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Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.. Loues Labour's lost from Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.. Table des rôles
Rôle Scènes Répl. Répl. moy. Présence Texte Texte % prés. Texte × pers. Interlocution
[TOUS] 9 sc. 1047 répl. 1,7 l. 1 829 l. 1 829 l. 11 % 17 364 l. (100 %) 9,5 pers.
First Lady 0 sc. 0 répl. 0 0 l. (0 %) 0 l. (0 %) 0 % 0 l. (0 %) 0
Second Lady 1 sc. 1 répl. 5,7 l. 174 l. (10 %) 6 l. (1 %) 4 % 1 739 l. (11 %) 10,0 pers.
Dull 5 sc. 22 répl. 1,1 l. 1 163 l. (64 %) 25 l. (2 %) 3 % 12 931 l. (75 %) 11,1 pers.
Don Adriano de Armado 4 sc. 100 répl. 1,6 l. 959 l. (53 %) 159 l. (9 %) 17 % 11 576 l. (67 %) 12,1 pers.
Biron 5 sc. 155 répl. 2,7 l. 1 404 l. (77 %) 423 l. (24 %) 31 % 15 050 l. (87 %) 10,7 pers.
Boyet 3 sc. 82 répl. 1,6 l. 880 l. (49 %) 132 l. (8 %) 16 % 12 163 l. (71 %) 13,8 pers.
Boy Hercules 0 sc. 0 répl. 0 0 l. (0 %) 0 l. (0 %) 0 % 0 l. (0 %) 0
Boy Sampson 0 sc. 0 répl. 0 0 l. (0 %) 0 l. (0 %) 0 % 0 l. (0 %) 0
Costard 8 sc. 85 répl. 1,6 l. 1 655 l. (91 %) 132 l. (8 %) 9 % 15 626 l. (90 %) 9,4 pers.
Sir Nathaniel 3 sc. 23 répl. 3,2 l. 848 l. (47 %) 74 l. (5 %) 9 % 11 149 l. (65 %) 13,2 pers.
Dumain 4 sc. 46 répl. 0,9 l. 1 275 l. (70 %) 42 l. (3 %) 4 % 14 535 l. (84 %) 11,4 pers.
Ferdinand 4 sc. 117 répl. 1,8 l. 1 275 l. (70 %) 214 l. (12 %) 17 % 14 535 l. (84 %) 11,4 pers.
Forester 1 sc. 4 répl. 0,8 l. 87 l. (5 %) 3 l. (1 %) 4 % 522 l. (4 %) 6,0 pers.
Holofernes 3 sc. 52 répl. 1,9 l. 848 l. (47 %) 97 l. (6 %) 12 % 11 149 l. (65 %) 13,2 pers.
Jaquenetta 3 sc. 13 répl. 0,7 l. 512 l. (28 %) 9 l. (1 %) 2 % 2 836 l. (17 %) 5,5 pers.
Katharine 1 sc. 16 répl. 1,2 l. 619 l. (34 %) 19 l. (2 %) 4 % 9 903 l. (58 %) 16,0 pers.
Mercade 1 sc. 3 répl. 0,7 l. 619 l. (34 %) 2 l. (1 %) 1 % 9 903 l. (58 %) 16,0 pers.
Maria 3 sc. 33 répl. 1,1 l. 880 l. (49 %) 36 l. (2 %) 5 % 12 163 l. (71 %) 13,8 pers.
Rosaline 3 sc. 73 répl. 1,7 l. 880 l. (49 %) 121 l. (7 %) 14 % 12 163 l. (71 %) 13,8 pers.
Longaville 4 sc. 41 répl. 1,2 l. 1 275 l. (70 %) 49 l. (3 %) 4 % 14 535 l. (84 %) 11,4 pers.
Lord 1 sc. 1 répl. 0,3 l. 174 l. (10 %) 0 l. (1 %) 1 % 1 739 l. (11 %) 10,0 pers.
Moth 4 sc. 76 répl. 1,2 l. 959 l. (53 %) 91 l. (5 %) 10 % 11 576 l. (67 %) 12,1 pers.
Princess of France 3 sc. 104 répl. 1,9 l. 880 l. (49 %) 196 l. (11 %) 23 % 12 163 l. (71 %) 13,8 pers.
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.. Loues Labour's lost from Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.. Statistiques par relation
Relation Scènes Texte Interlocution
Dull
Don Adriano de Armado		 5 l. (83 %) 2 répl. 2,5 l.
2 l. (18 %) 1 répl. 1,1 l. 		2 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 14,4 pers.
Dull
Biron		 3 l. (74 %) 2 répl. 1,3 l.
1 l. (27 %) 3 répl. 0,3 l. 		2 sc. 3 l. (1 %) 13,5 pers.
Dull
Costard		 2 l. (73 %) 2 répl. 0,8 l.
1 l. (28 %) 1 répl. 0,6 l. 		2 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 13,5 pers.
Dull
Sir Nathaniel		 2 l. (11 %) 2 répl. 0,6 l.
11 l. (90 %) 2 répl. 5,2 l. 		1 sc. 12 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
Dull
Ferdinand		 1 l. (12 %) 1 répl. 0,7 l.
6 l. (89 %) 2 répl. 2,8 l. 		2 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 13,5 pers.
Dull
Holofernes		 10 l. (44 %) 7 répl. 1,4 l.
13 l. (57 %) 8 répl. 1,6 l. 		2 sc. 22 l. (2 %) 5,4 pers.
Dull
Katharine		 2 l. (46 %) 2 répl. 0,7 l.
2 l. (55 %) 1 répl. 1,6 l. 		1 sc. 3 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Dull
Maria		 2 l. (63 %) 2 répl. 0,8 l.
1 l. (38 %) 1 répl. 1,0 l. 		1 sc. 3 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Dull
Longaville		 1 l. (34 %) 1 répl. 0,8 l.
2 l. (67 %) 1 répl. 1,5 l. 		1 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 13,5 pers.
Dull
Princess of France		 1 l. (11 %) 1 répl. 0,7 l.
6 l. (90 %) 1 répl. 5,6 l. 		1 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Don Adriano de Armado 2 l. (100 %) 1 répl. 1,4 l. 1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 1,0 pers.
Don Adriano de Armado
Biron		 1 l. (15 %) 1 répl. 0,6 l.
4 l. (86 %) 5 répl. 0,7 l. 		1 sc. 4 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Don Adriano de Armado
Costard		 25 l. (52 %) 11 répl. 2,2 l.
24 l. (49 %) 13 répl. 1,8 l. 		3 sc. 48 l. (3 %) 12,8 pers.
Don Adriano de Armado
Dumain		 5 l. (67 %) 2 répl. 2,2 l.
3 l. (34 %) 5 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 7 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Don Adriano de Armado
Ferdinand		 15 l. (96 %) 4 répl. 3,6 l.
1 l. (5 %) 1 répl. 0,7 l. 		1 sc. 15 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Don Adriano de Armado
Holofernes		 30 l. (79 %) 10 répl. 2,9 l.
9 l. (22 %) 8 répl. 1,0 l. 		1 sc. 37 l. (3 %) 6,0 pers.
Don Adriano de Armado
Jaquenetta		 3 l. (67 %) 6 répl. 0,4 l.
2 l. (34 %) 5 répl. 0,3 l. 		1 sc. 4 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
Don Adriano de Armado
Longaville		 1 l. (71 %) 1 répl. 0,6 l.
1 l. (30 %) 1 répl. 0,3 l. 		1 sc. 1 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Don Adriano de Armado
Moth		 75 l. (53 %) 59 répl. 1,3 l.
69 l. (48 %) 54 répl. 1,3 l. 		4 sc. 143 l. (8 %) 12,1 pers.
Don Adriano de Armado
Princess of France		 5 l. (78 %) 3 répl. 1,6 l.
2 l. (23 %) 2 répl. 0,7 l. 		1 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Biron
Boyet		 20 l. (70 %) 6 répl. 3,3 l.
9 l. (31 %) 12 répl. 0,7 l. 		2 sc. 28 l. (2 %) 14,7 pers.
Biron
Costard		 45 l. (53 %) 26 répl. 1,7 l.
40 l. (48 %) 23 répl. 1,7 l. 		4 sc. 84 l. (5 %) 10,8 pers.
Biron
Dumain		 28 l. (66 %) 20 répl. 1,4 l.
15 l. (35 %) 22 répl. 0,7 l. 		4 sc. 42 l. (3 %) 11,4 pers.
Biron
Ferdinand		 232 l. (73 %) 37 répl. 6,3 l.
87 l. (28 %) 39 répl. 2,2 l. 		4 sc. 318 l. (18 %) 11,4 pers.
Biron
Holofernes		 5 l. (70 %) 6 répl. 0,8 l.
3 l. (31 %) 4 répl. 0,6 l. 		1 sc. 7 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Biron
Rosaline		 38 l. (49 %) 21 répl. 1,8 l.
41 l. (52 %) 21 répl. 1,9 l. 		2 sc. 78 l. (5 %) 14,7 pers.
Biron
Longaville		 21 l. (46 %) 17 répl. 1,2 l.
25 l. (55 %) 14 répl. 1,7 l. 		3 sc. 45 l. (3 %) 11,6 pers.
Biron
Moth		 2 l. (28 %) 3 répl. 0,5 l.
4 l. (73 %) 4 répl. 1,0 l. 		1 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Biron
Princess of France		 30 l. (69 %) 9 répl. 3,3 l.
14 l. (32 %) 11 répl. 1,2 l. 		2 sc. 43 l. (3 %) 14,7 pers.
Boyet
Costard		 4 l. (24 %) 4 répl. 0,8 l.
11 l. (77 %) 4 répl. 2,6 l. 		2 sc. 14 l. (1 %) 14,8 pers.
Boyet
Dumain		 4 l. (71 %) 5 répl. 0,7 l.
2 l. (30 %) 3 répl. 0,5 l. 		2 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 14,7 pers.
Boyet
Ferdinand		 10 l. (69 %) 5 répl. 2,0 l.
5 l. (32 %) 6 répl. 0,8 l. 		2 sc. 14 l. (1 %) 14,7 pers.
Boyet
Holofernes		 1 l. (27 %) 1 répl. 0,5 l.
2 l. (74 %) 3 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Boyet
Maria		 7 l. (42 %) 9 répl. 0,7 l.
9 l. (59 %) 11 répl. 0,8 l. 		3 sc. 15 l. (1 %) 13,8 pers.
Boyet
Rosaline		 20 l. (51 %) 18 répl. 1,1 l.
20 l. (50 %) 15 répl. 1,3 l. 		3 sc. 39 l. (3 %) 13,8 pers.
Boyet
Longaville		 4 l. (44 %) 4 répl. 0,8 l.
5 l. (57 %) 6 répl. 0,7 l. 		2 sc. 7 l. (1 %) 14,7 pers.
Boyet
Moth		 3 l. (55 %) 3 répl. 0,8 l.
3 l. (46 %) 2 répl. 1,0 l. 		1 sc. 4 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Boyet
Princess of France		 76 l. (59 %) 21 répl. 3,6 l.
55 l. (42 %) 25 répl. 2,2 l. 		3 sc. 130 l. (8 %) 13,8 pers.
Costard
Sir Nathaniel		 1 l. (44 %) 1 répl. 1,0 l.
2 l. (57 %) 1 répl. 1,2 l. 		1 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
Costard
Dumain		 5 l. (89 %) 3 répl. 1,4 l.
1 l. (12 %) 1 répl. 0,5 l. 		1 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Costard
Ferdinand		 15 l. (34 %) 23 répl. 0,6 l.
30 l. (67 %) 21 répl. 1,4 l. 		3 sc. 43 l. (3 %) 11,6 pers.
Costard
Holofernes		 7 l. (82 %) 2 répl. 3,3 l.
2 l. (19 %) 1 répl. 1,5 l. 		2 sc. 8 l. (1 %) 5,4 pers.
Costard
Maria		 7 l. (77 %) 3 répl. 2,2 l.
3 l. (24 %) 3 répl. 0,7 l. 		2 sc. 9 l. (1 %) 14,8 pers.
Costard
Moth		 7 l. (45 %) 4 répl. 1,6 l.
9 l. (56 %) 9 répl. 0,9 l. 		3 sc. 15 l. (1 %) 4,9 pers.
Costard
Princess of France		 19 l. (83 %) 8 répl. 2,3 l.
4 l. (18 %) 6 répl. 0,7 l. 		2 sc. 23 l. (2 %) 14,8 pers.
Sir Nathaniel
Holofernes		 47 l. (47 %) 15 répl. 3,1 l.
53 l. (54 %) 15 répl. 3,5 l. 		2 sc. 99 l. (6 %) 5,4 pers.
Sir Nathaniel
Jaquenetta		 13 l. (76 %) 3 répl. 4,1 l.
4 l. (25 %) 3 répl. 1,3 l. 		1 sc. 16 l. (1 %) 5,0 pers.
Dumain
Ferdinand		 3 l. (39 %) 2 répl. 1,2 l.
4 l. (62 %) 4 répl. 1,0 l. 		2 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 11,6 pers.
Dumain
Holofernes		 1 l. (35 %) 2 répl. 0,3 l.
2 l. (66 %) 3 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Dumain
Katharine		 1 l. (19 %) 1 répl. 0,8 l.
4 l. (82 %) 1 répl. 3,3 l. 		1 sc. 4 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Dumain
Maria		 1 l. (60 %) 1 répl. 0,2 l.
1 l. (40 %) 1 répl. 0,1 l. 		1 sc. 0 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Dumain
Longaville		 19 l. (73 %) 8 répl. 2,4 l.
8 l. (28 %) 6 répl. 1,2 l. 		4 sc. 26 l. (2 %) 11,4 pers.
Ferdinand
Jaquenetta		 2 l. (49 %) 3 répl. 0,7 l.
3 l. (52 %) 3 répl. 0,7 l. 		1 sc. 4 l. (1 %) 6,0 pers.
Ferdinand
Rosaline		 11 l. (42 %) 11 répl. 0,9 l.
15 l. (59 %) 14 répl. 1,0 l. 		1 sc. 25 l. (2 %) 16,0 pers.
Ferdinand
Longaville		 18 l. (77 %) 2 répl. 8,8 l.
6 l. (24 %) 4 répl. 1,3 l. 		2 sc. 23 l. (2 %) 11,6 pers.
Ferdinand
Princess of France		 54 l. (48 %) 28 répl. 1,9 l.
61 l. (53 %) 24 répl. 2,5 l. 		2 sc. 115 l. (7 %) 14,7 pers.
Forester
Princess of France		 4 l. (24 %) 4 répl. 0,8 l.
10 l. (77 %) 4 répl. 2,4 l. 		1 sc. 13 l. (1 %) 6,0 pers.
Holofernes
Moth		 7 l. (59 %) 8 répl. 0,8 l.
5 l. (42 %) 5 répl. 0,9 l. 		1 sc. 11 l. (1 %) 6,0 pers.
Holofernes
Princess of France		 5 l. (93 %) 1 répl. 4,8 l.
1 l. (8 %) 1 répl. 0,4 l. 		1 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Katharine
Maria		 3 l. (67 %) 2 répl. 1,5 l.
2 l. (34 %) 1 répl. 1,5 l. 		1 sc. 5 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Katharine
Rosaline		 9 l. (58 %) 7 répl. 1,2 l.
7 l. (43 %) 7 répl. 0,9 l. 		1 sc. 15 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Katharine
Princess of France		 3 l. (41 %) 4 répl. 0,6 l.
4 l. (60 %) 5 répl. 0,8 l. 		1 sc. 6 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Mercade
Princess of France		 2 l. (59 %) 2 répl. 0,9 l.
2 l. (42 %) 2 répl. 0,6 l. 		1 sc. 3 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Maria
Rosaline		 1 l. (20 %) 1 répl. 0,8 l.
4 l. (81 %) 3 répl. 1,2 l. 		3 sc. 4 l. (1 %) 13,8 pers.
Maria
Longaville		 6 l. (49 %) 7 répl. 0,8 l.
7 l. (52 %) 8 répl. 0,8 l. 		1 sc. 12 l. (1 %) 16,0 pers.
Maria
Princess of France		 16 l. (75 %) 7 répl. 2,1 l.
6 l. (26 %) 5 répl. 1,0 l. 		2 sc. 20 l. (2 %) 14,7 pers.
Rosaline
Princess of France		 34 l. (51 %) 12 répl. 2,8 l.
32 l. (50 %) 14 répl. 2,3 l. 		2 sc. 65 l. (4 %) 14,7 pers.
Lord
Princess of France		 1 l. (13 %) 1 répl. 0,3 l.
2 l. (88 %) 1 répl. 1,9 l. 		1 sc. 2 l. (1 %) 10,0 pers.

Loues Labour's lost from Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies. Published according to the true originall copies.

Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies

Bodleian First Folio, Arch. G c.7

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Heminge, John, approximately 1556-1630 Condell, Henry, -1627

Autres contributions

Droeshout, Martin, 1601- : engraver.
Jaggard, Isaac, -1627 : printer.
Blount, Edward, fl. 1594-1632 : printer.
Jaggard, William, 1569-1623 : publisher.
Smethwicke, John, -1641 : publisher.
Aspley, William, -1640 : publisher.
Bodleian Digital Library Systems and Services : creation of electronic edition.
Invida Trans It Solutions PVT. LTD. : preliminary keying and encoding by.
Pip Willcox : project management ; proofing ; encoding.
Lucienne Cummings : proofing ; encoding.
Judith Siefring : proofing ; encoding.
Emma Stanford : proofing ; encoding.
James Cummings : encoding consultation.
Sprint for Shakespeare Crowdfunding The second phase of the Bodleian First Folio project was made possible by a lead gift from Dr Geoffrey Eibl-Kaye and generous support from the Sallie Dickson Memorial Fund/Dallas Shakespeare Club Fund, Mr James Barber, and a private individual. The Bodleian Libraries are very grateful for this additional support, which brings new features to the digitized First Folio, enabling more efficient and intuitive use for all with an interest in Shakespeare, early modern drama, theatre and book history. First publication edition. Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford Bodleian Digital Library Systems and Services
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Available for reuse, according to the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported.

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Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies.: Published according to the true originall copies.Mr. VVilliam Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragediesFirst FolioLondon, England: William Jaggard, Edward Blount, John SmethwickeBodleian Library, Arch. G c.7S111228015592789
United Kingdom, Oxford, University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Bodleian Library, Arch. G c.7, S 2.17 Art. [first Bodleian shelfmark, 1624-1664?], Arch. F c.13 [superscript z?] [second Bodleian shelfmark, 1906-?].
Mr VVILLIAM
SHAKESPEARES
COMEDIES,
HISTORIES, &
TRAGEDIES.
Publiſhed according to the True Originall Copies.
London : Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed. Blount [at the charges of W. Iaggard, Ed. Blount, I. Smithweeke, and W. Aspley]., .
349 x 323.

[18], 303, [1], 46, 49-100, [2], 69-232, [2], 79-80, [26], 76, 79-82, 80-98, [2], 109-156, 257-993 [i.e. 399], [1] p.; fol.

Numbering peculiarities: 1st count: p.50 misnumbered 58; p.59 misnumbered 51; p.86 misnumbered 88; p.153 misnumbered 151; p.161 misnumbered] 163; p.164 misnumbered 162; p. 165 misnumbered 163; p. 189 misnumbered 187; p. 249 misnumbered 251; p.250 misnumbered 252; p. 265 misnumbered 273 -- 2nd count: p.37 misnumbered 39 in some copies; p.89 misnumbered 91; p. 90 misnumbered 92 -- 3rd count: p.165-166 numbered 167 and 168 respectively; p. 216 numbered 218 -- 5th count: p. 279 misnumbered 259; p. 282 misnumbered 280; p.308 misnumbered 38; p. 379 misnumbered 389; p. 399 misnumbered 993.

The signatures varies between sources, with the most commonly cited being Hinman's and West's: 1. Hinman: πA⁶ (πA1+1) [πB²], ²A-2B⁶ 2C² a-g⁶ χgg⁸ h-v⁶ x⁴ χ1.2 [para.]-2[para.]⁶ 3[para]¹ aa-ff⁶ gg² Gg⁶ hh⁶ kk-bbb⁶; 2. West: πA⁶ (πA1+1, πA5+1.2)²A-2B⁶ 2C² a-g⁶ ²g⁸ h-v⁶ x⁴ 'gg3.4' (±'gg3') [para.]-2[para.]⁶ 3[para]¹ 2a-2f⁶ 2g² 2G⁶ 2h⁶ 2k-2v⁶ x⁶ 2y-3b⁶.

Mis-signed leaves: a3 mis-signed Aa3; ³gg1 mis-signed Gg; nn1-nn2 mis-signed Nn and Nn2 and oo1 mis-signed Oo.

"The life and death of King Iohn" begins new pagination on leaf a1 recto; "The tragedy of Coriolanus" begins new pagination on leaf aa1 recto.

Lacks A1, the letterpress frontispiece entitled "To the reader". The title page is trimmed and mounted, with a section of the mount towards the foot of the leaf mutilated resulting in the loss of some the Droechout imprint at the bottom left hand corner of the portrait and the central section of an early MS note. For a full condition report, including a full survey of damage and repairs, please contact Rare Books.

Predominantly printed in double columns.

Text within simple lined frame.

Colophon reads: "Printed at the charges of W. Iaggard, Ed. Blount, I. Smithweeke, and W. Aspley. 1623.".

Editors’ dedication signed: Iohn Heminge. Henry Condell.

Head- and tail- pieces; initials.With an engraved title-page portrait of the author signed: "Martin- Droeshout: sculpsit· London.". The plate exists in 2 states: 1. The earlier state has lighter shading generall ; 2. Later state has heavier shading, especially around the collar, and minor differences particularly with the jawline and moustache. The vast majority of surviving copies have the plate in the second state which has led some scholars to conclude that the earlier state was a proof. The portrait in this copy is the second state.

Two MS verses on first endpaper verso: 1. 9 lines of verse by an unknown author, first line reads "An active swain to make a leap was seen". 2. A copy of Ben Jonson’s printed "To the Reader"; MS note on t.p. (mutilated) appears to read "Honest [Shakes]peare". Minor annotations on leaf 2n4 (Macbeth). All in an early English hand, presumably added after leaving the Library.

Seventeenth-century (1624) English (Oxford) smooth calf. Bound for the Bodleian Library by William Wildgoose, with evidence of two cloth ties, red sprinkled edge. Formerly chained, with evidence of chain staple at the head of the upper cover. Remains of paper label at the head of the spine. Enclosed in 20th century book box by Maltby of Oxford. See S. Gibson in Original Bodleian Copy of First Folio, p. 12-13. One of four items sent out on 17th February 1624 for binding by Wildgoose containing printed waste from a copy of Cicero’s "De Officiis, et al." [Deventer: Richard Pafraet, between 1480 and 1485] as paste-downs. For more information on this work see: Bod. Inc. Cat., C-322.

For further details on the printing of this item see Hinman, Charleton. The printing and proof-reading of the First Folio of Shakespeare: Oxford, 1963.

Acquired by the Bodleian in 1623, presumably in sheets. It was sent out to William Wildgoose on for binding (see: Library Records e.258, fol. 48r) and upon its return chained in Duke Humfrey at shelfmark S 2.17 Art. It is listed in the Bodleian’s catalogue of printed books but was gone by the publication of the next catalogue in , replaced by the newer Third Folio (). There is no explicit reference in Library Records to the disposal of this copy, but there is a record of a sale of "superfluous library books" to Richard Davis, a bookseller in Oxford, in for the sum of £24.

After leaving the Bodleian this copy entered the collection of Richard Turbutt of Ogston Hall, Derbyshire at some point in the early 18th century. It stayed in the family’s possession until , when it was reacquired by the Bodleian for the sum of £3000, raised by public subscription. For a full discussion of the rediscovery and purchase of this copy see: F. Madan, G. M. R. Turbutt and S. Gibson, The Original Bodleian Copy of the First Folio of Shakespeare (theTurbutt Shakespeare) (Oxford, 1905)

For a full discussion of this copy and the digital version see http://shakespeare.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ and West and Rasmussen (2011), 31.

Digital facsimile images available at: http://firstfolio.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/.
First Lady 1 Lady. Second Lady 2. Lad. Dull, a constable Anth. Con. Const. Du. Dul. Dull. Don Adriano de Armado, a fantastical Spaniard Ar. Arm. Arma. Br. Bra. Brag. Biron, lord attending on the king Be. Ber. Bero. Berow. Berowne. Boyet, lord attending on the princess of France Bo. Boi. Boiet. Boy. Boyet. Bro. Boy Hercules Boy. Hercules. Boy Sampson Boy. Sampson. Costard, a clown Clo. Clow. Cost. Sir Nathaniel, a curate Cur. Cura. Curat. Curat.Nath. Nat. Nath. Dumain, lord attending on the king Dum. Duma. Dumane. Ferdinand, King of Navarre Fer. Ferd. Kin. King. Nau. Forester For. Holofernes, a schoolmaster Hol. Ped. Peda. Pedant. Jaquenetta, a country wench Iaq. Iaqu. Mai. Maid. Katharine, lady attending on the princess Ka. Kat. Kath. Mercade, lord attending on the princess of France Mar. Marc. Maria, lady attending on the princess La. La. Ma. Lad. Lad. Ma. Ma. Mar. Mari. Maria. Rosaline, lady attending on the princess La. Ro. Lad. Ro. Ros. Rosa. Rossa. Longaville, lord attending on the king Lon. Long. Longa. Longauill. Lord Lor. Moth, a page to Armado Boy. Pag. Page. Princess of France Pri. Prin. Princ. Q. Qu. Que. Quee. Queen.
[p. 122]

Loues Labour's lost.

Actus primus.

[Act 1, Scene 1]

Enter Ferdinand King of Nauarre, Berowne, Longauill, and
Dumane.

Ferdinand.

LEt Fame, that all hunt after in their liues,
Liue registred vpon our brazen Tombes,
And then grace vs in the disgrace of death:
when spight of cormorant deuouring Time,
Th'endeuour of this present breath may buy:
5 That honour which shall bate his sythes keene edge,
And make vs heyres of all eternitie.
Therefore braue Conquerours, for so you are,
That warre against your owne affections,
And the huge Armie of the worlds desires.
10 Our late edict shall strongly stand in force,
Nauar shall be the wonder of the world.
Our Court shall be a little Achademe,
Still and contemplatiue in liuing Art.
You three, Berowne, Dumaine, and Longauill,
15 Haue sworne for three yeeres terme, to liue with me:
My fellow Schollers, and to keepe those statutes
That are recorded in this scedule heere.
Your oathes are past, and now subscribe your names:
That his owne hand may strike his honour downe,
20 That violates the smallest branch heerein:
If you are arm'd to doe, as sworne to do,
Subscribe to your deepe oathes, and keepe it to.

Longauill.

I am resolu'd, 'tis but a three yeeres fast:
The minde shall banquet, though the body pine,
25 Fat paunches haue leane pates: and dainty bits,
Make rich the ribs, but bankerout the wits.

Dumane.

My louing Lord, Dumane is mortified,
The grosser manner of these worlds delights,
He throwes vpon the grosse worlds baser slaues:
30 To loue, to wealth, to pompe, I pine and die,
With all these liuing in Philosophie.

Berowne.

I can but say their protestation ouer,
So much, deare Liege, I haue already sworne,
That is, to liue and study heere three yeeres.
35 But there are other strict obseruances:
As not to see a woman in that terme,
Which I hope well is not enrolled there.
And one day in a weeke to touch no foode:
And but one meale on euery day beside:
40 The which I hope is not enrolled there.
And then to sleepe but three houres in the night,
And not be seene to winke of all the day.
When I was wont to thinke no harme all night,
And make a darke night too of halfe the day:
45 Which I hope well is not enrolled there.
O, these are barren taskes, too hard to keepe,
Not to see Ladies, study, fast, not sleepe.

Ferd.

Your oath is past, to passe away from these.

Berow.

Let me say no my Liedge, and if you please,
50 I onely swore to study with your grace,
And stay heere in your Court for three yeeres space.

Longa.

You swore to that Berowne, and to the rest.

Berow.

By yea and nay sir, than I swore in iest.
What is the end of study, let me know?

Fer.

55Why that to know which else wee should not [l. 56] know.

Ber.

Things hid & bard (you meane) from common sense.

Ferd.

I, that is studies god‑like recompence.

Bero.

Come on then, I will sweare to studie so,
60 To know the thing I am forbid to know:
As thus, to study where I well may dine,
When I to fast expressely am forbid.
Or studie where to meet some Mistresse fine,
When Mistresses from common sense are hid.
65 Or hauing sworne too hard a keeping oath,
Studie to breake it, and not breake my troth.
If studies gaine be thus, and this be so,
Studie knowes that which yet it doth not know,
Sweare me to this; and I will nere say no.

Ferd.

70 These be the stops that hinder studie quite,
And traine our intellects to vaine delight.

Ber.

Why? all delights are vaine, and that most vaine
Which with paine purchas'd, doth inherit paine,
As painefully to poare vpon a Booke,
75 To seeke the light of truth, while truth the while
Doth falsely blinde the eye‑sight of his looke:
Light seeeking seeking light, doth light of light beguile:
So ere you finde where light in darkenesse lies,
Your light growes darke by losing of your eyes.
80 Studie me how to please the eye indeede,
By fixing it vpon a fairer eye,
Who dazling so, that eye shall be his heed,
And giue him light that it was blinded by.
Studie is like the heauens glorious Sunne,
85 That will not be deepe search'd with sawcy lookes:
Small haue continuall plodders euer wonne,
Saue base authoritie from others Bookes.
These earthly Godfathers of heauens lights,
That giue a name to euery fixed Starre,
90 Haue no more profit of their shining nights,
Then those that walke and wot not what they are.
Too much to know, is to know nought but fame:
And euery Godfather can giue a name.

Fer.

How well hee's read, to reason against reading.
Dum. [p. 123] Loues Labour's lost.

Dum.

95 Proceeded well, to stop all good proceeding.

Lon.

Hee weedes the corne, and still lets grow the
weeding.

Ber.

The Spring is neare when greene geesse are a
breeding.

Dum.

How followes that?

Ber.

Fit in his place and time.

Dum.

100 In reason nothing.

Ber.

Something then in rime.

Ferd.

Berowne is like an enuious sneaping Frost,
That bites the first borne infants of the Spring.

Ber.

Wel, say I am, why should proud Summer boast,
105 Before the Birds haue any cause to sing?
Why should I ioy in any abortiue birth?
At Christmas I no more desire a Rose,
Then wish a Snow in Mayes new fangled showes:
But like of each thing that in season growes.
110 So you to studie now it is too late,
That were to clymbe ore the house to vnlocke the gate.

Fer.

Well, sit you out: go home Berowne: adue.

Ber.

No my good Lord, I haue sworn to stay with you.
And though I haue for barbarisme spoke more,
115 Then for that Angell knowledge you can say,
Yet confident Ile keepe what I haue sworne,
And bide the pennance of each three yeares day.
Giue me the paper, let me reade the same,
And to the strictest decrees Ile write my name.

Fer.

120 How well this yeelding rescues thee from shame.

Ber.

Item. That no woman shall come within a mile
of my Court.
Hath this bin proclaimed?

Lon.

Foure dayes agoe.

Ber.

Let's see the penaltie.
125 On paine of loosing her tongue.
Who deuis'd this penaltie?

Lon.

Marry that did I.

Ber.

Sweete Lord, and why?

Lon.

To fright them hence with that dread penaltie,
130 A dangerous law against gentilitie.

131Item, If any man be seene to talke with a woman with­ [l. 132] in the tearme of three yeares, hee shall indure such [l. 133] publique shame as the rest of the Court shall possibly [l. 134] deuise.

Ber.

135 This Article my Liedge your selfe must breake,
For well you know here comes in Embassie
The French Kings daughter, with your selfe to speake:
A Maide of grace and compleate maiestie,
About surrender vp of Aquitaine:
140 To her decrepit, sicke, and bed‑rid Father.
Therefore this Article is made in vaine,
Or vainly comes th'admired Princesse hither.

Fer.

What say you Lords?
Why, this was quite forgot.

Ber.

145 So Studie euermore is ouershot,
While it doth study to haue what it would,
It doth forget to doe the thing it should:
And when it hath the thing it hunteth most,
'Tis won as townes with fire, so won, so lost.

Fer.

150 We must of force dispence with this Decree,
She must lye here on meere necessitie.

Ber.

Necessity will make vs all forsworne
Three thousand times within this three yeeres space:
For euery man with his affects is borne,
155 Not by might mastred, but by speciall grace.
If I breake faith, this word shall breake for me,
I am forsworne on meere necessitie.
So to the Lawes at large I write my name,
And he that breakes them in the least degree,
160 Stands in attainder of eternall shame.
Suggestions are to others as to me:
But I beleeue although I seeme so loth,
I am the last that will last keepe his oth.
But is there no quicke recreation granted?

Fer.

165 I that there is, our Court you know is hanted
With a refined trauailer of Spaine,
A man in all the worlds new fashion planted,
That hath a mint of phrases in his braine:
One, who the musicke of his owne vaine tongue,
170 Doth rauish like inchanting harmonie:
A man of complements whom right and wrong
Haue chose as vmpire of their mutinie.
This childe of fancie that Armado hight,
For interim to our studies shall relate,
175 In high‑borne words the worth of many a Knight:
From tawnie Spaine lost in the worlds debate.
How you delight my Lords, I know not I,
But I protest I loue to heare him lie,
And I will vse him for my Minstrelsie.

Bero.

180 Armado is a most illustrious wight,
A man of fire, new words, fashions owne Knight.

Lon.

Costard the swaine and he, shall be our sport,
And so to studie, three yeeres is but short.
Enter a Constable with Costard with a Letter.

Const.

184Which is the Dukes owne person.

Ber.

185This fellow, What would'st?

Con.

186I my selfe reprehend his owne person, for I am [l. 187] his graces Tharborough: But I would see his own person [l. 188] in flesh and blood.

Ber.

189This is he.

Con.

190 Signeor Arme, Arme commends you:
Ther's villanie abroad, this letter will tell you more.

Clow.

192Sir the Contempts thereof are as touching [l. 193] mee.

Fer.

194A letter from the magnificent Armado.

Ber.

195How low soeuer the matter, I hope in God for [l. 196] high words.

Lon.

197A high hope for a low heauen, God grant vs pa­ [l. 198] tience.

Ber.

199To heare, or forbeare hearing.

Lon.

200To heare meekely sir, and to laugh moderately, [l. 201] or to forbeare both.

Ber.

202Well sir, be it as the stile shall giue vs cause to [l. 203] clime in the merrinesse.

Clo.

The matter is to me sir, as concerning Iaquenetta.
205 The manner of it is, I was taken with the manner.

Ber.

In what manner?

Clo.

In manner and forme following sir all those three.

208I was seene with her in the Mannor house, sitting with [l. 209] her vpon the Forme, and taken following her into the [l. 210] Parke: which put to gether, is in manner and forme [l. 211] following. Now sir for the manner; It is the manner [l. 212] of a man to speake to a woman, for the forme in some [l. 213] forme.

Ber.

For the following sir.

Clo.

215 As it shall follow in my correction, and God de­
fend the right.

Fer.

Will you heare this Letter with attention?

Ber.

As we would heare an Oracle.

Clo.

218Such is the simplicitie of man to harken after the [l. 219] flesh.

L2 Fer. Great [p. 124] Loues Labour's lost.

Ferdinand.

220GReat Deputie, the Welkins Vicegerent, and sole domi­ [l. 221] nator of Nauar, my soules earths God, and bodies fo­ [l. 222] string patrone:

Cost.

223Not a vvord of Costard yet.

Ferd.

224 So it is.

Cost.

225It may be so: but if he say it is so, he is in telling [l. 226] true: but so.

Ferd.

227Peace,

Clow.

Be to me, and euery man that dares not fight.

Ferd.

229No words,

Clow.

230 Of other mens secrets I beseech you.

Ferd.

231 So it is besieged with sable coloured melancholie, I [l. 232] did commend the blacke oppressing humour to the most whole­ [l. 233] some Physicke of thy health‑giuing ayre: And as I am a Gen­ [l. 234] tleman, betooke my selfe to walke: the time When? about the [l. 235] sixt houre, When beasts most grase, birds best pecke, and men [l. 236] sit downe to that nourishment which is called supper: So much [l. 237] for the time When. Now for the ground Which? which I [l. 238] meane I walkt vpon, it is ycliped, Thy Parke. Then for the [l. 239] place Where? where I meane I did encounter that obscene and [l. 240] most preposterous euent that draweth from my snow‑white pen [l. 241] the ebon coloured Inke, which heere thou viewest, beholdest[…] [l. 242] suruayest, or seest. But to the place Where? It standeth [l. 243] North North‐east and by East from the West corner of thy [l. 244] curious knotted garden; There did I see that low spiri­ [l. 245] ted Swaine, that base Minow of thy myrth,

Clown.

246Mee?

247 that vnletered small knowing soule,

Clow

248Me?

249 that shallow [l. 250] vassall

Clow.

251Still mee?

252which as I remember, hight Co­ [l. 253] stard,

Clow.

254O me

255 sorted and consorted contrary to thy e­ [l. 256] stablished proclaymed Edict and Continet, Cannon: Which [l. 257] with, ô with, but with this I passion to say wherewith:

Clo.

258With a Wench.

Ferd.

259With a childe of our Grandmother Eue, a female; [l. 260] or for thy more sweet understanding a woman: him, I (as my [l. 261] euer esteemed dutie prickes me on) haue sent to thee, to receiue [l. 262] the meed of punishment by thy sweet Graces Officer Anthony [l. 263] Dull, a man of good repute, carriage, bearing, & estimation

Anth.

Me, an't shall please you? I am Anthony Dull

Ferd.

265For Iaquenetta (so is the weaker vessell called) [l. 266] which I apprehended with the aforesaid Swaine, I keeper her [l. 267] as a vessell of thy Lawes furie, and shall at the least of thy [l. 268] sweet notice, bring her to triall. Thine in all complements of [l. 269] deuoted and heart‑burning heat of dutie.

270Don Adriana de Armado.

Ber.

271This is not so well as I looked for, but the best [l. 272] that euer I heard.

Fer.

273I the best, for the worst. But sirra, What say you [l. 274] to this?

Clo.

275Sir I confesse the Wench.

Fer.

276Did you heare the Proclamation?

Clo.

277I doe confesse much of the hearing it, but little [l. 278] of the marking of it.

Fer.

279It was proclaimed a yeeres imprisonment to bee [l. 280] taken with a Wench.

Clow.

281I was taken with none sir, I was taken vvith a [l. 282] Damosell.

Fer.

283Well, it was proclaimed Damosell.

Clo.

284This was no Damosell neyther sir, shee was a [l. 285] Virgin.

Fer.

286It is so varried to, for it was proclaimed Virgin.

Clo.

287If it were, I denie her Virginitie: I was taken [l. 288] with a Maide.

Fer.

289This Maid will not serue your turne sir.

Clo.

290This Maide will serue my turne sir.

Kin.

291Sir I will pronounce your sentence: You shall [l. 292] fast a Weeke with Branne and water.

Clo.

293I had rather pray a Moneth with Mutton and [l. 294] Porridge.

Kin.

295 And Don Armado shall be your keeper.
My Lord Berowne, see him deliuer'd ore,
And goe we Lords to put in practice that,
Which each to other hath so strongly sworne.

Bero.

Ile lay my head to any good mans hat,
300 These oathes and lawes will proue an idle scorne.
Sirra, come on.

Clo.

302I suffer for the truth sir: for true it is, I was ta­ [l. 303] ken with Iaquenetta, and Iaquenetta is a true girle, and [l. 304] therefore welcome the sowre cup of prosperitie, afflicti­ [l. 305] on may one day smile againe, and vntill then sit downe [l. 306] sorrow.

Exit.

[Act 1, Scene 2]

Enter Armado and Moth his Page.

Arma.

307Boy, What signe is it when a man of great [l. 308] spirit growes melancholy?

Boy.

309A great signe sir, that he will looke sad.

Brag.

310Why? sadnesse is one and the selfe‑same thing [l. 311] deare impe.

Boy.

312No no, O Lord sir no.

Brag.

313How canst thou part sadnesse and melancholy [l. 314] my tender Iuuenall?

Boy.

315By a familiar demonstration of the working, my [l. 316] tough signeur.

Brag.

317Why tough signeur? Why tough signeur?

Boy.

318Why tender Iuuenall? Why tender Iuuenall?

Brag.

319I spoke it tender Iuuenall, as a congruent ap­ [l. 320] athaton, appertaining to thy young daies, which we may [l. 321] nominate tender.

Boy.

322And I tough signeur, as an appertinent title to [l. 323] your olde time, which we may name tough.

Brag.

324Pretty and apt.

Boy.

325How meane you sir, I pretty, and my saying apt? [l. 326] or I apt, and my saying prettie?

Brag.

327Thou pretty because little.

Boy.

328Little pretty, because little: wherefore apt?

Brag.

329And therefore apt, because quicke.

Boy.

330Speake you this in my praise Master?

Brag.

331In thy condigne praise.

Boy.

332I will praise an Eele with the same praise.

Brag.

333What? that an Eele is ingenuous.

Boy.

334That an Eele is quicke.

Brag.

335I doe say thou art quicke in answeres. Thou [l. 336] heat'st my bloud.

Boy.

337I am answer'd sir.

Brag.

338I loue not to be crost.

Boy.

339He speakes the meere contrary, crosses loue not [l. 340] (him.

Br.

341I haue promis'd to study iij. yeres with the Duke.

Boy.

342You may doe it' in an houre sir.

Brag.

343Impossible.

Boy.

344How many is one thrice told?

Bra.

345I am ill at reckning, it fits the spirit of a Tapster.

Boy.

346You are a gentleman and a gamester sir.

Brag.

347I confesse both, they are both the varnish of a [l. 348] compleat man.

Boy.

349Then I am sure you know how much the grosse [l. 350] summe of deus‐ace amounts to.

Brag.

351It doth amount to one more then two.

Boy.

352Which the base vulgar call three.

Br.

353True Boy. Why sir is this such a peece of study? [l. 354] Now here's three studied, ere you'll thrice wink, & how [l. 355] easie it is to put yeres to the word three, and study three [l. 356] yeeres in two words, the dancing horse will tell you.

Brag. A [p. 125] Loues Labour's lost.

Brag.

357A most fine Figure.

Boy.

358To proue you a Cypher.

Brag.

359I will heereupon confesse I am in loue: and as [l. 360] it is base for a Souldier to loue; so am I in loue with a [l. 361] base wench. If drawing my sword against the humour [l. 362] of affection, would deliuer mee from the reprobate [l. 363] thought of it, I would take Desire prisoner, and ransome [l. 364] him to any French Courtier for a new deuis'd curtsie. I [l. 365] thinke scorne to sigh, me thinkes I should out‑sweare [l. 366] Cupid. Comfort me Boy, What great men haue beene [l. 367] in loue?

Boy.

368 Hercules Master.

Brag.

369Most sweete Hercules: more authority deare [l. 370] Boy, name more; and sweet my childe let them be men [l. 371] of good repute and carriage.

Boy.

372 Sampson Master, he was a man of good carriage, [l. 373] great carriage: for hee carried the Towne‑gates on his [l. 374] backe like a Porter: and he was in loue.

Brag.

375O well‑knit Sampson, strong ioynted Sampson; [l. 376] I doe excell thee in my rapier, as much as thou didst mee [l. 377] in carrying gates. I am in loue too. Who was Sampsons [l. 378] loue my deare Moth?

Boy.

379A Woman, Master.

Brag.

380Of what complexion?

Boy.

381Of all the foure, or the three, or the two, or one [l. 382] of the foure.

Brag.

383Tell me precisely of what complexion?

Boy.

384Of the sea‑water Greene sir.

Brag.

385Is that one of the foure complexions?

Boy.

386As I haue read sir, and the best of them too.

Brag.

387Greene indeed is the colour of Louers: but to [l. 388] haue a Loue of that colour, methinkes Sampson had small [l. 389] reason for it. He surely affected her for her wit.

Boy.

390It was so sir, for she had a greene wit.

Brag.

391My Loue is most immaculate white and red.

Boy.

392Most immaculate thoughts Master, are mask'd [l. 393] vnder such colours.

Brag.

394Define, define, well educated infant.

Boy.

395My fathers witte, and my mothers tongue assist [l. 396] mee.

Brag.

397Sweet inuocation of a childe, most pretty and [l. 398] patheticall.

Boy.

If shee be made of white and red,
400 Her faults will nere be knowne:
For blush‑in cheekes by faults are bred,
And feares by pale white showne:
Then if she feare, or be to blame,
By this you shall not know,
405 For still her cheekes possesse the same,
Which natiue she doth owe:
A dangerous rime master against the reason of white
and redde.

Brag.

408Is there not a ballet Boy, of the King and the [l. 409] Begger?

Boy.

410The world was very guilty of such a Ballet some [l. 411] three ages since, but I thinke now 'tis not to be found: or [l. 412] if it were, it would neither serue for the writing, nor the [l. 413] tune.

Brag.

414I will haue that subiect newly writ ore, that I [l. 415] may example my digression by some mighty president. [l. 416] Boy, I doe loue that Countrey girle that I tooke in [l. 417] the Parke with the rationall hinde Costard: she deserues [l. 418] well.

Boy.

419To bee whip'd: and yet a better loue then my [l. 420] Master.

Brag.

421Sing Boy, my spirit grows heauy in ioue loue.

Boy.

422And that's great maruell, louing a light wench.

Brag.

423I say sing.

Boy.

424Forbeare till this company be past.

Enter Clowne, Constable, and Wench.

Const.

425Sir, the Dukes pleasure, is that you keepe Co­ [l. 426] stard safe, and you must let him take no delight, nor no [l. 427] penance, but hee must fast three daies a weeke: for this [l. 428] Damsell, I must keepe her at the Parke, shee is alowd for [l. 429] the Day‐woman. Fare you well

Exit.

Brag.

430I do betray my selfe with blushing: Maide.

Maid.

431Man.

Brag.

432I wil visit thee at the Lodge.

Maid.

433That's here by.

Brag.

434I know where it is situate.

Mai.

435Lord how wise you are!

Brag.

436I will tell thee wonders.

Ma.

437With what face?

Brag.

438I loue thee.

Mai.

439So I heard you say.

Brag.

440And so farewell.

Mai.

441Faire weather after you.

Clo.

442Come Iaquenetta, away.

Exeunt.

Brag.

443Villaine, thou shalt fast for thy offences ere [l. 444] thou be pardoned.

Clo.

445Well sir, I hope when I doe it, I shall doe it on a [l. 446] full stomacke.

Brag.

447Thou shalt be heauily punished.

Clo.

448I am more bound to you then your fellowes, for [l. 449] they are but lightly rewarded.

Clo.

450Take away this villaine, shut him vp.

Boy.

451Come you transgressing slaue, away.

Clow.

452Let mee not bee pent vp sir, I will fast being [l. 453] loose.

Boy.

454No sir, that were fast and loose: thou shalt to [l. 455] prison.

Clow.

456Well, if euer I do see the merry dayes of deso­ [l. 457] lation that I haue seene, some shall see.

Boy.

458What shall some see?

Clow.

459Nay nothing, Master Moth, but what they [l. 460] looke vpon. It is not for prisoners to be silent in their [l. 461] words, and therefore I will say nothing: I thanke God, I [l. 462] haue as little patience as another man, and therefore I [l. 463] can be quiet.

Exit.

Brag.

464I doe affect the very ground (which is base) [l. 465] where her shooe (which is baser) guided by her foote [l. 466] (which is basest) doth tread. I shall be forsworn (which [l. 467] is a great argument of falshood) if I loue. And how can [l. 468] that be true loue, which is falsly attempted? Loue is a fa­ [l. 469] miliar, Loue is a Diuell. There is no euill Angell but [l. 470] Loue, yet Sampson was so tempted, and he had an excel­ [l. 471] lent strength: Yet was Salomon so seduced, and hee had [l. 472] a very good witte. Cupids But shaft is too hard for Her­ [l. 473] cules Clubbe, and therefore too much ods for a Spa­ [l. 474] niards Rapier: The first and second cause will not serue [l. 475] my turne: the Passado hee respects not, the Duello he [l. 476] regards not; his disgrace is to be called Boy, but his [l. 477] glorie is to subdue men. Adue Valour, rust Rapier, bee [l. 478] still Drum, for your manager is in loue; yea hee loueth. [l. 479] Assist me some extemporall god of Rime, for I am sure I [l. 480] shall turne Sonnet. Deuise Wit, write Pen, for I am for [l. 481] whole volumes in folio.

Exit.

Finis Actus Primus.

L3 Actus
[p. 126]
Loues Labour's lost. Actus Secunda. [Act 2, Scene 1]
Enter the Princesse of France, with three attending Ladies,
and three Lords.

Boyet.

Now Madam summon vp your dearest spirits,
Consider who the King your father sends:
To whom he sends, and what's his Embassie.
485 Your selfe, held precious in the worlds esteeme,
To parlee with the sole inheritour
Of all perfections that a man may owe,
Matchlesse Nauarre, the plea of no lesse weight
Then Aquitaine, a Dowrie for a Queene.
490 Be now as prodigall of all deare grace,
As Nature was in making Graces deare,
When she did starue the generall world beside,
And prodigally gaue them all to you.

Queen.

Good L. Boyet, my beauty though but mean,
495 Needs not the painted flourish of your praise:
Beauty is bought by iudgement of the eye,
Not vttred by base sale of chapmens tongues:
I am lesse proud to heare you tell my worth,
Then you much wiling to be counted wise,
500 In spending your wit in the praise of mine.
But now to taske the tasker, good Boyet

Prin.

You are not ignorant all‑telling fame
Doth noyse abroad Nauar hath made a vow,
Till painefull studie shall out‑weare three yeares,
505 No woman may approach his silent Court:
Therefore to's seemeth it a needfull course,
Before we enter his forbidden gates,
To know his pleasure, and in that behalf
Bold of your worthinesse, we single you,
510 As our best mouing faire soliciter:
Tell him, the daughter of the King of France,
On serious businesse crauing quicke dispatch,
Importunes personall conference with his grace.
Haste, signifie so much while we attend,
515 Like humble visag'd suters his high will.

Boy.

Proud of imployment, willingly I goe.
Exit.

Prin.

All pride is willing pride, and yours is so:
Who are the Votaries my louing Lo[...] [...].
fellowes with this vertuous Duke?

Lor.

Longauill is one.

Princ.

520 Know you the man?

I Lady.

I know him Madame at a marriage feast,
Betweene L. Perigort and the beautious heire
Of Iaques Fauconbridge solemnized.
In Normandie saw I this Longauill,
525 A man of soueraigne parts he is esteem'd:
Well fitted in Arts, glorious in Armes:
Nothing becomes him ill that he would well.
The onely soyle of his faire vertues glosse,
If vertues glosse will staine with any soile,
530 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.

Prin.

Some merry mocking Lord belike, ist so?

Lad.I.

They say so most, that most his humors know.

Prin.

535 Such short liu'd wits do wither as they grow.
Who are the rest?

2. Lad.

The yong Dumaine, a well accomplisht youth,
Of all that Vertue loue, for Vertue loued.
Most power to doe most harme, least knowing ill:
540 For he hath wit to make an ill shape good,
And shape to win grace though she had no wit.
I saw him at the Duke Alansoes once,
And much too little of that good I saw,
Is my report to his great worthinesse.

Rossa.

545 Another of these Students at that time,
Was there with him, as I haue heard a truth.
Berowne they call him, but a merrier man,
Within the limit of becomming mirth,
I neuer spent an houres talke withall.
550 His eye begets occasion for his wit,
For euery obiect that the one doth catch,
The other turnes to a mirth‑mouing iest.
Which his faire tongue (conceits expositor)
Deliuers in such apt and gracious words,
555 That aged eares play treuant at his tales,
And yonger hearings are quite rauished.
So sweet and voluble is his discourse.

Prin.

God blesse my Ladies, are they all in loue?
That euery one her owne hath garnished,
560 With such bedecking ornaments of praise.

Ma.

Heere comes Boyet.
Enter Boyet.

Prin.

Now, what admittance Lord?

Boyet.

Nauar had notice of your faire approach;
And he and his competitors in oath,
565 Were all addrest to meete you gentle Lady
Before I came: Marrie thus much I haue learnt,
He rather meanes to lodge you in the field,
Like one that comes heere to besiege his Court,
Then seeke a dispensation for his oath:
570 To let you enter his vnpeopled house.
Enter Nauar, Longauill, Dumaine, and Berowne.
Heere comes Nauar.

Nau.

Faire Princesse, welcom to the Court of Nauar.

Prin.

573Faire I giue you backe againe, and welcome I [l. 574] haue not yet: the roofe of this Court is too high to bee [l. 575] yours, and welcome to the wide fields, too base to be [l. 576] mine.

Nau.

You shall be welcome Madam to my Court.

Prin.

I wil be welcome then, Conduct me thither.

Nau.

Heare me deare Lady, I haue sworne an oath.

Prin.

580 Our Lady helpe my Lord, he'll be forsworne.

Nau.

Not for the world faire Madam, by my will.

Prin.

Why, will shall breake it will, and nothing els.

Nau.

Your Ladiship is ignorant what it is.

Prin.

Were my Lord so, his ignorance were wise,
585 Where now his knowledge must proue ignorance.
I heare your grace hath sworne out Houseekeeping Housekeeping:
'Tis deadly sinne to keepe that oath my Lord,
And sinne to breake it:
But pardon me, I am too sodaine bold,
590 To teach a Teacher ill beseemeth me.
Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my comming,
And sodainly resolue me in my suite.

Nau.

Madam, I will, if sodainly I may.

Prin.

You will the sooner that I were away,
595 For you'll proue periur'd if you make me stay.

Berow.

Did not I dance with you in Brabant once?

Rosa.

Did not I dance with you in Brabant once?
Ber. I [p. 127] Loues Labour's lost.

Ber.

I know you did.

Rosa.

How needlesse was it then to ask the question?

Ber.

600You must not be so quicke.

Rosa.

'Tis long of you that spur me with such questions.

Ber.

Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast,'twill tire.

Rosa.

Not till it leaue the Rider in the mire.

Ber.

What time a day?

Rosa.

605 The howre that fooles should aske.

Ber.

Now faire befall your maske.

Rosa.

Faire fall the face it couers.

Ber.

And send you many louers.

Rosa.

Amen, so you be none.

Ber.

610 Nay then will I be gone.

Kin.

Madame, your father heere doth intimate,
The paiment of a hundred thousand Crownes,
Being but th' one halfe, of an intire summe,
Disbursed by my father in his warres.
615 But say that he, or we, as neither haue
Receiu'd that summe; yet there remaines vnpaid
A hundred thousand more: in surety of the which,
One part of Aquitaine is bound to vs,
Although not valued to the moneys worth.
620 If then the King your father will restore
But that one halfe which is vnsatisfied,
We will giue vp our right in Aquitaine,
And hold faire friendship with his Maiestie:
But that it seemes he little purposeth,
625 For here he doth demand to haue repaie,
An hundred thousand Crownes, and not demands
One paiment of a hundred thousand Crownes,
To haue his title liue in Aquitaine.
Which we much rather had depart withall,
630 And haue the money by our father lent,
Then Aquitane, so guelded as it is.
Deare Princesse, were not his requests so farre
From reasons yeelding, your faire selfe should make
A yeelding 'gainst some reason in my brest,
635 And goe well satisfied to France againe.

Prin.

You doe the King my Father too much wrong,
And wrong the reputation of your name,
In so vnseeming to confesse receyt
Of that which hath so faithfully beene paid.

Kin.

640 I doe protest I neuer heard of it,
And if you proue it, Ile repay it backe,
Or yeeld vp Aquitaine.

Prin.

We arrest your word:
Boyet, you can produce acquittances
645 For such a summe, from speciall Officers,
Of Charles his Father.

Kin.

Satisfie me so.

Boyet.

So please your Grace, the packet is not come
Where that and other specialties are bound,
650 To morrow you shall haue a sight of them.

Kin.

It shall suffice me; at which enterview,
All liberall reason would I yeeld vnto:
Meane time, receiue such welcome at my hand,
As Honour, without breach of Honour may
655 Make tender of, to thy true worthinesse.
You may not come faire Princesse in my gates,
But heere without you shall be so receiu'd,
As you shall deeme your selfe lodg'd in my heart,
Though so deni'd farther harbour in my house:
660 Your owne good thoughts excuse me, and farewell,
To morrow we shall visit you againe.

Prin.

Sweet health & faire desires consort your grace.

Kin.

Thy own wish wish I thee, in euery place.
Exit.

Boy.

Lady, I will commend you to my owne heart.

La. Ro.

665 Pray you doe my commendations,
I would be glad to see it.

Boy.

I would you heard it grone.

La. Ro.

Is the soule sicke?.

Boy.

Sicke at the heart.

La. Ro.

670 Alacke, let it bloud.

Boy.

Would that doe it good?

La. Ro.

My Phisicke saies I.

Boy.

Will you prick't with your eye.

La. Ro.

No poynt, with my knife.

Boy.

675 Now God saue thy life.

La. Ro.

And yours from long liuing.

Ber.

I cannot stay thanks‑giuing.
Exit.
Enter Dumane.

Dum.

Sir, I pray you a word: What Lady is that same?

Boy.

The heire of Alanson, Rosalin her name.

Dum.

680 A gallant Lady, Mounsier fare you well.

Long.

I beseech you a word: what is she in the white?

Boy.

A woman somtimes, if you saw her in the light.

Long.

Perchance light in the light: I desire her name.

Boy.

Shee hath but one for her selfe,
685 To desire that were a shame.

Long.

Pray you sir, whose daughter?

Boy.

Her Mothers, I haue heard.

Long.

Gods blessing a your beard.

Boy.

Good sir be not offended,
690 Shee is an heyre of Faulconbridge.

Long.

Nay, my choller is ended:
Shee is a most sweet Lady.
Exit. Long.

Boy.

Not vnlike sir, that may be.
Enter Beroune.

Ber.

What's her name in the cap.

Boy.

695 Katherine by good hap.

Ber.

Is she wedded, or no.

Boy.

To her will sir, or so.

Ber.

You are welcome sir, adiew.

Boy.

Fare well to me sir, and welcome to you.
Exit.

La. Ma.

700 That last is Beroune, the mery mad‑cap Lord.
Not a word with him, but a iest.

Boy.

And euery iest but a word.

Pri.

It was well done of you to take him at his word.

Boy.

I was as willing to grapple, as he was to boord.

La. Ma.

705 Two hot Sheepes marie:
And wherefore not Ships?[…]

Boy.

No Sheepe (sweet Lamb) vnlesse we feed on your
(lips.

La.

You Sheepe & I pasture: shall that finish the iest?

Boy.

So you grant pasture for me.

La.

710 Not so gentle beast.
My lips are no Common, though seuerall they be.

Bo.

Belonging to whom?

La.

To my fortunes and me.

Prin.

Good wits wil be iangling, but gentles agree.
715 This ciuill warre of wits were much better vsed
On Nauar and his bookemen, for heere 'tis abus'd.

Bo.

If my obseruation (which very seldome lies
By the hearts still rhetoricke, disclosed with eyes)
Deceiue me not now, Nauar is infected.

Prin.

720 With what?

Bo.

With that which we Louers intitle affected.

Prin.

Your reason.

Bo.

Why all his behauiours doe make their retire,
To the court of his eye, peeping thorough desire.
725 His hart like an Agot with your print impressed,
Proud [p. 128] Loues Labour's lost.
Proud with his forme, in his eie pride expressed.
His tongue all impatient to speake and not see,
Did stumble with haste in his eie‑sight to be,
All sences to that sence did make their repaire,
730 To feele onely looking on fairest of faire:
Me thought all his sences were lockt in his eye,
As Iewels in Christall for some Prince to buy.
Who tendring their own worth from whence they were
(glast,
Did point out to buy them along as you past.
735 His faces owne margent did coate such amazes,
That all eyes saw his eies inchanted with gazes.
Ile giue you Aquitaine, and all that is his,
And you giue him for my sake, but one louing Kisse.

Prin.

Come to our Pauillion, Boyet is disposde.

Bro.

740 But to speak that in words, which his eie hath dis­
(clos'd.
I onelie haue made a mouth of his eie,
By adding a tongue, which I know will not lie.

Lad. Ro.

Thou art an old Loue‑monger, and speakest
skilfully.

Lad. Ma.

He is Cupids Grandfather, and learnes news
of him.

Lad. 2.

745 Then was Venus like her mother, for her fa­
ther is but grim.

Boy.

Do you heare my mad wenches?

La. I.

No.

Boy.

What then, do you see?

Lad. 2.

I, our way to be gone.

Boy.

750 You are too hard for me.
Exeunt. Omnes.

Actus Tertius.

[Act 3, Scene 1]

Enter Broggart and Boy.
Song.

Bra.

751Warble childe, make passionate my sense of hea­ [l. 752] ring.

Boy.

753Concolinel.

Brag.

754Sweete Ayer, go tendernesse of yeares: take [l. 755] this Key, giue enlargement to the swaine, bring him fe­ [l. 756] stinatly hither: I must imploy him in a letter to my [l. 757] Loue.

Boy.

758Will you win your loue with a French braule?

Bra.

759How meanest thou, brauling in French?

Boy.

760No my compleat master, but to Iigge off a tune [l. 761] at the tongues end, canarie to it with the feete, humour [l. 762] it with turning vp your eie: sigh a note and sing a note, [l. 763] sometime through the throate: if you swallowed loue [l. 764] with singing, loue sometime through: nose as if you [l. 765] snuft vp loue by smelling loue with your hat penthouse‑ [l. 766] like ore the shop of your eies, with your armes crost on [l. 767] your thinbellie doublet, like a Rabbet on a spit, or your [l. 768] hands in your pocket, like a man after the old painting, [l. 769] and keepe not too long in one tune, but a snip and away: [l. 770] these are complements, these are humours, these betraie [l. 771] nice wenches that would be betraied without these, and [l. 772] make them men of note: do you note men that most are [l. 773] affected to these?

Brag.

774How hast thou purchased this experience?

Boy.

775By my penne of obseruation.

Brag.

776But O, but O.

Boy.

777The Hobbie‑horse is forgot.

Bra.

778Cal'st thou my loue Hobbi‑horse.

Boy.

779No Master, the Hobbie‑horse is but a Colt, and [l. 780] and and [l. 781] your Loue perhaps, a Hacknie:

782But haue you forgot your Loue?

Brag.

783Almost I had.

Boy.

784Negligent student, learne her by heart.

Brag.

785By heart, and in heart Boy.

Boy.

786And out of heart Master: all those three I will [l. 787] proue.

Brag.

788What wilt thou proue?

Boy.

789A man, if I liue (and this) by, in, and without, vp­ [l. 790] on the instant: by heart you loue her, because your heart [l. 791] cannot come by her: in heart you loue her, because your [l. 792] heart is in loue with her: and out of heart you loue her, [l. 793] being out of heart that you cannot enioy her.

Brag.

794I am all these three.

Boy.

795And three times as much more, and yet nothing [l. 796] at all.

Brag.

797Fetch hither the Swaine, he must carrie mee a [l. 798] letter.

Boy.

799A message well simpathis'd, a Horse to be em­ [l. 800] bassadour for an Asse.

Brag.

Ha, ha, What saiest thou?

Boy.

802Marrie sir, you must send the Asse vpon the Horse [l. 803] for he is verie slow gated: but I goe.

Brag.

The way is but short, away.

Boy.

805 As swift as Lead sir.

Brag.

Thy meaning prettie ingenious, is not Lead a
mettall heauie, dull, and slow?

Boy.

Minnime honest Master, or rather Master no.

Brag.

I say Lead is slow.

Boy.

You are too swift sir to say so.
810 Is that Lead slow which is fir'd from a Gunne?

Brag.

Sweete smoke of Rhetorike,
He reputes me a Cannon, and the Bullet that's he:
I shoote thee at the Swaine.

Boy.

Thump then, and I flee.

Bra.

815 A most acute Iuuenall, voluble and free of grace,
By thy fauour sweet Welkin, I must sigh in thy face.
Most rude melancholie, Valour giues thee place.
My Herald is return'd.
Enter Page and Clowne.

Pag.

A wonder Master, here's a Costard broken in a
shin.

Ar.

820 Some enigma, some riddle, come, thy Lenuoy
begin.

Clo.

821No egma, no riddle, no lenuoy, no salue, in thee [l. 822] male sir. Or sir, Plantan, a plaine Plantan: no lenuoy, no [l. 823] lenuoy, no Salue sir, but a Plantan.

Ar.

824By vertue, thou inforcest laughter, thy sillie [l. 825] thought, my spleene, the heauing of my lunges prouokes [l. 826] me to rediculous smyling: O pardon me my stars, doth [l. 827] the inconsiderate take salue for lenuoy, and the word len­ [l. 828] uoy for a salue?

Pag.

829Doe the wise thinke them other, is not lenuoy a [l. 830] salue?

Ar.

No Page, it is an epilogue or discourse to make
(plaine,
Some obscure precedence that hath tofore bin faine.
Now will I begin your morrall, and do you follow with
my lenuoy.
The Foxe, the Ape, and the Humble‑Bee,
835 Were still at oddes, being but three.

Arm.

Vntill the Goose came out of doore,
Staying the oddes by adding foure.

Pag.

A good Lenuoy, ending in the Goose: would you
desire more?

Clo.

The Boy hath sold him a bargaine, a Goose, that's flat.
Sir [p. 129] Loues Labour's lost.
840 Sir, your penny‑worth is good, and your Goose be fat.
To sell a bargaine well is as cunning as fast and loose:
Let me see a fat Lenuoy, I that's a fat Goose.

Ar.

Come hither, come hither:
How did this argument begin?

Boy.

845 By saying that a Costard was broken in a shin.
Then cal'd you for the Lenuoy.

Clow.

True, and I for a Plantan:
Thus came your argument in:
Then the Boyes fat Lenuoy, the Goose that you bought,
850 And he ended the market.

Ar.

851But tell me: How was there a Costard broken in [l. 852] a shin?

Pag.

I will tell you sencibly.

Clow.

Thou hast no feeling of it Moth,
855 I will speake that Lenuoy.
I Costard running out, that was safely within,
Fell ouer the threshold, and broke my shin.

Arm.

We will talke no more of this matter.

Clow.

Till there be more matter in the shin.

Arm.

860 Sirra Costard, I will infranchise thee.

Clow.

861O, marrie me to one Francis, I smell some Len­ [l. 862] uoy, some Goose in this.

Arm.

863By my sweete soule, I meane, setting thee at li­ [l. 864] bertie. Enfreedoming thy person: thou wert emured, [l. 865] restrained, captiuated, bound.

Clow.

866True, true, and now you will be my purgation, [l. 867] and let me loose.

Arm.

868I giue thee thy libertie, set thee from durance, [l. 869] and in lieu thereof, impose on thee nothing but this: [l. 870] Beare this significant to the countrey Maide Iaquenetta: [l. 871] there is remuneration, for the best ward of mine honours [l. 872] is rewarding my dependants. Moth, follow.

Pag.

Like the sequell I.
Signeur Costard adew.
Exit.

Clow.

875My sweete ounce of mans flesh, my in‑conie [l. 876] Iew: Now will I looke to his remuneration. [l. 877] Remuneration, O, that's the Latine word for three‑far­ [l. 878] things: Three‑farthings remuneration, What's the price [l. 879] of this yncle? i.d. no, Ile giue you a remuneration: Why? [l. 880] It carries it remuneration: Why? It is a fairer name then [l. 881] a French‑Crowne. I will neuer buy and sell out of this [l. 882] word.

Enter Berowne.

Ber.

883O my good knaue Costard, exceedingly well met.

Clow.

884Pray you sir, How much Carnation Ribbon [l. 885] may a man buy for a remuneration?

Ber.

886What is a remuneration?

Cost.

887Marrie sir, halfe pennie farthing.

Ber.

888O, Why then three farthings worth of Silke.

Cost.

889I thanke your worship, God be wy you.

Ber.

890 O stay slaue, I must employ thee
As thou wilt win my fauour, good my knaue,
Doe one thing for me that I shall intreate.

Clow.

893When would you haue it done sir?

Ber.

894O this after‑noone.

Clo.

895Well, I will doe it sir: Fare you well.

Ber.

896O thou knowest not what it is.

Clo.

897I shall know sir, when I haue done it.

Ber.

898Why villaine thou must know first.

Clo.

899I wil come to your worship to morrow morning.

Ber.

900 It must be done this after‑noone,
Harke slaue, it is but this:
The Princesse comes to hunt here in the Parke,
And in her traine there is a gentle Ladie:
When tongues speak sweetly, then they name her name,
905 And Rosaline they call her, aske for her:
And to her white hand see thou do commend
This seal'd‑vp counsaile. Ther's thy gu[.]rdon guerdon: goe.

Clo.

908Gardon, O sweete gardon, better then remune­ration, [l. 909] a leuenpence‑farthing better: most sweete gar­ [l. 910] don. I will doe it sir in print: gardon, remuneration.

Exit.

Ber.

O, and I forsooth in loue,
I that haue beene loues whip?
A verie Beadle to a humerous sigh: A Criticke,
Nay, a night‑watch Constable.
915 A domineering pedant ore the Boy,
Then whom no mortall so magnificent.
This wimpled, whyning, purblinde waiward Boy,
This signior Iunios gyant dwarfe, don Cupid,
Regent of Loue‐rimes, Lord of folded armes,
920 Th'annointed soueraigne of sighes and groanes:
Liedge of all loyterers and malecontents:
Dread Prince of Placcats, King of Codpeeces.
Sole Emperator and great generall
Of trotting Parrators (O my little heart.)
925 And I to be a Corporall of his field,
And weare his colours like a Tumblers hoope.
What? I loue, I sue, I seeke a wife,
A woman that is like a Germane Cloake,
Still a repairing: euer out of frame,
930 And neuer going a right, being a Watch:
But being watcht, that it may still goe right.
Nay, to be periurde, which is worst of all:
And among three, to loue the worst of all,
A whitly wanton, with a veluet brow.
935 With two pitch bals stucke in her face for eyes.
I, and by heauen, one that will doe the deede,
Though Argus were her Eunuch and her garde.
And I to sigh for her, to watch for her,
To pray for her, go to: it is a plague
940 That Cupid will impose for my neglect,
Of his almighty dreadfull little might.
Well, I will loue, write, sigh, pray, shue, grone,
Some men must loue my Lady, and some Ione.

Actus Quartus.

[Act 4, Scene 1]

Enter the Princ[.]sse, a Forrester, her Ladies, and
her Lords.

Qu.

Was that the King that spurd his horse so hard,
945 Against he steepe vprising of the hill?

Boy.

I know not, but I thinke it was not he.

Qu.

Who ere a was, a shew'd a mounting minde:
Well Lords, to day we shall haue our dispatch,
On Saterday we will returne to France.
950 Then Forrester my friend, Where is the [.]ush
That we must stand and play the murtherer in?

For.

Hereby vpon the edge of yonder Coppice,
A Stand where you may make the fairest shoote.

Qu.

I thanke my beautie, I am faire that shoote,
955 And thereupon thou speak'st the fairest shoote.

For.

Pardon me Madam, for I meant not so.

Qu.

What, what? First praise me, & then again say no.
O short liu'd pride. Not faire? alacke for woe.
For. Yes [p. 130] Loues Labour's lost.

For.

959Yes Madam faire.

Qu.

960 Nay, neuer paint me now,
Where faire is not, praise cannot mend the brow.
Here (good my glasse) take this for telling true:
Faire paiment for foule words, is more then due.

For.

Nothing but faire is that which you inherit.

Qu.

965 See, see, my beautie will be sau'd by merit.
O heresie in faire, fit for these dayes,
A giuing hand, though foule, shall haue faire praise.
But come, the Bow: Now Mercie goes to kill,
And shooting well, is then accounted ill:
970 Thus will I saue my credit in the shoote,
Not wounding, pittie would not let me do't:
If wounding, then it was to shew my skill,
That more for praise, then purpose meant to kill.
And out of question, so it is sometimes:
975 Glory growes guiltie of detested crimes,
When for Fames sake, for praise an outward part,
We bend to that, the working of the hart.
As I for praise alone now seeke to spill
The poore Deeres blood, that my heart meanes no ill.

Boy.

980 Do not curst wiues hold that selfe‑soueraigntie
Onely for praise sake, when they striue to be
Lords ore their Lords?

Qu.

Onely for praise, and praise we may afford,
To any Lady that subdewes a Lord.
Enter Clowne.

Boy.

985 Here comes a member of the common‑wealth.

Clo.

986God dig‑you‑den all, pray you which is the head [l. 987] Lady?

Qu.

Thou shalt know her fellow, by the rest that haue
no heads

Clo.

Which is the greatest Lady, the highest?

Qu.

990 The thickest, and the tallest.

Clo.

The thickest, & the tallest: it is so, truth is truth.
And your waste Mistris, were as slender as my wit,
One a these Maides girdles for your waste should be fit.
Are not you the chiefe woman? You are the thickest here?

Qu.

995 What's your will sir? What's your will?

Clo.

I haue a Letter from Monsier Berowne,
To one Lady Rosaline.

Qu.

O thy letter, thy letter: He's a good friend of mine.
stand a side good bearer.
1000 Boyet, you can carue,
Breake vp this Capon.

Boyet.

I am bound to serue.
This Letter is mistooke: it importeth none here:
It is writ to Iaquenetta.

Qu.

1005 We will read it, I sweare.
Breake the necke of the Waxe, and euery one giue eare.
Boyet reades.

BY heauen, that thou art faire, is most infallible: true
that thou art beauteous, truth it selfe that thou art
louely: more fairer then faire, beautifull then beautious,
truer then truth it selfe: haue comiseration on thy heroi­
call Vassall. The magnanimous and most illustrate King
Cophetua set eie vpon the pernicious and indubitate Beg­
ger Zenelophon: and he it was that might rightly say, Ve­
ni, vidi, vici: Which to annothanize in the vulgar, O
base and obscure vulgar; videliset, He came, See, and o­
uercame: hee came one; see, two; couercame ouercame three:
Who came? the King. Why did he come? to see. Why
did he see? to ouercome. To whom came he? to the
Begger. What saw he? the Begger. Who ouercame
he? the Begger. The conclusion is victorie: On whose
side? the King: the captiue is inricht: On whose side?
the Beggers. The catastrophe is a Nuptiall: on whose
side? the Kings: no, on both in one, or one in both. I am
the King (for so stands the comparison) thou the Beg­
ger, for so witnesseth thy lowlinesse. Shall I command
thy loue? I may. Shall I enforce thy loue? I could.
Shall I entreate thy loue? I will. What, shalt thou ex­
change for ragges, roabes: for tittles titles, for thy selfe
mee. Thus expecting thy reply, I prophane my lips on
thy foote, my eyes on thy picture, and my heart on thy
euerie part.

Thine in the dearest designe of industrie,

Don Adriana de Armatho.

Thus dost thou heare the Nemean Lion roare,
Gainst thee thou Lambe, that standest as his pray:
Submissiue fall his princely feete before,
1010 And he from forrage will incline to play.
But if thou striue (poore soule) what art thou then?
Foode for his rage, repasture for his den.

Qu.

What plume of feathers is hee that indited this
Letter?
What veine? What Wethercocke? Did you
euer heare better?

Boy.

1015 I am much deceiued, but I remember the stile.

Qu.

Else your memorie is bad, going ore it erewhile.

Boy.

This Armado is a Spaniard that keeps here in court
A Phantasime, a Monarcho, and one that makes sport
To the Prince and his Booke‑mates.

Qu.

1020 Thou fellow, a word.
Who gaue thee this Letter?

Clow.

I told you, my Lord.

Qu.

To whom should'st thou giue it?

Clo.

From my Lord to my Lady.

Qu.

1025 From which Lord, to which Lady?

Clo.

From my Lord Berowne, a good master of mine,
To a Lady of France, that he call'd Rosaline.

Qu.

Thou hast mistaken his letter. Come Lords away.
Here sweete, put vp this, 'twill be thine another day.
Exeunt.

Boy.

1030 Who is the shooter? Who is the shooter?

Rosa.

Shall I teach you to know.

Boy.

I my continent of beautie.

Rosa.

Why she that beares the Bow. Finely put off.

Boy.

My Lady goes to kill hornes, but if thou marrie,
1035 Hang me by the necke, if hornes that yeare miscarrie.
Finely put on.

Rosa.

Well then, I am the shooter.

Boy.

And who is your Deare?

Rosa.

1039If we choose by the hornes, your selfe come not [l. 1040] neare. Finely put on indeed.

Maria.

You still wrangle with her Boyet, and shee
strikes at the brow.

Boyet.

But she her selfe is hit lower:
Haue I hit her now.

Rosa.

1045Shall I come vpon thee with an old saying, that [l. 1046] was a man when King Pippin of France was a little boy, as [l. 1047] touching the hit it.

Boyet.

1048So I may answere thee with one as old that [l. 1049] was a woman when Queene Guinouer of Brittaine was a [l. 1050] little wench, as touching the hit it.

Rosa. Thou [p. 131] Loues Labour's lost.

Rosa.

Thou canst not hit it, hit it, hit it,
Thou canst not hit it my good man.

Boy.

I cannot, cannot, cannot:
And I cannot, another can.
Exit.

Clo.

1055 By my troth most pleasant, how both did fit it.

Mar.

A marke marueilous well shot, for they both
did hit.

Boy.

A mark, O marke but that marke: a marke saies
my Lady.
Let the mark haue a pricke in't, to meat at, if it may be.

Mar.

Wide a'th bow hand, yfaith your hand is out.

Clo.

1060 Indeede a' must shoote nearer, or heele ne're hit
the clout.

Boy.

And if my hand be out, then belike your hand
is in.

Clo.

Then will shee get the vpshoot by cleauing the
is in pin.

Ma.

Come, come, you talke greasely, your lips grow
foule.

Clo.

She's too hard for you at pricks, sir challenge her
to boule.

Boy.

1065 I feare too much rubbing: good night my good
Oule.

Clo.

By my soule a Swaine, a most simple Clowne.
Lord, Lord, how the Ladies and I haue put him downe.
O my troth most sweete iests, most inconie vulgar wit,
When it comes so smoothly off, so obscenely, as it were,
so fit.
1070 Armathor ath to the side, O a most dainty man.
To see him walke before a Lady, and to beare her Fan.
To see him kisse his hand, and how most sweetly a will
sweare:
And his Page atother side, that handfull of wit,
Ah heauens, it is most patheticall nit.
1075 Sowla, sowla.
Exeunt.
Shoote within.

[Act 4, Scene 2]

Enter Dull, Holofernes, the Pedant and Nathaniel.

Nat.

1076Very reuerent sport truely, and done in the testi­ [l. 1077] mony of a good conscience.

Ped.

1078The Deare was (as you know) sanguis in blood, [l. 1079] ripe as a Pomwater, who now hangeth like a Iewell in [l. 1080] the eare of Celo the skie; the welken the heauen, and a­ [l. 1081] non falleth like a Crab on the face of Terra, the soyle, the [l. 1082] land, the earth.

Curat.Nath.

1083Truely M. Holofernes, the epythithes are [l. 1084] sweetly varied like a scholler at the least: but sir I assure [l. 1085] ye, it was a Bucke of the first head.

Hol.

1086Sir Nathaniel, haud credo.

Dul.

1087'Twas not a haud credo, 'twas a Pricket.

Hol.

1088Most barbarous intimation: yet a kinde of insi­ [l. 1089] nuation, as it were in via, in way of explication facere: as [l. 1090] it were replication, or rather ostentare, to show as it were [l. 1091] his inclination after his vndressed, vnpolished, vneduca­ [l. 1092] ted, vnpruned, vntrained, or rather vnlettered, or rathe­ [l. 1093] rest vnconfirmed fashion, to insert againe my haud credo [l. 1094] for a Deare.

Dul.

1095I said the Deare was not a haud credo, 'twas a [l. 1096] Pricket.

Hol.

1097Twice sod simplicitie, bis coctus, O thou mon­ [l. 1098] ster Ignorance, how deformed doost thou looke.

Nath.

Sir hee hath neuer fed of the[.]dainties that are
bred in a booke.
1100 He hath not eate paper as it were:
He hath not drunke inke.
His intellect is not replenished, hee is onely an animall,
onely sensible in the duller parts: and such barren plants
are set before vs, that we thankfull should be: which we
taste and feeling, are for those parts that doe fructifie in
vs more then he.
For as it would ill become me to be vaine, indiscreet, or
a foole;
So were there a patch set on Learning, to see him in a
Schoole.
1105 But omne bene say I, being of an old Fathers minde,
Many can brooke the weather, that loue not the winde.

Dul.

1107You two are book‐men: Can you tell by your [l. 1108] wit, What was a month old at Cains birth, that's not fiue [l. 1109] weekes old as yet?

Hol.

1110Dictisima goodman Dull, dictisima goodman [l. 1111] Dull.

Dul.

1112What is dictima?

Nath.

1113A title to Phebe, to Luna, to the Moone.

Hol.

The Moone was a month old when Adam was
no more.
1115 And wrought not to fiue‑weekes when he came to fiue‑
 (score.
Th'allusion holds in the Exchange.

Dul.

'Tis true indeede, the Collusion holds in the
Exchange.

Hol.

God comfort thy capacity, I say th'allusion holds
in the Exchange.

Dul.

1119And I say the polusion holds in the Exchange: [l. 1120] for the Moone is neuer but a month old: and I say be­ [l. 1121] side that, 'twas a Pricket that the Princesse kill'd.

Hol.

1122Sir Nathaniel, will you heare an extemporall [l. 1123] Epytaph on the death of the Deare, and to humour [l. 1124] the ignorant call'd the Deare, the Princesse kill'd a [l. 1125] Pricket.

Nath.

Perge, good M. Holofernes, perge, so it shall
please you to abrogate scurilitie.

Hol.

I will something affect the letter, for it argues
facilitie.
The prayfull Princesse pearst and prickt
a prettie pleasing Pricket,
1130 Some say a Sore, but not a sore,
till now made sore with shooting.
The Dogges did yell, put ell to Sore,
then Sorrell iumps from thicket:
Or Pricket‑sore, or else Sorell,
1135 the people fall a hooting.
If Sore be sore, than ell to Sore,
makes fiftie sores O sorell:
Of one sore I an hundred make
by adding but one more L.

Nath.

1140 A rare talent.

Dul.

If a talent be a claw, looke how he clawes him
with a talent.

Nath.

1142This is a gift that I haue simple: simple, a foo­ [l. 1143] lish extrauagant spirit, full of formes, figures, shapes, ob­ [l. 1144] iects, Ideas, apprehensions, motions, reuolutions. These [l. 1145] are begot in the ventricle of memorie, nourisht in the [l. 1146] wombe of primater, and deliuered vpon the mellowing [l. 1147] of occasion: but the gift is good in those in whom it is [l. 1148] acute, and I am thankfull for it.

Hol.

1149Sir, I praise the Lord for you, and so may my [l. 1150] parishioners, for their Sonnes are well tutor'd by you, [l. 1151] and their Daughters profit very greatly vnder you: you [l. 1152] are a good member of the common‑wealth.

Nath.

1153Me hercle, If their Sonnes be ingennous, they shall [p. 132] Loues Labour's lost. [l. 1154] shall want no instruction: If their Daughters be capable, [l. 1155] I will put it to them. But Vir sapis qui pauca loquitur, a [l. 1156] soule Feminine saluteth vs.

Enter Iaquenetta and the Clowne.

Iaqu.

1157God giue you good morrow M. Person.

Nath.

1158Master Person, quasi Person? And if one should be [l. 1159] perst, Which is the one?

Clo.

1160Marry M. Schoolemaster, hee that is likest to a [l. 1161] hogshead.

Nath.

1162Of persing a Hogshead, a good luster of con­ [l. 1163] ceit in a turph of Earth, Fire enough for a Flint, Pearle [l. 1164] enough for a Swine: 'tis prettie, it is well.

Iaqu.

1165Good Master Parson be so good as reade mee [l. 1166] this Letter, it was giuen mee by Costard, and sent mee [l. 1167] from Don Armatho: I beseech you read it.

Nath.

1168Facile precor gellida, quando pecas omnia sub vm­ [l. 1169] bra ruminat, and so forth. Ah good old Mantuan, I [l. 1170] may speake of thee as the traueiler doth of Venice, vem­ [l. 1171] chie, vencha, que non te vnde, que non te perreche. Old Man­ [l. 1172] tuam, old Mantuan. Who vnderstandeth thee not, vt re [l. 1173] sol la mi fa: Vnder pardon sir, What are the contents? Or [l. 1174] rather as Horrace sayes in his, What my soule verses.

Hol.

1175I sir, and very learned.

Nath.

Let me heare a staffe, a stanze, a verse, Lege do­
mine.
If Loue make me forsworne, how shall I sweare to loue?
Ah neuer faith could hold, if not to beautie vowed.
Though to my selfe forsworn, to thee Ile faithfull proue.
1180 Those thoughts to mee were Okes, to thee like Osiers
bowed.
Studie his byas leaues, and makes his booke thine eyes.
Where all those pleasures liue, that Art would compre­
hend.
If knowledge be the marke, to know thee shall suffice.
Well learned is that tongue, that well can thee commend.
1185 All ignorant that soule, that sees thee without wonder.
Which is to me some praise, that I thy parts admire;
Thy eye Ioues lightning beares, thy voyce his dreadfull
thunder.
Which not to anger bent, is musique, and sweete fire.
Celestiall as thou art, Oh pardon loue this wrong,
1190 That sings heauens praise, with such an earthly tongue.

Ped.

1191You finde not the apostraphas, and so misse the [l. 1192] accent. Let me superuise the cangenet.

Nath.

1193Here are onely numbers ratified, but for the [l. 1194] elegancy, facility, & golden cadence of poesie caret: O­ [l. 1195] uiddius Nas[.] was the man. And why in deed Naso, but [l. 1196] for smelling out the odoriferous flowers of fancy? the [l. 1197] ierkes of inuention imitarie is nothing: So doth the [l. 1198] Hound his master, the Ape his keeper, the tyred Horse [l. 1199] his rider: But Damosella virgin, Was this directed to [l. 1200] you?

Iaq.

1201I sir from one mounsier Berowne, one of the [l. 1202] strange Queenes Lords.

Nath.

1203I will ouerglance the superscript. [l. 1204] To the snow‑white hand of the most beautious Lady Rosaline. [l. 1205] I will looke againe on the intellect of the Letter, for [l. 1206] the nomination of the partie written to the person writ­ [l. 1207] ten vnto. [l. 1208] Your Ladiships in all desired imployment, Berowne.

Per.

1209Sir Holofernes, this Berowne is one of the Votaries [l. 1210] with the King, and here he hath framed a Letter to a se­ [l. 1211] quent of the stranger Queenes: which accidentally, or [l. 1212] by the way of progression, hath miscarried. Trip and [l. 1213] goe my sweete, deliuer this Paper into the hand of the [l. 1214] King, it may concerne much: stay not thy complement, I [l. 1215] forgiue thy duetie, adue.

Maid.

1216Good Costard go with me: [l. 1217] Sir God saue your life.

Cost.

1218Haue with thee my girle.

Exit.

Hol.

1219Sir you haue done this in the feare of God very [l. 1220] religiously: and as a certaine Father saith.

Ped.

1221Sir tell not me of the Father, I do feare coloura­ [l. 1222] ble colours. But to returne to the Verses, Did they please [l. 1223] you sir Nathaniel?

Nath.

1224Marueilous well for the pen.

Peda.

1225I do dine to day at the fathers of a certaine Pu­ [l. 1226] pill of mine, where if (being repast) it shall please you to [l. 1227] gratifie the table with a Grace, I will on my priuiledge I [l. 1228] haue with the parents of the foresaid Childe or Pupill, [l. 1229] vndertake your bien venuto, where I will proue those [l. 1230] Verses to be very vnlearned, neither sauouring of [l. 1231] Poetrie, Wit, nor Inuention. I beseech your So­ [l. 1232] cietie.

Nat.

1233And thanke you to: for societie (saith the text) [l. 1234] is the happinesse of life.

Peda.

1235And certes the text most infallibly concludes it. [l. 1236] Sir I do inuite you too, you shall not say me nay: pauca [l. 1237] verba. [l. 1238] Away, the gentles are at their game, and we will to our [l. 1239] recreation.

Exeunt.

[Act 4, Scene 3]

Enter Berowne with a Paper in his hand, alone.

Bero.

1240The King he is hunting the Deare, [l. 1241] I am coursing my selfe.

1242They haue pitcht a Toyle, I am toyling in a pytch, [l. 1243] pitch that defiles; defile, a foule word: Well, set thee [l. 1244] downe sorrow; for so they say the foole said, and so say [l. 1245] I, and I the foole: Well proued wit. By the Lord this [l. 1246] Loue is as mad as Aiax, it kils sheepe, it kils mee, I a [l. 1247] sheepe: Well proued againe a my side. I will not loue; [l. 1248] if I do hang me: yfaith I will not. O but her eye: by [l. 1249] this light, but for her eye, I would not loue her; yes, for [l. 1250] her two eyes. Well, I doe nothing in the world but lye, [l. 1251] and lye in my throate. By heauen I doe loue, and it hath [l. 1252] taught mee to Rime, and to be mallicholie: and here is [l. 1253] part of my Rime, and heere my mallicholie. Well, she [l. 1254] hath one a'my Sonnets already, the Clowne bore it, the [l. 1255] Foole sent it, and the Lady hath it: sweet Clowne, swee­ [l. 1256] ter Foole, sweetest Lady. By the world, I would not care [l. 1257] a pin, if the other three were in. Here comes one with a [l. 1258] paper, God giue him grace to grone.

He stands aside.
The King entreth.

Kin.

1259Ay mee!

Ber.

1260Shot by heauen: proceede sweet Cupid, thou hast [l. 1261] thumpt him with thy Birdbolt vnder the left pap: in faith [l. 1262] secrets.

King.

So sweete a kisse the golden Sunne giues not,
To those fresh morning drops vpon the Rose,
1265 As thy eye beames, when their fresh rayse haue smot.
The night of dew that on my cheekes downe flowes.
Nor shines the siluer Moone one halfe so bright,
Through the transparent bosome of the deepe,
As doth thy face through teares of mine giue light:
1270 Thou shin'st in euery teare that I doe weepe,
No drop, but as a Coach doth carry thee:
So ridest thou triumphing in my woe.
Do but behold the teares that swell in me,
And they thy glory through my griefe will show:
But [p. 133] Loues Labour's lost.
1275 But doe not loue thy selfe, then thou wilt keepe
My teares for glasses, and still make me weepe.
O Queene of Queenes, how farre dost thou excell,
No thought can thinke, nor tongue of mortall tell.
How shall she know my griefes? Ile drop the paper.
1280 Sweete leaues shade folly. Who is he comes heere?
Enter Longauile.
The King steps aside.
What Longauill, and reading: listen eare.

Ber.

Now in thy likenesse, one more foole appeare.

Long.

Ay me, I am forsworne.

Ber.

Why he comes in like a periure, wearing papers.

Long.

1285 In loue I hope, sweet fellowship in shame.

Ber.

One drunkard loues another of the name.

Lon.

Am I the first that haue been periur'd so?

Ber.

I could put thee in comfort, not by two that I
(know
Thou makest the triumphery, the corner cap of societie,
1290 The shape of Loues Tiburne, that hangs vp simplicitie.

Lon.

I feare these stubborn lines lack power to moue.
O sweet Maria, Empresse of my Loue,
These numbers will I teare, and write in prose.

Ber.

O Rimes are gards on wanton Cupids hose,
1295 Disfigure not his Shop.

Lon.

This same shall goe.
He reades the Sonnet.
Did not the heauenly Rhetoricke of thine eye,
'Gainst whom the world cannot hold argument,
Perswade my heart to this false periurie?
1300 Vowes for thee broke deserue not punishment.
A Woman I forswore, but I will proue,
Thou being a Goddesse, I forswore not thee.
My Vow was earthly, thou a heauenly Loue.
Thy grace being gain'd, cures all disgrace in me.
1305 Vowes are but breath, and breath a vapour is.
Then thou faire Sun, which on my earth doest shine,
Exhalest this vapor‑vow, in thee it is:
If broken then, it is no fault of mine:
If by me broke, What foole is not so wise,
1310 To loose an oath, to win a Paradise?

Ber.

This is the liuer veine, which makes flesh a deity.
A greene Goose, a Goddesse, pure pure Idolatry.
God amend vs, God amend, we are much out o'th'way.
Enter Dumaine.

Lon.

By whom shall I send this (company?) Stay.

Bero.

1315 All hid, all hid, an old infant play,
Like a demie God, here sit I in the skie,
And wretched fooles secrets heedfully ore‑eye.
More Sacks to the myll. O heauens I haue my wish,
Dumaine transform'd, foure Woodcocks in a dish.

Dum.

1320 O most diuine Kate.

Bero.

O most prophane coxcomb.

Dum.

By heauen the wonder of a mortall eye.

Bero.

By earth she is not, corporall, there you lye.

Dum.

Her Amber haires for foule hath amber coted.

Ber.

1325 An Amber coloured Rauen was well noted.

Dum.

As vpright as the Cedar.

Ber.

Stoope I say, her shoulder is with‑child.

Dum.

As faire as day.

Ber.

I as some daies, but then no sunne must shine.

Dum.

1330 O that I had my wish?

Lon.

And I had mine.

Kin.

And mine too good Lord.

Ber.

Amen, so I had mine: Is not that a good word?

Dum.

I would forget her, but a Feuer she
 Raignes in my bloud, and will remembred be.

Ber.

1335 A Feuer in your bloud, why then incision
Would let her out in Sawcers, sweet misprision.

Dum.

Once more Ile read the Ode that I haue writ.

Ber.

Once more Ile marke how Loue can varry Wit.
Dumane reades his Sonnet.
On a day, alack the day:
1340 Loue, whose Month is euery May,
Spied a blossome passing faire,
Playing in the wanton ayre:
Through the Veluet, leaues the winde,
All vnseene, can passage finde.
1345 That the Louer sicke to death,
Wish himselfe the heauens breath.
Ayre (quoth he) thy cheekes may blowe,
Ayre, would I might triumph so.
But alacke my hand is sworne,
1350 Nere to plucke thee from thy throne:
Vow alacke for youth vnmeete,
Youth so apt to plucke a sweet.
Doe not call it sinne in me,
That I am forsworne for thee.
1355 Thou for whom Ioue would sweare,
Iuno but an Æthiop were,
And denie himselfe for Ioue.
Turning mortall for thy Loue.
This will I send, and something else more plaine.
1360 That shall expresse my true‑loues fasting paine.
O would the King, Berowne and Longauill,
Were Louers too, ill to example ill,
Would from my forehead wipe a periur'd note:
For none offend, where all alike doe dote.

Lon.

1365 Dumaine, thy Loue is farre from charitie,
That in Loues griefe desir'st societie:
You may looke pale, but I should blush I know,
To be ore‑heard, and taken napping so.

Kin.

Come sir, you blush: as his, your case is such,
1370 You chide at him, offending twice as much.
You doe not loue Maria? Longauile,
Did neuer Sonnet for her sake compile;
Nor neuer lay his wreathed armes athwart
His louing bosome, to keepe downe his heart.
1375 I haue beene closely shrowded in this bush,
And markt you both, and for you both did blush.
I heard your guilty Rimes, obseru'd your fashion:
Saw sighes reeke from you, noted well your passion.
Aye me, sayes one! O Ioue, the other cries!
1380 On her haires were Gold, Christall the others eyes.
You would for Paradise breake Faith and troth,
And Ioue for your Loue would infringe an oath.
What will Berowne say when that he shall heare
Faith infringed, which such zeale did sweare.
1385 How will he scorne? how will he spend his wit?
How will he triumph, leape, and laugh at it?
For all the wealth that euer I did see,
I would not haue him know so much by me.

Bero.

Now step I forth to whip hypocrisie.
1390 Ah good my Liedge, I pray thee pardon me.
Good heart, What grace hast thou thus to reproue
These wormes for louing, that art most in loue?
Your eyes doe make no couches in your teares.
There is no certaine Princesse that appeares.
1395 You'll not be periur'd, 'tis a hatefull thing:
Tush, none but Minstrels like of Sonnetting.
But are you not asham'd? nay, are you not
M All [p. 134] Loues Labour's lost.
All three of you, to be thus much ore'shot?
You found his Moth, the King your Moth did see:
1400 But I a Beame doe finde in each of three.
O what a Scene of fool'ry haue I seene.
Of sighes, of grones, of sorrow, and of teene:
O me, with what strict patience haue I sat,
To see a King transformed to a Gnat?
1405 To see great Hercules whipping a Gigge,
And profound Salomon tuning a Iygge?
And Nestor play at push‑pin with the boyes,
And Critticke Tymon laugh at idle toyes.
Where lies thy griefe? O tell me good Dumaine;
1410 And gentle Longauill, where lies thy paine?
And where my Liedges? all about the brest:
A Candle hoa!

Kin.

Too bitter is thy iest.
Are wee betrayed thus to thy ouer‑view?

Ber.

1415 Not you by me, but I betrayed to you.
I that am honest, I that hold it sinne
To breake the vow I am ingaged in.
I am betrayed by keeping company
With men, like men of inconstancie.
1420 When shall you see me write a thing in rime?
Or grone for Ioane? or spend a minutes time,
In pruning mee, when shall you heare that I will praise
a hand, a foot, a face, an eye: a gate, a state, a brow, a brest,
a waste, a legge, a limme.

Kin.

Soft, Whither a‑way so fast?
A true man, or a theefe, that gallops so.

Ber.

1425 I post from Loue, good Louer let me go.
Enter Iaquenetta and Clowne.

Iaqu.

God blesse the King.

Kin.

What Present hast thou there?

Clo.

Some certaine treason.

Kin.

What makes treason heere?

Clo.

1430 Nay it makes nothing sir

Kin.

If it marre nothing neither,
The treason and you goe in peace away together.

Iaqu.

I beseech your Grace let this Letter be read,
Our person mis‑doubts it: it was treason he said.

Kin.

1435 Berowne, read it ouer.
He reades the Letter.

Kin.

Where hadst thou it?

Iaqu.

Of Costard.

King.

Where hadst thou it?

Cost.

Of Dun Adramadio, Dun Adramadio.

Kin.

1440 How now, what is in you? why dost thou tear it?

Ber.

A toy my Liedge, a toy: your grace needes not
feare it.

Long.

It did moue him to passion, and therefore let's
heare it.

Dum.

It is Berowns writing, and heere is his name.

Ber.

Ah you whoreson loggerhead, you were borne
to doe me shame.
1445 Guilty my Lord, guilty: I confesse, I confesse.

Kin.

What?

Ber.

That you three fooles, lackt mee foole, to make
vp the messe.
He, he, and you: and you my Liedge, and I,
Are picke‑purses in Loue, and we deserue to die.
1450 O dismisse this audience, and I shall tell you more.

Dum.

Now the number is euen.

Berow.

True true, we are fowre: will these Turtles
be gone?

Kin.

Hence sirs, away.

Clo.

Walk aside the true folke, & let the traytors stay.

Ber.

1455 Sweet Lords, sweet Louers, O let vs imbrace,
As true we are as flesh and bloud can be,
The Sea will ebbe and flow, heauen will shew his face:
Young bloud doth not obey an old decree.
We cannot crosse the cause why we are borne:
1460 Therefore of all hands must we be forsworne.

King.

What, did these rent lines shew some loue of
thine?

Ber.

Did they, quoth you? Who sees the heauenly
( Rosaline,
That (like a rude and sauage man of Inde.)
At the first opening of the gorgeous East,
1465 Bowes not his vassall head, and strooken blinde,
Kisses the base ground with obedient breast?
What peremptory Eagle‑sighted eye
Dares looke vpon the heauen of her brow,
That is not blinded by her maiestie?

Kin.

1470 What zeale, what furie, hath inspir'd thee now?
My Loue (her Mistres) is a gracious Moone,
Shee (an attending Starre) scarce seene a light.

Ber.

My eyes are then no eyes, nor I Berowne.
O, but for my Loue, day would turne to night,
1475 Of all complexions the cul'd soueraignty,
Doe meet as at a faire in her faire cheeke,
Where seuerall Worthies make one dignity,
Where nothing wants, that want it selfe doth seeke.
Lend me the flourish of all gentle tongues,
1480 Fie painted Rethoricke, O she needs it not,
To things of sale, a sellers praise belongs:
She passes prayse, then prayse too short doth blot.
A withered Hermite, fiuescore winters worne,
Might shake off fiftie, looking in her eye:
1485 Beauty doth varnish Age, as if new borne,
And giues the Crutch the Cradles infancie.
O 'tis the Sunne that maketh all things shine.

King.

By heauen, thy Loue is blacke as Ebonie.

Berow.

Is Ebonie like her? O word diuine?
1490 A wife of such wood were felicite.
O who can giue an oth? Where is a booke?
That I may sweare Beauty doth beauty lacke,
If that she learne not of her eye to looke:
No face is faire that is not full so blacke.

Kin.

1495 O paradoxe, Blacke is the badge of hell,
The hue of dungeons, and the Schoole of night:
And beauties crest becomes the heauens well.

Ber.

Diuels soonest tempt resembling spirits of light.
O if in blacke my Ladies browes be deckt,
1500 It mournes, that painting vsurping haire
Should rauish doters with a false aspect:
And therfore is she borne to make blacke, faire.
Her fauour turnes the fashion of the dayes,
For natiue bloud is counted painting now:
1505 And therefore red that would auoyd dispraise,
Paints it selfe blacke, to imitate her brow.

Dum.

To look like her are Chimny‑sweepers blacke.

Lon.

And since her time, are Colliers counted bright.

King.

And Æhiops of their sweet complexion crake.

Dum.

1510 Dark needs no Candles now, for dark is light.

Ber.

Your mistresses dare neuer come in raine,
For feare their colours should be washt away.

Kin.

'Twere good yours did: for sir to tell you plaine,
Ile finde a fairer face not washt to day.

Ber.

1515 Ile proue her faire, or talke till dooms‑day here.

Kin.

No Diuell will fright thee then so much as shee.

Duma.

I neuer knew man hold vile stuffe so deere.

Lon.

Looke, heer's thy loue, my foot and her face see.

Ber.

O if the streets were paued with thine eyes,
Her [p. 135] Loues Labour's lost.
1520 Her feet were much too dainty for such tread.

Duma.

O vile, then as she goes what vpward lyes?
The street should see as she walk'd ouer head.

Kin.

But what of this, are we not all in loue?

Ber.

O nothing so sure, and thereby all forsworne.

Kin.

1525 Then leaue this chat, & good Berown now proue
Our louing lawfull, and our fayth not torne.

Dum.

I marie there, some flattery for this euill.

Long.

O some authority how to proceed,
Some tricks, some quillets, how to cheat the diuell.

Dum.

1530 Some salue for periurie.

Ber.

O 'tis more then neede.
Haue at you then affections men at armes,
Consider what you first did sweare vnto:
To fast, to study, and to see no woman:
1535 Flat treason against the Kingly state of youth.
Say, Can you fast? your stomacks are too young:
And abstinence ingenders maladies.
And where that you haue vow'd to studie (Lords)
In that each of you haue forsworne his Booke.
1540 Can you still dreame and pore, and thereon looke.
For when would you my Lord, or you, or you,
Haue found the ground of studies excellence,
Without the beauty of a womans face;
From womens eyes this doctrine I deriue,
1545 They are the Ground, the Bookes, the Achadems,
From whence doth spring the true Promethean fire.
Why, vniuersall plodding poysons vp
The nimble spirits in the arteries,
As motion and long during action tyres
1550 The sinnowy vigour of the trauailer.
Now for not looking on a womans face,
You haue in that forsworne the vse of eyes:
And studie too, the causer of your vow.
For where is any Author in the world,
1555 Teaches such beauty as a womans eye:
Learning is but an adiunct to our selfe,
And where we are, our Learning likewise is.
Then when our selues we see in Ladies eyes,
With our selues.
1560 Doe we not likewise see our learning there?
O we haue made a Vow to studie, Lords,
And in that vow we haue forsworne our Bookes:
For when would you (my Leege) or you, or you?
In leaden contemplation haue found out
1565 Such fiery Numbers as the prompting eyes,
Of beauties tutors haue inrich'd you with:
Other slow Arts intirely keepe the braine:
And therefore finding barraine practizers,
Scarce shew a haruest of their heauy toyle.
1570 But Loue first learned in a Ladies eyes,
Liues not alone emured in the braine:
But with the motion of all elements,
Courses as swift as thought in euery power,
And giues to euery power a double power,
1575 Aboue their functions and their offices.
It addes a precious seeing to the eye:
A Louers eyes will gaze an Eagle blinde.
A Louers eare will heare the lowest sound.
When the suspicious head of theft is stopt.
1580 Loues feeling is more soft and sensible,
Then are the tender hornes of Cockle Snayles.
Loues tongue proues dainty, Bachus grosse in taste,
For Valour, is not Loue a Hercules?
Still climing trees in the Hesporides.
1585 Subtill as Sphinx, as sweet and musicall,
As bright Apollo's Lute, strung with his haire.
And when Loue speakes, the voyce of all the Gods,
Make heauen drowsie with the harmonie.
Neuer durst Poet touch a pen to write,
1590 Vntill his Inke were tempred with Loues sighes:
O then his lines would rauish sauage eares,
And plant in Tyrants milde humilitie.
From womens eyes this doctrine I deriue.
They sparcle still the right promethean fire,
1595 They are the Bookes, the Arts, the Achademes,
That shew, containe, and nourish all the world.
Else none at all in ought proues excellent.
Then fooles you were these women to forsweare:
Or keeping what is sworne, you will proue fooles,
1600 For Wisedomes sake, a word that all men loue:
Or for Loues sake, a word that loues all men.
Or for Mens sake, the author of these Women:
Or Womens sake, by whom we men are Men.
Let's once loose our oathes to finde our selues,
1605 Or else we loose our selues, to keepe our oathes:
It is religion to be thus forsworne.
For Charity it selfe fulfills the Law:
And who can seuer loue from Charity.

Kin.

Saint Cupid then, and Souldiers to the field.

Ber.

1610 Aduance your standards, & vpon them Lords,
Pell, mell, downe with them: but be first aduis'd,
In conflict that you get the Sunne of them.

Long.

Now to plaine dealing, Lay these glozes by,
Shall we resolue to woe these girles of France?

Kin.

1615 And winne them too, therefore let vs deuise,
Some entertainment for them in their Tents.

Ber.

First from the Park let vs conduct them thither,
Then homeward euery man attach the hand
Of his faire Mistresse, in the afternoone
1620 We will with some strange pastime solace them:
Such as the shortnesse of the time can shape,
For Reuels, Dances, Maskes, and merry houres,
Fore‑runne faire Loue, strewing her way with flowres.

Kin.

Away, away, no time shall be omitted,
1625 That will be time, and may by vs be fitted.

Ber.

Alone, alone sowed Cockell, reap'd no Corne,
And Iustice alwaies whirles in equall measure:
Light Wenches may proue plagues to men forsworne,
If so, our Copper buyes no better treasure.
Exeunt.

Actus Quartus.

[Act 5, Scene 1]

Enter the Pedant, Curate and Dull.

Pedant.

1630 Satis quid sufficit.

Curat.

1631I praise God for you sir, your reasons at dinner [l. 1632] haue beene sharpe & sententious: pleasant without scur­ [l. 1633] rillity, witty without affection, audacious without im­ [l. 1634] pudency, learned without opinion, and strange without [l. 1635] heresie: I did conuerse this quondam day with a compa­ [l. 1636] nion of the Kings, who is intituled, nominated, or called, [l. 1637] Don Adriano de Armatho.

Ped.

1638Noui hominum tanquam te, His humour is lofty, [l. 1639] his discourse peremptorie: his tongue filed, his eye [l. 1640] ambitious, his gate maiesticall, and his generall behaui­ [l. 1641] our vaine, ridiculous, and thrasonicall. He is too picked, [l. 1642] too spruce, too affected, too odde, as it were, too pere­ [l. 1643] grinat, as I may call it.

M2 Curat. [p. 136] Loues Labour's lost.

Curat.

A most singular and choise Epithat,
Draw out his Table‑booke.

Peda.

1645He draweth out the thred of his verbositie, fi­ [l. 1646] ner then the staple of his argument. I abhor such pha­ [l. 1647] naticall phantasims, such insociable and poynt deuise [l. 1648] companions, such rackers of ortagriphie, as to speake [l. 1649] dout fine, when he should say doubt; det, when he shold [l. 1650] pronounce debt; debt, not det: he clepeth a Calf, Caufe: [l. 1651] halfe, haufe: neighbour vocatur nebour; neigh abreuiated [l. 1652] ne: this is abhominable, which he would call abhomi­ [l. 1653] nable: it insinuateth me of infamie: ne inteligis domine, to [l. 1654] make franticke, lunaticke?

Cura.

1655 Laus deo, bene intelligo

Peda.

1656Bome boon for boon prescian, a little scratcht, 'twil [l. 1657] serue.

Enter Bragart, Boy.

Curat.

1658 Vides ne quis venit?

Peda.

1659 Video, & gaudio.

Brag.

1660Chirra.

Peda.

1661Quari Chirra, not Sirra?

Brag.

1662Men of peace well incountred.

Ped.

1663Most millitarie sir salutation.

Boy.

1664They haue beene at a great feast of Languages, [l. 1665] and stolne the scraps.

Clow.

1666O they haue liu'd long on the almes‑basket of [l. 1667] words. I maruell thy M. hath not eaten thee for a word, [l. 1668] for thou art not so long by the head as honorificabilitu­ [l. 1669] dinitatibus: Thou art easier swallowed then a flapdra­ [l. 1670] gon.

Page.

1671Peace, the peale begins.

Brag.

1672Mounsier, are you not lettred?

Page.

1673Yes, yes, he teaches boyes the Horne‑booke: [l. 1674] What is Ab speld backward with the horn on his head?

Peda.

1675Ba, puericia with a horne added.

Pag.

1676Ba most seely Sheepe, with a horne: you heare [l. 1677] his learning.

Peda.

1678Quis quis, thou Consonant?

Pag.

1679The last of the fiue Vowels if You repeat them, [l. 1680] or the fift if I.

Peda.

1681I will repeat them: a e I.

Pag.

1682The Sheepe, the other two concludes it o u.

Brag.

1683Now by the salt waue of the mediteranium, a [l. 1684] sweet tutch, a quicke vene we of wit, snip snap, quick & [l. 1685] home, it reioyceth my intellect, true wit.

Page.

1686Offered by a childe to an olde man: which is [l. 1687] wit‑old.

Peda.

1688What is the figure? What is the figure?

Page.

1689Hornes.

Peda.

1690Thou disputes like an Infant: goe whip thy [l. 1691] Gigge.

Pag.

1692Lend me your Horne to make one, and I will [l. 1693] whip about your Infamie vnum cita a gigge of a Cuck­ [l. 1694] olds horne.

Clow.

1695And I had but one penny in the world, thou [l. 1696] shouldst haue it to buy Ginger bread: Hold, there is the [l. 1697] very Remuneration I had of thy Maister, thou halfpenny [l. 1698] purse of wit, thou Pidgeon‑egge of discretion. O & the [l. 1699] heauens were so pleased, that thou wert but my Bastard; [l. 1700] What a ioyfull father wouldst thou make mee? Goe to, [l. 1701] thou hast it ad dungil, at the fingers ends, as they say.

Peda.

1702Oh I smell false Latine, dunghel for vnguem.

Brag.

1703Arts‑man preambulat, we will bee singled from [l. 1704] the barbarous. Do you not educate youth at the Charg‑ [l. 1705] house on the top of the Mountaine?

Peda.

Or Mons the hill.

Brag.

1707At your sweet pleasure, for the Mountaine.

Peda.

1708I doe sans question.

Bra.

1709Sir, it is the Kings most sweet pleasure and af­ [l. 1710] fection, to congratulate the Princesse at her Pauilion, in [l. 1711] the posteriors of this day, which the rude multitude call [l. 1712] the after‑noone.

Ped.

1713The posterior of the day, most generous sir, is lia­ [l. 1714] ble, congruent, and measurable for the after‑noone: the [l. 1715] word is well culd, chose, sweet, and apt I doe assure you [l. 1716] sir, I doe assure.

Brag.

1717Sir, the King is a noble Gentleman, and my fa­ [l. 1718] miliar, I doe assure ye very good friend: for what is in­ [l. 1719] ward betweene vs, let it passe. I doe beseech thee re­ [l. 1720] member thy curtesie. I beseech thee apparell thy head: [l. 1721] and among other importunate & most serious designes, [l. 1722] and of great import indeed too: but let that passe, for I [l. 1723] must tell thee it will please his Grace (by the world) [l. 1724] sometime to leane vpon my poore shoulder, and with [l. 1725] his royall finger thus dallie with my excrement, with my [l. 1726] mustachio: but sweet heart let that passe. By the world [l. 1727] I recount no fable, some certaine speciall honours it [l. 1728] pleaseth his greatnesse to impart to Armado a Souldier, [l. 1729] a man of trauell, that hath seene the world: but let that [l. 1730] passe; the very all of all is: but sweet heart I do implore [l. 1731] secrecie, that the King would haue mee present the [l. 1732] Princesse (sweet chucke) with some delightfull ostenta­ [l. 1733] tion, or show, or pageant, or anticke, or fire‑worke: [l. 1734] Now, vnderstanding that the Curate and your sweet self [l. 1735] are good at such eruptions, and sodaine breaking out of [l. 1736] myrth (as it were) I haue acquainted you withall, to [l. 1737] the end to craue your assistance.

Peda.

1738Sir, you shall present before her the Nine Wor­ [l. 1739] thies. Sir Holofernes, as concerning some entertainment [l. 1740] of time, some show in the posterior of this day, to bee [l. 1741] rendred by our assistants the Kings command: and this [l. 1742] most gallant, illustrate and learned Gentleman, before [l. 1743] the Princesse: I say none so fit as to present the Nine [l. 1744] Worthies.

Curat.

1745Where will you finde men worthy enough to [l. 1746] present them?

Peda.

1747Iosua, your selfe: my selfe, and this gallant gen­ [l. 1748] tleman Iudas Machabeus; this Swaine (because of his [l. 1749] great limme or ioynt) shall passe Pompey the great, the [l. 1750] Page Hercules.

Brag.

1751Pardon sir, error: He is not quantitie enough [l. 1752] for that Worthies thumb, hee is not so big as the end of [l. 1753] his Club.

Peda.

1754Shall I haue audience: he shall present Hercu­les [l. 1755] in minoritie: his enter and exit shall bee strangling a [l. 1756] Snake; and I will haue an Apologie for that purpose.

Pag.

1757An excellent deuice: so if any of the audience [l. 1758] hisse, you may cry, Well done Hercules, now thou cru­ [l. 1759] shest the Snake; that is the way to make an offence gra­ [l. 1760] cious, though few haue the grace to doe it.

Brag.

1761For the rest of the Worthies?

Peda.

1762I will play three my selfe.

Pag.

1763Thrice worthy Gentleman.

Brag.

Shall I tell you a thing?

Peda.

1765We attend.

Brag.

1766We will haue, if this fadge not, an Antique. I [l. 1767] beseech you follow.

Ped.

1768Via good‑man Dull, thou hast spoken no word [l. 1769] all this while.

Dull.

1770 Nor vnderstood none neither sir.

Ped.

1771Alone, we will employ thee.

Dull.

Ile make one in a dance, or so: or I will play
on [p. 137] Loues Labour's lost.
On the taber to the Worthies, & let them dance the hey.

Ped.

Most Dull, honest Dull, to our sport away.
Exit.

[Act 5, Scene 2]

Enter Ladies.

Qu.

1775 Sweet hearts we shall be rich ere we depart,
If fairings come thus plentifully in.
A Lady wal'd about with Diamonds: Look you, what I
 haue from the louing King.

Rosa.

Madam, came nothing else along with that?

Qu.

Nothing but this: yes as much loue in Rime,
1780 As would be cram'd vp in a sheet of paper
Writ on both sides the leafe, margent and all,
That he was faine to seale on Cupids name.

Rosa.

That was the way to make his god‑head wax:
For he hath beene fiue thousand yeeres a Boy.

Kath.

1785 I, and a shrewd vnhappy gallowes too.

Ros.

You'll nere be friends with him, a kild your sister.

Kath.

1787He made her melancholy, sad, and heauy, and [l. 1788] so she died: had she beene Light like you, of such a mer­ [l. 1789] rie nimble stirring spirit, she might a bin a Grandam ere [l. 1790] she died. And so may you: For a light heart liues long.

Ros.

What's your darke meaning mouse, of this light
word?

Kat.

A light condition in a beauty darke.

Ros.

We need more light to finde your meaning out.

Kat.

You'll marre the light by taking it in snuffe:
1795 Therefore Ile darkely end the argument.

Ros.

Look what you doe, you doe it stil i'th darke.

Kat.

So do not you, for you are a light Wench.

Ros.

Indeed I waigh not you, and therefore light.

Ka.

You waigh me not, O that's you care not for me.

Ros.

1800 Great reason: for past care, is still past cure.

Qu.

Well bandied both, a set of Wit well played.
But Rosaline, you haue a Fauour too?
Who sent it? and what is it?

Ros.

I would you knew.
1805 And if my face were but as faire as yours,
My Fauour were as great, be witnesse this.
Nay, I haue Verses too, I thanke Berowne,
The numbers true, and were the numbring too.
I were the fairest goddesse on the ground.
1810 I am compar'd to twenty thousand fairs.
O he hath drawne my picture in his letter.

Qu.

1812Any thing like?

Ros.

Much in the letters, nothing in the praise.

Qu.

Beauteous as Incke: a good conclusion.

Kat.

1815 Faire as a text B. in a Coppie booke.

Ros.

Ware pensals. How? Let me not die your debtor,
My red Dominicall, my golden letter.
O that your face were full of Oes.

Qu.

A Pox of that iest, and I beshrew all Shrowes:
1820 But Katherine, what was sent to you
From faire Dumaine?

Kat.

Madame, this Gloue.

Qu.

Did he not send you twaine?

Kat.

Yes Madame: and moreouer,
1825 Some thousand Verses of a faithfull Louer.
A huge translation of hypocrisie,
Vildly compiled, profound simplicitie.

Mar.

This, and these Pearls, to me sent Longauile.
The Letter is too long by halfe a mile.

Qu.

1830 I thinke no lesse: Dost thou wish in heart
The Chaine were longer, and the Letter short.

Mar.

I, or I would these hands might neuer part.

Quee.

We are wise girles to mocke our Louers so.

Ros.

They are worse fooles to purchase mocking so.
1835 That same Berowne ile torture ere I goe.
O that I knew he were but in by th' weeke,
How I would make him fawne, and begge, and seeke,
And wait the season, and obserue the times,
And spend his prodigall wits in booteles rimes,
1840 And shape his seruice wholly to my deuice,
And make him proud to make me proud that iests.
So pertaunt like would I o'resway his state,
That he shold be my foole, and I his fate

Qu.

None are so surely caught, when they are catcht,
1845 As Wit turn'd foole, follie in Wisedome hatch'd:
Hath wisedoms warrant, and the helpe of Schoole,
And Wits owne grace to grace a learned Foole?

Ros.

The bloud of youth burns not with such excesse,
As grauities reuolt to wantons be.

Mar.

1850 Follie in Fooles beares not so strong a note,
As fool'ry in the Wise, when Wit doth dote:
Since all the power thereof it doth apply,
To proue by Wit, worth in simplicitie.
Enter Boyet.

Qu.

Heere comes Boyet, and mirth in his face.

Boy.

1855 O I am stab'd with laughter, Wher's her Grace?

Qu.

1856Thy newes Boyet?

Boy.

Prepare Madame, prepare.
Arme Wenches arme, incounters mounted are,
Against your Peace, Loue doth approach, disguis'd:
1860 Armed in arguments, you'll be surpriz'd.
Muster your Wits, stand in your owne defence,
Or hide your heads like Cowards, and flie hence.

Qu.

Saint Dennis to S. Cupid: What are they,
That charge their breath against vs? Say scout say.

Boy.

1865 Vnder the coole shade of a Siccamore,
I thought to close mine eyes some halfe an houre:
When lo to interrupt my purpos'd rest,
Toward that shade I might behold addrest,
The King and his companions: warely
1870 I stole into a neighbour thicket by,
And ouer­heard, what you shall ouer­heare:
That by and by disguis'd they will be heere.
Their Herald is a pretty knauish Page:
That well by heart hath con'd his embassage,
1875 Action and accent did they teach him there.
Thus must thou speake, and thus thy body beare.
And euer and anon they made a doubt,
Presence maiesticall would put him out:
For quoth the King, an Angell shalt thou see:
1880 Yet feare not thou, but speake audaciously.
The Boy reply'd, An Angell is not euill:
I should haue fear'd her, had she beene a deuill.
With that all laugh'd, and clap'd him on the shoulder,
Making the bold wagg by their praises bolder.
1885 One rub'd his elboe thus, and fleer'd, and swore,
A better speech was neuer spoke before.
Another with his finger and his thumb,
Cry'd via, we will doo't, come what will come.
The third he caper'd and cried, All goes well.
1890 The fourth turn'd on the toe, and downe he fell:
With that they all did tumble on the ground,
With such a zelous laughter so profound,
That in this spleene ridiculous appeares,
To checke their folly passions solemne teares.

Quee.

1895 But what, but what, come they to visit vs?

Boy.

They do, they do; and are apparel'd thus,
Like Muscouites; or Russians, as I gesse.
Their purpose is to parlee, to court, and dance,
M3 And [p. 138] Loues Labour's lost.
And euery one his Loue‐feat will aduance,
1900 Vnto his seuerall mistresse: which they'll know
By fauours seuerall, which they did bestow.

Queen.

And will they so? the Gallants shall be taskt:
For Ladies; we will euery one be maskt,
And not a man of them shall haue the grace
1905 Despight of sute, to see a Ladies face.
Hold Rosaline, this Fauour thou shalt weare,
And then the King will court thee for his Deare:
Hold, take thou this my sweet, and giue me thine,
So shall Berowne take me for Rosaline.
1910 And change your Fauours too, so shall your Loues
Woo contrary, deceiu'd by these remoues.

Rosa.

Come on then, weare the fauours most in sight.

Kath.

But in this changing, What is your intent?

Queen.

The effect of my intent is to crosse theirs:
1915 They doe it but in mocking merriment,
And mocke for mocke is onely my intent.
Their seuerall counsels they vnbosome shall,
To Loues mistooke, and so be mockt withall.
Vpon the next occasion that we meete,
1920 With Visages displayd to talke and greete.

Ros.

But shall we dance, if they desire vs too't?

Quee.

No, to the death we will not moue a foot,
Nor to their pen'd speech render we no grace:
But while 'tis spoke, each turne away his face.

Boy.

1925 Why that contempt will kill the keepers heart,
And quite diuorce his memory from his part.

Quee.

Therefore I doe it, and I make no doubt,
The rest will ere come in, if he be out.
Theres no such sport, as sport by sport orethrowne:
1930 To make theirs ours, and ours none but our owne.
So shall we stay mocking entended game,
And they well mockt, depart away with shame. Sound.

Boy.

The Trompet sounds, be maskt, the maskers
come.
Enter Black moores with musicke, the Boy with a speech,
and the rest of the Lords disguised.

Page.

All haile, the richest Beauties on the earth.

Ber.

1935 Beauties no richer then rich Taffata.

Pag.

A holy parcell of the fairest dames that euer turn'd
their backes to mortall viewes.
The Ladies turne their backes to him.

Ber.

Their eyes villaine, their eyes.

Pag.

That euer turn'd their eyes to mortall viewes.
Out

Boy.

True, out indeed.

Pag.

1940 Out of your fauours heauenly spirits vouchsafe
Not to beholde.

Ber.

Once to behold, rogue.

Pag.

Once to behold with your Sunne beamed eyes,
With your Sunne beamed eyes.

Boy.

They will not answer to that Epythite,
you were best call it Daughter beamed eyes.

Pag.

1945 They do not marke me, and that brings me out.

Bero.

Is this your perfectnesse? be gon you rogue.

Rosa.

What would these strangers?
Know their mindes Boyet.
If they doe speake our language, 'tis our will
1950 That some plaine man recount their purposes.
Know what they would?

Boyet.

What would you with the Princes?

Ber.

Nothing but peace, and gentle visitation.

Ros.

What would they, say they?

Boy.

1955 Nothing but peace, and gentle visitation.

Rosa.

Why that they haue, and bid them so be gon.

Boy.

She saies you haue it, and you may be gon.

Kin.

Say to her we haue measur'd many miles,
To tread a Measure with you on the grasse.

Boy.

1960 They say that they haue measur'd many a mile,
To tread a Measure with you on this grasse.

Rosa.

It is not so. Aske them how many inches
Is in one mile? If they haue measur'd manie,
The measure then of one is easlie told.

Boy.

1965 If to come hither, you haue measur'd miles,
And many miles: the Princesse bids you tell,
How many inches doth fill vp one mile?

Ber.

Tell her we measure them by weary steps.

Boy.

She heares her selfe.

Rosa.

1970 How manie wearie steps,
Of many wearie miles you haue ore‑gone,
Are numbred in the trauell of one mile?

Bero.

We number nothing that we spend for you,
Our dutie is so rich, so infinite,
1975 That we may doe it still without accompt.
Vouchsafe to shew the sunshine of your face,
That we (like sauages) may worship it.

Rosa.

My face is but a Moone and clouded too.

Kin.

Blessed are clouds, to doe as such clouds do.
1980 Vouchsafe bright Moone, and these thy stars to shine,
(Those clouds remooued) vpon our waterie eyne.

Rosa.

O vaine peticioner, beg a greater matter,
Thou now requests but Mooneshine in the water.

Kin.

Then in our measure, vouchsafe but one change.
1985 Thou bidst me begge, this begging is not strange.

Rosa.

Play musicke then: nay you must doe it soone.
Not yet no dance: thus change I like the Moone.

Kin.

Will you not dance? How come you thus e­
stranged?

Rosa.

You tooke the Moone at full, but now shee's
changed?

Kin.

1990 Yet still she is the Moone, and I the Man.

Rosa.

The musick playes, vouchsafe some motion to
it: Our eares vouchsafe it.

Kin.

But your legges should doe it.

Ros.

Since you are strangers, & come here by chance,
Wee'll not be nice, take hands, we will not dance.

Kin.

1995 Why take you hands then?

Rosa.

Onelie to part friends.
Curtsie sweet hearts, and so the Measure ends.

Kin.

More measure of this measure, be not nice.

Rosa.

We can afford no more at such a price.

Kin.

2000 Prise your selues: What buyes your companie?

Rosa.

Your absence onelie.

Kin.

That can neuer be.

Rosa.

Then cannot we be bought: and so adue,
Twice to your Visore, and halfe once to you.

Kin.

2005 If you denie to dance, let's hold more chat.

Ros.

In priuate then.

Kin.

I am best pleas'd with that.

Be.

White handed Mistris, one sweet word with thee.

Qu.

Hony, and Milke, and Suger: there is three.

Ber.

2010 Nay then two treyes, an if you grow so nice
Methegline, Wort, and Malmsey; well runne dice:
There's halfe a dozen sweets.

Qu.

Seuenth sweet adue, since you can cogg,
Ile play no more with you.

Ber.

2015 One word in secret.

Qu.

Let it not be sweet.

Ber.

Thou greeu'st my gall.
Queen. [p. 139] Loues Labour's lost.

Qu.

Gall, bitter.

Ber.

Therefore meete.

Du.

2020 Will you vouchsafe with me to change a word?

Mar.

Name it.

Dum.

Faire Ladie:

Mar.

Say you so? Faire Lord:
Take you that for your faire Lady.

Du.

2025 Please it you,
As much in priuate, and Ile bid adieu.

Mar.

What, was your vizard made without a tong?

Long.

I know the reason Ladie why you aske.

Mar.

O for your reason, quickly sir, I long.

Long.

2030 You haue a double tongue within your mask.
And would affoord my speechlesse vizard halfe.

Mar.

Veale quoth the Dutch‑man: is not Veale a
 Calfe?

Long.

A Calfe faire Ladie?

Mar.

No, a faire Lord Calfe.

Long.

2035 Let's part the word.

Mar.

No, Ile not be your halfe:
Take all and weane it, it may proue an Oxe.

Long.

Looke how you but your selfe in these sharpe
mockes.
Will you giue hornes chast Ladie? Do not so.

Mar.

2040 Then die a Calfe before your horns do grow.

Lon.

One word in priuate with you ere I die.

Mar.

Bleat softly then, the Butcher heares you cry.

Boyet.

The tongues of mocking wenches are as keen
As is the Razors edge, inuisible:
2045 Cutting a smaller haire then may be seene,
Aboue the sense of sence so sensible:
Seemeth their conference, their conceits haue wings,
Fleeter then arrows, bullets wind, thoght, swifter things

Rosa.

Not one word more my maides, breake off,
breake off.

Ber.

2050 By heauen, all drie beaten with pure scoffe.

King.

Farewell madde Wenches, you haue simple
wits.
Exeunt.

Qu.

Twentie adieus my frozen Muscouits.
Are these the breed of wits so wondred at?

Boyet.

Tapers they are, with your sweete breathes
puft out.

Rosa.

2055 Wel‑liking wits they haue, grosse, grosse, fat, fat.

Qu.

O pouertie in wit, Kingly poore flout.
Will they not (thinke you) hang themselues to night?
Or euer but in vizards shew their faces:
This pert Berowne was out of count'nance quite.

Rosa.

2060 They were all in lamentable cases.
The King was weeping ripe for a good word.

Qu.

Berowne did sweare himselfe out of all suite.

Mar.

Dumaine was at my seruice, and his sword:
No point (quoth I:) my seruant straight vvas mute.

Ka.

2065 Lord Longauill said I came ore his hart:
And trow you vvhat he call'd me?

Qu.

Qualme perhaps.

Kat.

Yes in good faith.

Qu.

Go sicknesse as thou art.

Ros.

2070 Well, better wits haue worne plain statute caps,
But vvill you heare; the King is my loue sworne.

Qu.

And quicke Berowne hath plighted faith to me.

Kat.

And Longauill was for my seruice borne.

Mar.

Dumaine is mine as sure as barke on tree.

Boyet.

2075 Madam, and prettie mistresses giue eare,
Immediately they will againe be here
In their owne shapes: for it can neuer be,
They will digest this harsh indignitie.

Qu.

Will they returne?

Boy.

2080 They will they will, God knowes,
And leape for ioy, though they are lame with blowes:
Therefore change Fauours, and when they repaire,
Blow like sweet Roses, in this summer aire.

Qu.

How blovv? how blovv? Speake to bee vnder­
stood.

Boy.

2085 Faire Ladies maskt, are Roses in their bud:
Dismaskt, their damaske sweet commixture showne,
Are Angels vailing clouds, or Roses blowne.

Qu.

Auant perplexitie: What shall vve do,
If they returne in their owne shapes to wo?

Rosa.

2090 Good Madam, if by me you'l be aduis'd.
Let's mocke them still as well knowne as disguis'd:
Let vs complaine to them vvhat fooles were heare,
Disguis'd like Muscouites in shapelesse geare:
And wonder what they were, and to what end
2095 Their shallow showes, and Prologue vildely pen'd:
And their rough carriage so ridiculous,
Should be presented at our Tent to vs.

Boyet.

Ladies, withdraw: the gallants are at hand.

Quee.

Whip to our Tents, as Roes runnes ore Land.
Exeunt.
Enter the King and the rest.

King.

2100 Faire sir, God saue you. Wher's the Princesse?

Boy.

Gone to her Tent.
Please it your Maiestie command me any seruice to her?

King.

That she vouchsafe me audience for one word.

Boy.

I will, and so will she, I know my Lord.
Exit.

Ber.

2105 This fellow pickes vp wit as Pigeons pease,
And vtters it againe, when Ioue doth please.
He is Wits Pedler, and retailes his Wares,
At Wakes, and Wassels, Meetings, Markets, Faires.
And we that sell by grosse, the Lord doth know,
2110 Haue not the grace to grace it with such show.
This Gallant pins the Wenches on his sleeue.
Had he bin Adam, he had tempted Eue.
He can carue too, and lispe: Why this is he,
That kist away his hand in courtesie.
2115 This is the Ape of Forme, Monsieur the nice,
That when he plaies at Tables, chides the Dice
In honorable tearmes: Nay he can sing
A meane most meanly, and in Vshering
Mend him who can: the Ladies call him sweete.
2120 The staires as he treads on them kisse his feete.
This is the flower that smiles on euerie one,
To shew his teeth as white as Whales bone.
And consciences that wil not die in debt,
Pay him the dutie of honie‑tongued Boyet

King.

2125 A blister on his sweet tongue with my hart,
That put Armathoes Page out of his part.
Enter the Ladies.

Ber.

See where it comes. Behauiour what wer't thou,
Till this madman shew'd thee? And what art thou now?

King.

All haile sweet Madame, and faire time of day.

Qu.

2130 Faire in all Haile is foule, as I conceiue.

King.

Construe my speeches better, if you may.

Qu.

Then wish me better, I wil giue you leaue.

King.

We came to visit you, and purpose now
To leade you to our Court, vouchsafe it then.

Qu.

2135 This field shal hold me, and so hold your vow:
Nor God, nor I, delights in periur'd men.

King.

Rebuke me not for that which you prouoke:
The [p. 140] Loues Labour's lost.
The vertue of your eie must breake my oth.

Q.

You nickname vertue: vice you should haue spoke:
2140 For vertues office neuer breakes men troth.
Now by my maiden honor, yet as pure
As the vnsallied Lilly, I protest,
A world of torments though I should endure,
I would not yeeld to be your houses guest:
2145 So much I hate a breaking cause to be
Of heauenly oaths, vow'd with integritie.

Kin.

O you haue liu'd in desolation heere,
Vnseene, vnuisited, much to our shame.

Qu.

Not so my Lord, it is not so I sweare,
2150 We haue had pastimes heere, and pleasant game,
A messe of Russians left vs but of late.

Kin.

How Madam? Russians?

Qu.

I in truth, my Lord.
Trim gallants, full of Courtship and of state.

Rosa.

2155 Madam speake true. It is not so my Lord:
My Ladie (to the manner of the daies)
In curtesie giues vndeseruing praise.
We foure indeed confronted were with foure
In Russia habit: Heere they stayed an houre,
2160 And talk'd apace: and in that houre (my Lord)
They did not blesse vs with one happy word.
I dare not call them fooles; but this I thinke,
When they are thirstie, fooles would faine haue drinke.

Ber.

This iest is drie to me. Gentle sweete,
2165 Your wits makes wise things foolish when we greete
With eies best seeing, heauens fierie eie:
By light we loose light; your capacitie
Is of that nature, that to your huge stoore,
Wise things seeme foolish, and rich things but poore.

Ros.

2170 This proues you wise and rich: for in my eie

Ber.

I am a foole, and full of pouertie.

Ros.

But that you take what doth to you belong,
It were a fault to snatch words from my tongue.

Ber.

O, I am yours, and all that I possesse.

Ros.

2175 All the foole mine.

Ber.

I cannot giue you lesse.

Ros.

Which of the Vizards what it that you wore?

Ber.

Where? when? What Vizard?
Why demand you this?

Ros.

2180 There, then, that vizard, that superfluous case,
That hid the worse, and shew'd the better face.

Kin.

We are discried,
They'l mocke vs now downeright.

Du.

Let vs confesse, and turne it to a iest.

Que.

2185 Amaz'd my Lord? Why lookes your Highnes
sadde?

Rosa.

Helpe hold his browes, hee'l sound: why looke
you pale?
Sea‑sicke I thinke comming from Muscouie.

Ber.

Thus poure the stars down plagues for periury.
Can any face of brasse hold longer out?
2190 Heere stand I, Ladie dart thy skill at me,
Bruise me with scorne, confound me with a flout.
Thrust thy sharpe wit quite through my ignorance.
Cut me to peeces with thy keene conceit:
And I will wish thee neuer more to dance,
2195 Nor neuer more in Russian habit waite.
O! neuer will I trust to speeches pen'd,
Nor to the motion of a Schoole‑boies tongue.
Nor neuer come in vizard to my friend,
Nor woo in rime like a blind‑harpers songue,
2200 Taffata phrases, silken tearmes precise,
Three‑pil'd Hyperboles, spruce affection;
Figures pedanticall, these summer flies,
Haue blowne me full of maggot ostentation.
I do forsweare them, and I heere protest,
2205 By this white Gloue (how white the hand God knows)
Henceforth my woing minde shall be exprest
In russet yeas, and honest kersie noes.
And to begin Wench, so God helpe me law,
My loue to thee is sound, sans cracke or flaw.

Rosa.

2210 Sans, sans, I pray you.

Ber.

Yet I haue a tricke
Of the old rage: beare with me, I am sicke.
Ile leaue it by degrees: soft, let vs see,
Write Lord haue mercie on vs, on those three,
2215 They are infected, in their hearts it lies:
They haue the plague, and caught it of your eyes:
These Lords are visited, you are not free:
For the Lords tokens on you do I see.

Qu.

No, they are free that gaue these tokens to vs.

Ber.

2220 Our states are forfeit, seeke not to vndo vs.

Ros.

It is not so; for how can this be true,
That you stand forfeit, being those that sue.

Ber.

Peace, for I will not haue to do with you.

Ros.

Nor shall not, if I do as I intend.

Ber.

2225 Speake for your selues, my wit is at an end.

King.

Teach vs sweete Madame, for our rude trans­
gression, some faire excuse.

Qu.

The fairest is confession.
Were you not heere but euen now, disguis'd?

Kin.

Madam, I was.

Qu.

2230 And were you well aduis'd?

Kin.

I was faire Madam.

Qu.

When you then were heere,
What did you whisper in your Ladies eare?

King.

That more then all the world I did respect her

Qu.

2235 When shee shall challenge this, you will reiect
her.

King.

Vpon mine Honor no.

Qu.

Peace, peace, forbeare:
Your oath once broke, you force not to forsweare.

King.

Despise me when I breake this oath of mine.

Qu.

2240 I will, and therefore keepe it. Rosaline,
What did the Russian whisper in your eare?

Ros.

Madam, he swore that he did hold me deare
As precious eye‑sight, and did value me
Aboue this World: adding thereto moreouer,
2245 That he vvould Wed me, or else die my Louer.

Qu.

God giue thee ioy of him: the Noble Lord
Most honorably doth vphold his word.

King.

What meane you Madame?
By my life, my troth
2250 I neuer swore this Ladie such an oth.

Ros.

By heauen you did; and to confirme it plaine,
You gaue me this: But take it sir againe.

King.

My faith and this, the Princesse I did giue,
I knew her by this Iewell on her sleeue.

Qu.

2255 Pardon me sir, this Iewell did she weare.
And Lord Berowne (I thanke him) is my deare.
What? Will you haue me, or your Pearle againe?

Ber.

Neither of either, I remit both twaine.
I see the tricke on't: Heere was a consent,
2260 Knowing aforehand of our merriment,
To dash it like a Christmas Comedie.
Some carry‑tale, some please‑man, some slight Zanie,
Some mumble‑newes, some trencher‑knight, som Dick
That smiles his cheeke in yeares, and knowes the trick
2265 To make my Lady laugh, when she's dispos'd;
Told [p. 141] Loues Labour's lost.
Told our intents before: which once disclos'd,
The Ladies did change Fauours; and then we
Following the signes, woo'd but the signe of she.
Now to our periurie, to adde more terror,
2270 We are againe forsworne in will and error.
Much vpon this tis: and might not you
Forestall our sport, to make vs thus vntrue?
Do not you know my Ladies foot by'th squier?
And laugh vpon the apple of her eie?
2275 And stand betweene her backe sir, and the fire,
Holding a trencher, iesting merrilie?
You put our Page out: go, you are alowd.
Die when you will, a smocke shall be your shrowd.
You leere vpon me, do you? There's an eie
2280 Wounds like a Leaden sword.

Boy.

Full merrily hath this braue manager, this car­
reere bene run.

Ber.

Loe, he is tilting straight. Peace, I haue don.
Enter Clowne
Welcome pure wit, thou part'st a faire fray.

Clo.

O Lord sir, they would kno,
2285 Whether the three worthies shall come in, or no.

Ber.

What, are there but three?

Clo.

No sir, but it is vara fine,
For euerie one pursents three.

Ber.

And three times thrice is nine.

Clo.

2290 Not so sir, vnder correction sir, I hope it is not so.
You cannot beg vs sir, I can assure you sir, we know what
we know: I hope sir three times thrice sir.

Ber.

Is not nine.

Clo.

Vnder correction sir, wee know where‑vntill it
doth amount.

Ber.

By Ioue, I alwaies tooke three threes for nine.

Clow.

2295 O Lord sir, it were pittie you should get your
liuing by reckning sir.

Ber.

How much is it?

Clo.

2297O Lord sir, the parties themselues, the actors sir [l. 2298] will shew where‑vntill it doth amount: for mine owne [l. 2299] part, I am (as they say, but to perfect one man in one [l. 2300] poore man) Pompion the great sir.

Ber.

2301Art thou one of the Worthies?

Clo.

2302It pleased them to thinke me worthie of Pompey [l. 2303] the great: for mine owne part, I know not the degree of [l. 2304] the Worthie, but I am to stand for him.

Ber.

2305 Go, bid them prepare.
Exit.

Clo.

We will turne it finely off sir, we wil take some
care.

King.

Berowne, they will shame vs:
Let them not approach.

Ber.

2309We are shame‑proofe my Lord: and 'tis some [l. 2310] policie, to haue one shew worse then the Kings and his [l. 2311] companie.

Kin.

I say they shall not come.

Qu.

Nay my good Lord, let me ore‑rule you now;
That sport best pleases, that doth least know how.
2315 Where Zeale striues to content, and the contents
Dies in the Zeale of that which it presents:
Their forme confounded, makes most forme in mirth,
When great things labouring perish in their birth.

Ber.

A right description of our sport my Lord.
Enter Braggart.

Brag.

2320Annointed, I implore so much expence of thy [l. 2321] royall sweet breath, as will vtter a brace of words.

Qu.

2322Doth this man serue God?

Ber.

2323Why aske you?

Qu.

2324He speak's not like a man of God's making.

Brag.

2325That's all one my faire sweet honie Monarch: [l. 2326] For I protest, the Schoolmaster is exceeding fantasticall: [l. 2327] Too too vaine, too too vaine. But we wil put it (as they [l. 2328] say) to Fortuna delaguar, I wish you the peace of minde [l. 2329] most royall cupplement.

King.

2330Here is like to be a good presence of Worthies; [l. 2331] He presents Hector of Troy, the Swaine Pompey the great, [l. 2332] the Parish Curate Alexander, Armadoes Page Hercules, [l. 2333] the Pedant Iudas Machabeus: and if these foure Wort­ [l. 2334] hies in their first shew thriue, these foure will change [l. 2335] habites, and present the other fiue.

Ber.

There is fiue in the first shew.

Kin.

You are deceiued, tis not so.

Ber.

The Pedant, the Braggart, the Hedge‑Priest, the
Foole, and the Boy,
Abate throw at Novum, and the whole world againe,
2340 Cannot pricke out fiue such, take each one in's vaine.

Kin.

The ship is vnder saile, and here she coms amain.
Enter Pompey.

Clo.

I Pompey am.

Ber.

You lie, you are not he.

Clo.

I Pompey am.

Boy.

2345 With Libbards head on knee.

Ber.

Well said old mocker,
I must needs be friends with thee.

Clo.

I Pompey am, Pompey surnam'd the big.

Du.

The great.

Clo.

2350 It is great sir: Pompey surnam'd the great:
That oft in field, with Targe and Shield,
did make my foe to sweat:
And trauailing along this coast, I heere am come by chance,
And lay my Armes before the legs of this sweet Lasse of
France.

2354If your Ladiship would say thankes Pompey, I had done.

La.

2355Great thankes great Pompey.

Clo.

2356Tis not so much worth: but I hope I was per­ [l. 2357] fect. I made a little fault in great.

Ber.

2358My hat to a halfe‑penie, Pompey prooues the [l. 2359] best Worthie.

Enter Curate for Alexander.

Curat.

2360 When in the world I liu'd, I was the worldes Com­
mander:
By East, West, North, & South, I spred my conquering might
My Scutcheon plaine declares that I am Alisander.

Boiet.

Your nose saies no, you are not:
For it stands too right.

Ber.

2365 Your nose smells no, in this most tender smel­
ling Knight.

Qu.

The Conqueror is dismaid:
Proceede good Alexander

Cur.

When in the world I liued, I was the worldes Com­
mander.

Boiet.

Most true, 'tis right; you were so Alisander.

Ber.

2370Pompey the great.

Clo.

2371your seruant and Costard.

Ber.

2372Take away the Conqueror, take away Alisander.

Clo.

2373O sir, you haue ouerthrowne Alisander the con­ [l. 2374] queror: you will be scrap'd out of the painted cloth for this [p. 142] Loues Labour's lost. [l. 2375] this: your Lion that holds his Pollax sitting on a close [l. 2376] stoole, will be giuen to Aiax. He will be the ninth wor­ [l. 2377] thie. A Conqueror, and affraid to speake? Runne away [l. 2378] for shame Alisander. There an't shall please you: a foo­ [l. 2379] lish milde man, an honest man, looke you, & soon dasht. [l. 2380] He is a maruellous good neighbour insooth, and a verie [l. 2381] good Bowler: but for Alisander, alas you see, how 'tis a [l. 2382] little ore‑parted. But there are Worthies a comming, [l. 2383] will speake their minde in some other sort.

Exit Cu.

Qu.

2384Stand aside good Pompey.

Enter Pedant for Iudas, and the Boy for Hercules.

Ped.

2385 Great Hercules is presented by this Impe,
Whose Club kil'd Cerberus that three‑headed Canus,
And when he was a babe, a childe, a shrimpe,
Thus did he strangle Serpents in his Manus:
Quoniam, he seemeth in minoritie,
2390 Ergo, I come with this Apologie.
Keepe some state in thy exit, and vanish.
Exit Boy

Ped.

Iudas I am.

Dum.

2393A Iudas?

Ped.

Not Iscariot sir.
2395 Iudas I am, ycliped Machabeus.

Dum.

Iudas Machabeus clipt, is plaine Iudas.

Ber.

A kissing traitor. How art thou prou'd Iudas?

Ped.

Iudas I am.

Dum.

The more shame for you Iudas.

Ped.

2400 What meane you sir?

Boi.

To make Iudas hang himselfe.

Ped.

Begin sir, you are my elder.

Ber.

Well follow'd, Iudas was hang'd on an Elder.

Ped.

I will not be put out of countenance.

Ber.

2405 Because thou hast no face.

Ped.

What is this?

Boi.

A Citterne head.

Dum.

The head of a bodkin.

Ber.

A deaths face in a ring.

Lon.

2410 The face of an old Roman coine, scarce seene.

Boi.

The pummell of Cæsars Faulchion.

Dum.

The caru'd‑bone face on a Flaske.

Ber.

S. Georges halfe cheeke in a brooch.

Dum.

I, and in a brooch of Lead.

Ber.

2415 I, and worne in the cap of a Tooth‑drawer.
And now forward, for we haue put thee in countenance

Ped.

You haue put me out of countenance.

Ber.

False, we haue giuen thee faces.

Ped.

But you haue out‑fac'd them all.

Ber.

2420 And thou wer't a Lion, we would do so.

Boy.

Therefore as he is, an Asse, let him go:
And so adieu sweet Iude. Nay, why dost thou stay?

Dum.

For the latter end of his name.

Ber.

For the Asse to the Iude: giue it him. Iud‑as a­
way.

Ped.

2425 This is not generous, not gentle, not humble.

Boy.

A light for monsieur Iudas, it growes darke, he
may stumble.

Que.

Alas poore Machabeus, how hath hee beene
baited.
Enter Braggart.

Ber.

Hide thy head Achilles, heere comes Hector in
Armes.

Dum.

Though my mockes come home by me, I will
now be merrie.

King.

2430 Hector was but a Troyan in respect of this.

Boi.

But is this Hector?

Kin.

I thinke Hector was not so cleane timber'd.

Lon.

His legge is too big for Hector.

Dum.

More Calfe certaine.

Boi.

2435 No, he is best indued in the small.

Ber.

This cannot be Hector.

Dum.

He's a God or a Painter, for he makes faces.

Brag.

The Armipotent Mars, of Launces the almighty,
gaue Hector a gift.

Dum.

A gilt Nutmegge.

Ber.

2440 A Lemmon.

Lon.

Stucke with Cloues.

Dum.

No clouen.

Brag.

The Armipotent Mars of Launces the almighty,
Gaue Hector a gift, the heire of Illion;
2445 A man so breathed, that certaine he would fight: yea
From morne till night, out of his Pauillion.
I am that Flower.

Dum.

That Mint.

Long.

That Cullambine.

Brag.

2450 Sweet Lord Longauill reine thy tongue.

Lon.

I must rather giue it the reine: for it runnes a­
gains Hector.

Dum.

I, and Hector's a Grey‑hound.

Brag.

The sweet War‑man is dead and rotten,
Sweet chuckes, beat not the bones of the buried:
2455 But I will forward with my deuice;
Sweete Royaltie bestow on me the sence of hearing.
Berowne steppes forth.

Qu.

Speake braue Hector, we are much delighted.

Brag.

I do adore thy sweet Graces slipper.

Boy.

Loues her by the foot.

Dum.

2460 He may not by the yard.

Brag.

This Hector farre surmounted Hanniball.
The partie is gone.

Clo.

2462Fellow Hector, she is gone; she is two moneths [l. 2463] on her way.

Brag.

2464What meanest thou?

Clo.

2465Faith vnlesse you play the honest Troyan, the [l. 2466] poore Wench is cast away: she's quick, the child brags [l. 2467] in her belly alreadie: tis yours.

Brag.

2468Dost thou infamonize me among Potentates? [l. 2469] Thou shalt die.

Clo.

2470Then shall Hector be whipt for Iaquenetta that [l. 2471] is quicke by him, and hang'd for Pompey, that is dead by [l. 2472] him.

Dum.

2473Most rare Pompey.

Boi.

2474Renowned Pompey.

Ber.

2475Greater then great, great, great, great Pompey: [l. 2476] Pompey the huge.

Dum.

2477Hector trembles.

Ber.

2478 Pompey is moued, more Atees more Atees stirre [l. 2479] them, or stirre them on.

Dum.

2480Hector will challenge him.

Ber.

I, if a'haue no more mans blood in's belly, then
will sup a Flea.

Brag.

By the North‑pole I do challenge thee.

Clo.

I wil not fight with a pole like a Northern man;
Ile slash, Ile do it by the sword: I pray you let mee bor­
row my Armes againe.

Dum.

2485Roome for the incensed Worthies.

Clo.

2486Ile do it in my shirt.

Dum.

2487Most resolute Pompey.

Page.

2488Master, let me take you a button hole lower: [l. 2489] Do you not see Pompey is vncasing for the combat: what meane [p. 143] Loues Labour's lost. [l. 2490] meane you? you will lose your reputation.

Brag.

2491Gentlemen and Souldiers pardon me, I will [l. 2492] not combat in my shirt.

Du.

2493You may not denie it, Pompey hath made the [l. 2494] challenge.

Brag.

2495Sweet bloods, I both may, and will.

Ber.

2496What reason haue you for't?

Brag.

2497The naked truth of it is, I haue no shirt, [l. 2498] I go woolward for penance.

Boy.

2499True, and it was inioyned him in Rome for want [l. 2500] of Linnen: since when, Ile be sworne he wore none, but [l. 2501] a dishclout of Iaquenettas, and that hee weares next his [l. 2502] heart for a fauour.

Enter a Messenger, Monsieur Marcade.

Mar.

2503God saue you Madame.

Qu.

2504Welcome Marcade, but that thou interruptest [l. 2505] our merriment.

Marc.

2506I am sorrie Madam, for the newes I bring is [l. 2507] heauie in my tongue. The King your father

Qu.

2508Dead for my life.

Mar.

2509Euen so: My tale is told.

Ber.

2510Worthies away, the Scene begins to cloud.

Brag.

2511For mine owne part, I breath free breath: I [l. 2512] haue seene the day of wrong, through the little hole of [l. 2513] discretion, and I will right my selfe like a Souldier.

Exeunt Worthies

Kin.

How fare's your Maiestie?

Qu.

2515 Boyet prepare, I will away to night.

Kin.

Madame not so, I do beseech you stay.

Qu.

Prepare I say. I thanke you gracious Lords
For all your faire endeuours and entreats:
Out of a new sad‑soule, that you vouchsafe,
2520 In your rich wisedome to excuse, or hide,
The liberall opposition of our spirits,
If ouer‑boldly we haue borne our selues,
In the conuerse of breath (your gentlenesse
Was guiltie of it.) Farewell worthie Lord:
2525 A heauie heart beares not a humble tongue.
Excuse me so, comming so short of thankes,
For my great suite, so easily obtain'd.

Kin.

The extreme parts of time, extremelie formes
All causes to the purpose of his speed:
2530 And often at his verie loose decides
That, which long processe could not arbitrate.
And though the mourning brow of progenie
Forbid the smiling curtesie of Loue:
The holy suite which faine it would conuince,
2535 Yet since loues argument was first on foote,
Let not the cloud of sorrow iustle it
From what it purpos'd: since to waile friends lost,
Is not by much so wholsome profitable,
As to reioyce at friends but newly found.

Qu.

2540 I vnderstand you not, my greefes are double.

Ber.

Honest plain words, best pierce the ears of griefe
And by these badges vnderstand the King,
For your faire sakes haue we neglected time,
Plaid foule play with our oaths: your beautie Ladies
2545 Hath much deformed vs, fashioning our humors
Euen to the opposed end of our intents.
And what in vs hath seem'd ridiculous:
As Loue is full of vnbefitting straines,
All wanton as a childe, skipping and vaine.
2550 Form'd by the eie, and therefore like the eie.
Full of straying shapes, of habits, and of formes
Varying in subiects as the eie doth roule,
To euerie varied obiect in his glance:
Which partie‑coated presence of loose loue
2555 Put on by vs, if in your heauenly eies,
Haue misbecom'd our oathes and grauities.
Those heauenlie eies that looke into these faults,
Suggested vs to make: therefore Ladies
Our loue being yours, the error that Loue makes
2560 Is likewise yours. We to our selues proue false,
By being once false, for euer to be true
To those that make vs both, faire Ladies you.
And euen that falshood in it selfe a sinne,
Thus purifies it selfe, and turnes to grace.

Qu.

2565 We haue receiu'd your Letters, full of Loue:
Your Fauours, the Ambassadors of Loue.
And in our maiden counsaile rated them,
At courtship, pleasant iest, and curtesie,
As bumbast and as lining to the time:
2570 But more deuout then these are our respects
Haue we not bene, and therefore met your loues
In their owne fashion, like a merriment.

Du.

Our letters Madam, shew'd much more then iest.

Lon.

So did our looks.

Rosa.

2575 We did not coat them so.

Kin.

Now at the latest minute of the houre,
Grant vs your loues.

Qu.

A time me thinkes too short,
To make a world‑without‑end bargaine in;
2580 No, no my Lord, your Grace is periur'd much,
Full of deare guiltinesse, and therefore this:
If for my Loue (as there is no such cause)
You will do ought, this shall you do for me.
Your oth I will not trust: but go with speed
2585 To some forlorne and naked Hermitage,
Remote from all the pleasures of the world:
There stay, vntill the twelue Celestiall Signes
Haue brought about their annuall reckoning.
If this austere insociable life,
2590 Change not your offer made in heate of blood:
If frosts, and fasts, hard lodging, and thin weeds
Nip not the gaudie blossomes of your Loue,
But that it beare this triall, and last loue:
Then at the expiration of the yeare,
2595 Come challenge me, challenge me by these deserts,
And by this Virgin palme, now kissing thine,
I will be thine: and till that instant shut
My wofull selfe vp in a mourning house,
Raining the teares of lamentation,
2600 For the remembrance of my Fathers death.
If this thou do denie, let our hands part,
Neither intitled in the others hart.

Kin.

If this, or more then this, I would denie,
To flatter vp these powers of mine with rest,
2605 The sodaine hand of death close vp mine eie.
Hence euer then, my heart is in thy brest.

Ber.

And what to me my Loue? and what to me?

Ros.

You must be purged too, your sins are rack'd.
You are attaint with faults and periurie:
2610 Therefore if you my fauor meane to get,
A tweluemonth shall you spend, and neuer rest,
But seeke the wearie beds of people sicke.

Du.

But what to me my loue? but what to me?

Kat.

A wife? a beard, faire health, and honestie,
2615 With three‑fold loue, I wish you all these three.

Du.

O shall I say, I thanke you gentle wife?

Kat.

Not so my Lord, a tweluemonth and a day,
Ile [p. 144] Loues Labour's lost.
Ile marke no words that smoothfac'd wooers say.
Come when the King doth to my Ladie come:
2620 Then if I haue much loue, Ile giue you some.

Dum.

Ile serue thee true and faithfully till then.

Kath.

Yet sweare not, least ye be forsworne agen.

Lon.

What saies Maria?

Mari.

At the tweluemonths end,
2625 Ile change my blacke Gowne, for a faithfull friend.

Lon.

Ile stay with patience: but the time is long.

Mari.

The liker you, few taller are so yong.

Ber.

Studies my Ladie? Mistresse, looke on me,
Behold the window of my heart, mine eie:
2630 What humble suite attends thy answer there,
Impose some seruice on me for my loue.

Ros.

Oft haue I heard of you my Lord Berowne,
Before I saw you: and the worlds large tongue
Proclaimes you for a man repleate with mockes,
2635 Full of comparisons, and wounding floutes:
Which you on all estates will execute,
That lie within the mercie of your wit.
To weed this Wormewood from your fruitfull braine,
And therewithall to win me, if you please,
2640 Without the which I am not to be won:
You shall this tweluemonth terme from day to day,
Visit the speechlesse sicke, and still conuerse
With groaning wretches: and your taske shall be,
With all the fierce endeuour of your wit,
2645 To enforce the pained impotent to smile.

Ber.

To moue wilde laughter in the throate of death?
It cannot be, it is impossible.
Mirth cannot moue a soule in agonie.

Ros.

Why that's the way to choke a gibing spirit,
2650 Whose influence is begot of that loose grace,
Which shallow laughing hearers giue to fooles:
A iests prosperitie, lies in the eare
Of him that heares it, neuer in the tongue
Of him that makes it: then, if sickly eares,
2655 Deaft with the clamors of their owne deare grones,
Will heare your idle scornes; continue then,
And I will haue you, and that fault withall.
But if they will not, throw away that spirit,
And I shal finde you emptie of that fault,
2660 Right ioyfull of your reformation.

Ber.

A tweluemon[.]h? Well: befall what will befall,
Ile iest a tweluemonth in an Hospitall.

Qu.

I sweet my Lord, and so I take my leaue.

King.

No Madam, we will bring you on your way.

Ber.

2665 Our woing doth not end like an old Play:
Iacke hath not Gill: these Ladies courtesie
Might wel haue made our sport a Comedie.

Kin.

Come sir, it wants a tweluemonth and a day,
And then 'twil end.

Ber.

2670 That's too long for a play.
Enter Braggart.

Brag.

2671Sweet Maiesty vouchsafe me.

Qu.

2672Was not that Hector?

Dum.

2673The worthie Knight of Troy.

Brag.

2674I wil kisse thy royal finger, and take leaue. [l. 2675] I am a Votarie, I haue vow'd to Iaquenetta to holde the [l. 2676] Plough for her sweet loue three yeares. But most estee­ [l. 2677] med greatnesse, wil you heare the Dialogue that the two [l. 2678] Learned men haue compiled, in praise of the Owle and [l. 2679] the Cuckow? It should haue followed in the end of our [l. 2680] shew.

Kin.

2681Call them forth quickely, we will do so.

Brag.

2682Holla, Approach.

Enter all.
This side is Hiems, Winter.
This Ver, the Spring: the one maintained by the Owle,
2685 Th' other by the Cuckow.
Ver, begin.
The Song.
When Dasies pied, and Violets blew,
And Cuckow‑buds of yellow hew:
And Ladie‑smockes all siluer white,
2690 Do paint the Medowes with delight.
The Cuckow then on euerie tree,
Mockes married men, for thus sings he,
Cuckow.
Cuckow, Cuckow: O word of feare,
2695 Vnpleasing to a married eare.
When Shepheards pipe on Oaten strawes,
And merrie Larkes are Ploughmens clockes:
When Turtles tread, and Rookes and Dawes,
And Maidens bleach their summer smockes:
2700 The Cuckow then on euerie tree
Mockes married men; for thus sings he,
Cuckow.
Cuckow, Cuckow: O word of feare,
Vnpleasing to a married eare
Winter.
2705 When Isicles hang by the wall,
And Dicke the Shepheard blowes his naile;
And Tom beares Logges into the hall,
And Milke comes frozen home in paile:
When blood is nipt, and waies be fowle,
2710 Then nightly sings the staring Owle
Tu‑whit to‑who.
A merrie note,
While greasie Ione doth keele the pot.
When all aloud the winde doth blow,
2715 And coffing drownes the Parsons saw:
And birds sit brooding in the snow,
And Marrians nose lookes red and raw:
When roasted Crabs hisse in the bowle,
Then nightly sings the staring Owle,
2720 Tu‑whit to who:
A merrie note,
While greasie Ione doth keele the pot.

Brag.

The Words of Mercurie,
Are harsh after the songs of Apollo:
2725 You that way; we this way.
Exeunt omnes.

FINIS.