their fingers .
+
+How canst thou try them so ?
+
+Marry , sir , 'tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers : therefore he that cannot lick his fingers goes not with me .
+
+Go , be gone .
+
+We shall be much unfurnish'd for this time .
+What ! is my daughter gone to Friar Laurence ?
+
+Ay , forsooth .
+
+Well , he may chance to do some good on her :
+A peevish self-will'd harlotry it is .
+
+See where she comes from shrift with merry look .
+
+
+How now , my headstrong ! where have you been gadding ?
+
+Where I have learn'd me to repent the sin
+Of disobedient opposition
+To you and your behests ; and am enjoin'd
+By holy Laurence to fall prostrate here ,
+And beg your pardon . Pardon , I beseech you !
+Henceforward I am ever rul'd by you .
+
+Send for the county ; go tell him of this :
+I'll have this knot knit up to-morrow morning .
+
+I met the youthful lord at Laurence' cell ;
+And gave him what becomed love I might ,
+Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty .
+
+Why , I'm glad on't ; this is well : stand up :
+This is as't should be . Let me see the county ;
+Ay , marry , go , I say , and fetch him hither .
+Now , afore God ! this reverend holy friar ,
+All our whole city is much bound to him .
+
+Nurse , will you go with me into my closet ,
+To help me sort such needful ornaments
+As you think fit to furnish me to-morrow ?
+
+No , not till Thursday ; there is time enough .
+
+Go , nurse , go with her . We'll to church to-morrow .
+
+
+We shall be short in our provision :
+'Tis now near night .
+
+Tush ! I will stir about ,
+And all things shall be well , I warrant thee , wife :
+Go thou to Juliet , help to deck up her ;
+I'll not to bed to-night ; let me alone ;
+I'll play the housewife for this once . What , ho !
+They are all forth : well , I will walk myself
+To County Paris ; to prepare him up
+Against to-morrow . My heart is wondrous light ,
+Since this same wayward girl is so reclaim'd .
+
+
+Ay , those attires are best ; but , gentle nurse ,
+I pray thee , leave me to myself to-night ;
+For I have need of many orisons
+To move the heavens to smile upon my state ,
+Which , well thou know'st , is cross and full of sin .
+
+
+What ! are you busy , ho ? need you my help ?
+
+No , madam ; we have cull'd such necessaries
+As are behoveful for our state to-morrow :
+So please you , let me now be left alone ,
+And let the nurse this night sit up with you ;
+For , I am sure , you have your hands full all
+In this so sudden business .
+
+Good-night :
+Get thee to bed , and rest ; for thou hast need .
+
+
+Farewell ! God knows when we shall meet again .
+I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins ,
+That almost freezes up the heat of life :
+I'll call them back again to comfort me :
+Nurse ! What should she do here ?
+My dismal scene I needs must act alone .
+Come , vial .
+What if this mixture do not work at all ?
+Shall I be married then to-morrow morning ?
+No , no ; this shall forbid it : lie thou there .
+
+What if it be a poison , which the friar
+Subtly hath minister'd to have me dead ,
+Lest in this marriage he should be dishonour'd
+Because he married me before to Romeo ?
+I fear it is : and yet , methinks , it should not ,
+For he hath still been tried a holy man .
+I will not entertain so bad a thought .
+How if , when I am laid into the tomb ,
+I wake before the time that Romeo
+Come to redeem me ? there's a fearful point !
+Shall I not then be stifled in the vault ,
+To whose foul mouth no healthsome air breathes in ,
+And there die strangled ere my Romeo comes ?
+Or , if I live , is it not very like ,
+The horrible conceit of death and night ,
+Together with the terror of the place ,
+As in a vault , an ancient receptacle ,
+Where , for these many hundred years , the bones
+Of all my buried ancestors are pack'd ;
+Where bloody Tybalt , yet but green in earth ,
+Lies festering in his shroud ; where , as they say ,
+At some hours in the night spirits resort :
+Alack , alack ! is it not like that I ,
+So early waking , what with loathsome smells ,
+And shrieks like mandrakes' torn out of the earth ,
+That living mortals , hearing them , run mad :
+O ! if I wake , shall I not be distraught ,
+Environed with all these hideous fears ,
+And madly play with my forefathers' joints ,
+And pluck the mangled Tybalt from his shroud ?
+And , in this rage , with some great kinsman's bone ,
+As with a club , dash out my desperate brains ?
+O , look ! methinks I see my cousin's ghost
+Seeking out Romeo , that did spit his body
+Upon a rapier's point . Stay , Tybalt , stay !
+Romeo , I come ! this do I drink to thee .
+
+
+Hold , take these keys , and fetch more spices , nurse .
+
+They call for dates and quinces in the pastry .
+
+
+Come , stir , stir , stir ! the second cock hath crow'd ,
+The curfew bell hath rung , 'tis three o'clock :
+Look to the bak'd meats , good Angelica :
+Spare not for cost .
+
+Go , go , you cot-quean , go ;
+Get you to bed ; faith , you'll be sick to-morrow
+For this night's watching .
+
+No , not a whit ; what ! I have watch'd ere now
+All night for lesser cause , and ne'er been sick .
+
+Ay , you have been a mouse-hunt in your time ;
+But I will watch you from such watching now .
+
+
+A jealous-hood , a jealous-hood !
+
+
+Now , fellow ,
+
+What's there ?
+
+Things for the cook , sir ; but I know not what .
+
+Make haste , make haste .
+
+Sirrah , fetch drier logs :
+Call Peter , he will show thee where they are .
+
+I have a head , sir , that will find out logs ,
+And never trouble Peter for the matter .
+
+
+Mass , and well said ; a merry whoreson , ha !
+Thou shalt be logger-head . Good faith ! 'tis day :
+The county will be here with music straight ,
+For so he said he would .
+
+I hear him near .
+Nurse ! Wife ! what , ho ! What , nurse , I say !
+
+
+Go waken Juliet , go and trim her up ;
+I'll go and chat with Paris . Hie , make haste ,
+Make haste ; the bridegroom he is come already :
+Make haste , I say .
+
+Mistress ! what , mistress ! Juliet ! fast , I warrant her , she :
+Why , lamb ! why , lady ! fie , you slug-a-bed !
+Why , love , I say ! madam ! sweet-heart ! why , bride !
+What ! not a word ? you take your pennyworths now :
+Sleep for a week ; for the next night , I warrant ,
+The County Paris hath set up his rest ,
+That you shall rest but little . God forgive me ,
+Marry , and amen , how sound is she asleep !
+I needs must wake her . Madam , madam , madam !
+Ay , let the county take you in your bed ;
+He'll fright you up , i' faith . Will it not be ?
+What , dress'd ! and in your clothes ! and down again !
+I must needs wake you . Lady ! lady ! lady !
+Alas ! alas ! Help ! help ! my lady's dead !
+O ! well-a-day , that ever I was born .
+Some aqua-vit , ho ! My lord ! my lady !
+
+
+What noise is here ?
+
+O lamentable day !
+
+What is the matter ?
+
+Look , look ! O heavy day !
+
+O me , O me ! my child , my only life ,
+Revive , look up , or I will die with thee !
+Help , help ! Call help .
+
+
+For shame ! bring Juliet forth ; her lord is come .
+
+She's dead , deceas'd , she's dead ; alack the day !
+
+Alack the day ! she's dead , she's dead ! she's dead !
+
+Ha ! let me see her . Out , alas ! she's cold ;
+Her blood is settled , and her joints are stiff ;
+Life and these lips have long been separated :
+Death lies on her like an untimely frost
+Upon the sweetest flower of all the field .
+
+O lamentable day !
+
+O woeful time !
+
+Death , that hath ta'en her hence to make me wail ,
+Ties up my tongue , and will not let me speak .
+
+
+Come , is the bride ready to go to church ?
+
+Ready to go , but never to return .
+O son ! the night before thy wedding-day
+Hath Death lain with thy wife . There she lies ,
+Flower as she was , deflowered by him .
+Death is my son-in-law , Death is my heir ;
+My daughter he hath wedded : I will die ,
+And leave him all ; life , living , all is Death's !
+
+Have I thought long to see this morning's face ,
+And doth it give me such a sight as this ?
+
+Accurs'd , unhappy , wretched , hateful-day !
+Most miserable hour , that e'er time saw
+In lasting labour of his pilgrimage !
+But one , poor one , one poor and loving child ,
+But one thing to rejoice and solace in ,
+And cruel death hath catch'd it from my sight !
+
+O woe ! O woeful , woeful , woeful day !
+Most lamentable day , most woeful day ,
+That ever , ever , I did yet behold !
+O day ! O day ! O day ! O hateful day !
+Never was seen so black a day as this :
+O woeful day , O woeful day !
+
+Beguil'd , divorced , wronged , spited , slain !
+Most detestable death , by thee beguil'd ,
+By cruel cruel thee quite overthrown !
+O love ! O life ! not life , but love in death !
+
+Despis'd , distressed , hated , martyr'd , kill'd !
+Uncomfortable time , why cam'st thou now
+To murder , murder our solemnity ?
+O child ! O child ! my soul , and not my child !
+Dead art thou ! dead ! alack , my child is dead ;
+And with my child my joys are buried !
+
+Peace , ho ! for shame ! confusion's cure lives not
+In these confusions . Heaven and yourself
+Had part in this fair maid ; now heaven hath all ,
+And all the better is it for the maid :
+Your part in her you could not keep from death ,
+But heaven keeps his part in eternal life .
+The most you sought was her promotion ,
+For 'twas your heaven she should be advanc'd ;
+And weep ye now , seeing she is advanc'd
+Above the clouds , as high as heaven itself ?
+O ! in this love , you love your child so ill ,
+That you run mad , seeing that she is well :
+She's not well married that lives married long ;
+But she's best married that dies married young .
+Dry up your tears , and stick your rosemary
+On this fair corse ; and , as the custom is ,
+In all her best array bear her to church ;
+For though fond nature bids us all lament ,
+Yet nature's tears are reason's merriment .
+
+All things that we ordained festival ,
+Turn from their office to black funeral ;
+Our instruments to melancholy bells ,
+Our wedding cheer to a sad burial feast ,
+Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change ,
+Our bridal flowers serve for a buried corse ,
+And all things change them to the contrary .
+
+Sir , go you in ; and , madam , go with him ;
+And go , Sir Paris ; every one prepare
+To follow this fair corse unto her grave .
+The heavens do lower upon you for some ill ;
+Move them no more by crossing their high will .
+
+
+Faith , we may put up our pipes , and be gone .
+
+Honest good fellows , ah ! put up , put up , for , well you know , this is a pitiful case .
+
+
+Ay , by my troth , the case may be amended .
+
+
+Musicians ! O ! musicians , 'Heart's ease , Heart's ease :' O ! an ye will have me live , play 'Heart's ease .'
+
+Why 'Heart's ease ?'
+
+O ! musicians , because my heart itself plays 'My heart is full of woe ;' O ! play me some merry dump , to comfort me .
+
+Not a dump we ; 'tis no time to play now .
+
+You will not then ?
+
+No .
+
+I will then give it you soundly .
+
+What will you give us ?
+
+No money , on my faith ! but the gleek ;
+I will give you the minstrel .
+
+Then will I give you the serving-creature .
+
+Then will I lay the serving-creature's dagger on your pate , I will carry no crotchets :
+I'll re you , I'll fa you . Do you note me ?
+
+An you re us , and fa us , you note us .
+
+Pray you , put up your dagger , and put out your wit .
+
+Then have at you with my wit ! I will dry-beat you with an iron wit , and put up my iron dagger . Answer me like men :
+
+When griping grief the heart doth wound ,
+And doleful dumps the mind oppress ,
+Then music with her silver sound
+
+Why 'silver sound ?' why 'music with her silver sound ?' What say you , Simon Catling ?
+
+Marry , sir , because silver hath a sweet sound .
+
+Pretty ! What say you , Hugh Rebeck ?
+
+I say 'silver sound ,' because musicians sound for silver .
+
+Pretty too ! What say you , James Soundpost ?
+
+Faith , I know not what to say .
+
+O ! I cry you mercy ; you are the singer ;
+I will say for you . It is , 'music with her silver sound ,' because musicians have no gold for sounding :
+
+Then music with her silver sound
+With speedy help doth lend redress .
+
+What a pestilent knave is this same !
+
+Hang him , Jack ! Come , we'll in here ; tarry for the mourners , and stay dinner .
+
+
+If I may trust the flattering truth of sleep ,
+My dreams presage some joyful news at hand :
+My bosom's lord sits lightly in his throne ;
+And all this day an unaccustom'd spirit
+Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts .
+I dreamt my lady came and found me dead ;
+Strange dream , that gives a dead man leave to think ,
+And breath'd such life with kisses in my lips ,
+That I reviv'd , and was an emperor .
+Ah me ! how sweet is love itself possess'd ,
+When but love's shadows are so rich in joy !
+
+
+News from Verona ! How now , Balthasar ?
+Dost thou not bring me letters from the friar ?
+How doth my lady ? Is my father well ?
+How fares my Juliet ? That I ask again ;
+
+For nothing can be ill if she be well .
+
+Then she is well , and nothing can be ill ;
+Her body sleeps in Capel's monument ,
+And her immortal part with angels lives .
+I saw her laid low in her kindred's vault ,
+And presently took post to tell it you .
+O ! pardon me for bringing these ill news ,
+Since you did leave it for my office , sir .
+
+Is it even so ? then I defy you , stars !
+Thou know'st my lodging : get me ink and paper ,
+And hire post-horses ; I will hence to-night .
+
+I do beseech you , sir , have patience :
+Your looks are pale and wild , and do import
+Some misadventure .
+
+Tush , thou art deceiv'd ;
+Leave me , and do the thing I bid thee do .
+Hast thou no letters to me from the friar ?
+
+No , my good lord .
+
+No matter ; get thee gone ,
+And hire those horses : I'll be with thee straight .
+
+Well , Juliet , I will he with thee to-night .
+Let's see for means : O mischief ! thou art swift
+To enter in the thoughts of desperate men .
+I do remember an apothecary ,
+And hereabouts he dwells , which late I noted
+In tatter'd weeds , with overwhelming brows ,
+Culling of simples ; meagre were his looks ,
+Sharp misery had worn him to the bones :
+And in his needy shop a tortoise hung ,
+An alligator stuff'd , and other skins
+Of ill-shap'd fishes ; and about his shelves
+A beggarly account of empty boxes ,
+Green earthen pots , bladders , and musty seeds ,
+Remnants of packthread , and old cakes of roses ,
+Were thinly scatter'd , to make up a show .
+Noting this penury , to myself I said
+An if a man did need a poison now ,
+Whose sale is present death in Mantua ,
+Here lives a caitiff wretch would sell it him .
+O ! this same thought did but fore-run my need ,
+And this same needy man must sell it me .
+As I remember , this should be the house :
+Being holiday , the beggar's shop is shut .
+What , ho ! apothecary !
+
+
+Who calls so loud ?
+
+Come hither , man . I see that thou art poor ;
+Hold , there is forty ducats ; let me have
+A dram of poison , such soon-speeding gear
+As will disperse itself through all the veins
+That the life-weary taker may fall dead ,
+And that the trunk may be discharg'd of breath
+As violently as hasty powder fir'd
+Doth hurry from the fatal cannon's womb .
+
+Such mortal drugs I have ; but Mantua's law
+Is death to any he that utters them .
+
+Art thou so bare , and full of wretchedness ,
+And fear'st to die ? famine is in thy cheeks ,
+Need and oppression starveth in thine eyes ,
+Contempt and beggary hang upon thy back ;
+The world is not thy friend nor the world's law :
+The world affords no law to make thee rich ;
+Then be not poor , but break it , and take this .
+
+My poverty , but not my will , consents .
+
+I pay thy poverty , and not thy will .
+
+Put this in any liquid thing you will ,
+And drink it off ; and , if you had the strength
+Of twenty men , it would dispatch you straight .
+
+There is thy gold , worse poison to men's souls ,
+Doing more murders in this loathsome world
+Than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell :
+I sell thee poison , thou hast sold me none .
+Farewell ; buy food , and get thyself in flesh .
+Come , cordial and not poison , go with me
+To Juliet's grave , for there must I use thee .
+
+
+Holy Franciscan friar ! brother , ho !
+
+
+This same should be the voice of Friar John .
+Welcome from Mantua : what says Romeo ?
+Or , if his mind be writ , give me his letter .
+
+Going to find a bare-foot brother out ,
+One of our order , to associate me ,
+Here in this city visiting the sick ,
+And finding him , the searchers of the town ,
+Suspecting that we both were in a house
+Where the infectious pestilence did reign ,
+Seal'd up the doors , and would not let us forth ;
+So that my speed to Mantua there was stay'd .
+
+Who bare my letter then to Romeo ?
+
+I could not send it , here it is again ,
+Nor get a messenger to bring it thee ,
+So fearful were they of infection .
+
+Unhappy fortune ! by my brotherhood ,
+The letter was not nice , but full of charge
+Of dear import ; and the neglecting it
+May do much danger . Friar John , go hence ;
+Get me an iron crow , and bring it straight
+Unto my cell .
+
+Brother , I'll go and bring it thee .
+
+
+Now must I to the monument alone ;
+Within these three hours will fair Juliet wake :
+She will beshrew me much that Romeo
+Hath had no notice of these accidents ;
+But I will write again to Mantus ,
+And keep her at my cell till Romeo come :
+Poor living corse , clos'd in a dead man's tomb !
+
+
+Give me thy torch , boy : hence , and stand aloof ;
+Yet put it out , for I would not be seen .
+Under yond yew-trees lay thee all along ,
+Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground :
+So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread ,
+Being loose , unfirm with digging up of graves ,
+But thou shalt hear it : whistle then to me ,
+As signal that thou hear'st something approach .
+Give me those flowers . Do as I bid thee ; go .
+
+I am almost afraid to stand alone
+Here in the churchyard ; yet I will adventure .
+
+
+Sweet flower , with flowers thy bridal bed I strew ,
+O woe ! thy canopy is dust and stones ;
+Which with sweet water nightly I will dew ,
+Or , wanting that , with tears distill'd by moans :
+The obsequies that I for thee will keep
+Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep .
+
+The boy gives warning something doth approach .
+What cursed foot wanders this way to-night ,
+To cross my obsequies and true love's rite ?
+What ! with a torch ?muffle me , night , awhile .
+
+Give me that mattock , and the wrenching iron .
+Hold , take this letter ; early in the morning
+See thou deliver it to my lord and father .
+Give me the light : upon thy life I charge thee ,
+Whate'er thou hear'st or seest , stand all aloof ,
+And do not interrupt me in my course .
+Why I descend into this bed of death ,
+Is partly , to behold my lady's face ;
+But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger
+A precious ring , a ring that I must use
+In dear employment : therefore hence , be gone :
+But , if thou , jealous , dost return to pry
+In what I further shall intend to do ,
+By heaven , I will tear thee joint by joint ,
+And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs .
+The time and my intents are savage-wild ,
+More fierce and more inexorable far
+Than empty tigers or the roaring sea .
+
+I will be gone , sir , and not trouble you .
+
+So shalt thou show me friendship . Take thou that :
+Live , and be prosperous ; and farewell , good fellow .
+
+For all this same , I'll hide me here about :
+His looks I fear , and his intents I doubt .
+
+
+Thou detestable maw , thou womb of death ,
+Gorg'd with the dearest morsel of the earth ,
+Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open ,
+
+And , in despite , I'll cram thee with more food !
+
+This is that banish'd haughty Montague ,
+That murder'd my love's cousin , with which grief
+It is supposed the fair creature died ;
+And here is come to do some villanous shame
+To the dead bodies : I will apprehend him .
+
+Stop thy unhallow'd toil , vile Montague ,
+Can vengeance be pursu'd further than death ?
+Condemned villain , I do apprehend thee :
+Obey , and go with me ; for thou must die .
+
+I must , indeed ; and therefore came I hither .
+Good gentle youth , tempt not a desperate man ;
+Fly hence and leave me : think upon these gone ;
+Let them affright thee . I beseech thee , youth ,
+Put not another sin upon my head
+By urging me to fury : O ! be gone :
+By heaven , I love thee better than myself .
+For I come hither arm'd against myself :
+Stay not , be gone ; live , and hereafter say
+A madman's mercy bade thee run away .
+
+I do defy thy conjurations ,
+And apprehend thee for a felon here .
+
+Wilt thou provoke me ? then have at thee , boy !
+
+
+O Lord ! they fight : I will go call the watch .
+
+
+O , I am slain !If thou be merciful ,
+Open the tomb , lay me with Juliet .
+
+
+In faith , I will . Let me peruse this face :
+Mercutio's kinsman , noble County Paris !
+What said my man when my betossed soul
+Did not attend him as we rode ? I think
+He told me Paris should have married Juliet :
+Said he not so ? or did I dream it so ?
+Or am I mad , hearing him talk of Juliet ,
+To think it was so ? O ! give me thy hand ,
+One writ with me in sour misfortune's book :
+I'll bury thee in a triumphant grave ;
+A grave ? O , no ! a lanthorn , slaughter'd youth ,
+For here lies Juliet , and her beauty makes
+This vault a feasting presence full of light .
+Death , lie thou there , by a dead man interr'd ,
+
+How oft when men are at the point of death
+Have they been merry ! which their keepers call
+A lightning before death : O ! how may I
+Call this a lightning ? O my love ! my wife !
+Death , that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath ,
+Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty :
+Thou art not conquer'd ; beauty's ensign yet
+Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks ,
+And death's pale flag is not advanced there .
+Tybalt , liest thou there in thy bloody sheet ?
+O ! what more favour can I do to thee ,
+Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain
+To sunder his that was thine enemy ?
+Forgive me , cousin ! Ah ! dear Juliet ,
+Why art thou yet so fair ? Shall I believe
+That unsubstantial Death is amorous ,
+And that the lean abhorred monster keeps
+Thee here in dark to be his paramour ?
+For fear of that I still will stay with thee ,
+And never from this palace of dim night
+Depart again : here , here will I remain
+With worms that are thy chambermaids ; O ! here
+Will I set up my everlasting rest ,
+And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
+From this world-wearied flesh . Eyes , look your last !
+Arms , take your last embrace ! and , lips , O you
+The doors of breath , seal with a righteous kiss
+A dateless bargain to engrossing death !
+Come , bitter conduct , come , unsavoury guide !
+Thou desperate pilot , now at once run on
+The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark !
+Here's to my love !
+
+O true apothecary !
+Thy drugs are quick . Thus with a kiss I die .
+
+Saint Francis be my speed ! how oft to-night
+Have my old feet stumbled at graves ! Who's there ?
+
+Here's one , a friend , and one that knows you well .
+
+Bliss be upon you ! Tell me , good my friend ,
+What torch is yond , that vainly lends his light
+To grubs and eyeless skulls ? as I discern ,
+It burneth in the Capel's monument .
+
+It doth so , holy sir ; and there's my master ,
+One that you love .
+
+Who is it ?
+
+Romeo .
+
+How long hath he been there ?
+
+Full half an hour .
+
+Go with me to the vault .
+
+I dare not , sir .
+My master knows not but I am gone hence ;
+And fearfully did menace me with death
+If I did stay to look on his intents .
+
+Stay then , I'll go alone . Fear comes upon me ;
+O ! much I fear some ill unlucky thing .
+
+As I did sleep under this yew-tree here ,
+I dreamt my master and another fought ,
+And that my master slew him .
+
+Romeo !
+Alack , alack ! what blood is this which stains
+The stony entrance of this sepulchre ?
+What mean these masterless and gory swords
+To lie discolour'd by this place of peace ?
+
+Romeo ! O , pale ! Who else ? what ! Paris too ?
+And steep'd in blood ? Ah ! what an unkind hour
+Is guilty of this lamentable chance .
+The lady stirs .
+
+
+O , comfortable friar ! where is my lord ?
+I do remember well where I should be ,
+And there I am . Where is my Romeo ?
+
+
+I hear some noise . Lady , come from that nest
+Of death , contagion , and unnatural sleep :
+A greater power than we can contradict
+Hath thwarted our intents : come , come away .
+Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead ;
+And Paris too : come , I'll dispose of thee
+Among a sisterhood of holy nuns .
+Stay not to question , for the watch is coming ;
+Come , go , good Juliet .
+
+I dare no longer stay .
+
+Go , get thee hence , for I will not away .
+
+What's here ? a cup , clos'd in my true love's hand ?
+Poison , I see , hath been his timeless end .
+O churl ! drunk all , and left no friendly drop
+To help me after ! I will kiss thy lips ;
+Haply , some poison yet doth hang on them ,
+To make me die with a restorative .
+
+Thy lips are warm !
+
+Lead , boy : which way ?
+
+Yea , noise ? then I'll be brief . O happy dagger !
+
+This is thy sheath ;
+
+there rest , and let me die .
+
+This is the place ; there where the torch doth burn .
+
+The ground is bloody ; search about the churchyard .
+Go , some of you ; whoe'er you find , attach .
+
+Pitiful sight ! here lies the county slain ,
+And Juliet bleeding , warm , and newly dead ,
+Who here hath lain these two days buried .
+Go , tell the prince , run to the Capulets ,
+Raise up the Montagues , some others search :
+
+We see the ground whereon these woes do lie ;
+But the true ground of all these piteous woes
+We cannot without circumstance descry .
+
+
+Here's Romeo's man ; we found him in the churchyard .
+
+Hold him in safety , till the prince come hither .
+
+
+Here is a friar , that trembles , sighs , and weeps ;
+We took this mattock and this spade from him ,
+As he was coming from this churchyard side .
+
+A great suspicion : stay the friar too .
+
+
+What misadventure is so early up ,
+That calls our person from our morning's rest ?
+
+
+What should it be , that they so shriek abroad ?
+
+The people in the street cry Romeo ,
+Some Juliet , and some Paris ; and all run
+With open outcry toward our monument .
+
+What fear is this which startles in our ears ?
+
+Sovereign , here lies the County Paris slain ;
+And Romeo dead ; and Juliet , dead before ,
+Warm and new kill'd .
+
+Search , seek , and know how this foul murder comes .
+
+Here is a friar , and slaughter'd Romeo's man ;
+With instruments upon them , fit to open
+These dead men's tombs .
+
+O , heaven !O wife ! look how our daughter bleeds !
+This dagger hath mista'en !for , lo , his house
+Is empty on the back of Montague
+And is mis-sheathed in my daughter's bosom .
+
+O me ! this sight of death is as a bell ,
+That warns my old age to a sepulchre .
+
+
+Come , Montague : for thou art early up ,
+To see thy son and heir more early down .
+
+Alas ! my liege , my wife is dead to-night ;
+Grief of my son's exile hath stopp'd her breath .
+What further woe conspires against mine age ?
+
+Look , and thou shalt see .
+
+O thou untaught ! what manners is in this ,
+To press before thy father to a grave ?
+
+Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while ,
+Till we can clear these ambiguities ,
+And know their spring , their head , their true descent ;
+And then will I be general of your woes ,
+And lead you even to death : meantime forbear ,
+And let mischance be slave to patience .
+Bring forth the parties of suspicion .
+
+I am the greatest , able to do least ,
+Yet most suspected , as the time and place
+Doth make against me , of this direful murder ;
+And here I stand , both to impeach and purge
+Myself condemned and myself excus'd .
+
+Then say at once what thou dost know in this .
+
+I will be brief , for my short date of breath
+Is not so long as is a tedious tale .
+Romeo , there dead , was husband to that Juliet ;
+And she , there dead , that Romeo's faithful wife :
+I married them ; and their stolen marriage-day
+Was Tybalt's doomsday , whose untimely death
+Banish'd the new-made bridegroom from this city ;
+For whom , and not for Tybalt , Juliet pin'd .
+You , to remove that siege of grief from her ,
+Betroth'd , and would have married her perforce ,
+To County Paris : then comes she to me ,
+And , with wild looks bid me devise some mean
+To rid her from this second marriage ,
+Or in my cell there would she kill herself .
+Then gave I her ,so tutor'd by my art ,
+A sleeping potion ; which so took effect
+As I intended , for it wrought on her
+The form of death : meantime I writ to Romeo
+That he should hither come as this dire night ,
+To help to take her from her borrow'd grave ,
+Being the time the potion's force should cease .
+But he which bore my letter , Friar John ,
+Was stay'd by accident , and yesternight
+Return'd my letter back . Then , all alone ,
+At the prefixed hour of her waking ,
+Came I to take her from her kindred's vault ,
+Meaning to keep her closely at my cell ,
+Till I conveniently could send to Romeo :
+But , when I came ,some minute ere the time
+Of her awakening ,here untimely lay
+The noble Paris and true Romeo dead .
+She wakes ; and I entreated her come forth ,
+And bear this work of heaven with patience ;
+But then a noise did scare me from the tomb ,
+And she , too desperate , would not go with me ,
+But , as it seems , did violence on herself .
+All this I know ; and to the marriage
+Her nurse is privy : and , if aught in this
+Miscarried by my fault , let my old life
+Be sacrific'd , some hour before his time ,
+Unto the rigour of severest law .
+
+We still have known thee for a holy man .
+Where's Romeo's man ? what can he say in this ?
+
+I brought my master news of Juliet's death ;
+And then in post he came from Mantua
+To this same place , to this same monument .
+This letter he early bid me give his father ,
+And threaten'd me with death , going in the vault ,
+If I departed not and left him there .
+
+Give me the letter ; I will look on it .
+Where is the county's page that rais'd the watch ?
+Sirrah , what made your master in this place ?
+
+He came with flowers to strew his lady's grave ,
+And bid me stand aloof , and so I did ;
+Anon , comes one with light to ope the tomb ;
+And by and by my master drew on him ;
+And then I ran away to call the watch .
+
+This letter doth make good the friar's words ,
+Their course of love , the tidings of her death :
+And here he writes that he did buy a poison
+Of a poor 'pothecary , and therewithal
+Came to this vault to die , and lie with Juliet .
+Where be these enemies ?Capulet ! Montague !
+See what a scourge is laid upon your hate ,
+That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love ;
+And I , for winking at your discords too ,
+Have lost a brace of kinsmen : all are punish'd .
+
+O brother Montague ! give me thy hand :
+This is my daughter's jointure , for no more
+Can I demand .
+
+But I can give thee more ;
+For I will raise her statue in pure gold ;
+That while Verona by that name is known .
+There shall no figure at such rate be set
+As that of true and faithful Juliet .
+
+As rich shall Romeo by his lady lie ;
+Poor sacrifices of our enmity !
+
+A glooming peace this morning with it brings ;
+The sun , for sorrow , will not show his head :
+Go hence , to have more talk of these sad things :
+Some shall be pardon'd , and some punished :
+For never was a story of more woe
+Than this of Juliet and her Romeo .
+
+TIMON OF ATHENS
+
+Good day , sir .
+
+I am glad you're well .
+
+I have not seen you long . How goes the world ?
+
+It wears , sir , as it grows .
+
+Ay , that's well known ;
+But what particular rarity ? what strange ,
+Which manifold record not matches ? See ,
+Magic of bounty ! all these spirits thy power
+Hath conjur'd to attend . I know the merchant .
+
+I know them both ; th' other's a jeweller .
+
+O ! 'tis a worthy lord .
+
+Nay , that's most fix'd .
+
+A most incomparable man , breath'd , as it were ,
+To an untirable and continuate goodness :
+He passes .
+
+I have a jewel here
+
+O ! pray , let's see 't : for the Lord Timon , sir ?
+
+If he will touch the estimate : but , for that
+
+When we for recompense have prais'd the vile ,
+It stains the glory in that happy verse
+Which aptly sings the good .
+
+'Tis a good form .
+
+And rich : here is a water , look ye .
+
+You are rapt , sir , in some work , some dedication
+To the great lord .
+
+A thing slipp'd idly from me .
+Our poesy is as a gum , which oozes
+From whence 'tis nourish'd : the fire i' the flint
+Shows not till it be struck ; our gentle flame
+Provokes itself , and , like the current flies
+Each bound it chafes . What have you there ?
+
+A picture , sir . When comes your book forth ?
+
+Upon the heels of my presentment , sir .
+Let's see your piece .
+
+'Tis a good piece .
+
+So 'tis : this comes off well and excellent .
+
+Indifferent .
+
+Admirable ! How this grace
+Speaks his own standing ! what a mental power
+This eye shoots forth ! how big imagination
+Moves in this lip ! to the dumbness of the gesture
+One might interpret .
+
+It is a pretty mocking of the life .
+Here is a touch ; is 't good ?
+
+I'll say of it ,
+It tutors nature : artificial strife
+Lives in these touches , livelier than life .
+
+
+How this lord is follow'd !
+
+The senators of Athens : happy man !
+
+Look , more !
+
+You see this confluence , this great flood of visitors .
+I have , in this rough work , shap'd out a man ,
+Whom this beneath world doth embrace and hug
+With amplest entertainment : my free drift
+Halts not particularly , but moves itself
+In a wide sea of wax : no levell'd malice
+Infects one comma in the course I hold ;
+But flies an eagle flight , bold and forth on ,
+Leaving no tract behind .
+
+How shall I understand you ?
+
+I will unbolt to you .
+You see how all conditions , how all minds
+As well of glib and slippery creatures as
+Of grave and austere quality tender down
+Their services to Lord Timon : his large fortune ,
+Upon his good and gracious nature hanging ,
+Subdues and properties to his love and tendance
+All sorts of hearts ; yea , from the glass-fac'd flatterer
+To Apemantus , that few things loves better
+Than to abhor himself : even he drops down
+The knee before him and returns in peace
+Most rich in Timon's nod .
+
+I saw them speak together .
+
+Sir , I have upon a high and pleasant hill
+Feign'd Fortune to be thron'd : the base o' the mount
+Is rank'd with all deserts , all kind of natures ,
+That labour on the bosom of this sphere
+To propagate their states : amongst them all ,
+Whose eyes are on this sovereign lady fix'd ,
+One do I personate of Lord Timon's frame ,
+Whom Fortune with her ivory hand wafts to her ;
+Whose present grace to present slaves and servants
+Translates his rivals .
+
+'Tis conceiv'd to scope .
+This throne , this Fortune , and this hill , methinks ,
+With one man beckon'd from the rest below ,
+Bowing his head against the steepy mount
+To climb his happiness , would be well express'd
+In our condition .
+
+Nay , sir , but hear me on .
+All those which were his fellows but of late ,
+Some better than his value , on the moment
+Follow his strides , his lobbies fill with tendance ,
+Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear ,
+Make sacred even his stirrup , and through him
+Drink the free air .
+
+Ay , marry , what of these ?
+
+When Fortune in her shift and change of mood
+Spurns down her late belov'd , all his dependants
+Which labour'd after him to the mountain's top
+Even on their knees and hands , let him slip down ,
+Not one accompanying his declining foot .
+
+'Tis common :
+A thousand moral paintings I can show
+That shall demonstrate these quick blows of Fortune's
+More pregnantly than words . Yet you do well
+To show Lord Timon that mean eyes have seen
+The foot above the head .
+
+
+Imprison'd is he , say you ?
+
+Ay , my good lord : five talents is his debt ,
+His means most short , his creditors most strait :
+Your honourable letter he desires
+To those have shut him up ; which , failing ,
+Periods his comfort .
+
+Noble Ventidius ! Well ;
+I am not of that feather to shake off
+My friend when he must need me . I do know him
+A gentleman that well deserves a help ,
+Which he shall have : I'll pay the debt and free him .
+
+Your lordship ever binds him .
+
+Commend me to him . I will send his ransom ;
+And being enfranchis'd , bid him come to me .
+'Tis not enough to help the feeble up ,
+But to support him after . Fare you well .
+
+All happiness to your honour .
+
+Lord Timon , hear me speak .
+
+Freely , good father .
+
+Thou hast a servant nam'd Lucilius .
+
+I have so : what of him ?
+
+Most noble Timon , call the man before thee .
+
+Attends be here or no ? Lucilius !
+
+Here , at your lordship's service .
+
+This fellow here , Lord Timon , this thy creature ,
+By night frequents my house . I am a man
+That from my first have been inclin'd to thrift ,
+And my estate deserves an heir more rais'd
+Than one which holds a trencher .
+
+Well ; what further ?
+
+One only daughter have I , no kin else ,
+On whom I may confer what I have got :
+The maid is fair , o' the youngest for a bride ,
+And I have bred her at my dearest cost
+In qualities of the best . This man of thine
+Attempts her love : I prithee , noble lord ,
+Join with me to forbid him her resort ;
+Myself have spoke in vain .
+
+The man is honest .
+
+Therefore he will be , Timon :
+His honesty rewards him in itself ;
+It must not bear my daughter .
+
+Does she love him ?
+
+She is young and apt :
+Our own precedent passions do instruct us
+What levity's in youth .
+
+Love you the maid ?
+
+Ay , my good lord , and she accepts of it .
+
+If in her marriage my consent be missing ,
+I call the gods to witness , I will choose
+Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world ,
+And dispossess her all .
+
+How shall she be endow'd ,
+If she be mated with an equal husband ?
+
+Three talents on the present ; in future , all .
+
+This gentleman of mine hath serv'd me long :
+To build his fortune I will strain a little ,
+For 'tis a bond in men . Give him thy daughter ;
+What you bestow , in him I'll counterpoise ,
+And make him weigh with her .
+
+Most noble lord ,
+Pawn me to this your honour , she is his .
+
+My hand to thee ; mine honour on my promise .
+
+Humbly I thank your lordship : never may
+That state or fortune fall into my keeping
+Which is not ow'd to you !
+
+
+Vouchsafe my labour , and long live your lordship !
+
+I thank you ; you shall hear from me anon :
+Go not away . What have you there , my friend ?
+
+A piece of painting , which I do beseech
+Your lordship to accept .
+
+Painting is welcome .
+The painting is almost the natural man ;
+For since dishonour traffics with man's nature ,
+He is but outside : these pencil'd figures are
+Even such as they give out . I like your work ;
+And you shall find I like it : wait attendance
+Till you hear further from me .
+
+The gods preserve you !
+
+Well fare you , gentleman : give me your hand ;
+We must needs dine together . Sir , your jewel
+Hath suffer'd under praise .
+
+What , my lord ! dispraise ?
+
+A mere satiety of commendations .
+If I should pay you for 't as 'tis extoll'd ,
+It would unclew me quite .
+
+My lord , 'tis rated
+As those which sell would give : but you well know ,
+Things of like value , differing in the owners ,
+Are prized by their masters . Believe 't , dear lord ,
+You mend the jewel by the wearing it .
+
+Well mock'd .
+
+No , my good lord ; he speaks the common tongue ,
+Which all men speak with him .
+
+Look , who comes here . Will you be chid ?
+
+
+We'll bear , with your lordship .
+
+He'll spare none .
+
+Good morrow to thee , gentle Apemantus !
+
+Till I be gentle , stay thou for thy good morrow ;
+When thou art Timon's dog , and these knaves honest .
+
+Why dost thou call them knaves ? thou know'st them not .
+
+Are they not Athenians ?
+
+Yes .
+
+Then I repent not .
+
+You know me , Apemantus ?
+
+Thou know'st I do ; I call'd thee by thy name .
+
+Thou art proud , Apemantus .
+
+Of nothing so much as that I am not like Timon .
+
+Whither art going ?
+
+To knock out an honest Athenian's brains .
+
+That's a deed thou'lt die for .
+
+Right , if doing nothing be death by the law .
+
+How likest thou this picture , Apemantus ?
+
+The best , for the innocence .
+
+Wrought he not well that painted it ?
+
+He wrought better that made the painter ; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work .
+
+You're a dog .
+
+Thy mother's of my generation : what's she , if I be a dog ?
+
+Wilt dine with me , Apemantus ?
+
+No ; I eat not lords .
+
+An thou shouldst , thou'dst anger ladies .
+
+O ! they eat lords ; so they come by great bellies .
+
+That's a lascivious apprehension .
+
+So thou apprehendest it , take it for thy labour .
+
+How dost thou like this jewel , Apemantus ?
+
+Not so well as plain-dealing , which will not cost a man a doit .
+
+What dost thou think 'tis worth ?
+
+Not worth my thinking . How now , poet !
+
+How now , philosopher !
+
+Thou liest .
+
+Art not one ?
+
+Yes .
+
+Then I lie not .
+
+Art not a poet ?
+
+Yes .
+
+Then thou liest : look in thy last work , where thou hast feigned him a worthy fellow .
+
+That's not feigned ; he is so .
+
+Yes , he is worthy of thee , and to pay thee for thy labour : he that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer . Heavens , that I were a lord !
+
+What wouldst do then , Apemantus ?
+
+Even as Apemantus does now ; hate a lord with my heart .
+
+What , thyself ?
+
+Ay .
+
+Wherefore ?
+
+That I had no angry wit to be a lord .
+Art not thou a merchant ?
+
+Ay , Apemantus .
+
+Traffic confound thee , if the gods will not !
+
+If traffic do it , the gods do it .
+
+Traffic's thy god , and thy god confound thee !
+
+
+What trumpet's that ?
+
+'Tis Alcihiades , and some twenty horse ,
+All of companionship .
+
+Pray , entertain them ; give them guide to us .
+
+You must needs dine with me . Go not you hence
+Till I have thanked you ; when dinner's done ,
+Show me this piece . I am joyful of your sights .
+
+Most welcome , sir !
+
+So , so , there !
+Aches contract and starve your supple joints !
+That there should be small love 'mongst these sweet knaves ,
+And all this courtesy ! The strain of man's bred out
+Into baboon and monkey .
+
+Sir , you have sav'd my longing , and I feed
+Most hungerly on your sight .
+
+Right welcome , sir !
+Ere we depart , we'll share a bounteous time
+In different pleasures . Pray you , let us in .
+
+What time o'day is't , Apemantus ?
+
+Time to be honest .
+
+That time serves still .
+
+The more accursed thou , that still omitt'st it .
+
+Thou art going to Lord Timon's feast ?
+
+Ay ; to see meat fill khaves and wine heat fools .
+
+Fare thee well , fare thee well .
+
+Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice .
+
+Why , Apemantus ?
+
+Shouldst have kept one to thyself , for I mean to give thee none .
+
+Hang thyself !
+
+No , I will do nothing at thy bidding : make thy requests to thy friend .
+
+Away , unpeaceable dog ! or I'll spurn thee hence .
+
+I will fly , like a dog , the heels of an ass .
+
+
+He's opposite to humanity . Come , shall we in ,
+And taste Lord Timon's bounty ? he outgoes
+The very heart of kindness .
+
+He pours it out ; Plutus , the god of gold ,
+Is but his steward : no meed but he repays
+Sevenfold above itself ; no gift to him
+But breeds the giver a return exceeding
+All use of quittance .
+
+The noblest mind he carries
+That ever govern'd man .
+
+Long may he live in fortunes !
+Shall we in ?
+
+I'll keep you company .
+
+Most honour'd Timon ,
+It hath pleas'd the gods to remember my father's age ,
+And call him to long peace .
+He is gone happy , and has left me rich :
+Then , as in grateful virtue I am bound
+To your free heart , I do return those talents ,
+Doubled with thanks and service , from whose help
+I deriv'd liberty .
+
+O ! by no means ,
+Honest Ventidius ; you mistake my love ;
+I gave it freely ever ; and there's none
+Can truly say he gives , if he receives :
+If our betters play at that game , we must not dare
+To imitate them ; faults that are rich are fair .
+
+A noble spirit .
+
+
+Nay , my lords , ceremony was but devis'd at first
+To set a gloss on faint deeds , hollow welcomes ,
+Recanting goodness , sorry ere 'tis shown ;
+But where there is true friendship , there needs none .
+Pray , sit ; more welcome are ye to my fortunes
+Than my fortunes to me .
+
+
+My lord , we always have confess'd it .
+
+Ho , ho ! confess'd it ; hang'd it , have you not ?
+
+O ! Apemantus , you are welcome .
+
+No ,
+You shall not make me welcome :
+I come to have thee thrust me out of doors .
+
+Fie ! thou'rt a churl ; ye've got a humour there
+Does not become a man ; 'tis much to blame .
+They say , my lords , Ira furor brevis est ;
+But yond man is ever angry .
+Go , let him have a table by himself ,
+For he does neither affect company ,
+Nor is he fit for it , indeed .
+
+Let me stay at thine apperil , Timon :
+I come to observe ; I give thee warning on't .
+
+I take no heed of thee ; thou'rt an Athenian , therefore , welcome . I myself would have no power ; prithee , let my meat make thee silent .
+
+I scorn thy meat ; 'twould choke me , for I should
+Ne'er flatter thee . O you gods ! what a number
+Of men eat Timon , and he sees them not .
+It grieves me to see so many dip their meat
+In one man's blood ; and all the madness is ,
+He cheers them up too .
+I wonder men dare trust themselves with men :
+Methinks they should invite them without knives ;
+Good for their meat , and safer for their lives .
+There's much example for't ; the fellow that
+Sits next him now , parts bread with him , and pledges
+The breath of him in a divided draught ,
+Is the readiest man to kill him : 't has been prov'd .
+If I were a huge man , I should fear to drink at meals ;
+Lest they should spy my wind-pipe's dangerous notes :
+Great men should drink with harness on their throats .
+
+My lord , in heart ; and let the health go round .
+
+Let it flow this way , my good lord .
+
+Flow this way ! A brave fellow ! he keeps his tides well . Those healths will make thee and thy state look ill , Timon .
+Here's that which is too weak to be a sinner ,
+Honest water , which ne'er left man i' the mire :
+This and my food are equals , there's no odds :
+Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods .
+
+Immortal gods , I crave no pelf ;
+I pray for no man but myself :
+Grant I may never prove so fond ,
+To trust man on his oath or bond ;
+Or a harlot for her weeping ;
+Or a dog that seems a-sleeping ;
+Or a keeper with my freedom ;
+Or my friends , if I should need 'em .
+Amen . So fall to't :
+Rich men sin , and I eat root .
+
+
+Much good dich thy good heart , Apemantus !
+
+Captain Alcibiades , your heart's in the field now .
+
+My heart is ever at your service , my lord .
+
+You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of friends .
+
+So they were bleeding-new , my lord , there's no meat like 'em : I could wish my best friend at such a feast .
+
+'Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then , that then thou mightst kill 'em and bid me to 'em .
+
+Might we but have that happiness , my lord , that you would once use our hearts , whereby we might express some part of our zeals , we should think ourselves for ever perfect .
+
+O ! no doubt , my good friends , but the gods themselves have provided that I shall have much help from you : how had you been my friends else ? why have you that charitable title from thousands , did not you chiefly belong to my heart ? I have told more of you to myself than you can with modesty speak in your own behalf ; and thus far I confirm you . O you gods ! think I , what need we have any friends , if we should ne'er have need of 'em ? they were the most needless creatures living should we ne'er have use for 'em , and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up in cases , that keep their sounds to themselves . Why , I have often wished myself poorer that I might come nearer to you . We are born to do benefits ; and what better or properer can we call our own than the riches of our friends ? O ! what a precious comfort 'tis , to have so many , like brothers , commanding one another's fortunes . O joy ! e'en made away ere it can be born . Mine eyes cannot hold out water , methinks : to forget their faults , I drink to you .
+
+Thou weepest to make them drink , Timon .
+
+Joy had the like conception in our eyes ,
+And , at that instant , like a babe , sprung up .
+
+Ho , ho ! I laugh to think that babe a bastard .
+
+I promise you , my lord , you mov'd me much .
+
+Much !
+
+
+What means that trump ?
+
+How now !
+
+Please you , my lord , there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance .
+
+Ladies ? What are their wills ?
+
+There comes with them a forerunner , my lord , which bears that office , to signify their pleasures .
+
+I pray , let them be admitted .
+
+
+Hail to thee , worthy Timon ; and to all
+That of his bounties taste ! The five best senses
+Acknowledge thee their patron ; and come freely
+To gratulate thy plenteous bosom . Th' ear ,
+Taste , touch , smell , pleas'd from thy table rise ;
+They only now come but to feast thine eyes .
+
+They are welcome all ; let 'em have kind admittance :
+Music , make their welcome !
+
+
+You see , my lord , how ample you're belov'd .
+
+Hoy-day ! what a sweep of vanity comes this way :
+They dance ! they are mad women .
+Like madness is the glory of this life ,
+As this pomp shows to a little oil and root .
+We make ourselves fools to disport ourselves ;
+And spend our flatteries to drink those men
+Upon whose age we void it up again ,
+With poisonous spite and envy .
+Who lives that's not depraved or depraves ?
+Who dies that bears not one spurn to their graves
+Of their friend's gift ?
+I should fear those that dance before me now
+Would one day stamp upon me : it has been done ;
+Men shut their doors against a setting sun .
+
+
+You have done our pleasures much grace , fair ladies ,
+Set a fair fashion on our entertainment ,
+Which was not half so beautiful and kind ;
+You have added worth unto 't and lustre ,
+And entertain'd me with mine own device ;
+I am to thank you for 't .
+
+My lord , you take us even at the best .
+
+Faith , for the worst is filthy ; and would not hold taking , I doubt me .
+
+Ladies , there is an idle banquet
+Attends you : please you to dispose yourselves .
+
+Most thankfully , my lord .
+
+
+Flavius !
+
+My lord !
+
+The little casket bring me hither .
+
+Yes , my lord .
+
+More jewels yet !
+There is no crossing him in 's humour ;
+Else I should tell him well , i' faith , I should ,
+When all's spent , he'd be cross'd then , an he could .
+'Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind ,
+That man might ne'er be wretched for his mind .
+
+
+Where be our men ?
+
+Here , my lord , in readiness .
+
+Our horses !
+
+
+O , my friends ! I have one word to say to you ;
+Look you , my good lord ,
+I must entreat you , honour me so much
+As to advance this jewel ; accept it and wear it ,
+Kind my lord .
+
+I am so far already in your gifts
+
+So are we all .
+
+
+My lord , there are certain nobles of the senate
+Newly alighted , and come to visit you .
+
+They are fairly welcome .
+
+I beseech your honour ,
+Vouchsafe me a word ; it does concern you near .
+
+Near ! why then another time I'll hear thee .
+I prithee , let's be provided to show them entertainment .
+
+I scarce know how .
+
+
+May it please your honour , Lord Lucius ,
+Out of his free love , hath presented to you
+Four milk-white horses , trapp'd in silver .
+
+I shall accept them fairly ; let the presents
+Be worthily entertain'd .
+
+How now ! what news ?
+
+Please you , my lord , that honourable gentleman , Lord Lucullus , entreats your company to-morrow to hunt with him , and has sent your honour two brace of greyhounds .
+
+I'll hunt with him ; and let them be receiv'd ,
+Not without fair reward .
+
+What will this come to ?
+He commands us to provide , and give great gifts ,
+And all out of an empty coffer :
+Nor will he know his purse , or yield me this ,
+To show him what a beggar his heart is ,
+Being of no power to make his wishes good .
+His promises fly so beyond his state
+That what he speaks is all in debt ; he owes
+For every word : he is so kind that he now
+Pays interest for't ; his land's put to their books .
+Well , would I were gently put out of office
+Before I were forc'd out !
+Happier he that has no friend to feed
+Than such as do e'en enemies exceed .
+I bleed inwardly for my lord .
+
+
+You do yourselves
+Much wrong , you bate too much of your own merits :
+Here , my lord , a trifle of our love .
+
+With more than common thanks I will receive it .
+
+O ! he's the very soul of bounty .
+
+And now I remember , my lord , you gave
+Good words the other day of a bay courser
+I rode on : it is yours , because you lik'd it .
+
+O ! I beseech you , pardon me , my lord , in that .
+
+You may take my word , my lord ; I know no man
+Can justly praise but what he does affect :
+I weigh my friend's affection with mine own ;
+I'll tell you true . I'll call to you .
+
+O ! none so welcome .
+
+I take all and your several visitations
+So kind to heart , 'tis not enough to give ;
+Methinks , I could deal kingdoms to my friends ,
+And ne'er be weary . Alcibiades ,
+Thou art a soldier , therefore seldom rich ;
+It comes in charity to thee ; for all thy living
+Is 'mongst the dead , and all the lands thou hast
+Lie in a pitch'd field .
+
+Ay , defil'd land , my lord .
+
+We are so virtuously bound ,
+
+And so
+Am I to you .
+
+So infinitely endear'd ,
+
+All to you . Lights , more lights !
+
+The best of happiness ,
+Honour , and fortunes , keep with you , Lord Timon !
+
+Ready for his friends .
+
+
+What a coil's here !
+Serving of becks and jutting out of bums !
+I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums
+That are given for 'em . Friendship's full of dregs :
+Methinks , false hearts should never have sound legs .
+Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on curtsies .
+
+Now , Apemantus , if thou wert not sullen ,
+I would be good to thee .
+
+No , I'll nothing ; for if I should be bribed too , there would be none left to rail upon thee , and then thou wouldst sin the faster . Thou givest so long , Timon , I fear me thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly : what need these feasts , pomps , and vain-glories ?
+
+Nay , an you begin to rail on society once , I am sworn not to give regard to you . Farewell ; and come with better music .
+
+
+So :
+Thou wilt not hear me now ; thou shalt not then ;
+I'll lock thy heaven from thee .
+O ! that men's ears should be
+To counsel deaf , but not to flattery .
+
+And late , five thousand : to Varro and to Isidore
+He owes nine thousand ; besides my former sum ,
+Which makes it five-and-twenty . Still in motion
+Of raging waste ! It cannot hold ; it will not .
+If I want gold , steal but a beggar's dog
+And give it Timon , why , the dog coins gold ;
+If I would sell my horse , and buy twenty more
+Better than he , why , give my horse to Timon ,
+Ask nothing , give it him , it foals me , straight ,
+And able horses . No porter at his gate ,
+But rather one that smiles and still invites
+All that pass by . It cannot hold ; no reason
+Can found his state in safety . Caphis , ho !
+Caphis , I say !
+
+
+Here , sir ; what is your pleasure ?
+
+Get on your cloak , and haste you to Lord Timon ;
+Importune him for my moneys ; be not ceas'd
+With slight denial , nor then silenc'd when
+'Commend me to your master' and the cap
+Plays in the right hand , thus ;but tell him ,
+My uses cry to me ; I must serve my turn
+Out of mine own ; his days and times are past ,
+And my reliances on his fracted dates
+Have smit my credit : I love and honour him ,
+But must not break my back to heal his finger ;
+Immediate are my needs , and my relief
+Must not be toss'd and turn'd to me in words ,
+But find supply immediate . Get you gone :
+Put on a most importunate aspect ,
+A visage of demand ; for , I do fear ,
+When every feather sticks in his own wing ,
+Lord Timon will be left a naked gull ,
+Which flashes now a ph nix . Get you gone .
+
+I go , sir .
+
+'I go , sir !' Take the bonds along with you ,
+And have the dates in compt .
+
+I will , sir .
+
+Go .
+
+
+No care , no stop ! so senseless of expense ,
+That he will neither know how to maintain it ,
+Nor cease his flow of riot : takes no account
+How things go from him , nor resumes no care
+Of what is to continue : never mind
+Was to be so unwise , to be so kind .
+What shall be done ? He will not hear , till feel :
+I must be round with him , now he comes from hunting .
+Fie , fie , fie , fie !
+
+
+Good even , Varro . What !
+You come for money ?
+
+Is't not your business too ?
+
+It is : and yours too , Isidore ?
+
+It is so .
+
+Would we were all discharg'd !
+
+I fear it .
+
+Here comes the lord !
+
+
+So soon as dinner's done , we'll forth again ,
+My Alcibiades . With me ? what is your will ?
+
+My lord , here is a note of certain dues .
+
+Dues ! Whence are you ?
+
+Of Athens here , my lord .
+
+Go to my steward .
+
+Please it your lordship , he hath put me off
+To the succession of new days this month :
+My master is awak'd by great occasion
+To call upon his own ; and humbly prays you
+That with your other noble parts you'll suit
+In giving him his right .
+
+Mine honest friend ,
+I prithee , but repair to me next morning .
+
+Nay , good my lord ,
+
+Contain thyself , good friend .
+
+One Varro's servant , my good lord ,
+
+From Isidore ;
+He humbly prays your speedy payment .
+
+If you did know , my lord , my master's wants ,
+
+'Twas due on forfeiture , my lord , six weeks
+And past .
+
+Your steward puts me off , my lord ;
+And I am sent expressly to your lordship .
+
+Give me breath .
+I do beseech you , good my lords , keep on ;
+I'll wait upon you instantly .
+
+Come hither : pray you ,
+How goes the world , that I am thus encounter'd
+With clamorous demands of date-broke bonds ,
+And the detention of long-since-due debts ,
+Against my honour ?
+
+Please you , gentlemen ,
+The time is unagreeable to this business :
+Your importunacy cease till after dinner ,
+That I may make his lordship understand
+Wherefore you are not paid .
+
+Do so , my friends .
+See them well entertained .
+
+
+Pray , draw near .
+
+Stay , stay ; here comes the fool with
+Apemantus : let's ha' some sport with 'em .
+
+Hang him , he'll abuse us .
+
+A plague upon him , dog !
+
+How dost , fool ?
+
+Dost dialogue with thy shadow ?
+
+I speak not to thee .
+
+No ; 'tis to thyself .
+
+Come away .
+
+There's the fool hangs on your back already .
+
+No , thou stand'st single ; thou'rt not on him yet .
+
+Where's the fool now ?
+
+He last asked the question . Poor rogues , and usurers' men ! bawds between gold and want !
+
+What are we , Apemantus ?
+
+Asses .
+
+Why ?
+
+That you ask me what you are , and do not know yourselves . Speak to 'em , fool .
+
+How do you , gentlemen ?
+
+Gramercies , good fool . How does your mistress ?
+
+She's e'en setting on water to scald such chickens as you are . Would we could see you at Corinth !
+
+Good ! gramercy .
+
+
+Look you , here comes my mistress' page .
+
+Why , how now , captain ! what do you in this wise company ? How dost thou , Apemantus ?
+
+Would I had a rod in my mouth , that I might answer thee profitably .
+
+Prithee , Apemantus , read me the superscription of these letters : I know not which is which .
+
+Canst not read ?
+
+No .
+
+There will little learning die then that day thou art hanged . This is to Lord Timon ; this to Alcibiades . Go ; thou wast born a bastard , and thou'lt die a bawd .
+
+Thou wast whelped a dog , and thou shalt famish a dog's death . Answer not ; I am gone .
+
+
+E'en so thou outrunn'st grace .
+Fool , I will go with you to Lord Timon's .
+
+Will you leave me there ?
+
+If Timon stay at home . You three serve three usurers ?
+
+Ay ; would they served us !
+
+So would I , as good a trick as ever hangman served thief .
+
+Are you three usurers' men ?
+
+Ay , fool .
+
+I think no usurer but has a fool to his servant : my mistress is one , and I am her fool . When men come to borrow of your masters , they approach sadly , and go away merry ; but they enter my mistress' house merrily , and go away sadly : the reason of this ?
+
+I could render one .
+
+Do it , then , that we may account thee a whoremaster and a knave ; which , notwithstanding , thou shalt be no less esteemed .
+
+What is a whoremaster , fool ?
+
+A fool in good clothes , and something like thee . 'Tis a spirit : sometime 't appears like a lord ; sometime like a lawyer ; sometime like a philosopher , with two stones more than 's artificial one . He is very often like a knight ; and generally in all shapes that man goes up and down in from fourscore to thirteen , this spirit walks in .
+
+Thou art not altogether a fool .
+
+Nor thou altogether a wise man : as much foolery as I have , so much wit thou lackest .
+
+That answer might have become Apemantus .
+
+Aside , aside ; here comes Lord Timon .
+
+
+Come with me , fool , come .
+
+I do not always follow lover , elder brother and woman ; sometime the philosopher .
+
+
+Pray you , walk near : I'll speak with you anon .
+
+
+You make me marvel : wherefore , ere this time ,
+Had you not fully laid my state before me ,
+That I might so have rated my expense
+As I had leave of means ?
+
+You would not hear me ,
+At many leisures I propos'd .
+
+Go to :
+Perchance some single vantages you took ,
+When my indisposition put you back ;
+And that unaptness made your minister ,
+Thus to excuse yourself .
+
+O my good lord !
+At many times I brought in my accounts ,
+Laid them before you ; you would throw them off ,
+And say you found them in mine honesty .
+When for some trifling present you have bid me
+Return so much , I have shook my head , and wept ;
+Yea , 'gainst the authority of manners , pray'd you
+To hold your hand more close : I did endure
+Not seldom , nor no slight checks , when I have
+Prompted you in the ebb of your estate
+And your great flow of debts . My loved lord ,
+Though you hear now , too late , yet now's a time ,
+The greatest of your having lacks a half
+To pay your present debts .
+
+Let all my land be sold .
+
+'Tis all engag'd , some forfeited and gone ;
+And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
+Of present dues ; the future comes apace :
+What shall defend the interim ? and at length
+How goes our reckoning ?
+
+To Laced mon did my land extend .
+
+O my good lord ! the world is but a word ;
+Were it all yours to give it in a breath ,
+How quickly were it gone !
+
+You tell me true .
+
+If you suspect my husbandry or falsehood ,
+Call me before the exactest auditors ,
+And set me on the proof . So the gods bless me ,
+When all our offices have been oppress'd
+With riotous feeders , when our vaults have wept
+With drunken spilth of wine , when every room
+Hath blaz'd with lights and bray'd with minstrelsy ,
+I have retir'd me to a wasteful cock ,
+And set mine eyes at flow .
+
+Prithee , no more .
+
+Heavens ! have I said , the bounty of this lord !
+How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants
+This night englutted ! Who is not Timon's ?
+What heart , head , sword , force , means , but is Lord Timon's ?
+Great Timon , noble , worthy , royal Timon !
+Ah ! when the means are gone that buy this praise ,
+The breath is gone whereof this praise is made :
+Feast-won , fast-lost ; one cloud of winter showers ,
+These flies are couch'd .
+
+Come , sermon me no further ;
+No villanous bounty yet hath pass'd my heart ;
+Unwisely , not ignobly , have I given .
+Why dost thou weep ? Canst thou the conscience lack ,
+To think I shall lack friends ? Secure thy heart ;
+If I would broach the vessels of my love ,
+And try the argument of hearts by borrowing ,
+Men and men's fortunes could I frankly use
+As I can bid thee speak .
+
+Assurance bless your thoughts !
+
+And , in some sort , these wants of mine are crown'd ,
+That I account them blessings ; for by these
+Shall I try friends . You shall perceive how you
+Mistake my fortunes ; I am wealthy in my friends .
+Within there ! Flaminius ! Servilius !
+
+
+My lord ! my lord !
+
+I will dispatch you severally : you , to Lord Lucius ; to Lord Lucullus you : I hunted with his honour to-day ; you , to Sempronius . Commend me to their loves ; and I am proud , say , that my occasions have found time to use them toward a supply of money : let the request be fifty talents .
+
+As you have said , my lord .
+
+Lord Lucius , and Lucullus ? hum !
+
+Go you , sir , to the senators ,
+Of whom , even to the state's best health , I have
+Deserv'd this hearing ,bid 'em send o' the instant
+A thousand talents to me .
+
+I have been bold ,
+For that I knew it the most general way ,
+To them to use your signet and your name ;
+But they do shake their heads , and I am here
+No richer in return .
+
+Is't true ? can't be ?
+
+They answer , in a joint and corporate voice ,
+That now they are at fall , want treasure , cannot
+Do what they would ; are sorry ; you are honourable ;
+But yet they could have wish'd ; they know not ;
+Something hath been amiss ; a noble nature
+May catch a wrench ; would all were well ; 'tis pity ;
+And so , intending other serious matters ,
+After distasteful looks and these hard fractions ,
+With certain half-caps and cold-moving nods
+They froze me into silence .
+
+You gods , reward them !
+Prithee , man , look cheerly . These old fellows
+Have their ingratitude in them hereditary ;
+Their blood is cak'd , 'tis cold , it seldom flows ;
+'Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind ;
+And nature , as it grows again toward earth ,
+Is fashion'd for the journey , dull and heavy .
+
+
+Prithee , be not sad ,
+Thou art true and honest ; ingenuously I speak ,
+No blame belongs to thee .
+
+Ventidius lately
+Buried his father ; by whose death he's stepp'd
+Into a great estate ; when he was poor ,
+Imprison'd and in scarcity of friends ,
+I clear'd him with five talents ; greet him from me ;
+Bid him suppose some good necessity
+Touches his friend , which craves to be remember'd
+With those five talents .
+
+That had , give't these fellows
+To whom 'tis instant due . Ne'er speak , or think
+That Timon's fortunes 'mong his friends can sink .
+
+I would I could not think it : that thought is bounty's foe ;
+Being free itself , it thinks all others so .
+
+I have told my lord of you ; he is coming down to you .
+
+I thank you , sir .
+
+
+Here's my lord .
+
+One of Lord Timon's men ! a gift , I warrant . Why , this hits right ; I dreamt of a silver bason and ewer to-night . Flaminius , honest Flaminius , you are very respectively welcome , sir . Fill me some wine . [Exit Servant .] And how does that honourable , complete , free-hearted gentleman of Athens , thy very bountiful good lord and master ?
+
+His health is well , sir .
+
+I am right glad that his health is well , sir . And what hast thou there under thy cloak , pretty Flaminius ?
+
+Faith , nothing but an empty box , sir ; which , in my lord's behalf , I come to entreat your honour to supply ; who , having great and instant occasion to use fifty talents , hath sent to your lordship to furnish him , nothing doubting your present assistance therein .
+
+La , la , la , la ! 'nothing doubting ,' says he ? Alas ! good lord ; a noble gentleman 'tis , if he would not keep so good a house . Many a time and often I ha' dined with him , and told him on't ; and come again to supper to him , of purpose to have him spend less ; and yet he would embrace no counsel , take no warning by my coming . Every man has his fault , and honesty is his ; I ha' told him on't , but I could ne'er get him from it .
+
+
+Please your lordship , here is the wine .
+
+Flaminius , I have noted thee always wise . Here's to thee .
+
+Your lordship speaks your pleasure .
+
+I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt spirit , give thee thy due , and one that knows what belongs to reason ; and canst use the time well , if the time use thee well : good parts in thee .
+
+Get you gone , sirrah .[Exit Servant .] Draw nearer , honest Flaminius . Thy lord's a bountiful gentleman ; but thou art wise , and thou knowest well enough , although thou comest to me , that this is no time to lend money , especially upon bare friendship , without security . Here's three solidares for thee : good boy , wink at me , and say thou sawest me not . Fare thee well .
+
+Is't possible the world should so much differ ,
+And we alive that liv'd ? Fly , damned baseness ,
+To him that worships thee .
+
+
+Ha ! now I see thou art a fool , and fit for thy master .
+
+
+May these add to the number that may scald thee !
+Let molten coin be thy damnation ,
+Thou disease of a friend , and not himself !
+Has friendship such a faint and milky heart
+It turns in less than two nights ? O you gods !
+I feel my master's passion . This slave unto his honour
+Has my lord's meat in him :
+Why should it thrive and turn to nutriment
+When he is turn'd to poison ?
+O ! may diseases only work upon 't ,
+And , when he's sick to death , let not that part of nature
+Which my lord paid for , be of any power
+To expel sickness , but prolong his hour .
+
+
+Who , the Lord Timon ? he is my very good friend , and an honourable gentleman .
+
+We know him for no less , though we are but strangers to him . But I can tell you one thing , my lord , and which I hear from common rumours : now Lord Timon's happy hours are done and past , and his estate shrinks from him .
+
+Fie , no , do not believe it ; he cannot want for money .
+
+But believe you this , my lord , that , not long ago , one of his men was with the Lord Lucullus , to borrow so many talents , nay , urged extremely for 't , and showed what necessity belonged to 't , and yet was denied .
+
+How !
+
+I tell you , denied , my lord .
+
+What a strange case was that ! now , before the gods , I am ashamed on 't . Denied that honourable man ! there was very little honour showed in 't . For my own part , I must needs confess , I have received some small kindnesses from him , as money , plate , jewels , and such like trifles , nothing comparing to his ; yet , had he mistook him , and sent to me , I should ne'er have denied his occasion so many talents .
+
+
+See , by good hap , yonder's my lord ; I have sweat to see his honour .
+
+My honoured lord !
+
+Servilius ! you are kindly met , sir . Fare thee well : commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord , my very exquisite friend .
+
+May it please your honour , my lord hath sent
+
+Ha ! what has he sent ? I am so much endeared to that lord ; he's ever sending : how shall I thank him , thinkest thou ? And what has he sent now ?
+
+He has only sent his present occasion now , my lord ; requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents .
+
+I know his lordship is but merry with me ;
+He cannot want fifty-five hundred talents .
+
+But in the mean time he wants less , my lord .
+If his occasion were not virtuous ,
+I should not urge it half so faithfully .
+
+Dost thou speak seriously , Servilius ?
+
+Upon my soul , 'tis true , sir .
+
+What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself against such a good time , when I might ha' shown myself honourable ! how unluckily it happened , that I should purchase the day before for a little part , and undo a great deal of honour ! Servilius , now , before the gods , I am not able to do ; the more beast , I say ; I was sending to use Lord Timon myself , these gentlemen can witness ; but I would not , for the wealth of Athens , I had done it now . Commend me bountifully to his good lordship ; and I hope his honour will conceive the fairest of me , because I have no power to be kind : and tell him this from me , I count it one of my greatest afflictions say , that I cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman . Good Servilius , will you befriend me so far as to use mine own words to him ?
+
+Yes , sir , I shall .
+
+I'll look you out a good turn , Servilius .
+
+True , as you said , Timon is shrunk indeed ;
+And he that's once denied will hardly speed .
+
+
+Do you observe this , Hostilius ?
+
+Ay , too well .
+
+Why this is the world's soul ; and just of the same piece
+Is every flatterer's spirit . Who can call him
+His friend that dips in the same dish ? for , in
+My knowing , Timon has been this lord's father ,
+And kept his credit with his purse ,
+Supported his estate ; nay , Timon's money
+Has paid his men their wages : he ne'er drinks
+But Timon's silver treads upon his lip ;
+And yet , O ! see the monstrousness of man ,
+When he looks out in an ungrateful shape ,
+He does deny him , in respect of his ,
+What charitable men afford to beggars .
+
+Religion groans at it .
+
+For mine own part ,
+I never tasted Timon in my life ,
+Nor came any of his bounties over me ,
+To mark me for his friend ; yet , I protest ,
+For his right noble mind , illustrious virtue ,
+And honourable carriage ,
+Had his necessity made use of me ,
+I would have put my wealth into donation ,
+And the best half should have return'd to him ,
+So much I love his heart . But , I perceive ,
+Men must learn now with pity to dispense ;
+For policy sits above conscience .
+
+
+Must he needs trouble me in 't . Hum ! 'bove all others ?
+He might have tried Lord Lucius , or Lucullus ;
+And now Ventidius is wealthy too ,
+Whom he redeem'd from prison : all these
+Owe their estates unto him .
+
+My lord ,
+They have all been touch'd and found base metal , for
+They have all denied him .
+
+How ! have they denied him ?
+Have Ventidius and Lucullus denied him ?
+And does he send to me ? Three ? hum !
+It shows but little love or judgment in him :
+Must I be his last refuge ? His friends , like physicians ,
+Thrice give him over ; must I take the cure upon me ?
+He has much disgrac'd me in 't ; I'm angry at him ,
+That might have known my place . I see no sense for 't ,
+But his occasions might have woo'd me first ;
+For , in my conscience , I was the first man
+That e'er received gift from him :
+And does he think so backwardly of me now ,
+That I'll requite it last ? No :
+So it may prove an argument of laughter
+To the rest , and I 'mongst lords be thought a fool .
+I had rather than the worth of thrice the sum ,
+He had sent to me first , but for my mind's sake ;
+I'd such a courage to do him good . But now return ,
+And with their faint reply this answer join ;
+Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin .
+
+
+Excellent ! Your lordship's a goodly villain . The devil knew not what he did when he made man politic ; he crossed himself by 't : and I cannot think but in the end the villanies of man will set him clear . How fairly this lord strives to appear foul ! takes virtuous copies to be wicked , like those that under hot ardent zeal would set whole realms on fire :
+Of such a nature is his politic love .
+This was my lord's best hope ; now all are fled
+Save only the gods . Now his friends are dead ,
+Doors , that were ne'er acquainted with their wards
+Many a bounteous year , must be employ'd
+Now to guard sure their master :
+And this is all a liberal course allows ;
+Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house .
+
+Well met ; good morrow , Titus and Hortensius .
+
+The like to you , kind Varro .
+
+Lucius !
+What ! do we meet together !
+
+Ay , and I think
+One business does command us all ; for mine
+Is money .
+
+So is theirs and ours .
+
+
+And Sir Philotus too !
+
+Good day at once .
+
+Welcome , good brother .
+What do you think the hour ?
+
+Labouring for nine .
+
+So much ?
+
+Is not my lord seen yet ?
+
+Not yet .
+
+I wonder on 't ; he was wont to shine at seven .
+
+Ay , but the days are waxed shorter with him :
+You must consider that a prodigal course
+Is like the sun's ; but not , like his , recoverable .
+I fear ,
+'Tis deepest winter in Lord Timon's purse ;
+That is , one may reach deep enough , and yet
+Find little .
+
+I am of your fear for that .
+
+I'll show you how to observe a strange event .
+Your lord sends now for money .
+
+Most true , he does .
+
+And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift ,
+For which I wait for money .
+
+It is against my heart .
+
+Mark , how strange it shows ,
+Timon in this should pay more than he owes :
+And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels ,
+And send for money for 'em .
+
+I'm weary of this charge , the gods can witness :
+I know my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth ,
+And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth .
+
+Yes , mine's three thousand crowns ; what's yours ?
+
+Five thousand mine .
+
+'Tis much deep : and it should seem by the sum ,
+Your master's confidence was above mine ;
+Else , surely , his had equall'd .
+
+
+One of Lord Timon's men .
+
+Flaminius ! Sir , a word . Pray , is my lord ready to come forth ?
+
+No , indeed , he is not .
+
+We attend his lordship ; pray , signify so much .
+
+I need not tell him that ; he knows you are too diligent .
+
+Ha ! is not that his steward muffled so ?
+He goes away in a cloud : call him , call him .
+
+Do you hear , sir ?
+
+By your leave , sir .
+
+What do you ask of me , my friend ?
+
+We wait for certain money here , sir .
+
+Ay ,
+If money were as certain as your waiting ,
+'Twere sure enough .
+Why then preferr'd you not your sums and bills ,
+When your false masters eat of my lord's meat ?
+Then they could smile and fawn upon his debts ,
+And take down the interest into their gluttonous maws .
+You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up ;
+Let me pass quietly :
+Believe't , my lord and I have made an end ;
+I have no more to reckon , he to spend .
+
+Ay , but this answer will not serve .
+
+If 'twill not serve , 'tis not so base as you ;
+For you serve knaves .
+
+
+How ! what does his cashiered worship mutter ?
+
+No matter what ; he's poor , and that's revenge enough . Who can speak broader than he that has no house to put his head in ? such may rail against great buildings .
+
+
+O ! here's Servilius ; now we shall know some answer .
+
+If I might beseech you , gentlemen , to repair some other hour , I should derive much from 't ; for , take 't of my soul , my lord leans wondrously to discontent . His comfortable temper has forsook him ; he's much out of health , and keeps his chamber .
+
+Many do keep their chambers are not sick :
+And , if it be so far beyond his health ,
+Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts ,
+And make a clear way to the gods .
+
+Good gods !
+
+We cannot take this for answer , sir .
+
+Servilius , help ! my lord ! my lord !
+
+
+What ! are my doors oppos'd against my passage ?
+Have I been ever free , and must my house
+Be my retentive enemy , my gaol ?
+The place which I have feasted , does it now ,
+Like all mankind , show me an iron heart ?
+
+Put in now , Titus .
+
+My lord , here is my bill .
+
+Here's mine .
+
+And mine , my lord .
+
+And ours , my lord .
+
+All our bills .
+
+Knock me down with 'em : cleave me to the girdle .
+
+Alas ! my lord ,
+
+Cut my heart in sums .
+
+Mine , fifty talents .
+
+Tell out my blood .
+
+Five thousand crowns , my lord .
+
+Five thousand drops pays that . What yours ? and yours ?
+
+My lord ,
+
+My lord ,
+
+Tear me , take me ; and the gods fall upon you !
+
+
+Faith , I perceive our masters may throw their caps at their money : these debts may well be called desperate ones , for a madman owes 'em .
+
+They have e'en put my breath from me , the slaves :
+Creditors ? devils !
+
+My dear lord ,
+
+What if it should be so ?
+
+My lord ,
+
+I'll have it so . My steward !
+
+Here , my lord .
+
+So fitly ! Go , bid all my friends again ,
+Lucius , Lucullus , and Sempronius ; all :
+I'll once more feast the rascals .
+
+O my lord !
+You only speak from your distracted soul ;
+There is not so much left to furnish out
+A moderate table .
+
+Be't not in thy care : go .
+I charge thee , invite them all : let in the tide
+Of knaves once more ; my cook and I'll provide .
+
+
+My lord , you have my voice to it ; the fault's
+Bloody ; 'tis necessary he should die ;
+Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy .
+
+Most true ; the law shall bruise him .
+
+
+Honour , health , and compassion to the senate !
+
+Now , captain .
+
+I am a humble suitor to your virtues ;
+For pity is the virtue of the law ,
+And none but tyrants use it cruelly .
+It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy
+Upon a friend of mine , who , in hot blood ,
+Hath stepp'd into the law , which is past depth
+To those that without heed to plunge into 't .
+He is a man , setting his fate aside ,
+Of comely virtues ;
+Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice ,
+An honour in him which buys out his fault ,
+But , with a noble fury and fair spirit ,
+Seeing his reputation touch'd to death ,
+He did oppose his foe ;
+And with such sober and unnoted passion
+He did behave his anger , ere 'twas spent ,
+As if he had but prov'd an argument .
+
+You undergo too strict a paradox ,
+Striving to make an ugly deed look fair :
+Your words have took such pains as if they labour'd
+To bring manslaughter into form , and set quarrelling
+Upon the head of valour ; which indeed
+Is valour misbegot , and came into the world
+When sects and factions were newly born .
+He's truly valiant that can wisely suffer
+The worst that man can breathe , and make his wrongs
+His outsides , to wear them like his raiment , carelessly ,
+And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart ,
+To bring it into danger .
+If wrongs be evils and enforce us kill ,
+What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill !
+
+My lord ,
+
+You cannot make gross sins look clear ;
+To revenge is no valour , but to bear .
+
+My lords , then , under favour , pardon me ,
+If I speak like a captain .
+Why do fond men expose themselves to battle ,
+And not endure all threats ? sleep upon't ,
+And let the foes quietly cut their throats
+Without repugnancy ? If there be
+Such valour in the bearing , what make we
+Abroad ? why then , women are more valiant
+That stay at home , if bearing carry it ,
+And the ass more captain than the lion , the felon
+Loaden with irons wiser than the judge ,
+If wisdom be in suffering . O my lords !
+As you are great , be pitifully good :
+Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood ?
+To kill , I grant , is sin's extremest gust ;
+But , in defence , by mercy , 'tis most just .
+To be in anger is impiety ;
+But who is man that is not angry ?
+Weigh but the crime with this .
+
+You breathe in vain .
+
+In vain ! his service done
+At Laced mon and Byzantium
+Were a sufficient briber for his life .
+
+What's that ?
+
+I say , my lords , he has done fair service ,
+And slain in fight many of your enemies .
+How full of valour did he bear himself
+In the last conflict , and made plenteous wounds !
+
+He has made too much plenty with 'em ;
+He's a sworn rioter ; he has a sin that often
+Drowns him and takes his valour prisoner ;
+If there were no foes , that were enough
+To overcome him ; in that beastly fury
+He has been known to commit outrages
+And cherish factions ; 'tis inferr'd to us ,
+His days are foul and his drink dangerous .
+
+He dies .
+
+Hard fate ! he might have died in war .
+My lords , if not for any parts in him ,
+Though his right arm might purchase his own time ,
+And be in debt to none ,yet , more to move you ,
+Take my deserts to his , and join 'em both ;
+And , for I know your reverend ages love
+Security , I'll pawn my victories , all
+My honour to you , upon his good returns .
+If by this crime he owes the law his life ,
+Why , let the war receive't in valiant gore ;
+For law is strict , and war is nothing more .
+
+We are for law ; he dies : urge it no more ,
+On height of our displeasure . Friend , or brother ,
+He forfeits his own blood that spills another .
+
+Must it be so ? it must not be . My lords ,
+I do beseech you , know me .
+
+How !
+
+Call me to your remembrances .
+
+What !
+
+I cannot think but your age has forgot me ;
+It could not else be I should prove so base ,
+To sue , and be denied such common grace .
+My wounds ache at you .
+
+Do you dare our anger ?
+'Tis in few words , but spacious in effect ;
+We banish thee for ever .
+
+Banish me !
+Banish your dotage ; banish usury ,
+That makes the senate ugly .
+
+If , after two days' shine , Athens contain thee ,
+Attend our weightier judgment . And , not to swell our spirit ,
+He shall be executed presently .
+
+
+Now the gods keep you old enough ; that you may live
+Only in bone , that none may look on you !
+I am worse than mad : I have kept back their foes ,
+While they have told their money and let out
+Their coin upon large interest ; I myself
+Rich only in large hurts : all those for this ?
+Is this the balsam that the usuring senate
+Pours into captains' wounds ? Banishment !
+It comes not ill ; I hate not to be banish'd ;
+It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury ,
+That I may strike at Athens . I'll cheer up
+My discontented troops , and lay for hearts .
+'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds ;
+Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods .
+
+The good time of day to you , sir .
+
+I also wish it you . I think this honourable lord did but try us this other day .
+
+Upon that were my thoughts tiring when we encountered : I hope it is not so low with him as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends .
+
+It should not be , by the persuasion of his new feasting .
+
+I should think so : he hath sent me an earnest inviting , which many my near occasions did urge me to put off ; but he hath conjured me beyond them , and I must needs appear .
+
+In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business , but he would not hear my excuse . I am sorry , when he sent to borrow of me , that my provision was out .
+
+I am sick of that grief too , as I understand how all things go .
+
+Every man here's so . What would he have borrowed you ?
+
+A thousand pieces .
+
+A thousand pieces !
+
+What of you ?
+
+He sent to me , sir ,Here he comes .
+
+
+With all my heart , gentlemen both ; and how fare you ?
+
+Ever at the best , hearing well of your lordship .
+
+The swallow follows not summer more willing than we your lordship .
+
+Nor more willingly leaves winter ; such summer-birds are men . Gentlemen , our dinner will not recompense this long stay : feast your ears with the music awhile , if they will fare so harshly o' the trumpet's sound ; we shall to 't presently .
+
+I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship that I returned you an empty messenger .
+
+O ! sir , let it not trouble you .
+
+My noble lord ,
+
+Ah ! my good friend , what cheer ?
+
+My most honourable lord , I am e'en sick of shame , that when your lordship this other day sent to me I was so unfortunate a beggar .
+
+Think not on 't , sir .
+
+If you had sent but two hours before ,
+
+Let it not cumber your better remembrance .
+
+Come , bring in all together .
+
+All covered dishes !
+
+Royal cheer , I warrant you .
+
+Doubt not that , if money and the season can yield it .
+
+How do you ? What's the news ?
+
+Alcibiades is banished : hear you of it ?
+
+Alcibiades banished !
+
+Alcibiades banished !
+
+'Tis so , be sure of it .
+
+How ? how ?
+
+I pray you , upon what ?
+
+My worthy friends , will you draw near ?
+
+I'll tell you more anon . Here's a noble feast toward .
+
+This is the old man still .
+
+Will't hold ? will't hold ?
+
+It does ; but time will and so
+
+I do conceive .
+
+Each man to his stool , with that spur as he would to the lip of his mistress ; your diet shall be in all places alike . Make not a city feast of it , to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place : sit , sit . The gods require our thanks .
+You great benefactors sprinkle our society with thankfulness . For your own gifts , make yourselves praised : but reserve still to give , lest your deities be despised . Lend to each man enough , that one need not lend to another ; for , were your godheads to borrow of men , men would forsake the gods . Make the meat be beloved more than the man that gives it . Let no assembly of twenty be without a score of villains : if there sit twelve women at the table , let a dozen of them be as they are . The rest of your fees , O gods ! the senators of Athens , together with the common lag of people , what is amiss in them , you gods , make suitable for destruction . For these my present friends , as they are to me nothing , so in nothing bless them , and to nothing are they welcome .
+Uncover , dogs , and lap .
+
+
+What does his lordship mean ?
+
+I know not .
+
+May you a better feast never behold ,
+You knot of mouth-friends ! smoke and lukewarm water
+Is your perfection . This is Timon's last ;
+Who , stuck and spangled with your flatteries ,
+Washes it off , and sprinkles in your faces
+
+Your reeking villany . Live loath'd , and long ,
+Most smiling , smooth , detested parasites ,
+Courteous destroyers , affable wolves , meek bears ,
+You fools of fortune , trencher-friends , time's flies ,
+Cap and knee slaves , vapours , and minute-jacks !
+Of man and beast the infinite malady
+Crust you quite o'er ! What ! dost thou go ?
+Soft ! take thy physic first ,thou too ,and thou ;
+Stay , I will lend thee money , borrow none .
+
+What ! all in motion ? Henceforth be no feast ,
+Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest .
+Burn , house ! sink , Athens ! henceforth hated be
+Of Timon man and all humanity !
+
+How now , my lords !
+
+Know you the quality of Lord Timon's fury ?
+
+Push ! did you see my cap ?
+
+I have lost my gown .
+
+He's but a mad lord , and nought but humour sways him . He gave me a jewel th' other day , and now he has beat it out of my hat : did you see my jewel ?
+
+Did you see my cap ?
+
+Here 'tis .
+
+Here lies my gown .
+
+Let's make no stay .
+
+Lord Timon's mad .
+
+I feel 't upon my bones .
+
+One day he gives us diamonds , next day stones .
+
+Let me look back upon thee . O thou wall ,
+That girdlest in those wolves , dive in the earth .
+And fence not Athens ! Matrons , turn incontinent !
+Obedience fail in children ! slaves and fools ,
+Pluck the grave wrinkled senate from the bench ,
+And minister in their steads ! To general filths
+Convert , o'the instant , green virginity !
+Do't in your parents' eyes ! Bankrupts , hold fast ;
+Rather than render back , out with your knives ,
+And cut your trusters' throats ! Bound servants , steal !
+Large-handed robbers your grave masters are ,
+And pill by law . Maid , to thy master's bed ;
+Thy mistress is o' the brothel ! Son of sixteen ,
+Pluck the lin'd crutch from thy old limping sire ,
+With it beat out his brains ! Piety , and fear ,
+Religion to the gods , peace , justice , truth ,
+Domestic awe , night-rest and neighbourhood ,
+Instruction , manners , mysteries and trades ,
+Degrees , observances , customs and laws ,
+Decline to your confounding contraries ,
+And let confusion live ! Plagues incident to men ,
+Your potent and infectious fevers heap
+On Athens , ripe for stroke ! Thou cold sciatica ,
+Cripple our senators , that their limbs may halt
+As lamely as their manners ! Lust and liberty
+Creep in the minds and marrows of our youth ,
+That'gainst the stream of virtue they may strive ,
+And drown themselves in riot ! Itches , blains ,
+Sow all the Athenian bosoms , and their crop
+Be general leprosy ! Breath infect breath ,
+That their society , as their friendship , may
+Be merely poison ! Nothing I'll bear from thee
+But nakedness , thou detestable town !
+Take thou that too , with multiplying bans !
+Timon will to the woods ; where he shall find
+The unkindest beast more kinder than mankind .
+The gods confound hear me , you good gods all
+The Athenians both within and out that wall !
+And grant , as Timon grows , his hate may grow
+To the whole race of mankind , high and low !
+Amen .
+
+
+Hear you , Master steward ! where's our master ?
+Are we undone ? cast off ? nothing remaining ?
+
+Alack ! my fellows , what should I say to you ?
+Let me be recorded by the righteous gods ,
+I am as poor as you .
+
+Such a house broke !
+So noble a master fall'n ! All gone ! and not
+One friend to take his fortune by the arm ,
+And go along with him !
+
+As we do turn our backs
+From our companion thrown into his grave ,
+So his familiars to his buried fortunes
+Slink all away , leave their false vows with him ,
+Like empty purses pick'd ; and his poor self ,
+A dedicated beggar to the air ,
+With his disease of all-shunn'd poverty ,
+Walks , like contempt , alone . More of our fellows .
+
+
+All broken implements of a ruin'd house .
+
+Yet do our hearts wear Timon's livery ,
+That see I by our faces ; we are fellows still ,
+Serving alike in sorrow . Leak'd is our bark ,
+And we , poor mates , stand on the dying deck ,
+Hearing the surges threat : we must all part
+Into this sea of air .
+
+Good fellows all ,
+The latest of my wealth I'll share amongst you .
+Wherever we shall meet , for Timon's sake
+Let's yet be fellows ; let's shake our heads , and say ,
+As 'twere a knell unto our master's fortunes ,
+'We have seen better days .' Let each take some ;
+
+Nay , put out all your hands . Not one word more :
+Thus part we rich in sorrow , parting poor .
+
+O ! the fierce wretchedness that glory brings us .
+Who would not wish to be from wealth exempt ,
+Since riches point to misery and contempt ?
+Who would be so mock'd with glory ? or so live ,
+But in a dream of friendship ?
+To have his pomp and all what state compounds
+But only painted , like his varnish'd friends ?
+Poor honest lord ! brought low by his own heart ,
+Undone by goodness . Strange , unusual blood ,
+When man's worst sin is he does too much good !
+Who then dares to be half so kind agen ?
+For bounty , that makes gods , does still mar men .
+My dearest lord , bless'd , to be most accurs'd ,
+Rich , only to be wretched , thy great fortunes
+Are made thy chief affictions . Alas ! kind lord ,
+He's flung in rage from this ingrateful seat
+Of monstrous friends ;
+Nor has he with him to supply his life ,
+Or that which can command it .
+I'll follow and inquire him out :
+I'll ever serve his mind with my best will ;
+Whilst I have gold I'll be his steward still .
+
+
+O blessed breeding sun ! draw from the earth
+Rotten humidity ; below thy sister's orb
+Infect the air ! Twinn'd brothers of one womb ,
+Whose procreation , residence and birth ,
+Scarce is dividant , touch them with several fortunes ;
+The greater scorns the lesser : not nature ,
+To whom all sores lay siege , can bear great fortune ,
+But by contempt of nature .
+Raise me this beggar , and deny't that lord ;
+The senator shall bear contempt hereditary ,
+The beggar native honour .
+It is the pasture lards the rother's sides ,
+The want that makes him lean . Who dares , who dares ,
+In purity of manhood stand upright ,
+And say , 'This man's a flatterer ?' if one be ,
+So are they all ; for every grize of fortune
+Is smooth'd by that below : the learned pate
+Ducks to the golden fool : all is oblique ;
+There's nothing level in our cursed natures
+But direct villany . Therefore , be abhorr'd
+All feasts , societies , and throngs of men !
+His semblable , yea , himself , Timon disdains :
+Destruction fang mankind ! Earth , yield me roots !
+
+Who seeks for better of thee , sauce his palate
+With thy most operant poison ! What is here ?
+Gold ! yellow , glittering , precious gold ! No , gods ,
+I am no idle votarist . Roots , you clear heavens !
+Thus much of this will make black white , foul fair ,
+Wrong right , base noble , old young , coward valiant .
+Ha ! you gods , why this ? What this , you gods ? Why , this
+Will lug your priests and servants from your sides ,
+Pluck stout men's pillows from below their head :
+This yellow slave
+Will knit and breah religions ; bless the accurs'd ;
+Make the hoar leprosy ador'd ; place thieves ,
+And give them title , knee , and approbation ,
+With senators on the bench ; this is it
+That makes the wappen'd widow wed again ;
+She , whom the spital-house and ulcerous sores
+Would cast the gorge at , this embalms and spices
+To the April day again . Come , damned earth ,
+Thou common whore of mankind , that putt'st odds
+Among the rout of nations , I will make thee
+Do thy right nature .
+
+Ha ! a drum ? thou'rt quick ,
+But yet I'll bury thee : thou'lt go , strong theif ,
+When gouty keepers of thee cannot stand :
+Nay , stay thou out for earnest .
+
+What art thou there ? speak .
+
+A beast , as thou art . The canker gnaw thy heart ,
+For showing me again the eyes of man !
+
+What is thy name ? Is man so hateful to thee ,
+That art thyself a man ?
+
+I am Misanthropos , and hate mankind .
+For thy part , I do wish thou wert a dog ,
+That I might love thee something .
+
+I know thee well ,
+But in thy fortunes am unlearn'd and strange .
+
+I know thee too ; and more than that I know thee
+I not desire to know . Follow thy drum ;
+With man's blood paint the ground , gules , gules ;
+Religious canons , civil laws are cruel ;
+Then what should war be ? This fell whore of thine
+Hath in her more destruction than thy sword
+For all her cherubin look .
+
+Thy lips rot off !
+
+I will not kiss thee ; then the rot returns
+To thine own lips again .
+
+How came the noble Timon to this change ?
+
+As the moon does , by wanting light to give :
+But then renew I could not like the moon ;
+There were no suns to borrow of .
+
+Noble Timon , what friendship may I do thee ?
+
+None , but to maintain my opinion .
+
+What is it , Timon ?
+
+Promise me friendship , but perform none : if thou wilt not promise , the gods plague thee , for thou art a man ! if thou dost perform , confound thee , for thou art a man !
+
+I have heard in some sort of thy miseries .
+
+Thou saw'st them , when I had prosperity .
+
+I see them now ; then was a blessed time .
+
+As thine is now , held with a brace of harlots .
+
+Is this the Athenian minion , whom the world
+Voic'd so regardfully ?
+
+Art thou Timandra ?
+
+Yes .
+
+Be a whore still ; they love thee not that use thee ;
+Give them diseases , leaving with thee their lust .
+Make use of thy salt hours ; season the slaves
+For tubs and baths ; bring down rose-cheeked youth
+To the tub-fast and the diet .
+
+Hang thee , monster !
+
+Pardon him , sweet Timandra , for his wits
+Are drown'd and lost in his calamities .
+I have but little gold of late , brave Timon ,
+The want whereof doth daily make revolt
+In my penurious band : I have heard and griev'd
+How cursed Athens , mindless of thy worth ,
+Forgetting thy great deeds , when neighbour states ,
+But for thy sword and fortune , trod upon them ,
+
+I prithee , beat thy drum , and get thee gone .
+
+I am thy friend , and pity thee , dear Timon .
+
+How dost thou pity him whom thou dost trouble ?
+I had rather be alone .
+
+Why , fare thee well :
+Here is some gold for thee .
+
+Keep it , I cannot eat it .
+
+When I have laid proud Athens on a heap ,
+
+Warr'st thou 'gainst Athens ?
+
+Ay , Timon , and have cause .
+
+The gods confound them all in thy conquest ; and
+Thee after , when thou hast conquer'd !
+
+Why me , Timon ?
+
+That , by killing of villains , thou wast born to conquer
+My country .
+Put up thy gold : go on ,here's gold ,go on ;
+Be as a planetary plague , when Jove
+Will o'er some high-vic'd city hang his poison
+In the sick air : let not thy sword skip one .
+Pity not honour'd age for his white beard ;
+He is a usurer . Strike me the counterfeit matron ;
+It is her habit only that is honest ,
+Herself's a bawd . Let not the virgin's cheek
+Make soft thy trenchant sword ; for those milkpaps ,
+That through the window-bars bore at men's eyes ,
+Are not within the leaf of pity writ ,
+But set them down horrible traitors . Spare not the babe ,
+Whose dimpled smiles from fools exhaust their mercy ;
+Think it a bastard , whom the oracle
+Hath doubtfully pronounc'd thy throat shall cut ,
+And mince it sans remorse . Swear against objects ;
+Put armour on thine ears and on thine eyes ,
+Whose proof nor yells of mothers , maids , nor babes ,
+Nor sight of priests in holy vestments bleeding ,
+Shall pierce a jot . There's gold to pay thy soldiers :
+Make large confusion ; and , thy fury spent ,
+Confounded be thyself ! Speak not , be gone .
+
+Hast thou gold yet ? I'll take the gold thou giv'st me ,
+Not all thy counsel .
+
+Dost thou , or dost thou not , heaven's curse upon thee !
+
+Give us some gold , good Timon : hast thou more ?
+
+Give us some gold , good Timon : hast thou more ?
+
+Enough to make a whore forswear her trade ,
+And to make whores a bawd . Hold up , you sluts ,
+Your aprons mountant : you are not oathable ,
+Although , I know , you'll swear , terribly swear
+Into strong shudders and to heavenly agues
+The immortal gods that hear you , spare your oaths ,
+I'll trust to your conditions : be whores still ;
+And he whose pious breath seeks to convert you ,
+Be strong in whore , allure him , burn him up ;
+Let your close fire predominate his smoke ,
+And be no turncoats : yet may your pains , six months ,
+Be quite contrary : and thatch your poor thin roofs
+With burdens of the dead ; some that were hang'd ,
+No matter ; wear them , betray with them : whore still ;
+Paint till a horse may mire upon your face :
+A pox of wrinkles !
+
+Well , more gold . What then ?
+
+Well , more gold . What then ?
+Believe't , that we'll do anything for gold .
+
+Consumptions sow
+In hollow bones of man ; strike their sharp shins ,
+And mar men's spurring . Crack the lawyer's voice ,
+That he may never more false title plead ,
+Nor sound his quillets shrilly : hoar the flamen ,
+That scolds against the quality of flesh ,
+And not believes himself : down with the nose ,
+Down with it flat ; take the bridge quite away
+Of him that , his particular to foresee ,
+Smells from the general weal : make curl'd-pate ruffians bald ,
+And let the unscarr'd braggarts of the war
+Derive some pain from you : plague all ,
+That your activity may defeat and quell
+The source of all erection . There's more gold ;
+Do you damn others , and let this damn you ,
+And ditches grave you all !
+
+More counsel with more money , bounteous Timon .
+
+More counsel with more money , bounteous Timon .
+
+More whore , more mischief first ; I have given you earnest .
+
+Strike up the drum towards Athens ! Farewell , Timon :
+If I thrive well , I'll visit thee again .
+
+If I hope well , I'll never see thee more .
+
+I never did thee harm .
+
+Yes , thou spok'st well of me .
+
+Call'st thou that harm ?
+
+Men daily find it . Get thee away , and take
+Thy beagles with thee .
+
+We but offend him . Strike !
+
+
+That nature , being sick of man's unkindness ,
+Should yet be hungry ! Common mother , thou ,
+
+Whose womb unmeasurable , and infinite breast ,
+Teams , and feeds all ; whose self-same mettle ,
+Whereof thy proud child , arrogant man , is puff'd ,
+Engenders the black toad and adder blue ,
+The gilded newt and eyeless venom'd worm ,
+With all the abhorred births below crisp heaven
+Whareon Hyperion's quickening fire doth shine ;
+Yield him , who all thy human sons doth hate ,
+From forth thy plenteous bosom , one poor root !
+Ensear thy fertile and conceptious womb ,
+Let it no more bring out ingrateful man !
+Go great with tigers , dragons , wolves , and bears ;
+Teem with new monsters , whom thy upward face
+Hath to the marbled mansion all above
+Never presented ! O ! a root ; dear thanks :
+Dry up thy marrows , vines and plough-torn leas ;
+Whereof ingrateful man , with liquorish draughts
+And morsels unctuous , greases his pure mind ,
+That from it all consideration slips !
+
+More man ! Plague ! plague !
+
+I was directed hither : men report
+Thou dost affect my manners , and dost use them .
+
+'Tis , then , because thou dost not keep a dog
+Whom I would imitate : consumption catch thee !
+
+This is in thee a nature but infected ;
+A poor unmanly melancholy sprung
+From change of fortune . Why this spade ? this place ?
+This slave-like habit ? and these looks of care ?
+Thy flatterers yet wear silk , drink wine , lie soft ,
+Hug their diseas'd perfumes , and have forgot
+That ever Timon was . Shame not these woods
+By putting on the cunning of a carper .
+Be thou a flatterer now , and seak to thrive
+By that which has undone thee : hinge thy knee ,
+And let his very breath , whom thou'lt observe ,
+Blow off thy cap ; praise his most vicious strain ,
+And call it excellent . Thou wast told thus ;
+Thou gav'st thine ears , like tapsters that bid welcome ,
+To knaves and all approachers : 'tis most just
+That thou turn rascal ; hadst thou wealth again ,
+Rascals should have't . Do not assume my likeness .
+
+Were I like thee I'd throw away myself .
+
+Thou hast cast away thyself , being like thyself ;
+A madman so long , now a fool . What ! think'st
+That the bleak air , thy boisterous chamberlain ,
+Will put thy shirt on warm ? will these moss'd trees ,
+That have outliv'd the eagle , page thy heels
+And skip when thou point'st out ? will the cold brook ,
+Candied with ice , caudle thy morning taste
+To cure the o'er-night's surfeit ? Call the creatures
+Whose naked natures live in all the spite
+Of wreakful heaven , whose bare unhoused trunks
+To the conflicting elements expos'd ,
+Answer mere nature ; bid them flatter thee ;
+O ! thou shalt find
+
+A fool of thee . Depart .
+
+I love thee better now than e'er I did .
+
+I hate thee worse .
+
+Why ?
+
+Thou flatter'st misery .
+
+I flatter not , but say thou art a caitiff .
+
+Why dost thou seek me out ?
+
+To vex thee .
+
+Always a villain's office , or a fool's .
+Dost please thyself in 't ?
+
+Ay .
+
+What ! a knave too ?
+
+If thou didst put this sour-cold habit on
+To castigate thy pride , 'twere well ; but thou
+Dost it enforcedly ; thou'dst courtier be again
+Wert thou not beggar . Willing misery
+Outlives incertain pomp , is crown'd before ;
+The one is filling still , never complete ;
+The other , at high wish : best state , contentless ,
+Hath a distracted and most wretched being ,
+Worse than the worst , content .
+Thou shouldst desire to die , being miserable .
+
+Not by his breath that is more miserable .
+Thou art a slave , whom Fortune's tender arm
+With favour never clasp'd , but bred a dog .
+Hadst thou , like us from our first swath , proceeded
+The sweet degrees that this brief world affords
+To such as may the passive drudges of it
+Freely command , thou wouldst have plung'd thyself
+In general riot ; melted down thy youth
+In different beds of lust ; and never learn'd
+The icy precepts of respect , but follow'd
+The sugar'd game before thee . But myself ,
+Who had the world as my confectionary ,
+The mouths , the tongues , the eyes , and hearts of men
+At duty , more than I could frame employment ,
+That numberless upon me stuck as leaves
+Do on the oak , have with one winter's brush
+Fell from their boughs and left me open , bare
+For every storm that blows ; I , to bear this ,
+That never knew but better , is some burden :
+Thy nature did commence in sufferance , time
+Hath made thee hard in 't . Why shouldst thou hate men ?
+They never flatter'd thee : what hast thou given ?
+If thou wilt curse , thy father , that poor rag ,
+Must be thy subject , who in spite put stuff
+To some she beggar and compounded thee
+Poor rogue hereditary . Hence ! be gone !
+If thou hadst not been born the worst of men ,
+Thou hadst been a knave and flatterer .
+
+Art thou proud yet ?
+
+Ay , that I am not thee .
+
+I , that I was
+No prodigal .
+
+I , that I am one now :
+Were all the wealth I have shut up in thee ,
+I'd give thee leave to hang it . Get thee gone .
+That the whole life of Athens were in this !
+Thus would I eat it .
+
+
+Here ; I will mend thy feast .
+
+First mend my company , take away thyself .
+
+So I shall mend mine own , by the lack of thine .
+
+'Tis not well mended so , it is but botch'd ;
+If not , I would it were .
+
+What wouldst thou have to Athens ?
+
+Thee thither in a whirlwind . If thou wilt ,
+Tell them there I have gold ; look , so I have .
+
+Here is no use for gold .
+
+The best and truest ;
+For here it sleeps , and does no hired harm .
+
+Where liest o' nights , Timon ?
+
+Under that's above me .
+Where feed'st thou o' days , Apemantus ?
+
+Where my stomach finds meat ; or , rather , where I eat it .
+
+Would poison were obedient and knew my mind !
+
+Where wouldst thou send it ?
+
+To sauce thy dishes .
+
+The middle of humanity thou never knewest , but the extremity of both ends . When thou wast in thy gilt and thy perfume , they mocked thee for too much curiosity ; in thy rags thou knowest none , but art despised for the contrary . There's a medlar for thee ; eat it .
+
+On what I hate I feed not .
+
+Dost hate a medlar ?
+
+Ay , though it look like thee .
+
+An thou hadst hated meddlers sooner , thou shouldst have loved thyself better now . What man didst thou ever know unthrift that was beloved after his means ?
+
+Who , without those means thou talkest of , didst thou ever know beloved ?
+
+Myself .
+
+I understand thee ; thou hadst some means to keep a dog .
+
+What things in the world canst thou nearest compare to thy flatterers ?
+
+Women nearest ; but men , men are the things themselves . What wouldst thou do with the world , Apemantus , if it lay in thy power ?
+
+Give it the beasts , to be rid of the men .
+
+Wouldst thou have thyself fall in the confusion of men , and remain a beast with the beasts ?
+
+Ay , Timon .
+
+A beastly ambition , which the gods grant thee to attain to . If thou wert the lion , the fox would beguile thee ; if thou wert the lamb , the fox would eat thee ; if thou wert the fox , the lion would suspect thee , when peradventure thou wert accused by the ass ; if thou wert the ass , thy dulness would torment thee , and still thou livedst but as a breakfast to the wolf ; if thou wert the wolf , thy greediness would afflict thee , and oft thou shouldst hazard thy life for thy dinner ; wert thou the unicorn , pride and wrath would confound thee and make thine own self the conquest of thy fury ; wert thou a bear , thou wouldst be killed by the horse ; wert thou a horse , thou wouldst be seized by the leopard ; wert thou a leopard , thou wert german to the lion , and the spots of thy kindred were jurors on thy life ; all thy safety were remotion , and thy defence absence . What beast couldst thou be , that were not subject to a beast ? and what a beast art thou already , that seest not thy loss in transformation !
+
+If thou couldst please me with speaking to me , thou mightst have hit upon it here ; the commonwealth of Athens is become a forest of beasts .
+
+How has the ass broke the wall , that thou art out of the city ?
+
+Yonder comes a poet and a painter : the plague of company light upon thee ! I will fear to catch it , and give way . When I know not what else to do , I'll see thee again .
+
+When there is nothing living but thee , thou shalt be welcome . I had rather be a beggar's dog than Apemantus .
+
+Thou art the cap of all the fools alive .
+
+Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon !
+
+A plague on thee ! thou art too bad to curse !
+
+All villains that do stand by thee are pure .
+
+There is no leprosy but what thou speak'st .
+
+If I name thee .
+I'll beat thee , but I should infect my hands .
+
+I would my tongue could rot them off !
+
+Away , thou issue of a mangy dog !
+Choler does kill me that thou art alive ;
+I swound to see thee .
+
+Would thou wouldst burst !
+
+Away ,
+Thou tedious rogue ! I am sorry I shall lose
+A stone by thee .
+
+
+Beast !
+
+Slave !
+
+Toad !
+
+Rogue , rogue , rogue !
+I am sick of this false world , and will love nought
+But even the mere necessities upon 't .
+Then , Timon , presently prepare thy grave ;
+Lie where the light foam of the sea may beat
+Thy grave-stone daily : make thine epitaph ,
+That death in me at others' lives may laugh .
+
+O thou sweet king-killer , and dear divorce
+'Twixt natural son and sire ! thou bright defiler
+Of Hymen's purest bed ! thou valiant Mars !
+Thou ever young , fresh , lov'd , and delicate wooer ,
+Whose blush doth thaw the consecrated snow
+That lies on Dian's lap ! thou visible god ,
+That solder'st close impossibilities ,
+And mak'st them kiss ! that speak'st with every tongue ,
+To every purpose ! O thou touch of hearts !
+Think , thy slave man rebels , and by thy virtue
+Set them into confounding odds , that beasts
+May have the world in empire .
+
+Would 'twere so :
+But not till I am dead ; I'll say thou'st gold :
+Thou wilt be throng'd to shortly .
+
+Throng'd to ?
+
+Ay .
+
+Thy back , I prithee .
+
+Live , and love thy misery !
+
+Long live so , and so die !
+
+I am quit .
+More things like men ! Eat , Timon , and abhor them .
+
+
+Where should he have this gold ? It is some poor fragment , some slender ort of his remainder . The mere want of gold , and the falling-from of his friends , drove him into this melancholy .
+
+It is noised he hath a mass of treasure .
+
+Let us make the assay upon him : if he care not for 't , he will supply us easily ; if he covetously reserve it , how shall's get it ?
+
+True ; for he bears it not about him , 'tis hid .
+
+Is not this he ?
+
+Where ?
+
+'Tis his description .
+
+He ; I know him .
+
+Save thee , Timon .
+
+Now , thieves ?
+
+Soldiers , not thieves .
+
+Both too ; and women's sons .
+
+We are not thieves , but men that much do want .
+
+Your greatest want is , you want much of meat .
+Why should you want ? Behold , the earth hath roots ;
+Within this mile break forth a hundred springs ;
+The oaks bear mast , the briers scarlet hips ;
+The bounteous housewife , nature , on each bush
+Lays her full mess before you . Want ! why want ?
+
+We cannot live on grass , on berries , water ,
+As beasts , and birds , and fishes .
+
+Nor on the beasts themselves , the birds , and fishes ;
+You must eat men . Yet thanks I must you con
+That you are thieves profess'd , that you work not
+In holier shapes ; for there is boundless theft
+In limited professions . Rascal thieves ,
+Here's gold . Go , suck the subtle blood o' the grape ,
+Till the high fever seethe your blood to froth ,
+And so 'scape hanging : trust not the physician ;
+His antidotes are poison , and he slays
+More than you rob : take wealth and lives together ;
+Do villany , do , since you protest to do't ,
+Like workmen . I'll example you with thievery :
+The sun's a thief , and with his great attraction
+Robs the vast sea ; the moon's an arrant thief ,
+And her pale fire she snatches from the sun ;
+The sea's a thief , whose liquid surge resolves
+The moon into salt tears ; the earth's a thief ,
+That feeds and breeds by a composture stolen
+From general excrement , each thing's a thief ;
+The laws , your curb and whip , in their rough power
+Have uncheck'd theft . Love not yourselves ; away !
+Rob one another . There's more gold : cut throats ;
+All that you meet are thieves . To Athens go ,
+Break open shops ; nothing can you steal
+But thieves do lose it : steal no less for this
+I give you ; and gold confound you howsoe'er !
+Amen .
+
+He has almost charmed me from my profession , by persuading me to it .
+
+'Tis in the malice of mankind that he thus advises us ; not to have us thrive in our mystery .
+
+I'll believe him as an enemy , and give over my trade .
+
+Let us first see peace in Athens ; there is no time so miserable but a man may be true .
+
+O you gods !
+Is yond despised and ruinous man my lord ?
+Full of decay and failing ? O monument
+And wonder of good deeds evilly bestow'd !
+What an alteration of honour
+Has desperate want made !
+What viler thing upon the earth than friends
+Who can bring noblest minds to basest ends !
+How rarely does it meet with this time's guise ,
+When man was wish'd to love his enemies !
+Grant I may ever love , and rather woo
+Those that would mischief me than those that do !
+He hath caught me in his eye : I will present
+My honest grief unto him ; and , as my lord ,
+Still serve him with my life . My dearest master !
+
+
+Away ! what art thou ?
+
+Have you forgot me , sir ?
+
+Why dost ask that ? I have forgot all men ;
+Then , if thou grant'st thou'rt a man , I have forgot thee .
+
+An honest poor servant of yours .
+
+Then I know thee not :
+I never had an honest man about me ; ay all
+I kept were knaves , to serve in meat to villains .
+
+The gods are witness ,
+Ne'er did poor steward wear a truer grief
+For his undone lord than mine eyes for you .
+
+What ! dost thou weep ? Come nearer . Then I love thee ,
+Because thou art a woman , and disclaim'st
+Flinty mankind ; whose eyes do never give ,
+But thorough lust and laughter . Pity's sleeping :
+Strange times , that weep with laughing , not with weeping !
+
+I beg of you to know me , good my lord ,
+To accept my grief and whilst this poor wealth lasts
+To entertain me as your steward still .
+
+Had I a steward
+So true , so just , and now so comfortable ?
+It almost turns my dangerous nature mild .
+Let me behold thy face . Surely , this man
+Was born of woman .
+Forgive my general and exceptless rashness ,
+You perpetual sober gods ! I do proclaim
+One honest man , mistake me not , but one ;
+No more , I pray , and he's a steward .
+How fain would I have hated all mankind !
+And thou redeem'st thyself : but all , save thee ,
+I fell with curses .
+Methinks thou art more honest now than wise ;
+For , by oppressing and betraying me ,
+Thou mightst have sooner got another service :
+For many so arrive at second masters
+Upon their first lord's neck . But tell me true ,
+For I must ever doubt , though ne'er so sure ,
+Is not thy kindness subtle , covetous ,
+If not a usuring kindness and as rich men deal gifts ,
+Expecting in return twenty for one ?
+
+No , my most worthy master ; in whose breast
+Doubt and suspect , alas ! are plac'd too late .
+You should have fear'd false times when you did feast ;
+Suspect still comes when an estate is least .
+That which I show , heaven knows , is merely love ,
+Duty and zeal to your unmatched mind ,
+Care of your food and living ; and , believe it ,
+My most honour'd lord ,
+For any benefit that points to me ,
+Either in hope , or present , I'd exchange
+For this one wish , that you had power and wealth
+To requite me by making rich yourself .
+
+Look thee , 'tis so . Thou singly honest man ,
+Here , take : the gods out of my misery ,
+Have sent thee treasure . Go , live rich and happy ;
+But thus condition'd : thou shalt build from men ;
+Hate all , curse all , show charity to none ,
+But let the famish'd flesh slide from the bone ,
+Ere thou relieve the beggar ; give to dogs
+What thou deny'st to men ; let prisons swallow 'em ,
+Debts wither 'em to nothing ; be men like blasted woods ,
+And may diseases lick up their false bloods !
+And so , farewell and thrive .
+
+O ! let me stay
+And comfort you , my master .
+
+If thou hatest
+Curses , stay not ; fly , whilst thou'rt bless'd and free :
+Ne'er see thou man , and let me ne'er see thee .
+
+As I took note of the place , it cannot be far where he abides .
+
+What's to be thought of him ? Does the rumour hold for true that he is so full of gold ?
+
+Certain : Alcibiades reports it ; Phrynia and Timandra had gold of him : he likewise enriched poor straggling soldiers with great quantity . 'Tis said he gave unto his steward a mighty sum .
+
+Then this breaking of his has been but a try for his friends .
+
+Nothing else ; you shall see him a palm in Athens again , and flourish with the highest . Therefore 'tis not amiss we tender our loves to him , in this supposed distress of his : it will show honestly in us , and is very likely to load our purposes with what they travel for , if it be a just and true report that goes of his having .
+
+What have you now to present unto him ?
+
+Nothing at this time but my visitation ; only , I will promise him an excellent piece .
+
+I must serve him so too ; tell him of an intent that's coming towards him .
+
+Good as the best . Promising is the very air o' the time ; it opens the eyes of expectation ; performance is ever the duller for his act ; and , but in the plainer and simpler kind of people , the deed of saying is quite out of use . To promise is most courtly and fashionable ; performance is a kind of will or testament which argues a great sickness in his judgment that makes it .
+
+
+Excellent workman ! Thou canst not paint a man so bad as is thyself .
+
+I am thinking what I shall say I have provided for him : it must be a personating of himself ; a satire against the softness of prosperity , with a discovery of the infinite flatteries that follow youth and opulency .
+
+Must thou needs stand for a villain in thine own work ? Wilt thou whip thine own faults in other men ? Do so , I have gold for thee .
+
+Nay , let's seek him :
+Then do we sin against our own estate ,
+When we may profit meet , and come too late .
+
+True ;
+When the day serves , before black-corner'd night ,
+Find what thou want'st by free and offer'd light .
+Come .
+
+I'll meet you at the turn . What a god's gold ,
+That he is worshipp'd in a baser temple
+Than where swine feed !
+'Tis thou that rigg'st the bark and plough'st the foam ,
+Settlest admired reverence in a slave :
+To thee be worship ; and thy saints for aye
+Be crown'd with plagues that thee alone obey .
+Fit I meet them .
+
+
+Hail , worthy Timon !
+
+Our late noble master !
+
+Have I once liv'd to see two honest men ?
+
+Sir ,
+Having often of your open bounty tasted ,
+Hearing you were retir'd , your friends fall'n off ,
+Whose thankless natures O abhorred spirits !
+Not all the whips of heaven are large enough
+What ! to you ,
+Whose star-like nobleness gave life and influence
+To their whole being ! I am rapt , and cannot cover
+The monstrous bulk of this ingratitude
+With any size of words .
+
+Let it go naked , men may see 't the better :
+You , that are honest , by being what you are ,
+Make them best seen and known .
+
+He and myself
+Have travell'd in the great shower of your gifts ,
+And sweetly felt it .
+
+Ay , you are honest men .
+
+We are hither come to offer you our service .
+
+Most honest men ! Why , how shall I requite you ?
+Can you eat roots and drink cold water ? no .
+
+What we can do , we'll do , to do you service .
+
+Ye're honest men . Ye've heard that I have gold ;
+I am sure you have : speak truth ; ye're honest men .
+
+So it is said , my noble lord ; but therefore
+Came not my friend nor I .
+
+Good honest men ! Thou draw'st a counterfeit
+Best in all Athens : thou'rt , indeed , the best ;
+Thou counterfeit'st most lively .
+
+So , so , my lord .
+
+E'en so , sir , as I say . And , for thy fiction ,
+Why , thy verse swells with stuff so fine and smooth
+That thou art even natural in thine art .
+But for all this , my honest-natur'd friends ,
+I must needs say you have a little fault :
+Marry , 'tis not monstrous in you , neither wish I
+You take much pains to mend .
+
+Beseech your honour
+To make it known to us .
+
+You'll take it ill .
+
+Most thankfully , my lord .
+
+Will you indeed ?
+
+Doubt it not , worthy lord .
+
+There's never a one of you but trusts a knave ,
+That mightily deceives you .
+
+Do we , my lord ?
+
+Ay , and you hear him cog , see him dissemble ,
+Know his gross patchery , love him , feed him ,
+Keep in your bosom ; yet remain assur'd
+That he's a made-up villain .
+
+I know none such , my lord .
+
+Nor I .
+
+Look you , I love you well ; I'll give you gold ,
+Rid me these villains from your companies :
+Hang them or stab them , drown them in a draught ,
+Confound them by some course , and come to me ,
+I'll give you gold enough .
+
+Name them , my lord ; let's know them .
+
+You that way and you this , but two in company ;
+Each man apart , all single and alone ,
+Yet an arch villain keeps him company .
+If , where thou art two villains shall not be ,
+Come not near him .
+
+If thou would not reside
+But where one villain is , then him abandon .
+Hence ! pack ! there's gold ; ye came for gold , ye slaves :
+You have done work for me , there's payment : hence !
+You are an alchemist , make gold of that .
+Out , rascal dogs !
+
+It is in vain that you would speak with Timon ;
+For he is set so only to himself
+That nothing but himself , which looks like man ,
+Is friendly with him .
+
+Bring us to his cave :
+It is our part and promise to the Athenians
+To speak with Timon .
+
+At all times alike
+Men are not still the same : 'twas time and griefs
+That fram'd him thus : time , with his fairer hand ,
+Offering the fortunes of his former days ,
+The former man may make him . Bring us to him ,
+And chance it as it may .
+
+Here is his cave .
+Peace and content be here ! Lord Timon ! Timon !
+Look out , and speak to friends . The Athenians ,
+By two of their most reverend senate , greet thee :
+Speak to them , noble Timon .
+
+
+Thousun , that comfort'st , burn ! Speak , and be hang'd :
+For each true word , a blister ! and each false
+Be as a cauterizing to the root o'the tongue ,
+Consuming it with speaking !
+
+Worthy Timon ,
+
+Of none but such as you , and you of Timon .
+
+The senators of Athens greet thee , Timon .
+
+I thank them ; and would send them back the plague ,
+Could I but catch it for them .
+
+O ! forget
+What we are sorry for ourselves in thee .
+The senators with one consent of love
+Entreat thee back to Athens ; who have thought
+On special dignities , which vacant lie
+For thy best use and wearing .
+
+They confess
+Toward thee forgetfulness to general , gross ;
+Which now the public body , which doth seldom
+Play the recanter , feeling in itself
+A lack of Timon's aid , hath sense withal
+Of its own fail , restraining aid to Timon ;
+And send forth us , to make their sorrow'd render ,
+Together with a recompense more fruitful
+Than their offence can weigh down by the dram ;
+Ay , even such heaps and sums of love and wealth
+As shall to thee block out what wrongs were theirs ,
+And write in thee the figures of their love ,
+Ever to read them thine .
+
+You witch me in it ;
+Surprise me to the very brink of tears :
+Lend me a fool's heart and a woman's eyes ,
+And I'll beweep these comforts , worthy senators .
+
+Therefore so please thee to return with us ,
+And of our Athens thine and ours to take
+The captainship , thou shalt be met with thanks ,
+Allow'd with absolute power , and thy good name
+Live with authority : so soon we shall drive back
+Of Alcibiades the approaches wild ;
+Who , like a boar too savage , doth root up
+His country's peace .
+
+And shakes his threat'ning sword
+Against the walls of Athens .
+
+Therefore , Timon ,
+
+Well , sir , I will ; therefore , I will , sir ; thus :
+If Alcibiades kill my countrymen ,
+Let Alcibiades know this of Timon ,
+That Timon cares not . But if he sack fair Athens ,
+And take our goodly aged men by the beards ,
+Giving our holy virgins to the stain
+Of contumelious , beastly , mad-brain'd war ;
+Then let him know , and tell him Timon speaks it ,
+In pity of our aged and our youth
+I cannot choose but tell him , that I care not ,
+And let him take't at worst ; for their knives care not
+While you have throats to answer : for myself ,
+There's not a whittle in the unruly camp
+But I do prize it at my love before
+The reverend'st throat in Athens . So I leave you
+To the protection of the prosperous gods ,
+As thieves to keepers .
+
+Stay not ; all's in vain .
+
+Why , I was writing of my epitaph ;
+It will be seen to-morrow . My long sickness
+Of health and living now begins to mend ,
+And nothing brings me all things . Go ; live still :
+Be Alcibiades your plague , you his ,
+And last so long enough !
+
+We speak in vain .
+
+But yet I love my country , and am not
+One that rejoices in the common wrack ,
+As common bruit doth put it .
+
+That's well spoke .
+
+Commend me to my loving countrymen ,
+
+These words become your lips as they pass through them .
+
+And enter in our ears like great triumphers
+In their applauding gates .
+
+Commend me to them ;
+And tell them , that , to ease them of their griefs ,
+Their fears of hostile strokes , their aches , losses ,
+Their pangs of love , with other incident throes
+That nature's fragile vessel doth sustain
+In life's uncertain voyage , I will some kindness do them :
+I'll teach them to prevent wild Alcibiades' wrath .
+
+I like this well ; he will return again .
+
+I have a tree which grows here in my close ,
+That mine own use invites me to cut down ,
+And shortly must I fell it ; tell my friends ,
+Tell Athens , in the sequence of degree ,
+From high to low throughout , that whoso please
+To stop affliction , let him take his haste ,
+Come hither , ere my tree hath felt the axe ,
+And hang himself . I pray you , do my greeting .
+
+Trouble him no further ; thus you still shall find him .
+
+Come not to me again ; but say to Athans ,
+Timon hath made his everlasting mansion
+Upon the beached verge of the salt flood ;
+Who once a day with his embossed froth
+The turbulent surge shall cover : thither come ,
+And let my grave-stone be your oracle .
+Lips , let sour words go by and language end :
+What is amiss plague and infection mend !
+Graves only be men's works and death their gain !
+Sun , hide thy beams ! Timon hath done his reign .
+
+
+His discontents are unremovably Coupled to nature .
+
+Our hope in him is dead : let us return ,
+And strain what other means is left unto us
+In our dear peril .
+
+It requires swift foot .
+
+
+Thou hast painfully discover'd : are his files
+As full as thy report ?
+
+I have spoke the least ;
+Besides , his expedition promises
+Present approach .
+
+We stand much hazard if they bring not Timon .
+
+I met a courier , one mine ancient friend ,
+Whom , though in general part we were oppos'd ,
+Yet our old love made a particular force ,
+And made us speak like friends : this man was riding
+From Alcibiades to Timon's cave ,
+With letters of entreaty , which imported
+His fellowship i' the cause against your city ,
+In part for his sake mov'd .
+
+Here come our brothers .
+
+
+No talk of Timon , nothing of him expect .
+The enemies' drum is heard , and fearful scouring
+Doth choke the air with dust . In , and prepare :
+Ours is the fall , I fear ; our foes the snare .
+
+
+By all description this should be the place .
+Who's here ? speak , ho ! No answer ! What is this ?
+Timon is dead , who hath outstretch'd his span :
+Some beast rear'd this ; here does not live a man .
+Dead , sure ; and this his grave . What's on this tomb
+I cannot read ; the character I'll take with wax :
+Our captain hath in every figure skill ;
+An ag'd interpreter , though young in days .
+Before proud Athens he's set down by this ,
+Whose fall the mark of his ambition is .
+
+
+Sound to this coward and lascivious town
+Our terrible approach .
+
+Till now you have gone on , and fill'd the time
+With all licentious measure , making your wills
+The scope of justice ; till now myself and such
+As slept within the shadow of your power
+Have wander'd with our travers'd arms , and breath'd
+Our sufferance vainly . Now the time is flush ,
+When crouching marrow , in the bearer strong ,
+Cries of itself , 'No more :' now breathless wrong
+Shall sit and pant in your great chairs of ease ,
+And pursy insolence shall break his wind
+
+With fear and horrid flight .
+
+Noble and young ,
+When thy first griefs were but a mere conceit ,
+Ere thou hadst power or we had cause of fear ,
+We sent to thee , to give thy rages balm ,
+To wipe out our ingratitude with loves
+Above their quantity .
+
+So did we woo
+Transformed Timon to our city's love
+By humble message and by promis'd means :
+We were not all unkind , nor all deserve
+The common stroke of war .
+
+These walls of ours
+Were not erected by their hands from whom
+You have receiv'd your grief ; nor are they such
+That these great towers , trophies , and schools should fall
+For private faults in them .
+
+Nor are they living
+Who were the motives that you first went out ;
+Shame that they wanted cunning in excess
+Hath broke their hearts . March , noble lord ,
+Into our city with thy banners spread :
+By decimation , and a tithed death ,
+If thy revenges hunger for that food
+Which nature loathes ,take thou the destin'd tenth ,
+And by the hazard of the spotted die
+Let die the spotted .
+
+All have not offended ;
+For those that were , it is not square to take
+On those that are , revenges : crimes , like lands ,
+Are not inherited . Then , dear countryman ,
+Bring in thy ranks , but leave without thy rage :
+Spare thyAthenian cradle , and those kin
+Which in the bluster of thy wrath must fall
+With those that have offended : like a shepherd ,
+Approach the fold and cull th' infected forth ,
+But kill not all together .
+
+What thou wilt ,
+Thou rather shalt enforce it with thy smile
+Thank hew to't with thy sword .
+
+Set but thy foot
+Against our rampir'd gates , and they shall ope ,
+So thou wilt send thy gentle heart before ,
+To say thou'lt enter friendly .
+
+Throw thy glove ,
+Or any token of thine honour else ,
+That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress
+And not as our confusion , all thy powers
+Shall make their harbour in our town , till we
+Have seal'd thy full desire .
+
+Then there's my glove ;
+Descend , and open your uncharged ports :
+Those enemies of Timon's and mine own
+Whom you yourselves shall set out for reproof ,
+Fall , and no more ; and , to atone your fears
+With my more noble meaning , not a man
+Shall pass his quarter , or offend the stream
+Of regular justice in your city's bounds ,
+But shall be render'd to your public laws
+At heaviest answer .
+
+'Tis most nobly spoken .
+
+Descend , and keep your words .
+
+My noble general , Timon is dead ;
+Entomb'd upon the very hem o' the sea :
+And on his grave-stone this insculpture , which
+With wax I brought away , whose soft impression
+Interprets for my poor ignorance .
+
+Here lies a wretched corse , of wretched soul bereft :
+Seek not my name : a plague consume you wicked caitiffs left !
+Here lie I , Timon ; who , alive , all living men did hate :
+Pass by , and curse thy fill ; but pass and stay not here thy gait .
+These well express in thee thy latter spirits :
+Though thou abhorr'dst in us our human griefs ,
+Scorn'dst our brain's flow and those our droplets which
+From niggard nature fall , yet rich conceit
+Taught thee to make vast Neptune weep for aye
+On thy low grave , on faults forgiven . Dead
+Is noble Timon ; of whose memory
+Hereafter more . Bring me into your city ,
+And I will use the olive with my sword ;
+Make war breed peace ; make peace stint war ; make each
+Prescribe to other as each other's leech .
+Let our drums strike .
+
+TITUS ANDRONICUS
+
+
+Noble patricians , patrons of my right ,
+Defend the justice of my cause with arms ;
+And , countrymen , my loving followers ,
+Plead my successive title with your swords :
+I am his first-born son that was the last
+That wore the imperial diadem of Rome ;
+Then let my father's honours live in me ,
+Nor wrong mine age with this indignity .
+
+Romans , friends , followers , favourers of my right ,
+If ever Bassianus , C sar's son ,
+Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome ,
+Keep then this passage to the Capitol ,
+And suffer not dishonour to approach
+The imperial seat , to virtue consecrate ,
+To justice , continence , and nobility ;
+But let desert in pure election shine ,
+And , Romans , fight for freedom in your choice .
+
+
+Princes , that strive by factions and by friends
+Ambitiously for rule and empery ,
+Know that the people of Rome , for whom we stand
+A special party , have , by common voice ,
+In election for the Roman empery ,
+Chosen Andronicus , surnamed Pius ,
+For many good and great deserts to Rome :
+A nobler man , a braver warrior ,
+Lives not this day within the city walls :
+He by the senate is accited home
+From weary wars against the barbarous Goths ;
+That , with his sons , a terror to our foes ,
+Hath yok'd a nation , strong , train'd up in arms .
+Ten years are spent since first he undertook
+This cause of Rome , and chastised with arms
+Our enemies' pride : five times he hath return'd
+Bleeding to Rome , bearing his valiant sons
+In coffins from the field ;
+And now at last , laden with honour's spoils ,
+Returns the good Andronicus to Rome ,
+Renowned Titus , flourishing in arms .
+Let us entreat , by honour of his name ,
+Whom worthily you would have now succeed ,
+And in the Capitol and senate's right ,
+Whom you pretend to honour and adore ,
+That you withdraw you and abate your strength ;
+Dismiss your followers , and , as suitors should ,
+Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness .
+
+How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts !
+
+Marcus Andronicus , so I do affy
+In thy uprightness and integrity ,
+And so I love and honour thee and thine ,
+Thy noble brother Titus and his sons ,
+And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all ,
+Gracious Lavinia , Rome's rich ornament ,
+That I will here dismiss my loving friends ,
+And to my fortunes and the people's favour
+Commit my cause in balance to be weigh'd .
+
+
+Friends , that have been thus forward in my right ,
+I thank you all and here dismiss you all ;
+And to the love and favour of my country
+Commit myself , my person , and the cause .
+
+Rome , be as just and gracious unto me
+As I am confident and kind to thee .
+Open the gates , and let me in .
+
+Tribunes , and me , a poor competitor .
+
+Romans , make way ! the good Andronicus ,
+Patron of virtue , Rome's best champion ,
+Successful in the battles that he fights ,
+With honour and with fortune is return'd
+From where he circumscribed with his sword ,
+And brought to yoke , the enemies of Rome .
+
+Hail , Rome , victorious in thy mourning weeds !
+Lo ! as the bark , that hath discharg'd her fraught ,
+Returns with precious lading to the bay
+From whence at first she weigh'd her anchorage ,
+Cometh Andronicus , bound with laurel boughs ,
+To re-salute his country with his tears ,
+Tears of true joy for his return to Rome .
+Thou great defender of this Capitol ,
+Stand gracious to the rites that we intend !
+Romans , of five-and-twenty valiant sons ,
+Half of the number that King Priam had ,
+Behold the poor remains , alive , and dead !
+These that survive let Rome reward with love ;
+These that I bring unto their latest home .
+With burial among their ancestors :
+Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword .
+Titus , unkind and careless of thine own ,
+Why suffer'st thou thy sons , unburied yet
+To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx ?
+Make way to lay them by their brethren .
+
+There greet in silence , as the dead are wont ,
+And sleep in peace , slain in your country's wars !
+O sacred receptacle of my joys ,
+Sweet cell of virtue and nobility ,
+How many sons of mine hast thou in store ,
+That thou wilt never render to me more !
+
+Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths ,
+That we may hew his limbs , and on a pile
+Ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesh ,
+Before this earthy prison of their bones ;
+That so the shadows be not unappeas'd ,
+Nor we disturb'd with prodigies on earth .
+
+I give him you , the noblest that survives
+The eldest son of this distressed queen .
+
+Stay , Roman brethren ! Gracious conqueror ,
+Victorious Titus , rue the tears I shed ,
+A mother's tears in passion for her son :
+And if thy sons were ever dear to thee ,
+O ! think my son to be as dear to me .
+Sufficeth not that we are brought to Rome ,
+To beautify thy triumphs and return ,
+Captive to thee and to thy Roman yoke ;
+But must my sons be slaughter'd in the streets
+For valiant doings in their country's cause ?
+O ! if to fight for king and commonweal
+Were piety in thine , it is in these .
+Andronicus , stain not thy tomb with blood :
+Wilt thou draw near the nature of the gods ?
+Draw near them then in being merciful ;
+Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge :
+Thrice-noble Titus , spare my first-born son .
+
+Patient yourself , madam , and pardon me .
+These are their brethren , whom your Goths beheld
+Alive and dead , and for their brethren slain
+Religiously they ask a sacrifice :
+To this your son is mark'd , and die he must ,
+To appease their groaning shadows that are gone .
+
+Away with him ! and make a fire straight ;
+And with our swords , upon a pile of wood ,
+Let's hew his limbs till they be clean consum'd .
+
+
+O cruel , irreligious piety !
+
+Was ever Scythia half so barbarous ?
+
+Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Rome .
+Alarbus goes to rest , and we survive
+To tremble under Titus' threatening look .
+Then , madam , stand resolv'd ; but hope withal
+The self-same gods , that arm'd the Queen of Troy
+With opportunity of sharp revenge
+Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent ,
+May favour Tamora , the Queen of Goths
+When Goths were Goths , and Tamora was queen
+To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes .
+
+
+See , lord and father , how we have perform'd
+Our Roman rites . Alarbus' limbs are lopp'd ,
+And entrails feed the sacrificing fire ,
+Whose smoke , like incense , doth perfume the sky .
+Remaineth nought but to inter our brethren ,
+And with loud 'larums welcome them to Rome .
+
+Let it be so ; and let Andronicus
+Make this his latest farewell to their souls .
+
+In peace and honour rest you here , my sons ;
+Rome's readiest champions , repose you here in rest ,
+Secure from worldly chances and mishaps !
+Here lurks no treason , here no envy swells ,
+Here grow no damned drugs , here are no storms ,
+No noise , but silence and eternal sleep :
+In peace and honour rest you here , my sons !
+
+
+In peace and honour live Lord Titus long ;
+My noble lord and father , live in fame !
+Lo ! at this tomb my tributary tears
+I render for my brethren's obsequies ;
+And at thy feet I kneel , with tears of joy
+Shed on the earth for thy return to Rome .
+O ! bless me here with thy victorious hand ,
+Whose fortunes Rome's best citizens applaud .
+
+Kind Rome , that hast thus lovingly reserv'd
+The cordial of mine age to glad my heart !
+Lavinia , live ; outlive thy father's days ,
+And fame's eternal date , for virtue's praise !
+
+
+Long live Lord Titus , my beloved brother ,
+Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome !
+
+Thanks , gentle Tribune , noble brother Marcus .
+
+And welcome , nephews , from successful wars ,
+You that survive , and you that sleep in fame !
+Fair lords , your fortunes are alike in all ,
+That in your country's service drew your swords ;
+But safer triumph is this funeral pomp ,
+That hath aspir'd to Solon's happiness ,
+And triumphs over chance in honour's bed .
+Titus Andronicus , the people of Rome ,
+Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been ,
+Send thee by me , their tribune and their trust ,
+This palliament of white and spotless hue ;
+And name thee in election for the empire ,
+With these our late-deceased emperor's sons :
+Be candidatus then , and put it on ,
+And help to set a head on headless Rome .
+
+A better head her glorious body fits
+Than his that shakes for age and feebleness .
+What should I don this robe , and trouble you ?
+Be chosen with proclamations to-day ,
+To-morrow yield up rule , resign my life ,
+And set abroad new business for you all ?
+Rome , I have been thy soldier forty years ,
+And led my country's strength successfully ,
+And buried one-and-twenty valiant sons ,
+Knighted in field , slain manfully in arms ,
+In right and service of their noble country .
+Give me a staff of honour for mine age ,
+But not a sceptre to control the world :
+Upright he held it , lords , that held it last .
+
+Titus , thou shalt obtain and ask the empery .
+
+Proud and ambitious tribune , canst thou tell ?
+
+Patience , Prince Saturninus .
+
+Romans , do me right :
+Patricians , draw your swords , and sheathe them not
+Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor .
+Andronicus , would thou wert shipp'd to hell ,
+Rather than rob me of the people's hearts !
+
+Proud Saturnine , interrupter of the good
+That noble-minded Titus means to thee !
+
+Content thee , prince ; I will restore to thee
+The people's hearts , and wean them from themselves .
+
+Andronicus , I do not flatter thee ,
+But honour thee , and will do till I die :
+My faction if thou strengthen with thy friends ,
+I will most thankful be ; and thanks to men
+Of noble minds is honourable meed .
+
+People of Rome , and people's tribunes here ,
+I ask your voices and your suffrages :
+Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus ?
+
+To gratify the good Andronicus ,
+And gratulate his safe return to Rome ,
+The people will accept whom he admits .
+
+Tribunes , I thank you ; and this suit I make ,
+That you create your emperor's eldest son ,
+Lord Saturnine ; whose virtues will , I hope ,
+Reflect on Rome as Titan's rays on earth ,
+And ripen justice in this commonweal :
+Then , if you will elect by my advice ,
+Crown him , and say , 'Long live our emperor !'
+
+With voices and applause of every sort ,
+Patricians and plebeians , we create
+Lord Saturninus Rome's great emperor ,
+And say , 'Long live our Emperor Saturnine !'
+
+
+Titus Andronicus , for thy favours done
+To us in our election this day ,
+I give thee thanks in part of thy deserts ,
+And will with deeds requite thy gentleness :
+And , for an onset , Titus , to advance
+Thy name and honourable family ,
+Lavinia will I make my empress ,
+Rome's royal mistress , mistress of my heart ,
+And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse .
+Tell me , Andronicus , doth this motion please thee ?
+
+It doth , my worthy lord ; and in this match
+I hold me highly honour'd of your Grace :
+And here in sight of Rome to Saturnine ,
+King and commander of our commonweal ,
+The wide world's emperor , do I consecrate
+My sword , my chariot , and my prisoners ;
+Presents well worthy Rome's imperious lord :
+Receive them then , the tribute that I owe ,
+Mine honour's ensigns humbled at thy feet .
+
+Thanks , noble Titus , father of my life !
+How proud I am of thee and of thy gifts
+Rome shall record , and , when I do forget
+The least of these unspeakable deserts ,
+Romans , forget your fealty to me .
+
+Now , madam , are you prisoner to an emperor ;
+To him that , for your honour and your state ,
+Will use you nobly and your followers .
+
+A goodly lady , trust me ; of the hue
+That I would choose , were I to choose anew .
+Clear up , fair queen , that cloudy countenance :
+Though chance of war hath wrought this change of cheer ,
+Thou com'st not to be made a scorn in Rome :
+Princely shall be thy usage every way .
+Rest on my word , and let not discontent
+Daunt all your hopes : madam , he comforts you
+Can make you greater than the Queen of Goths .
+Lavinia , you are not displeas'd with this ?
+
+Not I , my lord ; sith true nobility
+Warrants these words in princely courtesy .
+
+Thanks , sweet Lavinia . Romans , let us go ;
+Ransomless here we set our prisoners free :
+Proclaim our honours , lords , with trump and drum .
+
+
+Lord Titus , by your leave , this maid is mine .
+
+
+How , sir ! Are you in earnest then , my lord ?
+
+Ay , noble Titus ; and resolv'd withal
+To do myself this reason and this right .
+
+Suum cuique is our Roman justice :
+This prince in justice seizeth but his own .
+
+And that he will , and shall , if Lucius live .
+
+Traitors , avaunt ! Where is the emperor's guard ?
+Treason , my lord ! Lavinia is surpris'd .
+
+Surpris'd ! By whom ?
+
+By him that justly may
+Bear his betroth'd from all the world away .
+
+
+Brothers , help to convey her hence away ,
+And with my sword I'll keep this door safe .
+
+
+Follow , my lord , and I'll soon bring her back .
+
+My lord , you pass not here .
+
+What ! villain boy ;
+Barr'st me my way in Rome ?
+
+
+Help , Lucius , help !
+
+My lord , you are unjust ; and , more than so ,
+In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son .
+
+Nor thou , nor he , are any sons of mine ;
+My sons would never so dishonour me .
+Traitor , restore Lavinia to the emperor .
+
+Dead , if you will ; but not to be his wife
+That is another's lawful promis'd love .
+
+
+No , Titus , no ; the emperor needs her not ,
+Nor her , nor thee , nor any of thy stock :
+I'll trust , by leisure , him that mocks me once ;
+Thee never , nor thy traitorous haughty sons ,
+Confederates all thus to dishonour me .
+Was none in Rome to make a stale
+But Saturnine ? Full well , Andronicus ,
+Agreed these deeds with that proud brag of thine ,
+That saidst I begg'd the empire at thy hands .
+
+O monstrous ! what reproachful words are these !
+
+But go thy ways ; go , give that changing piece
+To him that flourish'd for her with his sword .
+A valiant son-in-law thou shalt enjoy ;
+One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons ,
+To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome .
+
+These words are razors to my wounded heart .
+
+And therefore , lovely Tamora , Queen of Goths ,
+That like the stately Ph be 'mongst her nymphs ,
+Dost overshine the gallant'st dames of Rome ,
+If thou be pleas'd with this my sudden choice ,
+Behold , I choose thee , Tamora , for my bride ,
+And will create thee Empress of Rome .
+Speak , Queen of Goths , dost thou applaud my choice ?
+And here I swear by all the Roman gods ,
+Sith priest and holy water are so near ,
+And tapers burn so bright , and every thing
+In readiness for Hymen us stand ,
+I will not re-salute the streets of Rome ,
+Or climb my palace , till from forth this place
+I lead espous'd my bride along with me .
+
+And here , in sight of heaven , to Rome I swear ,
+If Saturnine advance the Queen of Goths ,
+She will a handmaid be to his desires ,
+A loving nurse , a mother to his youth .
+
+Ascend , fair queen , Pantheon . Lords , accompany
+Your noble emperor , and his lovely bride ,
+Sent by the heavens for Prince Saturnine ,
+Whose wisdom hath her fortune conquered :
+There shall we consummate our spousal rights .
+
+
+I am not bid to wait upon this bride .
+Titus , when wert thou wont to walk alone ,
+Dishonour'd thus , and challenged of wrongs ?
+
+
+O ! Titus , see , O ! see what thou hast done ;
+In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son .
+
+No , foolish tribune , no ; no son of mine ,
+Nor thou , nor these , confederates in the deed
+That hath dishonour'd all our family :
+Unworthy brother , and unworthy sons !
+
+But let us give him burial , as becomes ;
+Give Mutius burial with our brethren .
+
+Traitors , away ! he rests not in this tomb .
+This monument five hundred years hath stood ,
+Which I have sumptuously re-edified :
+Here none but soldiers and Rome's servitors
+Repose in fame ; none basely slain in brawls .
+Bury him where you can ; he comes not here .
+
+My lord , this is impiety in you .
+My nephew Mutius' deeds do plead for him ;
+He must be buried with his brethren .
+
+And shall , or him we will accompany .
+
+And shall , or him we will accompany .
+
+And shall ! What villain was it spake that word ?
+
+He that would vouch it in any place but here .
+
+What ! would you bury him in my despite ?
+
+No , noble Titus ; but entreat of thee
+To pardon Mutius , and to bury him .
+
+Marcus , even thou hast struck upon my crest ,
+And , with these boys , mine honour thou hast wounded :
+My foes I do repute you every one ;
+So , trouble me no more , but get you gone .
+
+He is not with himself ; let us withdraw .
+
+Not I , till Mutius' bones be buried .
+
+
+Brother , for in that name doth nature plead ,
+
+Father , and in that name doth nature speak ,
+
+Speak thou no more , if all the rest will speed .
+
+Renowned Titus , more than half my soul ,
+
+Dear father , soul and substance of us all ,
+
+Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter
+His noble nephew here in virtue's nest ,
+That died in honour and Lavinia's cause .
+Thou art a Roman ; be not barbarous :
+The Greeks upon advice did bury Ajax
+That slew himself ; and wise Laertes' son
+Did graciously plead for his funerals .
+Let not young Mutius then , that was thy joy ,
+Be barr'd his entrance here .
+
+Rise , Marcus , rise .
+The dismall'st day is this that e'er I saw ,
+To be dishonour'd by my sons in Rome !
+Well , bury him , and bury me the next .
+
+
+There lie thy bones , sweet Mutius , with thy friends ,
+Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb .
+
+No man shed tears for noble Mutius ;
+He lives in fame that died in virtue's cause .
+
+My lord ,to step out of these dreary dumps ,
+How comes it that the subtle Queen of Goths
+Is of a sudden thus advanc'd in Rome ?
+
+I know not , Marcus ; but I know it is ,
+Whether by device or no , the heavens can tell .
+Is she not , then , beholding to the man
+That brought her for this high good turn so far ?
+
+Yes , and will nobly him remunerate .
+
+So , Bassianus , you have play'd your prize :
+God give you joy , sir , of your gallant bride .
+
+And you of yours , my lord ! I say no more ,
+Nor wish no less ; and so I take my leave .
+
+Traitor , if Rome have law or we have power ,
+Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape .
+
+Rape call you it , my lord , to seize my own ,
+My true-betrothed love and now my wife ?
+But let the laws of Rome determine all ;
+Meanwhile , I am possess'd of that is mine .
+
+'Tis good , sir : you are very short with us ;
+But , if we live , we'll be as sharp with you .
+
+My lord , what I have done , as best I may ,
+Answer I must and shall do with my life .
+Only thus much I give your Grace to know :
+By all the duties that I owe to Rome ,
+This noble gentleman , Lord Titus here ,
+Is in opinion and in honour wrong'd ;
+That , in the rescue of Lavinia ,
+With his own hand did slay his youngest son ,
+In zeal to you and highly mov'd to wrath
+To be controll'd in that he frankly gave :
+Receive him then to favour , Saturnine ,
+That hath express'd himself in all his deeds
+A father and a friend to thee and Rome .
+
+Prince Bassianus , leave to plead my deeds :
+'Tis thou and those that have dishonour'd me .
+Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge ,
+How I have lov'd and honour'd Saturnine !
+
+My worthy lord , if ever Tamora
+Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine ,
+Then hear me speak indifferently for all ;
+And at my suit , sweet , pardon what is past .
+
+What , madam ! be dishonour'd openly ,
+And basely put it up without revenge ?
+
+Not so , my lord ; the gods of Rome forfend
+I should be author to dishonour you !
+But on mine honour dare I undertake
+For good Lord Titus' innocence in all ,
+Whose fury not dissembled speaks his griefs .
+Then , at my suit , look graciously on him ;
+Lose not so noble a friend on vain suppose ,
+Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart .
+
+
+My lord , be rul'd by me , be won at last ;
+Dissemble all your griefs and discontents :
+You are but newly planted in your throne ;
+Lest then , the people , and patricians too ,
+Upon a just survey , take Titus' part ,
+And so supplant you for ingratitude ,
+Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin ,
+Yield at entreats , and then let me alone .
+I'll find a day to massacre them all ,
+And raze their faction and their family ,
+The cruel father , and his traitorous sons ,
+To whom I sued for my dear son's life ;
+And make them know what 'tis to let a queen
+Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain .
+
+
+Come , come , sweet emperor ; come , Andronicus ;
+Take up this good old man , and cheer the heart
+That dies in tempest of thy angry frown :
+
+Rise , Titus , rise ; my empress hath prevail'd .
+
+I thank your majesty , and her , my lord .
+These words , these looks , infuse new life in me .
+
+Titus , I am incorporate in Rome ,
+A Roman now adopted happily ,
+And must advise the emperor for his good .
+This day all quarrels die , Andronicus ;
+And let it be mine honour , good my lord ,
+That I have reconcil'd your friends and you .
+For you , Prince Bassianus , I have pass'd
+My word and promise to the emperor ,
+That you will be more mild and tractable .
+And fear not , lords , and you , Lavinia ,
+By my advice , all humbled on your knees ,
+You shall ask pardon of his majesty .
+
+We do ; and vow to heaven and to his highness ,
+That what we did was mildly , as we might ,
+Tendering our sister's honour and our own .
+
+That on mine honour here I do protest .
+
+Away , and talk not ; trouble us no more .
+
+Nay , nay , sweet emperor , we must all be friends :
+The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace ;
+I will not be denied : sweet heart , look back .
+
+Marcus , for thy sake , and thy brother's here ,
+And at my lovely Tamora's entreats ,
+I do remit these young men's heinous faults :
+Stand up .
+Lavinia , though you left me like a churl ,
+I found a friend , and sure as death I swore
+I would not part a bachelor from the priest .
+Come ; if the emperor's court can feast two brides ,
+You are my guest , Lavinia , and your friends .
+This day shall be a love-day , Tamora .
+
+To-morrow , an it please your majesty
+To hunt the panther and the hart with me ,
+With horn and hound we'll give your Grace bon jour .
+
+Be it so , Titus , and gramercy too .
+
+
+Now climbeth Tamora Olympus' top ,
+Safe out of Fortune's shot ; and sits aloft ,
+Secure of thunder's crack or lightning flash ,
+Advanc'd above pale envy's threat'ning reach .
+As when the golden sun salutes the morn ,
+And , having gilt the ocean with his beams ,
+Gallops the zodiac in his glistering coach ,
+And overlooks the highest-peering hills ;
+So Tamora .
+Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait
+And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown .
+Then , Aaron , arm thy heart , and fit thy thoughts
+To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress ,
+And mount her pitch , whom thou in triumph long
+Hast prisoner held , fetter'd in amorous chains ,
+And faster bound to Aaron's charming eyes
+Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus .
+Away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts !
+I will be bright , and shine in pearl and gold ,
+To wait upon this new-made empress .
+To wait , said I ? to wanton with this queen ,
+This goddess , this Semiramis , this nymph ,
+This siren , that will charm Rome's Saturnine ,
+And see his shipwrack and his commonweal's .
+Holla ! what storm is this ?
+
+
+Chiron , thy years want wit , thy wit wants edge
+And manners , to intrude where I am grac'd ,
+And may , for aught thou know'st , affected be .
+
+Demetrius , thou dost over-ween in all
+And so in this , to bear me down with braves .
+'Tis not the difference of a year or two
+Makes me less gracious or thee more fortunate :
+I am as able and as fit as thou
+To serve , and to deserve my mistress' grace ;
+And that my sword upon thee shall approve ,
+And plead my passions for Lavinia's love .
+
+Clubs , clubs ! these lovers will not keep the peace .
+
+Why , boy , although our mother , unadvis'd ,
+Gave you a dancing-rapier by your side ,
+Are you so desperate grown , to threat your friends ?
+Go to ; have your lath glu'd within your sheath
+Till you know better how to handle it .
+
+Meanwhile , sir , with the little skill I have ,
+Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare .
+
+Ay , boy , grow ye so brave ?
+
+
+Why , how now , lords !
+So near the emperor's palace dare you draw ,
+And maintain such a quarrel openly ?
+Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge :
+I would not for a million of gold
+The cause were known to them it most concerns ;
+Nor would your noble mother for much more
+Be so dishonour'd in the court of Rome .
+For shame , put up .
+
+Not I , till I have sheath'd
+My rapier in his bosom , and withal
+Thrust those reproachful speeches down his throat
+That he hath breath'd in my dishonour here .
+
+For that I am prepar'd and full resolv'd ,
+Foul-spoken coward , that thunder'st with thy tongue ,
+And with thy weapon nothing dar'st perform !
+
+Away , I say !
+Now , by the gods that war-like Goths adore ,
+This petty brabble will undo us all .
+Why , lords , and think you not how dangerous
+It is to jet upon a prince's right ?
+What ! is Lavinia then become so loose ,
+Or Bassianus so degenerate ,
+That for her love such quarrels may be broach'd
+Without controlment , justice , or revenge ?
+Young lords , beware ! an should the empress know
+This discord's ground , the music would not please .
+
+I care not , I , knew she and all the world :
+I love Lavinia more than all the world .
+
+Youngling , learn thou to make some meaner choice :
+Lavinia is thine elder brother's hope .
+
+Why , are ye mad ? or know ye not in Rome
+How furious and impatient they be ,
+And cannot brook competitors in love ?
+I tell you , lords , you do but plot your deaths
+By this device .
+
+Aaron , a thousand deaths
+Would I propose , to achieve her whom I love .
+
+To achieve her ! how ?
+
+Why mak'st thou it so strange ?
+She is a woman , therefore may be woo'd ;
+She is a woman , therefore may be won ;
+She is Lavinia , therefore must be lov'd .
+What , man ! more water glideth by the mill
+Than wots the miller of ; and easy it is
+Of a cut loaf to steal a shive , we know :
+Though Bassianus be the emperor's brother ,
+Better than he have worn Vulcan's badge .
+
+Ay , and as good as Saturninus may .
+
+Then why should he despair that knows to court it
+With words , fair looks , and liberality ?
+What ! hast thou not full often struck a doe ,
+And borne her cleanly by the keeper's nose ?
+
+Why , then , it seems , some certain snatch or so
+Would serve your turns .
+
+Ay , so the turn were serv'd .
+
+Aaron , thou hast hit it .
+
+Would you had hit it too !
+Then should not we be tir'd with this ado .
+Why , hark ye , hark ye ! and are you such fools
+To square for this ? Would it offend you then
+That both should speed ?
+
+Faith , not me .
+
+Nor me , so I were one .
+
+For shame , be friends , and join for that you jar :
+'Tis policy and stratagem must do
+That you affect ; and so must you resolve ,
+That what you cannot as you would achieve ,
+You must perforce accomplish as you may .
+Take this of me : Lucrece was not more chaste
+Than this Lavinia , Bassianus' love .
+A speedier course than lingering languishment
+Must we pursue , and I have found the path .
+My lords , a solemn hunting is in hand ;
+There will the lovely Roman ladies troop :
+The forest walks are wide and spacious ,
+And many unfrequented plots there are
+Fitted by kind for rape and villany :
+Single you thither then this dainty doe ,
+And strike her home by force , if not by words :
+This way , or not at all , stand you in hope .
+Come , come , our empress , with her sacred wit
+To villany and vengeance consecrate ,
+Will we acquaint with all that we intend ;
+And she shall file our engines with advice ,
+That will not suffer you to square yourselves ,
+But to your wishes' height advance you both .
+The emperor's court is like the house of Fame ,
+The palace full of tongues , of eyes , and ears :
+The woods are ruthless , dreadful , deaf , and dull ;
+There speak , and strike , brave boys , and take your turns ;
+There serve your lusts , shadow'd from heaven's eye ,
+And revel in Lavinia's treasury .
+
+Thy counsel , lad , smells of no cowardice .
+
+Sit fas aut nefas , till I find the stream
+To cool this heat , a charm to calm these fits ,
+Per Styga , per manes vehor .
+
+The hunt is up , the morn is bright and grey ,
+The fields are fragrant and the woods are green .
+Uncouple here and let us make a bay ,
+And wake the emperor and his lovely bride ,
+And rouse the prince and ring a hunter's peal ,
+That all the court may echo with the noise .
+Sons , let it be your charge , as it is ours ,
+To attend the emperor's person carefully :
+I have been troubled in my sleep this night ,
+But dawning day new comfort hath inspir'd .
+
+Many good morrows to your majesty ;
+Madam , to you as many and as good ;
+
+I promised your Grace a hunter's peal .
+
+And you have rung it lustily , my lord ;
+Somewhat too early for new-married ladies .
+
+Lavinia , how say you ?
+
+I say , no ;
+I have been broad awake two hours and more .
+
+Come on , then ; horse and chariots let us have ,
+And to our sport .
+
+Madam , now shall ye see
+Our Roman hunting .
+
+I have dogs , my lord ,
+Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase ,
+And climb the highest promontory top .
+
+And I have horse will follow where the game
+Makes way , and run like swallows o'er the plain .
+
+Chiron , we hunt not , we , with horse nor hound ,
+But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground .
+
+
+He that had wit would think that I had none ,
+To bury so much gold under a tree ,
+And never after to inherit it .
+Let him that thinks of me so abjectly
+Know that this gold must coin a stratagem ,
+Which , cunningly effected , will beget
+A very excellent piece of villany :
+And so repose , sweet gold , for their unrest
+That have their alms out of the empress' chest .
+
+My lovely Aaron , wherefore look'st thou sad ,
+When every thing doth make a gleeful boast ?
+The birds chant melody on every bush ,
+The snake lies rolled in the cheerful sun ,
+The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind ,
+And make a chequer'd shadow on the ground .
+Under their sweet shade , Aaron , let us sit ,
+And , whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds ,
+Replying shrilly to the well-tun'd horns ,
+As if a double hunt were heard at once ,
+Let us sit down and mark their yelping noise ;
+And after conflict , such as was suppos'd
+The wandering prince and Dido once enjoy'd ,
+When with a happy storm they were surpris'd ,
+And curtain'd with a counsel-keeping cave ,
+We may , each wreathed in the other's arms ,
+Our pastimes done , possess a golden slumber ;
+Whiles hounds and horns and sweet melodious birds
+Be unto us as is a nurse's song
+Of lullaby to bring her babe asleep .
+
+Madam , though Venus govern your desires ,
+Saturn is dominator over mine :
+What signifies my deadly-standing eye ,
+My silence and my cloudy melancholy ;
+My fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls
+Even as an adder when she doth unroll
+To do some fatal execution ?
+No , madam , these are no venereal signs :
+Vengeance is in my heart , death in my hand ,
+Blood and revenge are hammering in my head .
+Hark , Tamora , the empress of my soul ,
+Which never hopes more heaven than rests in thee ,
+This is the day of doom for Bassianus ;
+His Philomel must lose her tongue to-day ,
+Thy sons make pillage of her chastity ,
+And wash their hands in Bassianus' blood .
+Seest thou this letter ? take it up , I pray thee ,
+And give the king this fatal-plotted scroll .
+Now question me no more ; we are espied ;
+Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty ,
+Which dreads not yet their lives' destruction .
+
+Ah ! my sweet Moor , sweeter to me than life .
+
+No more , great empress ; Bassianus comes :
+Be cross with him ; and I'll go fetch thy sons
+To back thy quarrels , whatsoe'er they be .
+
+Who have we here ? Rome's royal empress ,
+Unfurnish'd of her well-beseeming troop ?
+Or is it Dian , habited like her ,
+Who hath abandoned her holy groves ,
+To see the general hunting in this forest ?
+
+Saucy controller of our private steps !
+Had I the power that some say Dian had ,
+Thy temples should be planted presently
+With horns , as was Act on's ; and the hounds
+Should drive upon thy new-transformed limbs ,
+Unmannerly intruder as thou art !
+
+Under your patience , gentle empress ,
+'Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning ;
+And to be doubted that your Moor and you
+Are singled forth to try experiments .
+Jove shield your husband from his hounds to-day !
+'Tis pity they should take him for a stag .
+
+Believe me , queen , your swarth Cimmerian
+Doth make your honour of his body's hue ,
+Spotted , detested , and abominable .
+Why are you sequester'd from all your train ,
+Dismounted from your snow-white goodly steed ,
+And wander'd hither to an obscure plot ,
+Accompanied but with a barbarous Moor ,
+If foul desire had not conducted you ?
+
+And , being intercepted in your sport ,
+Great reason that my noble lord be rated
+For sauciness . I pray you , let us hence ,
+And let her joy her raven-colour'd love ;
+This valley fits the purpose passing well .
+
+The king my brother shall have note of this .
+
+Ay , for these slips have made him noted long :
+Good king , to be so mightily abus'd !
+
+Why have I patience to endure all this ?
+
+
+How now , dear sovereign , and our gracious mother !
+Why doth your highness look so pale and wan ?
+
+Have I not reason , think you , to look pale ?
+These two have 'tic'd me hither to this place :
+A barren detested vale , you see , it is ;
+The trees , though summer , yet forlorn and lean ,
+O'ercome with moss and baleful mistletoe :
+Here never shines the sun ; here nothing breeds ,
+Unless the nightly owl or fatal raven :
+And when they show'd me this abhorred pit ,
+They told me , here , at dead time of the night ,
+A thousand fiends , a thousand hissing snakes ,
+Ten thousand swelling toads , as many urchins ,
+Would make such fearful and confused cries ,
+As any mortal body hearing it
+Should straight fall mad , or else die suddenly .
+No sooner had they told this hellish tale ,
+But straight they told me they would bind me here
+Unto the body of a dismal yew ,
+And leave me to this miserable death :
+And then they called me foul adulteress ,
+Lascivious Goth , and all the bitterest terms
+That ever ear did hear to such effect ;
+And , had you not by wondrous fortune come ,
+This vengeance on me had they executed .
+Revenge it , as you love your mother's life ,
+Or be ye not henceforth call'd my children .
+
+This is a witness that I am thy son .
+
+
+And this for me , struck home to show my strength .
+
+
+Ay , come , Semiramis , nay , barbarous Tamora ;
+For no name fits thy nature but thy own .
+
+Give me thy poniard ; you shall know , my boys ,
+Your mother's hand shall right your mother's wrong .
+
+Stay , madam ; here is more belongs to her :
+First thrash the corn , than after burn the straw .
+This minion stood upon her chastity ,
+Upon her nuptial vow , her loyalty ,
+And with that painted hope she braves your mightiness :
+And shall she carry this unto her grave ?
+
+An if she do , I would I were an eunuch .
+Drag hence her husband to some secret hole ,
+And make his dead trunk pillow to our lust .
+
+But when ye have the honey ye desire ,
+Let not this wasp outlive , us both to sting .
+
+I warrant you , madam , we will make that sure .
+Come , mistress , now perforce we will enjoy
+That nice-preserved honesty of yours .
+
+O Tamora ! thou bear'st a woman's face ,
+
+I will not hear her speak ; away with her !
+
+Sweet lords , entreat her hear me but a word .
+
+Listen , fair madam : let it be your glory
+To see her tears ; but be your heart to them
+As unrelenting flint to drops of rain .
+
+When did the tiger's young ones teach the dam ?
+O ! do not learn her wrath ; she taught it thee ;
+The milk thou suck'dst from her did turn to marble ;
+Even at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny .
+Yet every mother breeds not sons alike :
+
+
+Do thou entreat her show a woman pity .
+
+What ! wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard ?
+
+'Tis true ! the raven doth not hatch a lark :
+Yet have I heard , O ! could I find it now ,
+The lion mov'd with pity did endure
+To have his princely paws par'd all away .
+Some say that ravens foster forlorn children ,
+The whilst their own birds famish in their nests :
+O ! be to me , though thy hard heart say no ,
+Nothing so kind , but something pitiful .
+
+I know not what it means ; away with her !
+
+O , let me teach thee ! for my father's sake ,
+That gave thee life when well he might have slain thee ,
+Be not obdurate , open thy deaf ears .
+
+Hadst thou in person ne'er offended me ,
+Even for his sake am I pitiless .
+Remember , boys , I pour'd forth tears in vain
+To save your brother from the sacrifice ;
+But fierce Andronicus would not relent :
+Therefore , away with her , and use her as you will :
+The worse to her , the better lov'd of me .
+
+O Tamora ! be call'd a gentle queen ,
+And with thine own hands kill me in this place ;
+For 'tis not life that I have begg'd so long ;
+Poor I was slain when Bassianus died .
+
+What begg'st thou then ? fond woman , let me go .
+
+'Tis present death I beg ; and one thing more
+That womanhood denies my tongue to tell .
+O ! keep me from their worse than killing lust ,
+And tumble me into some loathsome pit ,
+Where never man's eye may behold my body :
+Do this , and be a charitable murderer .
+
+So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee :
+No , let them satisfy their lust on thee .
+
+Away ! for thou hast stay'd us here too long .
+
+No grace ! no womanhood ! Ah , beastly creature ,
+The blot and enemy to our general name .
+Confusion fall
+
+Nay , then I'll stop your mouth . Bring thou her husband :
+This is the hole where Aaron bid us hide him .
+
+Farewell , my sons : see that you make her sure .
+Ne'er let my heart know merry cheer indeed
+Till all the Andronici be made away .
+Now will I hence to seek my lovely Moor ,
+And let my spleenful sons this trull deflower .
+
+Come on , my lords , the better foot before :
+Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit
+Where I espied the panther fast asleep .
+
+My sight is very dull , whate'er it bodes .
+
+And mine , I promise you : were't not for shame ,
+Well could I leave our sport to sleep awhile .
+
+
+What ! art thou fall'n ? What subtle hole is this ,
+Whose mouth is cover'd with rude-growing briers ,
+Upon whose leaves are drops of new-shed blood
+As fresh as morning's dew distill'd on flowers ?
+A very fatal place it seems to me .
+Speak , brother , hast thou hurt thee with the fall ?
+
+O brother ! with the dismall'st object hurt
+That ever eye with sight made heart lament .
+
+Now will I fetch the king to find them here ,
+That he thereby may give a likely guess
+How these were they that made away his brother .
+
+
+Why dost not comfort me , and help me out
+From this unhallow'd and blood-stained hole ?
+
+I am surprised with an uncouth fear ;
+A chilling sweat o'erruns my trembling joints :
+My heart suspects more than mine eye can see .
+
+To prove thou hast a true-divining heart ,
+Aaron and thou look down into this den ,
+And see a fearful sight of blood and death .
+
+Aaron is gone ; and my compassionate heart
+Will not permit mine eyes once to behold
+The thing whereat it trembles by surmise .
+O ! tell me how it is ; for ne'er till now
+Was I a child , to fear I know not what .
+
+Lord Bassianus lies embrewed here ,
+All on a heap , like to a slaughter'd lamb ,
+In this detested , dark , blood-drinking pit .
+
+If it be dark , how dost thou know 'tis he ?
+
+Upon his bloody finger he doth wear
+A precious ring , that lightens all the hole ,
+Which , like a taper in some monument ,
+Doth shine upon the dead man's earthy cheeks ,
+And shows the ragged entrails of the pit :
+So pale did shine the moon on Pyramus
+When he by night lay bath'd in maiden blood .
+O brother ! help me with thy fainting hand ,
+If fear hath made thee faint , as me it hath ,
+Out of this fell devouring receptacle ,
+As hateful as Cocytus' misty mouth .
+
+Reach me thy hand , that I may help thee out ;
+Or , wanting strength to do thee so much good
+I may be pluck'd into the swallowing womb
+Of this deep pit , poor Bassianus' grave .
+I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink .
+
+Nor I no strength to climb without thy help .
+
+Thy hand once more ; I will not loose again ,
+Till thou art here aloft , or I below .
+Thou canst not come to me : I come to thee .
+
+Along with me : I'll see what hole is here ,
+And what he is that now is leap'd into it .
+Say , who art thou that lately didst descend
+Into this gaping hollow of the earth ?
+
+The unhappy son of old Andronicus ;
+Brought hither in a most unlucky hour ,
+To find thy brother Bassianus dead .
+
+My brother dead ! I know thou dost but jest :
+He and his lady both are at the lodge ,
+Upon the north side of this pleasant chase ;
+'Tis not an hour since I left him there .
+
+We know not where you left him all alive ;
+But , out alas ! here have we found him dead .
+
+
+Where is my lord , the king ?
+
+Here , Tamora ; though griev'd with killing grief .
+
+Where is thy brother Bassianus ?
+
+Now to the bottom dost thou search my wound :
+Poor Bassianus here lies murdered .
+
+Then all too late I bring this fatal writ ,
+
+The complot of this timeless tragedy ;
+And wonder greatly that man's face can fold
+In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny .
+
+And if we miss to meet him handsomely ,
+Sweet huntsman , Bassianus 'tis we mean ,
+Do thou so much as dig the grave for him :
+Thou know'st our meaning . Look for thy reward
+Among the nettles at the elder-tree
+Which overshades the mouth of that same pit
+Where we decreed to bury Bassianus :
+Do this , and purchase us thy lasting friends .
+O Tamora ! was ever heard the like ?
+This is the pit , and this the elder-tree .
+Look , sirs , if you can find the huntsman out
+That should have murder'd Bassianus here .
+
+My gracious lord , here is the bag of gold .
+
+Two of thy whelps , fell curs of bloody kind ,
+Have here bereft my brother of his life .
+Sirs , drag them from the pit unto the prison :
+There let them bide until we have devis'd
+Some never-heard-of torturing pain for them .
+
+What ! are they in this pit ? O wondrous thing !
+How easily murder is discovered !
+
+High emperor , upon my feeble knee
+I beg this boon with tears not lightly shed ;
+That this fell fault of my accursed sons ,
+Accursed , if the fault be prov'd in them ,
+
+If it be prov'd ! you see it is apparent .
+Who found this letter ? Tamora , was it you ?
+
+Andronicus himself did take it up .
+
+I did , my lord : yet let me be their bail ;
+For , by my father's reverend tomb , I vow
+They shall be ready at your highness' will
+To answer their suspicion with their lives .
+
+Thou shalt not bail them : see thou follow me .
+Some bring the murder'd body , some the murderers :
+Let them not speak a word ; the guilt is plain ;
+For , by my soul , were there worse end than death ,
+That end upon them should be executed .
+
+Andronicus , I will entreat the king :
+Fear not thy sons , they shall do well enough .
+
+Come , Lucius , come ; stay not to talk with them .
+
+
+So , now go tell , an if thy tongue can speak ,
+Who 'twas that cut thy tongue and ravish'd thee .
+
+Write down thy mind , bewray thy meaning so ;
+An if thy stumps will let thee play the scribe .
+
+See , how with signs and tokens she can scrowl .
+
+Go home , call for sweet water , wash thy hands .
+
+She hath no tongue to call , nor hands to wash ;
+And so let's leave her to her silent walks .
+
+An 'twere my case , I should go hang myself .
+
+If thou hadst hands to help thee knit the cord .
+
+Who's this ? my niece , that flies away so fast ?
+Cousin , a word ; where is your husband ?
+If I do dream , would all my wealth would wake me !
+If I do wake , some planet strike me down ,
+That I may slumber in eternal sleep !
+Speak , gentle niece , what stern ungentle hands
+Have lopp'd and hew'd and made thy body bare
+Of her two branches , those sweet ornaments ,
+Whose circling shadows kings have sought to sleep in ,
+And might not gain so great a happiness
+As have thy love ? Why dost not speak to me ?
+Alas ! a crimson river of warm blood ,
+Like to a bubbling fountain stirr'd with wind ,
+Doth rise and fall between thy rosed lips ,
+Coming and going with thy honey breath .
+But , sure , some Tereus hath deflower'd thee ,
+And , lest thou shouldst detect him , cut thy tongue .
+Ah ! now thou turn'st away thy face for shame ;
+And , notwithstanding all this loss of blood ,
+As from a conduit with three issuing spouts ,
+Yet do thy cheeks look red as Titan's face
+Blushing to be encounter'd with a cloud .
+Shall I speak for thee ? shall I say 'tis so ?
+O ! that I knew thy heart ; and knew the beast ,
+That I might rail at him to ease my mind .
+Sorrow concealed , like to an oven stopp'd ,
+Doth burn the heart to cinders where it is .
+Fair Philomela , she but lost her tongue ,
+And in a tedious sampler sew'd her mind :
+But , lovely niece , that mean is cut from thee ;
+A craftier Tereus hast thou met withal ,
+And he hath cut those pretty fingers off ,
+That could have better sew'd than Philomel .
+O ! had the monster seen those lily hands
+Tremble , like aspen-leaves , upon a lute ,
+And make the silken strings delight to kiss them ,
+He would not , then , have touch'd them for his life ;
+Or had he heard the heavenly harmony
+Which that sweet tongue hath made ,
+He would have dropp'd his knife , and fell asleep ,
+As Cerberus at the Thracian poet's feet .
+Come , let us go , and make thy father blind ;
+For such a sight will blind a father's eye :
+One hour's storm will drown the fragrant meads ;
+What will whole months of tears thy father's eyes ?
+Do not draw back , for we will mourn with thee :
+O ! could our mourning ease thy misery .
+
+Hear me , grave fathers ! noble tribunes , stay !
+For pity of mine age , whose youth was spent
+In dangerous wars , whilst you securely slept ;
+For all my blood in Rome's great quarrel shed ;
+For all the frosty nights that I have watch'd ;
+And for these bitter tears , which now you see
+Filling the aged wrinkles in my cheeks ;
+Be pitiful to my condemned sons ,
+Whose souls are not corrupted as 'tis thought .
+For two and twenty sons I never wept ,
+Because they died in honour's lofty bed .
+For these , these , tribunes , in the dust I write
+
+My heart's deep languor and my soul's sad tears .
+Let my tears stanch the earth's dry appetite ;
+My sons' sweet blood will make it shame and blush .
+
+O earth ! I will befriend thee more with rain ,
+That shall distil from these two ancient urns ,
+Than youthful April shall with all his showers :
+In summer's drought I'll drop upon thee still ;
+In winter with warm tears I'll melt the snow ,
+And keep eternal spring-time on thy face ,
+So thou refuse to drink my dear sons' blood .
+
+
+O reverend tribunes ! O gentle , aged men !
+Unbind my sons , reverse the doom of death :
+And let me say , that never wept before ,
+
+My tears are now prevailing orators .
+
+O noble father , you lament in vain :
+The tribunes hear you not , no man is by ;
+And you recount your sorrows to a stone .
+
+Ah ! Lucius , for thy brothers let me plead .
+Grave tribunes , once more I entreat of you ,
+
+My gracious lord , no tribune hears you speak .
+
+Why , 'tis no matter , man : if they did hear ,
+They would not mark me , or if they did mark ,
+They would not pity me , yet plead I must ,
+All bootless unto them .
+Therefore I tell my sorrows to the stones ,
+Who , though they cannot answer my distress ,
+Yet in some sort they are better than the tribunes ,
+For that they will not intercept my tale .
+When I do weep , they humbly at my feet
+Receive my tears , and seem to weep with me ;
+And , were they but attired in grave weeds ,
+Rome could afford no tribune like to these .
+A stone is soft as wax , tribunes more hard than stones ;
+A stone is silent , and offendeth not ,
+And tribunes with their tongues doom men to death .
+
+But wherefore stand'st thou with thy weapon drawn ?
+
+To rescue my two brothers from their death ;
+For which attempt the judges have pronounc'd
+My everlasting doom of banishment .
+
+O happy man ! they have befriended thee .
+Why , foolish Lucius , dost thou not perceive
+That Rome is but a wilderness of tigers ?
+Tigers must prey ; and Rome affords no prey
+But me and mine : how happy art thou then ,
+From these devourers to be banished !
+But who comes with our brother Marcus here ?
+
+
+Titus , prepare thy aged eyes to weep ;
+Or , if not so , thy noble heart to break :
+I bring consuming sorrow to thine age .
+
+Will it consume me ? let me see it then .
+
+This was thy daughter .
+
+Why , Marcus , so she is .
+
+Ay me ! this object kills me .
+
+Faint-hearted boy , arise , and look upon her .
+Speak , Lavinia , what accursed hand
+Hath made thee handless in thy father's sight ?
+What fool hath added water to the sea ,
+Or brought a faggot to bright-burning Troy ?
+My grief was at the height before thou cam'st ;
+And now , like Nilus , it disdaineth bounds .
+Give me a sword , I'll chop off my hands too ;
+For they have fought for Rome , and all in vain ;
+And they have nurs'd this woe , in feeding life ;
+In bootless prayer have they been held up ,
+And they have serv'd me to effectless use :
+Now all the service I require of them
+Is that the one will help to cut the other .
+'Tis well , Lavinia , that thou hast no hands ,
+For hands , to do Rome service , are but vain .
+
+Speak , gentle sister , who hath martyr'd thee ?
+
+O ! that delightful engine of her thoughts ,
+That blabb'd them with such pleasing eloquence ,
+Is torn from forth that pretty hollow cage ,
+Where , like a sweet melodious bird , it sung
+Sweet varied notes , enchanting every ear .
+
+O ! say thou for her , who hath done this deed ?
+
+O ! thus I found her straying in the park ,
+Seeking to hide herself , as doth the deer ,
+That hath receiv'd some unrecuring wound .
+
+It was my dear ; and he that wounded her
+Hath hurt me more than had he kill'd me dead :
+For now I stand as one upon a rock
+Environ'd with a wilderness of sea ,
+Who marks the waxing tide grow wave by wave ,
+Expecting ever when some envious surge
+Will in his brinish bowels swallow him .
+This way to death my wretched sons are gone ;
+Here stands my other son , a banish'd man ,
+And here my brother , weeping at my woes :
+But that which gives my soul the greatest spurn ,
+Is dear Lavinia , dearer than my soul .
+Had I but seen thy picture in this plight
+It would have madded me : what shall I do
+Now I behold thy lively body so ?
+Thou hast no hands to wipe away thy tears ,
+Nor tongue to tell me who hath martyr'd thee :
+Thy husband he is dead , and for his death
+Thy brothers are condemn'd , and dead by this .
+Look ! Marcus ; ah ! son Lucius , look on her :
+When I did name her brothers , then fresh tears
+Stood on her cheeks , as doth the honey-dew
+Upon a gather'd lily almost wither'd .
+
+Perchance she weeps because they kill'd her husband ;
+Perchance because she knows them innocent .
+
+If they did kill thy husband , then be joyful ,
+Because the law hath ta'en revenge on them .
+No , no , they would not do so foul a deed ;
+Witness the sorrow that their sister makes .
+Gentle Lavinia , let me kiss thy lips ;
+Or make some sign how I may do thee ease .
+Shall thy good uncle , and thy brother Lucius ,
+And thou , and I , sit round about some fountain ,
+Looking all downwards , to behold our cheeks
+How they are stain'd , like meadows yet not dry ,
+With miry alime left on them by a flood ?
+And in the fountain shall we gaze so long
+Till the fresh taste be taken from that clearness ,
+And made a brine-pit with our bitter tears ?
+Or shall we cut away our hands , like thine ?
+Or shall we bite our tongues , and in dumb shows
+Pass the remainder of our hateful days ?
+What shall we do ? let us , that have our tongues ,
+Plot some device of further misery ,
+To make us wonder'd at in time to come .
+
+Sweet father , cease your tears ; for at your grief
+See how my wretched sister sobs and weeps .
+
+Patience , dear niece . Good Titus , dry thine eyes .
+
+Ah ! Marcus , Marcus , brother ; well I wot
+Thy napkin cannot drink a tear of mine ,
+For thou , poor man , hast drown'd it with thine own .
+
+Ah ! my Lavinia , I will wipe thy cheeks .
+
+Mark , Marcus , mark ! I understand her signs :
+Had she a tongue to speak , now would she say
+That to her brother which I said to thee :
+His napkin , with his true tears all bewet ,
+Can do no service on her sorrowful cheeks .
+O ! what a sympathy of woe is this ;
+As far from help as limbo is from bliss .
+
+
+Titus Andronicus , my lord the emperor
+Sends thee this word : that , if thou love thy sons ,
+Let Marcus , Lucius , or thyself , old Titus ,
+Or any one of you , chop off your hand ,
+And send it to the king : he for the same
+Will send thee hither both thy sons alive ;
+And that shall be the ransom for their fault .
+
+O gracious emperor ! O gentle Aaron !
+Did ever raven sing so like a lark ,
+That gives sweet tidings of the sun's uprise ?
+With all my heart , I'll send the emperor my hand :
+Good Aaron , wilt thou help to chop it off ?
+
+Stay , father ! for that noble hand of thine ,
+That hath thrown down so many enemies ,
+Shall not be sent ; my hand will serve the turn :
+My youth can better spare my blood than you ;
+And therefore mine shall save my brothers' lives .
+
+Which of your hands hath not defended Rome ,
+And rear'd aloft the bloody battle-axe ,
+Writing destruction on the enemy's castle ?
+O ! none of both but are of high desert :
+My hand hath been but idle ; let it serve
+To ransom my two nephews from their death ;
+Then have I kept it to a worthy end .
+
+Nay , come , agree whose hand shall go along ,
+For fear they die before their pardon come .
+
+My hand shall go .
+
+By heaven , it shall not go !
+
+Sirs , strive no more : such wither'd herbs as these
+Are meet for plucking up , and therefore mine .
+
+Sweet father , if I shall be thought thy son ,
+Let me redeem my brothers both from death .
+
+And for our father's sake , and mother's care ,
+Now let me show a brother's love to thee .
+
+Agree between you ; I will spare my hand .
+
+Then I'll go fetch an axe .
+
+But I will use the axe .
+
+
+Come hither , Aaron ; I'll deceive them both :
+Lend me thy hand , and I will give thee mine .
+
+If that be call'd deceit , I will be honest ,
+And never , whilst I live , deceive men so :
+But I'll deceive you in another sort ,
+And that you'll say , ere half an hour pass .
+
+Now stay your strife : what shall be is dispatch'd .
+Good Aaron , give his majesty my hand :
+Tell him it was a hand that warded him
+From thousand dangers ; bid him bury it ;
+More hath it merited ; that let it have .
+As for my sons , say I account of them
+As jewels purchas'd at an easy price ;
+And yet dear too , because I bought mine own .
+
+I go , Andronicus ; and for thy hand ,
+Look by and by to have thy sons with thee .
+
+
+Their heads , I mean . O ! how this villany
+Doth fat me with the very thoughts of it .
+Let fools do good , and fair men call for grace ,
+Aaron will have his soul black like his face .
+
+
+O ! here I lift this one hand up to heaven ,
+And how this feeble ruin to the earth :
+If any power pities wretched tears ,
+To that I call !
+
+What ! wilt thou kneel with me ?
+Do , then , dear heart ; for heaven shall hear our prayers ,
+Or with our sighs we'll breathe the welkin dim ,
+And stain the sun with fog , as sometime clouds
+When they do hug him in their melting bosoms .
+
+O ! brother , speak with possibilities ,
+And do not break into these deep extremes .
+
+Is not my sorrow deep , having no bottom ?
+Then be my passions bottomless with them .
+
+But yet let reason govern thy lament .
+
+If there were reason for these miseries ,
+Then into limits could I bind my woes .
+When heaven doth weep , doth not the earth o'erflow ?
+If the winds rage , doth not the sea wax mad ,
+Threat'ning the welkin with his big-swoln face ?
+And wilt thou have a reason for this coil ?
+I am the sea ; hark ! how her sighs do blow ;
+She is the weeping welkin , I the earth :
+Then must my sea be moved with her sighs ;
+Then must my earth with her continual tears
+Become a deluge , overflow'd and drown'd ;
+For why my bowels cannot hide her woes ,
+But like a drunkard must I vomit them .
+Then give me leave , for losers will have leave
+To ease their stomachs with their bitter tongues .
+
+
+Worthy Andronicus , ill art thou repaid
+For that good hand thou sent'st the emperor .
+Here are the heads of thy two noble sons ,
+And here's thy hand , in scorn to thee sent back :
+Thy griefs their sports , thy resolution mock'd ;
+That woe is me to think upon thy woes ,
+More than remembrance of my father's death .
+
+
+Now let hot tna cool in Sicily ,
+And be my heart an ever burning hell !
+These miseries are more than may be borne .
+To weep with them that weep doth ease some deal ,
+But sorrow flouted at is double death .
+
+Ah ! that this sight should make so deep a wound ,
+And yet detested life not shrink thereat ,
+That ever death should let life bear his name ,
+Where life hath no more interest but to breathe .
+
+
+Alas ! poor heart ; that kiss is comfortless
+As frozen water to a starved snake .
+
+When will this fearful slumber have an end ?
+
+Now , farewell , flattery : die , Andronicus ;
+Thou dost not slumber : see , thy two sons' heads ,
+Thy war-like hand , thy mangled daughter here ;
+Thy other banish'd son , with this dear sight
+Struck pale and bloodless ; and thy brother , I ,
+Even like a stony image , cold and numb .
+Ah ! now no more will I control thy griefs .
+Rent off thy silver hair , thy other hand
+Gnawing with thy teeth ; and be this dismal sight
+The closing up of our most wretched eyes !
+Now is a time to storm ; why art thou still ?
+
+Ha , ha , ha !
+
+Why dost thou laugh ? it fits not with this hour .
+
+Why , I have not another tear to shed :
+Besides , this sorrow is an enemy ,
+And would usurp upon my watery eyes ,
+And make them blind with tributary tears :
+Then which way shall I find Revenge's cave ?
+For these two heads do seem to speak to me ,
+And threat me I shall never come to bliss
+Till all these mischiefs be return'd again
+Even in their throats that have committed them .
+Come , let me see what task I have to do .
+You heavy people , circle me about ,
+That I may turn me to each one of you ,
+And swear unto my soul to right your wrongs .
+The vow is made . Come , brother , take a head ;
+And in this hand the other will I bear .
+Lavinia , thou shalt be employ'd in these things :
+Bear thou my hand , sweet wench , between thy teeth .
+As for thee , boy , go get thee from my sight ;
+Thou art an exile , and thou must not stay :
+Hie to the Goths , and raise an army there :
+And if you love me , as I think you do ,
+Let's kiss and part , for we have much to do .
+
+
+Farewell , Andronicus , my noble father ;
+The woefull'st man that ever liv'd in Rome :
+Farewell , proud Rome ; till Lucius come again ,
+He leaves his pledges dearer than his life .
+Farewell , Lavinia , my noble sister ;
+O ! would thou wert as thou tofore hast been ;
+But now nor Lucius nor Lavinia lives
+But in oblivion and hateful griefs .
+If Lucius live , he will requite your wrongs ,
+And make proud Saturnine and his empress
+Beg at the gates like Tarquin and his queen .
+Now will I to the Goths , and raise a power ,
+To be reveng'd on Rome and Saturnine .
+
+
+So , so ; now sit ; and look you eat no more
+Than will preserve just so much strength in us
+As will revenge these bitter woes of ours .
+Marcus , unknit that sorrow-wreathen knot :
+Thy niece and I , poor creatures , want our hands ,
+And cannot passionate our ten-fold grief
+With folded arms . This poor right hand of mine
+Is left to tyrannize upon my breast ;
+And when my heart , all mad with misery ,
+Beats in this hollow prison of my flesh ,
+Then thus I thump it down .
+
+
+Thou map of woe , that thus dost talk in signs !
+When thy poor heart beats with outrageous beating
+Thou canst not strike it thus to make it still .
+Wound it with sighing , girl , kill it with groans ;
+Or get some little knife between thy teeth ,
+And just against thy heart make thou a hole ;
+That all the tears that thy poor eyes let fall
+May run into that sink , and , soaking in ,
+Drown the lamenting fool in sea-salt tears .
+
+Fie , brother , fie ! teach her not thus to lay
+Such violent hands upon her tender life .
+
+How now ! has sorrow made thee dote already ?
+Why , Marcus , no man should be mad but I .
+What violent hands can she lay on her life ?
+Ah ! wherefore dost thou urge the name of hands ;
+To bid aeas tell the tale twice o'er ,
+How Troy was burnt and he made miserable ?
+O ! handle not the theme , to talk of hands ,
+Lest we remember still that we have none .
+Fie , fie ! how franticly I square my talk ,
+As if we should forget we had no hands ,
+If Marcus did not name the word of hands .
+Come , let's fall to ; and , gentle girl , eat this :
+Here is no drink . Hark , Marcus , what she says ;
+I can interpret all her martyr'd signs :
+She says she drinks no other drink but tears ,
+Brew'd with her sorrow , mash'd upon her cheeks .
+Speechless complainer , I will learn thy thought ;
+In thy dumb action will I be as perfect
+As begging hermits in their holy prayers :
+Thou shalt not sigh , nor hold thy stumps to heaven ,
+Nor wink , nor nod , nor kneel , nor make a sign ,
+But I of these will wrest an alphabet ,
+And by still practice learn to know thy meaning .
+
+Good grandsire , leave these bitter deep laments :
+Make my aunt merry with some pleasing tale .
+
+Alas ! the tender boy , in passion mov'd ,
+Doth weep to see his grandsire's heaviness .
+
+Peace , tender sapling ; thou art made of tears ,
+And tears will quickly melt thy life away .
+
+What dost thou strike at , Marcus , with thy knife ?
+
+At that that I have kill'd , my lord ; a fly .
+
+Out on thee , murderer ! thou kill'st my heart ;
+Mine eyes are cloy'd with view of tyranny :
+A deed of death , done on the innocent ,
+Becomes not Titus' brother . Get thee gone ;
+I see , thou art not for my company .
+
+Alas ! my lord , I have but kill'd a fly .
+
+But how if that fly had a father and a mother ?
+How would he hang his slender gilded wings
+And buzz lamenting doings in the air !
+Poor harmless fly ,
+That , with his pretty buzzing melody ,
+Came here to make us merry ! and thou hast kill'd him .
+
+Pardon me , sir ; it was a black ill-favour'd fly ,
+Like to the empress' Moor ; therefore I kill'd him .
+
+O , O , O !
+Then pardon me for reprehending thee ,
+For thou hast done a charitable deed .
+Give me thy knife , I will insult on him ;
+Flattering myself , as if it were the Moor
+Come hither purposely to poison me .
+There's for thyself , and that's for Tamora .
+Ah ! sirrah .
+Yet I think we are not brought so low ,
+But that between us we can kill a fly
+That comes in likeness of a coal-black Moor .
+
+Alas ! poor man ; grief has so wrought on him ,
+He takes false shadows for true substances .
+
+Come , take away . Lavinia , go with me :
+I'll to thy closet ; and go read with thee
+Sad stories chanced in the times of old .
+Come , boy , and go with me : thy sight is young ,
+And thou shalt read when mine begins to dazzle .
+
+Help , grandsire , help ! my aunt Lavinia
+Follows me everywhere , I know not why :
+Good uncle Marcus , see how swift she comes :
+Alas ! sweet aunt , I know not what you mean .
+
+Stand by me , Lucius ; do not fear thine aunt .
+
+She loves thee , boy , too well to do thee harm .
+
+Ay , when my father was in Rome , she did .
+
+What means my niece Lavinia by these signs ?
+
+Fear her not , Lucius : somewhat doth she mean .
+See , Lucius , see how much she makes of thee ;
+Somewhither would she have thee go with her .
+Ah ! boy ; Cornelia never with more care
+Read to her sons , than she hath read to thee
+Sweet poetry and Tully's Orator .
+
+Canst thou not guess wherefore she plies thee thus ?
+
+My lord , I know not , I , nor can I guess ,
+Unless some fit or frenzy do possess her ;
+For I have heard my grandsire say full oft ,
+Extremity of griefs would make men mad ;
+And I have read that Hecuba of Troy
+Ran mad through sorrow ; that made me to fear ,
+Although , my lord , I know my noble aunt
+Loves me as dear as e'er my mother did ,
+And would not , but in fury , fright my youth ;
+Which made me down to throw my books and fly ,
+Causeless , perhaps . But pardon me , sweet aunt ;
+And , madam , if my uncle Marcus go ,
+I will most willingly attend your ladyship .
+
+Lucius , I will .
+
+
+How now , Lavinia ! Marcus , what means this ?
+Some book there is that she desires to see .
+Which is it , girl , of these ? Open them , boy .
+But thou art deeper read , and better skill'd ;
+Come , and take choice of all my library ,
+And so beguile thy sorrow , till the heavens
+Reveal the damn'd contriver of this deed .
+Why lifts she up her arms in sequence thus ?
+
+I think she means that there was more than one
+Confederate in the fact : ay , more there was ;
+Or else to heaven she heaves them for revenge .
+
+Lucius ; what book is that she tosseth so ?
+
+Grandsire , 'tis Ovid's Metamorphoses ;
+My mother gave it me .
+
+For love of her that's gone ,
+Perhaps , she cull'd it from among the rest .
+
+Soft ! see how busily she turns the leaves !
+
+What would she find ? Lavinia , shall I read ?
+This is the tragic tale of Philomel ,
+And treats of Tereus' treason and his rape ;
+And rape , I fear , was root of thine annoy .
+
+See , brother , see ! note how she quotes the leaves .
+
+Lavinia , wert thou thus surpris'd , sweet girl ,
+Ravish'd and wrong'd , as Philomela was ,
+Forc'd in the ruthless , vast , and gloomy woods ?
+See , see !
+Ay , such a place there is , where we did hunt ,
+O ! had we never , never hunted there ,
+Pattern'd by that the poet here describes ,
+By nature made for murders and for rapes .
+
+O ! why should nature build so foul a den ,
+Unless the gods delight in tragedies ?
+
+Give signs , sweet girl , for here are none but friends ,
+What Roman lord it was durst do the deed :
+Or slunk not Saturnine , as Tarquin erst ,
+That left the camp to sin in Lucrece' bed ?
+
+Sit down , sweet niece : brother , sit down by me .
+Apollo , Pallas , Jove , or Mercury ,
+Inspire me , that I may this treason find !
+My lord , look here ; look here , Lavinia :
+This sandy plot is plain ; guide , if thou canst ,
+This after me .
+
+I have writ my name
+Without the help of any hand at all .
+Curs'd be that heart that forc'd us to this shift !
+Write thou , good niece , and here display at last
+What God will have discover'd for revenge .
+Heaven guide thy pen to print thy sorrows plain ,
+That we may know the traitors and the truth !
+
+
+O ! do you read , my lord , what she hath writ ?
+Stuprum , Chiron , Demetrius .
+
+What , what ! the lustful sons of Tamora
+Performers of this heinous , bloody deed ?
+
+Magni dominator poli ,
+Tam lentus audis scelera ? tam lentus vides ?
+
+O ! calm thee , gentle lord ; although I know
+There is enough written upon this earth
+To stir a mutiny in the mildest thoughts
+And arm the minds of infants to exclaims .
+My lord , kneel down with me ; Lavinia , kneel ;
+And kneel , sweet boy , the Roman Hector's hope ;
+And swear with me , as , with the woeful fere
+And father of that chaste dishonour'd dame ,
+Lord Junius Brutus sware for Lucrece' rape ,
+That we will prosecute by good advice
+Mortal revenge upon these traitorous Goths ,
+And see their blood , or die with this reproach .
+
+'Tis sure enough , an you knew how ;
+But if you hunt these bear-whelps , then beware :
+The dam will wake , an if she wind you once :
+She's with the lion deeply still in league ,
+And lulls him whilst she playeth on her back ,
+And when he sleeps will she do what she list .
+You're a young huntsman , Marcus ; let it alone ;
+And , come , I will go get a leaf of brass ,
+And with a gad of steel will write these words ,
+And lay it by : the angry northern wind
+Will blow these sands like Sibyl's leaves abroad ,
+And where's your lesson then ? Boy , what say you ?
+
+I say , my lord , that if I were a man ,
+Their mother's bed-chamber should not be safe
+For these bad bondmen to the yoke of Rome .
+
+Ay , that's my boy ! thy father hath full oft
+For his ungrateful country done the like .
+
+And , uncle , so will I , an if I live .
+
+Come , go with me into mine armoury :
+Lucius , I'll fit thee ; and withal my boy
+Shall carry from me to the empress' sons
+Presents that I intend to send them both :
+Come , come ; thou'lt do thy message , wilt thou not ?
+
+Ay , with my dagger in their bosoms , grandsire .
+
+No , boy , not so ; I'll teach thee another course .
+Lavinia , come . Marcus , look to my house ;
+Lucius and I'll go brave it at the court :
+Ay , marry , will we , sir ; and we'll be waited on .
+
+
+O heavens ! can you hear a good man groan ,
+And not relent or not compassion him ?
+Marcus , attend him in his ecstasy ,
+That hath more scars of sorrow in his heart
+Than foemen's marks upon his batter'd shield ;
+But yet so just that he will not revenge .
+Revenge , ye heavens , for old Andronicus !
+
+
+Demetrius , here's the son of Lucius ;
+He hath some message to deliver us .
+
+Ay , some mad message from his mad grandfather .
+
+My lords , with all the humbleness I may ,
+I greet your honours from Andronicus ;
+
+
+And pray the Roman gods , confound you both !
+
+Gramercy , lovely Lucius : what's the news ?
+
+That you are both decipher'd , that's the news ,
+For villains mark'd with rape .
+
+May it please you ,
+My grandsire , well advis'd , hath sent by me
+The goodliest weapons of his armoury ,
+To gratify your honourable youth ,
+The hope of Rome , for so he bade me say ;
+And so I do , and with his gifts present
+Your lordships , that whenever you have need ,
+You may be armed and appointed well .
+And so I leave you both :
+
+like bloody villains .
+
+
+What's here ? A scroll ; and written round about ?
+Let's see :
+
+'Integer vit , scelerisque purus ,
+Non eget Mauri jaculis , nec arcu .
+
+
+O ! 'tis a verse in Horace ; I know it well :
+I read it in the grammar long ago .
+
+Ay just , a verse in Horace ; right , you have it .
+
+
+Now , what a thing it is to be an ass !
+Here's no sound jest ! the old man hath found their guilt
+And sends them weapons wrapp'd about with lines ,
+That wound , beyond their feeling , to the quick ;
+But were our witty empress well afoot ,
+She would applaud Andronicus' conceit :
+But let her rest in her unrest awhile .
+
+
+And now , young lords , was't not a happy star
+Led us to Rome , strangers , and more than so ,
+Captives , to be advanced to this height ?
+It did me good before the palace gate
+To brave the tribune in his brother's hearing .
+
+But me more good , to see so great a lord
+Basely insinuate and send us gifts .
+
+Had he not reason , Lord Demetrius ?
+Did you not use his daughter very friendly ?
+
+I would we had a thousand Roman dames
+At such a bay , by turn to serve our lust .
+
+A charitable wish and full of love .
+
+Here lacks but your mother for to say amen .
+
+And that would she for twenty thousand more .
+
+Come , let us go and pray to all the gods
+For our beloved mother in her pains .
+
+Pray to the devils ; the gods have given us over .
+
+
+Why do the emperor's trumpets flourish thus ?
+
+Belike , for joy the emperor hath a son .
+
+Soft ! who comes here ?
+
+
+Good morrow , lords . O ! tell me , did you see
+Aaron the Moor ?
+
+Well , more or less , or ne'er a whit at all ,
+Here Aaron is ; and what with Aaron now ?
+
+O gentle Aaron ! we are all undone .
+Now help , or woe betide thee evermore !
+
+Why , what a caterwauling dost thou keep !
+What dost thou wrap and fumble in thine arms ?
+
+O ! that which I would hide from heaven's eye ,
+Our empress' shame , and stately Rome's disgrace !
+She is deliver'd , lords , she is deliver'd .
+
+To whom ?
+
+I mean , she's brought a-bed .
+
+Well , God give her good rest ! What hath he sent her ?
+
+A devil .
+
+Why , then she's the devil's dam : a joyful issue .
+
+A joyless , dismal , black , and sorrowful issue .
+Here is the babe , as loathsome as a toad
+Amongst the fairest breeders of our clime .
+The empress sends it thee , thy stamp , thy seal ,
+And bids thee christen it with thy dagger's point .
+
+'Zounds , ye whore ! is black so base a hue ?
+Sweet blowse , you are a beauteous blossom , sure .
+
+Villain , what hast thou done ?
+
+That which thou canst not undo .
+
+Thou hast undone our mother .
+
+Villain , I have done thy mother .
+
+And therein , hellish dog , thou hast undone .
+Woe to her chance , and damn'd her loathed choice !
+Accurs'd the offspring of so foul a fiend !
+
+It shall not live .
+
+It shall not die .
+
+Aaron , it must ; the mother wills it so .
+
+What ! must it , nurse ? then let no man but I
+Do execution on my flesh and blood .
+
+I'll broach the tadpole on my rapier's point :
+Nurse , give it me ; my sword shall soon dispatch it .
+
+Sooner this sword shall plough thy bowels up .
+
+Stay , murderous villains ! will you kill your brother ?
+Now , by the burning tapers of the sky ,
+That shone so brightly when this boy was got ,
+He dies upon my scimitar's sharp point
+That touches this my first-born son and heir .
+I tell you , younglings , not Enceladus ,
+With all his threatening band of Typhon's brood ,
+Nor great Alcides , nor the god of war ,
+Shall seize this prey out of his father's hands .
+What , what , ye sanguine , shallow-hearted boys !
+Ye white-lim'd walls ! ye alehouse painted signs !
+Coal-black is better than another hue ,
+In that it scorns to bear another hue ;
+For all the water in the ocean
+Can never turn the swan's black legs to white ,
+Although she lave them hourly in the flood .
+Tell the empress from me , I am of age
+To keep mine own , excuse it how she can .
+
+Wilt thou betray thy noble mistress thus ?
+
+My mistress is my mistress ; this myself ;
+The vigour , and the picture of my youth :
+This before all the world do I prefer ;
+This maugre all the world will I keep safe ,
+Or some of you shall smoke for it in Rome .
+
+By this our mother is for ever sham'd .
+
+Rome will despise her for this foul escape .
+
+The emperor in his rage will doom her death .
+
+I blush to think upon this ignomy .
+
+Why , there's the privilege your beauty bears .
+Fie , treacherous hue ! that will betray with blushing
+The close enacts and counsels of the heart :
+Here's a young lad fram'd of another leer :
+Look how the black slavesmiles upon the father ,
+As who should say , 'Old lad , I am thine own .'
+He is your brother , lords , sensibly fed
+Of that self blood that first gave life to you ;
+And from that womb where you imprison'd were
+He is enfranchised and come to light :
+Nay , he is your brother by the surer side ,
+Although my seal be stamped in his face .
+
+Aaron , what shall I say unto the empress ?
+
+Advise thee , Aaron , what is to be done ,
+And we will all subscribe to thy advice :
+Save thou the child , so we may all be safe .
+
+Then sit we down , and let us all consult ,
+My son and I will have the wind of you :
+Keep there ; now talk at pleasure of your safety .
+
+
+How many women saw this child of his ?
+
+Why , so , brave lords ! when we join in league ,
+I am a lamb ; but if you brave the Moor ,
+The chafed boar , the mountain lioness ,
+The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms .
+But say , again , how many saw the child ?
+
+Cornelia the midwife , and myself ,
+And no one else but the deliver'd empress .
+
+The empress , the midwife , and yourself :
+Two may keep counsel when the third's away .
+Go to the empress ; tell her this I said :
+
+'Weke , weke !'
+So cries a pig prepared to the spit .
+
+What mean'st thou , Aaron ? Wherefore didst thou this ?
+
+O lord , sir , 'tis a deed of policy :
+Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours ,
+A long-tongu'd babbling gossip ? no , lords , no .
+And now be it known to you my full intent .
+Not far , one Muli lives , my countryman ;
+His wife but yesternight was brought to bed .
+His child is like to her , fair as you are :
+Go pack with him , and give the mother gold ,
+And tell them both the circumstance of all ,
+And how by this their child shall be advanc'd ,
+And be received for the emperor's heir ,
+And substituted in the place of mine ,
+To calm this tempest whirling in the court ;
+And let the emperor dandle him for his own .
+Hark ye , lords ; you see , I have given her physic ,
+
+And you must needs bestow her funeral ;
+The fields are near , and you are gallant grooms .
+This done , see that you take no longer days ,
+But send the midwife presently to me .
+The midwife and the nurse well made away ,
+Then let the ladies tattle what they please .
+
+Aaron , I see thou wilt not trust the air
+With secrets .
+
+For this care of Tamora ,
+Herself and hers are highly hound to thee .
+
+
+Now to the Goths , as swift as swallow flies :
+There to dispose this treasure in mine arms ,
+And secretly to greet the empress' friends .
+Come on , you thick-lipp'd slave , I'll bear you hence ;
+For it is you that puts us to our shifts :
+I'll make you feed on berries and on roots ,
+And feed on curds and whey , and suck the goat ,
+And cabin in a cave , and bring you up
+To be a warrior , and command a camp .
+
+
+Come , Marcus , come ; kinsmen , this is the way .
+Sir boy , now let me see your archery :
+Look ye draw home enough , and 'tis there straight .
+Terras Astr a reliquit :
+Be you remember'd , Marcus , she's gone , she's fled .
+Sirs , take you to your tools . You , cousins , shall
+Go sound the ocean , and cast your nets ;
+Happily you may find her in the sea ;
+Yet there's as little justice as at land .
+No ; Publius and Sempronius , you must do it ;
+'Tis you must dig with mattock and with spade ,
+And pierce the inmost centre of the earth :
+Then , when you come to Pluto's region ,
+I pray you , deliver him this petition ;
+Tell him , it is for justice and for aid ,
+And that it comes from old Andronicus ,
+Shaken with sorrows in ungrateful Rome .
+Ah ! Rome . Well , well ; I made thee miserable
+What time I threw the people's suffrages
+On him that thus doth tyrannize o'er me .
+Go , get you gone ; and pray be careful all ,
+And leave you not a man-of-war unsearch'd :
+This wicked emperor may have shipp'd her hence ;
+And , kinsmen , then we may go pipe for justice .
+
+O Publius ! is not this a heavy case ,
+To see thy noble uncle thus distract ?
+
+Therefore , my lord , it highly us concerns
+By day and night to attend him carefully ,
+And feed his humour kindly as we may ,
+Till time beget some careful remedy .
+
+Kinsmen , his sorrows are past remedy .
+Join with the Goths , and with revengeful war
+Take wreak on Rome for this ingratitude ,
+And vengeance on the traitor Saturnine .
+
+Publius , how now ! how now , my masters !
+What ! have you met with her ?
+
+No , my good lord ; but Pluto sends you word ,
+If you will have Revenge from hell , you shall :
+Marry , for Justice , she is so employ'd ,
+He thinks , with Jove in heaven , or somewhere else ,
+So that perforce you must needs stay a time .
+
+He doth me wrong to feed me with delays .
+I'll dive into the burning lake below ,
+And pull her out of Acheron by the heels .
+Marcus , we are but shrubs , no cedars we ;
+No big-bon'd men fram'd of the Cyclops' size ;
+But metal , Marcus , steel to the very back ,
+Yet wrung with wrongs more than our backs can bear :
+And sith there's no justice in earth nor hell ,
+We will solicit heaven and move the gods
+To send down Justice for to wreak our wrongs .
+Come , to this gear . You are a good archer , Marcus .
+
+Ad Javem , that's for you : here , ad Apollinem :
+Ad Martem , that's for myself :
+Here , boy , to Pallas : here , to Mercury :
+To Saturn , Caius , not to Saturnine ;
+You were as good to shoot against the wind .
+To it , boy ! Marcus , loose when I bid .
+Of my word , I have written to effect ;
+There's not a god left unsolicited .
+
+Kinsmen , shoot all your shafts into the court :
+We will afflict the emperor in his pride .
+
+Now , masters , draw .
+
+O ! well said , Lucius !
+Good boy , in Virgo's lap : give it Pallas .
+
+My lord , I aim a mile beyond the moon ;
+Your letter is with Jupiter by this .
+
+Ha ! Publius , Publius , what hast thou done ?
+See , see ! thou hast shot off one of Taurus' horns .
+
+This was the sport , my lord : when Publius shot ,
+The Bull , being gall'd , gave Aries such a knock
+That down fell both the Ram's horns in the court ;
+And who should find them but the empress' villain ?
+She laugh'd , and told the Moor , he should not choose
+But give them to his master for a present .
+
+Why , there it goes : God give his lordship joy !
+
+
+News ! news from heaven ! Marcus , the post is come .
+Sirrah , what tidings ? have you any letters ?
+
+Shall I have justice ? what says Jupiter ?
+
+O ! tho gibbet-maker ? He says that he hath taken them down again , for the man must not be hanged till the next week .
+
+But what says Jupiter , I ask thee ?
+
+Alas ! sir , I know not Jupiter ; I never drank with him in all my life .
+
+Why , villain , art not thou the carrier ?
+
+Ay , of my pigeons , sir ; nothing else .
+
+Why , didst thou not come from heaven ?
+
+From heaven ! alas ! sir , I never came there . God forbid I should be so bold to press to heaven in my young days . Why , I am going with my pigeons to the tribunal plebs , to take up a matter of brawl betwixt my uncle and one of the emperial's men .
+
+Why , sir , that is as fit as can be to serve for your oration ; and let him deliver the pigeons to the emperor from you .
+
+Tell me , can you deliver an oration to the emperor with a grace ?
+
+Nay , truly , sir , I could never say grace in all my life .
+
+Sirrah , come hither : make no more ado ,
+But give your pigeons to the emperor :
+By me thou shalt have justice at his hands .
+Hold , hold ; meanwhile , here's money for thy charges .
+Give me pen and ink .
+Sirrah , can you with a grace deliver a supplication ?
+
+Ay , sir .
+
+Then here is a supplication for you . And when you come to him , at the first approach you must kneel ; then kiss his foot ; then deliver up your pigeons ; and then look for your reward . I'll be at hand , sir ; see you do it bravely .
+
+I warrant you , sir ; let me alone .
+
+Sirrah , hast thou a knife ? Come , let me see it .
+Here , Marcus , fold it in the oration ;
+For thou hast made it like a humble suppliant :
+And when thou hast given it to the emperor ,
+Knock at my door , and tell me what he says .
+
+God be with you , sir ; I will .
+
+Come , Marcus , let us go . Publius , follow me .
+
+Why , lords , what wrongs are these ! Was ever seen
+An emperor of Rome thus overborne ,
+Troubled , confronted thus ; and , for the extent
+Of egal justice , us'd in such contempt ?
+My lords , you know , as do the mightful gods ,
+However these disturbers of our peace
+Buzz in the people's ears ,there nought hath pass'd ,
+But even with law , against the wilful sons
+Of old Andronicus . And what an if
+His sorrows have so overwhelm'd his wits ,
+Shall we be thus afflicted in his wreaks ,
+His fits , his frenzy , and his bitterness ?
+And now he writes to heaven for his redress :
+See , here's to Jove , and this to Mercury ;
+This to Apollo ; this to the god of war ;
+Sweet scrolls to fly about the streets of Rome !
+What's this but libelling against the senate ,
+And blazoning our injustice every where ?
+A goodly humour , is it not , my lords ?
+As who would say , in Rome no justice were .
+But if I live , his feigned ecstasies
+Shall be no shelter to these outrages ;
+But he and his shall know that justice lives
+In Saturninus' health ; whom , if she sleep ,
+He'll so awake , as she in fury shall
+Cut off the proud'st conspirator that lives .
+
+My gracious lord , my lovely Saturnine ,
+Lord of my life , commander of my thoughts ,
+Calm thee , and bear the faults of Titus' age ,
+The effects of sorrow for his valiant sons ,
+Whose loss hath pierc'd him deep and scarr'd his heart ;
+And rather comfort his distressed plight
+Than prosecute the meanest or the best
+For these contempts .
+
+Why , thus it shall become
+High-witted Tamora to gloze with all :
+But , Titus , I have touch'd thee to the quick ,
+Thy life-blood out : if Aaron now be wise ,
+Then is all safe , the anchor's in the port .
+
+How now , good fellow ! wouldst thou speak with us ?
+
+Yea , forsooth , an your mistership be emperial .
+
+Empress I am , but yonder sits the emperor .
+
+'Tis he . God and Saint Stephen give you good den .
+I have brought you a letter and a couple of pigeons here .
+
+
+Go , take him away , and hang him presently .
+
+How much money must I have ?
+
+Come , sirrah , you must be hanged .
+
+Hanged ! By 'r , lady , then I have brought up a neck to a fair end .
+
+
+Despiteful and intolerable wrongs !
+Shall I endure this monstrous villany ?
+I know from whence this same device proceeds :
+May this be borne ? As if his traitorous sons ,
+That died by law for murder of our brother ,
+Have by my means been butcher'd wrongfully !
+Go , drag the villain hither by the hair ;
+Nor age nor honour shall shape privilege .
+For this proud mock I'll be thy slaughterman ;
+Sly frantic wretch , that holp'st to make me great ,
+In hope thyself should govern Rome and me .
+
+What news with thee , milius ?
+
+Arm , arm , my lord ! Rome never had more cause .
+The Goths have gather'd head , and with a power
+Of high-resolved men , bent to the spoil ,
+They hither march amain , under conduct
+Of Lucius , son to old Andronicus ;
+Who threats , in course of this revenge , to do
+As much as ever Coriolanus did .
+
+Is war-like Lucius general of the Goths ?
+These tidings nip me , and I hang the head
+As flowers with frost or grass beat down with storms .
+Ay , now begin our sorrows to approach :
+'Tis he the common people love so much ;
+Myself hath often heard them say ,
+When I have walked like a private man ,
+That Lucius' banishment was wrongfully ,
+And they have wish'd that Lucius were their emperor .
+
+Why should you fear ? is not your city strong ?
+
+Ay , but the citizens favour Lucius ,
+And will revolt from me to succour him .
+
+King , be thy thoughts imperious , like thy name .
+Is the sun dimm'd , that gnats do fly in it ?
+The eagle suffers little birds to sing ,
+And is not careful what they mean thereby ,
+Knowing that with the shadow of his wings
+He can at pleasure stint their melody ;
+Even so mayst thou the giddy men of Rome .
+Then cheer thy spirit ; for know , thou emperor ,
+I will enchant the old Andronicus
+With words more sweet , and yet more dangerous ,
+Than baits to fish , or honey-stalks to sheep ,
+Whenas the one is wounded with the bait ,
+The other rotted with delicious feed .
+
+But he will not entreat his son for us .
+
+If Tamora entreat him , then he will :
+For I can smooth and fill his aged ear
+With golden promises , that , were his heart
+Almost impregnable , his old ears deaf ,
+Yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue .
+
+
+Go thou before , be our ambassador :
+Say that the emperor requests a parley
+Of war-like Lucius , and appoint the meeting ,
+Even at his father's house , the old Andronicus .
+
+milius , do this message honourably :
+And if he stand on hostage for his safety ,
+Bid him demand what pledge will please him best .
+
+Your bidding shall I do effectually .
+
+
+Now will I to that old Andronicus ,
+And temper him with all the art I have ,
+To pluck proud Lucius from the war-like Goths .
+And now , sweet emperor , be blithe again ,
+And bury all thy fear in my devices .
+
+Then go successantly , and plead to him .
+
+Approved warriors , and my faithful friends ,
+I have received letters from great Rome ,
+Which signify what hate they bear their emperor ,
+And how desirous of our sight they are .
+Therefore , great lords , be , as your titles witness ,
+Imperious and impatient of your wrongs ;
+And wherein Rome hath done you any scath ,
+Let him make treble satisfaction .
+
+Brave slip , sprung from the great Andronicus ,
+Whose name was once our terror , now our comfort ;
+Whose high exploits and honourable deeds
+Ingrateful Rome requites with foul contempt ,
+Be bold in us : we'll follow where thou lead'st ,
+Like stinging bees in hottest summer's day
+Led by their master to the flower'd fields ,
+And be aveng'd on cursed Tamora .
+
+And , as he saith , so say we all with him .
+
+I humbly thank him , and I thank you all .
+But who comes here , led by a lusty Goth ?
+
+
+Renowned Lucius , from our troops I stray'd ,
+To gaze upon a ruinous monastery ;
+And as I earnestly did fix mine eye
+Upon the wasted building , suddenly
+I heard a child cry underneath a wall .
+I made unto the noise ; when soon I heard
+The crying babe controll'd with this discourse :
+'Peace , tawny slave , half me and half thy dam !
+Did not thy hue bewray whose brat thou art ,
+Had nature lent thee but thy mother's look ,
+Villain , thou mightst have been an emperor :
+But where the bull and cow are both milk-white ,
+They never do beget a coal-black calf .
+Peace , villain , peace !' even thus he rates the babe ,
+'For I must bear thee to a trusty Goth ;
+Who , when he knows thou art the empress' babe ,
+Will hold thee dearly for thy mother's sake .'
+With this , my weapon drawn , I rush'd upon him ,
+Surpris'd him suddenly , and brought him hither ,
+To use as you think needful of the man .
+
+O worthy Goth , this is the incarnate devil
+That robb'd Andronicus of his good hand :
+This is the pearl that pleas'd your empress' eye ,
+And here's the base fruit of his burning lust .
+Say , wall-ey'd slave , whither wouldst thou convey
+This growing image of thy fiend-like face ?
+Why dost not speak ? What ! deaf ? not a word ?
+A halter , soldiers ! hang him on this tree ,
+And by his side his fruit of bastardy .
+
+Touch not the boy ; he is of royal blood .
+
+Too like the sire for ever being good .
+First hang the child , that he may see it sprawl ;
+A sight to vex the father's soul withal .
+Get me a ladder .
+
+
+Lucius , save the child ;
+And bear it from me to the empress .
+If thou do this , I'll show thee wondrous things ,
+That highly may advantage thee to hear :
+If thou wilt not , befall what may befall ,
+I'll speak no more but 'Vengeance rot you all !'
+
+Say on ; and if it please me which thou speak'st ,
+Thy child shall live , and I will see it nourish'd .
+
+An if it please thee ! why , assure thee , Lucius ,
+'Twill vex'thy soul to hear what I shall speak ;
+For I must talk of murders , rapes , and massacres ,
+Acts of black night , abominable deeds ,
+Complots of mischief , treason , villanies
+Ruthful to hear , yet piteously perform'd :
+And this shall all be buried by my death ,
+Unless thou swear to me my child shall live .
+
+Tell on thy mind : I say , thy child shall live .
+
+Swear that he shall , and then I will begin .
+
+Who should I swear by ? thou believ'st no god :
+That granted , how canst thou believe an oath ?
+
+What if I do not ? as , indeed , I do not ;
+Yet , for I know thou art religious ,
+And hast a thing within thee called conscience ,
+With twenty popish tricks and ceremonies ,
+Which I have seen thee careful to observe ,
+Therefore I urge thy oath ; for that I know
+An idiot holds his bauble for a god ,
+And keeps the oath which by that god he swears ,
+To that I'll urge him : therefore thou shalt vow
+By that same god , what god soe'er it be ,
+That thou ador'st and hast in reverence ,
+To save my boy , to nourish and bring him up :
+Or else I will discover nought to thee .
+
+Even by my god I swear to thee I will .
+
+First , know thou , I begot him on the empress .
+
+O most insatiate and luxurious woman !
+
+Tut ! Lucius , this was but a deed of charity
+To that which thou shalt hear of me anon .
+'Twas her two sons that murder'd Bassianus ;
+They cut thy sister's tongue and ravish'd her ,
+And cut her hands and trimm'd her as thou saw'st .
+
+O detestable villain ! call'st thou that trimming ?
+
+Why , she was wash'd , and cut , and trimm'd , and 'twas
+Trim sport for them that had the doing of it .
+
+O barbarous , beastly villains , like thyself !
+
+Indeed , I was their tutor to instruct them .
+That codding spirit had they from their mother ,
+As sure a card as ever won the set ;
+That bloody mind , I think , they learn'd of me
+As true a dog as ever fought at head .
+Well , let my deeds be witness of my worth .
+I train'd thy brethren to that guileful hole
+Where the dead corpse of Bassianus lay ;
+I wrote the letter that thy father found ,
+And hid the gold within the letter mention'd ,
+Confederate with the queen and her two sons :
+And what not done , that thou hast cause to rue ,
+Wherein I had no stroke of mischief in it ?
+I play'd the cheater for thy father's hand ,
+And , when I had it , drew myself apart ,
+And almost broke my heart with extreme laughter .
+I pry'd me through the crevice of a wall
+When , for his hand , he had his two sons' heads ;
+Beheld his tears , and laugh'd so heartily ,
+That both mine eyes were rainy like to his :
+And when I told the empress of this sport ,
+She swounded almost at my pleasing tale ,
+And for my tidings gave me twenty kisses .
+
+What ! canst thou say all this , and never blush ?
+
+Ay , like a black dog , as the saying is .
+
+Art thou not sorry for these heinous deeds ?
+
+Ay , that I had not done a thousand more .
+Even now I curse the day , and yet , I think ,
+Few come within the compass of my curse ,
+Wherein I did not some notorious ill :
+As kill a man , or else devise his death ;
+Ravish a maid , or plot the way to do it ;
+Accuse some innocent , and forswear myself ;
+Set deadly enmity between two friends ;
+Make poor men's cattle break their necks ;
+Set fire on barns and hay-stacks in the night ,
+And bid the owners quench them with their tears ,
+Oft have I digg'd up dead men from their graves ,
+And set them upright at their dear friends' doors ,
+Even when their sorrows almost were forgot ;
+And on their skins , as on the bark of trees ,
+Have with my knife carved in Roman letters ,
+'Let not your sorrow die , though I am dead .'
+Tut ! I have done a thousand dreadful things
+As willingly as one would kill a fly ,
+And nothing grieves me heartily indeed
+But that I cannot do ten thousand more .
+
+Bring down the devil , for he must not die
+So sweet a death as hanging presently .
+
+If there be devils , would I were a devil ,
+To live and burn in everlasting fire ,
+So I might have your company in hell ,
+But to torment you with my bitter tongue !
+
+Sirs , stop his mouth , and let him speak no more .
+
+
+My lord , there is a messenger from Rome
+Desires to be admitted to your presence .
+
+Let him come near .
+
+Welcome , milius ! what's the news from Rome ?
+
+Lord Lucius , and you princes of the Goths ,
+The Roman emperor greets you all by me ;
+And , for he understands you are in arms ,
+He craves a parley at your father's house ,
+Willing you to demand your hostages ,
+And they shall be immediately deliver'd .
+
+What says our general ?
+
+milius , let the emperor give his pledges
+Unto my father and my uncle Marcus ,
+And we will come . March away .
+
+
+Thus , in this strange and sad habiliment ,
+I will encounter with Andronicus ,
+And say I am Revenge , sent from below
+To join with him and right his heinous wrongs .
+Knock at his study , where , they say , he keeps ,
+To ruminate strange plots of dire revenge ;
+Tell him , Revenge is come to join with him ,
+And work confusion on his enemies .
+
+Who doth molest my contemplation ?
+Is it your trick to make me ope the door ,
+That so my sad decrees may fly away ,
+And all my study be to no effect ?
+You are deceiv'd ; for what I mean to do ,
+See here , in bloody lines I have set down ;
+And what is written shall be executed .
+
+Titus , I am come to talk with thee .
+
+No , not a word ; how can I grace my talk ,
+Wanting a hand to give it action ?
+Thou hast the odds of me ; therefore no more .
+
+If thou didst know me , thou wouldst talk with me .
+
+I am not mad ; I know thee well enough :
+Witness this wretched stump , witness these crimson lines ;
+Witness these trenches made by grief and care ;
+Witness the tiring day and heavy night ;
+Witness all sorrow , that I know thee well
+For our proud empress , mighty Tamora .
+Is not thy coming for my other hand ?
+
+Know , thou sad man , I am not Tamora ;
+She is thy enemy , and I thy friend :
+I am Revenge , sent from the infernal kingdom ,
+To ease the gnawing vulture of thy mind ,
+By working wreakful vengeance on thy foes .
+Come down , and welcome me to this world's light ;
+Confer with me of murder and of death .
+There's not a hollow cave or lurking-place ,
+No vast obscurity or misty vale ,
+Where bloody murder or detested rape
+Can couch for fear , but I will find them out ;
+And in their ears tell them my dreadful name ,
+Revenge , which makes the foul offender quake .
+
+Art thou Revenge ? and art thou sent to me ,
+To be a torment to mine enemies ?
+
+I am ; therefore come down , and welcome me .
+
+Do me some service ere I come to thee .
+Lo , by thy side where Rape and Murder stands ;
+Now give some surance that thou art Revenge :
+Stab them , or tear them on thy chariot-wheels ,
+And then I'll come and be thy waggoner ,
+And whirl along with thee about the globe .
+Provide two proper palfreys , black as jet ,
+To hale thy vengeful waggon swift away ,
+And find out murderers in their guilty caves :
+And when thy car is loaden with their heads ,
+I will dismount , and by the waggon-wheel
+Trot like a servile footman all day long ,
+Even from Hyperion's rising in the east
+Until his very downfall in the sea :
+And day by day I'll do this heavy task ,
+So thou destroy Rapine and Murder there .
+
+These are my ministers , and come with me .
+
+Are these thy ministers ? what are they call'd ?
+
+Rapine and Murder ; therefore called so ,
+Cause they take vengeance of such kind of men .
+
+Good Lord , how like the empress' sons they are ,
+And you the empress ! but we worldly men
+Have miserable , mad , mistaking eyes .
+O sweet Revenge ! now do I come to thee ;
+And , if one arm's embracement will content thee ,
+I will embrace thee in it by and by .
+
+
+This closing with him fits his lunacy .
+Whate'er I forge to feed his brain-sick fits ,
+Do you uphold and maintain in your speeches ,
+For now he firmly takes me for Revenge ;
+And , being credulous in this mad thought ,
+I'll make him send for Lucius his son ;
+And , whilst I at a banquet hold him sure ,
+I'll find some cunning practice out of hand
+To scatter and disperse the giddy Goths ,
+Or , at the least , make them his enemies .
+See , here he comes , and I must ply my theme .
+
+
+Long have I been forlorn , and all for thee :
+Welcome , dread Fury , to my woeful house :
+Rapine and Murder , you are welcome too .
+How like the empress and her sons you are !
+Well are you fitted had you but a Moor :
+Could not all hell afford you such a devil ?
+For well I wot the empress never wags
+But in her company there is a Moor ;
+And would you represent our queen aright ,
+It were convenient you had such a devil .
+But welcome as you are . What shall we do ?
+
+What wouldst thou have us do , Andronicus ?
+
+Show me a murderer , I'll deal with him .
+
+Show me a villain that hath done a rape ,
+And I am sent to be reveng'd on him .
+
+Show me a thousand that have done thee wrong ,
+And I will be revenged on them all .
+
+Look round about the wicked streets of Rome ,
+And when thou find'st a man that's like thyself ,
+Good Murder , stab him ; he's a murderer .
+Go thou with him ; and when it is thy hap
+To find another that is like to thee ,
+Good Rapine , stab him ; he's a ravisher .
+Go thou with them ; and in the emperor's court
+There is a queen attended by a Moor ;
+Well mayst thou know her by thy own proportion ,
+For up and down she doth resemble thee :
+I pray thee , do on them some violent death ;
+They have been violent to me and mine .
+
+Well hast thou lesson'd us ; this shall we do .
+But would it please thee , good Andronicus ,
+To send for Lucius , thy thrice-valiant son ,
+Who leads towards Rome a band of war-like Goths ,
+And bid him come and banquet at thy house :
+When he is here , even at thy solemn feast ,
+I will bring in the empress and her sons ,
+The emperor himself , and all thy foes ,
+And at thy mercy shall they stoop and kneel ,
+And on them shalt thou ease thy angry heart .
+What says Andronicus to this device ?
+
+Marcus , my brother ! 'tis sad Titus calls .
+
+
+Go , gentle Marcus , to thy nephew Lucius ;
+Thou shalt inquire him out among the Goths :
+Bid him repair to me , and bring with him
+Some of the chiefest princes of the Goths ;
+Bid him encamp his soldiers where they are :
+Tell him , the emperor and the empress too
+Feast at my house , and he shall feast with them .
+This do thou for my love ; and so let him ,
+
+As he regards his aged father's life .
+
+This will I do , and soon return again .
+
+
+Now will I hence about thy business ,
+And take my ministers along with me .
+
+Nay , nay , let Rape and Murder stay with me ;
+Or else I'll call my brother back again ,
+And cleave to no revenge but Lucius .
+
+What say you , boys ? will you abide with him ,
+Whiles I go tell my lord the emperor
+How I have govern'd our determin'd jest ?
+Yield to his humour , smooth and speak him fair ,
+And tarry with him till I turn again .
+
+I know them all , though they suppose me mad ;
+And will o'er-reach them in their own devices ;
+A pair of cursed hell-hounds and their dam .
+
+Madam , depart at pleasure ; leave us here .
+
+Farewell , Andronicus : Revenge now goes
+To lay a complot to betray thy foes .
+
+
+I know thou dost ; and , sweet Revenge , farewell .
+
+Tell us , old man , how shall we be employ'd ?
+
+Tut ! I have work enough for you to do .
+Publius , come hither , Caius , and Valentine !
+
+
+What is your will ?
+
+Know you these two ?
+
+The empress' sons ,
+I take them , Chiron and Demetrius .
+
+Fie , Publius , fie ! thou art too much deceiv'd ;
+The one is Murder , Rape is the other's name ;
+And therefore bind them , gentle Publius ;
+Caius and Valentine , lay hands on them ;
+Oft have you heard me wish for such an hour ,
+And now I find it : therefore bind them sure ,
+And stop their mouths , if they begin to cry .
+
+
+Villains , forbear ! we are the empress' sons .
+
+And therefore do we what we are commanded .
+Stop close their mouths , let them not speak a word .
+Is he sure bound ? look that you bind them fast .
+
+
+Come , come , Lavinia ; look , thy foes are bound .
+Sirs , stop their mouths , let them not speak to me ,
+But let them hear what fearful words I utter .
+O villains , Chiron and Demetrius !
+Here stands the spring whom you have stain'd with mud ,
+This goodly summer with your winter mix'd .
+You kill'd her husband , and for that vile fault
+Two of her brothers were condemn'd to death ,
+My hand cut off and made a merry jest :
+Both her sweet hands , her tongue , and that more dear
+Than hands or tongue , her spotless chastity ,
+Inhuman traitors , you constrain'd and forc'd .
+What would you say if I should let you speak ?
+Villains ! for shame you could not beg for grace .
+Hark , wretches ! how I mean to martyr you .
+This one hand yet is left to cut your throats ,
+Whilst that Levinia 'tween her stumps doth hold
+The basin that receives your guilty blood .
+You know your mother means to feast with me ,
+And calls herself Revenge , and thinks me mad .
+Hark ! villains , I will grind your bones to dust ,
+And with your blood and it I'll make a paste ;
+And of the paste a coffin I will rear ,
+And make two pasties of your shameful heads ;
+And bid that strumpet , your unhallow'd dam ,
+Like to the earth swallow her own increase .
+This is the feast that I have bid her to ,
+And this the banquet she shall surfeit on ;
+For worse than Philomel you us'd my daughter ,
+And worse than Procne I will be reveng'd .
+And now prepare your throats . Lavinia , come .
+
+Receive the blood : and when that they are dead ,
+Let me go grind their bones to powder small ,
+And with this hateful liquor temper it ;
+And in that paste let their vile heads be bak'd .
+Come , come , be every one officious
+To make this banquet , which I wish may prove
+More stern and bloody than the Centaurs' feast .
+So , now bring them in , for I will play the cook ,
+And see them ready 'gainst their mother comes .
+
+
+Uncle Marcus , since it is my father's mind
+That I repair to Rome , I am content .
+
+And ours with thine , befall what fortune will .
+
+Good uncle , take you in this barbarous Moor ,
+This ravenous tiger , this accursed devil ;
+Let him receive no sustenance , fetter him ,
+Till he be brought unto the empress' face ,
+For testimony of her foul proceedings :
+And see the ambush of our friends be strong ;
+I fear the emperor means no good to us .
+
+Some devil whisper curses in mine ear ,
+And prompt me , that my tongue may utter forth
+The venomous malice of my swelling heart !
+
+Away , inhuman dog ! unhallow'd slave !
+Sirs , help our uncle to convey him in .
+
+The trumpets show the emperor is at hand .
+
+
+What ! hath the firmament more suns than one ?
+
+What boots it thee , to call thyself a sun ?
+
+Rome's emperor , and nephew , break the parle ;
+These quarrels must be quietly debated .
+The feast is ready which the careful Titus
+Hath ordain'd to an honourable end ,
+For peace , for love , for league , and good to Rome :
+Please you , therefore , draw nigh , and take your places .
+
+Marcus , we will .
+
+
+Welcome , my gracious lord ; welcome , dread queen ;
+Welcome , ye war-like Goths ; welcome , Lucius ;
+And welcome , all . Although the cheer be poor ,
+'Twill fill your stomachs ; please you eat of it .
+
+Why art thou thus attir'd , Andronicus ?
+
+Because I would be sure to have all well
+To entertain your highness , and your empress .
+
+We are beholding to you , good Andronicus .
+
+An if your highness knew my heart , you were .
+My lord the emperor , resolve me this :
+Was it well done of rash Virginius
+To slay his daughter with his own right hand ,
+Because she was enforced , stain'd , and deflower'd ?
+
+It was , Andronicus .
+
+Your reason , mighty lord ?
+
+Because the girl should not survive her shame ,
+And by her presence still renew his sorrows .
+
+A reason mighty , strong , and effectual ;
+A pattern , precedent , and lively warrant ,
+For me most wretched , to perform the like .
+Die , die . Lavinia , and thy shame with thee ;
+And with thy shame thy father's sorrow die !
+
+
+What hast thou done , unnatural and unkind ?
+
+Kill'd her , for whom my tears have made me blind .
+I am as woeful as Virginius was ,
+And have a thousand times more cause than he
+To do this outrage : and it is now done .
+
+What ! was she ravish'd ? tell who did the deed .
+
+Will 't please you eat ? will 't please your highness feed ?
+
+Why hast thou slain thine only daughter thus ?
+
+Not I ; 'twas Chiron and Demetrius :
+They ravish'd her , and cut away her tongue :
+And they , 'twas they , that did her all this wrong .
+
+Go fetch them hither to us presently .
+
+Why , there they are both , baked in that pie ;
+Whereof their mother daintily hath fed ,
+Eating the flesh that she herself hath bred .
+'Tis true , 'tis true ; witness my knife's sharp point .
+
+
+Die , frantic wretch , for this accursed deed !
+
+
+Can the son's eye behold his father bleed ?
+There's meed for meed , death for a deadly deed !
+
+You sad-fac'd men , people and sons of Rome ,
+By uproar sever'd , like a flight of fowl
+Scatter'd by winds and high tempestuous gusts ,
+O ! let me teach you how to knit again
+This scatter'd corn into one mutual sheaf ,
+These broken limbs again into one body ,
+Lest Rome herself be bane unto herself ,
+And she whom mighty kingdoms curtsy to ,
+Like a forlorn and desperate castaway ,
+Do shameful execution on herself .
+But if my frosty signs and chaps of age ,
+Grave witnesses of true experience ,
+Cannot induce you to attend my words ,
+
+
+Speak , Rome's dear friend , as erst our ancestor ,
+When with his solemn tongue he did discourse
+To love-sick Dido's sad attending ear
+The story of that baleful burning night
+When subtle Greeks surpris'd King Priam's Troy ;
+Tell us what Sinon hath bewitch'd our ears ,
+Or who hath brought the fatal engine in
+That gives our Troy , our Rome , the civil wound .
+My heart is not compact of flint nor steel ,
+Nor can I utter all our bitter grief ,
+But floods of tears will drown my oratory ,
+And break my very utterance , even in the time
+When it should move you to attend me most ,
+Lending your kind commiseration .
+Here is a captain , let him tell the tale ;
+Your hearts will throb and weep to hear him speak .
+
+Then , noble auditory , be it known to you ,
+That cursed Chiron and Demetrius
+Were they that murdered our emperor's brother ;
+And they it was that ravished our sister .
+For their fell faults our brothers were beheaded ,
+Our father's tears despis'd , and basely cozen'd
+Of that true hand that fought Rome's quarrel out ,
+And sent her enemies unto the grave :
+Lastly , myself unkindly banished ,
+The gates shut on me , and turn'd weeping out ,
+To beg relief among Rome's enemies ;
+Who drown'd their enmity in my true tears ,
+And op'd their arms to embrace me as a friend :
+And I am the turn'd forth , be it known to you ,
+That have preserv'd her welfare in my blood ,
+And from her bosom took the enemy's point ,
+Sheathing the steel in my adventurous body .
+Alas ! you know I am no vaunter , I ;
+My scars can witness , dumb although they are ,
+That my report is just and full of truth .
+But , soft ! methinks I do digress too much ,
+Citing my worthless praise : O ! pardon me ;
+For when no friends are by , men praise themselves .
+
+Now is my turn to speak . Behold this child ;
+Of this was Tamora delivered ,
+The issue of an irreligious Moor ,
+Chief architect and plotter of these woes .
+The villain is alive in Titus' house ,
+Damn'd as he is , to witness this is true .
+Now judge what cause had Titus to revenge
+These wrongs , unspeakable , past patience ,
+Or more than any living man could bear .
+Now you have heard the truth , what say you Romans ?
+Have we done aught amiss , show us wherein ,
+And , from the place where you behold us now ,
+The poor remainder of Andronici
+Will , hand in hand , all headlong cast us down ,
+And on the ragged stones beat forth our brains ,
+And make a mutual closure of our house .
+Speak , Romans , speak ! and if you say we shall ,
+Lo ! hand in hand , Lucius and I will fall .
+
+Come , come , thou reverend man of Rome ,
+And bring our emperor gently in thy hand ,
+Lucius , our emperor ; for well I know
+The common voice do cry it shall be so .
+
+Lucius , all hail ! Rome's royal emperor !
+
+Go , go into old Titus' sorrowful house ,
+And hither , hale that misbelieving Moor ,
+To be adjudg'd some direful slaughtering death ,
+As punishment for his most wicked life .
+
+Lucius , all hail ! Rome's gracious governor !
+
+Thanks , gentle Romans : may I govern so ,
+To heal Rome's harms , and wipe away her woe !
+But , gentle people , give me aim awhile ,
+For nature puts me to a heavy task .
+Stand all aloof ; but , uncle , draw you near ,
+To shed obsequious tears upon this trunk .
+O ! take this warm kiss on thy pale cold lips ,
+
+These sorrowful drops upon thy blood-stain'd face ,
+The last true duties of thy noble son !
+
+Tear for tear , and loving kiss for kiss ,
+Thy brother Marcus tenders on thy lips :
+O ! were the sum of these that I should pay
+Countless and infinite , yet would I pay them .
+
+Come hither , boy ; come , come , and learn of us
+To melt in showers : thy grandsire lov'd thee well :
+Many a time he danc'd thee on his knee ,
+Sung thee asleep , his loving breast thy pillow ;
+Many a matter hath he told to thee ,
+Meet and agreeing with thine infancy ;
+In that respect , then , like a loving child ,
+Shed yet some small drops from thy tender spring ,
+Because kind nature doth require it so :
+Friends should associate friends in grief and woe .
+Bid him farewell ; commit him to the grave ;
+Do him that kindness , and take leave of him .
+
+O grandsire , grandsire ! even with all my heart
+Would I were dead , so you did live again .
+O Lord ! I cannot speak to him for weeping ;
+My tears will choke me if I ope my mouth .
+
+
+You sad Andronici , have done with woes :
+Give sentence on this execrable wretch ,
+That hath been breeder of these dire events .
+
+Set him breast-deep in earth , and famish him ;
+There let him stand , and rave , and cry for food :
+If any one relieves or pities him ,
+For the offence he dies . This is our doom :
+Some stay to see him fasten'd in the earth .
+
+O ! why should wrath be mute , and fury dumb ?
+I am no baby , I , that with base prayers
+I should repent the evils I have done .
+Ten thousand worse than ever yet I did
+Would I perform , if I might have my will :
+If one good deed in all my life I did ,
+I do repent it from my very soul .
+
+Some loving friends convey the emperor hence ,
+And give him burial in his father's grave .
+My father and Lavinia shall forthwith
+Be closed in our household's monument .
+As for that heinous tiger , Tamora ,
+No funeral rite , nor man in mournful weeds ,
+No mournful bell shall ring her burial ;
+But throw her forth to beasts and birds of prey .
+Her life was beast-like , and devoid of pity ;
+And , being so , shall have like want of pity .
+See justice done on Aaron , that damn'd Moor ,
+By whom our heavy haps had their beginning :
+Then , afterwards , to order well the state ,
+That like events may ne'er it ruinate .
+
projects / cipher-tools.git / blobdiff